Home > Product Guides > Apple > iPods

If you could choose one technological breakthrough that has already defined the 21st Century, it might be the Digital Music Device. It's commonly referred as an MP3 Player though it records and stores music (and other audio) on digital memory for playback. Among MP3 players, the shining star is the iPod by Apple Computer. It's almost a Cinderella-like rags to riches story. At the end of the 20th Century, Apple Computers was down as the more popular Windows PC trampled sales of their computers. Digital Music Devices were becoming popular among computer enthusiasts and music was freely downloaded off Internet sites. Those music files were called MP3. Music publishers were getting angry that these downloaded music files were compromising legitimate sales of their CD's and were seeking legislative involvement to restrict Internet music file downloads. In addition, some of those MP3 files came from illegitimate sources that injected viruses that could harm computer equipment.

Known for unique and ergonomic design, the innovative geniuses at Apple developed the iPod. Smaller and lighter than most MP3 players, the iPod stored a huge amount of music files. A unique, flat, circular control called a Click Wheel handles virtually all of the functions for absolute ease of use. Primarily designed for Apple computer users, the birth of the iPod already looked promising.

Along with the iPod's introduction, Apple developed iTunes Music Store - an Internet music download service - that allowed a user to access music files at a price of 99 cents a song.

Apple's iTunes was a groundbreaking achievement for several reasons:

• Amazingly simple to use - optimized for the iPod
• Music publishers received royalties for their music properties
• Files are monitored for virus-free integrity to help assure equipment reliability.

Part of this is due to Apple's unique file system, AAC (advanced audio coding), that compresses more efficiently and offers advanced capabilities over MP3 files. The iPod is also compatible with MP3 file storage plus MP3 VBR, Audible, AIFF, and WAV audio files. The iPod photo model, because it can display digital photo files, also accepts JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, PSD, and PNG image formats.

Access to iTunes requires software (included with iPod) and Internet access. A fast broadband Internet connection is advisable over dial-up because downloading is much faster. You can also use iTunes software to quickly compress CDs in your collection into AAC files for your iPod (this doesn't require Internet access).

Together, the iPod and iTunes were already re-inventing the concept and use of the MP3 player and extending it to the realm beyond the computer enthusiast. By 2003, with iPod models designed for use with Apple computers and Windows PC models, both iPod and iTunes were leaders in the industry. By the end of 2004, iPod sales beat competition by about 6 to 1, in the United States, and about 4 to 1, in Europe. The iPod had also diversified by offering models that covered a wider price range for more affordable access. Apple introduced iPod Mini, even smaller than the iPod, in different colors to appeal to different styles and tastes and the iPod photo that, sized like the standard iPod, also allows display of your favorite digital photos on a color screen.

All iPods connect to both Windows PC and Macintosh computers using a USB 2.0 or Firewire-400 connect cable. This is a special proprietary connect cable that links through the iPod's dock connector port. Reducing the number of connection ports helps keep all iPod models small, lightweight, and easy to carry.

With the exception of the iPod Shuffle, all iPod models store files on a built-in, compact hard drive. The Shuffle uses solid-state, flash memory.

As new iPod models are introduced, Apple enjoys astounding profits and growth while the competition clamors to hold-on to a small slice of the market. The iPod's popularity fuels all sorts of accessories by many manufacturers to help augment the iPod lifestyle. Though competitors may introduce new MP3 player models that imitate or offer some more features, at its core, the iPod reigns supreme - a happy ending that continues to evolve.

At about 3.6 ounces, the iPod mini is 2 ounces lighter than the classic iPod. It's available in 2 models. One holds 4GB (a GB is a billion bits of memory), which, typically, translates to about 1,000-song storage. The other has a 6GB capacity and holds up to 1500 songs. Both have a size of only 3.6 inches by 2.0 inches x ½ inch that fit comfortably in virtually any pocket. Computer connectivity via USB 2.0 or FireWire 400 is fully integrated. Each comes with iTunes software for both Windows and Apple Macintosh, and includes Earbud headphones, a USB 2.0 connect cable, and a belt clip. There's also a selectable alarm and sleep timer feature available on each unit.

Every iPod Mini has a multifunction 1.67-inch (diagonal) backlit, grayscale LCD screen, slight smaller than the 2-inch screen on the iPod classic. The menu can be displayed in 10 different languages. Song, Artist, and Album information can be displayed in over 25 languages,

Each has a chic, matte anodized aluminum case that is both stain and scratch resistant. Pick the iPod Mini that best suits your personality, lifestyle, and taste because they're available in your choice of 4 colors - silver, blue, pink, and green.

Each includes a built-in rechargeable battery that provides up to 18 hours of use on a full charge. Charging can be done in 4 hours or less using USB or Firewire connection or an optional AC power adapter.

If you enjoy being active while listening, the iPod Mini offers up to 25 minutes of skip protection for smooth play.

Each model offers electronic documentation and a getting started guide.

This is the latest generation of what is referred, somewhat lovingly, as the iPod Classic - the archetype - that started it all. It's 2 ounces heavier than the iPod Mini but, at 5.6 ounces, is still very light. It's just a little larger than the iPod Mini at 4.1 inches by 2.4 inches by 0.57 inch. The massive difference is its storage capacity, 20GB, which can typically hold up to 5,000 songs. It has built-in alarm clock and sleep timer selectable modes and offers the dynamic hi-if sound those owners of iPod love. The iPod includes Earbud headphones, an AC adapter, Firewire cable, and USB 2.0 cable. In addition, it includes iTunes software for Windows and Macintosh.

The iPod, essentially, comes two ways. One is in traditional iPod White. The other, a special edition, is available in Black and comes with a U2 recording built-in. It has a multifunction, 2-inch (diagonal), grayscale LCD screen with LED backlight. In addition, there's an iPod photo, which though similar in size and weight, has different memory capacities and can display photos on a color screen. The iPod photo will be discussed later.

The iPod has a built-in rechargeable battery delivering up to 12 hours of playback per full charge. It takes up to 4 hours to recharge the battery. You can charge it by using a (6-pin) Firewire connection, a USB 2.0 connection, or AC adapter.

The screen's menu can be customized to display in English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Danish, Norwegian, Finnish, Swedish, Korean, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese. Song, Artist and Album Information, where applicable, can display in Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovenian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Swedish, Traditional Chinese, Turkish and Ukrainian. Universal iPod click wheel makes this iPod amazingly easy to control. The iPod comes with electronic documentation and a Getting Started guide.

The iPod Photo is like a classic iPod but it can also display digital photos that you either took with your digital camera or downloaded off the Internet or e-mail. To help make image display really beautiful, it offers a 2-inch backlit LCD screen that can display in up to 65,536 colors. Two models are available. One offers 30GB memory for up to 7500 song storage. The other offers 60GB memory that can hold up to 15,000 songs. Like its famous siblings, iPod photo features the touch-sensitive Apple Click Wheel that helps make the iPod the easiest to control and use. It's packed with iTunes software for Macintosh and Windows, and includes Earbud headphones, an AC adapter, and USB 2.0 cable. There's a slight difference in size and weight. The 30GB version weighs 5.9 ounces and measures 4.1 inches by 2.4 inches by 0.63 inch. The 60GB version weighs 6.4 ounces measures 4.1 inches by 2.4 inches by 0.75 inch. Both are still smaller and lighter than virtually any competitive models. Each iPod photo has a dock connector port (dock is optional), remote connector port (remote is optional), and stereo headphone jack. Composite audio and video connectivity is available through the use of the headphone jack. Both are Classic-iPod White.

Fully charged, with its built-in rechargeable battery, the iPod photo offers a little more power than the classic iPod. It lets you enjoy up to 15 hours of continuous music; or up to 5 hours of continuous slideshows with music. Use the included USB 2.0, optional FireWire cable or AC adapter to fully recharge battery in up to 5 hours.

Adding an optional A/V cable lets you connect your iPod photo to a TV or projector to share photos with friends and family, with customizable slide-show settings for image presentation. This feature is both NTSC and PAL compatible. The main difference between NTSC and PAL is that NTSC delivers 525 lines of resolution at 60 half-frames per second, whereas PAL delivers 625 lines at 50 half-frames per second. NTSC is used in the United States and Canada. PAL is used in most of the rest of the world. Based on where the iPod was sold, the default TV standard will be automatically set for that particular country. A simple click-wheel operation lets you switch to the other standard.

The iPod photo, like its siblings, has been designed for worldwide use. Menu Languages are selectable in Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Swedish and Traditional Chinese. Additional language support for display of song, album and artist information: Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Greek, Hungarian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovenian, Turkish and Ukrainian.

At less than 1 ounce, measuring 3.3 inches by 0.98 inches by 0.33 inches, the iPod shuffle is so light and tiny. You can take it anywhere! It's so tiny you can wear it like a pendant (a lanyard necklace is included). Unlike its siblings, the shuffle is not a hard drive. It uses digital flash memory that accounts for its extremely light weight and small size. Flash memory is stored in a microchip that is, essentially, set for non-volatile storage. Memory is held firm unless you choose to delete or change it. The iPod shuffle is available in two models that vary only by memory capacity. One model holds up to 512MB (up to 120 songs) while the other model holds up to 1GB (up to 240 songs). A built-in rechargeable battery provides about 12 hours play per full charge. Like all iPods, the shuffle includes iTunes software for Windows or Macintosh and Earbud headphones. It also includes electronic documentation and a getting started guide.

It has a built-in USB 2.0 connector that connects to a PC or Macintosh computer for convenient download and upload of music or data content. The USB port also doubles as a battery charger that can fully charge the battery in about 4 hours. The control is modeled after the acclaimed iPod clickwheel for swift, easy, control. There are no menus to read and, subsequently, no LCD screen. You can run, jog, skate, or shuffle with your shuffle because it offers integrated skip-free playback.

The shuffle helps make iPod affordable for any price range or need.

The iPod comes with single incident telephone support for the first 90 days and a one-year limited warranty. Purchase the Apple AppleCare Warranty or a RepairMaster warranty extension for further support.

There's an Apple iPod to meet all tastes and budgets. It is designed for convenience and easy use. All require a Windows PC or an Apple Macintosh computer with Internet access, preferably broadband, for fast music downloads from iTunes. Though there are other MP3 players available, the Apple iPod remains the most popular brand. If you're seeking a marvelously designed Digital Music Device that offers ergonomic, friendly use, virtually anywhere and anytime, the iPod should be on top of your list.