Christmas gifting Ipod touches

[crazelion]

My kids are 8,8, and 5 they all get IPOD touch for Christmas. Why I don't have carry on vacation, mp 3 player, camera, and dvd player and text for free.

I had computer when I was 5 years back in the day. I am tech -savy.

 

[HelenePA]

If you were their age wouldn't you want one too? Heck they are awesome little computers! My dd11 has one, and my dd9 wants one badly (I think santa will be bringing it) we are so OVER toys here... I could go out and buy 250$ worth of toys that will hardly get played with or and ipod touch that will be played with and loved daily...

 

[michellev]

My daughter (8) got one for Christmas last year and my son (7) will be getting one this year. For the record, they don't own Ds's, cameras, etc.

Some things my daughter uses it for:

1.Emails her grandma and a few other friends/relatives. I love that she has an independent relationship with my mother. They send pictures back and forth, update each other, etc.

2.PingChats (msn type messaging) me and her other friends who have iPods

3.Checks the weather every day to determine what to wear. She shares this information to me which I find quite useful.

4.Plays lots of games (of course). Most were free, I think I bought her a couple of .99 games which looked interesting. She plays games with me (Chess With Friends, Words With Friends) which I think is pretty cool.

5.Looks up words or information she doesn't understand or wants to know more about.

6.We have a Countries of the World App which she finds fascinating - she is especially interested in flags

7.Listens to music. We share an iTunes account, so for the most part she gets music we're buying anyway, so no cost to us

She has the older iPod without a camera, so she doesn't use it for pictures, etc. which is too bad.

There are other things she does with it, but these are the things I notice her using it for the most. It's not just a toy, it's a useful tool. She's very careful with it (my biggest fear was a cracked screen).

 

[RitaE]

Wow!!! Lots of good info here. I am so technically challenged, lol, I can't even figure out MP3s. When my cell phone contract ran out a few months ago, some of my students tried to tell me about different phones, lol, like watching movies on it.......I thought why in the world would I want to watch a movie on a tiny cell phone when I have a 55 inch tv, I'm now thinking about this Itouch for a couple my grandsons. And then maybe they could teach me how to use it.

I guess, but the tone of her post almost sounds like people are forcing her to buy iPods for her kids. If she doesn't want to fine, but what's with the attitude?

My kid has an iTouch and a nook color and not a Nintendo DS. Gosh everybody, just WHY should I buy him a DS when we all do other things rather than play a DS? Why I ask You? WHY WHY WHY WHY???

 

[Bethenny]

Enlightening so far . . .

My kids use their DS for games, have no need for portable movies or tv (they read or draw or listen to music when on the road) have access to my Nook color for books and internet, have mp3 players for music and aren't allowed to touch my cell phone so running off with it would be out of the question. I understand the portability of an I-touch but I guess I'm in the minority, because my kids just don't need anything that's portable. They have their favorite books, card games, puzzle books, or their parents to entertain them if we are on the go somewhere. At home they have a real tv to watch tv and movies on, a stereo to listen to music, various video game machines to play with and so on. In MY opinion, for a young child the Ipod touch is just an elaborate toy, a luxury, and my kids won't be getting one at this point.

Well yeah. It's a luxury. So are the DS, MP3, Nook, tv, video games and stereo you have. The difference simply is that it's better technology. You have all those things wrapped up into one little package. If you don't "get" it, well I just don't know what to say about that. You don't have to get one for your kids.

Folks, aren't you getting a little snarky?

And just how is the OP not being snarky?

 

[GoofyTroopOf6]

I have 3 boys (ages 9,7, and 6).

They all have their own itouches, the reason being is that they love the games that I can buy on itunes for cheap, and I can load everything from a single itunes account.
They also have DSi's, but at $30 a game, this is cheaper in the long run.

My kids never touch their DSi's anymore.

I didn't and would have got them any "i" anythings, but this past summer, my daughter caught on fire and burned 60% of her whole body. My Dad flew up and he got her an iPad and got my other two iPod touches.

In addition to music, there are movies they can download (kinda like netflix but they get to keep them on there), they can watch tv shows, they get internet, there are creative/artsy apps, it's a whole other ball game. IMO other hand held devices will be obsolete in the coming years. I'm glad I don't have to shell out $30-50 on games anymore that just wind up in the washing machine.

 

[GoofyTroopOf6]

I have been reading in this list and hearing from friends how popular the Ipod touches are. My question is, why? I know some kids who are 6 or 8 years old are getting one for Christmas with Itunes cards. What "tunes" are they going to download? I must be living with my head under a rock because I just don't seen the appeal in these machines. What's wrong with a $50 mp3 player? That's all my kids have and we put music on them from cd's we either already have or get from the library. They are 9 & 11 and don't need an expensive player with hundreds of songs on it.

Yes, my girls have mentioned wanting an I-touch but only when they hear that someone else got one. They don't really want one and I'm not going to buy one just so they can feel like everyone else. (And it's not really EVERYONE else, more like 1 in 20 or even less than that).

So enlighten me, why spend over $200 on this gadget, and do so for kids so young? I'm not trying to judge, just trying to figure out the allure because obviously I have missed something.

I think it should also be noted that it's not a money issue for us. We could easily buy these for the girls, we just don't seen the need. If we bought them each one for Christmas that would be $500 and they'd expect more than one gift under the tree. If I didn't buy them that, spent around $150 - $200 total, I could put the remainder in their savings account for college. To me that is the sensible thing.

Thanks for your thoughts. I really do want to know.

Well, now that I just answered without reading the whole OP, I wonder....do you REALLY want to know? Or, are you REALLY wanting a debate here. IMO you sound very facetious and then you "really do want to know"? Or do you just want to bash those whose kids have these devices because you feel like you are superior because you don't get them for your kids? (rolls eyes)

 

[luvmy3]

OP, I'm confused if you consider the Ipod touch an elaborate toy, a luxury that your kids aren't going to get, what exactly do you consider their DS and MP3 players? The IPod plays games like a DS (much cheaper games, even free ones) and play music just like an MP3 player. They are functional as a camera and gives you internet access. I guess I don't see it as all that elaborate, or even a luxury especially when comparing the cost for features. I could go out an buy 4 different devices and spend a small fortune or I can buy an Ipod Touch and have it all in one. Do young kids need it, of course not but I don't think they need a Nintendo DS, or a regular MP3 player either

 

[bjgrazi]

Now I'm sitting here rethinking us purchasing our 5 year old a DS for Christmas. He keeps asking for one. I'm just not sure I want to give him an iTouch. He loves his Dad's iPad and can use my iPhone, he's just not a gentle kid. KWIM

 

[kwelch10377]

Enlightening so far . . .

My kids use their DS for games, have no need for portable movies or tv (they read or draw or listen to music when on the road) have access to my Nook color for books and internet, have mp3 players for music and aren't allowed to touch my cell phone so running off with it would be out of the question. I understand the portability of an I-touch but I guess I'm in the minority, because my kids just don't need anything that's portable. They have their favorite books, card games, puzzle books, or their parents to entertain them if we are on the go somewhere. At home they have a real tv to watch tv and movies on, a stereo to listen to music, various video game machines to play with and so on. In MY opinion, for a young child the Ipod touch is just an elaborate toy, a luxury, and my kids won't be getting one at this point.

Aren't DS's portable? Why do your kids have them if them if they don't need anything that is portable?

 

[HelenePA]

Now I'm sitting here rethinking us purchasing our 5 year old a DS for Christmas. He keeps asking for one. I'm just not sure I want to give him an iTouch. He loves his Dad's iPad and can use my iPhone, he's just not a gentle kid. KWIM

an iTouch is the same exact thing as and iPhone just with out the phone part and thinner... how much is your budget? will he play more with toys or more with the iTouch... it was a no brainer for us last year with my oldest dd... I could buy her a bunch of crap she'd hardly touch or the iTouch which is still going strong... santa did good

 

[auralia]

My dd has had had one since she was 2 (now 4) there are loads of educational games on it for 1-2$ or free. I can load whole seasons of Dora, diago, blues clues on it for 15$ per season and Disney music that I already have. We bring it with when we go out or for long rides etc she has leaned lots from the apps and she has some shows for on the go. It is great on plane rides and for long doctors visits. I think my 1 year old son will be getting one this christmas from Santa for three reasons... He will be almost old enough to use it, he already has every toy under the sun, and all of my dd's apps/shows can go on it at no additional cost

 

[auralia]

Oh also if you put the touch in an otter box it is darn near indestructible except if it is submersed in water

 

[QVCshopper]

I was closer to the OP's viewpoint a year ago. Then I won an iPad and everything changed. These devices are amazing. Instead of needing a radio, alarm clock, physical book, CD player, games, digital photo frame, netbook, etc., I have an iPad. It makes life simpler, quicker, easier, and dare I say more pleasant?

That said, this year for XMas, I was all set to buy my almost 6 year old son an iPod Touch, but he really thinks he wants a DS. I've watched him with the iPad and he does so well with it, though. But, I'm willing to give the DS a try...

So, OP, unless you have one, I don't think you can ever fully understand the benefits--but there are many!

 

[Styx Fan]

My DS15 has an Ipod Touch, grandma got it for him for Christmas in '09. I wanted him to just get some type of Ipod or Mp3 player, but he kept wanting the touch....and grandma is a softie.

The kick to this is we told DS from the get go he would not have the WIFI enabled. I just do not believe a kid has to run around with the internet in his pocket. And I always wonder about all the young kids who have a Touch....do they really have open access to the internet? And I also don't think a kid has to have 24/7, any location availability to movies and videos...and even video games. With this being the case it made no sense for DS to have this item. When he still wanted it, I gave permission for him to get it. We enable the wifi long enough for him to load some games prior to a trip, once or twice a year, then delete the games when we get home. So basically, he has a very expensive music player. No, his phone does not have internet access.

When we are at home, he has the use of the home computer, in our family room. That use is monitored. Not every second, but he is not hiding out in room with the internet. We have TV's and video games. They are also in public areas of our home. He is allowed to use them, of course. But not completely unlimited and unmonitored.

Of course, he has access to all types of things at friends houses, but at home he knows what are our family values. I can only hope he digests it.

 

[eyes4eeyore]

Very helpful thread for me...a non-texting, tracfone using...mother of 3 girls, 10, 10 and 9 all begging for an itouch for Christmas. I was feeling like the OP, didn't "get it" but I hear ya's. So here's a DUMB question. Where does the Wifi come from? Or is it like a laptop where you need to be home or a cafe, MCDonalds, etc.? Thanks....

 

[tink576]

Very helpful thread for me...a non-texting, tracfone using...mother of 3 girls, 10, 10 and 9 all begging for an itouch for Christmas. I was feeling like the OP, didn't "get it" but I hear ya's. So here's a DUMB question. Where does the Wifi come from? Or is it like a laptop where you need to be home or a cafe, MCDonalds, etc.? Thanks....

You would be able to hook up to the wifi in your home or anywhere you travel which offers wifi, but if there was no wifi in your home then there's no internet.

 

[WowLookAtThat]

Aren't DS's portable? Why do your kids have them if them if they don't need anything that is portable?

They are. My DS does everything from letting me go on the internet, taking pictures and all sorts of things.

 

[momto2inKC]

Enlightening so far . . .

My kids use their DS for games, have no need for portable movies or tv (they read or draw or listen to music when on the road) have access to my Nook color for books and internet, have mp3 players for music and aren't allowed to touch my cell phone so running off with it would be out of the question. I understand the portability of an I-touch but I guess I'm in the minority, because my kids just don't need anything that's portable. They have their favorite books, card games, puzzle books, or their parents to entertain them if we are on the go somewhere. At home they have a real tv to watch tv and movies on, a stereo to listen to music, various video game machines to play with and so on. In MY opinion, for a young child the Ipod touch is just an elaborate toy, a luxury, and my kids won't be getting one at this point.

Now having said that, I do know high school kids who use the GPS feature, look up things for school online, etc. so I do see the usability there. Of course a lot of those kids do most of that on their Iphone though so they have the texting and talking capability too.

I have a little friend, 9 years old, she watches movies on her Ipod touch and I'm not sure how she hasn't gone blind the screen is so small! She'll watch an entire 2 hour movie that way. Go figure, my old eyes couldn't take it.

Simply put...an iTouch is all of these things in one device. Presumably you probably spent close to or more for all these devices/things compared to the $200 price tag of the iTouch. You mentioned your kids had $50 MP3 players and Nintendo DS's, those alone were probably as much as an iTouch.
My daughter uses my old iPhone as an iTouch, my son has an iPhone, as do my husband and myself. They are great 'tools' to have and come in handy in so many ways

 

[monsterkitty]

I have been reading in this list and hearing from friends how popular the Ipod touches are. My question is, why? I know some kids who are 6 or 8 years old are getting one for Christmas with Itunes cards. What "tunes" are they going to download? I must be living with my head under a rock because I just don't seen the appeal in these machines. What's wrong with a $50 mp3 player? That's all my kids have and we put music on them from cd's we either already have or get from the library. They are 9 & 11 and don't need an expensive player with hundreds of songs on it.

Please do not download music you borrow from the library. This is a huge copyright issue and not fair to the musicians.