Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Hardware, iPod touch
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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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Justin said 6:10PM on 9-11-2009
I just downloaded the new iPod Touch firmware, and now I have a camera! That's why they left the space open!
...Sarcasm.
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brian.gillespie said 6:41PM on 9-11-2009
If I buy a touch and a nano, can I transplant the camera?
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Adam said 6:46PM on 9-11-2009
There's physical space for a camera - not a header on the mainboard to actually connect it :)
Andrea said 10:06PM on 9-11-2009
Justin - Nice joke!
Although in all seriousness I will wait untill I get a camera in the next generation of iPod Touch before I update my current model. My theory is - If it aint broke why fix it?
Thanks for all the information!!
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Adam said 6:45PM on 9-11-2009
Does anybody actually have their hands on one of these yet? Apple Stores in Toronto still can't tell me when they'll come in.
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snowy2004 said 7:40PM on 9-11-2009
Really?
I went to the Eaton Centre location and they seemed to have the new colours of shuffles. They blocked out an area of the store and had all the kinds of iPods out. They probably had some other new iPods too, (hard to check since the new nanos, touches, and classics look the same from the front), but since I ordered mine online w/ standard shipping just to discover that they didn't ship some of them to Canada already and mine was leaving from China, I felt a bit too bitter to say there and stare at the new ipods.
Adam said 8:56PM on 9-11-2009
I called the Eaton Centre store directly and they said they didn't have the 64GB touch in yet. That was my magic capacity factor, I'm buying in now.
It will be a music/video/cool apps companion to my crackberry. Good for flights etc.
Josh said 6:50PM on 9-11-2009
I think we could see a camera addition sooner than next September- remember how last year they unrolled something new every Tuesday in February? I wouldn't be surprised if we see an iPod Touch with a camera then. If it's the same camera as the Nano (meaning no stills) I would be very put out. But anything is possible.
Hey, when asked about 802.11n, Apple said "Nothing to discuss". However, it's there. I don't think Apple has ever confirmed something in a press release afterwards. They're quick to say, "No, we won't do that." If something is a possibility, they say, "Nothing to say on that matter." Hmm...
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Dan Woods said 7:21PM on 9-11-2009
The chip has the capabilities for certain features, but the rest of the hardware may not be up to the task.
Wont 802.11n require an improved antenna to 11b?
Wont the FM Receiver also require some sort of antenna? Most compact portable FM radio devices I have had contact with use the headphones as an antenna. This would need to be integrated into the hardware.
Duncan said 2:26AM on 9-13-2009
The new iPod nano uses the headphones for an antenna, so you dont necessarily need one.
Caribou said 7:02PM on 9-11-2009
FM 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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Daniel said 7:05PM on 9-11-2009
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.
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snowy2004 said 7:44PM on 9-11-2009
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?
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ryan.joshua.t said 9:40PM on 9-11-2009
Exactly. 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".
airmanchairman said 8:28PM on 9-11-2009
Some 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.
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JKTX said 9:19PM on 9-11-2009
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.
andrewh said 11:08PM on 9-11-2009
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).
ppeacok said 1:08AM on 9-12-2009
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...
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James Burley said 2:10AM on 9-12-2009
Did you try the Mac Store? There is one by Lloyd center. Not sure if they do, but you should try there also.
Snookie said 1:20AM on 9-12-2009
I 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.
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