# iPod touch and BlueTooth **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 18, 2009, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-touch-and-bluetooth/489943 "2009-03-18T20:53:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2009, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-touch-and-bluetooth/489943/1 "2009-03-18T20:53:08Z")
I was reading earlier that Apple plans to release an upgraded version of their OS for both the iPhone and iTouch platforms (the iTouch one will cost like $10 while it will be a free download for the iPhone). Was wondering if anyone knows…will the iTouch be able to do the stereo BlueTooth functionality they are promising? I seem to recall that the thing HAS a BlueTooth radio inside, but I might be misremembering. They are saying some of these features won’t work with the first generation iPhones, so…anyone know about the iTouch? If it WILL work then $10 will be a small price for me to pay just for that…and this doesn’t even get into MMS messaging and such. -XT ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Economist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c89c15/32.png) [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2009, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-touch-and-bluetooth/489943/2 "2009-03-18T21:00:57Z")
My understanding is that the 2nd gneration iPod touch will support stereo bluetooth with the software update: > **[2G iPod touch to have Bluetooth capability unlocked by iPhone OS 3.0](https://www.engadget.com/2009-03-17-2g-ipod-touch-to-have-bluetooth-capability-unlocked-by-iphone-os.html)** > > Looks like that Bluetooth chip in the iPod touch 2G we've always thought was for Nike+ suddenly got a lot more useful: Apple's Greg Joswiak said that Bluetooth can be "unlocked" on the device during the iPhone OS 3.0 Q&A session. That's two years... ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2009, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-touch-and-bluetooth/489943/3 "2009-03-18T21:06:03Z")
How do you tell which generation you have? I got mine from a friend who bought it used from someone on eBay. -XT ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Economist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c89c15/32.png) [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2009, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-touch-and-bluetooth/489943/4 "2009-03-18T21:15:20Z")
Look at the black plastic antenna cover on the back. If it’s oval-shaped then it’s a 2nd generation. If it’s square and takes up the entire corner then it’s first generation. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Economist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c89c15/32.png) [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2009, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-touch-and-bluetooth/489943/5 "2009-03-18T21:19:03Z")
Actually, the 2g iPod touch has external volume controls–that’s probably the easiest way to tell. ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-touch-and-bluetooth/489943/6 "2009-03-20T06:04:06Z")
So what does this mean all in all? I use the WiFi here and there to check e-mail, but what options do I have with the Bluetooth that are so cool? Googling around has mentioned something about headphones, could I send to any brand bluetooth headphone set? What other fun things might this do? ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-touch-and-bluetooth/489943/7 "2009-03-20T08:14:06Z")
Hurh, I was googling around and it looks like there’s some legal grumbling going about. Can a company sell you an item with some parts of it locked out without telling you then offer you the option to unlock those parts if you write a check? I’m no legal expert by far, but looks like there’s some noise being made.