3rd gen iPod touch teardown: 802.11n potential and room for a camera?
Just this morning, we linked to the results of iFixit's iPod nano teardown. Hours later, we have the opportunity to dive into their 32GB iPod touch teardown. There are definitely a few interesting tidbits about what Apple did and did not do with the iPod touch this time around... and possibly some hints of what could happen in the future. Here are the highlights:
- The ARM processor in the iPod touch is a newer revision than the iPhone 3GS's CPU. We still don't know its exact clock speed but it's a definite upgrade from the 2nd Generation iPod touch.
- It has a 1080 mAh battery; what does that mean? Well, it'll get pretty good battery life. Apple's website lists it at 30 hours of music playback.
- The NAND flash memory is manufactured by Samsung and has been split into two chips to achieve the 32GB capacity.
- The wireless chip is from Broadcom. According to their documentation this chip supports 802.11 n as well as 802.11 a/b/g. This is a new move from Apple. Until now, all of the mobile devices have only had g-capable wireless chips. It's possible that this would be enabled in the future, but I wouldn't put money on that.
- Mark this one as rumor fodder: iFixit claims that there is room for a camera at the top of the device. The empty space measures 6mm x 6mm x 3mm. That could easily fit the same style camera as the 5th gen iPod Nano, but they don't believe an iPhone-quality camera would fit because of the limited space.
The digitizer, glass and the midplane assembly are different than previous models, so hanging onto your 2nd gen will do you no good if you break the glass on your 3rd gen iPod touch.
Apple took advantage of all the free space on the logic board. The 3rd generation 32GB iPod touch looks like a complicated mess compared to the 2nd generation 8GB.
The Broadcom chip also has an integrated FM receiver and transmitter. So, it's possible that we could still see radio come to the 3rd gen iPod touch and not just the 5th gen iPod nano.
Apple seems to be following a disappointing trend, at least from the case-cracker's perspective... every current generation iPod is extremely hard to get open. Having worked on these myself, I have to agree with iFixit. Gone are the days when customers could easily fix an iPod themselves. However, you can get into an iPhone 3GS with the removal of two screws and a suction cup. Odd?
I personally find it somewhat disheartening that Apple would include so many goodies in an already amazing device, but fail to fully enable their potential. I'll admit that I don't know if there would be repercussions after enabling these extras, but they definitely seem like great additions that were left out at the last minute. I won't even begin to discuss the camera potential... ugh.
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Just this morning, we linked to the results of iFixit's iPod nano teardown. Hours later, we have the opportunity to dive into their 32GB...
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I broke my itouch awhile ago in the summer, and I've been waiting all this time for the new itouch to come out so i could get that instead of the second gen. What they came up with was really disappointing. I'm left wondering should I get it now or should I just wait more? cause like maybe it'll be like the same situation where the first gen itouch came out and the second gen came out like a month after. maybe a few months later the fourth gen willcome out with a camera! what should i do?
September 12 2009 at 12:17 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI personally didn't see the point in having a camera so I just ordered mine instead of waiting. I am glad I will be getting a faster processor than the 2nd gen.
September 12 2009 at 12:39 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI've got a simple question: how exactly does the new 8GB iPod Touch differ from the one it replaced or is it just the same?
I just bought a new MacBook Pro and added an 8GB iPod Touch as part of the Back to School offer. By waiting until just before the new ones were announced, I was hoping they would actually send me the new model and it seems my plan has worked - my order status says that the iPod (2G) has been replaced. Woohoo!!!
Cheers
As far as I know, hardware-wise, it's exactly the same. You're still getting a 2nd gen 8 GB. There is no "3rd gen" 8 GB. The only difference that I know of is that, according to Apple, the newer 8 GB come with iPhone OS 3.1 (I don't think they did in the past).
September 12 2009 at 10:58 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI don't see anything about 802.11n on the datasheet. I see 5Ghz, that doesn't mean it is capable of the draft n spec though.
There wouldn't be any benefit in using it. There is a huge processor bottleneck right now on the device, even with the cpu upgrade.
For example, use the tethering hack on a 3GS and test a web page on your computer, and then on the iphone. Your computer will load the same page light years faster than your phone, on the same internet connection.
Long ways to go on the processor scale before we'll see a speed bump from having faster ethernet.
How did someone get a new Touch? The Apple store here in Portland OR doesn't have any, and just says to check back tomorrow...
September 11 2009 at 9:39 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyDid you try the Mac Store? There is one by Lloyd center. Not sure if they do, but you should try there also.
September 12 2009 at 2:10 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplySome dedicated Apple-watchers have in the last few days speculated that it's all about managing their product line in such a way as not to "cannibalize" sales.
While observing that the Nano is the best-selling PMP of all time, they note that users are inevitably opting for the convergence (i.e. multi-function) devices like the iPod Touch, which will gradually overhaul the Nano as the latter becomes more of a niche product for people who like that particular form-factor.
To slow down this inevitable decline of the Nano, they argue, Apple has fitted the Nano with a video camera / FM radio and deliberately left the same items out on the iPod Touch.
I agree with you on the Nano - Nobody has really talked about how the touch was positioned as a pocket pc. Apple is clearly trying to clearly distinguish the 2 products.
It's an interesting theory, but Apple has never been one to keep an iPod model around just for the sake of keeping it around. The iPod mini is a great example: they killed it at the height of its popularity and introduced the iPod nano.
I'm actually surprised they're putting so much effort into the nano. It doesn't run apps, and its movie capabilities are limited. I expected them to shift their entire pocket computing lineup to something where they can derive a continuous revenue stream (not including music).
Why would anyone doubt that Apple would activate Wireless N later on. Isn't that exactly what they did with Bluetooth in the Second gen touch for those who upgraded to 3.0?
September 11 2009 at 7:44 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyExactly. These are features that are already available in the device that will be unlocked once you $$$ for the future "updates".
This is the only thing I dislike about Apple. Love the hardware, but hate it when they use software updates to unlock hardware "features".
Why doesn't apple just take an iPhone and take out the gps and phone and call it an iPod touch. I don't understand why they make two differnt form factors.
September 11 2009 at 7:03 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyFM would be a nice addition, since it made it to the Nano as well. Perhaps a software update?
802.11n? Cool, maybe, but how much utility would the extra speed really bring?
(now, if it didn't need USB connectivity for syncing anymore...now we're talkin'.)
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