| The iPod mini was a smaller version of Apple | | | | Compact Flash Microdrive hard drives made by Hitachi. |
| Computer's iPod portable audio player. It was | | | | First generation models were available in a 4GB size, |
| announced on January 6, 2004, and released on | | | | while second generation models were available in both |
| February 20 of that same year. The device | | | | 4GB and 6GB versions (capable of storing roughly |
| interoperated with both Macintosh and Windows PCs, | | | | 1,000 and 1,500 songs, respectively) and eventually had |
| with limited third-party support for Linux and other Unix | | | | the drive size laser etched on the case to help |
| workalikes. A second generation version was | | | | distinguish between the two. Apple laser etched 2 lines |
| announced on February 23, 2005. The iPod mini line | | | | of 32 characters each on the top of the reverse side |
| was discontinued on September 7, 2005, after being | | | | of the iPod mini for free as a promotion in the first |
| replaced by the iPod nano.The device retained the | | | | generation and continued through the second |
| popular touch-sensitive scroll wheel of the third | | | | generation, which had originally cost additional |
| generation iPod; however, instead of the four touch | | | | money.The battery life of the first generation of iPod |
| buttons located above the wheel, the buttons were | | | | mini was about 8 hours (similar to the 3G iPod that |
| once again made mechanical beneath the wheel itself | | | | was available when the mini was released), which led |
| (hence, the new wheel was known as a "click wheel"). | | | | to some criticism of the battery's short duration. This |
| To access one of the four buttons, a user physically | | | | problem was addressed in the second generation |
| pushed the edge of the wheel inward over one of the | | | | models which had a claimed battery life of about 18 |
| four labels. Like its predecessors, the wheel was | | | | hours. However, the 2nd generation iPod minis no |
| developed for Apple by Synaptics. The click wheel is | | | | longer came with a FireWire cable or an AC power |
| now also used in the fourth and fifth generation iPods | | | | adapter, which were left out to reduce the selling |
| as well as in the iPod nano; although in the case of the | | | | prices of the new iPod minis. iPod mini batteries tend to |
| nano + 5G iPods, the clickwheel is now developed | | | | run down to 80% capacity after 400 full charge |
| in-house, as opposed to Synaptics.Above the wheel | | | | cycles.A proprietary dock connector was provided on |
| was a monochrome display which showed menus or | | | | the bottom of the device for a connection to a |
| information about the currently selected track. Newer | | | | computer (Hi-Speed USB or FireWire). The unit's |
| generation iPods have since moved to colour | | | | battery was charged during connection. Along the top |
| displays.Details | | | | it had a hold switch, a headphone jack, and a remote |
| The two generations of the iPod mini were externally | | | | port for accessories.The second generation iPod mini |
| almost identical, with the differences lying in their | | | | had deeper colors and the capacity of the model |
| storage and battery capacities. Both versions were 3.6 | | | | engraved on the back.Like the iPod, the iPod mini |
| by 2.0 by 0.5 inches (91 by 51 by 13 mm) and weighed | | | | supported MP3, AAC/M4A, WAV, AIFF, and Apple |
| 3.6 ounces (102 grams). Its case was composed of | | | | Lossless audio formats. It also retained the iPod's |
| anodized aluminum. First generation iPod minis were | | | | seamless integration with iTunes and the iTunes Music |
| available in five colors: silver, gold, pink, blue, and green. | | | | Store, allowing for true auto-sync between the |
| The gold model was dropped from the second | | | | software application and the iPod mini.Original pricing |
| generation range due to unpopularity. Also in the | | | | for the iPod mini was US$249 for the first generation |
| second generation updates, the green, blue, and pink | | | | (4GB model). The release of the second generation |
| colors were all made much brighter. The silver model | | | | lowered the starting price to $199 and kept the 4GB |
| remained unchanged. While the button labels were | | | | model. An increased-capacity 6GB model sold for |
| gray on the first generation iPod, the second | | | | $249.Visit me at my consumers product websites a |
| generation iPod sported button labels that matched the | | | | website that provides links to consumer products and |
| color of the case.The iPod mini used ultra-thin | | | | article reviews. Here is a link in reference to this article. |