iPod classic Generation 6 (80 GB, black, 2007)

The iPod classic Generation 6 continued the “classic” iPod design and used a 4200 RPM ATA-66 hard drive long after all other iPod models had switched to flash memory. The advantage to the spinning hard drive was that it could hold far more songs for a lower price.

The iPod classic Generation 6 offered a 80 GB or 160 GB hard rive capable of supporting 20,000 or 40,000 songs and 100 or 200 hours of video.

The iPod classic models use a 2.5-inch color LCD display with an LED backlight at 320×240 and use cases with either a silver or black anodized aluminum front and a chrome stainless steel back (previous models used white or black polycarbonate fronts). The iPod classic models were the first full-size iPod models to not be offered in white.

The larger case also allowed for long battery life: 30 hours of music and 5 hours of video for the 80 GB model and 40 hours of music and 7 hours of video for the 160 GB model.

The software included a CoverFlow option for selecting albums, and three games were bundled: iQuiz, Klondike, and Vortex.

Source: EveryMac.com

iPod nano Generation 3 (8 GB, red, 2007)

The iPod nano Generation 3 used a design unique to the iPod family with “squat” proportions in a thin case. It was available in 4 GB or 8 GB versions, with the 4 GB model offered only in silver, and the 8 GB models offered in silver, light blue, light green, black, and (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition, and later pink option was added. All models had a chrome stainless steel back.

Compared to the iPod nano Generation 2, the Generation 3 added a larger 2-inch (diagonal) color LCD display at 320×240 resolution, support for video on the internal display, and video out via the dock.

The software is greatly improved with enhancements including a Cover Flow option for selecting albums. Three games were also bundled: iQuiz, Klondike, and Vortex.

Source: EveryMac.com

iPod touch Generation 2 (8 GB, 2008)

The iPod touch Generation 2 is similar in features to the iPhone 3G, but lacks phone features, mobile phone networking, GPS, and a camera. While the back of the iPod touch Generation 2 is made of stainless steel (instead of plastic), its shape is similar to the iPhone 3G.

The iPod touch Generation 2 featured a multi-touch 3.5-inch display with 320×480 resolution, an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), and 8, 16, or 32 GB of flash memory.

Compared to the original iPod touch, the Generation 2 model adds external volume controls on the left side of the device, an integrated speaker, external microphone (supported via the Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic), support for the Nike+iPod Sport Kit, a Genius feature to dynamically create playlists, and shaking the device to shuffle songs.

Source: EveryMac.com

iPod nano Generation 2 (8 GB, black, 2006)

The iPod nano Generation 2 borrowed a design concept from the iPod mini and added several more available colors: the 2 GB model was available in silver; the 4 GB model in silver, green, blue, and pink; and the 8 GB model was available in black only. It was available with 2 GB, 4 GB, or 8 GB of flash memory and stored 500, 1000, or 2000 songs.

Hardware enhancements from the original iPod nano included longer battery life of 24 hours, a brighter 1.5-inch display, and a search engine for loaded songs.

Source: EveryMac.com

iPod nano (original, 4 GB, white, 2005)

The iPod nano replaced the iPod mini as a full-featured alternative to the classic iPod at the time. The iPod nano featured 1, 2, or 4 GB of flash memory in a 3.5-inch tall, 1.6-inch wide, and 0.27-inch thick white or black case. The color screen measured 1.5 inches at 176×132. The iPod nano is navigated by a Click Wheel and supports viewing photos. The design of the case features a jet black or iBook white front and stainless steel back.

Software functions included Screen Lock, a stopwatch, and a world clock. The iPod nano held approximately 240, 500, or 1000 songs and up to 15,000 or 25,000 photos that were downsampled to fit on the 1.5-inch screen.

Source: EveryMac.com

iPod Hi-Fi (2006)

The iPod Hi-Fi was announced by Steve Jobs on February 28, 2006, in a keynote where he introduced the device as “Home stereo. Reinvented.” The speaker system included a 30-pin iPod connector on top and shipped with inserts for every iPod with a dock connector it has shipped until that time. The back of the iPod Hi-Fi included a 3.5mm stereo input so users with an iPod shuffle (or other device) could connect to the device.

The remote control that shipped with the iPod Hi-Fi, the same remote that shipped with iMac models at the time, could only control volume and skip between tracks within the selected playlist. The menu button switched between the dock and the audio-in port and could not control the functions of the iPod in the dock. Also, the iPod Hi-Fi can be used with all iPods with a dock connector, but will only charge iPods that support Firewire charging.

My example iPod Hi-Fi unfortunately has crushed speaker cones on the two smaller speakers. I’ve attempted a few remedies unsuccessfully.

The iPod Hi-Fi retailed at the Apple Store for $349. This price was higher than similar high-end iPod speaker systems at the time, including a then-popular system from Bose priced at $299. The iPod Hi-Fi was discontinued on September 5, 2007.

Source: Wikipedia

iPhone 3G (16 GB, 2008)

The iPhone 3G is similar to the original iPhone in functionality, but adds 3G cellular support and GPS. Although it features the same 320×480 resolution screen, the case is slightly thicker (0.02-inch) than the original, and had a plastic (rather than aluminum) back available in black or white. Both models were available in 8 GB or 16 GB, but the white iPhone 3G was only available in 8 GB.

The GPS functionality allowed the 2.0 megapixel camera to support geotagging. The iPhone 3G uses the same multi-touch interface, accelerometer, ambient light sensor, and proximity sensor capabilities as the original iPhone, except it has two proximity sensors compared to one in the original.

The back of the iPhone 3G has the most curved shape of any iPhone design to date, and has been the only “flagship” iPhone model to ship with a plastic back.

Source: EveryMac.com

iPhone 3GS (16 GB, black, 2009)

iPhone 3GS looks nearly identical to the iPhone 3G that preceded it. The only visual difference is that the markings on the back of the phone are printed with a heavier weight font and a more reflective silver ink than the iPhone 3G.

The iPhone 3GS has many feature changes. The screen added a new “oleophobic” oil repellent coating. The “S” added to the name might refer to its increased speed: the processor increased from 412 MHz to 600 MHz, the onboard RAM doubled to 256MB, and the cellular network speed increased to 7.2 Mbps. The camera was also upgraded to 3.0 megapixel with VGA video recording at 30 FPS, as well as autofocus, macro, and white balance support, a tap to focus feature, and the ability to trim videos. The iPhone 3GS also added a compass.

Several new accessibility features were added, including VoiceOver, voice control, integrated Nike+iPod support, and an inline remote on the headphone cable, all features that had been previously added to iPod shuffle Generation 3.

Source: EveryMac.com

iPhone 5 (slate gray, 2012)

The iPhone 5 included a 4-inch widescreen multi-touch Retina display at 1136×640 (326 ppi); a rear 8-megapixel, 1080p iSight camera, a front 1.2-megapixel, 720p FaceTime HD camera; and 4G/LTE support. The aluminum unibody case had a glass front and came in either a dark gray slate matte back with a glossy black front or a silver matte back with a glossy white front.

The iPhone 5 uses a 1.3 GHz dual core Apple A6 processor, has 1 GB of RAM, and 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB of flash storage. It also included three noise canceling microphones, a bottom-mounted headphone jack, and a new USB 2.0 Lightning port for connectivity.

Source: EveryMac.com

iPhone (original, 16 GB, 2007) and iPhone Bluetooth Headset (2007) and Dock

The original iPhone was officially announced on January 9, 2007, and was released on June 29, 2007. The original iPhone was available in 4, and 8 GB capacities, with a 16 GB capacity released on February 5, 2008. Soon after the original release, Apple dropped iPhone prices by $100. As a concession to early adopters (after criticism), Apple offered a $100 store credit. I used my store credit to purchase the $99 Apple Bluetooth Headset.

The original iPhone introduced the “multi-touch” display that allowed control by dragging one or more fingers across the glass display, although no interface controls required multiple fingers in the iPhone OS 1.0. This iPhone has sensors including an accelerometer (to detect landscape or portrait orientation), an ambient light sensor (to control screen brightness), and a proximity sensor (to turn off the display when held to the ear).

Other features include Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), EDGE, Bluetooth 2.0, and a 2.0 megapixel camera. The case is 2.4 inches by 4.5 inches, is 0.46-inch thick, and weighs 4.8 ounces.

Source: EveryMac.com and AppleInsider.