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In all fairness, not everyone is a thermal-load engineer. I know I'm not. :p

But no - it does not generate enough heat of its own to build up to a dangerous level - even inside a well insulated case. Bear in mind, the iPod was designed to be stuffed into pockets and what not. And there are no hi-power / hi-heat generating components inside it.

You have a greater likelihood of killing it from a nasty drop without a case.
 
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