IPod Touch

Infobox Information appliance
title = iPod Touch


caption = 2nd generation iPod Touch playing Tap Tap Revenge.
manufacturer = Apple Inc.
type = Portable media player/PDA
connectivity = USB 2.0
Wi-Fi 802.11b/g
media = Flash Memory
8, 16, or 32 GB
input = Multi-touch touchscreen
display = 480 x 320 3.5" color LCD 3:2 aspect ratio, 163 pixels per inch (ppi)
dimensions = 1st 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)
weight = 1st generation: 120 grams (4.2 ounces)
2nd generation: 115 grams (4.05 ounces)
cpu = 412 MHz (with software update 1.1.2) ARM11
memory = 128 MB DRAM
operatingsystem = iPhone OS 2.1.1 (Build 5F138)
lifespan = 1st generation: September 13, 2007 - September 9, 2008
2nd generation: September 9, 2008 - present
power = Lithium-ion battery
1st generation: Audio - 24 hours, Video - 7 hours
2nd generation: Audio - 36 hours, Video - 6 hours

The iPod Touch (trademarked and marketed as the iPod touch and sometimes colloquially referred to as the iTouch [http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2008/06/19/ipod-touch-shortages-suggest-new-itouch-in-september] [http://gizmodo.com/5047390/ipod-nano-hands+on-impressions] [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/connected/main.jhtml?xml=/connected/2008/09/07/dlbbc107.xml] ) 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". [http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/05/steve-jobs-live-apples-the-beat-goes-on-special-event/ Steve Jobs live — Apple's "The beats goes on" special event] accessdate|2007-09-05] 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. [http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/features.html?feature=itwfms iPod Touch - Features - Music, Movies, and More] accessdate|2007-09-05] The second generation iPod Touch, featuring external volume controls, an external speaker, a contoured back and built-in Nike+ support, 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, [ [http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/features.html Apple iPod touch - Features] accessdate|2008-01-15] 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 an upgrade fee on July 11 2008. [ [http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/appstore/ Apple App Store] ] "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. [http://www.brighthand.com/default.asp?newsID=13347 Apple iPod touch First Impressions Review] accessdate|2007-12-09] 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. [http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/specs.html Apple - iPod Touch - Technical Specifications] , "Apple Inc."accessdate|2007-09-05] The first time the iPod Touch is turned on, a "connect cable to iTunes" graphic will be displayed continuously until the iPod Touch is connected to a computer running iTunes. [http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/07/09/13/ipod_touch_unpacking_tour_and_first_look_photos.html iPod touch unpacking tour and first look (photos)] , "AppleInsider"accessdate|2007-12-09]

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. [http://www.dtgeeks.com/news/comment/retraction_ipod_touch_itunes_account_optional/ RETRACTION: iPod touch: iTunes account optional] , "Deep Thought"accessdate|2007-12-09]

Apple states that the following is required for the iPod Touch: [http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/specs.html Apple - iPod touch - Technical Specifications] , "Apple Inc."accessdate|2007-09-05]
*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) [http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60971 iPod: Minimum System Requirements] , "Apple Inc."accessdate|2007-12-09]
*iTunes 8.0 (with the 2.1 iPhone OS update) or 7.6 for iPhone OS 2.0.x or earlier
*Available USB 2.0 port

Models

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. [http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2008/03/06iphone.html Apple Announces iPhone 2.0 Software Beta] accessdate|2008-05-15]

Third-party applications

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, 2.0.1, 2.0.2 and 2.1cite web |url=http://winpwn.com/index.php/Main_Page |title=WinPwn official site |accessdate=2008-07-26 |date=2008-07-25] 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. [ [http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/06/live-from-apples-iphone-press-conference/ Live from Apple's iPhone SDK press conference - Engadget ] ] 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 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. [cite web
url=http://www.broadcom.com/products/Bluetooth/Bluetooth-RF-Silicon-and-Software-Solutions/BCM4325
title=Broadcom page on wireless chip included in the second generation iPod touch
publisher="Broadcom"] 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

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. [http://www.macworld.com/article/135484/2008/09/ipodtouchfirstlook.html?lsrc=rss_main]

cquote|When you compare the second-generation iPod touch to the original iPod touch or an iPhone, you’ll find its screen “warmer” (read: yellower) in cast. With the iPhone 3G, Apple moved to this warmer display tone because it felt it provided the best look for all the content the device was capable of playing—meaning photos and video. The latest iPod touch’s screen is even more yellow than the iPhone 3G’s. Apple claims this was a deliberate choice rather than some kind of power-saving measure or a result of the native characteristic of the display components.

When viewed side by side with an older iPod touch or an iPhone—particularly when looking at a settings screen that has a lot of white on it—the 2G iPod touch’s display looks dingy in comparison. But put those other devices aside, use the iPod touch as it was intended, and you’ll forget all about its warmer cast. [http://www.macworld.com/article/135540/2008/09/2gipodtouch.html]

pecifications

The specifications as listed on Apple's website for the 2nd Generation iPod Touch are: [http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/specs.html Apple - iPod touch - Technical Specifications] , "Apple Inc."accessdate|2007-09-05] [http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/features.html Apple - iPod touch - Features] , "Apple Inc."accessdate|2007-10-08]
*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
*GPU: PowerVR MBX Lite 3D
*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. [ [http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/whatsnew.html iPod touch: What's New] , "Apple Inc."accessdate|2008-09-23]
*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) [http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2007/09/05starbucks.html Apple and Starbucks Announce Music Partnership] , "Apple Inc."accessdate|2007-10-08] [http://www.apple.com/itunes/starbucks/ Apple - iTunes - Starbucks] , "Apple Inc."accessdate|2007-10-08]

ee also

* Comparison of iPod managers
* Comparison of portable media players
* List of handhelds with Wi-Fi connectivity
* List of portable media players with Wi-Fi connectivity
* iPhone

References

External links

* [http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/ Apple's official iPod touch product page]