There is no question that the most popular portable music player on the market is the iPod. With its small size, large memory, and digital sound, iPods allow you to bring a massive music library with you wherever you go, and it all fits in the palm of your hand. iPods are becoming increasingly ubiquitous as more and more consumers eschew compact disks in favor of the convenience, portability, and performance of these small wonders. However, iPods are not perfect and if they have a shortcoming it is most obvious when you would like to use your iPod in the car, unless, of course, you have purchased an iPod car adapter.
While some new cars are equipped with iPod docking stations, it is a rare feature that was not available until very recently. For the vast majority of drivers their car stereo is still designed to accommodate compact disks, which up until recently were the music medium of choice. Because an iPod can store hundreds of music titles its advantages over compact disks are obvious, and iPod owners naturally want to utilize this while driving in their automobiles, and they need an iPod car adapter to do that.
There are several types of iPod car adapters on the market. The most basic model would be for use in cars that still have an analog cassette player. For those automobiles, a cassette adapter can be plugged into the headphone jack of the iPod, and the cassette can be inserted into the car stereo. However, the sound quality of this option is not ideal, and most late model cars have CD players instead of cassette players.
If your car has a compact disc player, then a cassette iPod car adapter is obviously not an option. The Neo iON is the latest and best iPod car adapter on the market. The iON plugs directly into your iPod and is connected through a cable that plugs directly into the CD changer port that is located on the back of your car CD player. Installing the iON requires some degree of skill and time and those who are less mechanically inclined may opt to have it professionally installed. The iON provides a direct connection that delivers the highest quality digital sound, but perhaps the most enticing feature is the way your iON and iPod interface with your car stereo system. Once attached to the iON, you no longer have to fumble with the buttons on your iPod while driving. Instead you can change musical tracks by using the existing buttons on your car stereo.
Installing an iON in your automobile has obvious advantages, but those advantages come at a cost. The iON is not portable, it becomes part of your car, so if you own several cars you would need to install an iON in each if you want to bring your iPod with you wherever you go. Further, if your car stereo does not have a CD changer port then an iON would not be compatible with your car. If those scenarios describe you, then an iPod car adapter with a universal FM modulator is what you need. A FM modulator will allow you to broadcast your iPod through one of several FM frequencies, and you can tune in your iPod on your car radio.
Another desirable feature of an iPod car adapter, such as the iON and the FM modulator, is that they provide a power source for your iPod so you do not have to worry about charging your iPod’s battery; it happens automatically. An iPod car adapter gives you the ability to listen to your entire music library for as long as you want, and as far as you drive.
The Apple iPod has long dominated the world of digital media players, but since November 2006 there has been another player on the field. Microsoft's Zune player is a 30 gigabyte audio and video player with the unique feature of allowing users to temporarily share music with each other.
If you're in the market for a digital media player and aren't sure which one is right for you, this quick rundown should give you an idea of which player is best for your situation.
First, there are a lot of things that the iPod and the Zune have in common. Both come with 30 gigabyte hard drives and are capable of playing audio, podcasts and video in portrait mode, though there are iPods with less memory and that don't include a video capability. They both use USB 2.0 to connect to computers, and they both require an online service to buy, download and manage audio and video.
Both run on lithium ion batteries for about 14 hours, and they are virtually the same size (both are 2.4 inches wide, but the Zune is about 0.3 inches taller than the iPod). The Zune weighs 5.6 ounces to the iPod's 4.8.
Once you get past the physical aspects, the battle of Zune vs. iPod gets more interesting. That's because the Zune has one thing the iPod lacks: a built-in community based on the ability to share files between Zune devices that are in close proximity through Wi-Fi.
Users can share most songs, and the person who is given the song can listen to it up to three times in three days before it is disabled. This makes it easy for people to share their favorites and really gets a circle of friends talking about music and sharing more media than they ever have before.
The Microsoft Zune also comes with preloaded audio and video to give users access to music they might not otherwise hear about. The iPod is a blank slate when you buy it, which you might actually prefer.
The Zune comes with a little more personalization out of the box, since it is available in five colors to the iPod's two and also has the ability to change the background image. Zune has a screen that is a half inch bigger than the iPod's, and you can also watch videos in landscape mode on it, which can't be done on the iPod.
Navigation is a little different on the two devices. The iPod has a scroll wheel, while the ZUne has a more tactile button control, as well as a back button, a play button and a hold button.
Another big difference between the Zune and the iPod is that the Zune Marketplace, similar to iTunes, allows users to pay a flat fee for unlimited downloads of a select group of media each month. The iTunes store has no mechanism for unlimited purchases.
Whether you choose the Microsoft Zune or the Apple iPod, you are sure to find that having music and videos at your fingertips changes the way you think about a long bus ride.
Before you go out and spend a chunk of your hard earned cash on an ipod you need to take the time to think about what it is that you really need in yours. I mean, there are so many different kinds out there now, it is not the same selection that you had a few years ago. Back then there was only the and sure you had a few options as far as how many songs it would hold, but that was it. Now our options are vast, each kind of ipod comes with different song capacities and this will affect not only how many of your cds will fit on it but also how much you have to pay for your new ipod.
When it comes to buying an ipod for your kids you need to look at a couple of different things. First of all, consider where the kid is going to be packing this new handy dandy toy. If they are going to be walking all over the world with it you may want to stick with the cheaper ipod shuffle. It is a rough world out there and thousands and tens of thousands of kids have been robbed for their ipods probably this year alone. If, on the other hand, your son or daughter is a very responsible child and they know when to take it with them and when not to then you may want to upgrade your purchase to one of the other more expensive models of ipod. You know your child best of all, just take the time to think about your decision before you spend the money.
If your ipod shopping is all about you and what you need out of this player then you want to look at some of the same things and some different things as well. Kids are not the only ones who get robbed for their ipods you know, so you will need to be careful too. If you just like to have some tunes to accompany you on the way to work on the subway or the bus then an is probably a perfectly fine way to go. If you would like to use your ipod to catch up on the latest TV shows that you missed, then you are going to have to go with the classic ipod. This is the only one that has video capabilities.
When it comes right down to it all of the ipods are amazing, and they are all worth every penny that they cost. It is just a matter of choosing the one that suits you best.
With so many handheld devices on the market these days, the Apple iPod Nano is clearly an excellent choice. But what makes this particular unit such an obvious way to go? Here are some of the advantages that this iPod brings to the table.
For people who like to take a lot of music with them, the iPod Nano is the ideal choice. Depending on the process of file storage, you can have anywhere between five hundred and a thousand music tracks loaded at any given time. Unlike some lesser models where you would have to settle for a much smaller selection, you can easily have music from a variety of genres at your fingertips, enough to get you through the longest airline trip, or through any number of situations where you need some pleasant distraction. Organizing the tunes is simple as well, so you can always find whatever is the ideal music for your current mood.
Accessing the tunes is also easier than ever with the Nano version of the Apple iPod. The click wheel has the familiar look that you have come to rely upon. What has changed is that it is much more responsive than some of the earlier models. This means you can perform all the functions at lightning speed, from searching the menu, forward and rewinding through the songs and even pausing when you need to step away from the Nano for a moment. The display area is also a nice size in comparison to the overall unit. You have a viewing space of about 1.5 inches for display, which easily allows you visual contact with the menus.
Improved battery life is another perk of the new and improved Nano Apple iPod. While older versions would provide you with up to twelve hours of listening pleasure, the Nano will keep going for up to fourteen hours in between charges. That pretty well makes for the vast majority of a whole day's playing time. You will also find that recharging the Apple Nano overnight is quick and easy. Simply plug in the charger and you will be good to go when the new day begins.
With all the improvements that come with the iPod Nano, it just makes sense to head out to the store and make this unit your own. Check with find electronics stores as well as major discount retailers. Then have fun loading all your favorite tracks on your new handheld Apple iPod Nano.
It is said that creation follows recreation and vice versa. Entertainment is really an indispensable means of relaxing and refreshing yourself especially after a hectic schedule. There are numerous ways of unwinding yourself. However, music has always been and will always remain the prime source of entertainment for most of the people in the world.
With the advancement in technologies around the world, new kind of gadgets are being manufactured to cater to the needs of the millions of music-lovers thereby, tapping the potentiality of this growing music industry. This process has brought a revolution in the electronic-gadget industry as we have been witnessing a phenomenal rise in the sales of different music-related gadgets across the globe.
Among all types of music-related electronic gizmos, iPod Shuffles have become a roaring success ever since they were invented. iPod Shuffles are regarded as the most easy, convenient and comfortable means of listening to your favorite music on the move all the time. iPod Shuffles are actually an advanced and improved versions of MP3 players and they offer a number of additional features that enhance the quality of sound providing a whole new meaning to the concept of music-listening. It is no wonder then why iPod stands as the best selling MP3/MP4 players in the world market today. Its success can be largely attributed to its sleek design, unique user-interface, elegant look, and superlative sound quality.
The concept of iPod came into being in October 23, 2001 when Apple Corporation first released its iPod Shuffle. At present, we are on the 5th generation of iPod. This high-end MP4 player boasts of 60 to 80 GB memory storage, video capability and a host of other attractive features that can potentially entice millions of music enthusiasts, gizmo geeks and techno junkies around the world. So, if you are one of those die-hard music lovers and have been pondering over buying yourself an iPod Shuffle, be aware of its pro and cons. The following are a few very useful facts that you should know about iPods before you settle for one. Take a peek:
Internal Memory:
Internal Memory of an iPod can vary from 512MB to 80 GB depending upon the size as well as price factor. The latest edition of iPod Shuffle from Apple comes in two different versions, one with 512MB that offers storage of about 120 songs and, the other with 1GB allowing the users to store up to 240 songs. iPods having higher storage facility will cost you more. So, choose the one according to your need.
Battery Life:
It is extremely important to check the battery life of the iPods while buying one. Usually, most iPods come with a built-in rechargeable battery. However, you should ensure that the iPod Shuffle you are buying has an AC/DV adaptor for quick battery charge. The current edition from Apple includes a 12-hour rechargeable battery.
Size:
iPods can be found in a wide-range of sizes. When it comes to the size of an iPod, more often than not, it depends on the features of a particular player. For instance, iPods featuring large screen, video capability, and hard drive facility can be big in size. As a result, they cost more. Be specific about your need; know what you want from an MP3 player, and then pick the one that suits you the best.
USB:
Universal Serial Bus or USB is a standard feature of all iPods. This helps you plug and connect the player to your PC enabling you to drag and drop music files from your PC into your iPod. The latest model of iPod supports USB 2.0 transfer.
Audio Format:
Make it a point to check whether the iPod you are buying supports some specific audio formats. Typically, all iPods, MP3 and MP4 players invariably support MP3 format. However, some players do not support all audio formats. For Instance, you may not be able to listen to a downloaded track just because your player does not support that particular music file which is in WMA format. Check the player`s specifications before buying it and make sure that your iPod supports most standard audio formats.
Additional Features:
Most MP3 players, MP4 players and iPod Shuffles are now available with a host of additional features like FM tuner and audio recording facility. Some players might cost you more just because they include these additional features. There is no point in paying more if these features are not of much interest to you. So, just look before you leap!!!
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