From a quick glance, Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch devices look similar -- and, to some, even identical -- to one another, both defined by touchscreen interfaces and sleek, thin bodies. From a functional standpoint the devices are also similar to one another, each running the iOS operating system -- and, as a result, the same versions of the applications or "Apps" available for either device.
iOS
Like Windows XP, Vista or 7 on a PC or OS X on an Apple laptop or desktop, iOS is Apple's mobile operating system for its iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch devices. Among other things, the operating system provides a visual interface for navigating your iPod Touch. As is the case with computer software -- for example, different versions of Microsoft Word exist for Windows and Mac -- mobile application developers write versions of their programs with different operating systems, not devices, in mind.
OS Versions and Updates
When you connect your iPod Touch to your computer, you'll sometimes notice iTunes prompting you if you want to upload your device's operating system. Doing so has several benefits, perhaps most important among them the fact that as time passes, application developers may begin to disregard older versions of the iOS when creating new applications. Update your iOS regularly to ensure applications function properly on your iPod Touch, just as you would do if you used an iPhone.
Application Updates
Keeping your operating system up to date isn't all that's important to ensure optimal application function. As is the case on the iPad and iPhone, it's also important to download updates to applications when they're available, most easily via the "App Store" on your iPod Touch desktop. One difference between the iPad or iPhone and the iPod Touch which makes this more difficult on the latter is that you need to find an available wireless connection to access the App Store on your device, but once you do, you can download updates with just a tap of your finger.
Internet Connection
The discrepancy in Internet connection between always-connected iPhones and iPod Touch devices, which only have access to the Internet sometimes, is that you may not always be able to make use of applications on the latter device. For example, if you're on your iPod Touch -- but away from a wireless Internet connection -- you can't make update to social networking applications like Facebook and Twitter as you would using your iPhone and its cellular data connection.
Tags: iPod Touch, operating system, your iPod, your iPod Touch, iPad iPhone
