Apple Ipod Review

A Short Review of the Apple IPOD and Why It's So Darn Cool!
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by: Steve Karr

What's all the fuss about? Why does everybody want an IPOD anyway? I know there are a lot of folks like me out there. We are the ones who said what in the world do you need a camera in your phone for? I'll never use that! Well, I was wrong again. Who would know that cell phone cameras would be so darn handy! When my son got a 30GB video IPOD, I said that's nice... Expensive, but hey now he was as cool as all the other kids in school. I figured that was the main worth of the little hunk of plastic, simply a status symbol. Heaven knows I can't have my boy headed off to school and not be one of the coolest kids in attendance! Well, maybe I could but he couldn't handle the concept.

Don't get me wrong, I love music. All kinds - classic rock, blue grass, folk, country, and even a little classical at times. But I figured I had a CD player in my car, had the walkman CD, home stereo version. What do I need with an IPOD? Just something else to try and learn how to use. That was before my son brought his on our first long road trip, out where there are no FM stations. Hook that 30GB IPOD up to the radio converter, put it on shuffle and let it run, FOREVER! And I find it great even around town, don't have to listen to those sticking commercials anymore! Want a movie or two for an airplane ride, just load it up and you're set. Want some worthwhile content? Find some pod casts on your favorite subject and load it up. Audio books? No problemo!

I guess you could say I have been won over. So, just incase you may be on the edge of joining the revolution, here's some info on features and accessories that may help you in getting out the wallet. There are many versions of this wonderful device, ranging from the little 1 GB Shuffle all the way up to the 80 GB ipod video 5.5 generation. My choice is the 30 GB ipod video 5.5 generation. It's about $100.00 less than it's big brother, the 80 GB ipod, but has all of the same features and accessory options.

From the Manufacturer

Now that you can buy movies from the iTunes Store and sync them to your iPod, the whole world is your theater. With the Apple 30 GB iPod with Video Playback in hand, those movies fit comfortably next to TV shows, new iPod games, podcasts, audiobooks, photo albums, and, of course, an entire library of music--up to 7500 songs. How much can your pocket hold? That's up to you and your iPod, but no matter how you organize it, the iPod holds loads of songs and plenty of hours of video.

It is almost hard to explain exactly how 30 GB of storage can fit into an iPod that's over 30-percent thinner than the previous fourth generation. However it happened, it means you can carry more music and video absolutely anywhere you go. And with a 60-percent brighter screen, the vibrant display gives your album art, photos, and video extra oomph. As always, iPod makes finding what you want to hear a breeze. Plus, a new interface lets you search your iPod using the patented Click Wheel. And if you're a fan of live albums, classical works, or anything that sounds best when it is played continuously, iPod supports gapless playback that seamlessly transitions from one song to another.

Podcasts, Audiobooks, Games, and Photos

The iTunes Store features thousands of free podcasts--radio-type shows you subscribe to--including indie favorites and offerings from big names such as, ABC News, Comedy Central, ESPN, PBS, NPR, and many more. Browse and subscribe to podcasts, then sync them to your iPod and listen anytime. Even video podcasts sync to go, and all your podcasts appear in their own menu on your iPod, so they're easy to navigate.

Now that the iTunes Store features iPod games, you can keep hours of fun at your fingertips. Download brand-new and classic games, including Bejeweled, Texas Hold 'Em, Vortex, Mahjong, Mini Golf, Pac-Man, Tetris, and Zuma, for just a few dollars each, then sync them to your iPod and play along with your favorite tunes. All iPod games from the iTunes Store are designed specifically for the fifth-generation iPod, and all of them look great on the 2.5-inch color display.

If you can fill your iPod with photos, then you've got a ton of images at your disposal. iPod holds tens of thousands of photos that you can sync from your Mac or Windows PC via iTunes. Use the Click Wheel to scroll through photo thumbnails the same way you scroll through song titles. To see a photo full-screen, just click the center button. You can even view photo slideshows--complete with music--on your iPod or on a TV via the optional iPod Video/Photo AV Cable. Select Slideshow Settings, choose the transition effect and the music, and then start the show.

Search, Settings, and Extras

With thousands of songs, audiobooks, and more on your iPod, you need an easy way to search and enjoy your collection. A brand-new, built-in search function lets you use the Click Wheel to type out the name of the song, artist, album, audiobook, or podcast you're looking for, and your iPod returns results instantly as you select letters--finding what you want couldn't be easier.

The fifth-generation iPod lets you customize menus, check capacity, change your language, change how your iPod sounds, and more, all from the easy-to-use Setting menu. Click About to see how many songs are on your iPod and how much room you have left. Click Main Menu to select what items appear in your Main Menu, tweak the built-in equalizer, or set a maximum volume limit--everything you need to personalize your iPod, from backlight timer to clicker sound effects, appears in Settings.

And, lastly, your iPod is loaded with extras. Everything from calendars, contacts, and the World Clock appear in the Extras menu, along with a few more handy items. Take the Screen Lock, for example. Spin the Click Wheel to choose a four-digit combination and protect your iPod from prying eyes. If you forget your combo, you can reset it at your next sync. Or use the built-in stopwatch to log your best times at the gym. And when it's finally time to play, the Extras menu lists all your games, including the ones you purchase from the iTunes Store.

Have a small apartment, hook this baby up to a set of the small Bose speakers and you got yourself a real high quality sound system at a very reasonable price for those small spaces.

What's in the Box

Apple 30 GB iPod with Video Playback, earphones, USB 2.0 cable, dock adapter, case, and quick start guide.

A Short Review of the Apple IPOD and Why It's So Darn Cool!