iPod Nano, Touch Disassembled. iPod Touch has a Bluetooth Chip.

MacRumors · Sep 10, 2008, 07:45 PM

iPod Touch dissemmbly

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).

Article Link

fanbrain · Sep 10, 2008, 07:46 PM

Bluetooth audio? File transfers? Sweet!

iToaster · Sep 10, 2008, 07:50 PM

Uh... isn't that bluetooth chip for the Nike shoe thingamabob?

Trip.Tucker · Sep 11, 2008, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iToaster

Uh... isn't that bluetooth chip for the Nike shoe thingamabob?

Yes sir, it is indeed.

Hooka · Sep 10, 2008, 07:51 PM

now was the event worth it?!

iPoodOverZune · Sep 10, 2008, 07:54 PM

now why would someone rate this as negative?!

Beric · Sep 10, 2008, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iPoodOverZune

now why would someone rate this as negative?!

There could have been a GPS chip in place of that bluetooth chip. That would be the negative way to look at it.

jayhawk11 · Sep 10, 2008, 07:56 PM

Jesus. H. Good news. Can't wait to get mine tomorrow.

ryanwarsaw · Sep 11, 2008, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iPoodOverZune

now why would someone rate this as negative?!

Because there is a chip that Apple will never allow to be used in any meaningful way?

fishmoose · Sep 11, 2008, 05:25 AM

So with this can we confirm if the new in-ear headphones work with the iphone 3G or not?

Trip.Tucker · Sep 11, 2008, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iPoodOverZune

now why would someone rate this as negative?!

Because they destroyed a perfectly working iPod?

Apple Ink · Sep 11, 2008, 01:22 PM

So we finally conclude at least that a Bluetooth chip is the marketed 'inbuilt' Nike+ receiver!

Seems we're talking Entish.....

amac4me · Sep 10, 2008, 07:55 PM

Here go the hackers. Someone will probably figure out how to get Nike+ on the iPhone.

Mykbibby · Sep 10, 2008, 07:56 PM

Could Apple possibly be prepping Stereo Bluetooth Support?

aafuss1 · Sep 10, 2008, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mykbibby

Could Apple possibly be prepping Stereo Bluetooth Support?

Could be-the hardware is present, all they need to do is enable it in software-but there's no BT antenna according to iFixit (only a Wi-fi one).

SkippyThorson · Sep 10, 2008, 07:58 PM

Theres the option of skype now with the headphones, and now you can pair it with a standard Bluetooth headset. We'll probably see that soon. That may be first legitimate alternative to AT&T.

Or.

I have an iPhone, does this mean I may begin to exercise?! Woohoo!

ltldrummerboy · Sep 10, 2008, 08:00 PM

Cool. I hope this means I'll be able to use wireless headphones with my new Touch. Maybe after a $20 paid software update?

Hooka · Sep 10, 2008, 08:01 PM

I think this is the beginning stages of a nano type phone

emt1 · Sep 10, 2008, 08:06 PM

I don't get why MacRumors thinks there is some big mystery surrounding iPod Touch compatibility with the new mic. It clearly says on the page "The remote and mic are supported only by iPod nano (4th generation), iPod classic (120GB), and iPod touch (2nd generation)."

How is that confusing?

Yes, the new iPod Touch supports the mic.

jbernie · Sep 10, 2008, 08:19 PM

Assuming that the Broadcom BCM4325 Bluetooth chip is in no way modified then you would expect the touch to be a firmware update away from many BT options.

I hate to say it, but given the way Apple will charge for all iPod Touch updates except the 2.1, assuming you had paid to get to 2.0

I would not be surprised to see it be another $10 update to get it enabled.

Makes me wonder whether or not I might delay my iPod purchase a while longer, I haven't been in any rush and normally the stores sell the latest firmware rev. devices for the same price and cut the price of the old firmware models.

notjustjay · Sep 10, 2008, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hooka

now was the event worth it?!

Naw, cue all the complainers who still think everything announced can magically appear on the older models via a free firmware upgrade...

havand · Sep 10, 2008, 09:07 PM

If the chip can do wifi, bluetooth and fm...Would the bluetooth and fm not need dedicated antennas as well?

ballyhoos · Sep 10, 2008, 09:14 PM

bluetooth chip + bluetooth GPS receiver dongle = GPS ... that's awesome, just need an app that allows downloading/storing of the maps to the file system and the app to read them from the blue dongle cords.

This is currently implemented on many phones this way...

James-RSX · Sep 10, 2008, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by havand

If the chip can do wifi, bluetooth and fm...Would the bluetooth and fm not need dedicated antennas as well?

I had a Nokia phone with FM radio built in. It used the headphone cable as the antenna for the radio. It could be possible that Apple plan to do something similar when/if they activate the FM capabilities of this chip.

James

Rocketman · Sep 10, 2008, 08:08 PM

My first impression is that is an amazing device and an even more amazing engineering accomplishment. All those pieces and parts and still so small. More to the point, so many capabilities, and even more amazing, in such a small package. The holistic approach to engineering is an Apple asset.

Astounding.

Rocketman

Sep 10, 2008, 07:45 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	iPod Nano, Touch Disassembled. iPod Touch has a Bluetooth Chip. iPod Nano disassembly iPod Touch dissemmbly 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). Article Link

Sep 10, 2008, 07:46 PM	#2
fanbrain macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: So. UT	Bluetooth audio? File transfers? Sweet! __________________ Keeping Apple debt-free since 1983.

Sep 10, 2008, 07:50 PM	#3
iToaster macrumors 68000 Join Date: May 2007 Location: In front of my MacBook	Uh... isn't that bluetooth chip for the Nike shoe thingamabob? __________________ Unibody MacBook \| 2.4 \| 2GB \| 500GB \| white iPhone 3G S⃣ \| 32 GB MRoogle

Sep 10, 2008, 07:51 PM	#5
Hooka macrumors regular Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL	now was the event worth it?! __________________ iMac 24 inch 3.06 Core 2 Duo NVIDIA 8800; MBP 15 inch 2.16 CoreDuo iMac 17 inch G5 2.0; iPhone 8gb 1st gen 2 Canon 5D w/50mm 1.2L, 24mm-105mm 4.0L

Sep 10, 2008, 07:54 PM	#6
iPoodOverZune macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2007	now why would someone rate this as negative?! __________________ I will consider (to) iPo(o)dOverZune anytime Zune Zucks....flop show...then it may be too zoon to say yet

Sep 10, 2008, 07:56 PM	#8
jayhawk11 macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lawrence, KS	Jesus. H. Good news. Can't wait to get mine tomorrow. __________________ 15" MacBook Pro Classic, 2.2 GHz; 32 GB iPhone 3G S⃣ Rock Chalk Jayhawk, Go KU.

Sep 11, 2008, 05:25 AM	#10
fishmoose macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sweden	So with this can we confirm if the new in-ear headphones work with the iphone 3G or not?

Sep 11, 2008, 01:22 PM	#12
Apple Ink macrumors 68000 Join Date: Mar 2008	So we finally conclude at least that a Bluetooth chip is the marketed 'inbuilt' Nike+ receiver! Seems we're talking Entish..... __________________ I know a lot about cars. I can look at a car's headlights and tell you exactly which way it's coming - Mitch Hedberg

Sep 10, 2008, 07:55 PM	#13
amac4me macrumors 65816 Join Date: Apr 2005	Here go the hackers. Someone will probably figure out how to get Nike+ on the iPhone. __________________ Switch To A Mac http://switchtoamac.com

Sep 10, 2008, 07:56 PM	#14
Mykbibby macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Palm Springs, CA	Could Apple possibly be prepping Stereo Bluetooth Support? __________________ Mac Soda: Quenching Your Thirst for Everything Apple

Sep 10, 2008, 07:58 PM	#16
SkippyThorson macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jul 2007	Theres the option of skype now with the headphones, and now you can pair it with a standard Bluetooth headset. We'll probably see that soon. That may be first legitimate alternative to AT&T. Or. I have an iPhone, does this mean I may begin to exercise?! Woohoo! __________________ http://skippythorson.blogspot.com/ v1 iPhone ~ v5.5 iPod ~ v3 Nano ~ v1 Shuffle ~ 1.25ghz iMac G4 ~ 1.33ghz iBook G4 ~ Airport Extreme

Sep 10, 2008, 08:00 PM	#17
ltldrummerboy macrumors 65816 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kenai Peninsula	Cool. I hope this means I'll be able to use wireless headphones with my new Touch. Maybe after a $20 paid software update? __________________ New to AT&T (30 days or less)? Want a $25 credit towards your next bill? PM me and we can both save!

Sep 10, 2008, 08:01 PM	#18
Hooka macrumors regular Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL	I think this is the beginning stages of a nano type phone __________________ iMac 24 inch 3.06 Core 2 Duo NVIDIA 8800; MBP 15 inch 2.16 CoreDuo iMac 17 inch G5 2.0; iPhone 8gb 1st gen 2 Canon 5D w/50mm 1.2L, 24mm-105mm 4.0L

Sep 10, 2008, 08:06 PM	#19
emt1 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Wisconsin	I don't get why MacRumors thinks there is some big mystery surrounding iPod Touch compatibility with the new mic. It clearly says on the page "The remote and mic are supported only by iPod nano (4th generation), iPod classic (120GB), and iPod touch (2nd generation)." How is that confusing? Yes, the new iPod Touch supports the mic.

Sep 10, 2008, 08:19 PM	#20
jbernie macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Denver, CO	Assuming that the Broadcom BCM4325 Bluetooth chip is in no way modified then you would expect the touch to be a firmware update away from many BT options. I hate to say it, but given the way Apple will charge for all iPod Touch updates except the 2.1, assuming you had paid to get to 2.0 I would not be surprised to see it be another $10 update to get it enabled. Makes me wonder whether or not I might delay my iPod purchase a while longer, I haven't been in any rush and normally the stores sell the latest firmware rev. devices for the same price and cut the price of the old firmware models. __________________ Talk is cheap, sometimes it is on sale! ibernie.com

Sep 10, 2008, 09:07 PM	#22
havand macrumors newbie Join Date: Nov 2007	If the chip can do wifi, bluetooth and fm...Would the bluetooth and fm not need dedicated antennas as well?

Sep 10, 2008, 09:14 PM	#23
ballyhoos macrumors newbie Join Date: Sep 2008	bluetooth chip + bluetooth GPS receiver dongle = GPS ... that's awesome, just need an app that allows downloading/storing of the maps to the file system and the app to read them from the blue dongle cords. This is currently implemented on many phones this way...

Sep 10, 2008, 08:08 PM	#25
Rocketman macrumors 68020 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Claremont, CA	My first impression is that is an amazing device and an even more amazing engineering accomplishment. All those pieces and parts and still so small. More to the point, so many capabilities, and even more amazing, in such a small package. The holistic approach to engineering is an Apple asset. Astounding. Rocketman __________________ Think Different-ly! Looking for an iPhone dev with way too much time on her hands for BASIC programs I have.

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