Two New Malstrom Blog Entries 08.02.08

[shams]

Yeah, the iPhone (iTouch) is an interesting beast.

My wife picked up one (iTouch) a couple of days ago, and is addicted to it. I got so furious at the damned thing, I almost took it straight back... but its not mine (so I didn't):

- it DOESN'T work out of the box (you need to connect it to a compatible computer, running a compat OS & iTunes, with a working OS - to get it to even START)

- it DOESN'T come with the "LATEST" firmware. The first thing the machine wanted to do, is upgrade to the new OS/firmware - which would have COST US $15US. I was really outraged (and it has not been updated since). Intentionally NOT putting the latest firmware on a device, only so you can charge for it post-purchase is just outrageous IMO.

It also doesn't work at ALL on our home PC (which isn't *that* old - and is running 2000). If it wasn't for the USB ports on the back of the Wii, I couldn't even charge the damned thing :P

...

Apart from all that, its pretty cool. To me, its a PSP with a smaller form factor, a touch screen, "PC style apps" & lots of built-in memory (we scored the 32Gig version).

Its a bit too "small" for me to seriously consider gaming on it, and the lack of "buttons" doesn't help either. I'm sure it will host some awesome casual titles in the long term though.

But I do see it competing more with the PSP than the DS - as its primarily a browser/media player. Movies (YouTube) look great on it, and its an excellent music player.

If I had intended to get a PSP (at some point) as a media player, I definitely wouldn't now - I would pick up a iTouch instead. But if/when I get a PSP, it will be for gaming (not media) - so the iTouch holds minimal interest in comparison.