Fifth generation iPod takes shape

The Fifth generation iPod, according to the legally-embroiled chaps at ThinkSecret, is well underway.

Thought to be sporting a silver aluminium case to match the range of PowerBooks and PowerMacs the company sells, the device will likely sport Toshiba's latest 80GB, they say. The same report also details the new iPod Mini, which will get a bump to 5GB and some new colour schemes in early February.

Meanwhile, Mac Rumors, with its dodgy American spelling, is suggesting that new PowerBooks are on the way. Stock on Apple's online ordering page is out, and shortages are being reported by resellers worldwide - usually a sure sign that Apple is emptying the channel for new products.

A new seed of the latest OSX release, Tiger, has gone out to developers, according to MacOSXRumors. The changes in this release include improvements to SMB file handling, some added stability to the Spotlight search tool as well as a new version of iCal.

Lastly, but perhaps most interestingly, an online publication that we've never seen before called Electronic Design has got a fascinating analysis of Apple's engineering on the original iPods. The article chronicles the evolution of the music player all the way from the original 5GB, mechanical-scroll device through to the touch-wheel thin-and-light machine we have today.

The authors have taken apart the players and analysed the circuitry and the chips used to provide a complete picture of the technical evolution of the player. If you have even a passing interest in how your favourite gadgets are made, this is a must-read. µ