iPod Reviews

Any electronic gadget is highly welcomed in the market, if it could incorporate multi functional elements. The Apple iPod Touch 8GB (4th Generation) is one such. By having the various aspects in one device it becomes highly entertaining for almost anyone in the family or group. There are several circumstances to demonstrate as how everyone in the family or a group can use the iPod Touch 8GB.It can equally entertain a  game savvy person, an avid reader or a quietly unfold a musical note in to the surroundings. What ever it is, the iPod Touch is designed to meet the ever growing requirements of the end users. Thanks for the blessings technology has adored to enhance social networking on the move, as iPod Touch 8GB is empowered to stay connected with friends through mail or chatting or youtube! The iPod has created a good vibe in the market and the worldwide sales obviously prove the statement to be true!

The apple ipod rated number 1 when compared against the Zune HD, Sony Model and creative Zen. It is ranked excellent amongst its competitors.

Apple iPod Touch 8GB 4th Generation  Overview:

When compared to the 3rd Gen 8GB iPod Touch model Apple has certainly focused to increase  the speed, features, and usability. The processor used in 4th gen is Apple A4chip and the operating system is OS 4. This allows multitasking operations without lowering the performance and preserves battery life than compared against the 3rd Gen model. Below listed is the catchy features of the 4th gen model that is not present in the previous model;

• Face time - Built-in webcam gives a live update of your interesting happenings in life to your friends and family
• Retina Display- High pixel density (960 x 640 resolution at 326 pixels per inch) producing sharper screen clarity.
• High Definition (HD) video recording
• Web Browser –Wi Fi

Design:

Anyone who had witnessed the design trend for electronic devices would definitely swear that the sleeker it gets the better it looks! The 4th gen iPod is certainly slimmer than her forerunner. The iPod Touch 4G is only 7.2 millimeters thin with 3.5 inch wide screen with multi Touch display. The sleeker model is not a scratch resistant and we strongly recommend the usage of silicone skin for the new iPod Touch. The HD widescreen Retina display is great for reading books or other documents Online, as the user can see the full width of a web page on the screen. The keyboard is dictionary enabled and tracks as we type. The user can work with  word, spreadsheet and even presentations. The discernible buttons are located on the top and upper left edge and are user friendly.

Retinal Display:

The clarity of the image on the iPod Touch cannot be even compared to other iPod products or even with any of its competitors. This was achieved through a pixel size of 78 micrometers wide. Pixel with respect to visual technology can be described as the aggregation of small colored blocks that builds up the larger image that we see. The closer the pixels are packed the greater will be the quality. Apple with its unique “Retinal Display” technology makes it hard to differentiate between the real and image on the iPod. This is because, the pixels are closely packed to the tune of 326 per inch. It is aptly called Retinal display as our human eye stops identifying the pixielation above 300 pixels per inch mark and the resultant image looks very real! Further more, you can enjoy the LED backlighting facility and light sensor that conveniently fine-tune the brightness of the screen. So, it is an overall a good experience while playing with games or reading iBooks etc.

iPod Touch 8GB - Technology Bits:

Apple does a lot a research before the product design. Yes the new 4th Generation iPod Touch dishes out  numerous  features that is not available with any MP3 player. As stated earlier, this is possible only when the organization is completely in sync with the market requirements. There are lot many technical aspects infused to make this product look better and well ahead of its competitors. Listed below is a gist of the technical aspects

Face time:

Prior to discussing the face time feature in iPod, it is important to understand the history of the same. Face time is a technology launched by Apple for its iPhone family. The facetime in layman definition is a “video calling” facility. The video calling alias video conferencing facility has revolutionized the calling experience, as the user can speak to the person and virtually see them. The limitation to this facility is that it is compatible between users with iPhone 4. Nevertheless Apple has promised to release an open standard permitting other companies to develop around it. Now for the real fun part, Apple decided to integrate the facetime technology in its iPod. But why it would do something like that, answer is simple- stay connected and keep the social networking active! The most common scenario where iPods are used is during traveling. Most of the folks never miss a chance to plug in their iPod’s so as to overcome the boredom and the inbuilt Face Time technology permits to capture what you see and can readily share it with your friends , provided they have the same iPod.

How it Works:

The pictures can be shared between the new iPod Touch to new iPod Touch and between the new iPod Touch to iPhone 4 over Wi-Fi. Face time can be activated by entering the respective Apple ID and email address. Video call between iPod  Touch and iPhone over Wi-Fi is done by sending an invitation to the concerned. The conversation will be perfectly synchronized with the video.

Factor Powering Face time - Two Camera Design:

Face time is all geared up to substantiate user’s requirement for taking pictures in either ways. The iPod Touch 8GB Fourth Generation is equipped with  two cameras, one in front and the other in the rear, supporting photos and video recording. Using the “Camera swap” option, the user can switch from the front camera to the rear camera. The VGA quality camera with high definition video recording with 720 pixel ultimately produces good resolution. The regular misconception with the VGA quality camera is distortion and clarity reduction during printing, as the image will be enlarged. But as far as Apple iPod is concerned ; the picture quality will sufficiently scrap through, as the pixel is quite good. The frame rate is 30 frames/ sec that can capture fast movement and gives a finer video look. Picture brilliance is enhanced by a backside illumination sensor. The sensor ensures quality  in either bright or low light settings.

A4 Processor:

The chip that is the backbone of Apple’s iPhone 4 is integrated in the 4th gen iPod model. When compared to the previous processor chip used in the 3rd gen, the A4 chip speaks for speed. The A4 processor consists of A8 core that runs at higher clock rates. Clock speed is the measurement of a processor’s rate and higher the clock rate assures the ability to process commands at a faster rate.  The A4 processor renders multitasking without compromising the speed especially the graphics, and the gaming experience is highly appreciable. As per the Apple CEO comment, “ web browsing is a great experience and similar to that of using a laptop”

iOS 4.2:

The operating system used in iPod Touch 4th Gen is iOS 4.2 that, was developed basically for iPhone. The iOs 4.2  gives a better edge in Game  Centre, multitasking and many more. Below is the list of advantages that promotes the overall iPod Touch package;

• Core Animation
• Gesture Recognizers
• Rapid app switching
• Organize Folders
• Password protection
• Email
• Game Center
• iBooks – Read books on your iPhone
• A wide-range of graphic capability

Safari- Web browser:

Yet another great addition to the iPod Touch family is built-in wireless access to the web namely, Web Safari. The A4 chips take care of the speed. Perhaps, this is the only iPod with this feature and definitely a bonus for constant web browsers  on the move as they need not carry a laptop! The usability is Good, devoid of typing the text as it is a Touch screen and the user can rotate the device 90 º or zoom in for finer details.

Game Centre App:

The new Game Centre app in the 4th gen Touch iPod makes the entire gaming system as yet another socializing hub. The games can be downloaded from the App centre with an Apple ID and charges inclusive.Game Centre highlights the active players playing and would be a massive hit among youth who would like a group competition or something. The auto match facility searches for players playing any particular game globally thereby a group can be formed for better competition.
The characteristic feature of the game centre is inbuilt three axes Gyroscope + Accelerometer. The feature makes it possible to rotate the phone’s graphics in clockwise or counterclockwise direction. This feature gives the user a great gaming experience, especially with respect to 3D games. The advanced motion sensing features such as user acceleration, full 3D Altitude,Rotation gives an upper hand in gaming technology. Greater motion gesture coupled with good precision gives a better edge with respect to the gaming experience in many ways. The speed and loading time is comparatively faster than previous model attributed to the A4 chip processor and iOS 4.2 operating system.

Common Features:

Besides the afore said unique features that Apple has incorporated in the model, the rest of the features remain the same like the previous model with some fine tuning.

iTunes:

The audio quality is appreciable in the new iPod Touch.The music can be downloaded on the iPod Touch 4th Gen Media Player through iTunes over Wi-fi. The wi fi feature permits the user to access iTunes store and can download songs, movies, TV shows, audio books, free podcasts,Browse New Releases, Top Tens, and Genres. The downloading process is simple and child’s play. The loading time is negligible. One more interesting item is the iTunes ping , through which you can follow friends and know what song they are listening to and can even suggest songs. It also gives an update on concerts of favorite artists playing close by and an overview of friends attending the same. A very cool friends networking! Selecting songs will be easy through “cover Flow” feature. The user needs to turn the iPod Touch on its side and flick the fingers through the play list and can select any song.  Moreover, the genius play list categorizes songs that fall in a particular rhythm and makes a play list. The play list can be further altered by the user. Through voice control, the user can use spoken commands to navigate the play list.

Nike +

Workouts can be completely relaxing with the iPod Touch . The user needs to slip in the iPod Sensor in the Nike + Shoe and start the workout. The sensor informs the user the time, distance and calories burnt, and also provides a voice feedback on the progress. The 3rd gen model lacked the cardio workout feature which is included in the 4th gen. Most of the fitness centre equipments such as treadmills,s tar steppers, elliptical are compatible with Nike +  iPod sensor. The user can also update friends on their work out data and can even form a team of fitness sensitive individuals.This becomes quite an advantageous for the user as they can monitor their workout pattern and at the same time enjoy music.It creates a sense of being in track with the fitness regime.

Audio Feature:

The key selling aspect of using Apple iPod Touch 4th Generation 8GB Capacity Player is the listening experience. Apple always exceeds the standards to retain the audio quality. The audio quality and the frequency range is good, and additional features such as Shake to Shuffle, Volume Limit, and Sound Check creates good audio effect. It supports the audio file format similar to previous model such as AAC (protected and unprotected), HE-AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible, Apple Lossless, AIFF and WAV.

Bluetooth:

iPod Touch Fourth Generation Portable Media Player is equipped with Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR and 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, though 802.11n operates on the 2.4GHz band. The 3rd generation iPod Bluetooth is traditionally carried down to the fourth generation as well. It supports peer to peer connectivity for applications, Audio / Video Remote Control to control devices when connected to Apple TV and Hands free.  The AVRCP supports pause, play, next track and previous track functions. The user can overcome the limitation of AVRCP remote control by including a third party Bluetooth helper. It can be purchased from the App store and provides an additional benefit of controlling the track and with increasing the volume and so on.

Encryption:

The iPod Touch can be protected through Data protection feature that offers a secure hardware encryption.The user needs to provide password to safe guard email, attachments or any confidential matter. On occasions of  misplacing the iPod at public places and do not want anybody to access any details from your iPod Touch ; the Remote wipe deletes all the data provided. At the same time it is advisable to include a iPod Touch back where from the data can be restored. The Touch iPod also permits the user to set passcode through remote access. Likewise, the parental controls can restrain kids to access you tube, camera and other services as applicable.

Locate iPod:

Misplacing is a common occurrence with device like this. The iPod can be breezily located, through find my iPod Touch facility. The procedure is simple, the user needs to enable ”Find my iPod Touch” in the settings menu. At instances of misplacing the iPod, the user needs to log on to me.com from any web browser or iPhone or iPad and key in the details. An approximate destination of the iPod Touch can be located on the map. The user can send a test display on the screen with the user’s contact number on occasions of misplacing it. The user can even activate a sound to locate the lost iPod.

VoiceOver screen reader:

Voice Over is the world’s first gesture-based screen reader. This fantastic feature enables the visually impaired individuals to use the iPod at ease. Unlike conventional voice over functions, the communication gap between the user and the device is largely reduced. The voice over includes contextual information about the objects adjacent to it. Hence , the user need not struggle to locate. On employing a Bluetooth keyboard; the user can control the iPod without even Touching the screen. The voice over goes global with In built 25 languages and provides words and suggestions while texting or drafting a Email. The virtual control tool rotor is highly beneficial while proof reading a document. The voice over can be activated through iTunes. The drawback faced in the previous model is the reduced clarity in magnification feature. The 4th gen is really backed up with HD pixel size and retina display technology which takes care of the clarity even during magnification.

Miscellaneous Features:

Certain miscellaneous features such as contacts, calendar, calculator, weather reports, investments etc.. are available. Maps enabled iPod Touch assist in locating places of the user interest as the user needs to type the requirement. The Wi-Fi connection gets across directions in finding Address and Suggests the best mode of transport. By planning ahead using this Facility the user can be relieved from getting stuck in traffic. Similar to google maps, the iPod Touch gives a satellite image, and the user can Zoom or pan.

Battery Life:

The battery life is greater than the previous model and can render 40 hours of music and 7 hours of video on a single charge, solely attributed to the usage A4 chip processor. This is one of the selling factors and quite an improvement from the previous models.

Memory:

The iPod Touch 8Gb has 6.83Gb free space due to the iOS and formatting. It can hold up to 1,750 songs,10,000 photos,10 hours of video. Since HD video recording is involved, it might take some more space than the usual case.

Accessories:

iPod Touch 4th Gen,with additional accessories would be beneficial in many ways. If you already posses these items, then go ahead and unleash the advantages! Below is the listed accessories that would give extra benefits to your iPod.

Airport Express

There are definitely some good surprises when you employ the iPod Touch with Airport Express. Airport Express is an extreme base station and permits almost 10 networked users to work and inclusive of a feature called AirPlay. The speaker connected to Airport express gives a rich sound output. The procedure is simple as you have to tap the DJ wireless with airport express menu in the iPod. AirPort Express enables wireless printing option too.

Airprint

Airprint is a wireless printing technology from Apple , and can print with just a Touch of the iPod screen.AirPrint enables to print email, photos, web pages, and documents from the iPod Touch 4. The iPod Touch detects and connects to the Airprint enabled printer in the wireless network. Aiprint is a multitasking application. The user can continue with printing and parallel listen to music or browse the net as it supports multitasking function. Airprint is compatible with number of wireless printers from HP; however the airprint software is compatible with e-print machines. Apple AirPrint prints more than one item at a time. The Print Center queue flawlessly carry out the printing job.

Box Accessories:

In the package along with The Apple iPod Touch 4th  generation (8GB) device the buyer gets a USB 2.0 cable, a dock adapter, a pair of earphones and a Quick Start Guide.

Warranty:

The Apple iPod Touch 8 GB third generation device comes with a standard one year manufacturer’s warranty.

Summary:

From the user’s perceptive, a music player will be advantageous if it could incorporate a set of mixed features available on other gadgets such as phone, computers etc.. But just mere dumping the features to give it a great look might make the product a junk. The features are added in a manner that compliments the basic requirement of the iPod viz listening to music. Features such as Face time ,Web safari, Nike plus perfectly synchronize your overall hearing experience.Social networking is further enhanced by the above said features. Locate iPod and the security encryption are added as solutions to recurring problems with gadgets getting lost. The speed and the multitasking efficiency is high when compared to any other model in the market. Additionally, the Voice Over feature used in the 3rd gen is enhanced in the 4th gen model and makes it a unique device that can be used by visually challenged people.  Well, the Touch  iPod 4th Gen has it all  except the calling facility.

Apple iPod Touch 8GB Fourth Generation - Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer	Apple
Model Name	iPod Touch Fourth generation
Device type	Digital portable media player
Dimensions (H x W x D)	4.4 x 2.3 x 0.28 inches
Weight	3.56 oz
Color	Black with Polished Aluminum rear
Display	3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch display
Display resolution	960-by-640-pixel resolution at 362 pixels per inch
Memory Capacity	8GB Flash memory
Other Capacities available	32GB and 64GB
Supported audio formats	Audio formats supported: AAC (8 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), HE-AAC, Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX, and AAX+), MP3 (8 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV
Playback modes	Playlist, One track repeat, Shuffle
Response Bandwidth	20 - 20000 Hz
Other media features	JPEG photo playback, variable bit rate compatibility
Supported video formats	H.264, MPEG-4
Additional Features	Face time, Retina Display, Calendar,HD recording Notes, Cover flow, Phone Book, Voice Memo, Date display, Web Browsing, Nike + iPod support, Multi-Touch interface, USB 2.0.
Wireless	Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) Nike + iPod support built in Maps location-based service7 Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
TV	Support for H.264 video up to 720p component TV out
Input and output	Dock connector 3.5-mm stereo headphone jack Built in speaker Microphone
Headphone Type	Binaural ear-bud
Impedance	32 Ohm
Battery Type	Music playback time: Up to 40 hours when fully charged Video playback time: Up to 7 hours when fully charged
Battery charge time	Fast-charge time: about 2 hours (charges up to 80% of battery capacity) Full-charge time: about 4 hours
iTunes version	iTunes 9 or later
System Requirements	Mac : Mac computer with USB 2.0 port, Mac OS X v10.4.11 or later Windows: PC with USB 2.0 port, Windows Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 3 or later
Box contents	iPod Touch Apple earphones Dock connector to USB cables Quick Start Guide
Warranty	One year

Overview:

Pros:
•    Extremely light
•    Macro size
•    Synthesized voice feature
•    Improvised support for podcasts and audio books

Cons:
•    The tiny remote control on the headphone is the only means of operation
•    Battery life is not great
•    Very few features

Review:

Usually an official announcement related to any of Apple’s products is preceded by a wave of rumors and speculations, accompanied by at least a couple of spy shots. However, surprisingly, that was not the case with the 4GB version of the iPod Shuffle from Apple, which was officially unveiled in March 2009, with very few rumors related to the MP3 player hitting the internet before this date. No, Apple has not branched out into making MP3 tie clips, the minuscule tablet of anodized aluminium is in fact, the 3rd gen Shuffle. Apple’s third generation shuffle is a radical revision of an entry level iPod. The controls have been moved to the cable under the right hand ear bud, with just the Shuffle, Continuous Play, Off switch on the device itself. While this 3rd generation Shuffle is available for just around 100 USD, it is the smallest MP3 player you will be able to buy right now. Though the unique size and uncommon, remote-controlled design of the latest Shuffle will not be everybody’s cup of tea, consumers looking for the next best thing to an invisible iPod will thank the minimalistic style of the iPod.

Design:

A tie clip MP3 Player?

At the very first look, you might feel that the iPod Shuffle 3rd Generation looks almost like a practical joke, as though somebody is simply trying to prank you that their tie clip plays MP3s. The 3rd generation of the shuffle takes things a bit further than the previous two models though, and now even their last iPodian relic, the circular controller, has been removed. This shuffle measures a macro bit larger than a paper clip; (H x W x D) 18 x 46 x 8mm, and does not have a hint of button, knob or screen. This minuscule device could easily get lost in your pocket or bag if you’re not careful. Available in a range of colors including silver, black, pink, blue and green, the anodized aluminium shell has a brushed finish, with a completely plain front. There is also a special edition stainless steel shuffle. The sides are rounded and the whole device feels like a solid metal bar. You will find the headphone jack sitting on the top edge, along with a switch that controls playback modes shuffle or consecutive, followed by the power. The slider on top is small and it’s easy enough to hit if you have any degree of dexterity. Just be glad that, Apple does not expect you to control the volume and playback of the Shuffle using mind control that is not yet, at least. Finally, there is a tiny battery status LED between the earphone jack and switch.

The Evolution:

It is quite funny to see how the iPod Shuffle has evolved over the years. To be honest here, we would pick the 4 year old original shuffle as our favorite; only because it has a built in USB connector for charging. We also loved the second gen shuffle for our love of the metal case. The latest iPod shuffle seems to almost be a merging of the two. It retained the metal body, but has reverted back to a vertical form. No USB connector though.

The clip:

The clip, probably the best feature of the 2nd generation device, is back. A hinged, chromed metal clip runs the length of the shuffle on one side and includes a slot for attaching a lanyard or key chain. This clip is a sturdy one and it should not have any issues staying attached to whatever you decide to attach it to. Being mirror polished, it gives the model a bit of flash that was not present in the 2nd gen model and it seems to grasp onto things a bit stronger than before. An Apple logo is engraved on the clip, and you can also have some custom engraving done on orders placed via Apple’s online store. We really wish Apple would fire the person responsible for using chrome accents on their products. Yeah, we have a personal issue with chrome. Excuse us for a moment while we polish our smeary fingerprints off the clip for the billionth time.

Controls on your Headphone:

The stereo earphone jack is a standard 3.5mm size, but you will not be able to use any old ear buds with this shuffle. The ear bud style headphones that are bundled with the shuffle include a remote control on the cable, just below the right ear. The controller is basically a 1.125 inch long plastic piece that hangs about 4.5 inches from the end of the Right earbud. As you can imagine, the remote has three controls, two for volume control that is up and down, and a central button with multiple functions. If you press the centre button once, it pauses the music playback, pressing it twice, you can skip forward and three times to skip back. Fast-forwarding within a track can be done by double clicking and holding. Using the multifunction button for playback is not difficult, but it might take some time getting used to. It is not Apple’s typical intuitive system, but it is not exactly rocket science.

The headphone cable offered is about 90cm or say, 3 feet long, and this should be more than enough, considering that the shuffle is meant to be clipped to your clothing. Yes, you guessed it right, if you happen to loose this headphone-controlled design, you also lose control of your iPod. However, there is no real panic here as you can always purchase Apple’s own replacement ear buds for a shuffle cost, but it is also possible to grab third party headphones and adaptors for even less.

Features:

As you can expect from most upgrades and versions, the third generation version of the shuffle too offers a set new features over previous models.

Voice Over:

For one, this is the first shuffle that tells you what you are listening to, which is certainly not a small accomplishment, considering the player does not have a display. The iPod Shuffle 2GB/4GB 3rd Generation has employed a synthesized voice to announce artist and song title info whenever the headphone clicker is held down. iTunes automatically downloads and installs the software and uses its own text-to-speech engine to generate the voices. This VoiceOver feature of the Shuffle has support for fourteen languages, so if you have a large collection of French pop, for example, it will pronounce the song and artist with the correct accent. The voice quality depends on the type of computer and operating system you are using. Now, do not come to a conclusion that since the shuffle can speak, it can respond to your voice, it cannot. So, we recommend you not to go talking to your iPod like a crazy person.

The voice feature will come in extremely handy useful when a great song pops on and you could not identify, but it is good that the Shuffle does not announce each song automatically. The voice does a good job of pronouncing song and artist names. It is not very helpful with confusing names, but for something like “Saturday” by Fall Out Boy, it is more than adequate. It talks on the fast side but once you get used to its quirks it should be OK, even if you just use it to get to your podcasts. If you just cannot stand the thought of a talking iPod, it is possible to turn off the feature with the help of Apple’s iTunes software. To activate it, you just hold down the centre switch on the controller for a couple of seconds.

Compatibility:

The third generation Shuffle is a pure, unadulterated digital audio player. You will not find any FM radio, voice recording, and, obviously, no photo or video playback. The audio formats supported include MP3, AAC, Audible, WAV, AIFF and Apple Lossless, but not WMA or FLAC.

Memory:

The diminutive iPod shuffle packs a generous 4GB of storage. Out of the box, the shuffle has 3.77GB of available space, with no option for storage expansion. While added storage is always appreciated, consumers complained that they would have liked to see some 2GB shuffles available at a lower price. And, Apple has given ears to this and has released the model with 2GB capacity too. For one thing, 4GB might be too much for people expecting to use their shuffles only at the gym or while running errands. As far as the numbers go, the 4GB 3G shuffle can hold about 1000 tracks. Other than the addition of 2GB models in the market, the shuffle is unchanged from the player that debuted in March. And that is no bad thing.

Sync:

Yet another latest 3rd Generation iPod shuffle feature is its ability to sync and navigate between multiple playlists, audio podcasts and audio books. To accomplish this feature, Apple makes use of the VoiceOver feature and headphone remote, announcing your playlists, podcasts or audio books one by one if you hold down the clicker for approximately 3 seconds. Once VoiceOver starts listing your content, just press the clicker again to select the content you want to play. If you simply have a tonne of playlists, you can make use of the remote’s volume keys to quickly skip back and forth through the list.

Audio Books Playback:

Note that the shuffle handles the playback of audio book and podcast content differently to playback of music files, and assumes you might prefer to always play this type of content sequentially , that is even if the playback switch is set to shuffle. Audio book and podcast content is always kept out of the start-up music mix of the Shuffle, ensuring that a stray chapter never ruins the mood of your workout. But, if jogging to classic literature is your kind of thing, you will be glad to know that any audio book that has been synced to the shuffle is treated as a separate playlist. Podcasts all get thrown into a shared podcast playlist, and play in order of show title, not release date. Like any other iPod or eBooks for that matter, the shuffle automatically resumes your podcasts or audiobooks where you last left off, allowing you to enjoy them in small doses without the hassle of scanning back and forth to find your place.

Transfers:

It is also worth mentioning that the shuffle can be used on your computer in disk mode, allowing you to store and transfer files without interfering with the audio content on your iPod. Yes, you guessed right, you cannot access the music files stored on the shuffle without going through iTunes, which means the iTunes version 8.1 or later is a required download for the shuffle. The moral of the story being that you will not be able to escape iTunes.

Performance:

In our tests, the iPod Shuffle seemed to be working fine, but there was a complaint from most users. Since most people use the Shuffle for running and working out, they say that the volume of the device progressively maxes out and, in addition to this, the remote would fail to respond. For instance, when the volume is attempted to be reduced, there will not be any response. Our theory is that, since the remote control bumps against the neck as you run, it causes the + volume to continuously be activated. Thus not allowing other input to be given because the + has been hit so many times that other inputs are not accepted. Now, this is nothing less than pure frustration.

Audio Quality:

The audio quality of 3rd gen Shuffle has improved noticeably better than that of the previous generation, and even sounds comparable to that of the fourth generation iPod nano and second-generation iPod classic. Older-generation shuffles have sounded a bit tinny, but the third generation is an improvement. It sounds fuller, and the bass is deeper and stronger. The sound has a fuller range, with better bass response and less background hiss. The shuffle had a signal-to-noise ratio of 75dB (where the higher the number indicates a cleaner sound). The improvement in audio quality is hard to notice using the bundled ear buds, and standard headphones lack the remote control that is essential for adjusting volume and skipping tracks. However, a consolation here is that, when the shuffle is connected to a standard pair of headphones and then powered on, it automatically starts playing music at the volume level it was last set to.

Additional expense:

Some third party accessories like replacement headphones, headphone adaptors and remote equipped auxiliary cables had hit the stores for the third generation shuffle as soon as the actual device came into the market. Now that Sony, Klipsch and others have announced compatible headphones, and Belkin and Scosche are making adaptors for other third-party headphones, that’s no longer as much of an issue. If you expect to use the shuffle with an existing pair of headphones, a home stereo or a car stereo, please do keep in mind the additional cost of some of these accessories to be added to the purchase price. Replacing your headphones is expensive and because the inline aftermarket option will inevitably be $20+ a lot of people who are particular about their headphones will be ending up skipping the shuffle and moving up to the Nano.

Package contents:

The package contents of the third generation iPod Shuffle includes the controversial ear buds, USB charge cable, quick start guide and Mini Apple stickers.

Battery and Life:

Coming to the all important charging part, the shuffle comes with a short 10cm, that is, a 4” USB adaptor that connects between the headphone output and your system USB connector. This means, you will charge the Shuffle the same way that you charge the previous version, through the 3.5mm headphone jack. This time there is not a small dock included though. As soon as the Shuffle is plugged in, it charges the internal battery and syncs content with iTunes. The shuffle has been rated at ten hours of playback time, which is unfortunately two hours less than the previous generation, but still, it has enough juice to get you through a week’s worth of casual use, and as always, it will charge 80% of the way in 2 hours and it will be fully charged an hour after that.. The short USB cable will not take up much space in your gear bag, but the fact that you have to carry around a proprietary charge cable when you travel, is a bit annoying.

Warranty:

Apple iPod Shuffle comes with one year manufacturer’s warranty for parts and labor.

Conclusion:

In comparison to the other sub $100 MP3 players on the current market, like the SanDisk Sansa Clip or Creative Zen Stone Plus, the microscopic design of Shuffle is just not enough to make up for the limited features, relatively high price, diminished battery life, quirky navigation and a headphone remote system that reeks of planned obsolescence. MP3 players like the shuffle that are directly aimed at the gym and jogger crowd are particularly susceptible to issues of headphone fit, comfort, and wear and tear, and Apple’s headphone remote needless to say, complicates the process of replacing or upgrading the shuffle’s earbuds. This is not to say that the headphone control is a bad feature, but also having controls on the actual device would help avoid navigation related confusions and improvise the usefulness of the product in the long term.

The third generation Shuffle has plenty of positives going on its pros site, such as the aluminium and steel construction, which is quite sturdy, the unobtrusive design, a whopping 4GB of storage, and the VoiceOver technology which allows you to control playback without taking your eyes away from what you actually doing. However, sacrifices have been made elsewhere to achieve the small size and minimalistic design, and we having a hard time giving the third generation shuffle a whole hearted “Recommended”. Determining if this iPod shuffle is better than the last one will depend on whether you can deal with the controls or not. It is certainly not something that will have existing shuffle owners throwing out their device to buy, but for $80 you get a beautiful device that can hold 1000 songs, play podcasts, and speak to you.

iPod Shuffle 3rd Generation - Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer	Apple
Model Name	Apple ipod shuffle third generation
iPod Type	Shuffle
Generation	Third
Dimensions (W x H x D)	0.7 in x 0.3 in x 1.8 in
Weight	0.38 ounce (10.7 grams
Body material	Anodized aluminum
Colors available	Silver, black, pink, blue and green
Interface	USB dock
Audio formats supported	AAC (8 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), HE-AAC, MP3 (8 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX, and AAX+), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV
Memory capacity	2GB or 4GB Holds up to 500 or 1,000 songs in 128-Kbps AAC format
Ports	3.5-mm stereo headphone jack
Play back modes	Playlist , Skip playback , Random play / shuffle
Audio	Skip-free playback
Response bandwidth	20 - 20000 Hz
Supported bit rate	8 - 320
Sound output mode	Stereo
Remote control	Player remote control - Cable
Headphones type	Binaural Ear-bud
Impedance	32 Ohm
Voice recording	No
Connector type	1 x Headphones Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm
Cable(s) included	1 x USB cable - External 2 in
Additional features	VoiceOver , USB 2.0 compatibility
Operating System	Microsoft Windows Vista , Apple MacOS X 10.4.11 or later , Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP3 , Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP3
Environment friendly	BFR-free, PVC-free and Highly recyclable
Box content	iPod shuffle, Earphones with Remote, iPod shuffle USB Cable (1.8 inches/45 mm) and Quick Start guide
Battery	Lithium polymer Rechargeable Player battery Integrated
Battery life	10 hours
Charge time	80% charged in 2 hours; fully charged in 3 hours
Warranty	1 year

Overview:-

Pros:

• It is smaller in size, light weight and slick.
• The feel and usability of the touch screen is great.
• One of the best browsers found on a portable device.
• The audio and video playback is amazing.
• A number of cool inbuilt applications.
• A very bright clear and sharp display screen.
• The hardware is efficient and reliable and devoid of bugs.
• The Flash based mp3 player.

Cons:

• Lacks proper up gradation from the 2nd Generation 8GB iPod touch; still does not have facilities and features like camera, OLED, etc.
• The battery is weaker than the 2nd generation model and thus the music playback time is also lesser  than the latter.
• Is a bit over-priced, with lack of certain desirable features.
• FM radio can only be accessed through online applications.
• A half-locked Bluetooth.

Review:

On 5th September 2007, Apple Inc. launched the iPod touch, a mobile platform with features like portable media player, Wi-Fi and personalized digital assistant. The iPod touch 3rd generation is a much evolved, redesigned edition of the same with many added features. It is no longer just a music and video playback device, as it boasts of its superior quality web browser and e-mail support and a very handy portable gaming device as well. The Apple’s third generation iPod touch is found in 8 gigabytes, 32 gigabytes, and 64 gigabytes capacity. Going by the hardware or designing modifications, the third generation iPod touch is more of an upgraded version of its second generation predecessor. But the new alterations in the hardware, along with a number of generous additions of software, and a high potential for additional functions surely makes the Apple iPod touch 3rd generation a very worthy and desirable device and is unquestionably far better than its predecessor in a number of ways.

Design:

The similar cosmetics:
The first noticeable thing about the third generation iPod touch (8 GB) is that the looks are not much modified and its appearance is more or less similar to the second generation predecessor of the same. A few etchings on the rear side of the 3rd generation iPod touch is the only distinguishable factor. Otherwise, the second generation of iPod touch and its successor are more or less mirror images of each other. The rear end of the predecessor model has four engraved text lines seated between an 8GB, 32GB or a 64GB plate along with a number of electronic certification logos. The text which is engraved is basically a serial number and has “All Rights Reserved” etched. On the contrary the previous version had a comparatively smaller badge to notify the capacity and had two lines of engraved text which states “Designed by Apple in California” and is followed by the serial number. Other than this minor difference, the two models are astonishingly similar to each other with their screens turned off.

The Casing:
The Apple iPod touch 3rd Generation (8 GB) sports a 3.5 inch glass-covered LCD screen which has a resolution of 480 x 320 pixels. Despite being a touch screen device, a few manual physical buttons have also been included like the hold switch located on the top, a volume controller button on the edge towards the left and a home button place below the screen to the anterior side. The bottom side of this iPod touch is otherwise same as its predecessor, sporting a 3.5 millimeter headphone jack port, and a universal dock port. A metallic chrome steel finish is found along the edges and covers the expanse towards the posterior surface.
The shape, design and dimensions of the iPod touch 3rd generation remain the same as its previous model. A flat glass front is well-set in a curved steel backside cover and the device is 4.3 inches tall, 2.4 inches wide and 0.33 inches thick. The curved steel surface cover gives a good feel when hand-held but is quite tipsy and wobbly when placed on another surface like a table. Overall, nothing new and thus nothing commendable about this latest edition in the Apple iPod family, which is too similar is resemblance to the Apple’s 2nd generation iPod touch.

The Screen Tint:
The screen color tint is another difference between the two models, though it is not a remarkable and reliable one as it might not be the same throughout its lifespan. On close observation we find that the predecessor model of the Apple iPod 8gb 3rd generation model has a yellowish tint on white screens, whereas the latter has almost neutral white color with a slight pink tint. “Negative Black” on the screen centre was another big problem for the first generation iPods which was subsequently changed for the better with every modification and the latest third generation model has a more generous shallow center viewing than its previous models. Thus, the screen hasn’t changed much though from its previous editions, but the color balance in the third generation iPod touch is definitely way better than the others.  The Apple iPod touch third generation definitely has a brighter, sharper, and high quality display better than its predecessors, which makes it very handy option not only for video playback but also for gaming purpose.

The Pack-ins:
The Pack-ins vouch for another difference in the iPod touch 3rd generation and its previous version. The Apple iPod touch 3rd Generation (8 GB) features Apple’s earphones and also includes with Mic and Remote, which are absent in the 2nd generation model. The earphones of the iPod touch include a hardened plastic plug shell and are greasier and more slippery than the previous version’s thick and soft coating of rubber. Other than this small change, look wise and function wise both the versions are similar with two volume buttons one for increasing and the other for decrease. There is also a multi-functional central button, with the help of which user can play, pause or skip a track and a microphone is also provided which is useful when it comes to voice recording and it also serves a few other purposes. Though, in the previous edition the usage of the same was pretty limited, in the newer edition of the iPod touch, it is capable of doing quite a bit more with some changes in the hardware and software which are discussed later.

Features:

Hardware Changes:
Over the past year, Apple on its every iPod touch release gives an opportunity to cash in twice on the changes in hardware- once when the device is sold to the users, with its specifically mentioned features, and then again later, Apple offers a paid $10 “software update”, which unlocks the disclosed features and capabilities of the device. Apple, for the iPod touch 3rd generation, has promised to provide the users with just two specific hardware changes which includes a 50 percent acceleration in the performance and speed and a far better and hi-quality graphic detailing with the OpenGL ES 2.0. This iPod touch is definitely better than its other members in the family with a replaced high performance CPU and graphics processor with newer features and faster counterparts, thus enhancing the devices speed to approximately 800MHz and it also adds a handful of new features and special effects in its graphics interface.

Gaming:
These changes might not result in critical consequences, but they do give a boost to the newer edition to quite some extent. For example, when using the iPod touch for gaming purposes, users will notice a difference in the loading time for a game in both the models, which might range up to quite a few seconds. Thus, the 3rd generation device is truly much faster and when loading a big game this time difference might mount up to several seconds- result is while the game is still loading on the older model, a user will already be playing it when using the newer version.

Even if we forget the loading time difference, still the game performance also varies a lot in the newer iPod touch and on the brighter side. Even those games which push the second generation iPod touch’s graphic hardware to the threshold run smooth on the third generation device. It has a better frame-rate, greater speed and is smoother in the interface and also takes less installation and loading times. Thus, the Apple iPod touch 3rd generation is a way better portable gaming device than its predecessor though in certain cases the noticeable difference in the gaming experience is quite marginal to the users.

Graphics:
Another credential that the 3rd generation iPod touch from Apple can boast of is that it is the second pocket device launched by Apple which sports a hardware support for the OpenGL ES 2.0, a latest graphic technology which was first introduced in the iPhone 3GS. Due to the presence of the OpenGL ES 2.0, developers were able to use programmable shaders, which present a more optically realistic and impressive visuals and effects which is way better than what the previous versions of the iPod touch used to generate. The only problem is that not many games will be compatible enough to run in this device, other than a few handful mediocre games. But on the brighter side, the games that run and the future games to be released will be way better in quality and display and will give users an exciting gaming experience.

Performance:

Operating System:
The second generation version of the Apple iPod touch featured a 2.0 version OS, which has been upgraded to a newer OS of version 3.0 in the Apple iPod touch 3rd generation Media Player, which keeps it one step ahead in terms of software features and performance. Because of the presence of the newer 3.0 version OS, the iPod touch is now compatible with a huge range of software, and as a result of which it was possible to include Bluetooth in this device, which is capable of audio streaming in stereo and also supports multiplayer gaming when two iPods are interconnected using the Bluetooth feature and caters a cool experience of wireless gaming. Moreover, the device is now capable of including an application for Voice Memos, which is beneficial when it comes to voice recording via an external microphone. Other than this, a search feature which can intervene the whole system, Google street view and maps, and a widespread touch keyboard is present which is capable to mete out every keyboard compatible application. And on top of that, the iPod touch 3rd generation can also mould itself to work as a keyboard or as a remote control for Apple TV and the device also supports plenty of other features which can be enabled by a number of downloadable applications.

The Touch-Screen Interface:
Apple’s iPod touch 3rd generation is quite advanced in terms of usability and touch screen performance and is better than most other devices of its league, and this uniqueness has been maintained by Apple from the very beginning. Even when the first generation models were released in market, they were much better than its other rivals. Although now, other manufacturers who deal with touch screen featured devices like Microsoft, Sony or Samsung, have narrowed the gap between them and Apple in terms of designing, interface, speed and usability of touch screens. But still, the fluidity, easy and snappy operations and the impressive and captivating touch screen and usability and interface of the Apple iPod touch 3rd generation has kept it way ahead of its competitors in the international market.

Better Gaming Experience:
Moreover, to retain this high position, Apple is doing their best to modify, alter and re instill latest hardware and software modifications to enhance the performance, and are also pushing the speed barrier as far as they can to provide users with best experience in gaming. The Apple iPod touch 3rd generation claims a 50 percent processing power increase and also sports a latest Open GL graphic processor. Thus, the responsiveness and the loading and installation time for a game has been dramatically increased and quickened. A game that would take around 14 seconds to 15 seconds to load on the iPod touch’s 2nd generation model, takes a mere 7 seconds to 8 seconds loading time in the Apple iPod touch 3rd generation device. So, users who love gaming and prefer a handheld touch screen device which caters a great graphic quality and speed in gaming must have the Apple iPod touch 3rd generation in the priority list automatically.

Voice Memo:
The Apple iPod touch sports this unique feature which was not included in any of the previous editions of iPod by Apple, and this is really a worthy bonus application. The Voice Memo application is basically a voice controlled operational software, which enables the user to speak commands which the device detects and executes the demanded operation automatically. This feature can be enabled by pressing and holding the central button of the included earphones only and cannot be accessed from the iPod touch’s Home button. This will activate the Voice Memo feature and then when the user speaks command, the device will detect it and will follow the commands automatically. However, it is not absolutely perfect and efficient in detecting voice commands and analyzing it and in the initial stage it might seem to be quite awful. All the user has to do is follow the syntax and speak commands properly, and the device does a really appreciable job with the command analysis and execution of the same. The only drawback is that the dial command is not included in this device, but anyway, this special feature is really cool and chick and it places the 3rd generation iPod touch in a very high position amongst its competitors.

Accessibility:
This is another bonus feature included in the Apple iPod touch 3G device. This feature provides certain special software introductions, like the magnification option and the screen colour inversion option. Moreover, there is a Voice Over feature, which reads out the on screen texts, which is a very beneficial factor for the visually disabled users and there is also a mode called Mono Audio down-mixing, which merges both the left audio channel and the right audio channel into both headphones. This is useful to hearing impaired users, who can hear through only one ear. Pressing the device’s home button thrice enables the inversion and/ or the voice over mode, but not the magnification feature. The drawback of the inversion mode is that it reduces the clarity of the home screen, that is makes it less readable, but it enhances the working  of all other applications. This might be a problem as the small pixel size are already a problem for a number of users and the decrease in clarity will be highly dissatisfactory for them. But other than this, overall, the accessibility function is a great one and is surely unique.

The iTunes Factor:
The iPod touch 3rd generation allows users to browse, view, download or purchase content from the iTunes Wi-Fi store. All the users would need is to make sure of an available Wi-Fi connection and then they can access the iTunes Wi-Fi store, and once they are connected to it, they have a wide range of contents to download and purchase. Ranging from TV shows, to movies, podcasts, music videos, audio books, music, and educational content, users have a wide range to explore. One can browse through or search for any song, album or artists in the music catalogue and can browse through a wide variety of movies. In order to purchase a content from the iTunes Wi-Fi store, users will have to provide their iTunes password as a default security measure. Downloading any content is very easy and even if a download is interrupted, it picks up from the same point once the device’s Wi-Fi connection is established. When a download is completed, it is instantly accessible in the iPod touch and the downloaded media files automatically transfer to the computer’s iTune library, when a user synchronizes it with his PC. The iTunes Wi-Fi store is a handy feature and downloading and purchasing contents are also very convenient and the best part is that this user friendly feature has no drawbacks as such.

Nike + :
The iPod touch third generation is not complimented with the Nike + application features that were altered in the Fifth generation device. But it is still capable to link up to the Nike’s application called Nike + Sensor, which tracks the users movement while in running motion and can also be used for music playback control in the later versions. Though there is a doubt regarding the fact that the application called Heart Rate Monitor would be included in the software update by the manufacturer, but the possibility of that happening is high. Other than this, the Apple iPod Touch does support a number of other fitness applications, which are not developed by Nike. Thus, the iPod touch third generation device definitely offers more software upgraded stuffs than other such prevalent devices in the market.

Audio:
Considering the amount of effort that Apple has made in rendering the graphic quality and the processor speed and performance, the quality of the audio device and enhancement is not much developed or enhanced. It is the audio quality, where other manufacturers like Samsung and Sony leave behind Apple’s latest devices and that too with a sharp contrast, even with the marginal list of preset EQ featured by the Apple iPod touch. The device has a built in stereo speaker and also has a built in digital clock with timer and alarm. Though in general terms, the balanced audio quality with smooth sound will be satisfactory to most users, many of them would be dissatisfied with the 3rd generation iPod for this drawback. Though like most other iPods in the market, the Apple iPod touch 3rd generation also supports most audio file formats like MP3, WAV, AIFF, AAC ( along with the protected files ), and Apple Lossless, but still it does not support WMA files. Although, Apple iTunes software is provided in the pack which can convert the WMA files to MP3, but still, the lack or the limited audio controlling scope is surely a bit of disappointment.

The Bluetooth:
The Touch 3rd generation’s one very long awaited feature is the A2DP stereo Bluetooth audio streaming capability which is complimented with a OS 3.0 modification. The Apple iPod touch’s Bluetooth device can be very easily and conveniently paired with other Bluetooth accessories, which includes a speaker system, stereo headsets, and car stereo. Moreover, the device stores all previously paired Bluetooth devices record in its database, which can be found in the Settings menu of the iPod touch. The wireless range, which is approximately around 30 feet, and the audio quality of the Bluetooth device is quite appreciable and another interesting factor is that even the audio from the video playbacks applications are quite easily and conveniently transferred over the Bluetooth almost as easily as transferring a music playback. But, the Apple iPod touch’s Bluetooth device disappoints us when it comes to the AVRCP control. Apple has not fully implemented the control of Bluetooth AVRCP, whose function is to allow user to use other AVRCP compatible devices for audio playback remotely. The strangest part is that the Apple iPod supports play or pause functions over a AVRCP compatible device, whereas, other controls for the same, like volume increase or decrease, and the skip functions are not present. Another crucial factor is that, keeping the Bluetooth device on harms the battery life of the device greatly. If the Bluetooth device is on for quite sometime, it decreases the battery life to quite an extent.

Video Features:
The iPod touch is a perfect partner for a user who is looking forward for a device which is portable and sports numerous features and has a quality video playback. The Apple iPod touch is highly compatible with most video formats and users have unlimited access to video playbacks. Users can load  TV shows, video podcasts, iTunes movies, which are on a rental scheme or can also watch endless number of free videos offered by the YouTube widget in the iPod or can include any other third party applications in the device. The angles of viewing might not be as good is it was in the 2nd generation model, but still is not worth a mention in the negative side, because it is still good enough for its purpose. And moreover, the minimum angular problems in viewing are well justified as a counterpart to the iPod touch’s notable improvisation and improvement in the contrast and the colour balance. The colour balance modifications are really cool are worth mentioning as it is way better than its predecessor and moreover, the colour balance is less prone to wash out when the device is subjected to high brightness settings.

The Battery Life:
Comparing the Apple iPod touch 2nd generation and 3rd generation device, the battery life for the latter is slightly diminished. This might be an effect of the faster, performance oriented and more efficient processor or the fact that newer software have been included, like the Bluetooth. Software applications as well as the high powered processor demands more charge, and maybe because of this reason, music playback hour rating has been reduced to 30 hours which in case of the 2nd generation model was 36 hours. However, video playback rating has not been whittled down and it stays steady like its predecessor at an estimated 6 hours.

The Touch 3rd generation is advanced and has a provision which interrupts video playback when the battery charge is low. Thus, it is tough to claim the actual video playback time for this device, as to check it, it is required that the video has to re-picked a number of times, which makes it inconvenient to judge the exact video playback time.

Box Accessories:

The Apple iPod touch 3rd generation (8 GB) device comes along with a few packaged accessories: USB 2.0 cable, a dock adapter, a pair of earphones and a Quick Start Guide.

Warranty:

The Apple iPod touch 8 GB third generation device comes with a standard one year manufacturer’s warranty.

Verdict:

A very portable, handy and user friendly device which boasts of quite a number of features and hardware and software modifications. Though, going by the design, there is nothing remarkably different in the Apple iPod touch 8GB third generation model from its predecessor of the second generation, but comparing the speed, efficiency, usability and performance, this device fares far better than the others of its league. Moreover, the accessibility features are worth mentioning . There are some notable upgrades in the software features and it sports a very good interface. Moreover, the graphic quality is also a plus point which will be a source of attraction to the hardcore gamers. With a weight of 4.05 oz it is not very bulky and is comfortable for grip. Though, it has a reduced audio playback time of 30 hours, whereas its previous version had 36 hours of playback time, and the audio quality is also the same without any improvements, still is quite good enough for its usage. The display is also bright, clear and sharp. And the iPod touch 3rd generation flaunts a Bluetooth device which is capable of audio streaming and comes handy in a number of things and also supports wireless multimedia gaming. The Wi-Fi connectivity is also very strong and browsing, viewing and downloading is a very convenient. The only big drawback of this device is the lack of camera, which is something disappointing for users.

Basically, a user looking forward to a portable device which will give him access to a horde of entertainment within the basic limits, the Apple iPod touch 8 GB is a very good option. If a user is not desperate for a camera in the device and is content with storage of 8 GB complimented with a remarkably high quality graphic system with a very good Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connection and most importantly a very speedy, efficient and powerful processor, then the Apple iPod Touch 8 GB ( Third Generation ) is probably the best suitable option.

Check latest iPod Reviews, Ratings and Exclusive Apple iPod Touch 32GB Second Generation Review in our website.

Apple iPod Touch 3G 8GB - Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer	Apple
Model Name	iPod Touch Third generation
Device type	Digital portable media player
Dimensions (H x W x D)	4.3 x 2.4 x 0.33 inches
Weight	4.05 oz
Color	Black with Polished Aluminum rear
Display	3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen LCD Multi-Touch display
Display resolution	480-by-320-pixel resolution at 163 pixels per inch
Capacity	8GB Flash memory
Capacities available	8GB, 32GB and 64GB
Supported audio formats	AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless,AIFF, and WAV
Playback modes	Playlist, One track repeat, Shuffle
Response Bandwidth	20 - 20000 Hz
Other media feature	JPEG photo playback, variable bit rate compatibility
Supported video formats	H.264, MPEG-4
Additional Features	Notes, Calendar, Cover flow, Phone Book, Voice Memo, Date display, Web Browsing, Nike + iPod support, Multi-touch interface, USB 2.0.
Wireless	Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) Nike + iPod support built in Maps location-based service7 Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
TV	Support for 480p and 576p component TV out
Input and output	Dock connector 3.5-mm stereo headphone jack
Headphone Type	Binaural ear-bud
Impendence	32 Ohm
Battery Type	Lithium Ion rechargeable
Battery backup	Music playback time: Up to 30 hours when fully charged Video playback time: Up to 6 hours when fully charged
Battery charge time	Fast-charge time: about 2 hours (charges up to 80% of battery capacity) Full-charge time: about 4 hours
iTunes version	iTunes 9 or later
System Requirements	Mac : Mac computer with USB 2.0 port, Mac OS X v10.4.11 or later Windows: PC with USB 2.0 port, Windows Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 3 or later
Box contents	iPod touch Apple earphones Dock connector to USB cables Quick Start Guide
Warranty	One year