iPod Touch 3rd gen. Model MC086LL/A is really 2nd gen.

I think the main point of contention to me is that 4.2.1 is very buggy on this iPod. So the fact that we're stuck on it, with no supported way to downgrade or upgrade, really really stinks.

Yes, it seems to be a common problem. When the 32 and 64 GB 3G iPod were released, Apple (and others) continued to sell the 8 GB 2G ipods with the updated iOS. I am not aware that Apple every said it was a 3G iPod since there identification site only lists the 32 and 64 GB models as 3G iPods. See.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1353

Walmart certainly claimed it was the "newest model" iPod. I've already contacted them about how they suggest resolving this fraud.

Walmart certainly claimed it was the "newest model" iPod

It WAS the "newest model" 8GB iPod touch at that time. (... but the 32GB and 64GB models were newer.)


You just didn't do your homework before buying.

Same thing happened with me just at target! C'on apple! I am mad about this! I spcificly waited for the third generation! I knew there would be problems on 2G. That's why I waited! But I was no IDevice nerd then so I had no idea they where selling me a 2G iPod when they said it was a 3G iPod! I want a refund for my money! Now does anybody know of a law that you can get your money back for being sold something different then what they said?

Here is what Apple had to say about the new iPod touch lineup in Sept 2009 http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2009/09/09touch.html

For completeness, here is what Apple had to say about the new iPod touch lineup in Sept 2008 http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2008/09/09touch.html


Note the price of the 8GB touch was reduced from $229 in 2008 to $199 in 2009. The 2009 8GB touch also comes with newer software installed.

What software? And did it have the features like a mic on it like the prevoius iPod touch?

The "2G" touches did not have a mic but could use an external mic in the earphone cord. That was the same as the Sept 2009 8GB touch.


Like I said a price decrease and an iOS update were the only differences.

I had the same problem. When I called Apple to ask what was up, they told me a whole bunch of conflicting stories and basically told me that it was my fault for not looking closely enough.
1. You should not have to look closely or do research because it should be clearly advertised.
2. Most people who I talk to recall seeing and iPod touch 8gb 3rd gen but Apple said that they never made such a thing.
3. I decided to go to an archiving site to see what was up and APPLE'S OWN WEBSITE (since updated) showed no implication that the 8gb was any different compared to it's higher storage cousins.
4. This happened at two stores that are very well known, so that almost completely rules out false advertisement by the stores.

Conclusion: Apple LIED but there's nothing anyone can do. I tried everything, not because i wanted the best version of iPod but because this is morally wrong and should NOT happen. I'm sorry that I can't be of more help.

I am in this situation. In my case, I can't pretend that I had specifically been "waiting" for a third gen. But, the world describes this thing as third generation, so I shouldn't go to itunes and find that 4.3 won't work with it.

Regardless of everything else, Apple should go to the ios 4.3 pages on their website, and in all the places that say "who can run this," they should say "third generation, except for the 'third generation 8GB model' ."

Part of the confusion is that the devices marketed as a 3rd gen IPOD touch had a different back panel. If the IPOD marketed as a 3rd generation IPOD touch was not going to be supported as such then the back plate should not have been changed and marketed as such. I only remember this because I used that information to be sure I was purchasing a newer one. If I had known that it would not have made any difference I could have saved $60 and purchased a 2nd Gen at the time. I expect this to blow up in someones face, not sure who's yet, but it will happen. Additionally there is a different Model # inside the 2nd and 3rd gen 8gb IPOD touch when viewed from the software.

In Apple's defense they did say some features of the IOS updates would not work on the 3rd gen 8gb touch. That started from release. However they did not continue to update us on what was included and not. Until today i did not realize that it did not have multitasking.

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/apple-inc.-ipod-touch-third-gener ation/
http://reviews.cnet.com/mp3-players/apple-ipod-touch-third/4505-6490_7-33770781. html
http://www.holidaycarts.com/ipod-touch-2nd-gen-8gb-rear-panel-back-cover-case_p9 28.html
http://www.everyipod.com/ipod-faq/ipod-nano-mini-shuffle-apple-model-numbers.htm l

Message was edited by: alphaforge

The bottom line is to look on the back of the iPod Touch itself for anyone of these numbers.
These numbers come directly from Apple.

iPod Touch 1st generation - A1213

iPod Touch 2nd generation - A1288

iPod Touch 3rd generation - A1318

iPod Touch 4th generation - A1367

Also see this Apple reference document.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1353#iPodtouchlate2009