Types of iPod
This article guides you to identify what types of iPod you have or may want to buy.
Apple Incorporated invented a media player that caused a dramatic market shift and the virtual disappearance of devices such as the Walkman and Discman. The iPod is a portable media player from Apple which was launched in November of 2001. The different types of iPod can be used as an external data storage device because it is capable of storing media in its internal hard drive. The storage capacity of iPod is ranges from 2GB up to 160 GB.
Common features among the iPod are:
- High quality Music
- Digital Music
- Portable
- User friendly interface
- Small and compact in size
- Can play various file formats like MP3, MP4, WAV etc.
- Media libraries are available
- Can be connected with computers for downloading
- Rechargable
iPod Classic
The iPod Classic was released over a series of six generations. The first generation was released on October of 2001 and the sixth version launched in September 2007 with 160GB of storage. All generations use a 1.8-inch (46 mm) hard drive for storage. Also, all iPod classics have five buttons and the generation, since the 4th gen, has the buttons integrated into the click wheel- a design that provides an uncluttered, minimalist interface. The circuitry of this revolutionary design contains multiple momentary button switches. It is available in silver or black.
iPod Mini
The iPod mini was released in February 2004 which eventually became one of the most popular electronic products on the market, with consumers often unable to find a retailer with the product in stock. It only had two generations and was discontinued on September 7, 2005, replaced by the iPod Nano line. The main difference between the two generations lay in their storage and battery capacities. The iPod mini uses touch-sensitive scroll wheel and it was designed as mechanical switches beneath the wheel itself, instead of the four touch buttons located above the wheel. This click the wheel design is where the user physically pushed the edge of the wheel inward over one of the four labels. The iPod Mini used Microdrive hard drives (CompactFlash II) made by Hitachi and Seagate.
iPod Nano
The first generation iPod Nano was introduced as a replacement for iPod mini with a color screen for picture viewing. It was launched on September 7, 2005 and uses flash memory for storage. The iPod Nano has gone through six generations since its introduction. The sixth generation iPod Nano supports FM radio, a pedometer, and a 39.1-millimetre (1.54 in) square 240×240 display with a multitouch interface.
iPod Shuffle
The iPod shuffle is the smallest model of the Apple’s iPod family and was the first to use flash memory. It was made public on January 2005 during the Macworld Conference and Expo. The iPod shuffle went through four generations. The first iPod shuffle was the new entry-level model using flash memory and had no screen with the battery life of 12 hours. The second generation has a smaller clip designed with anodized aluminum casing that is available in a wide variety of colors. The third generation has smaller design with controls relocated to right ear bud cable, features Voice Over that was initially sold concurrently with the second generation 1 GB model. The fourth generation of iPod shuffle was redesigned returning the play/track/volume buttons from the second generation and power/shuffle mode switch from the first generation and adding a button for Voice Over.
iPod Touch
The iPod is commonly referred to as the iTouch released on September 2007. It is designed by Apple Incorporated as a portable media player, personal digital assistant, handheld game console, and Wi-Fi mobile device. The iPod touch is the first multi-touch graphical user interface and has first wireless access to iTunes Store and App Store among the iPod line-up. The iPod Touch went through four generations. The first iPod Touch is referred as The Beat Goes On with Wi-Fi and a multi-touch interface that features Safari web browser and wireless access to the iTunes Store and YouTube. The second generation iPod Touch features new tapered chrome back with Nike functionality, volume buttons, built-in speaker added and Bluetooth support. The third generation of iPod touch has voice control support, Voice Over, and bundled remote earphones with microphone. The fourth generation iPod touch was released on September 2010 that has front-facing camera for Face Time, retina display without an IPS screen, support for recording 720p video and 960 x 720 still photos via a back camera, Apple’s A4 chip, a built-in microphone, and a 3-axis gyroscope. The display is glossier than in previous generations.
Other references related to types of iPods, include:
Types of Apple Computers
Types of iPhone
Types of iPad