iPod Touch
| File:IPod Touch 1.1.3 New Apps.jpg iPod touch version 1.1.3 with January Software Upgrade. | |
| Manufacturer | Apple Inc. |
|---|---|
| Type | Portable Media Player |
| Lifespan | September 13, 2007-present |
| Media | Flash Memory 8, 16 & 32 GB |
| Operating system | iPhone OS (1.1.4) |
| 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 | 110×61.8×8 mm (4.3×2.4×0.31 in) |
| Mass | 120 grams (4.2 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 graphical user interfaces Cover Flow and multi-touch 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 enabling wireless access to the iTunes Store.[2] Beginning in June, the iPod touch will also have access to the App Store.[3]
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 which include Music, Videos, Photos, iTunes, Safari, YouTube, Mail, Maps and Widgets.[4] Software upgrades sold by Apple expand the iPod touch's functionality by adding more features.
chris cardy is the coolest kid to ever own a ipod touch... requirements to own a touch is you must have a sick afro
Models
| Generation | Image | Capacity | Color | Connection (for syncing) | Original release date | Minimum OS to sync | Rated battery life (hours) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | File:IPod Touch 1.1.3 New Apps.jpg | 8 GB | Black | USB 2.0 (FireWire for charging only) | 5 September 2007 | Mac: 10.4.10 Win: XP SP2 Win: Vista/Vista SP1 |
audio: 22 video: 5 |
| 16 GB | |||||||
| 32 GB | 5 February 2008 | ||||||
| New model that utilizes iPhone OS and multi-touch features; Wi-Fi for Safari, Mail, iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store, YouTube, Widgets. | |||||||
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 buy music from the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store. Like the iPhone, the iPod touch does not support the 802.1x authentication method, making connectivity to some business, college/university, personal, and hospital networks impossible. The iPod touch 2.0 Software Update will reportedly support 802.1x authentication.
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. Servicing an iPod touch after jailbreaking or other modifications made by unofficial means is not covered by Apple's warranty.
On October 17, 2007, in an open letter posted on Apple's webpage, Steve Jobs 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.[5] It was officially announced on March 6, 2008, at an Apple Town Hall meeting.[6] The SDK will allow developers to make applications for the iPhone and iPod touch after paying a $99 (USD) fee to join the development team. The developer can then set the price for the applications he develops and will receive 70% of the sale price after each one is sold in the exclusive Apple App Store. The developer can also opt to release the application for free and will not pay any costs to release the application except for the $99 joining fee. The SDK is available immediately, while the launch of applications will require waiting until a firmware update in June 2008, around the iPhone's first birthday. This update will be free for iPhone users, while users of the iPod touch will be charged a nominal fee.[7]
Software upgrades
At the time of the launch of the iPod touch, reviews noted some differences when compared to Apple's similar iPhone. One of the main criticisms of the iPod touch is the lack of iPhone's email, mapping and stock tracking applications. On January 15 2008, Steve Jobs announced at his Macworld 2008 keynote that the January Software Upgrade for the iPod touch consists of five new programs: Mail, Maps, Stocks, Notes and Weather. The new Maps is similar to that of the iPhone, with new software from Skyhook Wireless that pinpoints the user's location using Wi-Fi. The software upgrade is available for current iPod touch owners via iTunes. The download was US$20, but with the 1.1.4 update, the price was US$25,[8] 17€ in Europe, £12.99 in the UK or AU$25 in Australia. New iPod touch units with 1.1.3 installed (MA623LL/B or MA627LL/B) will also have the software upgrade pre-installed.[9] People who buy an iPod touch with part number MA623LL/A or MA627LL/A must pay the upgrade fee to receive the new software. If they bought their iPod touch through the Apple Store between December 27 2007 and January 15 2008, the price of the software upgrade will be reimbursed.
Because the new software is considered an upgrade, many owners of the "A" model felt it should have been provided more cheaply or free. Immediately after Steve Jobs announced the charge for it on stage, "some slight boos coming from the audience" could be heard.[10] Within days of the announcement, several movements within the iPod touch community developed, including the use of Apple's feedback page, open letters to Jobs and an on-line petition form.[11] Various unofficial explanations have surfaced, such as the GAAP explanation that was used by Apple when it charged a US $1.99 fee to enable IEEE 802.11n on some of its computers, which was questioned by customers and the financial community.[12]
Comparisons to the iPhone
The iPod touch is slimmer and lighter than the iPhone. Unlike the iPhone, the iPod touch lacks a phone, internal speakers, camera, physical buttons for volume control, the silver chrome frame, and Bluetooth capability.
The iPod touch uses software-based volume controls, which require users to double-tap the home button, bringing up an on-screen slider.
At least one critic has suggested that Apple may have purposely left out these hardware features in order to differentiate the iPod touch from its more expensive cousin, or to add these features in later releases to obtain more sales. Others say that the iPod touch does not require the aforementioned features because it is fundamentally an iPod and not a mobile phone.[13]
Early screen problems
A number of early adopters complained that the screen could not properly display shades of black. The problem has been attributed to poor quality control and the misapplication of the reflective coating on the LCD display.[14] 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[15].
Specifications
The specifications as listed on Apple's website are:[16][17]
- 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, Sleep/Wake button, Home button
- Operating system: iPhone OS
- Storage: 8, 16 or 32 GB flash memory (up to 1,750, 3,500 or 7,000 songs; up to 10,000, 20,000 or 25,000 photos; up to 10, 20 or 40 hours of video)
- CPU: Underclocked 620 to 412 MHz ARM
- RAM: 128 MB
- Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
- Built-in rechargeable, non-removable lithium 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 grams (4.2 ounces)
- Direct iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store access
- Wide screen video
- Applications: Safari web browser, YouTube client, Mobile e-mail client, Google Maps
- Widgets: Stocks, Weather, Notes
- Access to Starbucks music (available only in selected cities across the United States)[18][19]
Discography
The following song name and albums have been used on the retail box of the iPod touch.
- Put Your Records On - Corinne Bailey Rae - Corinne Bailey Rae
- Finally Made Me Happy - Big - Macy Gray
- Imagine - Lennon Legend: The Very Best of John Lennon - John Lennon
Template:Timeline of full-size iPod models
See also
- Comparison of iPod managers
- Comparison of portable media players
- List of handhelds with Wi-Fi connectivity
References
- ^ Steve Jobs live — Apple's "The beats goes on" special eventTemplate:Accessdate
- ^ iPod touch - Features - Music, Movies, and MoreTemplate:Accessdate
- ^ Apple announces App Store for iPhone, iPod touchTemplate:Accessdate
- ^ Apple iPod touch - FeaturesTemplate:Accessdate
- ^ Steve Jobs Announces 3rd Party SDK for iPhone for February 2008Template:Accessdate
- ^ Live from Apple's iPhone SDK press conference - Engadget
- ^ FAQ: What does the iPhone SDK mean?Template:Accessdate
- ^ Apple - iPod touch - What's New
- ^ Got iPod Touch yesterday, didn't come with Jan SoftwareTemplate:Accessdate
- ^ Tell Apple "iPod Touch users should get iPhone apps for free"Template:Accessdate
- ^ Open Letter to Steve Jobs - AppleDifferent communityTemplate:Accessdate
- ^ Accountants call out Apple on $1.99 feeTemplate:Accessdate
- ^ Apple's iPod touch Is a Beauty of a Player Short on Battery LifeTemplate:Accessdate
- ^ Probable explanation for Ipod Touch LCD deficienciesTemplate:Accessdate
- ^ iPod touch and iPhone: Black or dark spots when viewing videoTemplate:Accessdate
- ^ Apple - iPod touch - Technical Specifications, Apple Inc.Template:Accessdate
- ^ Apple - iPod touch - Features, Apple Inc.Template:Accessdate
- ^ Apple and Starbucks Announce Music Partnership, Apple Inc.Template:Accessdate
- ^ Apple - iTunes - Starbucks, Apple Inc.Template:Accessdate
External links
- iPod Touch Installer Application (3rd Party) Directory
- 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
- How the iPod touch Works, page 2, with technical details on the touch-screen interface including the use of capacitive technology.
