nano

Apple's latest iPod Nano will pose challenges to anyone who needs to repair one.

Roaming around the innards of the new Nano, iFixit discovered that the battery, Lightning connector, button cable, and headphone jack are all soldered to the logic board. The battery is also attached to the back of the display assembly using a strong adhesive. All of that means a fair amount of work for anyone who needs to replace one of those components.

On the plus side, the DIY repair site found the case easy to pop open by loosening two standard Phillips screws and using … Read more

Whenever Apple brings out a new iPod Touch, the specs never quite measure up to the latest iPhone's, though the Touch is a good deal lighter and thinner. In the case of the new fifth-generation iPod Touch, you get an A5 processor instead of an A6 and the camera isn't as good as the iPhone 5's camera (though it has improved quite a bit).

Alas, iPod Touch buyers should also note that while Apple has included its new EarPods, they're missing a small but important feature: the inline remote with integrated microphone found on the iPhone … Read more

Apple's latest iPhone might not be the only device from the company that's difficult to pick up right around its launch.

A new report from Japanese Apple blog Macotakara claims that initial shipments of Apple's new iPods are due in the country next Tuesday, but that there are "considerably few numbers of the initial shipment."

The new iPods, which Apple debuted at the same event as the iPhone 5 in September are scheduled to ship sometime this month, though Apple has not provided specifics. A report from earlier today claimed it could be another two … Read more

What is the new Lightning connector? Unveiled at the press conference announcing the iPhone 5 and 2012 iPod lineup, the proprietary Lightning connector replaces the 30-pin connector found on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod since 2003. Like the 30-pin connector, the Lightning connector is used for charging the device as well as syncing content and data and audio and video output. The new devices come with a USB 2.0-to-Lightning cable.

How is it different from the 30-pin connector? It's 80 percent smaller yet sturdier, and it's reversible, so you don't have to worry about which side … Read more

Apple is helping accessory makers out with a neat new look at its latest iPods.

The company recently published the full schematics on its recently announced fifth-generation iPod Touch (PDF) and seventh-generation iPod Nano (PDF). The drawings might not be all that useful for the average consumer, but they're an important resource for developers and accessory makers.

With help from the schematics, accessory makers can design cases, docks that'll fit the new form factor, and much more. Apple's schematics include the standard dimensions, like width and thickness, but also show the amount of space between the top … Read more

Third-party versions of the new Lightning-to-30-pin adapter cooked up by Apple are now selling via Amazon and eBay.

Amazon shows generic versions being sold through two companies -- Nanotch and iTronz. Nanotch is offering the 7-inch cable adapter for $17.95, a part that Apple sells for $39. iTronz is selling the smaller stub adapter for $9.99, for which Apple charges $29.

Both items are available for preorder, with the cable adapter scheduled to be released September 30 and the stub adapter September 26. Nanotch has a 94 percent positive review on Amazon, while iTronz has scored a thumbs-up … Read more

Unveiled last week, Apple's 2012 iPod lineup is now available for preorder through Amazon.

The fifth-generation iPod Touch offers the same 4-inch display found on the new iPhone 5 and includes a more powerful A5 processor and a 5-megapixel camera. The new Touch comes in both 32GB and 64GB versions and offers a choice of five different colors. Some models list an estimated ship date of two to five weeks; others three to five weeks. The 64GB pink version shows a wait time of one to two months.

The 32GB version sells for $299, while the 64GB model goes … Read more

Like clockwork, Apple never fails to refresh its iPod lineup every fall. In recent years, though, one can't help but notice that the ritualized iPod unveiling has lost some of its gusto compared with the fanfare surrounding the iPhone and iPad.

Still, Apple remains the top manufacturer of portable media players. Those of us old enough to remember the "iPod wars" that occurred nearly a decade ago can attest to the fact that Apple's tenacity in making the world's most popular MP3 player laid the groundwork for the success of the iPhone (pour one out for the Zune, friends). Apple may have moved on to bigger, better products, but maintaining its dominance in the diminishing world of MP3 players is just good housekeeping.

And so, the 2012 Apple iPod lineup offers a mix of new and old.… Read more