The Wonderful World of iPods

Developed by Apple, the iPod is perhaps the most well-known and best-selling portable media player on the market today. First launched in October 2001, the original iPod was designed to be a digital audio player that could store and playback iPod music downloads and songs. Since then, the iPod has evolved into a digital media player, offering a full spectrum of media options, including:

audio recordings called podcasts
data storage
games
photos
portable music
videos.

The Original iPod

When first developed, the iPod was a slim, rectangular-shaped media player with a menu display controlled by a mechanical scroll wheel. Over the years, Apple has added various features and upgrades to newer versions of the iPod.

The latest full-size model, known as the fifth generation iPod, offers the following features:

an internal hard drive
colors choices of black or white
click-wheel menu control
prices ranging from $249 to $349
storage capacity of either 30, 60 or 80 GB of data.

The original iPod has been gradually scaled down into smaller versions: the iPod mini, iPod nano and iPod shuffle. Limited editions have also been offered featuring various colors, celebrity autographs and more.

iPod Models

With every new model, the iPod offers more features and becomes increasingly slimmer. They have also dropped dramatically in price. Here is a brief summary of the different iPod models and their unique features:

iPod Mini

available January 2004 (first generation) and February 2005 (second generation)
five colors (pink, silver, green, blue and bronze)
holds 4 to 6 GB of data
longer battery life
priced from $149 to $249.

iPod Nano

available September 2005 (first generation) and September 2006 (second generation)
brighter screen
holds 2, 4 and 6 GB of data
longer battery life
music search function
five colors (pink, silver, green, blue and black)
successor to the iPod mini
uses flash memory.

iPod Shuffle

available January 2005 (first generation) and September 2006 (second generation)
built-in clip
holds 1 GB of data
multiple colors (pink, silver, green, blue and orange)
no screen or click wheel; uses buttons instead
priced $79 and up
uses flash memory.

iTunes Software

Apple developed iTunes software to facilitate the transfer of music to an iPod. Known as a free jukebox application, iTunes can store an entire media library on the user's computer. Individual files that this software supports can then be transferred, or synced, to the user's iPod.

In addition to iTunes Software, Apple offers the iTunes Store, where users can purchase and download music. Started in 2003, the iTunes Store sells downloadable music for about 99 cents per song. Although this music can be transferred to an iPod, it typically cannot be played on other digital music players.

Since its launch, the iTunes Store has since added audio books, games, videos, TV shows and full-length movies. These media can be played on iPods that support the video function.

iPod Accessories and Other Extras

In addition to Apple, many other companies have jumped on the iPod bandwagon, producing a multitude of accessories and other extras that are compatible with the iPod. Ranging from designer iPod cases and slipcovers to colored earbuds and docking stations, iPod users have a wide variety of options from which to choose. Additional accessories and iPod extras include:

animated playback devices, such as iCat, iDog, iFish, etc.
audio/visual cables
calendars
designer iPod cases
external speakers
FM radio tuners
iPod camera connectors
iPod Hi-Fi
iPod phones
universal docking station
user-created playlists (by artist, genre, etc.)
wired remote controls
world clock.

iPod Challenges

Here are some of the biggest drawbacks associated with iPods:

Battery Life: Apple advertises iPod battery life to be longer than a user can actually achieve. For example, the fifth generation iPod (the 30 GB version) is supposed to have up to 14 hours of playback time. In reality, the actual time is closer to 8 hours. Batteries on earlier models are not intended to be removed by users, but rather by Apple or other approved third-party vendors.
Durability: Some consumers have complained that iPods have a short life span and are not as durable as expected. In fact, one 2005 Web survey showed that iPods had a failure rate of 13.7 percent. Users have also complained that the surface of the iPod nano is easily scratched.

Apple has attempted to address these issues as they arise.

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