IPod Touch (3rd generation)

The third-generation iPod Touch (marketed as "the new iPod Touch" and commonly referred to as the iPod Touch 3G, iPod Touch 3, or iPod 3) is a multi-touch mobile device developed and sold by Apple Inc. It features a touchscreen-based user interface, and serves as the direct successor to the second-generation iPod Touch.

iPod Touch

A black iPod touch (3rd generation)
Developer	Apple Inc.
Manufacturer	Foxconn
Product family	iPod
Type	Mobile device
Release date	September 9, 2009 (2009-09-09)
Discontinued	September 1, 2010; 15 years ago (2010-09-01)
Operating system	Original: iPhone OS 3.1 Last: iOS 5.1.1, released May 7, 2012 (2012-05-07)
System on a chip	S5L8922
CPU	ARMv7-A32 Samsung S5L8922 600 MHz
Memory	256 MB DRAM[1]
Storage	32 or 64 GB flash memory[1]
Display	3.5 in (89 mm) diagonal (3:2 aspect ratio), multi-touch display, LED backlit TN TFT LCD, 480×320 px at 165 PPI 800:1 contrast ratio (typical), 500 cd/m2 max. brightness (typical), Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating on front[1]
Graphics	PowerVR SGX535 GPU
Input	Multi-touch touchscreen display Volume buttons Built-in speaker Voice control 3-axis Accelerometer Ambient Light Sensor
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11b/g Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR 30-pin dock connector
Online services	App Store, iTunes Store, iBookstore, iCloud, MobileMe
Dimensions	110 mm (4.3 in) H 58 mm (2.3 in) W 7.1 mm (0.28 in) D[1]
Weight	115 g (4.1 oz)[1]
Predecessor	iPod Touch (2nd generation)
Successor	iPod Touch (4th generation)
Related	iPhone 3GS

The back of the iPod touch 3rd-generation (32GB). Model A1318

History

The 3rd-generation iPod Touch was announced alongside the revised version of the 2nd-generation iPod Touch (8 GB MC model) and was initially available only in 32 GB and 64 GB models.^[2]

The iPod touch 3rd generation (32 GB and 64 GB) shares the same specs as the iPhone 3GS and came with a range of new features that weren't offered in previous models, such as voice control (which can only be accessible using a remote control mic), accessibility, and a faster processor. Performance was bumped up from 128 MB to 256 MB of RAM, and graphics were upgraded to the new OpenGL ES 2.0 for a better gaming experience.^[3]

On September 9, 2009, Apple introduced a technically modified, externally unchanged iPod Touch and sold it under the name "iPod Touch late 2009."^[4]

Due to the quiet unveiling and confusion, some resellers later sold and mistitled the 8 GB iPod Touch (2nd generation) as the iPod Touch (3rd generation), but this error was neither done nor condoned by Apple.^[5][6] Just like the iPod Touch (2nd generation), the 8 GB "iPod Touch (2nd generation)" (late 2009 models) was only supported up to iOS 4.2.1, whereas the 32 GB and 64 GB (3rd generation) iPod Touches were supported all the way up to iOS 5.1.1.^[6][7]

Features

Software

Main articles: iOS, iPhone OS 3, iOS 4, and iOS 5

Further information: iOS version history

The iPod Touch 3rd generation, which originally shipped with iPhone OS 3, also fully supports iOS 4 and runs iOS 5; however, it does not support Siri. The last version supported on this device was iOS 5.1.1, which was released on May 7, 2012. Unlike the iPhone 3GS, it did not officially run iOS 6, likely due to not having a camera despite sharing similar specs.

Reception

On launch, the 3rd generation iPod touch was generally praised for its technical features, but was believed by some reviewers to not differ significantly from the previous generation iPod touch.^[8][9]