The MP3 player allows computer users to access (and choose) music and other audio from the web and listen to them virtually anywhere. Apple makes it easier. Simply so easy that the iPod has become a reigning icon for the 21st Century. It's becoming so popular that you see people of all ages listening to an iPod nearly anywhere in the world. Sure, there are many competitors making MP3 players but Apple focuses tightly in making sure that the iPod is smaller, lighter, and easier to use than any other brand. Coupled with Apple iTunes, the iPod has access to one of the largest databases of music and text files that are highest in quality, safe and legal. The new iPod Click Wheel helps make the iPod so simple to use that you'll want to start seeing this control on nearly everything else.

Called the Apple iPod, it is revolutionizing the way people listen to music, audio books, and more. Thin, lightweight, easy and fun to use, the iPod is available for Apple Macintosh and PC Windows operating systems. With huge memory capacity, the iPod is more than a typical player. It's like having a digital jukebox with loads of music - as many as 10,000 songs on the 40GB model. With so much memory, you can even get MP3 audiobooks and carry a complete library in your pocket.

If the iPod merely let you listen to great music and books that would seem enough. It can do more. You can stay organized with contacts, view calendars, create to-do lists, and keep appointments with its built-in alarm clock. Play challenging games while on the go. You can also use the iPod as a portable hard drive that lets you transfer all types of computer files (including photos and animation) from one computer to another.

The new Apple Mini iPod is about 35% smaller and lighter than the iPod. It features 4GB memory for a capacity of about 1,000 songs. It includes Earbud headphones, belt clip, AC adapter, FireWire cable, and USB 2.0 cable. You can choose your Mini iPod in one of 5 colors (silver, gold, blue, pink, green) to represent your own image and personal tastes.

The Internet is chock full of websites that allow you to download compressed files of music and texts directly to your computer. These are called MP3 files and they are available for free or at reasonable cost. Apple makes it even easier with exclusive access to the iTunes music store - a safe website for downloading MP3 music at less than 99-cents a song. Download popular audiobooks starting at $2.95 a title. You can even learn a foreign language with language lesson downloads from iTunes. Unlike other download websites that impose severe restrictions on downloaded material, iTunes offers amazing freedom and flexibility. You can burn songs onto an unlimited number of CDs for your personal use, listen to songs on an unlimited number of iPods and play songs on up to three Macintosh computers or Windows PCs.

With all that music available for my iPod, what happens to the music on all the CDs I already own? You can use iTunes to quickly transfer your favorite songs and albums into your iPod. Just pop a CD into your Mac or PC, and click the Import button. You can import music in a variety of formats (such as MP3 or AAC) and at whatever quality level you'd prefer. You can even choose the new Apple Lossless encoder. Music encoded with that option offers sound quality indistinguishable from the original CDs at about half the file size of the original. And with FireWire and USB 2.0 support, you can transfer the music from an entire CD to iPod in less than a minute (depending on the speed of your computer).

Apple's iPod Mini is available in five colors and has a storage capacity of: 4GB - Has a capacity of holding as many as 1,000 songs

Apple's iPod is available with two storage capacities:

1. 20GB - Has a capacity of holding as many as 5,000 songs;
2. 40GB - Has a capacity of holding as many as 10,000 songs.

Fully portable, the iPod operates on (included) lithium rechargeable batteries. Each iPod comes with Apple's award-winning iTunes MP3 software for Windows and Macintosh. It makes using the iPod as easy as listening to it.

It connects to any computer that has a (6-pin) Firewire IEEE1394 port. This port can be used to transfer MP3 files back and forth. It can also be used to recharge the batteries in your iPod. A full charge provides up to 8 hours of playback time on the iPod Mini and up to 12 hours playback on the iPod. An external charger that connects to an AC outlet (110Volts to 240Volts) is also included.

At about 2 inches by 4 inches, and less than 3/4 inch thin, you can carry the iPod with you anywhere. It won't cramp your active lifestyle either. 32MB of internal memory provides up to 25 minutes of anti-skip protection so you can experience flawless playback whether you're jogging, running, skating, or bungee jumping. Actual measurements on the 20GB iPods are 4.1 by 2.4 by 0.57 inches; 5.6 ounces. 40GB is 4.1 by 2.4 by 0.69 inches; 6.2 ounces. The Mini iPod is a scant 3.6 by 2.0 by 0.5 inches; 3.6 ounces.

A large, backlit, easy-to-read, multifunction LCD screen provides MP3 text messages and other information. It can display that information in your choice of up to 15 different languages. Your iPod also has built-in sleep timer, alarm settings, and can display key contact information. Screen size on the iPod is 2-inches (diagonal) and 1.67-inches on the Mini iPod.

Easy to use and to control, you can program your iPod to play files in virtually any order you prefer. Designed to provide the highest level of digital sound performance, the iPod includes quality stereo bud earphones. If you prefer, you can optionally add your favorite or other headphone. There are a large variety of optional accessories that help make your iPod suitable to your specific lifestyle. Perhaps that's what makes it so popular. The iPod can synch to your unique individuality. IPod models are available for use with Macintosh or Windows PC (Millennium and XP) computer models - desktop or portable.

When it comes to portable audio, the Apple iPod and iTunes set the trends that others follow. In a competitive world filled with wannabes, it's nice to know that the iPod is here for peace, happiness, and serenity.