Introduction to The iPod Nano

The iPod Nano (trademarked, marketed, and stylized as iPod nano) is a portable media player designed and marketed by Apple. The first generation of the iPod Nano was introduced in the end of 2005 as a replacement for the iPod mini. It uses flash memory, like the iPod Shuffle, but with a 2.2 inch (diagonal) QVGA display on the latest model, and the "click wheel" found on the iPod Classic. The iPod Nano has gone through five models, or generations, since its introduction. The fifth generation (current) supports FM radio, video recording, a microphone for voice memos, a pedometer, and a slightly larger screen than that of the previous generation.


Supported audio formats

• AAC (16 to 320 kbps)
• Protected AAC (from the iTunes Store)
• MP3 (16 to 320 kbps, including variable bitrate files)
• Audible (formats 2, 3 and 4)
• Apple Lossless
• AIFF
• WAV
• MP4

First generation

Advertising emphasized the iPod Nano's small size: it is 1.6 in (40 mm) wide, 3.5 in (90 mm) long, 0.27 in (6.9 mm) thick and weighs 1.5 ounces (42 grams). Its stated battery life is up to 14 hours. The screen is 176 x 132 pixels, 1.5 in (38 mm) diagonal, and can display 65,536 colors (16-bit color).

History

Development work on the design of the iPod Nano started only nine months before its launch date. The Nano was launched in two colors (black and white) with two available sizes: 2 GB (roughly 500 songs) and 4 GB (1000 songs). On February 7, 2006, Apple updated the lineup with the 1 GB model (240 songs). Apple also released some accessories, including armbands and silicone "tubes" designed to bring color to the Nano and protect it from scratches, as well as a combination lanyard-earphone accessory that hangs around the neck, and avoids the problem of tangled earphone cords.

Electronics

The iPod Nano uses general-purpose integrated circuits (IC) instead of smaller, low-cost custom-developed chips, possibly to reduce time-to-market. This design, however, increases the number of electronic components and increases the cost. Japanese engineers estimated the component cost of the 2 GB Nano as between JP¥22,000 and JP¥27,000 (US$185-US$227),[citation needed] which was high compared to the retail price of JP¥21,800 (US$183) at the time.[citation needed] The cost of 2 GB Nano flash memory was about JP¥14,000 (US$118).[citation needed] Apple also opted for the 0603 (1.6x0.8 mm) surface mount technology which was just beginning widespread use in mobile phones in 2005. The iPod Nano uses a PortalPlayer PP5021C "system on a chip" with dual embedded 80 MHz ARM 7TDMI processors.

source : wikipedia.org