The iPod revolution

Can you imagine carrying your entire music collection in your pocket? Well with an Apple iPod it’s more than possible and there is still space left to record your life story 3 times over! So, couple the features of the iPod with all the accessories that you can get for it, and you’re in for an enjoyable time.

 

The beginning

The first portable MP3 players started to appear in 1999 thanks to a German company called Fraunhofer-Gesellhaft who developed the technology. A few years later in 2001, the Apple iPod was born and set the trend for high capacity high powered portable media players. Over the last few years, the iPod has gone through a few slight changes, but they’ve all increased its appeal to the portable music enthusiasts. Say the phrase "MP3 player" today and the word iPod seems synonymous with it.

 

The Apple® iPod®

The main purpose of your iPod is for listening to music on the move, ideal for jogging, passing time on long journeys or just relaxing after spending 3 days trying to find songs to fill it. There are various types of iPod, which all vary when it comes to storage capacity and features. Some iPod's have 512mb of storage whilst others have 160GB with colour screens. Some even allow you to operate it via touchscreen controls. So, depending on your love for music and the amount you want to spend, there are a few decisions for you to make first.

To give you some idea of storage space, 1GB of iPod space equates to about 240 songs. If you were to buy an iPod with 30GB of storage space, you could store about 7,200 songs! Based on an average track length of 4 minutes, you would be able to listen to music for 20 days straight, and not hear the same song twice! Not only does the iPod play music, it is now capable of podcasting, displaying pictures and playing videos, some even allow you to play games. You can also use the iPod as a mass storage device, which works in the same way as an external hard drive on your PC.

 

Types of iPod®

There are 4 main types of iPod available to you at the moment:

• The iPod Shuffle has between 512mb - 1GB of storage space and is only capable of playing music. Each time you connect your iPod Shuffle to iTunes®, a random selection of music is downloaded to it.
  
  
• The new iPod Nano (4th Generation) is available in 9 vibrant colours and has either 8GB or 16GB of storage space and sports a 2.0” colour screen. The iPod nano can also hold pictures and play videos. The 16GB version can hold up to 4000 songs and has a battery life of about 24 hours of constant listening. A cool new feature of the iPod Nano is the ability to shake the iPod to
  shuffle the music!
  
  
• The iPod Classic now has 120GB of storage space. It sports a 2.5” colour screen and has the capability to play music, games, videos and display pictures. The iPod Classic would be the ideal choice if you wanted to use your iPod as a mass storage device and use your iPod as your media library.
  
  
• The new iPod Touch (2nd Generation - dubbed the "funnest iPod ever created") comes in 3 sizes, 8GB, 16GB & 32GB. It presents you with a 3.5" colour screen, the biggest on the iPod so far, and allows you to navigate the interface using your finger with the touchscreen controls. The iPod touch also has Wi-Fi built in allowing you to access the Internet and browse web pages. This is very similar to the iPhone in style but without the phone capability. And, when listening to music, you can either use your headphones or the built-in speaker!

 

Apple iTunes

Apple® iTunes® was first released for the PC in 2003 and is currently at version 8. iTunes is primarily used for playing music on your computer, and syncing your iPod so that your music library and playlists are all up to date. But, it’s capable of a whole lot more than that.

 

With iTunes you can visit the online shop, buy music, movies & TV shows as well as obtain free podcast downloads. There is also an option to buy games. If you’re lucky enough to own an iPod Touch, you can even download fun and useful applications like the iTunes remote that allows you to control what music is playing on your PC by using your iPod Touch as a remote control. How cool is that!

 

You can download iTunes 8 from here.

 

iPod in car installation

If the thought of using your iPod as part of your car’s ‘in-car entertainment (ICE)’ system appeals to you, then The TechGuys can fit a dock into your car so that you can play your tunes on the move. Click here for more details.

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JBL On Time iPod Speaker

If you’re looking for a home for your iPod when you’re at, err, home, then this modern looking ‘JBL On Time iPod Speaker’ will make you both feel welcome.

 

The stylish JBL On Time iPod Speaker is an ideal accompaniment for any room where music is required. The unique shape of the device makes it extremely pleasing to the eye, unless you use the alarm feature for your morning wakeup call then it could quite possible be the last thing that you want to see! Anyway, as well as the alarm it also features 360 degree sound, automatic LCD dimming, a clock/radio and an Apple Universal Dock, which charges your iPod at the same time. Another cool feature is that when you turn the device back on again, it will automatically remember the volume setting you last used and the source for the music.

The Apple Universal Dock is compatible with all iPod models except the iPod shuffle™. For the iPod shuffle and other players, the dock has a stereo mini jack allowing you to connect such devices this way. You can also connect your laptop or PC to it, should you so wish to.

 

Click here to buy it from PC World.

 

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ION Audio Portable PA sound system

For people that are serious about quality music and want others to enjoy their iPod collection too, you’ll be glad to know that you can now purchase an iPod PA system!

The ION PA system is basically a big speaker that your iPod docks into, giving you Hi-Fi quality sound in seconds. The PA system can cater for all types of events and scenarios. First of all, it has a battery so you can use it away from mains power for around 6 hours, depending on how loud you have the volume that is! It also comes with a microphone, so you can sing along to all your favourite tracks.

You could, if you wanted to, plug in an instrument at the same to time to play and sing simultaneously. On the off chance that you don’t have an iPod, there is also a connection in the front for a CD player so you can still hear your favourite tracks from another device.

This is all very well and good, but PA systems are heavy so why would I need a battery when I can’t take it anywhere? ION have thought of this already and put in a suitcase style telescopic handle and wheels. Just roll it along to your favourite place and let the party begin.

Click here to buy it from PC World.

 

 

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ION Audio U Cast Podcasting Kit

Why not make a name for yourself with the ION Audio U Cast Podcasting Kit. This box contains everything you need to record your very own podcast!

Don’t worry if you don’t know much or anything at all about podcasts, all of the hardware, software, information and instructions are included in the box.

There has never been a better time to join in on this revolutionary way of communicating with the masses. The podcasting kit contains everything you need to record yourself, edit the recordings and upload the recording to a website for the world to hear. You also get a pair of professional headphones so you can listen to it in private first, just to make sure it’s perfect.

If you are a little shy and don’t want to make your recordings available to all and sundry, you can still get a great deal out of this tiny package. For starters, you could record some bed time stories for the children and bring story telling into the 21st century! Or, record the vocals for your new song. Whatever you decide to do, this product is perfect for anyone who wants to dip their toes into the pool of sound recording.

 

Click here to buy it from PC World.

 

 

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ION Audio TTUSB USB Turntable

Do you remember what EPs, LPs, 7” and 12” were all about? If you’re old enough to remember then the chances are that you have a garage full of vinyl that is gathering dust, and slowly degrading over time. Most modern stereos would not look out of place on a NASA space shuttle and finding a stereo willing to accept your vinyl is not an easy task.

 

Well now there’s a solution, and it does not involve a car-boot sale and selling your records for 5p a throw. The ION USB Turntable will allow you to convert your entire vinyl record collection into MP3s, so that you can transfer the tunes from yesteryear to your iPod and listen to them anytime you like.

The ION USB Turntable plugs straight into your PC via a USB connector, and with the supplied recording software, you’ll have an archive of your record collection in no time at all. If on the other hand you just want to play your records, you can simply plug the turntable into the back of a normal HiFi (providing it has space for the 2 RCA cables), and play them at your leisure.

 

Click here to buy it from PC World.