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iPod Touch

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iPod touch
File:IPod Touch 1.1.4.png
iPod touch version 1.1.4 with January Software Upgrade.
ManufacturerApple Inc.
TypePortable Media Player / PDA
LifespanSeptember 13, 2007-present
MediaFlash Memory
8, 16 & 32 GB
Operating systemiPhone OS (1.1.4)
CPUUnderclocked 620 to 412 MHz ARM
Memory128 MB
Display480 x 320 3.5" color LCD
InputMulti-touch touchscreen
ConnectivityUSB 2.0
Wi-Fi 802.11b/g
PowerLithium-ion battery
Dimensions110×61.8×8 mm (4.3×2.4×0.31 in)
Mass120 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.

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 2.0 port on the computer.[6] The first time the iPod touch is turned on, a "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 Music 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 7.6 or later (7.4 and 7.5 support only 32-bit XP/Vista)
  • Available USB 2.0 port

Models

Generation Image Capacity Color Connection (for syncing) Original release date Minimum OS to sync Rated battery life (hours)
First File:IPod Touch 1.1.4.png 8 GB Black USB 2.0 (FireWire for charging only) 5 September 2007 Mac: 10.4.10
Win: XP SP2/SP3
Win: Vista RTM/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 Music Store. Like the iPhone, the iPod touch currently 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 support WPA2 Enterprise with 802.1X authentication. [10]

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.[11] It was officially announced on March 6, 2008, at an Apple Town Hall meeting.[12] 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.[13] There is also an "Enterprise" division of the Developer program, which costs a $299 (USD) fee to join. This is for developers creating proprietary applications for bigger corporate businesses rather than the average consumer. Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page).

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 at that time was 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 consisted 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 via iTunes for those who already owned an iPod touch, for US$20, but for US$25 for those requiring the 1.1.4 update,[14] 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.[15] 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".[16] 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.[17] 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.[18]

Future Upgrades

You must add a |reason= parameter to this Cleanup template – replace it with {{Cleanup|section|reason=<Fill reason here>}}, or remove the Cleanup template.
 On March 6th, 2008, Steve Jobs had pronounced that sometimes around June of 2008, there will be an update for the iPhone & iPod Touch, however, the update for the ipod touch has an additional cost, and the iphone update is free. The update includes an app that is called Wi Fi App Store that is similar to iTunes, but instead of Purchasing Music, you may purchase games or your ipod or iphone. However, Steve Jobs included that many people will likely choose their games to be free. Anyone may create games for the App Store by using the iPhone SDK (Software Development Kit) Anyone who wants to create Games will need to purchase a membership with Apple to start to sell their Apps. 30% profit goes to Apple for providing the App, and 70% Profit goes to the developer for actually creating the App.

Comparisons to the iPhone

The iPod touch is slimmer and lighter than the iPhone. Unlike the iPod touch, the iPhone has extended features; an internal speaker, a camera, physical buttons for volume control 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. They both have the same screen size (3.5 Inches) and have the same processor and graphics card. The ipod touch can however store more data up to 32GB unlike the iPhone which only goes to 16GB. This is because the iPhone already has many features; Camera, Phone chip, HD. The iPod touch only has an HD.

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.[19] 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[20].

Specifications

The specifications as listed on Apple's website are:[6][21]

  • 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: 8GB, 16 or 32 GB flash memory
    • 8GB: up to 1,750 songs, 10,000 photos, or 10 hours of video
    • 16GB: up to 3,500 songs, 20,000 photos, or 20 hours of video
    • 32GB: up to 7,000 songs, 40,000 photos, 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)[22][23]

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 announces App Store for iPhone, iPod touchTemplate:Accessdate
  4. ^ Apple iPod touch - FeaturesTemplate:Accessdate
  5. ^ Apple iPod touch First Impressions ReviewTemplate:Accessdate
  6. ^ a b c Apple - iPod touch - Technical Specifications, Apple Inc.Template:Accessdate
  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. ^ Apple Announces iPhone 2.0 Software BetaTemplate:Accessdate
  11. ^ Steve Jobs Announces 3rd Party SDK for iPhone for February 2008Template:Accessdate
  12. ^ Live from Apple's iPhone SDK press conference - Engadget
  13. ^ FAQ: What does the iPhone SDK mean?Template:Accessdate
  14. ^ Apple - iPod touch - What's New
  15. ^ Got iPod Touch yesterday, didn't come with Jan SoftwareTemplate:Accessdate
  16. ^ Tell Apple "iPod Touch users should get iPhone apps for free"Template:Accessdate
  17. ^ Open Letter to Steve Jobs - AppleDifferent communityTemplate:Accessdate
  18. ^ Accountants call out Apple on $1.99 feeTemplate:Accessdate
  19. ^ Probable explanation for Ipod Touch LCD deficienciesTemplate:Accessdate
  20. ^ iPod touch and iPhone: Black or dark spots when viewing videoTemplate:Accessdate
  21. ^ Apple - iPod touch - Features, Apple Inc.Template:Accessdate
  22. ^ Apple and Starbucks Announce Music Partnership, Apple Inc.Template:Accessdate
  23. ^ Apple - iTunes - Starbucks, Apple Inc.Template:Accessdate
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