Apple iPod Touch (first generation, 16GB)

Pros: Great interface, web browser works great, music playback is fine, cover flow feature is much cooler than you'd think

Cons: Video performance is terrible for dark scenes and for dark images within a scene

Summary: I bought mine today from the Apple store in Raleigh, NC. Basically I agree with the CNET review. It's a great device. Or at least it would be if it worked properly.

The screen is terrible. Dark scenes in videos from iTunes are unwatchable. It almost looks like a photo negative. Dark images within a scene are a problem too (for example. a person with dark hair). Darker images from the web also don't display properly. I'm no expert, but all that points to a problem with the display.

Apparently I'm not alone. A quick search on 'ipod touch dark scene' will bring up several blog entries. Here's an example:

http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/15/ipod-touch-having-display-issues/

The person I talked to at Apple tech support was not familiar with the issue. She was very polite and efficient though. I walked through the process of reseting, rebooting, and all that stuff. None of it worked of course. I then made an appointment to take it back to the Apple store. We'll see how that goes.

I hope this is just a manufacturing defect that's limited to a few units and not a design problem. I also hope they don't give me a hard time about fixing it.