Will an Android phone connect to Wi-Fi and download apps without a subscription? I wanted to get an iPod, but hate Apple and like Google. I was told that the android equivalent of an iPod is any phone without a subscription. 

Would an Android phone without a subscription be able to connect to Wi-Fi and download apps anyway? If not, what would be a real equivalent?
The equivalent of an iPod in the Android world would be one of these two:


A handset with no telephony at all, this will be WiFi only

An example of this is the Samsung Galaxy Player.

A prepaid handset phone, this will still connect to WiFi, but later on if you wanted, you could connect it to a phone network

An example of this is the LG Optimus V on Virgin Mobile.



As long as the manufacturer supports it (check the product page, but I think most do nowadays), you'll be able to download apps from the Google Play Store.  You will also be able to download from alternate stores depending on the device.  Finally, I think all Android devices can download from the Amazon AppStore.