I have a 3rd generation iPod; the kind with 4 buttons over the scroll wheel. It came with a firewire cable. My girlfriend has a shuffle and charges it with an Apple wall charger which has a USB receptacle on it.
My question is this:
Can I purchase ANY cable with a DOCK connector on one side and a USB connector on the other and then use this cable to connect my 3rd generation iPod to the USB wall charger?
I have seen several cable auctions which indicate the USB cables are only compatible with newer generation iPods. I'm not sure why and I'm wondering if the DOCK connector has evolved over the years?
I also have a 3rd generation iPod and have heard that the dock connector is slightly different. Although newer chargers will physically fit into the 3G iPod's connector, it will not charge. I recently replaced the internal battery on mine. Seems like I saw a video on youTube (a how-to video for changing the battery) that mentioned the difference of the 3G iPod.
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