Ipod Classic 3rd Gen

On April 18, 2003, Apple announced a completely redesigned third-generation iPod. Thinner than the previous models, the third generation models replaced the FireWire port with a new Dock Connector and introduced the Touch Wheel, a completely non-mechanical interface with the four auxiliary buttons located in a row between the screen and the touch wheel. The front plate had rounded edges, and the rear casing was slightly rounded as well. A new wired remote connector was introduced. Whereas first and second generation Classics had an auxiliary ring around the headphone port for the remote, the third generation Classic had a 4-pin jack adjacent to the headphone port. A 10 GB model was sold for US$299, a 15 GB model for US$399, and a 30 GB model for US$499. All iPods were now compatible with Mac and PC out of the box, simply requiring Windows users to reformat the iPod before use on a PC and both iTunes and Musicmatch were bundled with all iPods. The battery life was reduced to 8 hours, partially due to the use of a lithium-ion battery as opposed to a lithium polymer battery.

The 15 GB model was replaced by a 20 GB model and the 30 GB model was upgraded to 40 GB on September 8, 2003. Support for Musicmatch was also discontinued at this time and only iTunes was included in the box.

Ipod Classic 2nd Gen

first generation, the hold switch was redesigned, a cover was added to the FireWire port, and the mechanical wheel was replaced with a touch-sensitive wheel. The front plate also had rounded corners and edges. The second-generation class was available in 10 GB for US$399 and 20 GB for US$499. The first-generation 5 GB Classic was carried over, but its price was reduced to US$299.

Notably, Apple began selling PC-compatible versions of the iPod starting with the second generation. These versions came with a 4-pin to 6-pin FireWire adapter and were bundled with Musicmatch Jukebox instead of iTunes.

In December 2002, Apple unveiled its first limited edition iPods, with either Madonna’s, Tony Hawk’s, or Beck’s signature or No Doubt's band logo engraved on the back for an extra US$50.

Ipod Nano

Manufacturer         Apple Inc.
Type                        Portable media player
Retail availability   Since September 7, 2005

Media                       Flash memory from 1 to 16 GB

                                  (currently 8 and 16 GB)

Operating system   1.3.1 (1st Generation)
                                  1.1.3 (2nd Generation)
                                  1.1.3 (3rd Generation)
                                  1.0.3 (4th Generation)
Power                      Lithium ion battery

Display                     176x132 1.5" color LCD (1G/2G)

                                    320x240 2" color LCD 3G

                                    240x320 2" color LCD 4G

Input                        Click Wheel/Accelerometer
Connectivity             iPod 32-pin Dock Connector
                                   USB 2.0

Predecessor             iPod Mini

Instead of the hard disk which is used in the iPod Classic, the Nano uses flash memory. This means there are no moving parts related to memory, making the iPod Nano resistant to memory failure due to sudden movement.

The iPod Nano works with iTunes on Mac OS X or Microsoft Windows (third-party software is available for platforms that Apple does not support, such as Linux). It connects to the computer via the same proprietary dock connector as all models since the iPod 3rd Generation (with the exception of the iPod Shuffle), using USB 2.0. The iPod Nano does not support syncing over FireWire, but the first three generations can be charged via FireWire. The iPod Nano includes a stop watch and a multiple time zone clock function. There is also a combination lock feature that makes use of the click wheel to lock the iPod, and serves to secure the user's calendar and contact information as well as the volume limit function.

Like previous iPod models, the first, second, third, and fourth generation iPod Nano include some pre-installed games: Brick, Music Quiz, Parachute, and Solitaire. The third generation iPod Nano included pre-installed games, but can also run games which Apple makes available for purchase in the iTunes Store. The three pre-installed games are variations on the Brick, Solitaire, and Music Quiz games found in the first and second-generation iPod Nanos. Brick is now called Vortex and there is now a circular playing field. Solitaire is now called Klondike with minimal differences. Music Quiz now includes Movie and TV Show trivia along with a more aesthetically pleasing look. The fourth generation also includes Maze, which uses that model's accelerometer to move a ball around to try and collect glowing orbs.

Unlike the preceding iPod Mini, its battery is soldered to the printed circuit board of the device, making it harder to replace manually,although replacement batteries are readily available.[citation needed] The flash memory chips used are surface mount devices, making any attempt to upgrade the Nano's storage capacity impractical.

The lack of the remote connector found on the top of many previous models means that a number of third-party accessories do not work with the iPod Nano; newer versions using the dock connector have been made. The first generation iPod Nano did not support voice recording; the second and third generation Nanos function with third-party recording attachments. It did not function with either Apple's iPod Camera Connector or other camera connectors from third-party manufacturers

Ipod Mini

Retail availability   January 6, 2004

                                     -September 7, 2005

Media   Microdrive (either 4 or 6 GB)

Operating system   1.4.1

Power   Lithium-ion battery

Display  1.67" monochrome LCD at 138x110 pixels

Input   Click wheel

Connectivity USB 2.0
                       FireWire
                       Dock connector
                       Remote connector

Successor   iPod Nano

The iPod Mini (marketed as the iPod mini) is a digital audio player designed and marketed by Apple Inc. It was the midrange model in Apple's iPod product line. It was announced on January 6, 2004 and released on February 20 of the same year. A second-generation version was announced on February 23, 2005 and released later that year. The iPod Mini line was officially discontinued on September 7, 2005 and was replaced by the iPod Nano line.

The iPod Mini retained the touch-sensitive scroll wheel of the third generation iPod; however, instead of the four touch buttons located above the wheel, the buttons were redesigned as mechanical switches beneath the wheel itself—hence the name click wheel. To use one of the four buttons, the user must physically push the edge of the wheel inward over one of the four labels. Like its predecessors, the wheel was developed for Apple by Synaptics. The click wheel is now also used in the fourth, fifth and sixth generation iPods and the iPod Nano, from first generation through the fourth; however, in the Nano and 5G iPods onwards, the click wheel is developed by Apple.

Details

Both generations of iPod Mini were almost identical in their external features; their differences lay in their storage and battery capacities. Both versions are 3.6x2.0x0.5 inches (91x51x13 mm) and weigh 3.6 ounces (102 grams). The case consists of anodized aluminum. First generation iPod Minis were available in five colors: silver, gold, pink, blue, and green. The gold model was dropped from the second generation range, likely due to its unpopularity. The pink, blue, and green models had brighter hues in the second generation; the silver model remained unchanged. The first generation Mini had grey button labels; the second generation had button labels matching the case's color, and also had the capacity engraved on the back of the casing.

The iPod Mini uses Microdrive hard drives (CompactFlash II) made by Hitachi and Seagate. First generation models were available in a 4 GB size, while second generation models were available in both 4 GB and 6 GB versions (capable of storing roughly 1,000 and 1,500 songs, respectively) and eventually had the drive size laser etched on the case to help distinguish between the two.
 

The battery life of the first generation of iPod Mini was about 8 hours (similar to the 3G iPod that was available when the Mini was released), which some criticised for its short duration.[1] Apple addressed this problem in the second generation models, which had a nominal battery life of about 18 hours. However, the 2nd generation iPod Minis no longer came with a FireWire cable or an AC power adapter, which were left out to reduce the selling prices of the new iPod Minis. iPod Mini batteries, like many Lithium Ion batteries, run down to 80% capacity after 400 full charge cycles.[2] A proprietary dock connector was provided on the bottom of the device for a connection to a computer's USB or FireWire port. The unit's battery could be charged during connection. Along the top it had a hold switch, a headphone jack, and a remote connector for accessories.

Like the iPod Nano, the iPod Mini supported MP3, AAC/M4A, WAV, AIFF, and Apple Lossless audio formats. It also retained the iPod's integration with iTunes and the iTunes Store, allowing for syncing between the software application and the iPod Mini.

Ipod Classic 1st gen

Apple introduced the first-generation iPod on October 23, 2001. The first iPod had a black and white screen and featured a 5 GB hard drive capable of storing 1,000 songs encoded using MP3 and was priced at US$399. Among the iPod's innovations were its small size, achieved using a 1.8" hard drive, whereas its competitors were using 2.5" hard drives at the time, and its easy-to-use navigation, which was controlled using a mechanical scroll wheel, a center select button, and 4 auxiliary buttons around the wheel. The iPod had a rated battery life of 10 hours.

On March 20, 2002, Apple introduced a 10 GB model of the first generation iPod for US$499. vCard compatibility was added, as well, allowing iPods to display business card information synced from a Mac.

List of iPod models

The iPod line has been upgraded many times, and each significant revision is called a "generation". Only the most recent (highest numbered) generation and refurbished units of previous generations of the iPod line are available from Apple for each model (Classic, Nano, Shuffle, Touch). Each new generation usually has more features and refinements while typically being physically smaller and lighter than its predecessor, while usually (but not always) retaining the older model's price tag. Notable changes include the touch-sensitive click wheel replacing the mechanical scroll wheel, use of color displays, and flash memory replacing hard disks.