The iPod Touch as a WiFi computing platformThe iPod Touch as a WiFi computing platform

I used to think that my RIM BlackBerry was the best pocket communications device. Now, its become a real battle between the BlackBerry and my Apple iPod Touch (given to me over the holidays by a friend).My first impressions of the iPod Touch focused on its utility as, well, an iPod. You can read my comments here, but to summarize: Its not as good a music player as a traditional iPod, because the touchscreen is a hindrance to the audio experience. On the other hand, its a superior movie player, and the ability to surf the Web using a real Web browser is incredibly handy.

Given that you can find WiFi networks just about anywhere  airports, bookstores, coffee shops, hotel lobbies  a pocket-sized (or pocketbook-sized) Web browser is worth carrying around.

But still, is that enough to justify the cost? For business, no. But then, last week Apple released a suite of additional native applications for the iPod Touchs software. Costing US$19.99 (payable through the iTunes Store), the five extra applications encompass mapping, weather, notes, stocks and mail.

All five applications are fine. But mail, thats more than fine. Now, you can carry a standard mobile phone and an iPod Touch, and youve got just about everything that a BlackBerry offers, except a dedicated keyboard and tie-in with an enterprise e-mail server.

For a big business, the iPod Touchs mail software will not replace the tightly integrated BlackBerry e-mail solution. For smaller business, however, especially those which use externally hosted POP3/IMAP mail services (such as Google Applications), all the functionality is there. While you wont be writing long e-mail messages with the touchscreen, youll be able to check your mail, and fire off short answers.

In its earnings call this week, Apple executives referred to the iPod Touch as a mainstream WiFi mobile platform. Theyre 100% correct. With its new applications, its ready for business communications.