The new iPod touch model sports Broadcom’s BCM4329 chip, which is capable of supporting 802.11n Wi-Fi, although Apple is limiting the chip to 802.11g speeds. Apple is likely imposing the limitation to avoid reducing battery life.
iFixit’s iPod touch tear down
The updated iPod model also includes the Samsung 339S0073ARM processor instead of the 339S0048ARM processor, and a Bluetooth chip that’s capable of supporting FM radio reception and transmission, too. Apple didn’t include the necessary antennas and software to take advantage of the FM radio features, but it does raise the possibility that the company could add the ability to wirelessly stream music to you car stereo in a future model.
The iPod tear down also revealed there’s a small space left open that’s just big enough for the same video camera that Apple added to the new iPod nano. There’s no indication that Apple intended to include a camera, although the opening size and location seems like quite a coincidence.
Whether or not Apple plans to take advantage of the features tucked away in some of the iPod touch’s new chips remains to be seen, and the company isn’t likely to tip its hand. The tear down does, however, show that Apple likely has a few more surprises in store for the iPod touch.