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After Hours

Cracking open the 4GB iPod Nano (3rd generation)

By Mark W. Kaelin October 18, 2007, 1:42 AM PDT

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0100_ipod_nano.jpg
Cracking open the 4GB iPod Nano (3rd generation)

By Mark Kaelin

By Mark Kaelin

The iPod Nano is a great little music player from Apple Computer. Besides playing music, it can also display movies, television, and other video content on its two inch screen. TechRepublic cracked open the iPod Nano to see what makes this device so special.

Cracking open the 4GB iPod Nano (3rd generation)

The usual suspects

The usual suspects

The iPod Nano ships with a set of ear bud headphones and a USB cable for transferring files and recharging the battery.

Cracking open the 4GB iPod Nano (3rd generation)

Thin to win

Thin to win

The iPod Nano is very thin and getting inside is going to require some physical encouragement.

Cracking open the 4GB iPod Nano (3rd generation)

Back off

Back off

The first thing you see when you remove the back cover is the battery. Notice that you should not poke at it.

The second thing you notice is the flash memory chip — 4GB from Hynix in this case.

Cracking open the 4GB iPod Nano (3rd generation)

Silver platter

Silver platter

The back plate is just a piece of molded metal, but it was a bear to remove. Apple definitely does not want you to open your iPod.

Cracking open the 4GB iPod Nano (3rd generation)

Hynix

Hynix

This 4GB Flash memory in the iPod was made by Hynix. I have seen pictures of the 8GB version of the iPod Nano and it has memory made by Samsung. Go with the best bid I suppose.

The next step is to remove the six screws marked by the arrows and see what lies beneath.

Cracking open the 4GB iPod Nano (3rd generation)

Ribbons galore

Ribbons galore

One way Apple is able to keep the iPod Nano so thin is by using ribbon connections for the video, audio, and button connections.

Cracking open the 4GB iPod Nano (3rd generation)

Complications

Complications

While it is nice that the ribbons allow for thinness, it certainly makes cracking open a much more delicate operation.

Cracking open the 4GB iPod Nano (3rd generation)

Button ribbon

Button ribbon

The connecting ribbon to the button interface is attached with one of these very tiny clamping gates — when we crack a device open we hate to see one of these.

Cracking open the 4GB iPod Nano (3rd generation)

Audio

Audio

The audio connecting ribbon does not have an clamping gate – fortunately for me, the housing for the plug comes out with the ribbon connected.

Cracking open the 4GB iPod Nano (3rd generation)

Apple alright

Apple alright

Taking our first look at the logic chips we can see two large chips with the Apple Computer logo. There is also one large chip with an unfamiliar logo.

Cracking open the 4GB iPod Nano (3rd generation)

Another gate

Another gate

Now we can the video connection — another clamping gate.

Cracking open the 4GB iPod Nano (3rd generation)

A two inch LCD

A two inch LCD

It is hard to believe that there is an LCD in there that can show videos.

Cracking open the 4GB iPod Nano (3rd generation)

Click interface

Click interface

The backside of the famous Apple button and wheel interface is much less exciting from the underside.

Cracking open the 4GB iPod Nano (3rd generation)

Synapitcs

Synapitcs

Now, there is a famous name when it comes to touch interfaces — Synaptics.

Cracking open the 4GB iPod Nano (3rd generation)

USB connection

USB connection

The USB connection transfers data and power. Oddly enough, there are no capacitors that I can see.

Cracking open the 4GB iPod Nano (3rd generation)

What is that?

What is that?

This piece of metal was attached near the audio plug. Out best guess is that it acts a ground for the device.

Cracking open the 4GB iPod Nano (3rd generation)

Logic board

Logic board

The chips don’t reveal their functions, but one chip must hold the software for the visual interface, one must control sound, and another must handle video production. Which is which is a little more difficult to figure out.

Cracking open the 4GB iPod Nano (3rd generation)

A closer look at chips 1

A closer look at chips 1

Getting a closer look.

Cracking open the 4GB iPod Nano (3rd generation)

A closer look at chips 2

A closer look at chips 2

Still closer.

Cracking open the 4GB iPod Nano (3rd generation)

A closer look at chips 3

A closer look at chips 3

Figure out which chips does what?

Cracking open the 4GB iPod Nano (3rd generation)

Serial number

Serial number

Several identification numbers are etched on the back of the LCD housing.

Cracking open the 4GB iPod Nano (3rd generation)

Parts

Parts

Our intention was to put our iPod Nano back together in working condition. Unfortunately, we ran into a problem. The closest we have come to bringing it back to life so far is the white screen of death.

We are going to keep trying to get the iPod working again, but I am discouraged. Damn my unsteady fingers.

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By Mark W. Kaelin
Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the information technology industry, gadgets, finance, accounting, and tech-life for more than 25 years. Most recently, he has been a regular contributor to BreakingModern.com, aNewDomain.net,
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