Ipod Shuffle As The Proud Possession Of Music Enthusiasts.

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It is said that creation follows recreation and vice versa. Entertainment is really an indispensable means of relaxing and refreshing yourself especially after a hectic schedule. There are numerous ways of unwinding yourself. However, music has always been and will always remain the prime source of entertainment for most of the people in the world.

With the advancement in technologies around the world, new kind of gadgets are being manufactured to cater to the needs of the millions of music-lovers thereby, tapping the potentiality of this growing music industry. This process has brought a revolution in the electronic-gadget industry as we have been witnessing a phenomenal rise in the sales of different music-related gadgets across the globe.

Among all types of music-related electronic gizmos, iPod Shuffles have become a roaring success ever since they were invented. iPod Shuffles are regarded as the most easy, convenient and comfortable means of listening to your favorite music on the move all the time. iPod Shuffles are actually an advanced and improved versions of MP3 players and they offer a number of additional features that enhance the quality of sound providing a whole new meaning to the concept of music-listening. It is no wonder then why iPod stands as the best selling MP3/MP4 players in the world market today. Its success can be largely attributed to its sleek design, unique user-interface, elegant look, and superlative sound quality.

The concept of iPod came into being in October 23, 2001 when Apple Corporation first released its iPod Shuffle. At present, we are on the 5th generation of iPod. This high-end MP4 player boasts of 60 to 80 GB memory storage, video capability and a host of other attractive features that can potentially entice millions of music enthusiasts, gizmo geeks and techno junkies around the world. So, if you are one of those die-hard music lovers and have been pondering over buying yourself an iPod Shuffle, be aware of its pro and cons. The following are a few very useful facts that you should know about iPods before you settle for one. Take a peek:

Internal Memory:
Internal Memory of an iPod can vary from 512MB to 80 GB depending upon the size as well as price factor. The latest edition of iPod Shuffle from Apple comes in two different versions, one with 512MB that offers storage of about 120 songs and, the other with 1GB allowing the users to store up to 240 songs. iPods having higher storage facility will cost you more. So, choose the one according to your need.

Battery Life:
It is extremely important to check the battery life of the iPods while buying one. Usually, most iPods come with a built-in rechargeable battery. However, you should ensure that the iPod Shuffle you are buying has an AC/DV adaptor for quick battery charge. The current edition from Apple includes a 12-hour rechargeable battery.

Size:
iPods can be found in a wide-range of sizes. When it comes to the size of an iPod, more often than not, it depends on the features of a particular player. For instance, iPods featuring large screen, video capability, and hard drive facility can be big in size. As a result, they cost more. Be specific about your need; know what you want from an MP3 player, and then pick the one that suits you the best.

USB:
Universal Serial Bus or USB is a standard feature of all iPods. This helps you plug and connect the player to your PC enabling you to drag and drop music files from your PC into your iPod. The latest model of iPod supports USB 2.0 transfer.

Audio Format:
Make it a point to check whether the iPod you are buying supports some specific audio formats. Typically, all iPods, MP3 and MP4 players invariably support MP3 format. However, some players do not support all audio formats. For Instance, you may not be able to listen to a downloaded track just because your player does not support that particular music file which is in WMA format. Check the player`s specifications before buying it and make sure that your iPod supports most standard audio formats.

Additional Features:
Most MP3 players, MP4 players and iPod Shuffles are now available with a host of additional features like FM tuner and audio recording facility. Some players might cost you more just because they include these additional features. There is no point in paying more if these features are not of much interest to you. So, just look before you leap!!!

Car iPod.

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I hope that the following article will help you to better understand this topic.

One of the times when you value your iPod the most is when you need to travel extensively, whether it’s by air, land or sea, and you find that you have a great deal of time on your hands. And when this travel comprises travel by car having your own personal car iPod accessory kit can help you tremendously.

When you talk about a car iPod accessory kit however, there are dissimilar ways to look at it, and unlike types for you to get. These can encompass anything from complete car iPod accessory kits to one or two necessary items to an iPod FM transmitter.

With the latter, and iPod FM transmitter, most people find that they have all the utilities of a complete car iPod accessory kit, without the large cost tag. And since the FM transmitters come in the wireless diversity as well, all that you will really need to take along with you would be your iPod and your FM transmitter.

On the other hand if you want better calibersound than is usable through these FM transmitters and if you can afford the cost mark that goes along with it, a car iPod accessory kit is probably just the thing for you.

Relatively speaking the FM transmitter can deliver good sound, but when push comes to shove you will find when you enter or pass through the larger cities and towns, that the airwaves are so packed full of FM transmissions that your clear sounding songs of a few minutes and miles ago, are not necessarily clear.

If you’re worried about battery time, don’t be. Most of the car iPod accessory kits which are on the market these days include an iPod charger in the kit as well. The problem with having a car iPod accessory kit however, is the fact that you will need to keep all the pieces in one place and together so as not to lose something important to the entire kit...please continue on a site that is all about this topic and other related information for your interest...

Three iPhone Ads & June 29th Release.

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Apple just released three of their iPhone teaser ads which include a few more snippets of information as well as the big one that it will be released Friday, June 29th.

news but there were a few other tidbits that the eagle-eyed viewer could pick up.
• Will require a new 2 year AT&T contract
• Still no shots of other applications previously not demoed
• Google Map lookup will include nice address book interface and URL
• Email will have detail view and button

Apple iPhone Ads on Apple.com (www.apple.com)

Let the madness begin!

Although the phones are expected to cost as much as $600 when they go on sale at Apple and AT&T stores later this month, each company has received more than a million inquiries about the product's availability. Apple disclosed in television commercials Sunday night that the phone would be released June 29.

Apple, AT&T neophytes to define iPhone audience - report.

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A last-minute analysis of the iPhone's most eager buyers confirms stereotypes of successful younger men as its target market, but also reveals that Apple can expect a large number of converts.

Profiling a cross-section of those aware of the phone in May, Solutions Research Group has found that many of those who will "definitely" investigate the phone at its minimum $499 price are new to Apple, AT&T, or both.Of the interested respondents culled from the 1,230 total, nearly half -- 48 percent -- said they didn't already own an iPod, making the iPhone their only (if not very first) Apple-branded music player. The news could be very beneficial for the handset creator, which may bank on newcomers to reach its forecast of 10 million sales by the end of 2008."Half of the potential buyers are not current iPod users, so it will expand Apple's 'installed base' footprint," said the study's director, Kaan Yigit. If Apple followed its iPod strategy of launching less expensive hardware over time, he predicted, market growth would be steady.Potentially as surprising is the typical choice of cellular service provider. Those most likely to queue in line on June 29th are existing subscribers to AT&T's only GSM-based rival, T-Mobile USA, at 15 percent. AT&T's existing customers are second to express an interest at 12 percent, the researchers note. Sprint and Verizon customers show the least attraction to the phone at 7 and 4 percent respectively.This last point could be critical to AT&T, Yigit added, as the network is poised to snare the majority of iPhone buyers from its competitors rather than from the ranks of its faithful. The top-ranked carrier is in the midst of a transition away from the Cingular name and could see its new name gain added respect by offering the Apple device."The big winner is AT&T," he said. "In one nifty move, they are able to inject cool into their brand at a speed and scale that's hard to believe. Among T-Mobile customers whose contracts are coming up for renewal this year, a significant proportion will look at this product in place of, say, Sidekicks and the like. And among AT&T customers, a significant minority... will look at upgrading."

A full 73 percent of the complete survey were said to already know about the iPhone, which is "remarkable" for any pre-launch device, Yigit commented.Less shocking were the cultural and gender demographics of the interested subjects. The majority fit the pattern of the young, successful male. According to Solutions Research Group, the average iPhone customer is a 31-year-old man with a college degree and an income of $75,600 per year -- a salary 26 percent higher than the American average. Almost half (43 percent) of all likely buyers lived in technically adept states such as California and New York, but only 28 percent were female. Younger buyers dominated, with 63 percent aged 34 or younger.These patterns were to be expected given Apple's image, Yigit claimed. Cautious respondents were more likely to be more "mainstream" and include more women, while the iPhone's early fans were more often bound to fit the Apple user stereotype."This product is still mainly a male urban-hipster object of desire at this stage and with this price point," the director said.However much the survey might reinforce common perceptions of who will buy the iPhone, Yigit pledges that the results will be part of an ongoing study of digital consumerism tracking the iPhone as it reaches customer hands in coming months, proving whether or not Apple's promotional buzz translates to real subscribers.

Steve Jobs on Apple, Mac, iPod and iPhone

Apple remains focused on the Mac, promises company CEO
Jonny Evans

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Apple CEO Steve Jobs also seized a solo spot at yesterday's D: All Things Digital event.
He talked about Apple, categorising its increasingly diverse businesses as: "Three businesses and a hobby." Businesses include Macs, music and the iPhone, while the Apple TV is "a hobby".
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On Apple TV he observed: “The reason I call it a hobby is, a lot of people have tried and failed to make it a business. And it’s a hard problem. So we’re trying. I think if we work on it and improve things over the next year, 18 months, we can crack that,” said Jobs, as reported by Macworld US.
What everybody’s tried, and where we’ve come from, too, is coming from the personal computer market, you first think about getting content from PC to widescreen TV. And I’m not sure that’s what consumers want,” Jobs said.
“It’s great to get that all on there, but we tend to think of that as the entree. And the more we think about it, we think that that stuff is the peas on the side. And the entree might be content on the internet.”
Beyond introducing his audience to the Apple TV's soon-to-come support for YouTube, Jobs wouldn't share any future product plans. He did dismiss the notion that the iPod needs updating, pointing out that new models only debuted in September 2006.
Jobs stressed his company remains deeply committed to the Mac market, predicting June's WWDC would be the best attended yet and adding that the company is making "massive investments in the computer business".
Apple's marketshare is climbing. “Our share in notebooks is ahead of the industry, two-thirds notebooks. I can see a time when notebooks are 80, 90 per cent of what we sell. We’re also always improving our OS, generally have a release 18 months or so. And we had a big release we didn’t get much credit for, which is Mac OS X Tiger for Intel,” he said.
On iPods, he promised more ahed: "We’re working on the best iPods that we’ve ever worked on, and they’re awesome," he said, and hinted at 3G support in future iterations of the iPhone.Jobs also once again confirmed that the iPhone runs a full version of OS X, stripped of inappropriate elements such as sound files, desktop patterns. "If you take out the data, the OS isn't that huge," he said.
Apple's leader chose to dismiss the idea of making the iTunes Store accessible through the iPhone, "we have nothing to announce today", he said, observing that high mobile network data charges at present make such services impractical.
Answering critics who say Apple is missing a trick by not opening the iPhone up to third-party developers, he said the decision was based on security problems.
“I think sometime later this year we will find a way to let third parties write apps and still preserve security. But until we can find that way, we can’t compromise the security of the phone. Nobody’s perfect, but we sure don’t want our phone to crash. We would like to solve this problem, if you could be just a little more patient with us, I think everyone can get what they want,” he said.
Jobs confirmed that 300 million copies of iTunes have been downloaded so far, mainly to Windows machines. "That's like a glass of ice water in hell," he quipped, on the presence of an Apple application on a Windows computer.
Jobs also observed some surprise at the success of the iPod: “I never thought we’d ship 100 million iPods. No, never," he said.
He ended his appearance demonstrating the new feature addition of YouTube videos running on the Apple TV (interestingly, this features an on-screen alphanumeric keyboard for searching for new clips). The company later revealed that YouTube is re-encoding all its video archives into the Apple TV supported video codec, H.264.
Jobs admitted that high-definition videos aren't yet available for the Apple TV, but admitted that this may change.
“We’re not selling HD yet, because of the tradeoffs between download time and quality. But that might change in the future,” said Jobs.

New MacBook Pros on Tuesday, June 5th 2007? [Updated].

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While we had heard convincing reports that the MacBook Pro updates would have to wait until WWDC (June 11th), a few new reports have started trickling in that the MacBook Pro could see updates as soon as this Tuesday (June 5th).

Mac4ever.com (French) posts the following from a reseller (roughly translated):

There's some news. We've just ordered the new MBP ! Launch expected for next tuesday... But Apple didnt't say anything about the specifications. We have to order blind-eyed... If i've got some other news, i'll keep you informed.

This information alone would not necessarily be convincing, as resellers tend not to have much lead time on new products... but a few other tidbits we've heard leads us believe that this could be legitimate.Sources are unclear if this will be the LED / Santa Rosa updates that users have been hoping for, and some sources still insist we will have to wait until WWDC for the new MacBook Pro.Update: There is some speculation that Apple may be releasing MacBook Pros next week rather than at WWDC to coincide with their Educational Back to School Program which launches next week. (If Apple waited until WWDC, the MacBook Pro specs would change a week into the Back to School promotion.)

YouTube for Apple TV uses H.264, not Flash.

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Earlier this week, Apple announced that YouTube.com videos would become available on the Apple TV after a software update that will be made available in June.iLounge spoke with Apple's Vice President of Worldwide Mac Hardware Marketing, David Moody, who provided more details about this upgrade.According to Moody, not all of the Youtube catalog will be available on day one. Instead, "thousands of videos designed for Apple TV" will be available at launch, but that the remainder will become available by the fall. The reason for the delay is that Youtube will be encoding all of their videos into a "H.264 streaming-efficient compression format" specifically for the Apple TV. All of Youtube's videos are currently encoded in Flash Video (FLV) format. While no official reason is given for the mass transcoding of Youtube's entire catalog, Macformat.co.uk believes it has to do with the iPhone.

As far as I know even now, Flash content per se might not play on the iPhone from day one. But Apple clearly doesn't – indeed, shouldn't – care, as YouTube is for many people the most critical site that uses Flash.

Indeed, both the iPod and iPhone can play H.264 encoded video, and so it seems the entire Youtube catalog will also become available to those devices later this year.

Japanese robot dances to iPod musicTOKYO.

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TOKYO - A Japanese robot twists and rolls to music from an iPod in an intricate dance based on complex mathematics, a technology developers say will enable robots to move about spontaneously instead of following preprogrammed motions.Tokyo-based venture ZMP Inc.'s 14-inch long Miuro robot — which looks like a white ball wedged between two halves of an egg — wheels about in time with music from the iPod player that locks into the machine.At a demonstration in Tokyo on Thursday, the 11-pound Miuro pivoted about on a stage in time to beats of a pop music track played through its speakers. The dance wasn't preprogrammed, but generated by the robot itself.Scientists involved in the robot's development believe the technology could lead to robots capable of spontaneous motion. Miuro uses algorithms, or mathematical rules, to analyze music and translate the beats into dances, said ZMP President Hisashi Taniguchi."We aim to create a new form of life that moves freely and spontaneously in ways human beings can't predict," Taniguchi said. "We're hoping to turn Miuro into the ultimate virtual pet."Unlike older Miuros, which hit stores last August, the prototype is fitted with software based on what scientists call chaotic itinerancy, a mathematical pattern similar to the movements of a bee circling from flower to flower as it collects nectar.That allows the new Miuro to act spontaneously and unpredictably — "just like a child playing," said Tokyo University researcher Takashi Ikegami, who developed the software.Other improvements will let users set the Miuro like an alarm clock so it wheels into the bedroom and blasts music at a certain time. Future versions of the Miuro will also use built-in sensors to seek out people to play tunes to, Taniguchi said.ZMP has already shipped 500 units of the original Miuro, which isn't equipped with the intelligent software but instead responds to a remote-control handheld manipulator.The 108,800 yen ($895) original Miuro can also receive wireless signals from a personal computer to play iTunes and other stored digital files. Separately sold options add a camera that beams images to PCs or lets owners control their Miuros by mobile phone.Miuro, short for "music innovation based on utility robot technology," is only on sale in Japan. ZMP did not give a date for the release of the prototype.

Ipod Tricks - Gulf Stream Ipod Sweep Stakes.

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There are many things to think about with an iPod than just the songs that will go on it. For one, someone might be wondering how many songs they can still put on their iPod. If someone is wondering how many more songs they can fit on their iPod, there is a simple way to find out. From the Main Menu, anyone can simply scroll down using the Click Wheel and choose Settings. Then from the Settings menu, they should choose About and press the Select button again to see how many songs are already on the iPod, the total capacity of the actual iPod, and how much space is still available for songs. In general, it is safe to assume that a song will take up 4GB of space on the iPod. So, adding 125 more songs would take up only around half of 1 GB. This means if the Available amount is something like 12 GB, they can load a few thousand more songs and still have plenty of room left for more. Another way to know how much room is left on an iPod before adding more songs would be to check iTunes. When the iPod is connected, there should be an indicator on the iPod’s icon in the Source list on the left side of the iTunes window. At that point, simply look down along the bottom center of the main window and it should be easy to see a readout that shows how much space is used, and how much space is still free for adding more songs.Another advantage of the iPod that people don’t always see is that a playlist is capable of being downloaded right on the iPod, although people normally create playlists on the computer in iTunes. It’s called an “On-The-Go” playlist (because the playlist is being created away from the computer). It is fairly simple to download songs onto the on-the-go list. The user simply has to find a song that they want in the playlist, and then click-and-hold the center Select button until they see the song title blink twice (that’s the iPod saying that it’s been added to the On-The-Go Playlist). Songs can be added until the user is ready to start hearing the new playlist. To find the On-the-Go Playlist, the user just has go to the Main Menu, scroll down to Music, choose Playlists, press the center Select button, and it will be at the bottom of the Playlists menu. From there, they can press the center Select button, scroll down to a song, and press the Play/Pause button. And that is all that is required to listen to the On-The-Go Playlist. Once the iPod is in sync with iTunes, the On-The-Go Playlist will appear in iTunes, where it can be tweaked it if need be.Besides playing music and running slideshows, an iPod can also function as a clock, and it can even display the current time while playing songs. To do this, the first step is to set the current time. Start at the Main Menu, select Settings using the Click Wheel, and click the center Select button. From the Settings menu, choose Date & Time, and then slide around the Click Wheel to set the current time zone, time, and date. Once the time ahs been set, someone can have the iPod display the current time while playing a song, by pressing the Menu button to get back to the main Date & Time menu. Then, where it says Time in Title, press the Select button to set it to On. Now the current time will appear up in the title bar when playing a song.

Ipods for Rent on the Plane.

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You do need to travel from your home in one state and then fly up to yet another state all across the country. It would certainly take you more than just a couple of hours so that you can reach your destination and then later on get settled in your hotel. So what do you do during your long and very boring travel all across the United States? If you are from Mexico, then you may be quite familiar with Volaris. Volaris is actually an airplane based on that state and it is one of those airlines that do offer to fly you from one place to another for a really low cost. And as part of their effort to actually bring in more sales and keep the customers coming to their airlines and their business, Volaris is now offering their passengers the chance to enjoy and entertain themselves with music. How? They are offering iPods for rent and each would cost you $5. And $5 to rent an iPod for the whole trip is an okay amount in fact. Sure, the iPods that are going to be for rent on the Volaris fleet of airplanes and airbuses are going to have their own set of headsets and accessories. Of course, iPod Accessories are going to be quite different from those that you are going to use when you are flying over the country. Volaris also did mention that they are going to offer their passengers the option of renting out an iPod for their flights and travels. After all, the company does say that the iPod is very much a popular treat to music and video lovers and by offering such a gadget on their flights, Volaris is going to have a really great advantage over all other grand airlines. The truth is, the world of airlines has been bombarded with rumors that carriers like Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and even Continental Airlines would be offering their passengers to plug in and dock their iPods on the seats of the airplanes. However, it does look like Volaris has gone on ahead and took the scoop on the popular gadgets. So what kinds of files are already stored on the iPods that have been sent out for rent for Volaris passengers? According to those who have tried the gadgets out, they have been entertained through the whole flight with popular pieces of music as well as television shows from Mexico. However, because not all are coming from Mexico, Volaris is saying that they are soon going to also add in sitcoms from the US as well as other different types of music for those who are looking for alternative choices.

New Ipod Games.

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I can’t say for sure when I know I was bitten but I have the date on my receipts (11/15/06). I guess I was late to the iPod party but I’ve not missed a step since I got involved with “Buck,” my iPod.I’ve got 3 now, one just for movies, and another for music and one for data and I’m negotiating with a contact in China for 5 more.iPod is the brain child of Steven Jobs, Apple guru and all around genius. More than 22 million ipods have been sold to US adults, which amounts to approximately 11% of the population (according to the non-profit Pew Internet & American Life Project). I became a fan and user and my addiction continues to grow stronger.Now I spend my days learning about new applications and my nights surfing for clearance sales, closeouts, underground sources for discounts on accessories. For example, last week I found a site that sells what they call an iPod Converter.This unit allows for unlimited downloads of movies and music and games and software and provides a lifetime membership in their download club. As a full blown movie nut this little handful of technology is gobbling up my free time by the hour.Talk about addiction, I was rummaging through some magazines in the basement of the library at midnight (don’t ask) and found this underground techie magazine. There was a story about an MP3 converter that took me a few minutes to realize was the iPod converter I heard about last week.The techie manual indicated this is better than Blockbuster and NetFlicks all rolled into one very user friendly palm-sized unit. I’ll share the link here anyone who is interested can read all about it.As I continue to learn about all-things-iPod I’ve just discovered about iPod hacks. This reference startled me at first as it is not in my nature to destroy other’s enjoyment in any manner, especially when it comes to something like PCs and iPods.What I learned is the term hacks when it refers to iPod is another way of saying accessories, except that the modification most likely will void your iPod’s warrantee. In any case the lists I found were nothing less than fascinating.For instance, according to howstuffworks.com, the range of accessories includes downloadable iPod games and programs that convert DVDs to iPod-friendly video files. There are also programs that convert PDA files your PowerPoint presentations into files that work with your iPod-compatible.The howstuffworks website also provided a reference to a list of some current applications: “iPod hackers are publishing all sorts of programs that alter the way an iPod works -- some of the software is free, and some of it is for purchase. Some currently available hacks let you:• Make an iPod work with Linux machines and run Linux applications • Remove volume caps (iPods sold in Europe cap the volume at 100 decibels; uncapped iPods can reach more than 115 decibels.) • Turn your iPod into a universal remote • Attach an external hard drive to your iPod to increase the storage capacity • Change your iPod's font and graphics • Watch movies on your iPod in full-screen mode • Plug your iPod into any computer (even without iTunes) and listen to music from the hard drive • Transfer photos to iPod without using iTunes • Replace iTunes all together as the iPod's main jukebox • Use an iPod with a Windows 98 machine “While I am fascinated with the expansion this provides I am too cautious and protective of Buck to try anything other than factory sealed products from Apple. I can be patient until they ramp up to the accessory list I peeked at in an underground publication.The upcoming Apple list is robust and will blow away the hacker’s meager offerings. Meanwhile, I’ll stick to my movie and music downloading which keeps me rather busy and satisfied.However if you hear any buzz about an auto-pilot for long cross-country drives that’s compatible with a 2006 STS, please pass it on. I might just let Buck give it a try.About The AuthorAlex Rich is a hypnotherapist and personal coach. His clients call on him for both personal and business advice. Doc has a growing collection of iPods and accessories.

Iphone; a Class Apart.

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Did you ever dream of possessing an all-in-one gadet of the size of a mobile phones? Well, people at Apple Inc., have heard you. And have come up with a stupendously feature-rich state-of-art gadget that boasts a never before aggregation of features of a breakthrough internet communication tool, a revolutionary mobile phone, a high-definition music system, and a high resolution digital camera into a single 'hand-held' device entity. Come to talk on iPhone from Apple Inc., the most appropriate tag line is innovation personified. This is a superb piece of an electronic device that exudes exuberance through its graphic rich user interface. The huge 3.5 inch screen reproduces crystal images with 160 ppi distributed across 320x480 mm of screen area. Running on OS X, the award winning operating system from Macintosh, the Apple iPhone showcases a marked difference from run-of-the mill phones present in the market.This technological powerhouse comes equipped with a 2 megapixel camera and multi-format supporting music player with integration iPod features. The EDGE and Bluetooth phone supports WiFi connectivity. However, in spite of the feature rich functioning, the phone's special attraction lies with the multi-touch input mechanism. This futuristic method helps user to make a call by simply pointing a finger at a name or a number in the address book, a favourites list, and a call log. An innovative photo management tool and SMS application of this phone adds to iPhone's incredible feature list. The predictive soft QWERTY-type keyboard helps in entering texts fast and correctly. The beautiful wide-screen display of iPhone is worthy of a second mention. The large display of the phone lets viewer enjoy movies, TV shows, games, and recorded content all in one go, with added portability that being a mobile phone it has to offer.Considering the incredible functionalities and the sleek body casing that this mobile phone come with, iPhone stands out from being just another mobile phone. To simply put the matter, as iPhone, Apple Inc. comes out with a future leader in the mobile arena and is class apart from its nearest competitor in every true sense.

The New Ipod Has So Many New Features.

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The new iPod is now lighter, slimmer and cooler looking, it has new features that surpass other mp3 players. The best new features of the video iPod concern the sound quality. The iPod video is small, compact and sleek, it is very easy to use, and it has tons of great features that are second to none and can only be found on iPods.Taking portable video entertainment to a different level than it ever has been, it features a color screen and video playback capabilities. The new Apple video iPod is pushing the envelope with technology by combining mp3 music and video in one device.Consumers embraced the new iPod, it allows consumers to keep all of their music and video in one place, the device is light weight and is portable so all the videos and music can go where ever you go. The iPod has a 5-inch color display that lets you take your music videos wherever you go. Unlike in the music versions, Apple did not include an option to rip movies to play on the Video iPod. If your priority is storing music over video, get the iPod Video. Many automobiles have the normal AM/FM Stereo and CD player, but many automobile manufactures are including and jack so you can plug in your mp3 player. Most of the people who benefit from the iPod are those people who want to listen to music, watch movies or TV shows or who want to keep photos You can listen to all your music. You can do more than just listen to music. Many manufactures have created accessories so you are able to listen to your iPod in your car, these gadgets work very well and are worth the investment. Until just recently, you used to have to have an expensive CD player and a multitude of CDs with you in order to listen to whatever you want, whenever you want. It is very exciting when you receive your new video iPod, you now have the ability to watch videos on a mobile video player. Once you download the movie or video you can simply transfer it to your iPod, however if you want to be able to watch the movie on your DVD player while at home then you might want to think about this. If you're like many new Video iPod owners, you are excited about the idea of carrying your movie collection along with you wherever you go. According to the informational websites, the number of video downloads have reached and might have passed the one million downloads since it was introduced. There are many companies that have created software that will convert to the iPod format, some even come with extra software so you can view the pictures or videos before the conversion process starts, this comes in handy if you want to view the information before putting it on your iPod. You can download, convert and transfer and you have the ability to watch all kinds of movies, home movies and TV shows.

What's in an iPod - And Why Is It So Popular?

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Not only is the iPod popular because of its reception from the public, but also because it was Apple's first and successful attempt at branching out from its iMac products and a reputation of being strictly "computer". Unlike the iPod nano and the iPod shuffle which use flash memory, the iPod is designed around a central scroll wheel, with the full-sized models storing media on their internal hard-drive. The iPod is also used as an external data storage device, with its internal hardware and software design originally based on a reference design by another company, PortalPlayer. Apple had decided to focus on technical capability, wanting the iPod to focus on the development on the iPod's simple user interface, along with its ease of use. The iPod's software for the iPod development was not developed in-house for this, but contracted PortalPlayer, who already had the reference design based on 2 ARM cores. Apple then contracted another company, Pixo, to create and refine the user interface, under CEO Steve Jobs.
Currently the best-selling digital audio player, with over 50 million sold and over 1 billion legal downloaded songs from its iTunes online music store, Apple's iPod player is the most popular consumer brand in the mainstream of a growing market of digital devices. Whenever the iPod is connected to the host computer, the itune will automatically synchronize musical playlists or entire musical libraries. The iPod can play several different formats: MP3, M4A/AAC, Protected AAC, AIFF, WAV, Audible audiobook, and Apple Lossless audio file formats. The newer iPods can also play MPEG-4 (H.264MPEG-4AVC), .mp4, .m4v, and Quick Time video file formats. It does not support Microsoft's WMA format - as other media players do - but there is a converter available for non-DRM WMA files with the Windows version of iTunes. MIDI files cannot be played, but can be converted to audio files using the iTunes Advanced menu.
The Apple iPod can be used as a boot disk for a Mac computer, if it is formatted as HFS Plus, allowing one to have a portable operating system installed. If the iPod is formatted on a Mac OS X computer, it uses the HFS Plus file system format; if it is formatted on Windows, the FAT32 is used because Windows cannot access HFS file systems. A compatible third-party software must be used, as simply copying files to the drive will not allow the iPod to properly access them. As of now there are four basic iPod models that you can find on major shopping websites: the iPod shuffle, iPod nano, iPod photo, and the brand new iPod video. The iPod photo plays all the songs you wish to download to it, but also displays color photos (album cover art, etc.) on the mini-screen to please the eyes in addition to the already pleased ears.
The photo feature is a favorite of most users who purchased this version of the iPod, but like all electronic gadgets, it has its downfalls. The pictures are hard for some to see on the mini screen and some were upset that you MUST purchase a separate plug-in to view pictures on your television screen. When you do buy the extra connection, you will be more than pleased with the clarity of the pictures on screen. All iPod models come with ear bud headphones, an AC Adaptor, and a 2.0 USB cable in addition to the actual hardware itself. Battery life is usually strong in the iPod with anywhere between 12-15 hour battery life (15 hours on the iPod Photo). Various hard drives are available for different versions of the iPod Photo, but a basic rule of thumb to remember with MP3 players is 2,500 songs per 10 GB.

iPhone Promising To Deliver Several Communication and Entertainment Devices.

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Chances are high that you have heard about the iPhone coming out this June before you read this first sentence. If you weren't aware yet, Apple is releasing their own multi-functional mobile device that includes the functions of a cell phone with texting, video iPod, PDA with web browser and the ability to check Emails, as well as a digital camera. The iPhone also has other unique features such as the 3.5 inch touch screen pad that is advanced enough to distinguish the difference between a human finger, and a human face or body pressure like when in a pocket.
Many business owners, small and large are equipping their staff with the essential business tools to help them in the event of an issue, or to prevent them all together by allowing everyone to communicate and complete work with ease. Many have the dilemma or investing in either laptops or PDA's which are personal digital assistants, similar to a hand-held computer. These small devices have a full range of features and functions such as a calendar, clock, web browser, calculator, word processor, video camera, the ability to send and receive emails, and some have a global positioning system (GPS) on them.
If you want this device to be fully functional like a laptop, with the portability of a PDA, and the functions of a cell phone then the obvious choice is to get in line for the new iPhone. You get all of the necessary functions that you need, as well as a few new features that are designed to make the device more user-friendly. This includes the much-hyped new touch pad that the iPhone features. When you need to make a phone call, the numbers come up digitally on the 3.5 inch screen. When you need to send an Email, text message, or any other typing you can select the virtual keypad for faster and easier typing. There is also a spell checker on the new iPhone, as well as Safari web browser.
Apple decided to give their iPhone an OS X operating system which is something that is different from any other phone out right now. This allows you to use note taking applications which are important to many professionals and students. When you turn the screen sideways you get an aspect ratio of 16:9 which is similar to those in many movie and TV programs. This also gives you the ability to browse the Internet and view other video in wide-screen format.
Apple sat back and waited to see which features and functions were most popular and combined them into one sleek device. With all of the different features and technologies it is easy to see why the iPhone is getting such great reviews from those who were lucky enough to get their hands on one before they were released.
When the Apple iPhones hit retail stores they will be sold with two year service contracts with specific mobile service providers. The 4GB version of the iPhone will start at $499. For double the memory you can pay one hundred dollar more for the 8GB iPhone which costs you $599. You will be able to purchase protective accessories with your iPhone eventually such as hard cases, screen protectors, and skin cases.

An introduction to iPod Mini.

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Ipod Mini was first released on February 20, 2004 and it delighted many. Being a smaller edition of Apple Computer's Ipod first generation moveable audio player, it's variety in colors (comes with limited colors, silver, gold, blue, pink, and green) appealed to the broader market. The Ipod Mini could be operated with both Macintosh and Windows PCs.
The iPod mini's quality was the click wheel, where four buttons were placed above the wheel. To use one of the buttons, a user had to drive the wheel edge inner over one of the labels. The click wheel system is now normally used in the fourth and fifth generation iPods and it is as well been used in the iPod nano. Above the wheel was the monochrome display, which offers the menus or information of the presently selected track. The new generation of ipods normally has a colored screen display.
The battery life of its first generation iPod mini was 8 hours, which led to some quarrel on its small duration. This problem was later solved with the second -generation models that had a battery life of 18 hours. Like the larger iPod, the iPod Mini as well supported a crowd of file formats like MP3, WAV, AIFF and other MP4 features. It maintained its perfect integration with the iTunes Music Store and the files being downloaded there. Software wise, the iPod Mini was as consistent as the innovative iPod units.
Besides if there was something high-quality to be said about this amazing iPod mini, it's the choice it gave the consumers when getting a digital audio player. The Ipod mini struggled directly with most renowned players like Creative's Zen Micro and the Digital Networks Rio Carbon. The smaller display was actually one line smaller than the last models, thus warning it's on-screen track information show to title and artist only, taking the album information off.
As the Ipod family started to grow, the Ipod mini was laid to rest when Apple launched the opening of the iPod nano. The iPod mini did not then exist in the market and stopped its production. Though it looks the iPod Mini only stayed for a while, its sway as the initiate of the click wheel would always be remembered.

Tips For Longer Lasting iPod Battery.

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Listening to music all day on your iPod is possible with the large storage capacity that enables you to listen and relax to an endless supply of music. But what if the battery does not last as long? This situation can often happen. To prevent this tragedy, here are some tips to help your iPod battery last longer:
1. Always keep the battery at room temperature. This is very important because if the battery is too hot or too cold, it will not be able to function at its full potential. Normal room temperature, about 20 degrees Celsius, provides the best atmosphere. Try to store the battery at this temperature before and during use.
2. Utilize the hold mechanism on your iPod. This is a great function that helps your battery last longer. If you won't be using your iPod for a while, turn it off and switch on the hold button. You will be saving some of your battery life by preventing your iPod from being accidentally turned on while on your pocket.
3. It is important to wait for the battery to empty before recharging it. This will guarantee a better and longer life for your battery. Often iPods use the battery even while in sleep mode, so the battery will drain when you are not using your device. The best time to charge your battery is when it is completely empty.
4. If you are not using the iPod, just put it in sleep mode. To put your iPod in sleep mode, just hold the play button for several seconds. You can also use the pause button if you need to stop listening for a while. This will help prevent the battery from being wasted while you are not actually listening.
5. Watch how often you use the backlight. This function is only necessary in dark areas, and can be altered to save power. Make sure that it is set to a low time or turned off the majority of the time. This backlight can quickly drain your power if it is on too often. The same thing applies to the equalizer. Turning these off will lengthen your battery life.
6. Another thing that can shorten your battery life is changing tracks with the use of the previous and next buttons. When you use these buttons, the hard drive needs to be opened, which uses a lot of your battery life.
By taking note of these tips you can prolong the life of your iPod's battery and provide a more enjoyable music experience.

iPod Video.

iPod Video: Portable Entertainment Right at the Palm of Your Hands

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Undoubtedly, iPod is one of the most popular gadgets today. Giving you’re the ability to play your favorite mp3s, you will definitely enjoy having an iPod everywhere you go. Today, the latest craze in iPod is the fifth generation iPod. This particular iPod was introduced during the late 2005 where people are definitely getting crazy about up until today.Not only that this iPod is capable of playing your favorite mp3s, but it is even capable of playing your favorite videos. Imagine, a full color screen with maximum clarity and sound, and all this in a small package, you will definitely enjoy iPod videos. Another great feature of this iPod is that it has video playback capabilities that will enhance your viewing experience.The iPod video is also designed slimmer and more stunning than its predecessors. It can support up to 150 hours of music videos with a 2.5 inch clear video display that will definitely give you maximum entertainment. The iPod video is also integrated with a state-of-the-art battery back that can have up to 20 hours of battery life. As you can see, it has a five hour increase in battery life than the previous iPod model.The iPod video also has a 60 GB model, which means you can definitely store a lot of music in it. Its smaller size may deceive you but you can definitely be sure that with this iPod, great packages really come in small things.If you are a person who loves to watch music videos, TV shows, and store and view photos, the iPod video can definitely give a lot of benefit to you. Another great thing about iPod video is that it is also integrated with the Apple Click Wheel for navigation. The buttons consist of menu, previous, next, play and pause. As you can see, there are no complicated set up and using it is very easy. Even your 12 year old child can use iPod video.If you like to move your mp3 and video collection in a single device, you can do so with an iPod video. You can simply hook it up with your computer through the USB port, and you can move files to and from the iPod. As you can see, the iPod video is also great for file sharing. You can easily click and drag your favorite mp3s and videos to your iPod and share it with your friends.If you are interested in video output, you can purchase the iPod video accessory called the AV cables. This particular tool will enable you to plug your iPod in your TV and watch the videos stored in it comes to life in your TV. You can also share the sound by purchasing a dock for your iPod video. Other accessories include a remote and a wall charger to add more convenience when using your iPod video.So, the next time you want something that will provide you with great quality entertainment in your pocket, you can consider getting an iPod video. Not only that this fifth generation iPod can provide you with music, but it can also enable you to play your favorite videos.iPod is the latest thing in the market today. It can provide you with entertainment as well as convenience.

About iPod.

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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The correct title of this article is iPod. The initial letter is shown capitalized due to technical restrictions.

iPod (fifth generation) in Apple Universal Dock, iPod nano (second generation) and iPod shuffle (second generation)
iPod is a brand of portable media players designed and marketed by Apple and launched in October 2001. Devices in the iPod range are primarily digital audio players, designed around a central click wheel — with exception to the iPod Shuffle, which uses buttons because of its size. As of October 2005, the line-up consists of the video-capable fifth generation iPod, the smaller iPod nano, and the display-less iPod shuffle. The full-sized model stores media on an internal hard drive, while the smaller iPod nano and iPod shuffle use flash memory. Like many digital music players, iPods can also serve as external data storage devices. In January 2007, Apple announced the iPhone, a device that combined the features of the video-capable iPod with mobile phone and mobile Internet capabilities. Apple's iTunes software is used to transfer music to the devices. As a free jukebox application, iTunes stores an entire music library on the user's computer and can play, burn, and rip music from a CD. It can also transfer photos, videos, games, and calendars to the models that support them.
Apple focused its development on the iPod's unique user interface and its ease of use, rather than on technical capability. As of October 2004, the iPod is the world's best-selling range of digital audio players and its worldwide mainstream adoption made it one of the most popular consumer brands. Some of Apple's design choices and proprietary actions have, however, led to criticism and legal battles.
On Monday, April 9, 2007, Apple announced that over 100 million iPods had been sold worldwide.[1] This makes the iPod the best-selling music player in history.

History and design

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iPod came from Apple's digital hub strategy,[2] when the company began creating software for the growing market of digital devices being purchased by consumers. Digital cameras, camcorders and organizers had well-established mainstream markets, but the company found existing digital music players "big and clunky or small and useless" with user interfaces that were "unbelievably awful",[2] so Apple decided to develop its own. Apple's hardware engineering chief, Jon Rubinstein, assembled a team of engineers to design it, including Tony Fadell, hardware engineer Michael Dhuey, and design engineer Jonathan Ive, with Stan Ng as the marketing manager. The product was developed in less than a year and unveiled on 23 October 2001. CEO Steve Jobs announced it as a Mac-compatible product with a 5 GB hard drive that put "1000 songs in your pocket."
Uncharacteristically, Apple did not develop iPod's software entirely in-house. Apple instead used PortalPlayer's reference platform which was based on 2 ARM cores. The platform had rudimentary software running on a commercial microkernel embedded operating system. PortalPlayer had previously been working on an IBM-branded MP3 player with Bluetooth headphones.[3] Apple contracted another company, Pixo, to help design and implement the user interface, under the direct supervision of Steve Jobs.[2] Once established, Apple continued to refine the software's look and feel. Starting with the iPod mini, the Chicago font was replaced with Espy Sans. Later iPods switched fonts again to Podium Sans — a font similar to Apple's corporate font Myriad. iPods with color displays then adopted some Mac OS X themes like Aqua progress bars, and brushed metal in the lock interface.
The name iPod was proposed by Vinnie Chieco, a freelance copywriter, who (with others) was called by Apple to figure out how to introduce the new player to the public. After Chieco saw a prototype, he thought of the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey and the phrase "Open the pod bay door, Hal!", which refers to the white EVA Pods of the Discovery One spaceship. Apple had previously registered the name "iPod" for Internet kiosks, but never put it to use.[2]

Software

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iPod can play MP3, AAC/M4A, Protected AAC, AIFF, WAV, Audible audiobook, and Apple Lossless audio file formats. iPod photo introduced the ability to display JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, and PNG image file formats. Fifth generation iPods can additionally play MPEG-4 (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC) and QuickTime video formats, with restrictions on video dimensions, encoding techniques and data-rates. Unlike most other media players, Apple does not support Microsoft's WMA audio format — but a converter for non-Digital Rights Management (DRM) WMA files is provided with the Windows version of iTunes. MIDI files also cannot be played, but can be converted to audio files using the "Advanced" menu in iTunes. Alternative open-source audio formats such as Ogg Vorbis and FLAC are not supported. Each time iPod connects to its host computer, iTunes will synchronize entire music libraries or music playlists and the user can choose for automatic or manual synchronization. Song ratings can be set on iPod and synchronized later to the iTunes library, however only one host computer is allowed.

User interface

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iPods with color displays use anti-aliased graphics and text, with sliding animations. These iPods have five buttons and the later generations have the buttons integrated into the click wheel — an innovation which gives an uncluttered, minimalist interface. The buttons are:
Menu: to traverse backwards through the menus, and toggle the backlight on older iPods
Center: to select a menu item
Play / Pause: this doubles as an off switch when held
Skip Forward / Fast Forward
Skip Backwards / Fast Reverse
Other operations such as scrolling through menu items and controlling the volume are performed by using the click wheel in a rotational manner, while an additional Hold switch helps prevent accidental button presses. iPod shuffle does not have a click wheel and instead has five buttons positioned differently to the larger models: It has a Play / Pause button in the center, surrounded by four buttons: Volume Up / Down and Skip Forward / Backwards. The later models automatically pause playback when the headphones are unplugged from the headphone jack, but playback does not resume upon re-insertion. An iPod that has crashed or frozen can be reset by switching Hold on then off, then pressing Menu and Center (Menu and Play on the third generation iPod) for 6 seconds.[4]

Operating system and firmware

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iPod's operating system is stored on its dedicated storage medium. An additional NOR flash ROM chip (either 1 MB or 512 KB) contains a bootloader program that tells the device to load its OS from the storage medium. Each iPod also has 32 MB of RAM, although the 60 and 80 GB fifth generation have 64 MB. A portion of the RAM is used to hold the iPod OS loaded from firmware, but the majority of it serves to cache songs from the storage medium. For example, iPod could spin its hard disk up once and copy approximately 30 MB of upcoming songs into RAM, thus save power by not requiring the drive to spin up for each song. Rockbox and iPodLinux offer open-source alternatives to the standard firmware and operating system, respectively.

Hardware

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Chipsets and electronics

Microcontroller
- iPod first to third generations — Two ARM 7TDMI-derived CPUs running at 90 MHz.
- iPod fourth and fifth generations, iPod mini, iPod nano first generation — Variable-speed ARM 7TDMI CPUs, running at a peak of 80 MHz to save battery life.
- iPod nano second generation — Samsung System-On-Chip, based around an ARM processor.[10]
- iPod shuffle first generation — SigmaTel STMP3550 chip that handles both the music decoding and the audio circuitry.[11]

Audio chip
- All iPods (except the shuffle) use audio codecs developed by Wolfson Microelectronics.

Storage medium
- iPod first to fifth generation — 1.8 inch hard drives (ATA, 4200 rpm with proprietary connectors) made by Toshiba
- iPod mini — 1 inch Microdrives manufactured by Hitachi and Seagate
- iPod nano — Flash memory from Samsung, Toshiba, and others.
- iPod shuffle — Flash memory

Batteries
- iPod first and second generation, nano, shuffle — Internal lithium polymer batteries
- iPod third to fifth generation — Internal lithium-ion batteries

Connectivity



Originally, a FireWire connection to the host computer was used to update songs or recharge the battery. The battery could also be charged with a power adapter that was included with the first 4 generations. The third generation began including a dock connector, allowing for FireWire or USB connectivity. This provided better compatibility with PCs, as most of them did not have FireWire ports at the time. However, the device could not be charged over USB, so the FireWire cables were nonetheless needed to connect to the AC adapter. The dock connector also brought opportunities to exchange data, sound and power with an iPod, which ultimately created a large market of accessories, manufactured by third parties such as Belkin and Griffin. The second generation iPod shuffle uses a single 3.5 mm jack which acts as both a headphone jack and a data port for the dock.
The iPod mini and the fourth generation iPod allowed recharging via USB and eventually Apple began shipping iPods with USB cables instead of FireWire, although the latter was available separately. As of the fifth generation iPod, Apple discontinued using FireWire for data transfer and made a full transition to USB 2.0, due to its widespread adoption. FireWire was then usable for recharging only.

Accessories
Many companies, including Apple, produce accessories designed for iPods. This market is sometimes described as the iPod ecosystem.[12] Some accessories add extra features that other music players have, such as sound recorders, FM radio tuners, wired remote controls, and audio/visual cables for TV connections. Other accessories offer more unique features like the Nike+iPod pedometer and the iPod Camera Connector. Other notable accessories include external speakers, wireless remote controls, protective cases/films and wireless earphones.[13] Among the first accessory manufacturers were Griffin Technology, Belkin, JBL, Bose, Monster Cable, and SendStation.

Two designs of iPod earbuds. The revised version is shown on the right.
The white earphones (or "earbuds") that ship with all iPods have become symbolic of the brand. Advertisements feature them prominently, often contrasting the white earphones (and cords) with people shown as dark silhouettes. The earphones have been revised twice: The first type came with the first and second generations, and the second type appeared on all iPods up to the second generation nanos.
In 2005, New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority placed adverts on the subways warning passengers that "Earphones are a giveaway. Protect your device",[14] after iPod thefts on the subway rose from zero in 2004 to 50 in the first three months of 2005.[15]
BMW released the first iPod automobile interface,[16] allowing drivers of newer BMW vehicles to control their iPod using either the built-in steering wheel controls or the radio head-unit buttons. Apple announced in 2005 that similar systems would be available for other vehicle brands, including Mercedes-Benz,[17] Volvo,[18] Nissan, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari,[19] Acura, Audi, Honda,[20] Renault and Volkswagen.[21] Scion offers standard iPod connectivity on all their cars.
Some independent stereo manufacturers including JVC, Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine, and Harman Kardon also have iPod-specific integration solutions. Alternative connection methods include adaptor kits (that use the cassette deck or the CD changer port), audio input jacks, and FM transmitters such as the iTrip — although personal FM transmitters are illegal in some countries. Many car manufacturers have added audio input jacks as standard.[22]
Beginning in mid-2007, four major airlines, United, Continental, Delta, and Emirates reached agreements to install iPod seat connections. The free service will allow passengers to power and charge their iPod, and view their video and music libraries on individual seat-back displays.[23] Originally KLM and Air France were reported to be part of the deal with Apple, but they later released statements explaining that they were only contemplating the possibility of incorporating such systems.[24]

Criticisms

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Battery issues
The advertised battery life on most models is different from the real-world achievable life. For example, the fifth generation 30 GB iPod is advertised as having up to 14 hours of music playback. An MP3.com report stated that this was virtually unachievable under real-life usage conditions, with a writer for MP3.com getting on average less than 8 hours from his or her iPod.[28] In 2003, class action lawsuits were brought against Apple complaining that the battery charges lasted for shorter lengths of time than stated and that the battery degraded over time.[29] The lawsuits were settled by offering individuals either US$50 store credit or a free battery replacement.[30] Despite its own criticisms, Apple later complained that its competitor, Sony, had misled consumers in its advertising for Sony's music player. Apple complained that Sony had not considered real-world usage.[31]
iPod batteries are not designed to be removed or replaced by the user, although some users have been able to open the case themselves, usually following instructions from third-party vendors of iPod replacement batteries. Compounding the problem, Apple initially would not replace worn-out batteries. The official policy was that the customer should buy a refurbished replacement iPod, at a cost almost equivalent to a brand new one. All lithium-ion batteries eventually lose capacity during their lifetime[32] (guidelines are available for prolonging life-span) and this situation led to a small market for third-party battery replacement kits.
Apple announced a battery replacement program on 2003-11-14, a week before[33] a high publicity stunt and website by the Neistat Brothers.[34] The initial cost was US$99,[35] and it was lowered to US$59 in 2005. One week later, Apple offered an extended iPod warranty for US$59.[36] Third-party companies offer cheaper battery replacement kits that often use higher capacity batteries. For the iPod nano, soldering tools are needed because the battery is soldered onto the main board. Fifth generation iPods have their battery attached to the backplate with adhesive.[37][38]

Bass response
The third generation iPod had a weak bass response, as shown in audio tests.[39][40] The combination of the undersized DC-blocking capacitors and the typical low-impedance of most consumer headphones from a high-pass filter, which attenuates the low-frequency bass output by up to 10 dB. Similar capacitors were used in the fourth generation iPods.[41] The problem is reduced when using high-impedance headphones and is completely masked when driving high-impedance (line level) loads. The first generation iPod shuffle uses a dual-transistor output stage rather than a single capacitor-coupled output, and does not exhibit reduced bass response for any load.

Equalizer
If the sound is enhanced with the iPod's software equalizer (EQ), some EQ settings — like R&B, Rock, Acoustic, and Bass Booster — can cause bass distortion too easily.[42][43] The equalizer amplifies the digital audio level beyond the software's limit, causing distortion (clipping) on songs that have a bass drum or use a bassy instrument, even when the amplifier level is low. One possible workaround is to reduce the volume level of the recorded MP3 by modifying the audio files. However this cannot be done with DRM-encrypted music, and different tools are needed for each different file format.

Reliability and durability
iPods have been criticized for their short life-span, fragile hard drives, and planned obsolescence.[44][45] A 2005 survey conducted on the MacInTouch website found that the iPod had an average failure rate of 13.7%. It concluded that some models were more durable than others.[46] In particular failure rates for iPods employing hard drives was usually above 20% while flash memory ones below 10%, indicating poor hard drive durability. Some users recommended "hold and slap" technique [47], meaning "Simply hold it in one hand, and smack it with your other hand", which surprisingly works in a large number of cases. In late 2005, many users complained.[48] that the surface of the 1st generation iPod nano can become scratched easily, rendering the screen unusable.[49] A class action lawsuit was also filed.[50] Apple initially considered the issue a minor defect, but later began shipping these iPods with protective sleeves.

Allegations of worker exploitation
On 11 June 2006, the British newspaper Mail on Sunday reported that iPods are mainly manufactured by workers who earn no more than US$50 per month and work 15-hour shifts.[51] Apple investigated the case with independent auditors and found that, while some of the plant's labor practices met Apple's Code of Conduct, others did not: Employees worked over 60 hours a week for 35% of the time, and worked more than six consecutive days for 25% of the time.[52] Apple's manufacturer — which initially denied the abuses[53] — promised to disallow working more hours than the Code allowed. Apple hired a workplace standards auditing company, Verité, and joined the Electronic Industry Code of Conduct Implementation Group to oversee the measures. On 31 December 2006, workers at the Taiwanese factory (owned by Foxconn) formed a union. The union is affiliated with the All-China Federation of Trade Unions.[54]

Patent disputes

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In 2005, Apple Computer faced two lawsuits claiming patent infringement by the iPod and its associated technologies:[55] Advanced Audio Devices claimed the iPod breached its patent on a "music jukebox",[56] while a Hong Kong-based IP portfolio company called Pat-rights filed a suit claiming that Apple's FairPlay technology breached a patent[57] issued to inventor Ho Keung Tse. The latter case also includes the online music stores of Sony, RealNetworks, Napster, and Musicmatch as defendants.[58]
Apple's application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a patent on "rotational user inputs",[59] as used on the iPod's interface, received a third "non-final rejection" (NFR) in August 2005. Also in August 2005, Creative Technology, one of Apple's main rivals in the MP3 player market, announced that it held a patent[60] on part of the music selection interface used by the iPod, which Creative dubbed the "Zen Patent", granted on 2005-08-09.[61] On 15 May 2006, Creative filed another suit against Apple with the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. Creative also asked the United States International Trade Commission to investigate whether Apple was breaching U.S. trade laws by importing iPods into the United States.[62]
On 24 August 2006, Apple and Creative announced a broad settlement to end their legal disputes. Apple will pay Creative US$100 million for a paid-up license, to use Creative's awarded patent in all Apple products. Apple also negotiated a scheme where it can recoup part of its payment, if Creative is successful in licensing the patent. Creative then announced its intention to produce iPod accessories by joining the Made for iPod program.[63]

Industry impact

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iPods have won several awards ranging from engineering excellence,[70] to most innovative audio product,[71] to fourth best computer product of 2006.[72] iPods often receive favorable reviews; scoring on looks, clean design and ease of use. PC World says that iPods have "altered the landscape for portable audio players".
Several industries are modifying their products to work better with both the iPod and the AAC audio format. Examples include CD copy-protection schemes,[73] and mobile phones from Sony Ericsson and Nokia that play AAC files rather than WMA. Microsoft's Zune device also supports AAC and it has adopted a similar closed DRM model used by iPods and the iTunes Store, despite Microsoft previously marketing the benefits of choice with their PlaysForSure initiative. Podcasts and download charts have also had mainstream adoption.