iPod touch (3rd Gen/Late 2009)

Apple iPod touch (3rd Gen/Late 2009) 8, 32, 64 GB Specs:

he iPod touch 3rd Generation (Late 2009) models -- please note that this model does not have 3G networking support -- are being marketed with an increased emphasis on gaming rather than the "iPhone without a phone" pitch provided by previous iPod touch models. Nevertheless, they continue to offer much of the same functionality of the iPhone 3GS, minus the "phone", mobile phone networking (3G/EDGE), A-GPS, digital compass, and integrated camera.

Although they are sold as a single lineup with 8 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB of storage, the 8 GB model essentially is the same as the 8 GB configuration of the iPod touch 2nd Generation, whereas the 32 GB and 64 GB models are the same externally as the iPod touch 2nd Generation but have innards more in common with the iPhone 3GS with advertised "50% faster performance" and OpenGL ES 2.0 support for better graphics performance (courtesy of the same 800 MHz Samsung ARM processor that powers the iPhone 3GS).

Like the iPod touch 2nd Generation, the iPod touch 3rd Generation features the same "multi-touch" sensitive 3.5" display with 320x480 resolution, accelerometer, ambient light sensor, and support for 802.11b/g (hardware-capable of 802.11n as well).

Features are largely unchanged -- apart from superior performance on the 32 GB and 64 GB models -- but the higher-end models also add Voice Control capability for voice navigation and a "VoiceOver" screen reader for the visually impared. All three models support Voice Memos too, but the 8 GB model ships with standard earphones by default and needs the "Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic" (or another mic) for recording. All three also support a new "Genius Mixes" feature that makes an effort to make mixes of songs that "go great together".

Battery life is an Apple-estimated 30 hours for music playback and 6 hours for video.

Specifications:

Introduction Date:

September 9, 2009

Discontinued Date:

N/A

Details:

The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended.

Processor Type:

Samsung ARM*

Processor Speed:

800 MHz*

Details:

*Apple provides no information on the processor used in the iPod touch 3rd Gen models, but third-party "teardowns" indicate that the 32 GB and 64 GB configurations use an Apple branded Samsung ARM processor running at 800 MHz (the same processor used by the iPhone 3GS, but not downclocked to preserve battery life). The 8 GB model, on the other hand, uses the same 533 MHz Samsung ARM as the iPod touch 2nd Gen models (it essentially is a 2G model). For more information, please refer to the disassembly "guide" from the always excellent iFixIt.

Onboard RAM:

256 MB*

Storage Capacity:

8, 32, 64 GB

Details:

*Apple provides no information regarding the RAM used in the iPod touch 3rd Gen, but it is assumed that the 32 GB and 64 GB models have the same amount as the iPhone 3GS. The 8 GB configuration, on the other hand, likely has 128 MB like the iPod touch 2nd Gen.

Song Capacity:

1750, 7000, 14,000

Photo Capacity:

10,000, 40,000, 90,000

Details:

Apple reports that the 8 GB model can hold "up to" 1750 songs, the 32 GB model "up to" 7000 songs, and the 64 GB model "up to" 14,000 songs in "128-Kbps AAC format". Likewise, the 8 GB model can hold as many as 10,000 photos, the 32 GB model can hold as many as 40,000 photos, and the 64 GB model can hold as many as 90,000 photos. Additionally, Apple reports that the 8 GB model can hold "up to" 10 hours of video, the 32 GB model "up to" 40 hours of video, and the 64 GB model "up to" 80 hours of video.

USB Support:

Sync & Charge

Firewire Support:

None

Details:

The iPod touch 3rd Gen models are capable of charging and syncing by USB via the dock connector, but cannot sync or charge via Firewire "400".

Connectivity:

USB, Audio*

Ports:

Dock, Headphone*

Details:

*Note that the iPod touch 3rd Gen models do not support video out via the headphone jack, they only provide video out via the dock connector. The 32 GB and 64 GB configurations ship with the same "Earphones with Remote and Mic" as the iPhone 3GS, whereas the 8 GB model ships with a standard set of earphones.

Case Type:

Handheld

Form Factor:

iPod touch 3rd Gen

Details:

N/A

Housing Color:

Black

Controller:

Multi-touch

Details:

The patented "multi-touch" interface allows one to control the functions of the system by dragging one or more fingers across the display. Also see: How does the "multi-touch" interface introduced with the iPhone work? Who developed the "multi-touch" interface originally?

Built-in Display:

3.5" Color

Display Resolution:

320x480 (163 ppi)

Details:

The iPod touch 3rd Gen has a 3.5" 320 by 480 at 163 ppi resolution display, identical to that provided by the iPod touch 2G models. Also see: How does the touchscreen feel? Is the touchscreen really better than a keypad with tactile feedback? Site sponsor Mission Repair offers free diagnosis of iPod hardware problems and a 24-hour repair service for this iPod. Display repacement, battery replacement, and more are provided.

Standard Wireless:

802.11b/g*

Standard Bluetooth:

2.1+EDR

Details:

*The iPod touch 3rd Gen models are advertised as having 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR support. However, third-party teardowns have discovered that the Broadcom BCM4329 chip that provides 802.11b/g is capable of 802.11n as well. It will be interesting to see if it is supported in software.

Cell Network:

None

Camera:

None

Details:

The iPod touch 3rd Gen does not have mobile phone capabilities or an integrated camera.

Battery Type:

Lithium Ion

Battery Life (Music):

30 Hours

Details:

The iPod touch 3rd Gen models officially provide an Apple-estimated 30 hours of battery life for music playback and 6 hours for video playback. Site sponsor Other World Computing has replacement batteries that are higher capacity than the stock models as well as cases, headphones, speakers, and other accessories.

Battery Life (Voice):

N/A

Standby Time:

N/A

Details:

Apple does not provide estimated battery life for photo playback or web browsing, but does estimate "up to" 6 hours of video playback.

Apple Order No:

MC008LL/A*

Apple Subfamily:

Late 2009

Details:

*MC008LL/A refers to the 32 GB configuration. The 64 GB configuration is assigned MC011LL/A and the essentially re-issued 8 GB configuration is assigned MC086LL/A.

Apple Model No:

A1318 (EMC 2310)

Model ID:

iPod3,1

Details:

Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model. Also see: All iPods with the A1318 Model Number, the 2310 EMC Number, and the iPod3,1 Model Identifier.

Pre-Installed OS:

iPhone OS 3.1.1 (7C145)

Maximum OS:

Current

Details:

This model is capable of running the current version of the operating system.

Dimensions:

4.3 x 2.4 x 0.33

Avg. Weight:

4.05 oz. (115 g)

Details:

In inches - height by width by depth (110 x 61.8 x 8.5 mm).

Mac Support:

MacOS X 10.4.11

Windows Support:

Windows Vista/XP SP3

Details:

Apple reports that the iPod touch 3rd Gen is compatible with a "Macintosh computer with a USB 2.0 port, MacOS X 10.4.11 or later, and iTunes 9 or later." It is compatible with a "PC with USB 2.0, Windows Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 3 or later, and iTunes 9 or later."

Audio Support:

Apple reports that the iPod touch 3rd Gen supports "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."

Photo Support:

Apport reports that the iPod touch models sync iPod-viewable photos in "JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, PSD (Mac only), and PNG formats".

Video Support:

Apple reports that the iPod touch 3rd Gen supports "H.264 video, up to 1.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Low-Complexity version of the H.264 Baseline Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; H.264 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Baseline Profile up to Level 3.0 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats."

Incl. Accessories:

All iPod touch 3rd Gen models ship with a USB 2.0 cable and a dock adapter. The 32 GB and 64 GB models ship with a pair of "Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic", whereas the 8 GB model simply has a standard set of earbuds. The polishing cloth provided by the iPod touch 2G is no longer included.

Original Price:

US$199, $299, $399

Est. Current Retail:

US$199, $299, $399

Details:

The 8 GB iPod touch 3rd Gen is offered for US$199, the 16 GB for US$299, and the 32 GB for US$399. To purchase an iPod, free of sales tax, please visit site sponsor Power-max.