View source for Engineering:IPod Mini

{{Short description|Digital audio player by Apple Inc}}
{{Distinguish|iPad Mini|iPod Nano}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2013}}
{{lowercase}}
{{Information appliance
| title = iPod mini
| logo = IPod Mini logo.svg
| image = 150px
| caption = iPod Mini in Silver
| type = Digital audio player
| manufacturer = [[Company:Apple Inc.|Apple]]
| family = [[Engineering:IPod|iPod]]
| power = [[Engineering:Lithium-ion battery|Lithium-ion battery]]
| connectivity = [[Engineering:USB|USB 2.0]]<br />FireWire<br />Dock connector<br />Remote connector
| lifespan = February 20, 2004 – September 7, 2005 ({{Age in years and months|month1=2|day1=20|year1=2004|month2=9|day2=7|year2=2005}})
| media = [[Microdrive]] hard drive (either 4 or 6&nbsp;GB)
| operatingsystem = 1.4.1
| input = Click wheel
| display = 1.67" monochrome LCD at 138 x 110 pixels
| successor = [[Engineering:IPod Nano|iPod Nano]]
| model_no = A1051
}}
{{iPod models}}

The '''iPod Mini''' (stylized and marketed as the '''iPod mini''') is a digital audio player that was designed and marketed by [[Company:Apple Inc.|Apple]]. It was positioned as a smaller, midrange model in Apple's [[Engineering:IPod|iPod]] product line to complement the [[Engineering:IPod Classic|iPod Classic]]. The device was announced on January 6, 2004, and released on February 20 of the same year.<ref>{{Cite web|publisher=Apple Inc.|title=Apple - Press Info - Apple Introduces iPod mini|url=https://www.apple.com/pr/library/2004/01/06Apple-Introduces-iPod-mini.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709063744/https://www.apple.com/pr/library/2004/01/06Apple-Introduces-iPod-mini.html|archive-date=July 9, 2011|access-date=2016-09-27|website=www.apple.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|publisher=Apple Inc.|title=Apple - Press Info - Apple Ships New iPod mini|url=https://www.apple.com/pr/library/2004/02/17Apple-Ships-New-iPod-mini.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806224255/https://www.apple.com/pr/library/2004/02/17Apple-Ships-New-iPod-mini.html|archive-date=August 6, 2011|access-date=2016-09-27|website=www.apple.com}}</ref> A second generation version with enhanced battery life and increased storage was released on February 23, 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|publisher=Apple Inc.|title=Apple - Press Info - Apple Unveils New iPod mini Starting at Just $199|url=https://www.apple.com/pr/library/2005/02/23Apple-Unveils-New-iPod-mini-Starting-at-Just-199.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709063759/https://www.apple.com/pr/library/2005/02/23Apple-Unveils-New-iPod-mini-Starting-at-Just-199.html|archive-date=July 9, 2011|access-date=2016-09-27|website=www.apple.com}}</ref> 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.<ref name="ReferenceA">"supply shortages in Walmart: iPod Mini 2G, iPod Classic" - 2004 Walmart Announcement</ref>

The iPod Mini was the first iPod device to use the click wheel, which was developed for Apple by [[Company:Synaptics|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 [[Engineering:IPod Nano|iPod Nano]].<ref>{{Citation|last=peestandingup|title=Apple Music Special Event 2005-The iPod Nano Introduction|date=2006-02-13|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GRv-kv5XEg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/7GRv-kv5XEg| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|access-date=2016-09-27}} [[Company:YouTube|YouTube]]</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|publisher=Apple Inc.|title=Apple - Press Info - Apple Introduces iPod nano|url=https://www.apple.com/pr/library/2005/09/07Apple-Introduces-iPod-nano.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709095109/https://www.apple.com/pr/library/2005/09/07Apple-Introduces-iPod-nano.html|archive-date=July 9, 2011|access-date=2016-09-27|website=www.apple.com}}</ref>

==Models==
{| class="wikitable"new ecoca click wheel?
|-
!Model
!Image
!Capacity
!Colors 
!Connection
!Original release date
!Minimum OS to sync
!Rated battery life <small>(hours)</small>
|- valign="top"
! rowspan="2"| 1st generation
|rowspan="1;" style="text-align:center;"|[[Image:Green ipodmini 1stgen.jpg|100px|1st generation iPod Mini|alt=iPod Mini (1st Generation) Model A1051: January 2004]]
|style="text-align:center|4&nbsp;GB
|colors — 5
*Silver
*Blue
*Green
*Pink
*Gold
|USB or FireWire
|style="text-align:center;"|February 20, 2004
|style="text-align:center;"|Mac:&nbsp;10.1.5 or later<ref name="iPod Comparsion">{{cite web |url=http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1834 |title=The differences between iPod mini and iPod mini (Second Generation) |publisher=Apple |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308015706/http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1834 |archive-date=March 8, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><br/>Windows:&nbsp;[[Software:Windows 2000|2000]]<br/><br/>iTunes 4.6 or later
|style="text-align:center;"|''audio'':&nbsp;8
|-
|colspan="7"|New smaller model, available in 5 colors. Introduced the "Click Wheel".
|- valign="top"
!rowspan="3"|2nd generation
|rowspan="2;" style="text-align:center;"|[[Image:IPod mini blue front 2G.jpg|100px|2nd generation iPod Mini|alt=iPod Mini (2nd generation) Model A1051]]
|style="text-align:center;"|4&nbsp;GB
|rowspan=2|
*Silver 
*Blue 
*Green 
*Pink
|rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;"|USB or FireWire
|rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;"|February 23, 2005
|rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;"|Mac:&nbsp;10.2.8 or 10.3.4 or later<ref name="iPod Comparsion"/><br/>Windows:&nbsp;[[Software:Windows 2000|2000]]<br/><br/>iTunes 4.7 or later
|rowspan=2 align=center|''audio'':&nbsp;18
|-
|align=center|6&nbsp;GB
|-
|colspan="7"|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==
[[Image:Ipod mini drive.jpg|thumb|300px|right|The iPod Mini's [[Microdrive]] (4&nbsp;GB Hitachi model), seen here on the right]]The two generations of iPod Mini are almost identical apart from minor cosmetic differences. The first generation model has gray control symbols on the click wheel, while those on the second generation match the color of the body. Their major functional differences lay in their storage capacity and battery life. Both versions measure 3.6x2.0x0.5&nbsp;inches (91x51x13&nbsp;mm) and weigh 3.6&nbsp;[[Ounce|ounce]]s (102&nbsp;[[Gram|gram]]s). The case is made from [[Physics:Anodizing|anodized]] [[Chemistry:Aluminium|aluminium]]. First generation iPod Minis were available in five colors: silver, gold, pink, blue, and green. The gold model was dropped from the second generation range. The pink, blue, and green models received brighter hues in the second generation but the silver model remained unchanged.

The iPod Mini uses [[Microdrive]] hard drives (CompactFlash II) made by Hitachi and [[Company:Seagate Technology|Seagate]]. First generation models were available in a 4&nbsp;GB size, while second generation models were available in both 4&nbsp;GB and 6&nbsp;GB versions (quoted as capable of storing roughly 1,000 and 1,500 songs, respectively). Second generation models have their capacity [[Physics:Laser engraving|laser etched]] into the aluminum case.

The battery life for the first generation iPod Mini was criticized for its 8 hour duration,<ref>{{cite web |author=TechFan |title=Apple iPod Mini (4GB, Silver, first generation) MP3 player reviews – CNET Reviews |url=http://cnn-cnet.com.com/Apple_iPod_Mini_4GB_Silver_1st_generation/4505-6490_7-30657018.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719111741/http://cnn-cnet.com.com/Apple_iPod_Mini_4GB_Silver_1st_generation/4505-6490_7-30657018.html |archive-date=July 19, 2012 |access-date=November 29, 2011 |publisher=Cnn-cnet.com.com}}</ref> 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 [[Engineering:USB|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]], [[Advanced Audio Coding|AAC]]/[[MPEG-4 Part 14#.MP4 versus .M4A|M4A]], [[WAV]], [[Audio Interchange File Format|AIFF]], and [[Software:Apple Lossless|Apple Lossless]] audio formats. It supports integration with [[Software:ITunes|iTunes]] and the [[ITunes Store|iTunes Store]], allowing for syncing of content between the software application and the iPod Mini.
[[File:IPod Mini (2005) with replacement CF card visible on logic board.jpg|thumb|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.<ref>{{cite web |title=iPod Mini Battery Replacement |url=https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iPod+Mini+Battery+Replacement/411 |website=iFixit |access-date=1 April 2025 |date=18 September 2024}}</ref> Many third-party batteries also claimed a higher capacity than the 450 mAh original stock battery – some claiming up to 1,300 mAh.<ref>{{Cite web|title=1300 mah iPod Mini battery replacement w/CF battery life|url=https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1300-mah-ipod-mini-battery-replacement-w-cf-battery-life.1155688/|access-date=2021-01-23|website=MacRumors Forums|date=May 19, 2011 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=INSTEN 1300mAh BATTERY Compatible With iPod MINI 4GB: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Insten-1300mAh-BATTERY-Compatible-iPod/dp/B004I51X0E|access-date=2021-01-23|website=www.amazon.co.uk}}</ref> Commonly advertised capacities of third-party batteries are 500 mAh<ref>{{Cite web|title=eBay Mobile|url=https://pages.ebay.co.uk/mobile/wap.html|access-date=2021-01-23|website=pages.ebay.co.uk}}</ref> and 750 mAh.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Amazon.co.uk : ipod mini battery|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=ipod+mini+battery&ref=nb_sb_noss|access-date=2021-01-23|website=www.amazon.co.uk|language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Apple iPod 1st and 2nd Generation. High capacity 2200 mAh Li-ion battery|url=http://www.smallbattery.company.org.uk/sbc_ipod_mini.htm|access-date=2021-01-23|website=www.smallbattery.company.org.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Battery 750mAh for iPod Mini|url=https://rounded.com/battery-750mah-for-ipod-mini.html|access-date=2021-01-23|website=rounded.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=B.V|first=BatteryUpgrade com, BraunOni|title=Apple iPod Mini (4GB) M9804 products - BatteryUpgrade|url=https://www.batteryupgrade.com/shopBrowser.php?shopGroupId=76052105|access-date=2021-01-23|website=www.batteryupgrade.com|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=750mAh EC003 High Capacity Battery for APPLE iPOD Mini 4GB, iPOD Mini 6GB - Newegg.com|url=https://www.newegg.com/p/0X6-00BM-008X1|access-date=2021-01-23|website=www.newegg.com|language=english|archive-date=February 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210222830/https://www.newegg.com/p/0X6-00BM-008X1|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The iPod Mini could be flashed to run [[Software:IPodLinux|iPodLinux]] or [[Software:Rockbox|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&nbsp;GB [[Microdrive]] with high capacity 8, 16,<ref>[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</ref> 32, 64 and even 256&nbsp;GB [[CompactFlash]] and [[Secure Digital|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.

{{timeline of compact iPod models}}

==References==
{{Reflist|25em}}

==External links==
{{Commons|iPod mini}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060618035455/http://support.apple.com/specs/ipod/iPod_mini.html iPod Mini specifications, both generations]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090104090233/http://www.thestandard.com/news/2009/01/01/steve-jobs-greatest-macworld-video-hits-1998-2008?page=0%2C7 Video of Jobs launching the iPod Mini at Macworld 2004]

{{iPod}}
{{Apple hardware since 1998}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ipod Mini}}
[[Category:Digital audio players]]

{{Sourceattribution|IPod Mini}}