iPod

toc =Ipod Overview=

The iPod has evolved over the years and has now become one of the most recognizable hand held devices on the market today. It has become more that just an MP3 player it is now a phone, video player, eBook reader, web web browser, camera, voice recorder and hand held gaming system. Basically these super thin devices have become small computers. [|Apple] now has five different models of iPods the shuffle, the nano, the classic, the touch, and the iPhone. The three models that have the most technology crammed in them today are the nano, the touch, and the iPhone. Below are photos of of these three models.

=iPods Impact=

In the Music Industry
There have been many portable music players brought to the market, but none have had the success and the impact of the iPod. Why is that and how has it impacted the music industry. When the iPod was first introduced on the marked it was just like many other portable music players, where you would by the album on CD rip in into digital format on your computer and copy it to the player. The iPod changed that when the music industry was pressuring portable music player companies because they felt that these companies were promoting music piracy. [|Apple] to combat this created what is known as[|iTunes] and the music world has never been the same again. [|Apple] became one of the first if not the first company to enable customers to purchase single songs for $.99 or and entire album at a lower cost than the physical album. All this took place at a time when record companies were fighting hard to keep people for illegally downloading music. Now [|iTunes] is the largest distributor of digital music in the United States surpassing the department store juggernaut [|Wal-Mart]

In Education
Using the technology from the iPod you can create or view video and audio content as if you were using a pc at your desk. There are a few different types of podcast that are available. Audio podcast will stream audio to your iPod usually using an MP3 file type. Enhanced podcast displays images that go along with the audio. This is similar to reading to a child and showing them the pictures in the book. Video podcast shows a video. Usually the video is in the MPEG-4 format. This can be an advantage for education because a student could create and share a podcast with his classmates or the world by listing their podcast in iTunes.



= iPod Pros =

One of the benefits people enjoy with the iPod is a small sleek device that can be used for business or pleasure. Instead of carry around multiple music cd's or DVD's you can have them all at the touch of your fingers. Whether you are on a long trip, on a airplane or waiting for an appointment you can pass the time by watching your favorite movie or listening to you favorite music. Carrying the iPod is much easier than lugging around DVD's and CD's in your briefcase or suitcase. This is not to mention the endless supply of application that can be downloaded to your iPod for use. You can find any application that suits your needs or if you don't you can always make your own application. The iPod also gives you the option to download a lecture if your professor has created a podcast of the course.

=iPod Cons=

Althougth the iPod is deemed the most popular portable device it does come with some drawbacks. The first being that unless you are very familiar with how it works you are stuck using iTunes in order to get content onto the player. This also causes issue for any user that wants to use an Operating System such as Linux since iTunes is not compatible with any Linux Distro. To come up with applications for the iPod you must use an Apple computer and all applications that are created unless they are for personal use have to be approved by Apple. Also this device is going to be more expensive than your average MP3 player. Another major drawback is most content that is purchased through the iTunes store has some form of DRM security making it hard to listen to music or watch videos on multiple computer or portable devices. The iPod Touch and iPhone both have web browsing capabilities, but no Flash or Java support. Finally if you are thinking of getting an iPhone you are limited to one cell phone service provider and that is AT&T.

=Examples= There are plenty of examples that can be used for the iPod Play Music Watch Video Surf the Internet Podcast for classes, radio or other education Email Thousands of application to download for the Apps Store

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