iPod
Generation Guide
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iPod
Generation Guide
The iPod has been upgraded many times, and each significant revision is called a "generation". Only the most recent (highest numbered) generation and refurbished units of previous generations of the iPod is available from Apple for each model (classic, nano, shuffle, touch). Each new generation usually has more features and refinements while typically being physically smaller and lighter than its predecessor, while usually (but not always) retaining the older model's price tag. Notable changes include the touch-sensitive click wheel replacing the mechanical scroll wheel, use of color displays, and flash memory replacing hard disks.
Stumble It!| Model | Generation | Image | Capacity | Connection | Original release date | Minimum OS to sync | Rated battery life (hours) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| classic | first |  |
5, 10 GB | FireWire | 23 October 2001 | Mac: 9, 10.1 | audio: 10 | |
| First model, with mechanical scroll wheel. 10 GB model released later. | ||||||||
| second |  |
10, 20 GB | FireWire | 17 July 2002 | Mac: 10.1 Win: 2000 |
audio: 10 | ||
| Touch-sensitive wheel. FireWire port had a cover. Hold switch revised. Windows compatibility through Musicmatch. | ||||||||
| third |  |
10, 15, 20, 30, 40 GB | FireWire (USB for syncing only) | 28 April 2003 | Mac: 10.1 Win: 2000 |
audio: 8 | ||
| First complete redesign with all-touch interface, dock connector, and slimmer case. Musicmatch support dropped with later release of iTunes 4.1 for Windows. | ||||||||
| fourth (photo) (color) |
 |
20, 40 GB | FireWire or USB | 19 July 2004 | Mac: 10.2 Win: 2000 |
audio: 12 | ||
| Adopted Click Wheel from iPod mini. | ||||||||
 |
photo: 30, 40, 60 GB |
FireWire or USB | 26 October 2004 | Mac: 10.2 Win: 2000 |
audio: 15 slideshow: 5 |
|||
| color: 20, 60 GB |
28 June 2005 | |||||||
| Premium spin-off of 4G iPod with color screen and picture viewing. Later re-integrated into main iPod line. | ||||||||
| fifth |  |
30, 60, 80 GB | USB (FireWire for charging only) | 12 October 2005 | Mac: 10.3 Win: 2000 |
30 GB audio: 14 video: 2 (later 3.5) |
60/80 GB audio: 20 video: 3/6.5 |
|
| Second full redesign with a slimmer case, and larger screen with video playback. Offered in black or white. 60GB upgraded to 80GB on September 12, 2006. | ||||||||
| sixth |  |
80, 160 GB | USB (FireWire for charging only) | 5 September 2007 | Mac: 10.4 Win: XP | 80 GB audio: 30 video: 5 |
160 GB audio: 40 video: 7 |
|
| Introduced the "classic" suffix. New interface and anodized aluminum front plate. Silver replaces white. | ||||||||
| mini (replaced by nano) |
first |  |
4 GB | USB or FireWire | 6 January 2004 | Mac: 10.1 Win: 2000 |
audio: 8 | |
| New smaller model, available in 5 colors. Introduced the "Click Wheel". | ||||||||
| second |  |
4, 6 GB | USB or FireWire | 22 February 2005 | Mac: 10.2 Win: 2000 |
audio: 18 | ||
| Brighter color variants with longer battery life. Click Wheel lettering matched body color. Gold color discontinued. Later replaced by iPod nano. | ||||||||
| nano | first |  |
1, 2, 4 GB | USB (FireWire for charging only) | 7 September 2005 | Mac: 10.3 Win: 2000 |
audio: 14 slideshow: 4 |
|
| Replaced mini. Available in black or white and used flash memory. Color screen for picture viewing. 1 GB version released later. | ||||||||
| second |  |
2, 4, 8 GB | USB (FireWire for charging only) | 12 September 2006 | Mac: 10.3 Win: 2000 |
audio: 24 slideshow: 5 |
||
| Anodized aluminum casing and 6 colors available. | ||||||||
| third |  |
4, 8, GB | USB (FireWire for charging only) | 5 September 2007 | Mac: 10.4 Win: XP |
audio: 24 video: 5 |
||
| 2" QVGA screen, colors refreshed with chrome back, new interface, video capability. | ||||||||
| shuffle | first |  |
512 MB, 1 GB | USB (no adaptor required) |
11 January 2005 | Mac: 10.2 Win: 2000 |
audio: 12 | |
| New entry-level model. Uses flash memory and has no screen. | ||||||||
| second |  |
1 GB, 2 GB | USB | 12 September 2006 | Mac: 10.3 Win: 2000 |
audio: 12 | ||
| Smaller clip design with anodized aluminum casing. 4 color options added later. Colors were later refreshed. | ||||||||
| touch | first |  |
8, 16, 32 GB | USB (FireWire for charging only) | 5 September 2007 | Mac: 10.4 Win: XP |
audio: 22 video: 5 |
|
| First iPod with Wi-Fi and a Multi-Touch interface. Features Safari browser and wireless access to the iTunes Store and YouTube. 32 GB model later added. | ||||||||
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