Fifth-Generation iPod Nano Teardown Posted

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/09/10/fifth-generation-ipod-nano-teardown-posted/)


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2009/09/10/140824-ipod_nano_teardown_500.jpg

iFixit has posted a teardown (http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPod-Nano-5th-Generation/1157/1) of the new fifth-generation iPod nano launched yesterday (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/09/09/apple-updates-entire-ipod-family-bringing-capacity-and-performance-bumps-to-ipod-touch-and-video-camera-to-ipod-nano/) at Apple's "It's Only Rock and Roll" media event. While the teardown reveals very similar construction to the previous-generation model with the obvious exception of the camera module, the images provide an interesting glimpse at the internals of one of Apple's new devices.

Changes from the previous-generation iPod nano highlighted in the teardown include the speaker assembly, which directs the audio out the bottom of the device, and of course the camera, which is substantially thinner than the one found in the iPhone. The main ARM processor is Apple-branded and expected to be a Samsung processor as in the past, and the 8 GB flash memory chip in the dissected unit is from Toshiba.

Article Link: Fifth-Generation iPod Nano Teardown Posted (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/09/10/fifth-generation-ipod-nano-teardown-posted/)

[thegoldenmackid]

Seems they have gotten slower.

[fabian9]

I'm looking forward to seeing the new iPod Touch tear-down to see if there is any space where the camera could have potentially gone.

Fabian

[leomac08]

this makes me want to vomit.....

why didn't the ipod touch get a camera??:D

[dba7dba]

this makes me want to vomit.....

why didn't the ipod touch get a camera??:D

I'm hoping they decided not to announce itouch with video camera because of the rumored production glitches they had. I'm hoping they will quietly announce release of itouch with video before christmas sales season.

[Artofilm]

Holy geez, you people complain about the new iPod touch having no camera on every thread now. Give it a rest, it doesn't have a camera, oh well. Don't have a heart attack over it.

[leomac08]

I'm hoping they decided not to announce itouch with video camera because of the rumored production glitches they had. I'm hoping they will quietly announce release of itouch with video before christmas sales season.

Christmas shopping season begins black friday, the day after thanksgiving!, so hopefully in NOV 2009, or March 2010, we might see a new ipod touch

Holy geez, you people complain about the new iPod touch having no camera on every since thread now. Give it a rest, it doesn't have a camera, oh well. Don't have a heart attack over it.

Well, I'll be honest, I AM MAD! lol

some people sold there old ipod touch to buy a new one!, and MANY people (including myself) were dissapointed.;)

[The Samurai]

Christmas shopping season begins black friday, the day after thanksgiving!, so hopefully in NOV 2009, or March 2010, we might see a new ipod touch



I very much doubt that they would launch this two months from this event. Highly unlikely. Imagine the backlash it would cause and people moaning on these forums.

Next year - most probably yes.

[Lesser Evets]

I'm hoping they decided not to announce itouch with video camera because of the rumored production glitches they had. I'm hoping they will quietly announce release of itouch with video before christmas sales season.

NOT A CHANCE!

...well, a very slim chance. Expect it beyond the new year. They want to shovel out this stuff before renewing any line. If they did it for cost to consumers, they might not upgrade hardware until the recession turns around strongly, or next year at this time.

[nkawtg72]

Christmas shopping season begins black friday, the day after thanksgiving!, so hopefully in NOV 2009, or March 2010, we might see a new ipod touch



Well, I'll be honest, I AM MAD! lol

some people sold there old ipod touch to buy a new one!, and MANY people (including myself) were dissapointed.;)

in that case, it would be your fault. you know better than to guess at what apple is going to release at their events!!! i bet the person you sold it to would probably sell it back to you, with a nice 25% mark up :)

[leomac08]

in that case, it would be your fault. you know better than to guess at what apple is going to release at their events!!! i bet the person you sold it to would probably sell it back to you, with a nice 25% mark up :)

just to let you know, i did not sell my ipod touch, i was actually going to give it to my little sister...;)

but she will be heartbroken.... thanks to apple.:D

[leomac08]

I very much doubt that they would launch this two months from this event. Highly unlikely. Imagine the backlash it would cause and people moaning on these forums.

Next year - most probably yes.

That's why i said march 2010

take the ipod shuffle 3G for example

it was introduced in march 2009

and it was changed in sept 2009 at the apple media event

[rgarjr]

I love that color.

[thogs_cave]

I'm still stunned at what they can pack into that little shell. Even though I have a 3GS, I think I'll ask for a nano for Xmas. There are places I want to go where I want music and a camera, but would prefer not to have my phone. At all. ;)

[iJed]

I wonder if these new iPod nanos are running Pixo still or have moved to derivative of OS X like the iPhone and iPod touch... The software is far more interesting than the hardware on these new models.

[Scott6666]

Holy geez, you people complain about the new iPod touch having no camera on every thread now. Give it a rest, it doesn't have a camera, oh well. Don't have a heart attack over it.

+1. Wish it had one. Will live anyway.

For those of you who sell or promise your old equipment ahead of releases on the basis of rumors, it's amazing that you blame Apple. If you want to be sure, sell it after the announcement. If you think you will get more $ (or whatever) before the announcement, well you take your chances. Just like buying in futures markets; may win, may not, but stop whining.

[Lesser Evets]

I'm still stunned at what they can pack into that little shell.

That was my first thought. It blows me away that they can make such a powerful device with so little space and material. And it'll keep going in that direction. Imagine what it will be in 10 years.... a current floor Mac worth of power and storage in something that size, no doubt.

I'm glad that Apple pushes the design priority toward smaller and thinner. It drives the computer industry's approach to design. They always have since Apple ][ hit the market.

[mdriftmeyer]

Apple licensed the right to produce their own ARM based CPU under their designs.

Samsung may have fab'd the CPU but if it's Apple branded then it's an Apple ARM based CPU.

[dba7dba]

Holy geez, you people complain about the new iPod touch having no camera on every thread now. Give it a rest, it doesn't have a camera, oh well. Don't have a heart attack over it.

Maybe. BUT, we aren't getting itouch from apple for free. We PAY hard earned $$$ for it so I don't see why we can't complain about it. Didn't apple start the whole app store because people asked for it?

[dba7dba]

Apple licensed the right to produce their own ARM based CPU under their designs.

Samsung may have fab'd the CPU but if it's Apple branded then it's an Apple ARM based CPU.

So why didn't Apple go with some less expensive manufacturer in Taiwan or China?

[hofer]

I wonder where the FM receiver is located.

[twoodcc]

hmm. it's cool to see it torn down like that

[AAPLaday]

Come on hurry up and break down the new touch lol. Will hopefully shed some light on cameragate :D

[spillproof]

With the amount of stuff they put into that small case, it is going to be very interesting to see what the 4th generation iPhone will look like.

[FunkyELF]

The main ARM processor is Apple-branded and expected to be a Samsung processor as in the past, and the 8 GB flash memory chip in the dissected unit is from Toshiba.

It would be big news if the chip was from P.A. Semi.... have they used any of those chips yet? In the new iPhone?

[SandynJosh]

I'm totally impressed at how well Apple has been able to package their portable products. They can create these three-dimensional puzzles with not enough space unused that a flea could fit in.

On a side note, I was looking for a new iTouch to be more multi-functional, with a camera and GPS, not to be limited to a game machine. I suppose the gamer market is easier to clean up in, but a nice multifunctional (sans AT&T phone) device would be an asset to me.

[justflie]

It's a marvel of engineering. No doubt about it. Highly efficient with available space. :apple:

[AAPLaday]

This bodes well for the next iPhone update. They can cram so much in to a small space that you have to wonder whats next in store for us.

[goobot]

mega pixels?

[infiniteentropy]

4 times as big as the original Nano?

Seeming less and less Nano-riffic each time they rev it.

Edit: Guess it's not bigger. Seemed like it. Whoops.

[jglavin]

mega pixels?640x480

[notjustjay]

mega pixels?

640x480 = 307,200 pixels = 0.3 MP.

[Chimpy]

These breakdowns are such nerd porn, I love them :D.

[localoid]

640x480

Otherwise known as standard VGA, introduced by IBM in 1987. Apple's claim this is "competition" for the Flip HD (or other compact camcorders featuring 720p or 1280x720) is a real stretch.

[dXTC]

I love that color.

As do I; I'll be getting a 16Gb blue one very shortly.

[Bubba Satori]

http://content.pyzam.com/funnypics/b/pyzamcareometer.png

Somebody wake me up next year when there's some computer news.

[Bjohnson33]

I'm hoping they decided not to announce itouch with video camera because of the rumored production glitches they had. I'm hoping they will quietly announce release of itouch with video before christmas sales season.

I think that's pretty unlikely. The point of the September announcements seems to be to solidify their Christmas iPod offerings. It would be strange to introduce something substantially updated so soon after an event like this.

[Bubba Satori]

It's a marvel of engineering. No doubt about it. Highly efficient with available space. :apple:

Lego makes a brick with higher resolution.

[Bjohnson33]

I'm glad that Apple pushes the design priority toward smaller and thinner. It drives the computer industry's approach to design. They always have since Apple ][ hit the market.

That's a really good point. Looking at of the iPods through the years and the iMac revisions, they've really made a point of getting things smaller and thinner. Other companies do this too, but I can't think of any that pursue that goal as aggressively as Apple.

[sam10685]

Holy geez, you people complain about the new iPod touch having no camera on every thread now. Give it a rest, it doesn't have a camera, oh well. Don't have a heart attack over it.

THANK YOU! Someone that agrees with me... *IF YOU DEATHLY NEED A CAMERA SO BAD, GET A NANO OR BETTER YET AN IPHONE!* (idiots...)

[Bjohnson33]

It's a marvel of engineering. No doubt about it. Highly efficient with available space. :apple:

I can't imagine how much work must go in to figuring out how they can cram all that stuff in. It must be a constant battle between the teams that design the insides vs the teams that design the casings!

[alent1234]

It would be big news if the chip was from P.A. Semi.... have they used any of those chips yet? In the new iPhone?

either in the tablet, or they bought PA just for the patents and will use the technology in custom ARM chips from Samsung. ARM is not like Intel. they do the R&D and license it to manufacturers like Samsung who make custom chips for their customers

[Bag of Hurt]

They tear these things down quick! Looking forward to getting my new Nano. Still have the 2nd gen.

[macshill]

"No camera in the Touch because it's a gaming machine and keep the costs down."

LIES!:mad:

[macshill]

THANK YOU! Someone that agrees with me... *IF YOU DEATHLY NEED A CAMERA SO BAD, GET A NANO OR BETTER YET AN IPHONE!* (idiots...)

You going to give me $500 to buy it without a contract? You going to pay my 2 grand cost with it? Just wondering. :-)

[After G]

Otherwise known as standard VGA, introduced by IBM in 1987. Apple's claim this is "competition" for the Flip HD (or other compact camcorders featuring 720p or 1280x720) is a real stretch.Well, the original Flip (non-HD) was VGA and had 4 GB memory...
Not everyone has an HDTV, and not everyone can tell the difference anyway.

Steve Jobs did tell (http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/09/in-qa-steve-jobs-snipes-at-amazon-and-praises-ice-cream/) David Pogue that video sensors are thinner and cheaper than still image sensors.

[MattSepeta]

Talk about some serious whiners!

First and foremost -->Guy who said people sold their Ipod touches in anticipation for this new one, I have absolutely NO pity for them. Who sells something in anticipation for something that was never officially announced? A brain-dead fanboy, maybe....

That aside....

The guts of this nano look pretty neat. However... VGA resolution is not even close to impressive. BUT, it will do, seeing as to how most of the crap video produced by these things will go straight to youtube and accompany the other garbage thats there already, so who really cares.

I want an iPod that plays music. And plays music well. How about instead of including a camera with the ipod, Apple stops this nonsense and decides to include some half-way acceptable earphones with the unit? Does ANYONE actually use the stupid hard plastic earbuds that come with these things?

Sorry, I'm in a ranty mood :rolleyes:

[dba7dba]

Lego makes a brick with higher resolution.

You lie!

Oops, I apologize.

[Plutonius]

On a side note, I was looking for a new iTouch to be more multi-functional, with a camera and GPS, not to be limited to a game machine. I suppose the gamer market is easier to clean up in, but a nice multifunctional (sans AT&T phone) device would be an asset to me.

Yep which is why they didn't do it. Many people were hoping that they could ditch their iPhone.

[MattInOz]

Maybe. BUT, we aren't getting itouch from apple for free. We PAY hard earned $$$ for it so I don't see why we can't complain about it. Didn't apple start the whole app store because people asked for it?

Complain by not buying.
If you buy it any way then are you really committed to the compliant.


On the other hand
Someone should specialize in making product so crappy and selling them only to people who want to complain about stuff...

[fluffy]

I very much doubt that they would launch this two months from this event. Highly unlikely. Imagine the backlash it would cause and people moaning on these forums.

Next year - most probably yes.

I can just imagine the Apple executive meetings where they decide to push back the release of a product revision because some people on macrumors.com might complain.

[sam10685]

wrong post.

[sam10685]

You going to give me $500 to buy it without a contract? You going to pay my 2 grand cost with it? Just wondering. :-)

Do you have a cell phone with a camera already? Or even just a digital camera? I'd be willing to bet 100% of the people on this site do have at least one of those 2 things. If not both. In other words, deal with it.

[Artofilm]

I like how this thread was originally about how the iPod nano was opened up and torn apart and the iPod touch whiners managed to take it over with their cursing of Apple.

Okay so if you want to prove to Apple that they should have put a camera in the iPod touch, don't buy one. Don't come on the forum and start whining to everyone about how Apple let you down and the like. Especially don't start whining on a thread that has really nothing to do with your issues with Apple.

[SeaFox]

Holy geez, you people complain about the new iPod touch having no camera on every thread now. Give it a rest...

I like how this thread was originally about how the iPod nano was opened up and torn apart and the iPod touch whiners managed to take it over with their cursing of Apple.

Both of these posts QFT.

Are the new Nanos available now? Nobody has mentioned getting one yet but this is a fairly substantial upgrade to the old one.

Is there a time limit on video recording? All the sample clips on Apple's site are really short but that could mean anything.

[BuddyTronic]

Christmas shopping season begins black friday, the day after thanksgiving!, so hopefully in NOV 2009, or March 2010, we might see a new ipod touch



Well, I'll be honest, I AM MAD! lol

some people sold there old ipod touch to buy a new one!, and MANY people (including myself) were dissapointed.;)


Get an iPhone 3GS grey market, and don't use the cell phone feature, that's what I do with my old 3G - I gave it to my kid, and now he has a "touch" with a camera. It's going to cost you more than double what the touch costs, but if money is no object, you can turn an iPhone into a touch in this way.


AND you get a compass too I guess eh? :)



PS (off topic), but I sure hope a heart rate monitor that works with the iPhone is released soon. There is a rumor that Nike has one and guess what? It might only work with the new nano - haha, then I'll be in the same boat as the guys who want camera on touch!

[designgeek]

These breakdowns are such nerd porn, I love them :D.

ifixit FTW!!! I wish they would tear down a Time Capsule so I could have a trusted source show me how to upgrade the HDD to a 2TB Caviar Green.

[ecopod]

UK store is saying 24 hrs to ship and delivery 2-7 days from order, ordered purple one last night.

I'm also really pi**ed at Apple, my building warrant hasn't arrived today and it's obviously because the touch has no video capability, I'm now not buying any apples at the market later today.

[talkingfuture]

I am intrigued to see one of these new Nanos in the metal. I really can't decide whether the polished finish looks better or not. I always though Apples annodising looked classier because they used a satin finish. I suppose that if they have got the polishing just right it may give the colour a depth that was never there before though.

[shaunymac]

you guys at ifixit always amaze me at how quick and clean you take these things apart. I love it.

Sure I can take apart cars and my laptops but when I went to tackle my first gen iPhone, :eek:. I had never before seen screws so tiny.

I give you guys much respect.