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IPod Mini

Digital audio player by Apple Inc

Digital audio player by Apple Inc

FireWire Dock connector Remote connector

The iPod Mini (stylized and marketed as the iPod mini) is a digital audio player that was designed and marketed by Apple. It was positioned as a smaller, midrange model in Apple's iPod product line to complement the iPod Classic. The device was announced on January 6, 2004, and released on February 20 of the same year. A second generation version with enhanced battery life and increased storage was released on February 23, 2005. While it was in production, it was one of the most popular electronic products on the market, with consumers often unable to find a retailer with the product in stock.

The iPod Mini was the first iPod device to use the click wheel, which was developed for Apple by Synaptics. It combined the touch-sensitive scroll wheel of the third generation iPod with buttons located beneath the wheel. This interface proved to be popular and was adopted for several later iPod models. Above the wheel is a monochrome 1.67" LCD that displays a menu or information about the selected track. The iPod Mini was discontinued on September 7, 2005, when it was succeeded by the iPod Nano.

Models

ModelImageCapacityColorsConnectionOriginal release dateMinimum OS to syncRated battery life (hours)1st generation2nd generation
[[Image:Green ipodmini 1stgen.jpg100px1st generation iPod Minialt=iPod Mini (1st Generation) Model A1051: January 2004]]4 GBcolors — 5USB or FireWireFebruary 20, 2004Mac: 10.1.5 or later
Windows: 2000
iTunes 4.6 or lateraudio: 8
New smaller model, available in 5 colors. Introduced the "Click Wheel".
[[Image:IPod mini blue front 2G.jpg100px2nd generation iPod Minialt=iPod Mini (2nd generation) Model A1051]]4 GBUSB or FireWireFebruary 23, 2005Mac: 10.2.8 or 10.3.4 or later
Windows: 2000
iTunes 4.7 or lateraudio: 18
6 GB
Brighter color variants with longer battery life. Click Wheel lettering matched body color. Gold color discontinued. The second generation iPod Mini was the final monochrome iPod to be sold by Apple, with the larger iPod (fourth generation) replaced with color screen models in early 2005.

Details

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 (quoted as capable of storing roughly 1,000 and 1,500 songs, respectively). Second generation models have their capacity laser etched into the aluminum case.

The battery life for the first generation iPod Mini was criticized for its 8-hour duration, similar to the third generation iPod that was available at the time. Apple addressed this problem in the second generation models by increasing the battery life to about 18 hours, at the cost of removing the included FireWire and AC adapter cables to avoid increasing selling costs. A proprietary Apple 30-pin dock connector is located on the bottom of the device. The iPod Mini can charge and transfer files when connected to a computer via USB or FireWire. Along the top, it has a hold switch, a headphone jack, and a remote connector for accessories.

The iPod Mini supports MP3, AAC/M4A, WAV, AIFF, and Apple Lossless audio formats. It supports integration with iTunes and the iTunes Store, allowing for syncing of content between the software application and the iPod Mini.

A second generation iPod Mini with a Compact Flash card in place of its original Hitachi Microdrive

Modification

Soon after the release of the iPod Mini, many third-party replacement batteries became available. By following online instructions, users could replace the battery themselves and avoid having to send the iPod back to Apple. Many third-party batteries also claimed a higher capacity than the 450 mAh original stock battery – some claiming up to 1,300 mAh. Commonly advertised capacities of third-party batteries are 500 mAh and 750 mAh.

The iPod Mini could be flashed to run iPodLinux or Rockbox firmware which has support for extra codecs, games and various other plugins and allowed music placed directly on the iPod to be played without using iTunes. Users have replaced the 4 or 6 GB Microdrive with high capacity 8, 16, 32, 64 and even 256 GB CompactFlash and SD cards. Aside from increased capacity, this has the advantage of increasing battery life and making the Mini more durable since CompactFlash cards are solid-state with no moving parts.

References

References

  1. "Apple - Press Info - Apple Introduces iPod mini". Apple Inc..
  2. "Apple - Press Info - Apple Ships New iPod mini". Apple Inc..
  3. "Apple - Press Info - Apple Unveils New iPod mini Starting at Just $199". Apple Inc..
  4. "supply shortages in Walmart: iPod Mini 2G, iPod Classic" - 2004 Walmart Announcement
  5. peestandingup. (2006-02-13). "Apple Music Special Event 2005-The iPod Nano Introduction".
  6. "Apple - Press Info - Apple Introduces iPod nano". Apple Inc..
  7. "The differences between iPod mini and iPod mini (Second Generation)". Apple.
  8. TechFan. "Apple iPod Mini (4GB, Silver, first generation) MP3 player reviews – CNET Reviews". Cnn-cnet.com.com.
  9. (18 September 2024). "iPod Mini Battery Replacement".
  10. (May 19, 2011). "1300 mah iPod Mini battery replacement w/CF battery life".
  11. "INSTEN 1300mAh BATTERY Compatible With iPod MINI 4GB: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics".
  12. "eBay Mobile".
  13. "Amazon.co.uk : ipod mini battery".
  14. "Apple iPod 1st and 2nd Generation. High capacity 2200 mAh Li-ion battery".
  15. "Battery 750mAh for iPod Mini".
  16. B.V, BatteryUpgrade com, BraunOni. "Apple iPod Mini (4GB) M9804 products - BatteryUpgrade".
  17. "750mAh EC003 High Capacity Battery for APPLE iPOD Mini 4GB, iPOD Mini 6GB - Newegg.com".
  18. [http://geektechnique.org/projectlab/753/how-to-turn-your-ipod-mini-into-a-flash-based-ipod.html turn your iPod mini into a flash based iPod :: projects :: geek technique], retrieved January 30, 2014
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