Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with ipodtouch

Sending mail...psyche!

Bobby Bittman — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:09:56 -0800

Why won't my iPod Touch send mail? Everything about my new iPod Touch (2G, 32GB) works great - except replying to or sending e-mail. At first it was sporadic, and then after I did the 3.1 software update it stopped altogether.

Receiving mail is perfect. Replying, forwarding and composing email always seems to go fine, it says "sending", there's a little progress bar to show that it's leaving...and then it just never arrives, and never appears in "Sent Mail", presumably because it wasn't really sent.

I suspect it has something to do with the Outgoing Mail Server, which is the Yahoo! SMTP Server, but beyond that I don't have a clue what to do.

One other possibly relevant detail: I also use Microsoft Exchange to sync my Google Calendar with the Touch's Calendar app, and I have a gmail account under "Mail, Contacts, Calendars" to make that happen. Could that cause a conflict?

What do you think?

What do you mean I can't watch Dora the Explorer on a brand new iTouch?

fourcheesemac — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:09:12 -0800

Brand new iPod Touch 3G 32GB running 3.12 software and synched to the latest version of iTunes. Getting a "This movie could not be played" error notice when attempting to play an iTunes-purchased commercial video from a major television network (and for Youtube videos as well). Why? Asking this up for a non-techie friend . . . and I'm stumped.

I've googled this problem and, to my amazement, it's apparently widespread but there's no mention of it on Apple support forums and no canonical solution. This is a fresh out of the box 3G iTouch, connected to the latest version of iTunes running on Windows XP. Music and photos transferred and work fine. Email set up and working fine. But both Youtube videos AND a commercial television program (if you must know, it's an episode of "Dora The Explorer," and a sweet little girl is very sad tonight) bought and downloaded from iTunes give me a "This movie could not be played" error. I've re-synched; rebooted the iPod. Removed the offending video and reloaded it. No luck.

A few forums suggest a full software restore of the iPod, as does Apple as a last resort for this problem, but specifically (and only) for inability to play YouTube videos.

I can restore it, but it's damn annoying to have to do this on a brand new iPod that's already been set up, plus my friend has slow DSL, so the 300MB download is taking all night. And I have my doubts it will work.

WTF, Apple? Anyone have this problem and solve it? Any ideas?

There's an app for that

popcassady — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:50:00 -0800

How can I trigger a relay using my (non jailbroken) iPod touch? I had been using an old laptop to trigger a relay via the parallel port. Sadly, said laptop is very dead now.

Now, I have an iPod touch that I would like to use in its place. I have a developer account and figure that it would be easy to trip the relay via the headphone jack. The controlling app would play a piece of audio whenever the relay needed to be tripped.

Problem is, whilst I'd have no problem with the software, I have no idea where to start with the electronics. What kind of device am I trying to make? Would it be simple or complicated? Is there a name for it? Could you point me to a schematic?

Free WiFi in Tokyo and the rest of Japan?

teem — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:39:56 -0800

How widespread is free, open WiFi in Japan (Tokyo especially)? I've had good success using free WiFi in malls and such with my iPod Touch when I'm in unfamiliar major cities. It's great for accessing Google maps, looking up addresses, etc.

Will I be able to do this when I'm in Tokyo next year? What about when I'm in smaller rural cities? Are there any potential technologic or legal worries I need to consider or things I should prepare before going?

ipod touch updating error

klangklangston — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:27:22 -0800

Unknown error 0xE8000001 from ipod touch; won't connect. OSX 10.4.11, powerpc.

Last night, I tried to update my girlfriend's ipod touch software so that she could run apps (she'd been wanting it for a while, and I thought it would be a nice surprise). So, I paid my 4.95, downloaded the firmware… and got an error connecting to the iPod (the aforementioned 0xE8000001). I googled around, and it seemed like maybe I needed to update my iTunes version from 8 to 9. OK, so did that. Still, same error.

Fuck.

Now my iTunes says that I need to update my safari so that it can connect to the iTunes store, but I don't believe Safari 4 will run on a powerpc.

How can I: Revert to the earlier version of iTunes and how can I unfuck my girlfriend's iPod before she stabs me in the face?

How can I download a free US-only iPhone app from the UK

skylar — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 09:32:54 -0800

I'm in the UK and want to download a free app that is only available through the US iTunes/App Store. I have memberships of both the UK and US iTunes stores, but unfortunately the credit card on my US account has expired. When it comes to the point at which I download the app (on either the computer or the phone) it asks for an updated credit card. If I could convince someone to "lend" me their iTunes login details for a short while, even if there was no money on their card, would this work? Anyone tried this or willing to help?

I want an iPhone, but not AT&T

jasondbarr — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 21:18:11 -0800

What's the best way to turn an iPod touch into an iPhone? I feel like there should be some way to use/hack together a method of utilizing a wireless cellular adapter to get cell reception and then use Skype for making calls. Any thoughts on the best way to do this? I could just try to find a coffee shop whenever I need to make a call, but that's not really convenient, is it? I'm sure someone's thought of this before, right?

Toddlerize My Touch

wallaby — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:28:20 -0800

How can I best deck out a Touch for a toddler (accessories, not apps)? We had been planning on buying an iPod classic and getting this case which included little headphones. But now we've talked ourselves into a Touch. One of our big reasons for buying anything at all is for the kid to watch movies, especially on flights. We need to find a case/skin and some way for him to listen. Mommy and Daddy don't care if it clips on our belt or has a stand or anything. We have a kid--we're already going to have a bag we can throw it in.

Any recommendations?

Oh, he'll be just about two years old when we really need it. Yes, I know all the recommendations about kids and TV. Those recommendations were not made by people with a toddler in their laps on an international flight.

How will I face the commute again?

Ghidorah — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 01:10:23 -0800

Is my iPod touch dead? It's a 1st gen iPod, 32GB. I've never done anything to it in terms of software or jailbreaking or whatever. Last night, I plugged it into my computer to recharge, and this morning, I unplugged it. The catch is, I unplugged it without doing the safely remove bit, but I'm not sure if that matters. I'd closed iTunes, and the touch never shows up as hardware to remove, and, well I've done this hundreds of times. Fast forward to the morning commute, and I got a totally black screen. No lighting up, no sad mac face, just, nothing.

I've tried holding down the home button, holding down the lock button, holding down both of them together. I plugged it back into my computer, and iTunes didn't auto start. When I did start iTunes, my iPod doesn't even show up. It's just sitting there, looking black, dead, and like a stupidly expensive paper weight. It was a birthday gift from my wife, and I'd like to hold onto it.

Any ideas? Any suggestions? Can you bring my portable sanity dispenser back to life?

This stuff really needs to start working together

Breav — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:48:56 -0800

How can I use a pda, a netbook, and a desktop computer in an integrated way that keeps me more organized and productive? My hardware/software collection is based on a bunch of unrelated blog posts. Each is pretty good in its own right, but together they don't represent any type of integrated system. Can you help?

I primarily use a Windows desktop computer for my work. I don't anticipate changing that anytime soon. It runs, among other things, the Palm desktop application I use for contacts and calendar. I've never been a big fan of the Palm's task management capabilities. I leave the machine running most of the time and have found that if the Palm app is open and the system restarts for any reason I lose all of the data I have entered in that session-- extremely frustrating. I use Thunderbird to manage my personal and business email. The personal address will be going away at the end of this week and replaced by gmail.

Additionally, I recently purchased a netbook running compatible business software and Firefox for web browsing. While impractical for everyday use, it's fantastic for working offsite with clients or in other locations. I generally pack up the files I need from the desktop onto a flash drive before I head out.

My handheld device is a Palm TX, which travels with me infrequently. Right now the battery is dead and it hasn't been sync'd in at least three weeks. I've used it once or twice for the internet, but never really liked the interface. In short, I wish I liked that PDA better than I do.

I have a separate cellphone that is not smart. I have no interest in a data plan with my carrier and my current phone seems to meet my needs. No iphone for me. I have an ipod nano. It's cool, it's pink, and I like it.

That totals a giant pile of unconnected hardware that doesn't make me very productive.

I'd like to achieve a hardware/software solution that would provide me with a calendar, todo, and contacts I could access and synchronize between the desktop, netbook, and handheld device. I'm thinking about "collapsing" the ipod and Palm into the Ipod Touch, but have read mixed things about the Touch's PDA capabilities. I also don't know how well it synchronizes with a Windows based machine.

Gcal is a good idea, but I am concerned about not having access to my calendar when I have no internet connection. It would be very cool if I can receive meeting invitations via email and they would drop into my calendar a la Outlook, but not Outlook. I also need a way to track hours I spend working on various client projects. I have jotted notes in my Palm calendar, only to have them disappear when Windows restarted.

I have a small hardware and software budget if there is something additional I need to make this all work. Any ideas?

The App that Doesn't Seem to Exist

thisperon — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 14:09:37 -0800

Looking for a iphone/ipod touch calendar/todo app with specific requirements. Does it exist? Argh. Frustration with ical and how it currently works on the ipod touch. I am looking for an app that will:

1) sync wirelessly with both google calendar AND google tasks

or

2) sync wirelessly with ical AND ical tasks

Why oh why isn't there an app that does this? The best thing I've found is Calengoo, but I still can't get my Google tasks incorporated.

The app needs to be able to work offline (allow me to enter events and tasks or edit them), and sync when I am online again.

Anybody know of a solution? (And I don't want to use Mobile Me.)

Thanks.

apple divices willfully ignoring each other!

genmonster — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 19:25:33 -0800

itunes refuses to see my ipod- again! I've got a 1st-gen ipod touch, a macbook, and the latest version of itunes- but the three won't play nice... This happened to me a few weeks ago, I reset the ipod, completely deleted and reinstalled the latest version of itunes (including that all those tricky 'mobile device library' bits that are hard to find) and it synched. once. now itunes is ignoring my ipod again. can you help me fix it for good this time?

But I've almost beat Peggle!...

photomusic86 — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 19:08:57 -0800

Is there any way to transfer my high scores and achievements from the games on my 1st gen iPod Touch to my upcoming iPhone 3GS? It's not really a big deal. Just curious. Both are staying locked, so don't even suggest unlocking.

I'm looking specificall at Rolando 1, Peggle, Azkend, SameGame, and Cartoon Wars.

Not Another Jailbreak Question (Yes or No?)

kraigory — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:18:21 -0800

I have a brand new 8gig ipod touch on its way in the mail. I plan on using it half for music and half for apps and mobile wifi browsing. Should I jailbreak it, or just upgrade to the 3.0 firmware and use the app store? Also, if I plan on jailbreaking it, do I still need to upgrade to the 3.0 software for the new functionality?

Here are some more details: I'm your typical techie nerd college student who wants to take the internet with him everywhere he goes. I will probably use some sort of VNC app, and I'm wanting to stream music (video would be a nice bonus too) from my computer to the ipod via something like SimplifyMedia, or a similar option. I use gmail, google calendar, google documents, pandora, twitter, and facebook pretty often, gmail and google calendar wayyy more than the rest. I have a nice garmin gps, but wouldn't mind dabbling in the ipod gps options. Games are a nice bonus, but I figure there are plenty of good ones whether I jailbreak or not.

Anyway, my basic question is- for a techie college student nerd like me, do you think I jailbreaking my new ipod would be more stimulating and useful, or would I not gain enough to make up for apps that I would miss out on?

Oh, also I should note that I don't use itunes for my main media management, and half of the desire to jailbreak just comes from the open source mentality of it.

Contract based on 36 months with a 3.7% APR

Xurando — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:03:17 -0800

Help me figure out why my new Ipod Touch seems to be playing podcasts at faster than normal speed and to fix the problem. When I play back podcasts on my new 32G Ipod Touch it sounds like the speeded up portion at the end of car ads. Music seems to be okay but it's hard to tell. I played a piano sonata and it didn't sound speeded up. I would search the Apple/Ipod knowledge base for an answer but I don't know what to call it. I've looked in preferences but nothing seems to address my issue.
Any ideas?

Can I use my Blackberry Bold AT&T SIM Card in an iPhone?

thankyoumuchly — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:34:38 -0800

Can I use my Blackberry Bold AT&T SIM Card in an iPhone? My internet research has left me with the following impression: If the SIM card is linked to a blackberry data plan, when I put it in the iPhone I will not have data, only voice. I have a Blackberry Bold with AT&T in the United States and I am curious if I can remove my Bold's SIM card on the weekends and use it in an iPhone. I'll have to buy an iPhone used / refurbished, but I'm willing to do that as long as my AT&T plan doesn't automatically have iPhone charges added.

The reason I want to do this? I have a Bold and an iPod touch (and love the touch) but I hate carrying both with me (I am required to have the blackberry for work, but hate the email after hours, and I'm an iPod touch fiend!). If this is possible, I'll leave my blackberry at work and put the SIM card in the Bold from 9AM-5PM.

On the nights and weekends, I'll put the SIM card and put it in my iPhone (I normally leave my iPod touch in the car when I go to work anyway and use my laptop for iTunes/music).

I've searched AskMeFi but haven't found an answer.

The internet has lots of answers, most of which are not for AT&T / United States plans (lots of European solutions but these won't help as it appears the answer depends on AT&T's servers realizing that my SIM is now in an iPhone).

Thus far, my internet research has left me with the following impression:

If my Bold's SIM card is linked to a blackberry data plan, when I put it in the iPhone I will not have data, only voice.

- - -

Will an iPhone data plan *automatically* be added to my AT&T bill (this would cause me not to execute my plan). Can I turn off the AT&T network data and only use AT&T's network for voice and the iPhone's WiFi for data (this would be ok with me on the nights and weekends since I get enough email from 9-5 on my blackberry that I don't want to see any email it after work).

Will I get charged any extra by AT&T once they realize my SIM is in an iPhone and not a Blackberry (aside from the data plan, any strange charges)?

Can anyone elaborate, share their own stories, have any of you done this? (AT&T employees, can you tell me what the policy on your end is? Will a black suburban show up outside my house in the middle of the night!?).

I'm looking to you, hive mind! Pour forth your knowledge!

Thanks in advance,

TYM

Why buy an iPod touch now?

alhadro — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:50:04 -0800

iPhone Vs. iPod touch: Is the Touch now basically useless for anyone willing to jump through a few hoops? Apple announced the new iPhone 3GS today. Priced at $199 for the 16 GB model, with all sorts of new bells and whistles, both hardware and software. (AT&T plan required of course)

The 16GB iPod touch is still priced at $299. The new OS (3.0) will be available for the iPod touch, but won't include such things as the compass, video camera etc).

For someone like me looking for an iPod touch, or basically an iPhone without the phone function (Yes, i'm sure i don't need/want it, thanks) why would I possibly buy an iPod touch when I could buy the new iPhone, sign up for AT&T, wait 30 days, cancel, pay $175 termination fee and have a spanking new iPhone with all the features and no monthly plan? This would total about $375 all said and done and only be $75 more then said iPod touch.

Am I missing something? Even buying the original 8GB iPhone at the new $99 price and paying the $175 fee is still only slightly more than the $229 for the 8 GB Touch...

How to connect an iPod Touch to an ethernet port

robtoo — Sat, 23 May 2009 05:24:18 -0800

I have an iPod Touch (2nd gen) and a working ethernet port. If I buy an Airport Express, can I get internet access on the iPod? Note that I don't (currently) have access to a computing device other than the iPod to run any setup/admin utilities. Although I do have an iPod/USB cable, if that helps.

State of Japanese Kanji Learning Apps, 2009

Vorteks — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:36:35 -0800

Of all the web applications, Nintendo DS games, iphone/ipod touch apps, and other technology-based methods available for learning Japanese Kanji, what do you recommend? I have been searching for a long time for a "killer app" for learning Japanese Kanji. There are a number of different software options out there, but none of them have hit the "sweet spot" for me. What I'm looking for, in order of priority, is this:

A good automated review system. The software should keep track of how well you know each kanji, and periodically show you kanji that you've seen before. The more often you answer questions related to a certain kanji correctly, the less often it will show up. (Leitner system, or anything similar is fine)

Effective teaching of the WRITING of the characters, including stroke order. Animations or writing exercises strongly prefered.

Effective teaching of the MEANING of the characters.

Effective teaching of the READING (onyomi/kunyomi) of the characters.

Portability.

Example vocabulary a plus, but not essential.

Following the Heisig order would be a nice bonus, but I don't expect it.

Now, here's what I've tried so far:

http://kanji.koohi.com - This web app has a GREAT review system, and follows the Heisig order. It's my favorite app to date. But the downside is, it isn't portable, doesn't teach you much by itself (it's more for reviewing what you've learned in Heisig's book on your own), and doesn't show stroke order animations. Also it doesn't seem to be working right now.

Nazotte Oboeru Otona no Kanji Renshu DS - This Nintendo DS game is GREAT for handwriting practice, using the stylus to trace the characters. However, there's no built-in-review process. Once you move on, characters will never be shown to you again unless you deliberately go back and review them manually. Also, the game doesn't teach the meaning of the characters, and assumes a considerable mastery of Japanese from the get-go

Tadashii Kakitori-kun DS, other DS games - Not as good as the one above, and has the same limitations.

Declan Software's Japanese Flash Cards - A good attempt, but the lack of a review system really kills it for me. Once the software decides that you've "learned" a kanji, it never shows it to you again, and even manually reviewing things is very tedious

Price is not an issue

Does free wifi exist to make the iPod Touch worth it?

peanut_mcgillicuty — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:17:33 -0800

Is an iPod Touch really a viable alternative to the iPhone? Details inside, of course. My boyfriend and I are looking at getting either iPhones or basic phones and iPod Touches. But I don't want to pay over $130 a month for voice plus data service on two iPhones.

However, I'm concerned that the iPod Touch will not really be as useful as it might seem--is free wifi really so prevalent that we could use it as reliably as the 3G network for internet access while we're out and about? We live in New York City, so I feel like this should in theory be possible, but I've noticed that unsecured wifi seems to be disappearing--for example, there is no open wifi signal in my apartment building, whereas two years ago I had my choice of open signals. There are a few cafes in our neighborhood that offer it, but it seems like the point of having a wifi-enabled device is that you shouldn't need to know where to go pick up a signal, you'd just be able to do it. I can't imagine anything more frustrating than needing directions or something and seeing only a list of secured signals that I can't access. (Ok, I can imagine one thing about as frustrating and that's paying a $130 bill to AT&T each month.)

I may be a little biased; I've had a Treo for the last two years with a data plan, so I'm used to having internet access anywhere I can get a cell phone signal. Right now the iPhone monthly cost is the sticking point for me and it seems like there's such a convenient alternative...but I'm suspicious that free wifi is just not as readily available as cell towers are, so the iPod Touch would wind up being a completely useless toy in my purse AND I'd have to carry a regular cell phone. (I am not interested in the iPod Touch for its mp3 capabilities; I'm one of those weird people who doesn't really care about music and I don't have an iPod at all right now.)

We are definitely looking to upgrade phones, and going back under contract with AT&T is fine, although of course not being tied to a contract would be a bonus. So far the only choices we've really looked at are iPhones vs. basic phone/iPod Touch, although I guess we could consider upgrading my Treo to the Pre or a Blackberry. We're just all "Oooh shiny" at the iPhone and its multi-contact touchscreen. But I'd like to keep our total bill at $100 or less, if that's remotely possible. I get a discount through my job, 11% or 15% (I can't remember, although the $130 estimate above does include that discount).

Did anyone else go through this decision process? Are there AT&T plans that are cheaper than what I've been able to cobble together? Any other solutions I'm not looking at?

The Great Trilemma

Autarky — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:02:25 -0800

Best gadget for a college student: ipod touch, eee pc, or Kindle? I am, as mentioned above, a college student who may soon come upon some cash that I can afford to spend. I'm a bit gadget obsessed (when I can afford to be), and the ipod touch, eee pc, and Kindle all have me drooling. I can justify buying one, but certainly not two, so I have to choose.

I currently own a 14" Dell Inspiron that's not half bad and a nano 4g (which I would very likely sell if I got the touch). It seems like the Kindle would add less to my life (so to speak) than the other two, as it would add a functionality that I don't already have to some degree (actually, I do have books, but you know...)

I read a lot and I'm a major in the humanities, meaning the the Kindle would save me some money by letting me download public domain books for school for free instead of shelling out $10/each.

I also love the idea of having portable internet in my pocket that I can use to check my email and the news without lugging my laptop around campus all day.

Then again, with the eee it wouldn't be much to lug, and it has a whole lot more than the touch does (though you can't exactly put it in your pocket and stroll around town with it).

So, basically, which one should I buy? All answers welcome, though I'm particularly interesting in hearing from people who have two or three of these--which one has been the most "how did I ever live without this? (if any)

Help us get through the "Great Escape" level of Rolando!

AmbroseChapel — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:32:40 -0800

Help us get through the "Great Escape" level of Rolando! My three-year-old son and I would like help completing the iPhone/iPod Touch game "Rolando".

We're stuck at the very end of the "Great Escape" level, where you have to bounce the bombs on the trampoline over the green water to break down the walls. We keep getting blown up or falling into the water, and on the rare occasions we get through the first wall, the second one seems too far away.

So, a specific walkthrough/hint for that would be great, but also any links to sites where this stuff might already be found? I'm not much of a gamer so I don't really know how to find things like this. Googling hasn't been much help.

case for phone AND iPod Touch

barefoot — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:30:33 -0800

I'm looking for a carrying-case for both my cellphone (Sanyo M1, clamshell-type) and my iPod Touch. I'd like a small protective case that fits both devices, with a wrist strap. Thanks for any suggestions!

iPod Touch medication reminder app?

nuala — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 18:52:00 -0800

Is there an application for the iPod Touch/iPhone that will remind me to take my medication via badge or alarm and note when I have? I'm on several medications to treat fibromyalgia and now I'm also battling a case of walking pneumonia, which means I have several more pills to add to the daily queue. Unfortunately fibro fog often makes it impossible for me to remember if I've taken my meds or not. To mitigate my shortcomings I've been using an app on my Touch called Todo and checking off when I've taken the meds plus setting an alarm in my calendar to remind me it's time for my next dose. It's unwieldy and a total pain. Is there an app that I could log my medications, the time I need to take them and when I have done so? It doesn't need to be free. A feature of the Todo app is that when there are outstanding tasks to be performed, a badge pops up on the icon to remind you. I would be happy with that or an email reminder in lieu of an actual alarm. Even a web app would work if it sent emails.

In short is there a way to:

1. Notify me to take my meds (via email, iPod calendar-type alarm or app badge)
2. Log when I say I've done so, that way I don't take something twice.
3. Keep track of exactly what I'm on (preferably with dosage amounts)
4. Located all in one place, so I don't have to run a gauntlet setting it up and maintaining it?

How do I change the sort order on an iPod Shuffle?

Merzbau — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:17:01 -0800

How do I change the default sort options on an iPod Touch? In iTunes, I always use the "albums by artist" sort order, so DJ mixes will appear together as an album by whoever compiled them (in the Album Artist field) and compilations show up as "Various Artists". I've noticed that this is the default for the iPod Touch's CoverFlow view, but the list view (which I would prefer to use, since it's less prone to crashing during rapid scrolling) only offers albums in alphabetical order by title and a list of EVERY artist on the ipod, not just ones that appear in Album Artist fields, making the "by arist" option totally useless.

Another sorting issue I'm having: CoverFlow puts everything in the correct order, except for the compilations I have tagged as Various Artists, which are in semi-random order. For example, right now the first five are Shock City Shockers, Dirty Diamonds II, Dirty Diamonds, Dirty Edits vol. 1, and The Warriors soundtrack. This is a minor issue, but it's really annoying and I'd like to figure out a solution if possible.