iPod Mini Model Information
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The iPod Mini is a small digital audio player marketed by Apple Inc on January 6, 2004. A second-generation version with brighter colors and longer battery life was released a year later on February 22, 2005. The iPod Mini came in several colors, and was the first pink iPod on the market. It grew very popular but the line of the two generations was officially discontinued on September 7, 2005 and replaced by the iPod Nano line.
Introduction of the Click Wheel
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 made mechanical 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.
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
First generation specifications
Capacity: 4 GB
Colors: Pink, Silver, Blue, Green, Gold
Rated Battery life: 8 hours
Second Generation Spesifications
Capacity: 4 GB, 8 GB
Colors: Pink, Silver, Blue, Green
Rated Battery life: 18 hours
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. 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. 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.
Back to previous model, the iPod Classic.
Continue and read about the next model, the iPod Nano.