iPod Touch

The iPod Touch (stylized as iPod touch) is a discontinued line of iOS-based mobile devices designed and marketed by Apple Inc. with a touchscreen-controlled user interface. As with other iPod models, the iPod Touch can be used as a music player and a handheld gaming device, but can also be used as a digital camera, a web browser and for messaging.[8] It is similar in design to the iPhone, but it connects to the Internet only through Wi-Fi and does not use cellular network data, so it is not a smartphone.

iPod Touch
iPod Touch 6th/7th generation in Pink
DeveloperApple Inc.
ManufacturerFoxconn
Product familyiPod
TypeMobile device
Release date
  • 1st gen: September 5, 2007 (2007-09-05)
  • 2nd gen: September 9, 2008 (2008-09-09)
  • 3rd gen: September 9, 2009 (2009-09-09)
  • 4th gen: September 12, 2010 (2010-09-12)
  • 5th gen: October 11, 2012 (2012-10-11) (32 & 64 GB models), May 2013 (2013-05) (16 GB model A1509), June 2014 (2014-06) (16 GB model A1421)[1]
  • 6th gen: July 15, 2015 (2015-07-15)
  • 7th gen: May 28, 2019 (2019-05-28)
DiscontinuedMay 10, 2022 (2022-05-10)[2]
Units sold100 million (as of May 2013)[3]
Operating systemiOS
System on a chip
  • 1st gen: S5L8900
  • 2nd gen: S5L8720
  • 3rd gen: S5L8922
  • 4th gen: Apple A4
  • 5th gen: Apple A5
  • 6th gen: Apple A8
  • 7th gen: Apple A10 Fusion
CPU
  • 1st gen: 412 MHz ARM 1176JZF-S
  • 2nd gen: 533 MHz ARM 1176JZF-S
  • 3rd gen: 600 MHz ARM Cortex-A8
  • 4th gen: 800 MHz ARM Cortex-A8
  • 5th gen: 800 MHz dual-core ARM Cortex-A9
  • 6th gen: 1.1 GHz dual-core Apple Typhoon ARMv8[4][5]
  • 7th gen: 1.63 GHz dual-core Apple Hurricane ARMv8[6]
Memory
  • 1st & 2nd gen: 128 MB LPDDR DRAM
  • 3rd & 4th gen: 256 MB LPDDR DRAM
  • 5th gen: 512 MB LPDDR2 DRAM
  • 6th gen: 1 GB LPDDR3 DRAM
  • 7th gen: 2 GB LPDDR4 DRAM
Storage
  • 1st gen & 2nd gen: 8, 16 & 32 GB[lower-alpha 1] flash memory[1]
  • 3rd gen: 32 & 64 GB flash memory[1]
  • 4th gen: 8, 16, 32 & 64 GB flash memory[1]
  • 5th gen: 16, 32 & 64 GB flash memory[1]
  • 6th gen: 16, 32, 64 & 128 GB flash memory[1]
  • 7th gen: 32, 128 & 256 GB flash memory[1]
Display
  • 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gen: 3.5 in (89 mm) diagonal (3:2 aspect ratio), scratch-resistant glossy glass covered screen, 262,144-color (18-bit) TN LCD, 480×320 px (HVGA) at 163 ppi, 200:1 contrast ratio
  • 4th gen: 3.5 in (89 mm) diagonal (3:2 aspect ratio),
    multi-touch display,
    LED backlit TN TFT LCD,
    960×640 px at 326 PPI
    800:1 contrast ratio (typical), 500 cd/m2 max. brightness (typical), fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating on front
  • 5th, 6th and 7th gen: 4 in (100 mm) diagonal (16:9 aspect ratio),
    1136×640 px at 326 PPI
Graphics
  • 1st & 2nd gen: PowerVR MBX Lite GPU
  • 3rd & 4th gen: PowerVR SGX535 GPU
  • 5th gen: PowerVR SGX543MP2 (2-core) GPU
  • 6th gen: PowerVR Series 6XT GX6450 (4-core) GPU
  • 7th gen: PowerVR Series 7XT GT760 Plus (6-core) GPU
Input
Connectivity
1st gen, 2nd gen, and 3rd gen:

Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
4th gen:
Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n)
5th gen:
Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n)
6th gen and 7th gen:
Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac)

2nd gen, 3rd gen, and 4th gen:
Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
5th gen:
Bluetooth 4.0
6th gen and 7th gen:
Bluetooth 4.1[7]

Power
  • Built-in rechargeable Li-Po battery
  • 1st gen: 3.7 V 2.15 W·h (580 mA·h)
  • 2nd gen: 3.7 V 2.73 W·h (739 mA·h)
  • 3rd gen: 3.7 V 2.92 W·h (789 mA·h)
  • 4th gen: 3.7 V 3.44 W·h (930 mA·h)
  • 5th gen: 3.7 V 3.8 W·h (1030 mA·h)
  • 6th gen & 7th gen: 3.83 V 3.99 W·h (1043 mA·h)
Online services
Dimensions
  • 1st gen:
  • 110 mm (4.3 in) H
  • 61.8 mm (2.43 in) W
  • 8 mm (0.31 in) D
  • 2nd, 3rd gen:
  • 110 mm (4.3 in) H
  • 61.8 mm (2.43 in) W
  • 8.5 mm (0.33 in) D
  • 4th gen:
  • 111 mm (4.4 in) H
  • 58.9 mm (2.32 in) W
  • 7.2 mm (0.28 in) D
  • 5th, 6th, 7th gen:
  • 123.4 mm (4.86 in) H
  • 58.6 mm (2.31 in) W
  • 6.1 mm (0.24 in) D
Mass
  • 1st gen: 120 g (4.2 oz)
  • 2nd, 3rd gen: 115 g (4.1 oz)
  • 4th gen: 101 g (3.6 oz)
  • 5th, 6th, 7th gen: 88 g (3.1 oz)
PredecessoriPod Classic
RelatediPod Nano
iPod Classic
iPod Shuffle
iPhone
List of iOS devices
Websitewww.apple.com/ipod-touch/

The iPod Touch was introduced in 2007; some 100 million iPod Touch units were sold by May 2013.[3] The final generation of iPod Touch, released on May 28, 2019, is the seventh-generation model.

iPod Touch models were sold by storage space and color; all models of the same generation typically offered identical features, performance, and operating system upgrades. An exception was the fifth generation, in which the low-end (16 GB)[lower-alpha 1] model was initially sold without a rear-facing camera and in a single color.[9]

The iPod Touch was the last product in Apple's iPod product line after the discontinuation of the iPod Nano and iPod Shuffle on July 27, 2017, after which Apple revised the storage and pricing for the iPod Touch with 32 and 128 GB of storage.[10] On May 10, 2022, Apple discontinued the iPod Touch, effectively ending the iPod product line as a whole.[11] Apple dropped support for the seventh-generation iPod Touch following the release of iOS 16, ending software support for the iPod Touch lineup and the iPod product line as a whole.[12]

Features

Software
Main article: iOS

The iPod Touch runs Apple's Unix-based iOS operating system used on the iPhone, and includes bundled software to browse the Internet, view maps, send and receive email, view media. Users type on a virtual keyboard displayed on the screen. Apple operates online stores, allowing users to buy and directly download music, videos and third-party software. From launch, the iPod Touch was described by journalists as an "iPhone without the phone",[13] and each iPod Touch model to date has been introduced with the same release of iOS as the contemporary iPhone model.

In June 2011, iOS 5, the fifth major release of iOS software, was announced at Apple's WWDC 2011, which added notification, messaging and reminder features.[14] Apple limited some features, most notably the voice control system Siri, to the iPhone.[15] iOS 6, which was released on September 19, 2012 for the fourth and fifth generation iPod Touch models, contains 200 new features including Passbook, Facebook integration and Apple Maps. The fifth generation iPod Touch gained the ability to take panoramic photos, a feature shared with the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5.[16]

On June 8, 2015, it was announced at the WWDC that the iPod Touch fifth generation would support iOS 9, along with other A5 Chip devices. This makes the iPod Touch fifth generation the first iPod Touch to support four major versions of iOS.

Early iOS updates prior to iOS 4 have been paid for owners of supported iPod Touch models. Apple received criticism for this decision and for excluding certain features from the iPod Touch software that the iPhone included.[17][18] Apple's position was that they could add features for free to the iPhone because the revenue from it is accounted for on a subscription basis under accounting rules, rather than as a one time payment (as iPhones were often sold with a carrier contract).[19] At WWDC in June 2010, as of iOS 4, Steve Jobs announced that Apple had "found a way" to make subsequent OS upgrades available free to iPod Touch owners.

Supported iOS versions
iOS version iPod Touch models
1st generation 2nd generation 3rd generation 4th generation 5th generation 6th generation 7th generation
iPhone OS 1 1.1
iPhone OS 2 2.1.1[lower-alpha 2]
iPhone OS 3 3.1.1
iOS 4 up to 4.2.1 only 4.1[lower-alpha 3]
iOS 5
iOS 6 [lower-alpha 4]
iOS 7 unofficial[lower-alpha 5][20]
iOS 8 8.4
iOS 9
iOS 10
iOS 11
iOS 12 12.3
iOS 13
iOS 14
iOS 15
iOS 16+

Setup and synchronization

iPod Touch units running iOS 4 or earlier require a Mac or PC to be set up for the first time. Downloading apps or media from the iTunes Store and App Store does not require a computer, though media not purchased through the iTunes Store still has to be added through a computer.

New iPods bought after October 12, 2011 have iOS 5.0 or later preloaded, and can be set up wirelessly,[21] without the need of a PC or Mac.

Purchasing content

To purchase content on the iPod Touch, the user must create an Apple ID or have an existing account. With this account one may download music and videos from the iTunes Store, apps from the App Store, or books from the Apple Books Store. An Apple ID account created without a credit card can be used to get free content, and gift cards can be used to pay for apps instead of using a credit card.

Third-party applications

The only official way to obtain third-party applications for the iPod Touch is through Apple's App Store, which is a branch of iTunes Store. The App Store application, available in all versions of iOS from 2.0 onwards, allows users to browse and download applications from a single online repository (hosted by Apple) with the iTunes Store.

Sideloading apps outside the App Store is done through the Xcode application, and is intended for developers and enterprises, though tools for sideloading outside of Xcode exist, and are mainly used for applications not allowed in the App Store.

Design and hardware

The iPod Touch is generally similar to the iPhone models prior to the iPhone X (excluding the second and third generation iPhone SE). Compared to a same-generation iPhone, an iPod Touch is thinner, lighter and less expensive, while lacking some hardware and software features. Steve Jobs once referred to the iPod Touch as "training wheels for the iPhone".[22]

All iPod Touch models lack biometric authentication, 3D Touch, NFC, GPS, an earpiece speaker and a noise-cancelling microphone. Depending on the generation, the iPod Touch may have a smaller or otherwise inferior display and camera(s). Newer models (5th, 6th, and 7th generation) lack the ambient light sensor that makes automatic brightness available. The first generation iPod Touch lacks a built-in speaker, and the first, second, and third generation iPod Touch lack a microphone, a camera, and a flash. Starting with the 4th generation iPod Touch, a camera and microphone were added, and starting with the 5th generation iPod Touch, an LED flash was added.

The iPod Touch has no cellular modem, and therefore cannot directly make phone calls on the public switched telephone network. However, it can make VoIP calls such as FaceTime, and send iMessages to other iPhones, Macs, iPads, and iPod Touch models with an Apple ID. The 5th generation iPod Touch and later can forward and receive standard phone calls through a separate iPhone (a feature introduced in iOS 8), with the Wi-Fi Calling feature. The two devices must be linked to the same Apple ID, and the iPhone's carrier must support this feature.[23]

Connectivity
Apple Lightning connector

The iPod Touch can communicate with a computer through Wi-Fi or USB using a cable and a dock connector.

iPod models released before 2012 feature a 30-pin dock connector (known colloquially as the iPod dock connector), which carried analog signals.

The fifth, sixth, and seventh generations of the iPod Touch feature a new digital dock connector, called Lightning, which was introduced alongside the iPhone 5, fourth generation iPad and first generation iPad Mini, and the seventh generation iPod Nano models. This new connector is smaller than the previous one allowing for a slimmer form factor, and is reversible. Various accessories are available to connect the Apple Lightning connector to the older 30-pin dock connector or USB,[24] although not all old accessories will work, because the Lightning connector cannot handle analog signals.[25]

User-made modifications

Like all of Apple's iOS devices, the iPod Touch is a tightly controlled or closed platform. Communication between apps is limited and controlled, and Apple is the only authorized software vendor for firmware and applications. Hackers have attempted to "jailbreak" all iOS devices to enable forbidden or unsupported features, such as multitasking in iOS versions before 4.0, themes for the home screen, and enabling the battery-percentage indicator (limited to the iPhone prior to the seventh generation iPod Touch). Jailbreaks for the iPod Touch first surfaced a month after the original model was released in September 2007, when hackers released JailbreakMe 1.0 (also called "AppSnapp") to jailbreak iPhone OS 1.1.1.[26][27] This allowed users to install third-party programs on their devices before Apple permitted this with iPhone OS 2.

Apple's warranty statement implies that an iPod Touch after jailbreaking or other modification made by unofficial means is not covered by Apple's warranty. Jailbreaking is a violation of the terms and conditions for using iOS. While the jailbreaking process can normally be undone by performing a restore through iTunes,[28] there is a risk of rendering the device unusable.

Models
Table of iPod Touch models
Model Release(d) Discontinued Support
With Date Ended Final OS Lifespan
1st generation iPhone OS 1.1 September 5, 2007 September 9, 2008 June 21, 2010 iPhone OS 3.1.3 2 years, 9 months
2nd generation iPhone OS 2.1.1 September 9, 2008 September 9, 2009 March 9, 2011 iOS 4.2.1 2 years, 6 months
2nd generation (MC model) iPhone OS 3.1.1 September 9, 2009 September 1, 2010 1 year, 6 months
3rd generation September 19, 2012 iOS 5.1.1 3 years
4th generation iOS 4.1 September 1, 2010 May 30, 2013 September 18, 2013
(Dual EOL Updates: February 21, 2014)		 iOS 6.1.6 3 years, 5 months
4th generation (White) iOS 5.0 October 12, 2011 2 years, 4 months
5th generation iOS 6.0 October 11, 2012 July 15, 2015 September 13, 2016 iOS 9.3.5 3 years, 11 months
5th generation (A1509) iOS 6.1.3 May 30, 2013 June 26, 2014 3 years, 3 months
6th generation iOS 8.4 July 15, 2015 May 28, 2019 September 24, 2019
(Exclusive Updates: August 31, 2022)		 iOS 12.5.6 4 years, 2 months
7th generation iOS 12.3 May 28, 2019 May 10, 2022 supported, but not upgraded iOS 15.7.1 3 years, 4 months
Legend:   Obsolete   Discontinued and unsupported   Discontinued, through still supported, but not upgraded
4th and 6th generation iPod Touch

As of April 2021, there have been seven models of iPod Touch devices produced.

  • 1st generation (2007–2008) Supported until June 2009 (iPhone OS 3.1.3)
  • 2nd generation (2008–2010) Supported until March 2011 (iOS 4.2.1)
  • 3rd generation (2009–2010) Supported until September 2012 (iOS 5.1.1)
  • 4th generation (2010–2013) Supported until February 2014 (iOS 6.1.6)
  • 5th generation (2012–2015) Supported until September 2016 (iOS 9.3.5)
  • 6th generation (2015–2019) Supported until August 2022 (iOS 12.5.6)
  • 7th generation (2019–2022) Supported until October 2022 (iOS 15.7.1)

Reception

Upon launch in 2007 the first generation iPod Touch received mostly good reviews for its display, its full Web browser, and YouTube support. However it was also criticized for being a "stripped down" iPhone, for lacking external volume buttons, and for having a lower-quality display.[29][30][31]

Notable competing products as of 2009 included Creative's ZEN X-Fi2, Sony's Walkman X Series, and Microsoft's Zune HD;[32][33] and as of 2011, the Samsung Galaxy Player[34] and Sony Walkman Z Series.

Later models received a more lukewarm reception, with reviewers questioning whether an iPod Touch made sense as a product in a time where smartphones had become more affordable.[35]

Discontinuation

In May 2022, Apple announced that after over 20 years, the iPod Touch, and the iPod line as a whole, were to be discontinued; the iPod Touch would remain available only while supplies last.[36]

See also
  • Comparison of iPod file managers
  • Comparison of portable media players
  • List of iOS devices

Notes
  1. 1 GB = 1 billion bytes
  2. Models with order number starting with *B only; models with order number starting with *C start at iPhone OS 3.
  3. Models with black bezel only; models with white bezel start at iOS 5.
  4. iPods with model number A1509 (lacking rear camera) start at iOS 6.1.3.
  5. By jailbreak and dual-boot iOS 7, using a modified iPhone 4 image, with limited hardware support

References
  1. "Identify your iPod model – Apple Support". Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  2. "The music lives on". Apple Newsroom. May 10, 2022. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  3. Smith, Mat (May 30, 2013). "Apple: 100 million iPod touches sold since 2007". Engadget. AOL Inc. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
  4. "New A8 iPod Touch Clocks in at 1.10GHz, Includes 1GB RAM and Bluetooth 4.1".
  5. Brandon Chester. "Apple Refreshes The iPod touch With A8 SoC And New Cameras".
  6. O'Hara, Andrew (May 29, 2019). "2019 iPod touch: First look, initial impressions, & benchmarks". AppleInsider. Quiller Media, Inc. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  7. "Apple – iPod touch – Technical Specifications". Apple. Apple Inc. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  8. "iPod touch – Features". Apple. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
  9. "Apple cuts prices on iPod Touch line, refreshes 16GB model". CNET. June 26, 2014. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  10. "Apple removes iPod nano and shuffle from website hinting at discontinuation". 9to5Mac. July 27, 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  11. Clark, Mitchell (May 10, 2022). "Apple discontinues the iPod after 20 years". The Verge. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  12. "iPod touch pulled completely from Apple's website, will not support iOS 16". The Apple Post. June 9, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  13. Sadun, Erica (September 5, 2007). "Apple announces iPod touch: iPhone without the phone". TUAW. Retrieved September 5, 2007.
  14. "Apple announce iOS 5 and iPhone release date". Apple. October 4, 2011. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  15. Lawler, Richard (October 4, 2011). "iPod touch still maxes out at 64GB / $399, available in white October 12th". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
  16. Gunther, Cory (September 19, 2012). "What's new in iOS 6? Here's the changelog". SlashGear. R3 Media. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  17. Block, Ryan (January 17, 2008). "iPod touch users: if you bought after Jan 1 the new apps are free – maybe". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
  18. Arya, Aayush (January 24, 2008). "Early Adopter Tax Resurfaces with the iPod touch January Software Upgrade". AppleMatters. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
  19. Dalrymple, Jim. "Accounting rules behind iPod touch update charge". Macworld. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  20. "iOS 7 on iPod Touch 4g".
  21. "iOS 5 – See new features included in iOS 5". Apple. Archived from the original on October 6, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
  22. Fildes, Nic (September 19, 2007). "iPhone finally arrives but it's neither cheap nor G3". The Independent. UK. Retrieved October 24, 2008.
  23. "Make a call with Wi-Fi Calling". Apple Support. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
  24. "Apple iPhone 5 features". Apple. September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  25. McGlaun, Shane (September 13, 2012). "iPhone 5 won't work with some accessories even with Apple Lightning adapter". SlashGear. R3 Media. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  26. Wilson, Ben (October 10, 2007). "Official iPhone 1.1.1 jailbreak released with easy-to-follow instructions; does not require TIFF exploit". CNET. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on July 19, 2009. Retrieved November 10, 2009.
  27. Keizer, Gregg (October 29, 2007). "Hacker Software Can Install Unauthorized Software on iPhones". PCWorld. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
  28. "iPod and iSight Warranty" (PDF). Apple. p. 1. Retrieved December 24, 2008.
  29. "Review: Apple iPod touch (8GB/16GB/32GB)". September 17, 2007.
  30. "The iPod meets the iPhone: A review of the iPod touch". September 17, 2007.
  31. "Apple iPod touch – the Gadgeteer". September 21, 2007.
  32. "Sony Unveils Slimmest Walkman Yet". September 16, 2009.
  33. "Sony debuts X-series Walkman with Wi-Fi, touchscreen OLED, noise cancellation". ZDNet.
  34. "Samsung Galaxy S Wi-Fi hands-on (Photos)".
  35. Benjamin, Jeff (February 26, 2020). "The Rewind: iPod touch 7th-gen – a legit Apple Arcade console?". 9to5Mac. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  36. "Apple pulls plug on iconic iPod after 20 years". RTÉ.ie. May 11, 2022.
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