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iPod Touch

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iPod touch
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2nd generation iPod touch playing Tap Tap Revenge.
ManufacturerApple Inc.
TypePortable media player/PDA
Lifespan1st generation: September 13, 2007 - September 9, 2008
2nd generation: September 9, 2008 - present
MediaFlash Memory
8, 16, or 32 GB
Operating systemiPhone OS 2.1.1 (Build 5F138)
CPU412 MHz (with software update 1.1.2) ARM11
Memory128 MB DRAM
Display480 x 320 3.5" color LCD 3:2 aspect ratio, 163 pixels per inch (ppi)
InputMulti-touch touchscreen
ConnectivityUSB 2.0
Wi-Fi 802.11b/g
PowerLithium-ion battery
1st generation: Audio - 22 hours, Video - 5 hours
2nd generation: Audio - 36 hours, Video - 6 hours
Dimensions1st generation: 110×61.8×8 mm (4.3×2.4×0.31 in)
2nd generation: 110×61.8×8.5 mm (4.3×2.4×0.33 in)
Mass1st generation: 120 grams (4.2 ounces)
2nd generation: 115 grams (4.05 ounces)

The iPod touch is a portable media player and Wi-Fi mobile platform designed and marketed by Apple Inc. The product was launched on September 5, 2007 through an event called The Beat Goes On.[1] The iPod touch adds the Multi-Touch graphical user interface to the iPod line and is available with 8, 16, or 32 GB of flash memory. It includes Apple's Safari web browser and is the first iPod with wireless access to the iTunes Store. With a software update, which is sold by Apple, it also has access to Apple's App Store.[2] The second generation iPod touch, featuring external volume controls, an internal speaker and contoured back, was unveiled on September 9, 2008 at the Let's Rock keynote presentation.

Description

The iPod touch has the iPhone's multi-touch interface, with a physical home button off the touch screen. The home screen has a list of buttons for the available applications. All iPod touch models have included the applications Music, Videos, and Photos (collectively duplicating the standard functions of the iPod classic), iTunes (providing access to the Wi-Fi Music Store), Safari, YouTube, Calendar, Contacts, Clock, Calculator, and Settings. Later models added Mail (accessing POP/IMAP/SMTP e-mail), Maps, Stocks, Notes, and Weather,[3] which could also be added to the earlier models with the purchase of a software upgrade. Direct links to web sites can be added to the home screen by the user.

New applications including a VPN client, scientific calculator and access to third party applications were released for a small upgrade fee on July 11 2008.[4] For more details on this topic, see iPhone OS version history.

Requirements

As supplied new, the iPod touch needs a connection to a computer for initial configuration.[5] Officially, Apple requires iTunes to be installed on either a Mac OS X or Windows operating system based computer for configuring the iPod touch. On either operating system, the iPod touch must be connected through a USB port.[6] The first time the iPod touch is turned on, a "connnect cable to iTunes" graphic will be displayed continuously until the iPod touch is connected to a computer running iTunes.[7]

To use the iPod touch for buying products at the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store via Wi-Fi, an iTunes Store account must be created in iTunes and the account details then entered into the iPod.[8]

Apple states that the following is required for the iPod Touch:[6]

  • A computer running either:
    • Mac OS X 10.4.10 or later
    • Microsoft Windows XP with SP2 or later, or Vista (32 or 64-bit versions)[9][8]
  • iTunes 8.0 (with the 2.1 iPhone OS update) or 7.6 for iPhone OS 1.1.4 or earlier
  • Available USB 2.0 port

Models

Generation Capacity Color Connection (for syncing) Original release date Minimum OS to sync Rated battery life (hours)
First 8 GB Black USB 2.0 (FireWire for charging only) 5 September 2007 Mac: 10.4.10
Win: XP SP2/SP3, Vista RTM/SP1 		audio: 22
video: 5
16 GB
32 GB 5 February 2008
Second 8 GB Black USB 2.0 only [10] 9 September 2008 Mac: 10.4.10
Win: XP SP2/SP3, Vista RTM/SP1 		audio: 36
video: 6
16 GB
32 GB

The iPod touch is equipped with Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, and, like the iPhone, includes the Safari browser and a viewing client for YouTube. The device's Wi-Fi capabilities can also be used to buy music from the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store. The iPod touch 2.0 Software Update supports WPA2 Enterprise with 802.1X authentication.[11]

Third-party applications

Jailbroken first generation iPod touch, running firmware version 1.1.1.

Shortly after the iPod touch was released (firmware release 1.1.1), hackers were able to "jailbreak" the device through a TIFF exploit. The resulting application, "Installer.app", enabled the user to download a selection of unofficial third-party programs. Some of these give the user more control over the iPod touch than is officially available, and also makes it work on Linux operating systems. Firmware versions 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.1.4, 1.1.5, 2.0, 2.1, and 2.2[12] can also be jailbroken. Servicing an iPod touch after jailbreaking or other modifications made by unofficial means is not covered by Apple's warranty.

A software development kit (SDK) was officially announced on March 6, 2008, at an Apple Town Hall meeting.[13] The iPhone SDK allows developers to make applications for the iPhone and iPod touch after paying a fee to join the development team. The developer can then set the price for the applications they develop and will receive 70% of the sale price after each one is sold in the exclusive App Store. The developer can also opt to release the application for free and will not pay any additional costs. Apple released the 2.0 firmware upgrade on July 11 2008, which includes the App Store.

Comparisons to the iPhone

The iPod touch is slimmer and lighter than the iPhone. It lacks some of the iPhone's features: access to any phone network, a microphone, a camera, Bluetooth capability and GPS receiver.

The second generation added physical buttons for volume control and an internal speaker, which were previously iPhone-only features. The second generation also comes with the chrome frame seen on the iPhone 3G, making the two almost identical when viewed from the front, with the only differences being no speaker above the screen, no silent/ringer switch and the sleep/wake button on the other side. The second generation also supports audio input when a headphone or earphone jack with microphone capabilities is plugged into the audio output jack. Although unannounced and unsupported by Apple, the iPod touch has Bluetooth capability, as the included WiFi chip, the Broadcom BCM4325, has Bluetooth and FM Radio support, as well as the advertised WiFi capability.[14] It is believed that this Bluetooth capability is being used for Nike+iPod support, as Apple have said that the Nike+iPod kit works on an unspecified 2.4 GHz radio frequency.

Criticism

A number of early adopters complained that on some of the shipped models, the screen could not properly display shades of black. The problem has been attributed to the misapplication of the reflective coating on the LCD.[15] The defect caused the screen to have a very narrow optimal viewing angle and also resulted in "shimmering" blacks. This screen problem was later addressed with the firmware update 1.1.1, with mixed results.[16] Apple has replaced iPod touch models with persistently defective screens. This problem was seen in the iPod touch models that were distributed in November 2007 to late January 2008.

Another drawback seen to the iPod touch was that it could not function as an external storage device, unlike other iPods, where the iTunes program holds the secret code which it could communicate and transmit information to and from the iPod touch.

2nd Generation iPod touches have a yellower cast among the display, although it is unclear whether this will affect video playback drastically. Users have reported a reduction in display quality with this tint.[17]

There have been many complaints that the 2nd generation iPod touch cannot connect to Wi-Fi networks using WPA/WPA2 security. This is especially serious as WPA/WPA2 is now the standard for wireless protection.[18]

Specifications

File:IPod Touch 2.0.png
1st Generation iPod touch

The specifications as listed on Apple's website for the 2nd Generation iPod touch are:[6][19]

  • Screen material: Arsenic Free Glass
  • Screen size: 8.9 cm (3.5 in)
  • Screen resolution: 480×320 px at 163 ppi, with 3:2 aspect ratio
  • Input method: Multi-touch screen interface, Sleep/Wake button, Home button, Volume Rocker buttons
  • Operating system: iPhone OS (Current Version 2.1.1)
  • Storage: 8, 16, or 32 GB flash memory
  • CPU: 620 MHz ARM underclocked to 412 MHz
  • RAM: 128 MB DRAM
  • Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
  • Built-in rechargeable, non-removable lithium battery with up to 6 hours of video playback, and up to 36 hours of audio playback, times vary.
  • Built-in audio speakers.[20]
  • 3.5 mm audio output jack
  • Size: 110×61.8×8 mm (4.3×2.4×0.33 in)
  • Weight: 115 g (4.05 oz)
  • Direct iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store access
  • Widescreen video
  • Included applications: Safari web browser, YouTube client, Mail client, Google Maps
  • Access to App Store (requires iPhone OS 2.0)
  • Widgets: Stocks, Weather, Notes
  • Access to Starbucks music (available only in selected cities across the United States)[21][22]

Template:Timeline of full-size iPod models

See also

References

  1. ^ Steve Jobs live — Apple's "The beats goes on" special eventTemplate:Accessdate
  2. ^ iPod touch - Features - Music, Movies, and MoreTemplate:Accessdate
  3. ^ Apple iPod touch - FeaturesTemplate:Accessdate
  4. ^ Apple App Store
  5. ^ Apple iPod touch First Impressions ReviewTemplate:Accessdate
  6. ^ a b c Apple - iPod Touch - Technical Specifications, Apple Inc.Template:Accessdate Cite error: The named reference "techspecs1" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  7. ^ iPod touch unpacking tour and first look (photos), AppleInsiderTemplate:Accessdate
  8. ^ a b RETRACTION: iPod touch: iTunes account optional, Deep ThoughtTemplate:Accessdate Cite error: The named reference "register1" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  9. ^ iPod: Minimum System Requirements, Apple Inc.Template:Accessdate
  10. ^ Horwitz, Jeremy (2008-09-12). "Apple iPod touch Second-Generation (8GB/16GB/32GB)". iLounge . Retrieved 2008-09-17. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ Apple Announces iPhone 2.0 Software BetaTemplate:Accessdate
  12. ^ "WinPwn official site". 2008-07-25. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
  13. ^ Live from Apple's iPhone SDK press conference - Engadget
  14. ^ "Broadcom page on wireless chip included in the second generation iPod touch". Broadcom. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  15. ^ Probable explanation for iPod touch LCD deficienciesTemplate:Accessdate
  16. ^ iPod touch and iPhone: Black or dark spots when viewing videoTemplate:Accessdate
  17. ^ http://www.macworld.com/article/135484/2008/09/ipodtouchfirstlook.html?lsrc=rss_main
  18. ^ http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1703504&tstart=0
  19. ^ Apple - iPod touch - Features, Apple Inc.Template:Accessdate
  20. ^ iPod touch: What's New, Apple Inc.Template:Accessdate
  21. ^ Apple and Starbucks Announce Music Partnership, Apple Inc.Template:Accessdate
  22. ^ Apple - iTunes - Starbucks, Apple Inc.Template:Accessdate
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