[wvenable]

My parents just purchased a laptop; they're not really "computer people" but it's hard to get by without one these days. They might have been better off with an iPad but they could never use it because it requires an existing computer to work.

My daughter got an iPod touch for Christmas and I was shocked that it's just a useless brick until connected to a computer. I had to bring her laptop to Christmas (and hide it) so she could use her shinny new toy once it was out of the package.

[SoftwareMaven]

I think the first person who makes a "hard drive" with an iPod/iPad connector that emulates iTunes so people can backup their iPads without owning a computer will make a lot of money. It's the only thing keeping an iPad from being a general-purpose device for a very large demographic (or Apple could get with the times and allow a true cloud sync).

[RyanMcGreal]

> It's the only thing keeping an iPad from being a general-purpose device for a very large demographic

That and the fact that the device hides the existence of a file system. Even unsophisticated computer users understand and use the concept of folders and files.

[wvenable]

No, my parents would be much more comfortable without files and folders. They'd also be much more comfortable with a big screen of icons instead of the start menu, having all applications be full screen all the time, and very limited multitasking.

[Bud]

You were shocked that her music collection did not magically spring into the iPod from points unseen?

What were you expecting to happen? Did it involve an omnipotent Deity?

[wvenable]

While she does primarily use it for music, she spends just as much time playing games and surfing the web. She can add games without connecting it to a computer, but it still requires a computer to get it that far.

It's just surprising that a device with so many capabilities (other than playing music) cannot do anything without that initial connection. You can't even just play around with the home screen icons!

[ZeroGravitas]

Looks like someone else hasn't heard of the internet.

[Bud]

Doesn't really look like that, no.

Transferring an average music collection, say 10 gig, over USB2 is a much better way to do things than using WiFi. In addition, of course, although it seems you're mostly interested in being difficult and dishing out random pettiness, using WiFi would also involve making a connection to (gasp) your computer, where your music was likely residing before you purchased the mobile device in question.

So yes, Zero, I have "heard of" the Internet. I've also heard of plugging a cable in when it's much faster to do things that way, and when you have to plug the device in to charge it anyway, usually at least once daily.

[ZeroGravitas]

If you're looking for someone being difficult and dishing out random pettiness you might want to re-read your own contribution to this thread.

As for the actual point, you still seem to think, despite the other answer, that an iPod Touch is only used for large, purchased music collections. That's not really true any longer with music available via Youtube, Spotify etc. and a variety of other diversions available (web, gaming, email, netflix, iPlayer) basically none of which require a(nother) computer to be involved.