Using an iPhone & iPad in Thailand Tips, App Reviews and News for the iPhone and iPad by Richard Barrow

New iPod Touch Launched in Thailand

You can now buy an 'iPhone without the phone' at only 7,900 baht! While we are still waiting for the official launch of the iPhone 4 in Thailand, the Apple Store here has just launched their new line-up of iPod Touch, iPod nano and iPod shuffle devices.

Yesterday, the Thailand Apple Store released the 4th generation version of the iPod Touch. This has only just been released in America and comes as a surprise move just weeks before an expected release in Thailand of the iPhone 4. As the new Ipod Touch has been described as an 'iPhone without the phone', Apple might be finding that some people will be going for this cheaper option rather than the more expensive iPhone 4. Unlike previous versions of the iPod Touch, this version has a camera, two in fact though the rear camera is only 1 megapixel. However, it has HD video and can do Facetime video conferencing with other iPod Touch and iPhone 4 users. The units are priced at 7,900 baht (8GB), 10,400 baht (32GB) and 13,900 baht (64GB). Prices already include VAT.

Also released this week are the iPod nano and the iPod shuffle. The nano is priced at 5,400 (8GB) and 6,600 baht (16GB). The shuffle is priced at 2,000 baht (2GB). You can buy all of these in the Apple online store.

New iPod Touch with Camera!

Do you want the features of iPhone 4 for not much more than 7,000 Baht? Now you can with the release in America of the new iPod Touch. It does practically everything an iPhone 4 handset does without the expensive carrier charges.

Even before the iPhone 4 gets an official release in Thailand, we are already being tempted with new products from Apple. However, it might not be such a wise move on their part delaying the Thailand release of the iPhone 4 as some people might now decide to skip the mobile phone and go straight for the fourth generation iPod Touch. After all, it has most of the same features but at a fraction of the cost. The iPod Touch will retail in America from $229 (about 7,100 Baht) while the iPhone 4 is expected to be about $800 (25,000 Baht). The following are some of the main features according to the Apple website.

• FaceTime: FaceTime brings video calling to iPod touch. So now you can see your friends and talk to them.
• Retina display: The remarkable 960-by-640 resolution on iPod touch makes everything you see and do on it look even more incredible.
• HD video recording: iPod touch lets you record, edit, and share stunning HD video. And because it’s always with you, you’ll never miss a great video op.
• Even better gaming: The A4 processor helps give you even more amazing gaming. And Game Center lets you play against friends anywhere in the world.

Even though the new iPod Touch is not a mobile phone like it's more expensive cousin, it can help you keep in contact by using your WiFi network. These days, most people "talk" with each other on social networking sites. But, if they want to actually speak, then they can use the Skype app to talk for free with anyone around the world. In addition, with FaceTime, you can do video conferencing with anyone else with an iPhone Touch AND/OR even an iPhone 4! So, if you want to keep in touch with a family member or girlfriend, then this might be a cheaper alternative to buying them an iPhone. The iPod Touch has two cameras. The one on the back can record HD quality video which you can edit straight away. However, the stills camera, though good, apparently isn't as good as the iPhone 4.

The iPod Touch will be available next week in America for $229 (8GB), $299 (32GB) and $399 (64GB). No news yet of a release date for Thailand. As my iPod Classic is now on its last legs I am really tempted to get the new iPod Touch. However, I am not sure if I will buy it instead of the iPhone 4. It is important for my work to be able to connect to the Internet wherever I am, and I am out and about a lot away from WiFi networks. I guess I might just have to buy both!

UPDATE: The new iPod Touch was released in Thailand about a week after America. Here are the prices which already include VAT:

8GB: 7,900 Baht
32GB: 10,400 Baht
64GB: 13,900 Baht