IPod Touch

iPod touch

Manufacturer	Apple Inc.
Type	Digital audio player
Lifespan	September 13, 2007-present
Media	Flash Memory: 8 or 16 GB
Operating system	1.1.2 (OS X)
Display	480 x 320 3.5" color LCD
Input	Multi-touch touchscreen
Connectivity	USB 2.0, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g
Power	lithium-ion battery
Dimensions	4.3×2.4×0.31 in (110×61.8×8 mm)
Mass	4.2 oz (120 g)

The iPod touch is an iPod portable media player designed and marketed by Apple Inc. The device, which features a multi-touch interface, was unveiled to the general public on September 5, 2007 as part of an event dubbed "The Beat Goes On", which featured the introduction of Cover Flow to the iPod line. The iPod touch uses 8 or 16 GB of flash memory. It also has Wi-Fi and includes Safari, Apple's web browser. The iPod touch is the first generation of the iPod line to include wireless access to the iTunes Store. The iPod touch also has the capability to detect the current and last 10 songs playing in a Starbucks café within the vicinity of the device, and offers the user the opportunity to download the tracks in the iTunes music store. This feature will slowly be offered in limited markets. There are currently no plans to expand into stores other than those in the United States.

The iPod touch has a touchscreen interface similar to that of the iPhone. Like the iPhone, it includes a physical home button separate from the touch screen. The home screen includes a headphone set, an alarm clock and also a list of buttons corresponding to the available applications: Music, Videos, Photos, iTunes on the bottom button row. Safari, YouTube, Calendar, Contacts, Clock, Calculator, and Settings are at the top. The iPod touch comes preloaded with 28 wallpaper photos, some of which are figures from the iPod advertisements.

On October 17, 2007, Steve Jobs, in an open letter posted onto Apple's webpage, announced that a software development kit (SDK) for the iPhone would be made available to third-party developers in February 2008. Due to security concerns and Jobs' praise of Nokia's digital signature system, it is also suggested that Apple will adopt a similar method. The SDK will also apply to the iPod touch.

Wi-Fi

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 purchase music from the iTunes Store wirelessly. Like its counterpart, the iPhone, the iPod touch does not support 802.1x authentication method, which is a common enterprise standard. There has not been any mention of UPnP AV media rendering support.

Jailbreak

Main article: iPod touch hacks

Just like the iPhone, the iPod touch has been jailbroken by numerous third-parties and users, allowing third-party applications and other homebrew to run on the iPod touch, many ported over from the iPhone. While using applications available after jailbreaking, the iPod touch functionality reaches that of the iPhone to a very close degree. Though true calls cannot be made, SMS messages can be sent through E-Mail, and an Instant Messenger client is available.

Criticisms

Initial reviews of the iPod touch have noted some differences compared to Apple's similar iPhone. Furthermore, the iPod touch is missing the iPhone's email, mapping and stock tracking applications. The iPod touch also lacks Bluetooth capability. At least one critic has suggested that Apple may have purposely left out these applications and hardware features in order to reduce this product's competition against its pricier cousin, the iPhone. Another suggests that the product doesn't require those particular features because it's an iPod and not a mobile phone.

Another complaint targets the lack of a physical knob for volume controls, a feature present on the iPhone. The iPod touch uses software-based controls, which require users to first double click the home button, and to then use the touch sensitive screen to change the volume. A number of early adopters have complained that their device's screen could not properly display shades of black. The problem has been attributed to the misapplication of the reflective coating on the LCD display and bad quality control. The defect caused the screen to have very narrow optimal viewing angle and also resulted in "shimmering" blacks. This screen problem was later corrected with the firmware update 1.1.1.

Specifications

The specifications as listed on Apple's website are:

• Screen material: Glass
• Screen size: 8.9 cm (3.5 in)
• Screen resolution: 480×320 pixels at 163 ppi
• Input method: Multi-touch screen interface
• Operating system: OS X
• Storage: 8 or 16 GB Flash memory
• CPU: 400 MHz ARM
• RAM: 128 MB
• Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
• Built-in rechargeable, non-removable battery with up to 5 hours of video playback, and up to 22 hours of audio playback, times vary.
• Size: 110×61.8×8 mm (4.3×2.4×0.31 in)
• Weight: 120 g (4.2 oz)
• Built-in iTunes Wi-Fi store
• Wide screen video
• Safari and YouTube built-in
• Access to Starbucks music (currently only in New York, San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle)

Package contents

• iPod touch
• Earphones
• USB 2.0 cable
• Dock adapter
• Polishing cloth
• Stand
• Quick Start guide

Trivia

• YouTube member njhaley (More commonly known as Nick Haley) created a fan commercial of the iPod touch. Apple was impressed with the commercial and then contacted him about putting the commercial on the air. Him and Apple's advertising agency TBWA then got to work on making a more polished version of the Ad.

See also

• Handhelds with WiFi connectivity
• Comparison of portable media players
• Comparison of iPod managers
• iPod
• iPhone

External links

• Apple's iPod touch official product page
• Apple's list of special web applications usable with the iPod touch
• Apple special event: Keynote address introducing iPod touch. September 2007