IPod Touch: Difference between revisions
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The '''iPod Touch''' (stylized and marketed as '''iPod touch''') is an [[iOS]]-based all-purpose [[ |
The '''iPod Touch''' (stylized and marketed as '''iPod touch''') is an [[iOS]]-based all-purpose [[handheld PC]] designed and marketed by [[Apple Inc.]] with a [[user interface]] that is [[Touchscreen|touchscreen-based]]. It can be used as a [[portable media player|music and video player]], [[digital camera]], [[handheld game]] device, and [[personal digital assistant]] (PDA).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apple.com/ipod-touch/features|title=iPod touch - Features|publisher=[[Apple Inc.|Apple]]|date=|accessdate=June 10, 2013}}</ref> It connects to the Internet only through [[Wi-Fi]] base stations, does not use [[cellular network]] data, and is therefore not a [[smartphone]], though it has a similar design to the [[iPhone]] and is often referred to as the "iPhone without a phone". As of May 2013, 100 million iPod Touch units have been sold. It is also the most popular iPod model.<ref name="100MM sold">{{cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2013/05/30/apple-100-million-ipod-touches-sold|title=Apple: 100 million iPod touches sold since 2007|work=[[Engadget]]|publisher=[[AOL Inc.]]|first=Mat|last=Smith|date=May 30, 2013|accessdate=January 29, 2014}}</ref> |
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iPod touch models are sold by storage space and color, with all models of the same generation typically offering otherwise identical features, processors, and performance, in addition to available operating system upgrades; an exception was the [[iPod touch (fifth generation)|fifth generation]], as the low-end (16 GB<ref>Although physical memory usually comes in powers-of-two [[Gibibyte|GiB]], Apple lists its capacities in GB, and also allows for formatting overhead.</ref>) model was initially sold without a rear-facing camera.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnet.com/news/apple-cuts-prices-on-ipod-touch-line/|title=Apple cuts prices on iPod Touch line, refreshes 16GB model|publisher=CNET|date=June 26, 2014|accessdate=June 26, 2014}}</ref> The current iPod touch is the [[iPod Touch (6th generation)|sixth-generation model]], released in 2015. |
iPod touch models are sold by storage space and color, with all models of the same generation typically offering otherwise identical features, processors, and performance, in addition to available operating system upgrades; an exception was the [[iPod touch (fifth generation)|fifth generation]], as the low-end (16 GB<ref>Although physical memory usually comes in powers-of-two [[Gibibyte|GiB]], Apple lists its capacities in GB, and also allows for formatting overhead.</ref>) model was initially sold without a rear-facing camera.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnet.com/news/apple-cuts-prices-on-ipod-touch-line/|title=Apple cuts prices on iPod Touch line, refreshes 16GB model|publisher=CNET|date=June 26, 2014|accessdate=June 26, 2014}}</ref> The current iPod touch is the [[iPod Touch (6th generation)|sixth-generation model]], released in 2015. |
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Revision as of 02:00, 5 November 2015
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| Developer | Apple Inc. |
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| Manufacturer | Foxconn |
| Product family | iPod |
| Type | Handheld PC |
| Release date |
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| Units sold | 100 million (as of May 2013)[1] |
| Operating system | iOS |
| System on a chip | |
| CPU |
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| Memory | |
| Storage | 16, 32, 64 & 128 GB flash memory (6th generation) |
| Display |
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| Graphics |
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| Input |
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| Connectivity | |
| Power |
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| Online services | App Store, iTunes Store, Game Center, iBookstore, iCloud, Passbook |
| Dimensions |
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| Mass |
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| Related | iPod Nano iPod Classic iPod Shuffle List of iOS devices |
| Website | www |
The iPod Touch (stylized and marketed as iPod touch) is an iOS-based all-purpose handheld PC designed and marketed by Apple Inc. with a user interface that is touchscreen-based. It can be used as a music and video player, digital camera, handheld game device, and personal digital assistant (PDA).[5] It connects to the Internet only through Wi-Fi base stations, does not use cellular network data, and is therefore not a smartphone, though it has a similar design to the iPhone and is often referred to as the "iPhone without a phone". As of May 2013, 100 million iPod Touch units have been sold. It is also the most popular iPod model.[1]
iPod touch models are sold by storage space and color, with all models of the same generation typically offering otherwise identical features, processors, and performance, in addition to available operating system upgrades; an exception was the fifth generation, as the low-end (16 GB[6]) model was initially sold without a rear-facing camera.[7] The current iPod touch is the sixth-generation model, released in 2015.
Software
The iPod Touch runs Apple's Unix-based iOS operating system (called 'iPhone OS' until 2010) and includes bundled software to browse the Internet, view maps, send and receive email, view media, and work with office documents such as presentations and spreadsheets. Users type on a virtual keyboard displayed on the screen. Apple operates an online store, allowing users to buy and directly download music, videos and third-party software. From launch, the iPod Touch was described by journalists as an 'iPhone without the phone',[8] and each iPod Touch model to date has been introduced with the same release number of iOS as the contemporary iPhone model.
Successive updates to iOS since the initial release in 2007 have released additional features. iPhone OS 2.0, released on July 11, 2008, introduced the App Store, which allowed third-party applications for the first time. iPhone OS 3.0, released on June 17, 2009, added features such as cut, copy, and paste, data tethering and push notification support. iOS 4.0, released on June 21, 2010, introduced iBooks, FaceTime, and multitasking. It dropped support for the first generation iPod Touch.
In June 2011, iOS 5, the fifth major release of iOS software, was announced at Apple's WWDC 2011, which added notification, messaging and reminder features.[9] Apple limited some features, most notably the voice control system Siri, to the iPhone.[10] iOS 6, which was released on September 19, 2012 to the fourth and fifth generation iPod Touch models, contains 200 new features including Passbook, Facebook integration and Apple Maps. The fifth generation iPod Touch gained the ability to take panoramic photos, a feature shared with the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5.[11]
On June 8, 2015, it was announced at the WWDC that the iPod Touch fifth generation would support iOS 9, along with other A5 devices. This makes the iPod Touch fifth generation the only iPod Touch to support 4 major versions of iOS. What features of iOS 9 it will keep, and which features that will be omitted (if any) has yet to be determined.[12]
Recent iOS updates have been free for owners of supported iPod Touch models, but Apple received criticism for charging iPod Touch owners for versions 2.0 and 3.0, which iPhone owners received for free, and for excluding certain features from the iPod Touch software that the iPhone included.[13][14] Apple's position was that they could add features for free to the iPhone because the revenue from it is accounted for on a subscription basis under accounting rules, rather than as a one time payment.[15] At WWDC in June 2010, as of iOS 4, Steve Jobs announced that Apple had "found a way" to make subsequent OS upgrades available free to iPod Touch owners.
Purchasing content
To purchase content on the iPod Touch, the user must create an Apple ID or have an existing account. With this account one may download music and videos from the iTunes Store, apps from the App Store, or books from the iBookstore. An Apple ID account created without a credit card can be used to get free content, and gift cards can be bought to pay for apps instead of using credit cards.
Third-party applications
The only official way to obtain third-party applications for the iPod Touch is Apple's App Store, which is a branch of iTunes Store. The App Store application, available in all versions of iOS from 2.0 onwards, allows users to browse and download applications from a single online repository (hosted by Apple) with the iTunes Store. To develop such software, a software development kit (SDK) was officially announced on March 6, 2008, at an Apple Town Hall meeting.[16] The iOS SDK allows making 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 money earned. Apple retains 30% of the sale price with no minimum fixed fee.
User made modifications
Like all Apple's iOS devices, the iPod Touch is a tightly controlled or closed platform. Modifying or replacing the operating system violates the device warranty, communication between apps is limited and controlled, and Apple is the only authorized software vendor. Hackers have attempted to 'jailbreak' all iOS devices to enable forbidden or unsupported features, such as multitasking in iOS versions before 4.0, themes for the home screen, the use of software Apple has refused to sell, pirated software, or a battery percentage indicator. Jailbreaks for the iPod Touch first surfaced a month after the first model was released in September 2007, when hackers released JailbreakMe 1.0 (also called "AppSnapp") to jailbreak iPhone OS 1.1.1.[17][18] This allowed users to install third-party programs on their devices before Apple permitted this.
As of August 2014, each version of iOS on iPod Touches can be jailbroken using tools such as PwnageTool, redsn0w, Absinthe, both versions of evasi0n, and Pangu.[citation needed] Apple's warranty statement implies that an iPod Touch after jailbreaking or other modification made by unofficial means is not covered by Apple's warranty. Jailbreaking is a violation of the Terms and Conditions for using iOS. The jailbreaking process can normally be undone by performing a restore through iTunes. However, not all jailbreaks can be removed completely, and therefore some can be traced in the iPod system even after an iTunes restore.[19]
Comparison to the iPhone
The iPod Touch is generally similar to the iPhone. The iPod Touch lacks some of the iPhone's features and associated apps, including the built-in compass, but is also thinner, lighter and less expensive. The fifth generation models are closely related to the iPhone 5C, which is also available in a variety of colors despite the iPod Touch loop. However, the 5th generation iPod touch has the A5 system on a chip, while the iPhone 5C has the A6, like 2012's iPhone 5. Older models also lack IPS display technology, speakers, microphones, and cameras, and the camera has never been as high quality as on contemporary iPhone models.[20] Until the fifth generation, the iPod Touch camera lacked a flash for low-light photography, and until the fourth generation the sleep/wake button was on the opposite side. Previous iPod touch models had another major difference from the iPhone, and that was the stainless steel rear (which was replaced by a much more durable anodised aluminium in 2012 with the 5th generation iPod touch) Steve Jobs once referred to the iPod Touch as "training wheels for the iPhone".[21]
Requirements
- iTunes 10 or later (iTunes 10.5 for iOS 5.0 +)
- Mac OS 10.5 or later (10.5.8 for iOS 5.0 +)
- Windows XP Home Edition or Professional with Service Pack 3 or later (Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 to use iCloud)
Setup and synchronization
For iPod Touch units bought before October 12, 2011 users must own a Mac or PC computer to be able to use the iPod. Users then must install iTunes and connect the iPod through a USB port. The iPod will then be set up in iTunes. New iPods bought after October 12, 2011 have iOS 5.0 preloaded, and allow activation wirelessly, without the need of a PC or Mac.[22]
Earlier iPod Touch units must be plugged into a computer to be synced. This will charge the iPod Touch and sync the music library, videos, pictures and backup data. iOS 5 enables the user to do all this from the device and send it to the iCloud service, which supports Mac OS X Lion and later.
Battery charging with FireWire
Starting with the second generation model, the iPod Touch dropped support charging from the 12 V pin of a FireWire cable.[23] Charging the iPod Touch takes about 2 hours (80 per cent capacity) for fast charge, and full charge takes about 4 hours.[citation needed]
Apple Lightning connector
The iPod Touch (fifth generation) and iPhone 5 feature a new dock connector, named "Lightning", which replaces the Apple Dock connector on older iPhone, iPad, iPod models. The Apple Lightning connector has eight pins and all signaling is digital. This new connector is smaller than the previous one allowing the iPhone 5 slimmer form factor. Apple Lightning cables have duplicate pins on two sides of each plug, so it can be inserted either way around. Various accessories will be available to convert the Apple Lightning connector to the older Apple Dock connector or USB,[24] although not all old accessories will work, as not all signals are available.[25]
Models
As of July 2015[update], there are six types of produced iPod Touch devices.
- 1st generation (2007 — 2008)
- 2nd generation (2008 — 2010)
- 3rd generation (2009 — 2010)
- 4th generation (2010 — 2013)
- 5th generation (2012 — 2015)
- 6th generation (2015 — present)
Timeline of models
| Timeline of iOS devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Apple TV, and Apple Watch models |
|---|
 |
See also
References
- ^ a b Smith, Mat (May 30, 2013). "Apple: 100 million iPod touches sold since 2007". Engadget. AOL Inc. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
- ^ http://www.macrumors.com/2015/07/15/a8-ipod-touch-benchmarks-1gb-ram/
- ^ http://www.anandtech.com/show/9443/apple-refreshes-the-ipod-touch-with-a8-soc-and-new-camera
- ^ "Apple - iPod touch - Technical Specifications". Apple. Apple Inc. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
- ^ "iPod touch - Features". Apple. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
- ^ Although physical memory usually comes in powers-of-two GiB, Apple lists its capacities in GB, and also allows for formatting overhead.
- ^ "Apple cuts prices on iPod Touch line, refreshes 16GB model". CNET. June 26, 2014. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
- ^ Sadun, Erica (September 5, 2007). "Apple announces iPod Touch: iPhone without the phone". TUAW. Retrieved September 5, 2007.
- ^ "Apple announce iOS 5 and iPhone release date". Apple. October 4, 2011. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
- ^ Lawler, Richard (October 4, 2011). "iPod touch still maxes out at 64GB / $399, available in white October 12th". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
- ^ Gunther, Cory (September 19, 2012). "What's new in iOS 6? Here's the changelog". SlashGear. R3 Media. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
- ^ https://www.apple.com/ios/ios9-preview/
- ^ Block, Ryan (January 17, 2008). "iPod touch users: if you bought after Jan 1 the new apps are free – maybe". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
- ^ Arya, Aayush (January 24, 2008). "Early Adopter Tax Resurfaces with the iPod touch January Software Upgrade". AppleMatters. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
- ^ Dalrymple, Jim. "Accounting rules behind iPod touch update charge". Macworld. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
- ^ Block, Ryan (March 8, 2008). "Live from Apple's iPhone SDK press conference". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
- ^ Wilson, Ben (October 10, 2007). "Official iPhone 1.1.1 jailbreak released with easy-to-follow instructions; does not require TIFF exploit". CNET. CBS Interactive. Retrieved November 10, 2009.
- ^ Keizer, Gregg (October 29, 2007). "Hacker Software Can Install Unauthorized Software on iPhones". PCWorld. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
- ^ "iPod and iSight Warranty" (PDF). Apple. p. 1. Retrieved December 24, 2008.
- ^ Foresman, Chris (September 15, 2010). "iPod Touch camera review: can't top iPhone 4; better than nothing". Ars Technica. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
- ^ Fildes, Nic (September 19, 2007). "iPhone finally arrives but it's neither cheap nor G3". The Independent. UK. Retrieved October 24, 2008.
- ^ "iOS 5 - See new features included in iOS 5". Apple. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
- ^ "iPhone and iPod touch: Charging the battery". Apple. October 15, 2008. Retrieved January 12, 2010.
- ^ "Apple iPhone 5 features". Apple. September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
- ^ McGlaun, Shane (September 13, 2012). "iPhone 5 won't work with some accessories even with Apple Lightning adapter". SlashGear. R3 Media. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
- ^ Apple Inc., Newsroom Archive - Apple, Retrieved June 7, 2018.
- ^ Mactracker (mactracker.ca), Apple Inc. model database, version as of 26 July 2007.
External links
- iPod Touch – official site
- Technical Specifications (all models) on Apple Inc.
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