New 3rd-Gen iPod touch rocking 802.11N-capable Wi-Fi chip, empty space for video camera

Jason Diaz
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September 11, 2009
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The fine folks of iFixit, as per usual, have torn apart Apple's latest iPod Touch revealing some very interesting technology. Firstly, the latest Broadcom BCM4329 makes the device capable of N-speed Wifi unlike any other iPod or iPhone.  Apple currently doesn't have this capability enabled but there are plenty of people who'd like to switch their wireless to the 5GHz N network for longer range and less interference.

Secondly, the ARM chip (below) is different Samsung ARM chip than the iPhone 3GS or any Apple device before it.  The CPU is labelled 339S0075 ARM. This marks an improvement over the previous iPod and iPhone 3GS processors. The processor on the last iPod touch (2nd gen) was labelled 339S0048ARM. The processor in the iPhone 3GS is marked 339S0073ARM. 

 

 

The most revealing part of this take apart is the little empty space for a video camera like the one in the iPod Nano camera. If your not too skittish of the innards of the of whats inside check more pics here and here.

 

Comments (13)

Kellener (not verified) | September 11, 2009 - 3:24pm

So that means that the rumor about the problems with the supply of cameras for the ipod was true. Nice excuse steve jobs by saying "We don't need to add any more things"

Fdvigna (not verified) | September 11, 2009 - 6:27pm

call me naive or else ... but they have a camera for the Iphone ... not sure how true is this engineering issue. Maybe this is another marketing strategy to wait the best time to introduce a new and updated model with a better price ... why increase costs and reduce margin when the touch sales are still growing and competition is really not there with the touch...

Olly (not verified) | September 11, 2009 - 3:41pm

I know im being annoying, but why does this screenshot:
http://twitpic.com/h6wqh
show Maps with directions, i.e. like it would on the 3GS? The tear down has no compass so what gives? Or is this a feature im completely unaware of, however am happy to be corrected over :-)

Jeff Host (not verified) | September 11, 2009 - 6:06pm

I really like the 3GS

Fdvigna (not verified) | September 11, 2009 - 6:24pm

call me naive or else ... but they have a camera for the Iphone ... not sure how true is this engineering issue. Maybe this is another marketing strategy to wait the best time to introduce a new and updated model with a better price ... why increase costs and reduce margin when the touch sales are still growing and competition is really not there with the touch...

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | September 11, 2009 - 8:17pm

The engineering issue is that the iPod touch is significantly thinner than the iPhone, and I doubt Apple wants to go backwards in that department.

Hayweed (not verified) | September 11, 2009 - 8:22pm

The touch's dimensions versus the iPhone 3GS

Height:
4.3 inches (110 mm) vs. 4.5 inches (115.5 mm)
Width:
2.4 inches (61.8 mm) vs. 2.4 inches (62.1 mm)
Depth:
0.33 inch (8.5 mm) vs. 0.48 inch (12.3 mm)
Weight:
4.05 ounces (115 grams) vs. 4.8 ounces (135 grams)

The iPhone is almost 50% thicker than the Touch which means they probably could have done the nano camera but not the iphone camera.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | September 11, 2009 - 11:21pm

Think about it. The iPhone is in high demand, more than it was a year ago. If the supplies for the camera were limited wouldn't they want to make sure the iPhone, their sole money maker, gets the camera supply before the iPod Touch? I think so... iPod Touch camera will be out within the next 6 months I bet. February/March Updates!!!

Andy McDonald (not verified) | September 12, 2009 - 5:53am

I've got a simple question: how exactly does the new 8GB iPod Touch differ from the one it replaced or is it just the same?

I just bought a new MacBook Pro and added an 8GB iPod Touch as part of the Back to School offer. By waiting until just before the new ones were announced, I was hoping they would actually send me the new model and it seems my plan has worked - my order status says that the iPod (2G) has been replaced. Woohoo!!!

Cheers

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | September 12, 2009 - 3:10pm

I would would much rather have a still camera than a video camera. The nano has never been my cup of tea and the addition of a video camera doesn't tempt me at all, maybe the increased space though. Pretty disappointing IMO. I understand it being an engineering issue, but I think Apple is reaching the maximum potential of that form factor. With the touch I think their desire for thinness is biting them is the ass. Who cares if the make it as thick as an iPhone? At least they could put some more useful features in it then.

Igeek (not verified) | September 12, 2009 - 6:57pm

why is it the iphone is always behind the bloody ipod touch, it should be the other one, and we won't get any of the upgrades until next june, it's ridiculous.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | September 13, 2009 - 6:42am

although i wanted a camera in the touch, i´m actually glad they didn´t put in the 640x480 cam from the nano (the one that would have fit in that tiny spot left in the new touch). a lackluster camera wouldn´t have been what i was looking for. so i think it´s pretty wise for them to wait for smaller ccd modules and add a good camera when the time is right

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | September 13, 2009 - 1:12pm

I've got a 2G (Edge only) iPhone and I go out of contract in 2 weeks. So, am I going to have to wait till June 2010 to get the update ARM and Broadcom chips?! I was also considering getting another iPhone for a family member. Now it seems like its much more pragmatic to wait till Jan. 2010 to see what sort of version of the iPhone *may* be offered through Verizon if Apple (who may not renew exclusivity with AT&T, per popular sentiment) does not upgrade much sooner. And we've not even started the discussion regarding 64Gs in a Touch but not iPhone! This is a little scary. Is the Touch is going to be their handheld flagship product?!