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iPod Touch

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iPod touch
File:IPod Touch 1.1.3 New Apps.jpg
ManufacturerApple Inc.
TypePortable Media Player
LifespanSeptember 13, 2007-present
MediaFlash Memory
8 or 16 GB
Operating systemMobile OS X (1.1.3)
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 designed and marketed by Apple Inc. The product was unveiled to the general public on September 5, 2007 as part of an event dubbed "The Beat Goes On",[1] featuring the introduction of Cover Flow and Multi-Touch to the iPod line. The iPod touch can be purchased with 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.[2] The iPod touch also has the capability to detect the current and last 10 songs playing in a Starbucks café within the vicinity.[3]

The iPod touch's multi-touch interface is exactly like that of the iPhone. Like the iPhone, the iPod touch includes a physical home button separate from the touch screen. The home screen includes a list of buttons corresponding to the available applications, including Music, Videos, Photos, iTunes, Safari, YouTube, Mail, Maps, and Widgets.[4] With the January Software Upgrade, iPod touch users can add websites to the home screen, for quick and easy access. The iPod touch comes preloaded with 28 wallpaper photos, some of which are figures from the iPod advertisements.

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 (FireWire for charging only) 5 September 2007 Mac: 10.4
Win: XP SP2 		audio: 22
video: 5
16 GB
New model that utilizes OS X and Multi-Touch features; Wi-Fi for Safari, Mail, iTunes Wi-Fi Store, YouTube, Widgets

Requirements

Out of the box and in factory condition, the iPod touch requires a connection to a computer for initial configuration.[5] Officially, Apple requires iTunes to be installed on either a Mac OS X or Microsoft Windows operating system based computer for programming the iPod touch. On either operating system, the iPod touch needs a USB 2.0 port on the computer for data communications.[6] The first time the iPod touch is turned on, the "cable to iTunes" graphic will be displayed constantly until the iPod touch senses iTunes.[7]

To use the iPod touch for purchasing products at the iTunes Store via Wi-Fi, an iTunes account is required, and can be created and programmed into the device via iTunes during the iPod touch registration process.[8]

The official requirements for the iPod touch are:[6]

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. Like its counterpart, the iPhone, the iPod touch does not support the 802.1x authentication method, which makes connecting to some college and business networks impossible.

Third-party widgets

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 un-official third-party applications. Some of the applications give the user more control over the iPod touch than what is officially available. Jailbreaking also voids the iPod touch's warranty, which can lead to the device becoming unstable or at worst unusable.

On October 17, 2007, Steve Jobs, in an open letter posted on 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.[10].

Software upgrades

During the initial launch of the iPod touch, reviews have noted some differences when compared to Apple's similar iPhone. One of the primary criticisms of the iPod touch is the absence 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 applications: Mail, Maps, Stocks, Notes and Weather. The new Maps feature is similar to that of the iPhone's, 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 download for US$19.99[11] or £12.99 in the UK. New iPod touch units with 1.1.3 installed (MA623LL/B or MA627LL/B) will also have the software upgrade pre-installed.[12]Customers who purchase an iPod touch with part number MA623LL/A or MA627LL/A must pay the upgrade fee to receive the new applications.

Because the new applications are considered an upgrade, many owners of the "A" model feel the applications should have been provided either at no charge or at a lower price. Immediately after Steve Jobs announced the price charge for the upgrade on-stage, "some slight boos coming from the audience" could be heard.[13] Within days after the announcement, several movements within the iPod touch community have developed, including the use of Apple's feedback page, as well as creating open letters to Jobs and creating an on-line petition form.[14] 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 has been questioned by customers and the financial community.[15]

Comparisons to the iPhone

The iPod touch is slimmer and lighter than the iPhone. Unlike the iPhone, the iPod Touch lacks a phone, external speakers, a built-in camera, physical buttons for volume control and Bluetooth capability.

The iPod touch uses software-based controls, which require users to double click the home button, bringing up an on-screen volume control.

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.[16]

Manufacturing flaws

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 poor quality control.[17] The defect caused the screen to have very narrow optimal viewing angle and also resulted in "shimmering" blacks. This screen problem was later addressed with the firmware update 1.1.1 although some still complained that the screen still could not properly display certain shades of black. Critics also say that the update simply "alleviates" the screen problem by adjusting contrast settings and does not provide a fix for the screen itself.[18][19]

Others have complained about a hissing noise while using the iPod touch.[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
  • Operating system: OS X
  • Storage: 8 or 16 GB flash memory (up to 1,750 or 3,500 songs; up to 10,000 or 20,000 photos; up to 10 or 20 hours of video)
  • CPU: 412  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 grams (4.2 ounces)
  • Direct iTunes Wi-Fi store access
  • Wide screen video
  • Integrated Safari web browser and YouTube client
  • Mobile e-mail client
  • Integrated Google Maps
  • Widgets: Stocks, Weather, Notes
  • Access to Starbucks music (available only in selected cities across the United States)[22][23]

Template:Timeline of full-size iPod models

See also

References

  1. ^ Steve Jobs live — Apple's "The beats goes on" special event (2007-09-05)Template:Accessdate
  2. ^ [http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/features.html?feature=itwfms Apple – (2007-09-05)Template:Accessdate
  3. ^ Apple Builds Ecosystem With iPod touch Screen. (2007-09-05)Template:Accessdate
  4. ^ Apple iPod touch - Features. (2008-01-15)Template:Accessdate
  5. ^ Apple iPod touch First Impressions Review. (2007-09-18)Template:Accessdate
  6. ^ a b c Apple - iPod touch - Technical Specifications, Apple Inc., (2007-09-05)Template:Accessdate
  7. ^ iPod Touch unpacking tour and first look (photos), AppleInsider, (2007-09-13)Template:Accessdate
  8. ^ a b RETRACTION: iPod touch: iTunes account optional, Deep Thought, (2007-09-14)Template: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., (2007-10-16)Template:Accessdate
  10. ^ Steve Jobs Announces 3rd Party SDK for iPhone for February 2008 2007-10-17)Template:Accessdate
  11. ^ Apple - iPod touch - What's New
  12. ^ Got iPod Touch yesterday, didn't come with Jan Software (2008-01-17)Template:Accessdate
  13. ^ Tell Apple "iPod Touch users should get iPhone apps for free" (2008-01-16)Template:Accessdate
  14. ^ Open Letter to Steve Jobs - AppleDifferent community (2008-01-21)Template:Accessdate
  15. ^ [ http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2007/1/23/6719 Accountants call out Apple on $1.99 fee] (2007-01-15)Template:Accessdate
  16. ^ Apple's iPod touch Is a Beauty of a Player Short on Battery Life (2007-09-20)Template:Accessdate
  17. ^ Probable explanation for Ipod Touch LCD deficiencies (2007-09-15)Template:Accessdate
  18. ^ iPod touch and iPhone: Black or dark spots when viewing video (2007-12-16)Template:Accessdate
  19. ^ Confirmed: iPod Touch Software Update 'Alleviates' Negative Black (2007-09-27)Template:Accessdate
  20. ^ Does Your iPod Touch Hiss at You? (2007-09-14)Template:Accessdate
  21. ^ Apple - iPod touch - Features, Apple Inc., (2007-09-05)Template:Accessdate
  22. ^ Apple and Starbucks Announce Music Partnership, Apple Inc., (2007-09-05)Template:Accessdate
  23. ^ Apple - iTunes - Starbucks, Apple Inc., (2007-09-05)Template:Accessdate
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