ResearchA Buyer's Guide to the iPod
There seems to be no stopping the iPod. In the five years of its market life so far, the fair-haired child of Apple is definitely the leader in a trendy market that's growing at a rapid rate. So what do you need to know before you buy your first iPod?
First off, you have to decide which iPod. There are currently four main models of iPod available right now: the iPod Shuffle, iPod Nano, iPod Photo and the most recent surprise, the iPod Video. They all play songs, and the iPod photo also gives you the ability to display color photos on its screen. As you might guess from its size in comparison, most anything that you can do on a modern cell phone can be done on an iPod; except, of course, make phone calls.
One of the nice things about buying an iPod is that it comes with all the basic bits and pieces you need, including: headphones, a USB cable, and an AC adapter. Unlike the case with CD players, batteries actually last for a reasonable length of time, due to the fact that the iPod has fewer moving parts. Usually they go somewhere between twelve and fifteen hours. Some of the different versions of the iPod also come in a variety of hard drive sizes, but for a rule of thumb figure that you'll get around 2,500 songs to every 10GB of storage space.
The iPod's base set of features are only a tiny part of the story. Throughout technology's history, you'll find that the most popular devices are those which are infinitely extensible, and this is true of the iPod. If you use your iPod a lot (and who are we kidding? You'll probably end up sleeping with it!), one of the most useful iPod accessories you can get is a portable battery. Simply power up your portable battery and connect it to your unit. The portable battery will recharge your iPod's internal battery even as you are enjoying the music or video. When it comes to iPod accessories, this one is a must.
To keep your iPod safe, cases are one of the most important of all the iPod accessories. The case can protect your iPod in the event of being dropped - and all the other kinds of life's little accidents you weren't expecting. It will also cut down on the potential for scratching the case and view screen. There are cases that easily clip onto your clothing, making it even easier to jog, bike, exercise, and travel with your iPod.
Maybe you'll want to tap into FM radio stations? A radio tuner is an example of an iPod accessory that expands the versatility of the unit beyond the original design. Plug it in to the iPod and then tune in your favorite radio station. External speakers are another popular iPod accessory. Speakers are small and cheap to come by, and can fit easily on a desk or car dashboard.
In addition to music and video, you also can upload digital pictures with the aid of an iPod camera connector. The transfer can be made from a digital camera or from a media card on your computer. iPod accessories are available online and at any retail outlet that carries iPods. You can easily find accessories online, as well as software. There are shuffle filters, drivers, and even games and utility programs available all over. Probably the best place to search, besides the obvious Google, is either through Wikipedia or the Stumble-Upon plug-in available for Internet Explorer and Firefox.