iPod Music

iPod Music - the ultimate music experience

iPod music has sold models to over 10 million users. With the growth of iPod users, iPod music among the most sought after kind of music through the Internet. During the second quarter conference of its company, Apple, company executives said that it is actively going for the international digital music market.

In the United States alone, Apple's iPod and iPod music has a 78% share in the market, while it is also leading in the United Kingdom with 40%. In Japan, Canada and Australia, iPod music is also popular with market shares of 54%, 45% and 58% respectively. Apple Chief Operating officer Tim Cook said that while the iPod is the top portable audio player in these countries, Apple is also eyeing on improving iPod music sales in other countries like Italy and the rest of Eastern Europe, and Asian countries like China and Korea.

Cook said that Apple is planning to make local advertising and distribution points to help boost the sales of iPod and iPod music in these areas. The Apple executive said that there are now more than 35,000 storefronts in the world that sells iPod and promote iPod music. He said that the company is increasing the capacity of resellers in the United States that will enhance and increase the number of channel partners to distribute iPod and promote iPod music in Latin America and Asia.

More gadgets, accessories for iPod music

iPod music can now be played in Teac's two new offerings. The first one is called SRL-200 that features an integrated iPod dock, digital AM and FM radio tuner with 20 FM station presets, LCD display, and wireless remote. It lets you awaken or fall asleep to iPod music. It sells for $150.

The second offering is called GR-10i. It is a similar clock radio with iPod dock that sports a silver exterior. It also features digital AM and FM radio tuner, LCD display, remote and sleep/alarm functions.

iPod features

iPod can allow you to store up to 15,000 songs and up to 150 hours of video in your pocket size gadget. iPod and its music has surely brought the ultimate music experience both in sight and sound. It is now in thinner and lighter design that is available in white and dramatic black. Its 320x240 pixel QVGA color display allows you to view photos and videos in iPod music and video formats. These are all available in iTunes Music Store by Apple.

You can play more and more iPod music from your iPod with the 60GB and 30GB iPod but without occupying a big space. Incredibly, iPod plays almost countless music and videos yet measures only a half inch thin that can easily pit into your pocket.

There are many gadgets that you can plug into your iPod that does not only play iPod music but videos and slideshows as well on your TV. You can show and share your iPod music and other iPod files. The optional Audio video cable helps you do this and combined with a new Apple remote with an optional iPod Universal Dock, you can easily have control on your iPod music, videos and slideshows from across the room.

You can play iPod music up to 20 hours non stop. The 60GB iPod offers 20 hours of battery life for your music playing. The 30GB can be used for 14 hours non stop. The battery of your iPod can be charged up to 80% of its total capacity in just two hours while a full charge can take four hours all in all.

iPod has become the best travel companion when taking pictures during your vacation. In the absence of memory cards, you can automatically store extra files of pictures in your iPod. The optional iPod Camera Connector helps you do this while playing iPod music. You can connect the cable and transfer the pictures from your digital camera to your iPod. From your iPod, you can view your pictures immediately.

iPod is definitely not exclusive to playing iPod music alone. It has evolved to become best handy player of audio and video files in the world. No wonder that iPod is music lovers' most favored gadget.

Bono of U2 simply says it all, "iPod is the most interesting artistic creation in pop since the electric guitar.

iPod Shuffle

Get Raw With iPod Shuffle

Ever since the release of iPod shuffle, there has been much confusion as to the merits of this ipod series. The original iPod boasted of other features like displaying contacts, calendars, and notes; the ability to play games and to record voice notes through an external microphone and store pictures with the use of a media card reader. All of these were able to capture the high and middle end users of portable audio players. But when you close closely at the iPod shuffle, you’ll see that it was created for the lower end market.

The iPod shuffle is Apple’s smallest, easiest and most affordable audio player of the ipod series. Having storage capacities of 512 MB and 1 GB, it is not only remarkable for it’s size, price and design. It is also unique from the rest of the ipod family because of its lacking LCD display. It is this quality that makes consumers think twice before buying an iPod shuffle.

Unbelievable as this may seem, there are those who find the iPod shuffle fitting right in their lifestyle. There are those who prefer to keep low about their players and just concentrate on their music. Those consumers are the primary targets of the iPod shuffle. So despite the sacrifice in display, it is also one advantage for the device.

Stripped down of its accessories and naked on its functions, the iPod shuffle is nothing more than a simple music player. How bare is it? Aside form the lack of LCD display; iPod shuffle only has three simple toggle switches on the back for the power switch, continuous play and shuffle mode. The green stripe below the switch helps the user see what position its switch is on.

Apple’s iPod shuffle communicates with the user through two LEDs under the plastic housing out front of the player. If you don’t know what that blinking yellow light is, Apple has included an iPod shuffle “cheat card” that translate what the different blinks and LEDs mean.

Some of the blinks are fairly easy to understand. The iPod shuffle shows a steady green LED when it is fully charged. But there are times when some lights are better without it on the iPod shuffle. For example, the only way to know if the unit is activated is to plug it in. Unless you’re sure to turn the iPod shuffle off when not using it, you’ll soon be surprised to know that the battery is drained after being accidentally activated as pressure is applied through a pocket, purse, or backpack. There are dangers to over charged batteries too.

Now it’s not an iPod without the kind of click-wheel controller, and the iPod shuffle gives that to ipod fans as well. Because navigation is impossible with iPod shuffle, there’s no spinning wheel controller or even a Menu button. In its place is a device that includes a round controller, which offers a Play/Pause button in the middle and the four-way click ring on the outside for volume control, Fast Forward/Next, and Rewind/Back.

For the iPod shuffle to communicate with your computer, there is a USB connector on the tip of the iPod shuffle. This can also link to an optional third-party power supply. Having the connector built in the iPod shuffle has its pros and cons. It is convenient because you don’t need to bring along a cable to download music on your computer and move it to your iPod shuffle. But at the same time, you must charge the unit with your computer.

Another problem is the size of the iPod shuffle. Since it is bigger than the usual key drives, it won’t fit some computers like the Apple iMacs. In come the accessories especially made to resolve the iPod shuffle’s limitations: the iPod USB Power Adapter, the External Battery Pack and the iPod shuffle Dock. Another great feature is the ability to specify amounts of storage space on the device for music and data.

The iPod shuffle is as good as any of the iPod models. The petite size, it’s about a pack of gum, gives the user a chance to hide it under the shirt while walking along the streets. The weight of it though is less appealing. Not to mention that the lanyard for the iPod looks inadequate to support the weight of the unit.

iPod Nano

Great Accessories for Your iPod Nano

One of the latest ipod innovations is the ipod nano. Though it is a little more expensive than you can imagine, lots still grab ipod nanos off the racks. Now, you think, what makes the ipod nano click so much?

What Accessories Do You Need For Your iPod Nano?

Ipod nano accessories give the ipod nano a unique look. Ipod nano accessories aren’t all about looking good. Most of these accessories help in the ipod nano’s portability and also in the convenience of its use.

It comes with a leather case that is handcrafted from Italian leather. Touching it makes your fingers feel ticklish because of its extremely soft and very durable lining that makes up for its nice, fine, rich look. This ipod nano accessory secures your ipod nano like a baby snuggling in its crib. It has a ribbon case design, wherein you just have to pull at the ends of the ribbon and, voila! You’re ipod nano is in plain sight for you to manage and use again.

In-ear Lanyard earphones also accessorize the ipod nano. This accessory turns your ipod nano into a wearable music player. Not only that, but these earphones are also very artistic, a stunning piece of art indeed. These ipod nano accessories are unlike any other type of earphones, for these increase the clarity and the bass response of the song you are listening to.

Most earphones look unmanageable because of the cluttered look they portray, which is not offered by this ipod nano accessory. In-ear Lanyard earphones give an uncluttered look due to the fact that the audio cable is integrated with the Lanyard itself.

You do not have to worry about using your ipod nano while busy with something else. The armband is another ipod nano accessory that gives you easy access to the Click Wheel and also to the other controls an ipod nano has. This ipod nano accessory can also be used for fashion for it has a variety of hues and shades that you can choose from.

If you want a character of a hopeless romantic, the pink armband is perfect for you; if you’re the nature person, either that or you’re a hippie, then the color green is the armband color usually recommended for people of your genre; the shades of red depict confidence and determination, the color usually bought by a dominatrix; and other colors like blue and gray, etc.

The ipod nano dock is an ipod nano accessory that makes your residence, not only a home for you, but also for your ipod nano. This accessory makes a convenient home base for chargine and syncing. With this ipod nano accessory, you can also connect your ipod nano to an audio system, to share the good music, your ipod nano plays, with everyone else.

Together, with the aforementioned ipod ano accessories, is the USB power adapter. With this adapter, you can charge your ipod nano when it is not connected to a computer. To do so, you need to have with you your dock connector and USB cable.

Ipod nanos do not just play what you have downloaded. You can also enjoy the good music of FM radio on your ipod nano. With the radio remote, yo can control everything you need to control to set your FM radio. This ipod nano accessory also makes things a lot easier for you because the remote is conveniently wired. With this package comes a shorter cable that seems to fit the remote with perfection.

The tubes fit the ipod nano like a glove and gives you a full Click Wheel control form the outside. This ipod nano accessory clothes your ipod nano, yet it doesn’t decrease your ipod nano’s manageability. The tubes are also colorful; a set of the colors clear, blue, purple, green and pink.

The last ipod nano accessory that completes the package is the AV connector kit. This kit is inclusive of everything that you need to connect your ipod nano to your home stereo. With this ipod nano accessory, you can enjoy your music library right in your home. You can share your favorite trackes with your family and friends this way too.

“Accessories” may sound like all they do is accessorize. Well, they do, but that’s not the whole story. They also make things easier or more manageable for you. That is exactly what ipod nano accessories do.

iPod Movies

Now Showing On Your iPod: Movies

The fifth generation ipod created the buzz since its release. Many users have enjoyed television shows, movies and music videos played on their beloved iPod video. Hundreds of software has circulated the market to rip DVD and so users can upload their favorite movies, tv shows, music video, games and other multimedia clips. iPod movies are now the latest trend among iPod fanatics.

How do you add a movie to become a part of your iPod movies? The first step is to choose what movie you want to put in your iPod movies. You can opt to download movies straight from the Internet but that might cost a bit more, around $2 USD for a movie. It is highly recommended that users download their iPod movies through the Apple iTunes Music Store. For one thing, it is not so easy to convert DVD into iPod movies because of the possibility of incompatibility with the software. Secondly, you can be sure of the quality of your iPod movies.

If you still want to rip an existing DVD movie on to your iPod video, start by downloading software available on the web but be careful! Choose only those that support the iPod video format. Look for features that are easy to use and fast,brief interface and design. Make sure that all encoders/codecs are built-in.

The iPod video converter should be able to integrate with all video/audio encoders/codecs. It should also support a preview function so you can be sure that the iPod movies turn out well. Examples of these are PQ DVD to iPod Video Converter, Handbrake or ImTOO iPod Movie Converter v2.1. Each of these software converts all of the popular video formats to iPod Movies MP4 (iPod video format MPEG-4) and they also convert audio files to iPod supported MP3, AAC, M4A file format. The conversion process happens automatically so all you have to do is set what format you want the movie converted then set the volume and the directory to save it in. Presto! You now have an addition to your iPod movies.

But as legal issues over piracy and copyright laws are beginning to be strict, many are concerned about the future of iPod movies. Will the users be made liable for home videos or ripped DVDs downloaded on their iPod movies’ play list? The economics of iPod video distribution are very different and is dominated by the Hollywood moguls, including licensing and windowing agreements. Not to mention the progress of theatre shows to other markets like rental shops, pay TV, retail stores, free-to-air and now to iPod movies.

And what about porn? The advent of 3G technology on mobile phones has also opened the gates of thrash content when sex videos started to circulate. Will the iPod movies follow suit? Will there be a regulation in the near future of what we can or can’t download to our iPod movies? It is not too hard to see the iPod movies being used for such frivolity. After all, we are free to put whatever content we want on our iPods.

Aside from the iPod movies, the TV shows that can be played on the iPod video are endless. Right now, Desperate Housewives rule the iPod video landscape. Another great ipod feature is the video pod cast, users don’t just watch pod casts but they can also create their own. Eventually home movies will be added as users explore the iPod movies and its limits.

To fully enjoy your iPod movies, there are accessories available for your iPod video. With its TV OUT and wide screen option, you can share you iPod movies with friends inside your living room. The video quality will somewhat depend on the file compression but over-all the resolution is a great. External speakers are also available for you to fully appreciate the audio sounds of the iPod movies you are watching. Add the optional audio cable so you can play music from iPod to your home stereo or use the S-video cable play VJ on your TV. You can also perform the same big-screen feat with iPod photo slideshows and iPod movies.

The Apple iPod Mini

Owners of the original Apple iPod clamors for more from the makers of the iPod music experience.  
The latest ipod player available in the market comes in a smaller and leaner frame, and is marketed in a rainbow of colors. This is the Apple iPod mini. 

The Apple iPod mini has a platform of MAC or Windows OS. Some original Apple iPod users have already seen the Apple iPod mini with a new four gigabytes harddrive space for a US$ 249 price tag. It is not a secret that an additional of US$ 50 will get you a fifteen gigabytes iPod that would store somewhere around 2,700 more music files. That is a lot more than the Apple ipod mini.

This is because harddrive space is so much important for Apple iPod users, the original Apple iPod have so much space available to the user of about forty gigabytes. This amount of space can store more than five thousand songs. Aside from this, the original Apple iPod also has a longer battery life.

However, criticizers should consider the frame of the Apple iPod mini. It is slender and is more styled, that which made it seem more functional and more attractive to the eyes and has a more ergonomic feel to the fingers. To most people, it would not be the ideal music player, but to the 99,000 or so Apple iPod mini users, they beg to disagree.

The Too Sexy Apple iPod Mini 

The Apple iPod mini is compared to a US$ 1,200 purse from Chanel. This is because the US$ 249 Apple iPod mini, with its variety of five colors, brings out class and posh.

It has an anodized body made of aluminum and weighs about 3.6 ounces. It measures about 2 inches in width, 3.6 inches in height, and only about half an inch in thickness. It does not look like it at first glance, but the Apple ipod mini is almost like a featherweight than the original Apple iPod.

It is also silky to the touch and smooth. It also fits wonderfully in your palm. This is the reason for the premium price tag.

The Apple iPod mini also has no external moving parts. You will notice that underneath the smaller 1.67-inch LCD screen lie the light touch-sensitive and highly ergonomic Click Wheel. This Click Wheel is the one which incorporates the Apple iPod mini's other controls. The control's buttons are located on the pad itself. This is much different than the original Apple iPod's four function buttons that is located above the scroll pad.

Anyone who is familiar with the software for the iPod knows about the seamless integration of iPod with iTunes. In no time, you would be cruising with the tunes.

The Apple iPod mini behaves just like exactly as other newer generation Apple iPods. It now even packs a battery life of 8 hours. The original Apple iPods have a longer battery life.

Besides the smaller physical dimensions and the new warm minimalist choices of color, which can be gold, silver, pink, green and blue. A major difference observed between the original Apple iPod and the Apple iPod mini is the harddrive space capacity.

The Apple iPod mini has a tiny Hitachi harddrive that can hold about four gigabytes of music. Music files include AAC, Audible, MP3, WAV and AIFF. This is enough storage for a number of Apple iPod mini users.

Apple iPod users usually prefer to carry an entire library of music any time of the day. Rather than manually selecting and transferring specific songs to the Apple iPod mini. The Apple iPod mini can only hold as much as a fraction of the forty gigabytes music collection.

The Apple iPod mini also has accessories that include the earbuds, a USB 2.0 cable and a FireWire dock connector, an AC adaptor, a belt clip, and the Apple iPod mini software.

The Apple iPod mini could have been more lenient by adding a dock or armband to teh package.

The US$ 29 armband is a great help for joggers who want to listen to good music while jogging and carrying the very lightweight and effectively skip-free Apple iPod mini.

Conclusion

To summarize, the Apple iPod mini has a sleek styling, it is a small size and has an excellent integrated Click wheel. It has a possible disadvantage to the user, though, that is the price per megabyte which is much higher as compared to the original Apple iPod.

Apple iPods on Parade

At the time when everything is going digital and the technological world had been bombarded with digital this and digital that -- digital camera, digital camcorder, handhelds, digital celfone, laptops -- Apple Computers saw nothing much digital in audio technology, except maybe for the compact disc players. In 2000, Apple had decided to tap this unchartered market, with Jon Rubenstein as the Chief Engineer of the iPod project. A year after, released the first generation of Apple iPods.

GENERATIONS OF APPLE iPODS

Currently, Apply iPods come in three iPod names. Technical specifications of  these Apple Ipods differ either in storage capacities or in exterior design, weight, and size. As of February 7, 2006, the Apple iPods are classified into the following:

- iPod (Original) (Capacity: 30 GB and 60 GB)
- iPod Nano (Capacity: 1GB, 2GB, and 4 GB)
- iPod Shuffle (Capacity: 512 MB and 1GB)

Two years ago, in 2004, Apple released Ipod Mini (4 GB and 6 GB in various pastel colors). iPod Mini's marketing was discontinued in September 2005 and was replaced by iPod Nano, which was 62% thinner and has a color screen.

Since Apple iPod's release in 2001, Apple has sold 42 million units. Which is why Apple iPods has been constantly re-engineered to cater the growing demands for faster, sleeker, and feature-packed Apple iPods.

Apple iPods have evolved from monochrome (black and white) screen, the first generation, to its color screen with video player, the fifth generation of Apple iPods.

APPLE iPODS ON PARADE

1. Apple iPods (Original)
 1.1. First Generation of Apple iPods

Criticized for being costly for an initial release, the $399 First Generation Apple iPods were, nonetheless, instant hit. Apple iPods, after the October 29, 2001 release, dominated the digital audio player market, quickly overtaking sales of MP3 players (such as JukeBox and the NOMAD).

The first generation of Apple iPods was designed with a mechanical scroll wheel that was divided  in four buttons that worked as Menu, Play or Pause, Back, and Forward. Apple iPods' scroll wheel has become a prominent design and feature of Apple iPods.

  1.2 Second Generation of Apple iPods

This was the first generation of an iPod that was compatible with Microsoft Windows OS. Although it also had the prominent scroll wheel feature,  the mechanical wheel of first generation was replaced by a touch-sensitive wheel, now know as teh "touch wheel."

  1.3 Third Generation of Apple iPods

The "ultrathin" Apple iPods were shown to the public on April 28, 2003. Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced these slightly smaller, and with beveled edges iPod series to the public as the third generation line of Apple iPods.

Aside from being ultrathin, this was the first set of Apple iPods that had a built-in Hi-Speen USB connectivity.

  1.4 Fourth Generation of Apple iPods

If third generation Apple iPods were called ultrathin, I don't know what to call the fourth generation of Apple iPods which are slimmer than the ultrathin line. The sleek and trendy design had skyrocketed Apple's sales, and made the name iPod synonymous with digital audio player.

This generation of iPod was introduced with the monochrome screen; but after a few months, only, it was marketed with a color screen and thus named: iPod photos.

  1.5 Fifth Generation of Apple iPods

Apple launched in October 12, 2005 the fifth generation and was quickly known to the public as video iPod or iPod video, although Apple refer to it as the Fifth Generation iPod

2. iPod Nano

2.1. iPod Mini

Digital player manufacturers such as Creative and Digital Networks released digital audio players smaller than that of iPods sometime in 2003. Their Zen Micro and Rico Carbon products were starting to attract a number of supporters and this had prompted Apple to create their own line of small iPods; thus, the birth of iPod Mini. The 4 to 6 GB storage of iPod mini was made possible by using Microdrive hard drives.

2.2. iPod Nano

On September 7, 2005 Apple announced that marketing of iPod minis would be discontinued to be replaced by a thinner and color screen iPod, which Apple named as "iPod Nano."

3. iPod Shuffle

Apple iPods were known for using Microdrive hard drives. Although most of iPod's competitors were already using flash memory for their digital audio player, Apple didn't jumped the flash bandwagon immediately. Apple waited until 2005 to release an iPod using flash memory instead of Microdrive, and named it "iPod Shuffle."

Keeping up with the taglines, "Give chance a chance" and "Life is a random," iPod shuffle plays music in random order although users can still play songs in order that has been set in iTunes.

iPod Shuffle has no screen. Its size is as small as a pack of chewing gum, and weighs less than an ounce.