IPod Touch?

• Does it make sense to get an Ipod Touch because I can't afford an IPhone? I really would like to get an Iphone. However, it would be a bit expensive for me right now. I already have an android phone bought a couple years ago, that I don't like- not user-friendly, does not pick up wifi often, screen too small, camera not good, etc. I was thinking I could get an Ipod touch which is much cheaper than the iphone and keep using my other cell phone for calls. I do have wifi in my apartment, but I live in a country (China) where wifi is not as readily available nor as reliable as it is in the States (you can get wifi in coffee shops etc but it's not that common in other places unless you are paying for it. It can also be spotty). I really like the Itouch though and would use it for various applications such as chinese-english dictionary (offline), skype and other instant messenger services to contact folks at home, camera function, and useful apps good helping me organize time/life. I could also use it when I go back to the U.S. to contact people in China through the instant messaging services. I am just wondering if there is something I am missing here, and if buying the touch doesn't make sense at all....or if I should just be saving up for an iphone. My knowledge about technology is pretty basic so feel free to assume I don't already know whatever info you want to share :)

• Answer:

  I have an iTouch and a dumbphone. It works pretty well for me in the US, especially since I spend most of the day in a university area where there's always wifi. I'm not sure how it would work out if I didn't have easy wifi access. Here's what I most use it for, in no particular order: 1. E-mail: I check it as soon as I wake up, and this way, I don't need to open my computer before I leave for work. Or I will check it occasionally when lying in bed and reading. 2. Todos and shopping lists: There are dedicated apps for this, or you can use the simple Notes app. 3. Yelp: I can bookmark places and the app saves the bookmarks offline, which is very useful when wandering the city. This may be less relevant in China, though. I no longer use Groupon, but when I did, it saved me the trouble of printing out coupons when I wanted to redeem them. 4. Maps: I generally look up directions in advance and leave it so it's available later without wifi. In dense cities, I'll duck into a Starbucks to find directions in a pinch. 5. EBooks: The screen is small, but it doesn't bother me too much. I mainly read on public transit or waiting rooms. 6. I try to restrict some social media browsing like Facebook and Twitter to the iPod, since it's a less comfortable than the computer, and therefore wastes less time! 7. Music (obviously). I have an old model without the camera or mic. If it did, I can think of many other uses... mainly as a primary camera, since the photo quality is not bad at all.