For my first blog post I’ve decided to write about my new toy, which I absolutely love and can’t stand to put down…my iPod touch®. The Apple iPod Touch is practical and compact, an exceptional product to stay connected when you’re on the go – and it’s also great if you’re on a budget, like I am.
There are 3 new iPod touch models available; 8GB, 16GB and 32GB–offered for $229-$399 through the Apple Store. If those prices sound a bit steep, keep in mind that better deals can be found on older models or refurbished products.
Besides all the great features of an Apple iPod, which allows you to carry music, video, pictures, etc., the Touch offers schedule syncing, great applications to keep you organized, and most importantly—web access.
The iPod touch a great choice for those on a budget because, unlike its iPhone™ counterpart, you don’t need to purchase a media plan or contract in order to get Internet access. The Touch allows you to log onto the Internet at any free WiFi location, including major companies like:
- Caribou Coffee
- McDonald’s
- Cosi
- Corner Bakery
- Office Depot
- Panera
- Staples
- Subway
- Safeway
- Whole Foods
- Starbucks (2 hours free with a Starbucks card)
- Most airports & libraries
- Many hotel chains across the U.S
- Smaller restaurants, coffee shops, and other stores offer free WiFi as well
Do a search online for locations at:
- www.wififreespot.com
- v4.jiwire.com
- wi-fi.jiwire.com
- www.hotspothaven.com
- wifinder.com
- www.freesearching.com
or look for free WiFi signs in store windows, on menus, or on notice boards. Just keep an eye out! Consider how convenient it could be to: view and send e-mail, search the web, follow stocks or anything else, while you’re out and about. Best of all, you can do it for free.
However, remember that you should not deal with sensitive information on an open wireless network for security reasons. Avoid on-line banking, purchases which require credit cards numbers, or sharing other private information while on the iPod Touch using an unsecured wireless connection.
The cost-conscious consumer will also love the hundreds of economical and free applications you can download through iTunes®. I’ll be blogging more about these in the future.
Love your posts! I just heard from a colleague w/ an iPhone that instead of the $250 iTouch I should get the $99 iPhone w/o the expensive monthly plan…thought I’d pass the thought along, not sure what to think about it and haven’t looked into it yet.
As technologically handicapped as I am, even I got iPOD envy.
I’m one with iPhone envy but can’t justify the expensive monthly data plan. Now I have iPod touch envy!
Tracey, I totally understand! I do love my iPod Touch!
Ilhan – you made me laugh so hard!
Thanks for your comment Sarah!
Although the $99 iPhone does sounds great, unfortunately you cannot purchase the iPhone without the expensive monthly plan offered exclusively through AT&T. I’m sure you’ll discover this when you examine your pricing options.
I have been searching the web for information on this and found these interesting quotes pertaining to iPhone pricing plans:
From the AT&T iPhone FAQs page “iPhones sold in the United States are configured to work only with the wireless services provided by AT&T.”
Cnet’s Rick Broida blogs about the $99 iPhone and points out that his wife wouldn’t approve of an iPhone purchase because “AT&T still charges a minimum of $70 per month for minutes and data.”
(http://news.cnet.com/8301-13845_3-10259804-58.html)
Also, FierceWireless’ Phil Goldstein writes “According to AT&T, the average monthly bill for an iPhone user is in the mid-$90 range.”
(http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/t-not-changing-iphone-data-plan-rates/2009-06-12)
I agree that the $99 iPhone price is enticing but the reality is the monthly plan costs could be too steep for those on a budget. I know it is for me!