Touch Wheel

• The second generation iPod is sometimes also referred to as the "touch wheel" iPod because it was the first model to introduce a touch-sensitive wheel, as opposed to the mechanical wheel of the first generation. While the 1G iPod's wheel physically moved as the user dragged her finger around the circle, the 2G's wheel was virtual. The user would move her finger around the wheel while gently pressing down, and the device would translate that movement into scrolling up or down. This is the design that every subsequent iPod classic has used.
  
  

Docking

• The first and second generations are sometimes referred to as the "FireWire" generations because they used a FireWire port to connect the device to the computer. Later generations use Apple's special docking port on the iPod and a USB port to connect to the computer. The second generation iPod provided a cover for the FireWire port to prevent dust from entering the device. The headphone jack and the hold switch sat next to the FireWire port on top of the 2G iPod.
  
  

Technical Specifications

• Putting the second and first generation iPods side by side, you might be hard pressed to tell the difference between them. The color and exterior design were practically identical, expect for the scroll wheel and the hold button. As with the other first four generations, the second generation iPod offered a 2-inch monochrome LCD screen with 160 by 128 pixel resolution, and it used a lithium polymer battery. Like the first generation, it operated on the 1.5 iOS system, but it provided a little more storage, with either 10 or 20 gigabytes of space as opposed to 5 or 10 GB.
  
  

Extras

• When you opened the box of a second generation iPod, you would find a protective draw-string bag, a wired remote, a FireWire 400 cable and a FireWire power adapter. In addition, you received Apple's unique white earbud headphones and a CD to install the drivers and firmware that you needed to set up your iPod and sync it with your computer. The second generation introduced software that allowed Windows owners to use the iPod as well as Mac users. It was also at this time that Apple introduced limited edition cases with celebrity names or logos engraved on the back for an added fee.