I think we can all agree that there probably aren't many people who haven't heard of the iPod. Over the last few years it has revolutionised the way we listen to music, in particular whilst on the move. Go anywhere these days, a bus or train journey, or simply a walk into town and I guarantee you will see people listening to their iPods. The characteristic white headphones are easy to spot and whilst the iPod will probably be tucked into a pocket out of sight, you can be sure its there, filled with whatever music the owner desires. Although there are many other MP3 players on the market, the iPod seems to reign high over all the others. So what exactly is it that has made the iPod so pervasive? Lets find out…
*** What is it? ***
The Apple iPod in essence started life as a simple MP3 player, a (much) more advanced version of the Walkman or Discman for example. As technology
has advanced, so has the functional range of the iPod. The Apple iPod Nano video 4GB Third Generation has evolved to allow storage and playback of video as well as audio. Storage of media on the iPod Nano is achieved using flash memory. This eliminates the need for moving parts (as in conventional hard drives), thus minimising the risk of damage. The use of flash memory allows large storage capacities in a small device.
*** How does it work? ***
The Apple iPod works alongside its associated software iTunes. This will need to be installed before you can transfer music onto your iPod. Please note, it is not possible to use an iPod without a computer (unless you borrow someone else's).
ITunes is easy to use and allows you to easily manage music downloaded from the iTunes store and transfer files from CD to your iPod. Setting up iTunes is easy, simply download the package from the Apple iTunes website and follow the on screen instructions to install. Once this is complete, simply plug in your iPod and follow the instructions to set up and synchronise your iPod to your iTunes music library.
There are two ways of managing your music using iTunes. Firstly you can synchronise your iPod, which means that any changes to your music library on iTunes will automatically update on your iPod next time you plug it in. Secondly, you can choose to manage music files manually when you first set up your iPod. I personally find this a better choice as you can manually choose which songs to add to your iPod by simply dragging those that you desire to your iPod icon.
That's the computer software side sorted, now onto the iPod software…
The Apple iPod Nano video 4GB Third Generation provides numerous ways of browsing and playing music on your iPod. I will discuss some of these below:
· Shuffle Songs - The shuffle songs function will create a random playlist from all the songs held on your iPod. This can be interesting if you fancy a complete mix-up of all your music, and allows you to listen to music for hours.
· Playlists - The playlist function allows you to create your own playlists to which you can add the songs you want to be there. If you choose to play a playlist, only the songs on that particular playlist will play.
· Artists - Using the artist's function allows you to browse through all the artists on your iPod and play songs only by one particular artist if you wish - even if they are located on different albums.
· Albums - Albums allows you to view all the albums on your iPod and allows you the choice of playing one album at a time. If you copy a CD to your iPod this will be stored as one album and then you can "listen to that CD" if you like when you are out and about.
· Songs - Allows you to search for a particular song in alphabetical order so you don't have to try to remember who the artist is or which album it's located on. Helpful if you are trying to find a song in a hurry - assuming you know the name of it of course!
· Genres - Allows you to search and play music by specific genres. Genres means the types of music on your iPod so you can choose to play songs that are of an R&B type or of a heavy metal type for example.
· Coverflow - allows you to view the albums on your iPod by looking at the album cover.
One fascinating thing about the iPod is its characteristic click wheel, this may take a small amount of time to get used to if you are unfamiliar with it but you soon get the hang of it! It allows you to effortlessly scroll through your music by running your finger around a static "wheel"!
The iPod has a lock switch on the bottom so you can put your music on, and then lock the iPod so that the volume or track doesn't get adjusted through movement in your pocket. Very nifty!
The Apple iPod Nano video 4GB Third Generation also contains a handy clock if you are short of the time, took me ages to find mine but found it when I was least expecting it! It also contains a calendar and allows you to set yourself a "to do" list.
Another, almost strange, feature of the iPod Nano is its stopwatch function. I haven't used it, but its there if you need it!
*** So what's it like? ***
In one word, excellent! I got mine for Christmas last year and I have used it nearly everyday since then. I use it in the morning on the train, and again in the evening. I often use it when I'm at home so I can wander about the house whilst still listening to my favourite tunes and I use it when I go shopping to take my mind off the boredom of hunting for supplies.
Considering how much I use it, I have found the battery life to be superb! A full charge lasts me around a week, which is excellent for a device of this size and considering I probably use it for about 3 hours per day. Since Christmas I have not encountered any noticeable degradation in battery life.
The headphones supplied with the iPod are excellent quality, I am still using the same ones that came with the iPod but they are getting a little worn now.
The sound quality is superb, very crisp and clear and doesn't seem to distort, even with the volume on full!
*** The Cost? ***
Mine was a present so didn't cost me anything, however you can currently buy the Apple iPod Nano video 4GB Third Generation for approximately £90.
*** Overall? ***
Overall I have nothing bad to say about the iPod Nano, I have the 4GB version and I still haven't filled it up, however if you have a lot of music there is also an 8BG version available, which is especially useful if you want to use it for video playback as it takes up much more space.
I would highly recommend this product and judging by the number of people I see wandering around in those classic white headphones, I'm not the only one!
New swing! The iPod nano in the 4th generation is now available in new bright colours and ... more
shines with its rolling design with curved glass. Videos become an experience on the crystal-clear, bright display. With the new function "Genius" the iPod nano b...
Advantages: Stylish, Cool, Easy to use, Clickwheel, Light, Small, Watch videos on it Disadvantages: The back mirror finish scratches really easyily, No chrarger, Cheap metreals used
Oct 6th, 2008
exceptional by (11%):
very helpful by (89%):
