I never handled an iPod touch until a few days a ago. But a friend of mine received as birthday present the media player iPod Touch and so I had the chance to analyze it. What can I say? It's very thin and surprising. Once you start using it, you can not leave it! The iPod touch has a reduced size: height 110mm, width 61.8mm and only 8 mm thick. Weighs only 120 grams. The 3.5 inches widescreen format display has a resolution of 480 x 320 pixels at 163 ppi. The iPod touch provides Wi-Fi wireless connectivity (802.11b/g) - the only iPod to have it. It is also provided with the lithium ion integrated battery that guarantees up to 24 hours of music and up to 5 hours of viewing video and web browsing. It can be charged through USB connection. With the iPod Touch you can listen to music, play movies and it can also be used to wirelessly surf the Web. All that really lacks is the ability to call another person.

1. iPod touch - when the technology becomes sensitive http://dev.emcelettronica.com/print/51788
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iPod touch - when the technology becomes
sensitive
By Ionela
Created 29/05/2008 - 15:18
BLOG Sensors
[Ionela, from Your Electronics Open Source]
I never handled an iPod touch until a few
days a ago. But a friend of mine received as
birthday present the media player iPod
Touch and so I had the chance to analyze
it. What can I say? It's very thin and
surprising. Once you start using it, you can
not leave it! The iPod touch has a reduced
size: height 110mm, width 61.8mm and only
8 mm thick. Weighs only 120 grams. The
3.5 inches widescreen format display has a
resolution of 480 x 320 pixels at 163 ppi.
The iPod touch provides Wi-Fi wireless
connectivity (802.11b/g) - the only iPod to
have it. It is also provided with the lithium
ion integrated battery that guarantees up to 24 hours of music and up to 5 hours of viewing
video and web browsing. It can be charged through USB connection. With the iPod Touch
you can listen to music, play movies and it can also be used to wirelessly surf the Web. All
that really lacks is the ability to call another person. Surely you'll say: quot;Ok! We already know
these things !quot; But I propose you to watch inside the iPod touch, to understand what makes it
so strong.
Without no doubt is based on MEMS [1] (micro electro-mechanical systems) from ST [2],
products which I heard to the ST-NEWS2008 Silverstar Seminar [3] and I wrote something in
STM32 Primer - The Inteligent Butterfly [4].
The two key elements of a micro electro-mechanical system are:
- MEMS sensor, the silicon mechanical element which senses the motion;
- interface chip, the IC which converts the motion measured by the sensor into an analog or
digital signal.
MEMS-based sensors are ideal for a wide array of applications in consumer, communication,
automotive and industrial markets. The consumer market has been a key driver for MEMS
technology success. For example, in a mobile phone, MP3/MP4 player or PDA, these
sensors offer a new intuitive motion-based approach to navigation within and between pages.
In game controllers, MEMS sensors allow the player to play just moving the controller/pad;
the sensor determines the motion rather than the player providing game input by pushing
buttons. In the video below you can see the success of MEMS technology:
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2. iPod touch - when the technology becomes sensitive http://dev.emcelettronica.com/print/51788
Another interesting driver market for MEMS-based sensors is the industrial one where MEMS
sensors can be used for vibration monitoring and control. For example, vibrations can
degrade dishwasher and washing machine performance and reduce their lifetime. MEMS
sensors can be used to measure the vibrations and, as a result, identify potential machine
problems prior to equipment failure, thus allowing preventive maintenance to be
implemented.
It is said that Analog Device [5] was the first company to produce the MEMS. In the early
1990s, Analog Devices revolutionized automotive airbag systems with its unique iMEMS®
(integrated Micro Electro Mechanical System). Today, ADI offers the industry's broadest
accelerometer portfolio available in 1-, 2- and 3-axis configurations and in low-g or high-g
sensing ranges. (WII probably is using a 3-axis device). ADI’s iMEMS accelerometers
address a wide range of user needs including high performance, low power consumption,
integrated functionality, and small size. Used to accurately and precisely measure position,
motion, tilt, shock, and vibration, iMEMS and iSensor accelerometers are used for a wide
variety of automotive, consumer and industrial applications and feed the imagination of
designers who develop a staggering number of new applications every year - such as the
iPod touch. Thanks to the presence of MEMS, the iPod touch is more sensitive and delicate!
To understand better the iPod touch features watch this video:
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3. iPod touch - when the technology becomes sensitive http://dev.emcelettronica.com/print/51788
Useful Links:
[6] [7]
[7]
[8] [8] [9]
Related videos:
[8] [9] [7]
Trademarks
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4. iPod touch - when the technology becomes sensitive http://dev.emcelettronica.com/print/51788
Source URL: http://dev.emcelettronica.com/ipod-touch-when-technology-becomes-sensitive
Links:
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MEMS
[2] http://www.st.com/stonline/products/families/sensors/motion_sensors.htm
[3] http://dev.emcelettronica.com/my-first-time-arm
[4] http://dev.emcelettronica.com/stm32-primer-inteligent-butterfly
[5] http://www.analog.com/en/index.html
[6] http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/dec2007/tc20071217_113525.htm
[7] http://www.mechatropolis.com/Search.asp
[8] http://www.memsnet.org/mems/what-is.html
[9] http://dev.emcelettronica.com/package
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