IPod Mini

Information appliance


type = Digital audio player
manufacturer = Apple Inc.
power = Lithium-ion battery
connectivity = USB 2.0
FireWire
Dock connector
Remote connector
lifespan = January 6, 2004–September 7, 2005
media = Microdrive (either 4 or 6 GB)
operatingsystem = 1.4.1
input = Click wheel
display = 1.67" monochrome LCD at 138x110 pixels
successor = iPod Nano

The iPod Mini (marketed as the iPod mini) is a digital audio player designed and marketed by Apple Inc. It was the midrange model in Apple's iPod product line. It was announced on January 6, 2004 and released on February 20 of the same year. A second-generation version was announced on February 23, 2005 and released later that year. The iPod Mini line was officially discontinued on September 7, 2005 and was replaced by the iPod Nano line.

The iPod Mini retained the touch-sensitive scroll wheel of the third generation iPod; however, instead of the four touch buttons located above the wheel, the buttons were redesigned as mechanical switches beneath the wheel itself—hence the name "click wheel". To use one of the four buttons, the user must physically push the edge of the wheel inward over one of the four labels. Like its predecessors, the wheel was developed for Apple by Synaptics. The click wheel is now also used in the fourth, fifth and sixth generation iPods and the iPod Nano, from first generation through to third; however, in the Nano and 5G iPods onwards, the click wheel is developed by Apple.

Above the wheel is a monochrome LCD that displays a menu or information about the selected track. Newer-generation iPods have since adopted color displays.

Models

Details

Both generations of iPod Mini were almost identical in their external features; their differences lay in their storage and battery capacities. Both versions are 3.6x2.0x0.5 inches (91x51x13 mm) and weigh 3.6 ounces (102 grams). The case consists of anodized aluminum. First generation iPod Minis were available in five colors: silver, gold, pink, blue, and green. The gold model was dropped from the second generation range, likely due to its unpopularity. The pink, blue, and green models had brighter hues in the second generation; the silver model remained unchanged. The first generation Mini had grey button labels; the second generation had button labels matching the case's color.

The iPod Mini uses Microdrive hard drives (CompactFlash II) made by Hitachi and Seagate. First generation models were available in a 4 GB size, while second generation models were available in both 4 GB and 6 GB versions (capable of storing roughly 1,000 and 1,500 songs, respectively) and eventually had the drive size laser etched on the case to help distinguish between the two.

The battery life of the first generation of iPod Mini was about 8 hours (similar to the 3G iPod that was available when the Mini was released), which some criticised for its short duration. [ [http://cnn-cnet.com.com/Apple_iPod_Mini_4GB_Silver_1st_generation/4505-6490_7-30657018.html Apple iPod Mini (4GB, Silver, 1st generation) MP3 player reviews - CNET Reviews] ] Apple addressed this problem in the second generation models, which had a nominal battery life of about 18 hours. However, the 2nd generation iPod Minis no longer came with a FireWire cable or an AC power adapter, which were left out to reduce the selling prices of the new iPod Minis. iPod Mini batteries, like many Lithium Ion batteries, run down to 80% capacity after 400 full charge cycles. [ [http://www.apple.com/ca/batteries/ipods.html Apple Canada - Batteries - iPod] ] A proprietary dock connector was provided on the bottom of the device for a connection to a computer's USB or FireWire port. The unit's battery could be charged during connection. Along the top it had a hold switch, a headphone jack, and a remote connector for accessories.

Like the iPod Nano, the iPod Mini supported MP3, AAC/M4A, WAV, AIFF, and Apple Lossless audio formats. It also retained the iPod's integration with iTunes and the iTunes Store, allowing for syncing between the software application and the iPod Mini.

Battery and Firmware

Soon after the release of the iPod Mini third party replacement batteries have been made available because its capacity decreases over time. There are various manuals for battery replacement on the internet and many outlets selling compatible Lithium-ion batteries for those who wish to avoid the expensive charge for sending the iPod back to Apple. Many such batteries are of higher capacity than the original - some are up to 850mAh while the stock battery is around 400mAh.fact|date=July 2008

The iPod Mini can be flashed to run iPodLinux or Rockbox firmware which has support for extra codecs, games and various other plugins and allows music placed directly on the iPod to be played without using iTunes. Recently several users have replaced the 4 or 6 GB Microdrive with high capacity 8, 16, [ [http://geektechnique.org/projectlab/753/how-to-turn-your-ipod-mini-into-a-flash-based-ipod turn your iPod mini into a flash based iPod :: projects :: geek technique ] ] and even 32 GB CompactFlash cards. This has the advantage of increasing battery life and CompactFlash cards are more durable since they are solid-state with no moving parts.

iPod Nano

On September 7 2005, Apple released the first generation iPod Nano. The Nano used flash memory to accomplish an even thinner casing, and featured a color screen. The headphone jack was moved to the bottom of the device, the dock connector shifted-off center, and the 10-pin remote connector was removed, among other changes.

References

External links

* [http://support.apple.com/specs/ipod/iPod_mini.html iPod Mini specifications, both generations]
* [http://pineapple.vg/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=iProd iPod Mini taken apart]