Thursday, May 17, 2007

How To Ipod Your Car


If you like to ipod your car - pump music on your ipod through your car stereo system - apart from changing to a brand new car that has ipod integration such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan and Volvo - there are other options available to you.

If your car does not have the ipod connectivity, the solution to ipod your car is to install an ipod adaptor.An ipod adaptor retailed by companies such as Peripheral and Monster can be installed within the cavern of wires behind your car dashboard, with one prong from adaptor going to the back of your stereo while another prong goes to a ipod holder near the front seats of the car.

The ipod adaptor works like an emulator and tricks the stereo to think it is a CD changer, so that you can use the track buttons on the stereo faceplate to select songs of your choice.

Installing an ipod changer might be difficult for the non-mechanical inclined, and the services of a trained mechanic might be easier.

If your car is too old, the factory installed stereo might not be suitable for ipod integration. For such cars, it is advisable to install a new player from manufacturers such as Alpine, Kenwood and Pioneer.

If sound quality is important to you, the use of ipod cassete adaptors is not recommended as the sound quality is not good enough, and more importantly they do not recharge the ipod's battery.

Yet another solution is to use a FM modulator that can produce better sound, and can recharge the batteries, but cannot be directly controlled from the radio.

With these drawbacks, the ipod cassete adaptor and the FM modulator are not the best options, and it is still the ipod adaptor that is recommended.

To facilitate your personal research and to find out what ipod integration is necessary for the model of your car, there are online catalogues from car audio online websites such as that from Crutchfield.com

So your first step is to determine the ipod integration requirements for your car and get the suitable adaptor. Before long, you can be pumping your ipod tracks through your car stereo and enjoying your favorite songs.


What Is Ipod Shuffle?


iPod shuffle is flash-based digital music player designed by Apple Computer. The iPod shuffle is designed to be easily loaded with a selection of songs and to play them in random order. This iPod enables iPod shuffle users to get rid of all that iTunes or other complicated playlist management stuff. Due to the simple structure of the shuffle it is possible to use the player almost like any other USB flash MP3 player: You simply copy MP3 files onto it. You only need to run the Database Builder program after you added or removed files from the iPod.

Type of iPod shuffle

There are two Category of iPod, which are categorized on the basis of storage capacity.
• 512 MB iPods
• 1GB iPods

Good Thing about iPod shuffle

Small size and High Storage
You know what they say about good things and small packages. But when something 1.62 inches long and about half an ounce holds up to 240 songs, "good" and "small" don't quite cut it. Especially when you can listen to your music for up to 12 continuous hours. In fact, iPod shuffle just may be the biggest thing in small.

Battery
The Battery life of iPod shuffle is 12 hour. It also provide battery indicators, Green means go, Amber means you're low, and Red means you've almost hit zero. iPod shuffle may keep rocking even longer than you do. Rechargeable batteries have a limited number of charge cycles. Battery life and number of charge cycles vary by use and settings.

Easy to carry
Clip it to your coin pocket. Clip it to your bag. No matter where you clip your skip-free iPod shuffle, you'll have instant access to music. And iPod shuffle's anodized aluminum enclosure goes with absolutely everything. Put it on, turn it up, and turn some heads.

Headphone
iPod shuffle's headphone jack does double-duty as a dock connector. Flip iPod shuffle upside-down and drop it into the included dock. Then connect the dock to your Mac or Windows PC via USB for a quick sync and charge. And if you're away from your computer, you can charge on the go with an optional USB adapter.

Remix and match
Got more than 240 songs in your iTunes library? No problem. Let iTunes autofill your iPod shuffle and get a new musical experience every time. Pop follows jazz. Rock follows rap. iPod shuffle loves to improvise. Take the Shuffle switch, for instance. Even if you've synced a particular playlist, you can shuffle songs with a flick.

Configuration of Latest iPod shuffle

Flash Memory Size: 1 GB

Song Capacity: 240 Songs

Color & Material: Silver Aluminum

Integrated USB Port: No

Dimensions: 1.07 x 1.62 x 0.41 inches

Price (As Introduced): US$79


iPod shuffle is flash-based digital music player designed by Apple Computer. The iPod shuffle is designed to be easily loaded with a selection of songs and to play them in random order.



Home Remedies for Your Sick iPod


What should you do when your iPod freezes or you frequently see the Sad Face icon appearing on your screen? Do you run to the nearest computer guru or iPod geek and shell out cash that you don't have? Why not learn how to fix some of these yourself!

There are several diagnostic tests you can do to see if your iPod has a hardware problem. It is nice to turn to the built-in Diagnostic Mode on your iPod to check for hardware problems. First, you need to restart your iPod and then put it in Diagnostic Mode. Make sure the hold switch has been turned off. You can do this by pushing the switch away from the headphone jack. Jiggle it on and off to be sure. To reset your iPod, you will need to press and hold a few buttons at the same time for about 10 seconds. Hold the "Menu" and "Play/Pause" buttons down if your iPod is 1G to 3G. If you have the iPod 4G, you will need to press and hold "Menu" and "Select". If your iPod has been reset, you should see the Apple logo and feel the spinning of the hard drive. Now, press and hold these buttons: "REW", "FFW" and "Select" for iPod 1G to 3G and "Back" and "Select" for the iPod 4G. If your model is a 3G or above, you should hear a bird chirp sound and the Apple logo should pop up backwards. You have now reached the mecca of Diagnostic Mode. Keep in mind that your scroll wheel will not work when you are in this mode. Using "REW" and "FFW", you can look through the lists of tests to see which one you might need.

If your iPod is older, there are some tests you can run on 1G to 4G's. The 5 in 1 will run five separate tests at one time that include the LCM, SDRAM, RTC, FLASH/CHECKSUM. AMD FOREWORE/FW ID. For 3G iPods, you will hear a jingle when the test has completed. RESET will tell you if your iPod can reset. The AUDIO test will check the iPod audio subsystem. If you have a remote, the REMOTE will test it. Make sure your iPod is plugged in or you will get "RMT FAIL" on your screen. FIREARE will check the FireWire port. You want to see "FW PASS". SLEEP will give your iPod a rest but you will need to reset your system to revive it. To test your iPod's power, you will need to run the A 2 D test. You will get different outcomes based on where your iPod is getting its power from a battery or wall outlet. If your scroll wheel is giving you fits, run the I.OTPO CNT test. To make sure the screen is functioning properly, run the LCM test. You will need to keep holding down the "Select" button to have it run through several patterns. The RTC test will test the real time clock in your iPod. To test the iPod RAM memory, run the SDRAM test. If you need to find out what firmware version you have on your iPod, simply run the FLASH test. The OTPO or Wheel A2D will test the analog to digital input of your iPod's scroll wheel. After this test, you will need to reset your iPod. Want to know if you have a healthy hard drive? Do the HDD Scan. The RUN IN test will test the chip sets non-stop. After you have completed all necessary tests, you will need to reset your iPod to get it out of Diagnostic Mode.

The newer iPod test names are easier to understand and won't leave you looking for your nerd dictionary. The MEMORY test will test the SDRAM, IRAM, and FLASH memory. The SDRAM is the RAM memory test, which may take a few moments. You will want to see "SDRAM OK". The FLASH test will let you know where you iPod stands on flash memory. The Comms test will let you know how the ports are faring. You will know if your remote is not connected to your iPod if you get a NG, or no good result, for the HP, headphone-port. The Wheel test will test the key and wheel. The LCD test will test the colors, patterns, and gradients of your LCD. To test your hold switch, you will do the Headphone Detect test. When you own an iPod, you want to make sure that you have protected your investment. An iPod is not cheap, and neither are your music downloads. Keep your iPod in top working condition by learning a few things you can do at home instead of paying someone else to fix it.


The magic within Apple's iPod player


There are so many digital music players available.So why is Apple's iPod so special?We used one and discovered that it has a lot more to offer than just music.

Every now and then a technology comes along that promises to change our lifestyle.The sony Walkman (launched in 1979), the video cassette recorder (in the 1980s) and the internet (mid-1990s) are vivid examples.The latest technology fascination is a small digital music player called iPod.No bigger than a pack of cards and a slim as a cigarette lighter,the little wonder can holder as many as 10,000 songs!that lets you carry your entire CD collection in your back pocket!.

But the iPod is much more than a digital music player.In fact it has so much to offer that it's fast acquiring the same status of the Walkman.Here are some features that we discovered.you will find them under the 'Extras' menu on the iPod.

Feature 1 : An address book

One of the iPod's most unknown features is its ability to store and display addresses,phone numbers and other text-based data.If you have a collection of phone numbers that you want to access easily,you can store textual information from website articles and e-books.The amount of data you store is limited only by the available space on the iPod's hard drive.
If you are a Mac OS X user,you'll use two application to transfer this data to the iPod:
Address Book and iSync.Address Book installs with OS X and iSync is a free download from the Apple website and will sync Mac,iPod,PDAs and Bluetooth devices.
In other operating systems such as windows,you use any application that will export your data into the vCard format (for e-mail addresses).Then connect the iPod to the PC,and in the software drag the vCard file into the 'Contacts' folder of the iPod.
Now,let's say you want to use the iPod to store a large document.Though the iPod technically does not allow it,you can work around the problem by simply typing the name of the file first where you would normally type the name of the person.Having done that paste the text file into the 'Notes' or 'Comments' field of your address entry.Then,when it gets transferred to the iPod,your entry will show up as just another address entry and the text file will deployed under the 'Notest' section of the entry.
This is a handy way to take important information and text files on the road with you.You can add driving directions,WAP stumbling logs,notest,just about anything that you can imagine.

Feature 2 : Calendar

The iPod can also function like a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) and you can store your daily schedule in it.It has a calendar that can store your forthcoming events.
To access the calendar simply follow the patch 'Extras | Calendar' and you will find your daily to do schedule.Navigate through days by using the scroll wheel or through months by pressing the 'Forward' and 'Back' buttons.Selecting a day will bring a list of all events scheduled for that day.Selecting a specific event will bring up exact time information and a description of the appointment.
How does one go about putting their calendar onto iPod?Luckily Apple has used the standard vCalendar format.This means that one can export calendar information from application such as Microsoft Entourage or Palm Desktop and put it straight into the iPod during a Sync operation.
Apple has developed its own solution for adding vCalendar files via iCal.If you don't want tp use iCal,then use the Palm Desktop or Entourage to export your calendar information.Once you have exported it,simply drag it to the 'Calendar' folder on iPod.It will automatically be updated and recognized.

Feature 3 : Games

The iPod also including some simple games like Music Quiz,Solitaire,Brick and Parachute.There are web sites from where you can download more games and put these in your ipod.The games and put these in your iPod.The games are the simple kind,so don't expect as you'd get on PCs or the latest phones.

Feature 4 : A secret storage device

Here's one thing an iPod can do that a PDA or paper notebook can't.It can be used as a hard disk drive.That might have certain advantages if you're concerned about certain files or information being discovered on your computer.
With storage capacities ranging from 5 GB to 30 GB,there are lots of possiblities for use as an external storage device for your laptop when you are on the field.
If there are some applications that you want to use,but for some reason you don't want to install them on your laptop,you can run them off the iPod.You can also use the iPod as a boot drive if you have an OS installed on it and if your computer supports booting from an external Firewire device.Most modern day computers allow that.
An iPod can be connected to any Firewire-equipped computer and be used to share and swap files as needed.On an iMac computer,the iPod will automatically show up on the desktop as an external drive.With any other system you'd need the Firewire drivers to be installed.
iPods connect to iMacs using Firewire cables.This,flexible Firewire cables are now available that are much better for field use,that the standard thick cables that most Firewire devices ship with.To connect an iPod to the PC you would need an iPod Dock Connector to USB 2.0 + Firewire cable (see www.apple.com/ipod/accessories.html )

Feature 5 : Storing your photos while traveling

The new iPod photo allows you store all of your pictures on the contraption.Truth is it costs a bomb.Perhaps it will come down in few months.
Until then thoug,if you are saddled with an earlier version of the iPod,fret not.Though you can't view pictures on it yet,there's nothing to stop you from storing them in the device.
A 40 GB iPod can hold up to 24,000 photos (captured on a 3 megapixel camera ).Want to transfer pictures from your digital camera? Well,then here's what you could do.Get yourself a card reader that connects to your iPod.
The card reader will simply act as a bridge between your digital camera and the iPod.It reads the pictures on your camera and transfers them to your iPod.At a later date,when you get back home,you can pull out the pictures from your iPod and transfers them to your computer.However you may have to spend some money to get this kind of capability.A card reader usually costs less than $100.
Belkin (www.belkin.com ) has a pretty decent card reader that does a good job.
The advantage of going in for a card reader if you have an older version of the iPod is that you get full functionality for cheaper than what it would cost you to buy a new photo iPod.

Feature 6 : Storing audio files

Storing music is the primary function of the iPod.The fourth-generation models have a 40 GB hard disk which can store up to 10,000 songs!The 20 GB iPod can hold about 5,000 songs.
Apple offers an online music store (called iTunes) from where you can buy and download songs for the iPod.
And don't worry about the batteries getting over.The ipod has a long battery life - up to 12 hours.And with the 25 minutes of skip protection that iPod provides,you can listen while playing basketball,and the music will keep playing A word on the batteries though.It is perhaps the iPod's Achilles Heel.After 12-18 months of sustained use.It starts running out of juice.Once that happens,you'll have to spend a packet on getting a new pair of batteries for the iPod.Unless you decide to go for a third-party battery pack that isn't quite as sleek as the original,but does the job nevertheless.

Feature 7 : Lots of accessories

There are plenty of accessories that expand the functionality of the iPod and make it more useful.Check out the 'Accessories' section on Apple iPods store (www.apple.com/ipod ).
There are external speakers,a remote control,a stereo connection kit,an add-on voice recorder,a radio and kits for using the iPod while driving.
You can also pick up an inexpensive cassette tape adapter and listen to the iPodin your car through your car stereo.It seems everyone wants to make accessories for the iPod these days.


Ipod Domination


iPod Is Dominating the Market, and There Is More to Come

iPod contributes 12-14% of total company revenues, a number industry experts believe will continue to increase. With this increase comes pressure on gross margins, as the blended iPod gross margin of 20% compares unfavorably with Apple's corporate average of 27-28%. The iPod helped augment Apple's growth by expanding its addressable market from the core computer market, which continues to grow, but at slower rates. To increase penetration of the rapidly growing MP3 player market, Apple launched the iPod Mini internationally in July 2004, and HP's iPod launch is scheduled for later in summer.

How To Replace Your Ipod Battery


iPods are a great invention, however many have complained about the lack of playtime and poor battery life. Previously, replacing an iPod battery was next to impossible. So when your battery dies, its time for a new iPod. This of course proved to be extremely expensive. As a result, manufacturers have begun producing aftermarket iPOD batteries for a DIY conscious producer. There are even high capacity batteries that will basically give you more playtime on your iPod in comparison to the original iPod batteries. An even better incentive to replace that dying battery!

I know what you're thinking, you don't want to rip apart that shiny iPod of yours! Aftermarket iPod batteries were designed to make the installation as simple as possible (it wasn't really all that difficult to begin with anyway). Since the batteries installation doesn't require any soldering, the most difficult part is opening up the physical case. Since the iPod doesn't contain any screws, the casing must be pried off in order to access the internal battery. I do not recommend using a screwdriver to do this as it will damage the case. A guitar pick has been recommended to do the job, but even better, some batteries come with the non scratch nylon tools required to open your iPod safely.


iPod Domination


iPod Is Dominating the Market, and There Is More to Come

iPod contributes 12-14% of total company revenues, a number industry experts believe will continue to increase. With this increase comes pressure on gross margins, as the blended iPod gross margin of 20% compares unfavorably with Apple's corporate average of 27-28%. The iPod helped augment Apple's growth by expanding its addressable market from the core computer market, which continues to grow, but at slower rates. To increase penetration of the rapidly growing MP3 player market, Apple launched the iPod Mini internationally in July 2004, and HP's iPod launch is scheduled for later in summer. http://www.ipodreviewforum.com

Apple's entry into the digital music player market (MP3 market) with its popular iPod expanded the company's addressable market and signaled a turn in Apple's strategy. The iPod is a cultural phenomenon that is capitalizing on the convergence of digital consumer electronics and the computer, and Apple's position as an early mover enabled it to achieve the number-one position in the marketplace. iPod adoption continues to accelerate, with little indication of a slowdown. It took Apple approximately 18 months to sell its first million iPods, but its second million came in six months and its third million came in four. In fact, it appears that only its suppliers can slow it down, in particular the hard-drive vendors, which are having a difficult time meeting demand. Industry experts believe that iPod's growth will remain strong in the foreseeable future and do not expect any significant customer fallout stemming from Apple's inability to meet demand.

An analysis of the launch of the Sony Walkman in 1979 indicates the market opportunity for a revolutionary portable music player will remain strong for several years to come and Apple is expected to maintain a strong share for the next few years (unlike Sony's experience with the Walkman).

While iPod and iTunes generate significant awareness of the Apple product, they have done little to grow Apple's core Mac business. Experts attribute this mainly to Apple's aboveaverage pricing, along with continued ignorance on the part of consumers regarding the compatibility of Windows and Mac. With regard to pricing, the average consumer desktop PC retails for $1,019, which is $280 below Apple's low-end price point on Apple's now, discontinued flat-panel iMac. Furthermore, the industry ASP is falling as most of the growth in the market is taking place in the sub-$1,000 market.

With regard to the compatibility of Windows and Mac OS X, even though Apple made a concerted effort to educate consumers about the ease with which these two products work together, it has fallen on deaf ears for the most part. Apple made some progress through its retail stores, where it estimates half of Mac purchases are from first-time buyers, but for Apple's stock to work over the long term, the company needs to maintain share against Windows, at a minimum. Understandably, Apple wants to avoid selling PCs at a loss, but unfortunately the growth prospects for $1,000-plus PCs are limited. This presents a conundrum for Apple longer term, but for now it maintains its current strategy. Incidentally, Apple's revenue share has held much better, and while this is not an often-discussed topic, revenue share is probably more important than unit share. http://ipodtechnology.blogspot.com


IPod Video Sales


The sales of the new iPod video are surprisingly good, taking into account the fact that no research has been made for the customer market and their needs or requirements.

A possible disadvantage for the sales may be the fact that the negative advertising has been made. This negative advertising concerns the vulnerability of the screens, the easy scratching surfaces and other several features. However, the sales are up due to the great success among the teenagers, among very busy people who travel a lot.

Some researches show that instead of the iPod video success and publicity the Amazon online store the most popular iPod is the nano model. However, the sales are ahead expectations and in the case of other stores are outselling the popular iPod nano. These high sales may be due to the high storage capacity, video features and reasonable prices. From this point of view, a selection of users may be made, as the nano edition iPod attracts more MP3 users. Therefore, a new trend and a new profile of user appeared taking into account the high sales for the new video iPod.

Another aspect of the great sales concerns the fact the new iPod video is not a competitor for the TV industry, but more a complementary device. Although the rating of some TV shows or films may lower, the iPod video may also contribute to the fame extend of some TV shows or films. The sales may be also triggered by the trendy urban lifestyle and capacity of influencing the preferences and needs of the others. The fact that the episodes of the TV series such is the case of "Lost" or "Desperate Housewives" may have contributed to the great success and great sales of the new edition of the iPod.

Other sales were going up as they developed from the new edition of the iPod and this is the case of the iTunes Music Store. In this type of store you may buy episodes of the famous TV series, music videos and pictures. The parallel development of two complementary services - the handheld video device and the special store for it - is a great achievement. Besides, the iPod is the best selling music online store and it will probably be the best music video online store. The sales may also rise due to the new available TV series or TV shows of the famous TV Channels.

Taking into account the fact that the iPod is the best seller in the United States, being the most successful music player, it was easy to predict high sales for the new edition, even it is a video iPod. The prices were lower as the lower-cost players were introduced on the market in the last years, but the nano edition has increased the prices. With the new iPod video the price has been pushed beyond the average selling price.

That is why the sales of 100 iPods every minute may seem not surprising at all and sales of 14 millions in the first quarter of the fiscal year 2006 are considered not bad at all for such a company. The sales for the iPod video may also rise together with the spreading worldwide of the popularity of this edition of iPod.

However, the iPod video doubles the Apple's sales. The sales were made skyrocket due to the great success of the new iPod video outselling in some cases other types or editions of iPods. Nevertheless, the maximized sales are due to the new video features, longer battery life, more options and more memory space enough for a lot of music, music videos, TV shows and episodes, and even lots of photos for the photo album. These features and improvements make the new iPod video so popular and fashionable. These aspects and others (games, possibility of checking the e-mail, possibility of finding out the time in other cities and other useful features) suit very well the contemporary lifestyle.

Expectations About The New iPod Video


The new iPod video seems to have been met with great expectations and hopes. The audiophiles were waiting for a better sound, those concerned with photos for a bigger memory, the video fans were expecting longer life battery. And the key word for all these expectation is quality.

Some of the groups of customers with different expectations got what they wanted, others are disappointed and have other expectations from the future editions of iPods. In many ways the customers were surprised by the new iPod video as many improvements were made as compared with previous editions. The previous generations of iPods had some disadvantages and maybe due to the customers' expectations those aspects were improved.

The first aspect that was changed is the screen and its dimension. Then the quality of the screen, its clarity and the number of the colors are impressive. The dimensions of the screen are big enough for watching the favorite video, the favorite photos or pictures so that the time would pass easily. Another important aspect that should be taken into account while speaking about the improvements of the iPods concerns the quality of the screen and image as the usual obstacles of light, sunny indoor or outdoor does not represent a problem anymore. The fact that the memory of the new iPod video is so generous seems to be a bonus to the quality of the pictures. There are also some features that permit creating slideshows, fact that is very useful.

The long life of the battery of the new iPod video is impressive so that the 30 GB has 14-15 hours of music listening. The 60 GB has almost 20 hours of music audition. Unfortunately, this great news has another aspect that concerns the life of the battery in case of video playing. The battery life while video playing is only 2 hours so that long movies or other longer shows are not possible to be watched because of this impediment. Some customers suggest that the life battery would be longer taking into account its huge memory and probably these complaints will be taken into account while creating new generations of iPods.

Another aspect that was expected and received with great joy is the huge memory. In this way, other customers prefer the new iPod video only because of this very aspect. It gives the possibility of having all digital photos on the new iPod, classifying them in a photo album. The memory of the new iPod video 30 GB and 60 GB hold up to 15,000 songs and 25,000 photos. The possibility of holding vivid color album art is another advantage and great news for lovers of the art. The customers have also the possibility of viewing and reviewing up to 150 hours of digital video.

The new features may satisfy almost all requirements and may meet almost all expectations. Digital entertainment, the superior quality of the sound, the best technology in MP3 domain, great battery life and huge memory are only few features that are worth being mentioned.

The disappointments regarding the new iPod video may be the result of high expectations that belong to different categories of people with different preoccupations. This aspect may contribute to a great development of handheld video devices and may bring variation on the market. The edition of a new iPod video and the disappointments regarding the video features may be the expression of new needs and requirements on the market of iPods.

Even in the case of too many disappointments or disagreements with some features and the quality of some aspect are true, these may contribute to the development of future generations of iPods. In this way, all expectations may be fulfilled and other wishes and requirements may develop.

All these improvements and new features are a great success and a new step in developing new video devices with the possibility of watching TV shows and TV series of great success. The new iPod video meets the expectations of the customers and especially the busy lifestyle, accommodating the crazy rhythm of the modern life.


A Look At Ipod Accessories


With the increasing popularity of the iPod, it only stands to reason that the accessories market is growing right along with it. Often referred to as the iPod ecosystem, the large number of available iPod accessories are designed to work directly with the iPod and are manufactured by a variety of different companies. Well known industry music leaders Bose and Kennsington are among the companies to create iPod speakers, which use the iPod's third pin dock connector. Various other companies create add-ons that permit the iPod to record sound, recharge, experience playback music on the radio and create wireless capability for the iPod to be operated with the use of a remote control.

In addition to technological iPod accessories, there are also a number of protective carrying cases designed to tote the iPod safely. While maintaining their equipment's safety, iPod users are also making a fashion statement with their trendy carrying cases.

Industry experts are amazed at just how far iPod accessories have come. For instance, an iPod control is now available on selected jacket sleeves or backpack straps made available by an apparel company specializing in the snowboarding industry. The theory behind this placement is that it will allow individuals with additional convenience for operating their iPod outdoors and on the go. Now that's iPod accessories at their best.

There are more common iPod accessories, including a headphone connector that allows for private listening of your favorite tunes. An iPod Hi-Fi speaker is also available for use in an electrical outlet or by battery operation.

With radio being a popular pastime for automobile operators, iPod accessories quickly made their way into car integration. BMW was the first to release an iPod interface, which allowed operators to control their iPod through built-in steering wheel controls. By January 2005, Volo, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari would offer similar systems. Later that year, Acura, Honda, Volkswagen and Audi confirmed their plans to integrate iPod accessories into their car stereos as well.

With it's ability to customize music playback, the iPod is growing with each passing day. As it's popularity increases, additional iPod accessories will be manufactured to make the convenience of customized music-on-the-go even better. With auto manufacturers jumping on board with their plans to incorporate iPod accessories into their newest creations, it's clear to automakers and to the world that iPod is here to stay. And, where there is an iPod, there are iPod accessories not far behind.


Apple iPod Nano Accessories


A new digital audio player manufactured by Apple, which first became available during the Fall 2005, is known as the iPod Nano. This handy new unit is the 4th digital audio player to be manufactured by Apple and connects to any PC via the USB port. It's compact design, combined with even more flash memory storage than the Apple iPod units before it, make the Apple iPod Nano the ultimate in convenience and portability. In size, the device could be compared to a standard computer mouse.

The Apple iPod Nano is said to be compatible with Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and iTunes. Additionally, it features a 14 hour battery life and is available in both black and white colorations. Depending on the storage capacity, which includes 1 GB, 2 GB or 4 GB, the Apple iPod Nano will feature prices starting as low as $150.00 and up.

Because of the iPod's increasing popularity, the accessories market is booming. Sometimes referred to as the Apple iPod ecosystem, the growing number of compatible accessories are designed to work directly with the Apple iPod. Bose and Kennsington, two of the most respected names in music sound systems, are among the creators of Apple iPod speakers, which use the iPod's third pin dock connector. Other companies, which create add-ons, manufacturer Apple iPod accessories that enable sound recording, recharging, allow the user to experience playback music on the radio and create wireless opportunities for use with the Apple iPod to be operated via a remote control.

In addition to the many electronic accessories for the Apple iPod, there are equally impressive cosmetic accessories that are designed to enhance safety, portability and style. One such accessory is a protective carrying case, which is designed specifically for the Apple iPod, that will make transporting safer, easier and will add just the right amount of style. The most common Apple iPod accessories include a headphone and connector and a Hi-Fi speaker for use in an electrical outlet or through battery operation.

With the Apple iPod being focused on music and convenience, it only stands to reason that they would eventually find their way into the manufacturing process of an automobile. The first to release an Apple iPod interface was BMW, which allowed car owners to operate their iPod through built-in steering wheel controls. By January 2005, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari and Nissan would release similar systems. By the end of that same year, Honda, Acura, Volkswagen and Audi announced plans to include Apple iPod accessories into their upcoming production lines as well.

Because of it's ability to customize music listening, the Apple iPod continues to grow in popularity among consumers, manufacturers and automakers. As it's demand continues, more Apple iPod accessories will be produced in an effort to take convenience one step further. For those who ever wondered if the Apple iPod would be a success, just ask the automakers. Would they incorporate anything into their automobiles that doesn't have staying power? The Apple iPod is one product that is sure to have a long and successful road ahead.


How To Download Ipod Games


Before I wrote this article I was sitting on my porch, enjoying the afternoon sun while playing Me and My Katmari on my Ipod. Now I love downloading Ipod games but until recently I didn't even know you could download games onto your Ipod until my friend John showed me how.

It's quite easy to download Ipod games. Most sites provide the converter you need in order to put the Ipod software downloads onto your Ipod. Once you've downloaded the games of your choice, you can play them directly on your Ipod Mini, Ipod Nano or video Ipod.

There are so many different games you can download to your Ipod; sports, action, strategy, puzzles, driving, adventure, simulations and role-playing. Some of the most popular games at the moment are action games such as Persuit Force, Daxter and Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. Popular shooter games include Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror and Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Essentials. A popular arcade/puzzle game is Me and My Katmari. Two popular fighting games are Fight Night: Round 3 and Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai.

These games are just the tip of the iceberg. With so many Ipod games to download, you're spoiled for choice. Of course, you could always download ALL the Ipod games. That's sure to keep you busy for a while!

There are so many Ipod software downloads out there though. It can be very time consuming surfing from site to site trying to find the particular games you want to download. Wouldn't it be great if you could download hundreds of Ipod games from the one site?

Well, I've just found such a site. It has hundreds of Ipod games to download and the game database is updated daily. I'm in Ipod game heaven! Want to join me?

Jessica Smith is an Ipod game fanatic. If you'd like to find out more on downloading hundreds of Ipod games, visit http://www.coolwebstuffonline.com/Ipodgameheaven now!


Choosing the smart Apple iPod accessory


Are you thinking of buying an Apple iPod? Or have you bought one?

Almost everyone and anyone that I know seems to have bought an iPod or at least is thinking of getting an ipod for themselves or their loved ones. The iPod is just so alluring! However, do you know what you should do after buying the iPod?

Most people don't. Yet, market analysts estimate that the average iPod owner spend as much as 30% of the original iPod price on additional accessories! That's a whopping US$60-US$90 on iPod accessories that each iPod owner will spend!

Many people are simply spending their money on the wrong accessories! In fact, many are going for fancy accessories such as car transceiver kit, wireless remote kit, speaker kit even without realizing what are the first accessories they should get.

Get the Basic iPod Accessory before getting the Fancy Stuff!

Do you, as a iPod user, faces these problems on a daily basis too?

* iPod Screen scratches
* Click wheel scratches
* Mirrored back scratches
* Messy iPod earphone cables
* iPod overheating when being charged while in a silicone or leather case

Despite the technical and cosmetic superiority of the Apple iPod, there remain some teething issues. Weak batteries is one. Being easily scratched is another. These problems immediately lower the resale or trade-in value of the iPod, if any? This may not seem important but if you are trading in your older iPod for a new one, this does matter. It also sucks to see scratches and marks on the beautiful iPod. In fact, microscopic scratches takes place everytime you take the iPod in and out of pocket!

Get a good-quality iPod case before ANYTHING ELSE!

There are numerous iPod accessories out there. Many accessories are fanciful, some are good but most do not fulfil the basic need of the iPod. You need to protect the iPod from getting scratches and accidental marks before anything else.

Before the iPod can serve you well, it must be able to take care of itself. So, before you even look further into getting your first iPod accessory or even if you have gotten numerous other accessories, make sure you first equip your iPod with either a good quality case or sleeve.

The most common iPod cases in use are:

Handphone sleeves converted to iPod sleeves

This is the most common as handphone sleeves are cheap and easily available. However, the mirrored back of the 3G and 4G ipod are easily scratched by theses sleeves as they run against the iPod. It is not recommended unless you have a budget problem.

iPod screen and wheel sticky protectors

There are transparent iPod screen and wheel sticky protector that are cut of the right size and stucked directly onto the iPod screen and wheel. However, there are various models in the market and some of the cheaper ones tend to curl and peel off after some use. If you are on a budget, a good quality screen and wheel protector is the minimum you should have.

iPod silicone skin

This is the most common iPod case around. It looks like a good casing choice but it is in fact one of the worst, especially if you have bought a cheap one.

These cheap silicone cases are being mass-produced in China with doubtful materials and design elements. Many of the cheap silicone skins in the market tear easily and pick up lint and dirt easily. They are also difficult to wash and maintain. I will not advise a silicone case unless they are made by some of the better and branded products from USA or Japan. A good model is found at: http://www.smart-ipod-ideas.com

iPod Leather case

The iPod leather case is one of the most popular case. However, do not get the Apple branded one if possible as it tears to scratched the mirror back and it does not have a covering flap. Get one of the leather cases from the many in the market. Check the stitching on the leather case before buying one as some of the mass-manufactured ones may have poor workmanship.

Water and shock resistant cases

There is an increasing demand for such cases as more and more people bring their iPod for hiking, cycling, trekking, fishing and beach trips. There are various good brands in the market. However, note that whatever the advertisement may say, at best, the case can only be water resistant and not water proof which is two different things all together. A water resistant case can only take splashes and short immersion in water and certainly not something you can bring for swimming or diving trips!


iPod stuff: Troubleshoot your iPod


A lot of people are encountering various problems with their iPod devices. iPod restore issues, blue, black or white screens, erase, connect and transfer problems, iPod won't turn off (!), iPod falls into water, videos are not showing properly, audio is corrupted during playback and a lot more. The thing is that many of these issues can be resolved by following a basic troubleshooting routine every time you face a minor or major problem with your iPod.

- First of all, you got to make sure your iPod is turned on! A lot of people get so enthusiastic with their iPods forgetting the fact that the iPod is still an electronic device that uses batteries. And batteries must be fully charged. No batteries, no electricity, no iPod. So make sure your batteries are properly and fully charged before turning on your iPod.

- Restore your iPod. You will find all the information you need to restore your iPod at the apple website. Always restore your iPod using the latest updated software. Keep in mind that restoring your iPod means that you will lose all songs and other files and all settings will be restored to their original value.

- If you can't connect your iPod with your computer via a USB or FireWire port, try a different port. It may not be your iPod's fault but the USB's or FireWire's port fault instead. Try restarting your computer if the problem persists. A lot of compatibility issues have been reported, especially with the Windows XP operating system. A simple system restart might be the solution to your iPod connection problems.

- Another common mistake is the Hold switch mistake. If you forget the Hold switch in the locked position your iPod screen will show a lock image telling you that you have to turn the Hold switch off before turning on your iPod. A lot of new iPod users tend to forget the Hold switch on, thus believing that there's something wrong with their iPod when they try to turn on the device.

- Try resetting your iPod. This usually solves a lot of issues. To reset your iPod connect it to the iPod AC Adapter and plug the adapter into an electrical outlet. Alternatively, connect your iPod to your computer's built in FireWire port. Turn on the Hold switch and turn it off again. Finally press the Play/Pause button and hold it until the iPod logo appears.

- Keep updating your iPod's firmware. Firmwares keep updating all the time. Be sure you always have the latest firmware for your iPod. You can download the latest firmware for free at the apple website. Also try to reinstall your iTunes software. Always have the latest iTunes version installed. You can download the latest iTunes version for free at the apple website.

It's not always the iPod's fault if something goes wrong. Use common thinking troubleshooting techniques before throwing your iPod in the garbage.


Ipod Nano Review


In this age of portable music, the iPod has downloaded itself into the public consciousness…where it won't be leaving any time soon. Not that we mind. Despite a large pool of reputable competitors, such as Sony and Dell, who manufacture their own slick mp3 gizmos, the iPod is still the most popular and best-selling of the bunch. Just think of buying an mp3 player, and I bet your knee-jerk reaction will at least be to consider, if not choose, the iPod.

When Apple Computers' CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the iPod Nano in San Francisco's Moscone Center, it immediately became known as the smallest member of the display-bearing iPod family line and successor to the iPod mini (the updated version of which was released a mere 7 months prior to the Nano). Compatible with both Mac and Windows-based computers, the iPod Nano comes in two colors, white and black. You also have your choice of a 2GB version ($199) or a 4GB version ($249), which is a bit steep given the fact that the iPod mini held the same price tag for the 4GB and 6GB models, respectively. The iPod Nano's storage drive is flashed-based, which means no moving parts inside (decreased wear-and-tear and breakage potential), higher durability, and no sound skips while jogging, biking, or stumbling home after happy hour. Given the increasing capacities and capabilities of flash drives, I wouldn't be surprised if some day Apple starts implementing this technology into more of its major products. But that's for another article.
The first thing one is likely to notice is that the Nano, as its name implies, is tiny. You have to actually hold one to see just how astonishingly small this device is, and my first thought was that the small pocket of my jeans might now finally serve a greater purpose. The Nano measures 3.5" long, 1.6" wide (smaller surface area than a credit card), and just .27" thick (thinner than a AAA battery). Sleek and serene, the Nano is characterized by the simple elegance familiar to Apple fans. Yes, it certainly is a gorgeous-looking little machine due in no small part to the shiny, thin layer of acrylic applied to its surface. But the downside to the finish is its susceptibility to scratching and/or fingerprints (especially on the black version of the Nano). Weighing in at only 1.5 ounces you could conceivably move the Nano across a flat surface by sneezing on it, though I don't recommended this for health reasons.

The main features: Like all other iPods, the Nano is primarily designed to play digitized music such as mp3 files. And like its relatives, the Nano excels when doing what it does best. According to my research, the Nano uses the same sound chip as the Mini, and as mentioned before, overall quality is excellent. The included earbuds do a decent job delivering the sound, though I would prefer higher-end headphones to take full advantage of the audio experience. Fiddling with the included equalizer settings also seems to make noticeable sound adjustments, so fickle sound connoisseurs may have something to smile at here.

Owners of previous iPods shouldn't have a problem navigating the interface, as selecting songs, play-lists, and the like using the touch-sensitive click-wheel is still as user-friendly as ever (but I hate leaving behind those darn fingerprints!). Setting up and connecting to iTunes on both Mac and Windows machines was smooth and straightforward as well. According to information available at Apple's website, the 2GB iPod Nano holds 500 songs while the 4GB version stores about 1,000, assuming that the average song is 4 minutes long and compressed at 128 kbps using AAC encoding. And like the larger iPods, the Nano recognizes songs encoded in the following formats: mp3, AAC (and protected AAC format from the iTunes Music Store), AIFF, and WAV.

Unlike the iPod mini, however, the Nano sports a color display as well as the same photo capabilities as the top-of-the-line iPod Photo. This might have been a "just because we can" idea cooked up by the engineers over in Cupertino, as I received some strange looks while sharing my latest photos on a screen that's barely the size of a postage stamp. But I admit it's a fun feature to be included on such a small device. Complete with the usual organization options, you are able to create slideshows (with music and transition effects) and categorize your pictures any way you want. The Nano recognizes images in the following formats: JPEG, GIF, PSD (Mac only), TIFF, BMP, and PNG. I'll take this time to note that the camera connector for the iPod Photo, used for transferring pictures directly from a digital still camera to the iPod Photo, will not work with the iPod Nano. Also, other current third party devices such as voice recorders and FM transmitters are not currently compatible with the Nano.

There are also features that exist exclusively on the iPod Nano, such as the World Clock function, which allows you to see the local time anywhere in the world. Once you select a region (or major international city), a clock will appear on the display. The clock graphic will darken or lighten depending on what time of day it is at the other region, which is handy for frequent travelers. Feel like prank calling your friends in Egypt at 3AM local time? The iPod Nano can help! (Of course, I do not condone this sort of behavior- use this feature to make sure you don't accidentally call your friends in Egypt at 3AM).

Other Nano-exclusive features include a screen lock and stopwatch. The screen lock allows you to create a 4-digit combination to prevent others from going through your music and photos. This would seem like an effective method of deterring would-be thieves (or nosy exes), but since I already have so many passwords and codes in my life to remember I can do without it. Besides, such a pricey gadget like the Nano should be kept in a safe place anyway. The stopwatch feature is pretty neat, and allows you to record your best lap times or to keep track of how long tech support puts you on hold.

Battery life: The iPod Nano claims 14 hours of music playback, though battery consumption increases when using the photo slideshow functions with music playing in the background. Charging via the included USB 2.0 cable, which connects to the dock connector on its underside, it takes the Nano about an hour and a half to reach 80% capacity, and 3 hours to achieve a full charge. At present, the iPod Nano is not firewire capable. In my research I've also learned that the Nano's battery appears to be permanently soldered into the unit, which leads me to question the feasibility (or even possibility) of future battery replacement. Information regarding this will be updated as it is found.

Included items:
- USB 2.0 cable (backwards compatible with USB 1.1). This connects via the dock
connector underneath the Nano. NOTE: Don't confuse the dock connector with the
dock itself. The iPod Nano dock is an accessory that costs an extra $29. Over USB 2.0,
the Nano transfers music at about 5 mb per second.

- iTunes software (Mac & PC)

- Earbud headpones: They're white, (even for the black iPod Nano).

PROS:
Great sound quality, easy to use, beautifully stylish, extremely lightweight, portable, and durable. Nice color display, handy extras such as photo viewing and international clocks. Flash memory design prevents skipping, integrates easily with iTunes. Mac and Windows compatible.

CONS:
High price for relatively small drive space (compared to other iPod models), lack of more advanced iPod features/support, no present firewire capability, surface smudges and scratches easily if not protected.

OVERALL:
Despite the relatively hefty price tag for its storage capacity, the new iPod Nano by Apple is certainly a cool device for most gotta-have-it gadget-philes and for those who just want a reliable, easy-to-use high quality mp3 player. If you want to play your favorite songs while relaxing or running, the Nano and its few extra functions will make you happy. Those who are big on more complex functions may be disappointed with the present lack of features available (no support for FM transmitter, camera connector, firewire, etc.). But its ease-of-use, intuitive interface, style, and quality make this a very difficult gizmo to resist.




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