First of all, what actually is an Apple iPod? Well, its a digital portable media player, or MP3 player. The term iPod has become so ubiquitous that it is not really necessary to explain it. In fact sometimes iPod is used as a generic term for an MP3 player in much the same way the brand name Hoover is seen as a generic term for vacuum cleaners.
In 2001 the first Apple iPod was released. Since then there have been over 100 million sales of the iPod world wide. It is used in conjunction with iTunes software which is a kind of computerized jukebox, but also integrates with buying and downloading music. In my opinion, this is what really sets the iPod aside from other portable media players. This iTunes has really revolutionized the way music is bought. Sales of singles in the UK declined significantly until iTunes was released. Now songs can get to number 1 in the UK charts on download sales alone, before even having a single released. What this means is that bands no longer need a record deal in order to get a number one single. Look at someone like Gnarls Barclay and their single 'Crazy'. That became Number 1 in the UK singles chart through downloads alone.
Looking at the history of the iPod they have seen a lot of changes; there is now a miniature iPod Shuffle with no screen, perfect for sports people; A Classic iPod which although looks very similar in style to the original, now even plays videos, movies and games and comes with an enormous 160GB hard disk; the amazing revolutionary Apple iPhone which combines a camera, media player, phone, web access, touch screen and more into a phone; following on from the iPhone came the iPod Touch, which is in my opinion just an iPhone without the phone, and some of the other useful features like full internet access. The iPod Nano is now on its third reincarnation, being revamped each time for a fresher look and more features.
The permeation of iPods into our culture is such that now even places like hospitals (for example the Royal Glasgow Infirmary) offer podcasts as a means of providing training materials. Students can even get some lectures on a podcast.
What does the future hold for the iPod or other 'Pod' Products? Apart from the obvious of smaller, cheaper, lighter, with more memory on board, I would like to see further integration of the iPod and iTunes concept into the home, with iTunes being the centre of an entertainment hub for the home. I envisage this as being centered around a broadband connection, incorporating a wide screen Television, hi fi system, downloadable movies, TV shows on demand, along with classical TV broadcasting incorporated. I see this as leading to a more integrated approach to media and the way it is delivered to the consumer.
Ryan Johnson is an online entrepreneur who runs several successful website in the IT and consumer electronics sphere, including iPod and MP3 Player Insurance and a store specializing in Apple iPods and Accessories
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