0 iPod Touch 2G disassembled by iFixit

iFixit has posted disassembly photographs of the iPod Nano and iPod Touch. These disassembly photos are common after new products are released and provide readers an interesting view of the internals of the latest Apple products.

Occasionally, however, there's also an interesting find. In this case, iFixit has found that the iPod Touch actually contains an unadvertised Broadcom BCM4325 Bluetooth chip. Apple has not made any mention of Bluetooth support in the new iPod Touch.

What Apple did announce was that it had added Nike+ wireless support in the iPod Touch. According to Apple's FAQ, the Nike+ system uses a "proprietary low-power 2.4 GHz radio protocol" which is specifically said not to be Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

Bluetooth, however, appears to use the same frequency. We're uncertain if a Bluetooth chip can emulate the Nike+ protocol or if there is a separate unidentified Nike+ receiver in the iPod Touch. Regardless, this will certainly trigger speculation about adding Nike+ support in current iPhones and additional uses of the Bluetooth chip in the iPod Touch (such as Bluetooth headsets).

iFixit also let us know that the iPod Touch's headphone jack has five wires coming out of it, while the old iPod Touch only had four. This suggests that the external microphone support is likely true.

Detail: iPod Touch 2G disassembled by iFixit

0 Belkin iPod Touch 2G Cases

Belkin has introduced its new lineup of cases for the fourth-generation iPod nano and second-generation iPod touch.

Belkin Sport Armband Plus
The Belkin Sport Armband Plus with FastFit features a removable sleeve with a low-profile belt clip and key pouch, a Cable Capsule for headphone-cord management, the FastFit system for one-handed fastening, Nike+ compatibility, a built-in clear screen protector, and is made with lightweight water-wicking materials.

It will be available for the iPod nano 4G, the iPod touch 2G, and the iPod classic 2G, and will sell for $30. Also coming for the nano 4G, touch 2G, and classic 2G is the Sport Armband, which offers an adjustable dual-fit system for maximized sizing, a built-in clear screen protector, a key pocket, reflective material for nighttime safety, and Nike+ compatibility. It will sell for $25.
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Features:
-Pocket for key or Cable Capsule clip
-Clear screen protector allows easy navigation
-Easy FastFit clamp-fastening system
-Reflective accents for use in the dark
-Belt clip fastens to Armband or clothing
-Adjusts to fit most arms
-Cable Capsule manages earphones in flexible rubber dome


























Silicone Sleeve iPod touch 2G cases
The Simple Silicone Sleeve will also come in a two-pack, and features a minimal, form-fitting design, access to ports and controls, and will come in black/black, black/blue, pink/translucent, and red/gray. This case sells for $19.99.

Features:
-Access to all controls and dock connector
-Form-fitting construction
-Allows charging while in case






























Leather Sleeve & Folio iPod touch cases
Belkin’s Leather Sleeve cases will feature slim designs, soft microfiber interior lining, a Velcro closure, and will be available in black or pink for $29.99.

Features:
-Structured, durable leather
-Clear screen protector allows easy navigation
-Access to ports and dock connector

The Leather Folio iPod Touch cases also offer microfiber inner lining and Velcro closures, with a horizontal flap that closes over the face of the iPod, and will be available in black or pink for $29.99.

Features:
-Soft, durable leather case
-Soft-microfiber lining
-VELCRO® brand fastening
-Clear screen protector allows easy navigation
-Access to ports and dock connector

The Leather Pull-Tap Holster is a pocket-style case with an elastic tab for easy removal of the device and a slim design, and will be available for $29.99.

Features:
-Structured, Durable Leather
-Elastic tab automatically retracts for quick and easy removal from case
-Sleek design to minimize bulk

Detail: Belkin iPod Touch 2G Cases

0 Apple's new iPod touch 2G - funniest iPod ever

At its "Let's Rock" even on Tuesday, Apple introduced the second generation iPod touch featuring a thin contoured metal design, integrated volume control buttons, a built-in speaker for casual listening, and more.

The new iPod touch is smaller and lighter than the original, with a new tapered design that features a contoured metal enclosure with integrated volume control buttons and a 3.5-inch widescreen glass display. With its rounded edges, flush display and curved, more compact design, the new iPod touch was designed to be more comfortable to hold and more portable.Show me more...

"iPod touch is the funnest iPod we’ve ever created," said Apple chief executive Steve Jobs. "Users can listen to millions of songs, watch thousands of Hollywood movies and now, thanks to the App Store, download and play hundreds of great games on their iPod touch."

The new iPod touch includes iPod software v2.1 that enables it to work with the new iTunes 8 Genius feature, which allows customers to automatically create playlists while on the go. Users can preview the playlist Genius creates, refresh the list to choose different songs and save Genius playlists to enjoy again later.

Built-in Nike + iPod support
Each new iPod touch also features built-in Nike + iPod support making it an ideal workout companion. Users simply place the optional Nike + iPod sensor ($19 US) in their Nike + shoe to seamlessly connect with the new iPod touch to track miles run or sync with the latest generation gym equipment.

Battery Life
Users can expect up to 36 hours of music playback or six hours of video playback on a single charge. The 32GB model holds up to 7,000 songs, 25,000 photos or 40 hours of video; the 16GB model holds up to 3,500 songs, 20,000 photos or 20 hours of video, and the 8GB model holds up to 1,750 songs, 10,000 photos and 10 hours of video.

App Store
iPod touch users can also connect to the App Store over Wi-Fi to browse, purchase and wirelessly download applications directly onto their players, including over 700 game titles such as "Spore Origins" and "Scrabble" from Electronic Arts, and "Real Football 2009" from Gameloft.

Pricing
The new iPod touch is available immediately for a suggested price of $229 (US) for the 8GB model, $299 (US) for the 16GB and $399 (US) for the 32 GB model. Existing iPod touch users can update to the latest 2.1 software for just $9.95 to add the new Genius feature. iPod touch owners who already have the 2.0 software get the 2.1 software update for free. iTunes 8.0, released today, is also required.

Detail: Apple's new iPod touch 2G - funniest iPod ever

0 Next-gen iPod nano, iPod touch dimensions revealed?

Dimensional drawings said to depict Apple's next-generation digital media players suggest the company is about to unveil its thinnest iPod nano yet alongside a new version of the iPod touch that will be marginally thicker than its predecessor.

The drawings, published over at iLounge, show an iPod nano that will mark a return of the tall and narrow form factor, checking in at 0.75mm taller, 1.25mm narrower, and 0.42mm thinner than the second-generation iPod nanos introduced during the fall of 2006.

Although the drawings portray a more pronounced oval-shaped body than the second generation nanos, the player's aluminum enclosure will reportedly give way to a plastic covered screen that is flat, and doesn't share the same curvature as the iPod's body, as some earlier reports had suggested.

Meanwhile, the second-generation iPod touch is shown in the drawings to adopt several design cues from Apple's new iPhone 3G, including the use of a more tapered enclosure that will produce a thinning effect.

Compared to the existing iPod touch, the new model is said to be the same width, but 1mm taller and 0.4mm thicker. Also apparent from the drawings are the presence of physical volume controls on the side of the device (iPhone style), addressing one of the most widely cited shortcomings of the first-generation model.

While iLounge maintains that its drawings should be considered rumor and speculation, they largely correlate with existing reports of slim form factor nanos and slightly modified iPod touches.

Separately, iPod casemaker XSKN is now promoting fourth-generation iPod nano protectors (below) on its website that match the aforementioned description.

Apple is set to unveil its new iPod offerings at a special event next Tuesday in San Francisco.

Detail: Next-gen iPod nano, iPod touch dimensions revealed?

0 Consensus builds for rumored Sept. 9 iPod event

Spurred on by his own leak from the past weekend, Digg founder Kevin Rose has pegged a more specific date for Apple to unveil its new iPods and is garnering support from additional sources.

Listeners to the August 25th episode of This Week in Tech, which features Rose as a show guest, report the site creator mentioning a September 9th introduction for the new iPods that he himself broke word of a day before the podcast was recorded.

While he doesn't say whether this would involve one of Apple's characteristic press events to usher in the changes, the Digg head also sent what are allegedly further images of the redesigned iPod nano to show founder Leo Laporte, who didn't find any glaring problems with what he saw but was sworn to keep the product shots to himself; he quickly deleted them outright.

Separately, leaks that would support Rose's claims have seemingly popped up at the same time, as Chinese resellers at AliBaba and iDealsChina are either selling or claim to know of silicone skin cases for the fourth-generation iPod that fit a player like that seen in an image this weekend. In at least one of these shots, however, Apple's proprietary Dock Connector is replaced with a mini-USB port and a lanyard hook, casting doubt on its accuracy.

Outside of the hardware, Rose also believes he has knowledge of at least one of the features of iTunes 8.0, which he previously said would arrive simultaneously with the iPods. He hears that the new software will be "looking at your music" and recommending content based on specific conditions.

Although Rose hopes to avoid incriminating himself by revealing too many features and risking added criticism if he's proven wrong, his assertions are gaining support. A report from Ars Technica later on Monday says the technology site could give a "wink and nod" about the general timeframe, though it stops short of confirming an event or any of the product details. Analysts at Piper Jaffray have also predicted similar plans for Apple in September as it reveals one or more product updates.

Detail: Consensus builds for rumored Sept. 9 iPod event

0 Retail sources say its closing time for current iPod line

Resellers both near and afar are reporting signs that Apple's current line of iPod digital music players are on their way out the door, just as one prominent Wall Street analyst restates his claim that a $199 iPod touch is likely to be among the new models that will fill the void.

Stateside, people familiar with the inventory management systems of mass merchandizer Target say all current iPod models have recently seen their status shift from "Active" to "Discontinued" when scanned with handheld PDA scanners used by employees.

Those handhelds, however, aren't capable of displaying set dates for new planogram refreshes, as that information is said to be available only through the retailer's web-based intranet systems.

Separately, big-box retailer Argos in the UK is preparing to clear out its remaining iPod inventory in anticipation of new models in the coming weeks. A person familiar with the plans says the company recently took receipt of new point-of-sale displays promoting "price cuts" that should hit the retail floor during the last week of August or first week of September. Show me more...
The displays include a "giant wall graphic" which is the "biggest poster" displayed by the retailer, that person said.

These initial signs of inventory ramp down come amid calls from some of the more prominent Wall Street analysts regarding the steps that will be necessary for Apple to maintain its current momentum in the digital media player business.

In a note to clients last week, Lehman Brothers analyst Ben Reitzes noted that availability of the 16GB iPod touch at speciality electronics retailer Best Buy has trailed all other members of the iPod family for several weeks.

"We continue to believe Apple will need to reposition the iPod touch line in conjunction with its anticipated new product announcement in early to mid-September now that the iPhone acquisition price is lower," he said.

On Tuesday, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster issued his own note to clients where he voiced a similar view to that of Reitzes, adding that he expects iPod refreshes across the board with a sub-$200 iPod touch to boot.

"Specifically, we believe Apple will increase the capacity of the iPod shuffles as well as the iPod nanos (but maintain current price points); redesigned form factors for the shuffles and nanos are unlikely," the analyst wrote. "We believe the iPod touch may be redesigned and may enter the $199 price point, in line with the iPhone."

Detail: Retail sources say its closing time for current iPod line

0 Apple blames scorching iPods on battery problem

Apple is blaming a problem with overheating iPods in Japan on faulty batteries, the company said in a statement Tuesday.

In response to reports that Japan is investigating incidents of iPod nanos getting hot enough to scorch paper placed nearby, Apple acknowledged that "in very rare cases" first-generation iPod nanos sold between September 2005 and December 2006 can overheat.

This problem, which Apple said is extremely rare, causes "failure and deformation of the iPod nano."

The company said it has received reports about less than 0.001 percent of first-generation iPod nano units acting in this way, and has traced the problem to a single battery supplier. Apple did not name the supplier.

Apple added that there have been no reports of serious injuries or property damage due to the overheating problem, and no reports of incidents for any other iPod nano model.

The company advised iPod nano customers who have experienced an overheating battery or who have concerns to contact AppleCare. iPod nanos with faulty batteries will be replaced for free by Apple.

Apple's statement was in response to reports out of Japan Monday that the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry was investigating two separate incidents in Tokyo in which iPod nanos overheated, burning nearby paper and a woven straw mat.

In March, the Japanese ministry reported a similar incident, in which sparks flew out of an iPod nano.

Detail: Apple blames scorching iPods on battery problem