Why I got an iPod Touch 2G?

My first and only iPod was when I got one in 2005. Its the 3rd generation iPod. The reason behind my purchase before was due to the fact I wanted to own one and have all my music in one digital device. After 3 years, my unit is still in good working order and I do hope it stays that way. I only had the battery changed in order to renew its playing time.


I held off buying the other generation iPods like the iPod photo, iPod video or even the nanos since in my personal opinion the upgrades are noteworthy but not enough to convince me to have it. I primarily use my iPod for music and podcasts which is why it is mostly used in my car.

Now the iPod Touch came in and it made me think already of an upgrade but since I usually hold off on 1st generations that made me wait. Now the 2nd generation was introduced last September 2008 together with more programs in the iTunes app store that are both useful and trivial.

I previously own a PALM Tungsten TX and was a very good PDA. I especially value it for its ability to have Epocrates Rx and for handling document files. Now my Nokia unit is handling the documents but unfortunately does not have the Epocrates Rx program built for the Symbian OS. This made me miss my Tungsten Tx.


Last December 2008, I was surprised to see in the iTunes app store and Epocrates website the availability of the program for the iPod Touch. This then made me seriously consider in getting the 2nd gen iPod Touch. So after researching and doing some window shopping for the best price I got one before the year ended.

Now, I am enjoying the 2nd generation iPod Touch because of the following reasons:

1. Still handling my music needs
2. Able to handle podcasts, not only audio but video content as well
3. Have useful and trivial apps to be more productive and counterproductive :)
4. Have Epocrates Rx for my professional needs
5. Include medical pictures that will help me in explaining to patients their condition.

The ability to handle documents such as editing and making it is still lacking for now. The only thing that I am now waiting is when Dataviz will be releasing the Documents to Go program for the iPod Touch and iPhone. If you want to be notified once it is released visit this link. I do hope it will be soon. Happy New Year to all!!!

Video call (3G), the advantage!

Filipinos love to text. That is a given. The ratio of text to call most likely will be 10 is to 1 (I am just guessing here) This might be due to the fact that texting cost less, is easier in terms of texting and press to send rather than press to call and wait for the receiver to answer.

However, calling has its advantages, 1) you hear the person you want to talk to 2) you are able to express your feelings and let the person know it 3) You are able to explain in detail somethings that is hard to express via text.

For quite a long time, Globe and SMART had been pushing video calls as a way to communicate but lately I have not seen any marketing campaign from them regarding this value added feature. This might not have taken off as planned by the telcos since initially it was charged higher than the standard voice call.

Now the price of the video call is the same as voice call, so I have taken advantage of it this year with my nokia 3G phone. Me, my sister and very recently my wife got hold of a 3G phone. We use SMART as our primary line. (Picture from www.guardian.co.uk)



So what certain situations we like to use the video features or how it is a GOD sent.

1. Buying stuff wherein the primary buyer is not with the errand person to buy it. Just like when my wife needed a phone pouch and wanted to see the different colors. Instead of guessing and going back if she did not like it, I video called her, showed the colors and VOILA!, she picked the one she liked.

2. Doing a procedure step by step via video call.
My sister had car trouble just the other day with her vehicle. She was stopped by the NLEX enforcers due to a non functioning tail light on the right side. She is not adept in trouble shooting so she called me up. This is were video call became handy. She showed me the tail light area and instructed her on how to dismantle the panel at the inside of the rear end of her vehicle.

3. Making someone happy especially the "Lola"
My mom is very fond of my little angel daughter. So when my sister is with my mom, I call her up and they are able to "talk" to her. Sometimes, when I am out, I call my wife and chat with my little girl. I can always see her delight and fascination that I can see her and she can see me.

Now if I could only get a hold of the previous unit, Mobile eye by SMART. This definitely I plan to use for security cam purposes.

How about you, any special use for your video call 3G? How I also wish that inter-Telco video calls would be possible for better use of this feature.
The only thing that I believe you don't want to be seen is when you are not dressed up properly or have a bad hair day. :)