iPod Touch
Don Chafetz, Israel Philatelist
Before I start this article, a disclaimer. I own no stock in Apple Computer Company and have no relatives working for the company.
I was aware of Apple’s iPod Touch, but not especially impressed with it. At my niece’s recent wedding, I saw my two nephews playing with their Touch devices and asked them why they were so thrilled with them. They proceeded to tell me that they could get their e-mail, connect to the Internet and play games on the device. I was not impressed since I could do all that on my computer.
But, when my daughter surprised me with an iPod Touch, my tune changed. I started to experiment with its features and found out how invaluable it was. At this point, you might be wondering what the heck is an iPod and what is an iPod Touch?
As I understand it, the basic iPod is a small portable device that you can load music and pictures on and can carry with you anywhere. You might have seen young people walking around with earplugs and a small device strapped to their arm. It was probably an iPod or some version of one.
iPod Touch
A Touch is a type of iPod, but with the ability to connect to the Internet. A more advanced model is called an iPhone and it does everything a Touch does, but includes a phone and camera as well.
As a philatelist, why do I find the Touch so invaluable? On the basic level, I can connect to the Internet and have access to my e-mail and news anywhere in the house and anywhere outside the house that allows public access to the Internet. While this is nice, it is not the main reason why I am thrilled with the Touch.
What makes it so special to me is the ability it affords me to upload files from my computer to the Touch. (I purchased and installed a low cost program from Apple’s iTunes Store in order to make this possible).
As a philatelist, you may be wondering why is this “uploading” of files so important? Well, have you ever gone to a bourse or stamp show, seen a stamp or cover and wondered if you really needed it? Or have you examined a stamp or cover and then tried to remember if the stamp was a variety that you needed or if the markings on the cover were real or fake? With the speed and precision of a Super Hero, the Touch can help answer those questions.
I now can load reference articles, catalog listings and copies of my exhibits and “spare” material into my computer and upload the material to the Touch. So, as I sit at the dealer’s table or look at the exhibits and see something of interest, I just take out my Touch and open the reference document or look at the relevant image. Remember, knowledge is power.
As you can see from the picture the Touch is small enough to fit in your hand and with a case clip onto your belt. The battery life is around 4-5 hours and is rechargeable.
I strongly believe that the Internet represents the area of future growth for philately in general and the SIP in particular. In the very near future, the Society will be releasing its completely revised and updated web site. Among the many features of the site will be numerous articles, back issues of The Israel Philatelist, question board and e-mail facility. With a Touch or iPhone and an Internet connection you have the full resources of the SIP web site in your hand!
If you have any teenagers or grandchildren around, you probably have heard them talking about “social networking.” As I understand it, that can include instant messaging, Facebook sites and YouTube among the many websites. Whereas, in past generations we either wrote letters or used the telephone, the kids today use the computer and electronic devices for the same purpose instead. To my way of thinking, this electronic communication offers our hobby an opportunity to connect with young people and interest them in philately. How to facilitate that will evolve over the years, but we must now be thinking and planning for it.
I strongly believe that between the new web site and devices such as the Touch and iPhone, we will establish a connection with both the young and even most importantly, the middle age generations. That will be a win-win situation for them and the hobby. 
