5 Things the IPod Touch Still Does Better Than the IPad

The iPad is commonly referred to as a "bigger iPod Touch," and while I totally disagree with that claim, there are lots of similarities between the two. Overall the iPad is better than the iPod Touch, but there's still things the iPod Touch does better than the iPad.

1. Price

The Apple iPad costs a lot less than was expected (projected to cost over $1,000s) but it still doesn't compare to the cost of an iPod Touch. The 64 GB Apple iPad costs $699 ($829 with 3G) but for $300 less the iPod Touch is a huge cash saver at only $399.99. If you wanted an Apple iPad or iPod Touch and had a small budget, it'd be better to opt for the iPod Touch.

2. Portability

The iPod Touch is smaller and weighs less than the iPad, making it better for doing things on the go. An iPod Touch can fit right in your pocket, while you'll need a bag or sleeve to carry the Apple iPad around. The small size of the iPod Touch also makes for better navigation and app due to the thumb positioning. If you had to grab an Apple iPad or iPod Touch for a day out on the town, the iPod Touch would be a much better choice.

3. Battery Life

The 10 hour battery life of the Apple iPad is impressive for all of its features, but the 30 hour battery life of the iPod Touch fairs 3 times better. 10 hours battery life is better than that of a laptop or most netbooks, but for extended periods away from home or those nights when you forget to charge the battery, the iPod touch will serve as a better choice with its 30 hours of battery life.

4. Gaming

The 1GHz A4 processor and 9.7 inch screen of the iPad seems like a better gaming platform than the iPod Touch's 400MHz and 3.5" screen of the iPod Touch, but the iPod is the better gaming platform. The 3.5" screen of the iPod Touch makes it a better fit for controlling games with your thumbs, the Apple iPad won't have many gaming titles at launch, and the larger screen of the iPad displays a pixilated 2x version of iPod Touch games (or you can play on the iPad in 3.5" mode). Until the iPad gets better gaming control and a larger catalogue of games, the iPod touch will still be better for gaming.

5. Playing Music

If you don't plan on using the majority of the features of the Apple iPad and only need an MP3 player, the iPod Touch will still be the better tool for the job. The iPod Touch is compact, fits right in your pocket, costs less for more storage space, is easy to navigate, and has a better battery life than the Apple iPad. You'd look pretty silly lugging an iPad around town as an MP3 player and should opt for the iPod Touch as a better fit for you needs of an MP3 player.

- For more on the Apple iPad, check Kindle Responds to iPad: Offers Multiouch, Color and Wi-Fi, 3 Gadgets the Apple iPad Killed Without Even Flexing a Muscle, 6 Horribly Bad Tablet Names Worse Than the Apple iPad. Feel free to follow my blog for the latest in technology news.