iPod 4th Gen 2010

Similar to previous iPod touch models, the iPod touch (4th Generation) is in many ways a "phone-less" equivalent of the iPhone available at its time of release, which was the iPhone 4.

The 4th Generation iPod touch lacks 3G/EDGE mobile networking, A-GPS (though it can triangulate position via Wi-Fi), and a digital compass. It also features a lower-quality, approximately 0.70-megapixel rear camera without a flash.

Despite these omissions, the iPod touch (4th Generation) is largely similar to its contract-bound counterpart. It includes a 3.5" 960x640 (326 ppi) "Retina display" (though a non-IPS version), FaceTime video calling via Apple ID or email, an integrated microphone, a front-facing VGA camera, iMovie editing support, a 3-axis gyroscope, and 720p video recording (using the lower-quality camera).

Like the iPhone 4, the 4th Gen iPod touch is powered by an Apple A4 processor but has only 256 MB of RAM (versus 512 MB) and was offered in 8 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB storage capacities. Apple's estimated battery life is 40 hours for music playback and 7 hours for video.

The 4th generation iPod touch was a game-changer, bringing many of the iPhone 4's key features to a dedicated media player. The introduction of the Retina display was a huge leap forward, offering a level of clarity and sharpness that was previously unseen on an iPod. FaceTime video calling, enabled by the front and rear cameras, was a headline feature that made it feel like a device from the future. While the still camera quality was a letdown, the 720p video recording was a welcome addition. The A4 processor provided a significant performance boost, making it a capable gaming device. The App Store support, of course, was the killer feature, transforming it into a pocket-sized computer. The 4th Gen iPod touch was a masterclass in convergence, successfully blending a top-tier music player with a powerful handheld computer, and it set a new standard for what a portable media player could be.