But now, there is "The Touch". Or, as the middle one is now quick to point out - "You mean the iPod Touch". Insert 10yo eye roll here. They were calling it the iTouch and I made the mistake of pointing out in some circles - they'd get their fingers chopped off :D
So, "The Touch". Almost all the games you could want for under $10 each. 3 games for the price of 1 for the DS. And it doubles (triples?) as a music player, and then there is the mom that loads it up with EDUCATIONAL stuff. I mean, what child wouldn't be excited about custom math drills?
Shush. You are on my side not theirs! LOL!
But as I sit here a year later, with Apple themselves posing the iPod Touch as a gaming device, I can say that I have more stuff on mine for them than me. I have a narrow window of games that appeal to me - I could technically not buy another one and be happy. I think that I would buy the their own iPT's without hesitation this Christmas if I could afford them. I actually pondered for a lot of hours last year getting the oldest one instead of her Nano. The use she has gotten out of the Nano is huge, and the iPT wouldn't work for all of that - so I don't regret going the direction I did. However, this year the App Store offerings have evolved into making me ponder the "big picture" of how we can use it for school too.
The other thing that got me thinking about this today was the new Harry Potter Spells Game. How, that is right up their alley - and how you need 2 people to make it do some things, and how much cheaper that is on "The Touch". Hey, it's only $5 and that would cover all 3 kids! So for me/us, this just seems to be the way to go in the portable entertainment area.
Not that they are getting them, but it probably would be #1 on the list if finances allowed it. Maybe 2010 birthdays? At some point I'll get to upgrade mine as planned and this 8gb will become "the kids". How well will they share?? Just keep in mind - the odds are if you are a parent and own an iPhone or Touch, well, you will have to share. HMPH.
If you are shopping for an Apple Product, don't forget to check the Refurb Store. All products carry the same 1 year warranty and are eligible for Apple Care. Often they are overstock, returns and such. But the family owns 8 or so refurbs - from iPods to Computers and they all have been great. You don't get the feeling that you bought something 2nd rate when you visit the store with a problem either. In fact, the Refurb Store is an Apple Fan's secret that they share, so consider this post my Holiday shopping discount gift to you!
OK, time to go watch some NASA TV with the kids (Go Atlantis!!) - speaking of which, if you haven't already, be sure to pick up the new NASA App (it's free!!). Lots of cool stuff, and you can get their twitter feeds without being on twitter!
Harry Potter: Spells, $4.99 
NASA, free,
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So you're telling me to stop calling it the iTouch? It's just easier - you know that one extra word is SO long to say. :D
ReplyDeleteI won't - but in case you run into some super geek that gets offended.... just consider yourself warned! LOL!! I just call it "touch" now :D
ReplyDeleteI disagree...you may be able to get 3 games for under $10 for the Touch, but most of them are really short and don't provide much playability compared to DS games.
ReplyDeleteWhich is fine for some - except shorter games are better for us. My youngest has the attention span of a gnat right now. I'd much rather her play for 5 minutes on a $2 game than 5 minutes on a $30-50 game (which she does on the Wii).
ReplyDeleteThe only one around here that can play longer stuff is the 13yo, and she should be doing school stuff instead of playing! :D Although, she spent an hour playing with the Dictionary.com app one day waiting speech therapy, so I guess that counts. Her delight at it appearing on the Touch was as much as it would have been with The Sims (ok, maybe not as much, but still).
It's definitely not a choice for everyone - but for us it would work. I also think that games will improve in depth provided that developers see returns on their programming time.
I know that the recent game, The Settlers is identical to the DS port, so obviously a lot are the same.
Do I think that the Touch will take over on the DS? Probably not, but competition is always good. It provides more options for parents to choose from.
Another thing, my middle chid has 2 doctors appointments on Monday. They will, unfortunately involve about 6 hours travel time in the car (oh yuck). Being able to hand her my Touch for awhile and do some school type of things on there is important to me. 30 minutes of math drill with a captive audience here I come! LOL!!!