Who Else Wants To Know What All the Excitement is About Ipods and MP3s

4 Reasons Why People Love These Portable Music Devices in the 21st Century

During the course of the past couple of years, there's been a real demand, a real buyer’s craze for Ipods and MP3s. Music lovers from different parts of the world have been scrambling to find the latest when it comes to these types of portable music players.

There are a number reasons why there has been so much excitement about both the Ipod and the MP3. Indeed, there are four significant reasons why people around the world, why music lovers of all ages, have become so excited about Ipods and MP3s.

1. The most basic reason why so many music lovers are thrilled about Ipods and MP3s is based on the fact that these devices allow you the ability to carry with you your favorite music no matter where you are at any given point in time. With people being so mobile in this day and age, these devices provide a perfect way through which you can have music and entertainment no matter where you happen to be at any given point in time. For example, many people in many cities around the world are forced to make long commutes to and from work. Therefore, these devices allow such a person the ability to keep entertained and occupied as they travel back and forth from work.

2. The next reason why so many people have become so excited about the Ipod and the MP3 is the fact that the cost associated with these pieces of equipment has dropped significantly in recent times. Of course, when these music devices first entered the market place some time ago, they were actually rather pricey. However, as with so many high tech devices, over time the costs associated with these devices dropped. Indeed, by doing a bit of shopping around, you will be able to find these devices being sold for discounted prices. Therefore, by shopping around in the brick and mortar world and on the Internet and World Wide Web you will be able to find merchants that sell Ipods and MP3s at reduced prices.

3. Another reason that so many people have found themselves drawn to the Ipod and the MP3 is the fact that they are easy pieces of equipment to operate. While many people like to have high tech equipment, they shy away from these types of devices because, in some instances, they are difficult to operate. When it comes to Ipods and MP3s, there music players are really easy to operate and upkeep. It is very easy to upload music to these devices -- even a technical novice can readily stock his or her Ipod or MP3 with music of his or her choosing with ease.

4. Finally, one of the primary reasons why so many music lovers are singing the praises of the Ipod and the MP3 is the fact that they are so durable. Because these units are designed to be used on the go, you naturally will want to make sure that any portable device that you use is durable. Both of these devices are well designed and completely durable. Even if you end up accidentally dropping your device, you will find that it is very resilient.

In the final analysis, if you are interested in having a device for portable music, you will want to take a close look at either an Ipod or a MP3. Either one of these players are perfect choices for a person who likes to take his or her music wherever he or she happens to travel throughout the course of a given day. These devices absolutely are perfect for people on the go.

By following the tips and suggestions outlined in this article, you will be well on your way to owning a portable music device that will serve you well. Additionally, as suggested in this article, by shopping around you will be able to find a device that is priced within your budget. Finally, by selecting an Ipod or a MP3 player, you will have a music device that will be around for a long time -- or at least until you decide to upgrade.

http://www.ipodresourcecenter.com/Who_Else_Wants_To_Know_What_All_the_Excitement_is_.html

Which iPod Is Right for Your Lifestyle?

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 video ipod 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 ell. 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 ipod nano 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 ipod that suits you best.

http://www.ipodresourcecenter.com/Which_iPod_Is_Right_for_Your_Lifestyle.html

The New iPod Nano - More Than Just Music-To-Go

Let’s talk music! Let’s talk podcasts!
1,000 songs, non-skip, digital quality, portability - the pencil thin iPod Nano is just the ticket. Jogging, walking or toughing it out on a treadmill life just got a whole lot easier with the addition of the rugged, little iPod that holds either 500 (2GB) or 1000 (4GB) songs. That’s 14 hours of sounds that will go with you everywhere.

So what have I done with mine?
I work two hours from home via the public bus and regional rail lines. I get up at 5:00AM, catch a 6:35AM train, after a jostling pushing bus-ride, coffee on the regional rails, then another jostling, jolting bus ride to get to work by 8AM. I couldn’t do it without music – and I couldn’t make it without my rugged little iPod. It holds my sounds, a few photos of my feline, furry buddies sound asleep at home, a couple audiobooks and my podcasts of various things that interest me.

Portability in the extreme What makes this tiny 3.5 x 1.6 x 0.27 inch stand out? It’s thin, weighs only 3.5 ounces, yet it backs quite a punch. Using the Click Wheel, you have access to your music, photos, podcasts, extras like a calendar and contacts, a World Clock and many extras On-the-go Options where you can create custom playlists personalized to exactly the songs you want to listen to at that moment.

Photos of the cool cats
I only have a few photos of family, friends and my many felines, but the Nano can actually hold up to 25,000 photos. Now that’s a lot of picnics, baby showwers and weddings to pass around the office! You can also set it up show a slideshow of your favorite shots.

Easy Sync with iTunes
Through iTunes, the premiere iPod syncing software that works on Mac or PC, you import a CD easily, buy songs or podcasts from the iTunes store sync or upload it to your iPod. iTunes starts syncing automatically after hooking up your iPod. Instant music to go, as well as news and commentary on any subject you like. I like the Audiobooks section for those long rides which has over 11,000 titles. Prices start at just $2.95 per title, Songs are only 99 cents. Syncing is blindingly easy and you can start building your own library of audiobooks — a number of them available exclusively at the iTunes Music Store including the all six Harry Potter audiobooks.

Let’s Accessorize!
With all new things comes the upgrades and gizmos to customize the new toy to perfectly fit your tastes and preferences. iPod Nano is no different offering a wide-variety of earphone choices, many colored skins to make you Nano uniquely yours. I prefer the powder-blue skin myself, and the In-Ear Headphones for maximum sound quality and bass resonance.

You car is a stereo on the roll!
Many of the newer cars come iPod capable with the hookups necessary, but since I have an older model vehicle I’ve done the conventional iTrip and plug-in car Monster option. Either way, it allows you to take you music with you on the road with seamless integration between you car and your iPod.” In other words, fabulous sounds while you drive.

Imagine this scenario.
You stumble out of your bed in the dark, take care of personal business. Now you’re dressed and ready to go. It’s still dark. Out you go, heading towards the local bus stop, still near-comatose. You take out your earbuds, turn on the Nano and wham, music fills your world or the latest Battlestar Galactica podcast about the last gripping episode fills your consciousness. You begin to wake up, ready to face the day on your terms with kick-ass background music or scintillating commentary to make your trip to consciousness just a little bit easier.

You don't like my scenario? Dream up your own. Just make sure you have music in it, because everything moves, slides, walks, and treads better to a beat – whatever your beat – whether it’s classical, new age or rock and roll. It's gone digital, all wrapped up in a cute, little box that takes your songs to the next level and beyond. When you think music, think iPod Nano.

About the Author
udith Brandy is a writer, science fiction fan and breast cancer survivor who runs The Science Fiction Buzz which covers what’s going on in the science fiction genre, conveying the information in a fun and inspiring fashion. Science fiction is about hope, encouragement and the future. It is pure escapism, a window into imagination and fantasy. In a time when our world is super-serious, where diseases abound and terror is delivered with the evening news, The Science Fiction Buzz is a haven. We encourage you to leave your cares behind, and for a few moments, dwell in the astounding.

The New Apple iPod with Video Playback, You Can't Beat this mp3 Player

Apple has done it again. Not even two months after they revolutionized the mp3 player market with the iPod nano, and changed the way we think about flash mp3 players, they’ve done it again with the new iPod with video playback.

This new mp3 player is THE must have player for this holiday shopping season.

In With the New

With this player Apple has added a dual color option, so if white just isn’t for you, the iPod Video also comes in a sleek black color. The new design is also super thin, coming in at a full 50% thinner than the original iPod. And of course, to get full function out of the picture viewing and video playing capabilities, the iPod video comes with a new and improved 2.5 inch color screen, 0.5 inches larger than previous models. The new LCD screen is also covered by a hard clear resin, instead of the standard plastic cover. This will protect the screen from scratches and provide a clearer picture view.

The Sizes

With 30GB and 60GB file capacities you can store your entire music collection and have plenty of room to spare! Store all your pictures, download TV shows straight from iTunes and watch them on your commute. With this player you’ll never be wishing you just had some more space for your files”.

The iPod Gold Standard

Remember, this is an iPod first and foremost. So the picture is superb. The sound is excellent, and has even been improved slightly in this new generation. The navigation is easy and intuitive with the amazing clickwheel. And the organization control is unmatched. Plus you have all the regular extras like calendar, organizer, games, alarm, a newly added lap timer, photo slideshows, and more.

Support for Video Playback

Apple hasn’t just added video capabilities to their player and left it at that. They’ve incorporated new video downloading services into their iTunes store. Download music videos straight to your iPod, or even last weeks episodes of Lost or Desperate Housewives. Hook the iPod up to your TV and play the video files on a larger screen. The transfer quality is even pretty good. Videophiles might want more, but for most of us the display will be just fine. The player even boasts a much improved 20 hour battery life for the 60GB version(15 hours for the 30GB).

Price and Accessories

Sure iPods are more expensive than other mp3 players. But the new 30GB iPod can be purchased for the same price the old 20GB iPod used to be sold for. And this player comes with video and photo support! This is a huge step forward for Apple in making the best mp3 players more accessible to most of us. The only noticeable drawbacks of this player are the lack of some of the usual accessories that come standard with iPods, including the need to purchase an extra AV cable to hook the player up to your television. But these drawbacks are minimal when compared to all the great advancements of this player.

Conclusion

The days when mp3 players only played music files are a thing of the past. The consumer has spoken, and we want our players to not only PLAY music, but to STORE ALL our music. But this isn’t enough either. We want to store and listen to audio books. Store and view our photo albums, and now we want to be able to watch videos. Be it music videos, TV shows, or movies. We want it all, and Apple has delivered. The new Apple iPod video is a must have for anyone in the market for a new mp3 player, and will make an excellent present this holiday season. But if you’re looking for something a little smaller and cheaper, the iPod nano may be a great alternative. Tiny and sleek, this player is great for working out or smaller music collections, for those who want the signature iPod quality.

http://www.ipodresourcecenter.com/The_New_Apple_iPod_with_Video_Playback_You_Can.html

The New iPod Nano

Let’s talk music! Let’s talk podcasts!

1,000 songs, non-skip, digital quality, portability - the pencil thin iPod Nano is just the ticket. Jogging, walking or toughing it out on a treadmill life just got a whole lot easier with the addition of the rugged, little iPod that holds either 500 (2GB) or 1000 (4GB) songs. That’s 14 hours of sounds that will go with you everywhere.

So what do you do with all those sounds?

I work two hours from home via the public bus and regional rail lines. I get up at 5:00AM, catch a 6:35AM train, after a jostling pushing bus-ride, coffee on the regional rails, then another jostling, jolting bus ride to get to work by 8AM. I couldn’t do it without music – and I couldn’t make it without my rugged little iPod. It holds my sounds, a few photos of my feline, furry buddies sound asleep at home, a couple audiobooks and my podcasts of various things that interest me.

Portability in the extreme

What makes this tiny 3.5 x 1.6 x 0.27 inch stand out? It’s thin, weighs only 3.5 ounces, yet it backs quite a punch. Using the Click Wheel, you have access to your music, photos, podcasts, extras like a calendar and contacts, a World Clock and many extras On-the-go Options where you can create custom playlists personalized to exactly the songs you want to listen to at that moment.

Photos of the cool cats

I only have a few photos of family, friends and my many felines, but the Nano can actually hold up to 25,000 photos. Now that’s a lot of picnics, baby showwers and weddings to pass around the office! You can also set it up show a slideshow of your favorite shots on the full-color screen.

Easy Sync with iTunes

Through iTunes, the premiere iPod syncing software that works on Mac or PC, you can import a CD easily, buy songs or podcasts from the iTunes store sync or upload it to your iPod. iTunes starts syncing automatically after hooking up your iPod. Instant music to go, as well as news and commentary on any subject you like. I like the Audiobooks section for those long rides. It has over 11,000 titles. Prices start at just $2.95 per title, Songs are only 99 cents. Syncing is blindingly easy and you can start building your own library of audiobooks — a number of them available exclusively at the iTunes Music Store including all six Harry Potter audiobooks.

Let’s Accessorize!

With all new things comes the upgrades and gizmos to customize the new toy to perfectly fit your tastes and preferences. iPod Nano is no different offering a wide-variety of earphone choices, many colored skins to make you Nano uniquely yours. I prefer the powder-blue skin myself, and the In-Ear Headphones for maximum sound quality and bass resonance.

You car is a stereo on the roll!

Many of the newer cars come iPod capable with the hookups necessary, but since I have an older model vehicle I’ve done the conventional iTrip and plug-in car Monster option. Either way, it allows you to take you music with you on the road with "seamless integration between you car and your iPod." In other words, fabulous sounds while you drive.

Imagine this scenario.

You stumble out of your bed in the dark, take care of personal business. Now you’re dressed and ready to go. It’s still dark. Out you go, heading towards the local bus stop, still near-comatose. You take out your earbuds, turn on the Nano and wham, music fills your world or the latest Battlestar Galactica podcast about the last gripping episode fills your consciousness. You begin to wake up, ready to face the day on your terms with kick-ass background music or scintillating commentary to make your trip to consciousness and work just a little bit easier.

You don't like my scenario? Dream up your own. Just make sure you have include music, because everything moves, slides, walks, and treads better to a beat – whatever your beat – whether it’s classical, new age or rock and roll. It's gone digital, all wrapped up in a cute, little box that takes your songs to the next level and beyond. When you think music, think iPod Nano.

http://www.ipodresourcecenter.com/The_New_iPod_Nano.html

The History Of King Kong: From The Big Screen To The iPod Screen

King Kong is a fictional giant gorilla who stars in books, tv shows, video games and movies that bear his name. Though many know him because of his latest 2005 remake – King Kong’s groundbreaking film came to the screen in 1933 with the first remake being released in 1976.

Let’s take a stroll through the history of King Kong and reveal the awesome legacy he has built.

"King Kong" - 1933

The original groundbreaking classic was highly acclaimed for its use of special effects using stop-motion models. Yet it was widely criticized for its depiction of the Skull Island tribes people. This movie was inspired by the success of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Lost World," about an expedition to a plateau filled with prehistoric animals. The film went down in history as one of the great film adventures to be produced in that time period, and is considered a classic today.

"Son of Kong" - 1933

After Kong has wrecked New York and sent producer Carl Denham into financial ruin, Denham flees back to Skull Island in search of treasure and discovers King Kong’s albino son. This sequel was considered mediocre at best.

King Kong vs. Godzilla" - 1962

Kong is discovered on Farou Island and brought back to Japan. Godzilla, long thought destroyed, breaks free for an iceberg and heads for Japan. The authorities plan to bring Kong to Mt. Fuji where he will encounter, and, hopefully, destroy Godzilla. However the use of suitmation for King Kong aroused bitter hatred from fans of King Kong towards the horrid look and the fact that Kong had been brought to life in this manner.

"King Kong" The TV Series" - 1966-69

This was a popular ABC Saturday morning TV show based on the famous 1930's monster movie. In this version, Kong lives peacefully on an island with the Bond family and fights various villains. It didn’t follow the premise of the movie at all.

King Kong Escapes" - 1967

Another Toho film (following King Kong vs Godzilla). A jungle expedition is attacked by a dinosaur. They are rescued by King Kong who takes a liking to the prettiest female member of the expedition. Dr. Hu. She, however, turns out to be an evil scientist with plans to take over the world by building a huge "Mechni-Kong," a robot designed to kill the real Kong.

"King Kong" - 1976

Prior to the 2005 release, this is probably the most remembered film in the King Kong series. An expedition goes exploring for oil. A shipwrecked woman, is captured by the natives and offered as a sacrifice to King Kong who falls in love with her. The woman is rescued and Kong is captured. He is taken to the US and used for exhibition. Kong escapes captivity to elope with the model and wreaks havoc on the city.

"King Kong Lives" - 1986

This sequel is by the same production company as the 1976 film. Kong survives his fall from the sky and is kept at a university research center outside Atlanta in a coma where it is discovered he requires a heart transplant. A female Kong is found in the jungles of Borneo and is transported to the research center for a transfusion that will enable King Kong to have his operation. Romance blooms between the two Kongs and they make an escape from the research center.

King Kong” – 2005

A Universal Pictures remake of the original by New Zealand director Peter Jackson, best known for directing the The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The most recent incarnation of Kong is also the longest, running three hours and seven minutes.

The King Kong film character was the inspiration for several video games including:

* 1981 Donkey Kong and subsequent spin-offs

* The Rampage games by Atari/Midway

* Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game Of The Movie published by Ubisoft.

* War of the Monsters is a 3D fighting game developed by Incognito Entertainment for Sony PlayStation 2

The fascination with King Kong can continue with the launch of the fifth generation Apple iPod with video capabilities and digital entertainment companies like iVideoBlast.com. Thanks to them you can now enjoy the King Kong vs Godzilla movie on your iPod.

As you can see, although King Kong is being celebrated in the 2005 remake, he has become quite the phenomenon over the years. From scary to funny (though not meant to be). From thrilling to thought-provoking.

King Kong will continue to fascinate audiences for many years to come. Long live Kong.

http://www.ipodresourcecenter.com/The_History_Of_King_Kong_From_The_Big_Screen_To_T.html

The Gift of ADD: Gremlin Or Ipod

Through out the online ADD Community there is some what of an on going debate about whether ADD is a gift. ADD expert Edward Hallowell describes ADD as a gift that needs to be unwrapped. I like to think of ADD more like one of those gifts that I have unwrapped but just have no idea what to do with. It's also like one of those gifts that I did not ask for but somebody just felt the need to give to me.

ADD reminds me of the movie Gremlins. If I remember correctly Gizmo was a cute fun little guy but had to be cared for by following very specific directions. If those directions were not followed to the T” all hell broke loose. I supposed the same could be said about a person with ADD. With proper care and feeding people with ADD can thrive. With out proper care and feeding the life of those with ADD can resemble the movie Gremlins.

Maybe ADD really is a gift that we did not ask for but have no choice but to keep. Maybe all we need is somebody who actually knows what to do with it and can teach us how to use it. Just think about a gift like an Ipod, if somebody did not know what it was or how to use, it would just seem like a weird piece of metal. However once somebody explains what it’s for and all of the uses it becomes so much more.

I’m not saying that ADD is really truly like a Gremlin or an iPod but there are some similarities to both of them. I guess depending on what each person does to manage his or her own ADD, he or she can compare it to another type of gift too.

http://www.ipodresourcecenter.com/The_Gift_of_ADD_Gremlin_Or_Ipod.html

The Powerful and Ultra Compact Ipod Nano

You may have heard about something called the iPod Nano; or you may have just bought one (or received one as a gift…how nice!). Because at the time of this writing the iPod Nano is so new, we want to take a closer look at it here.

Chances are, most readers will want to know more about this latest creation from the thinkers at Apple.

The iPod Nano is very tiny. In fact, it’s about the size of a portable flash drive (those little memory sticks that people walk around with and plug into their laptops).

The iPod Nano has all of the features of the iPod mini, with the real differences being size, storage capacity, and technical scalability (we’ll look at this in a second).

Similar to the mini, the nano also has a color screen, and the beloved grey wheel that must be depressed in order to work (which, as noted, is a feature that Apple added based on feedback from early iPod consumers).

The iPod Nano weighs – get this – an ounce, which MacWorld equates to the heaviness of 6 credit cards.

Since most of us carry about a dozen cards in our wallet or purse – everything from library cards to gas cards to a driver’s license and more – it’s really quite amazing that something so technologically advanced could be so light!

Other remarkable features of the iPod nano include the fact that it has a stop watch, which can record lap times (which is great for those who listen to their iPod nano as they jog!).

The iPod nano also has a world clock, which is perfect for travelers, and has 22 preset listening modes.

We noted the iPod nano’s technical scalability, and this is something that many people are quite pleased with.

To enhance the functionality of this tiny little creation – and, of course, to boost sales! – Apple has enabled the iPod nano to play songs wirelessly through any home theater, via Bluetooth technology.

This is a very significant feature that many iPod nano users are extremely happy about. In seconds (even less!), they can listen to their tunes through a state-of-the-art home entertainment system: no wires, no fuss, just sitting back and hearing their favorite songs sound as good as a live concert; in some cases, even better.

While most of the publicity about the iPod Nano has been overwhelmingly positive, there is some negative feedback also. The color screen is prone to scratching, which can make reading the menus difficult.

http://www.ipodresourcecenter.com/The_Powerful_and_Ultra_Compact_Ipod_Nano.html

Things to consider before you buy an Mp3 player

Portable mp3 player has changed the way people use and listen to music. Because of new technological innovations both in software and hardware has kept this field fresh and exciting and a bit confusing for any first time purchaser.

Today there are many portable mp3 players available in the market and it might seem difficult to choose the right mp3 player for you. So you need to gather some information about the mp3 players available and their price range and then compare their features and decide which one shall suit you the best. This is because if you are a music lover you would always wish to have an in built FM tuner or if you love to play games then you would ask for something else. There are different accessories and lots of add-ons available.

The major criteria for mp3 player comparison would include its music store download system, its capacity in gigabytes, music storage in hours, music formats supported, video formats supported, image formats supported, built-in FM tuner, built in microphone, accessories included, other third party accessories available, navigation, dimensions, weight and price.

Open and closed systems

The primary factor that differentiates between players is that whether they form a part of a closed download music store system or an open one. Closed systems have all elements such as online music store, PC music store, portable software and portable player that are fully integrated to work together. An example of closed system company is the Apple ipod that operates iTunes.

Open system provides you a selection of music stores and portable players from different companies and because they share the same music file format you can easily mix and match players and services. Microsoft’s windows media audio is the largest such open system.

It is also important that the terms closed system” and open system” describe the online music store to software to portable player relationship and the copy protection their respective formats use. You can download and play mp3 files from other kinds of internet websites such as band websites and pod casters. You can also import music from your personal CD’s to your computer and then transfer the songs to your portable player in your preferred format of mp3.

For further information, visit our recommended website freedownloadmp3song.info

Keywords: free download mp3 song, free mp3 player song, download free mp3 music song, free karaoke mp3 song, free legal mp3 song, free mp3 music song,

About the Author

Olivia Andrews is a freelance journalist and has written many reviews on subjects pertaining to finance, entertainment, music, women health, mobile phone, education and apparels.

The iPod And How It Conquered the Mp3 Player

I’d imagine it’s pretty likely that you have heard plenty about the Apple iPod in the media. If you’ve got kids then they probably wanted one for Christmas and if you work in marketing or the music business then you have probably already had an iPod for years. Since its release in 2001 the Apple iPod has become synonymous with the term Mp3 player. Apple pretty much created the market for Mp3 players and they also totally dominate it.

Why has the iPod been such a huge success?

Apple cleverly spotted the rise of digital music and the lack of a suitable piece of hardware. For this reason they developed a hard drive based MP3 player and released this in late 2001. As with their recent computer models Apple did something very clever in the way they marketed and designed their product. Right from the start the iPod was given a sleek and sexy look and was marketed at young, style continuos, music enthusiasts. Apple created a fantastic brand with the all white look, with the white earphones being featured prominently in adverts. The white iPod earphones have actually become so recognisable that they have actually been blamed for increased numbers of street robberies.

Even the original iPod could store a fairly significant amount of music as it used a 5GB hard drive. It was a success from the start, but the fact that it was only Mac compatible held back sales slightly, although Apple did actually see an increase in sales of Apple Macs due to people wanting to be able to use the iPods.

The real explosion for the iPod when they released the 3rd generation iPod in 2003 that came bundled with Apple’s own iTunes software that was compatible on both Macs and Windows PCs. This has opened up a new market as they could now tap into the Windows users. Apple now has a huge 90% market share of the hard drive based Mp3 player market, and 70% share of the MP3 player market as a whole. Very impressive I’m sure you will agree.

Apple has managed to keep their grip on the mp3 player market by releasing several different versions of the iPod. The main iPod is now in its 5th generation and although the design is largely similar to the original, it has been made more compact and available with much large storage capacities. The latest models can display colour photos and movies.

iPod mini- Apple’s first iPod spin off was the iPod mini. This mp3 player was fairly similar to the original although smaller in size. It was the first iPod to be available in different colours and was designed to target a slightly different market.

iPod nano - Apple decided to discontinue the mini in 2005, to replace it with the ultra small iPod nano. These are 62% smaller than the mini players and feature coloured screens. Apple has come under some criticism though for the screens on the nano as many users have complained that they damage too easily.

iPod shuffle – This is another ultra small iPod and was the first flash drive based iPod. They only have a limited capacity of 512MB or 1GB and do not have a display screen. Users can either listen to the songs on the player in a random order or set a playlist in iTunes.

The dominance of the iPod in the mp3 player market can be seen in other industries. Cars are now being designed with docking ports to make integrating iPods to the in car system easier. Clothes manufacturers are making clothes with special pockets to hold iPods. All manner of other iPod accessories are being created by various electronics companies.

You’d be forgiven for thinking the iPod was the only mp3 player available, well it isn’t. There are many other players out there, that some will tell you are actually a lot better than the iPods, just maybe not as fashionable.

http://www.ipodresourcecenter.com/The_iPod_And_How_It_Conquered_the_Mp3_Player.html

Toolbars, Desktop Search and Mac Users

These days, it seems everyone is releasing a Toolbar and Desktop search, from Google and MSN to Search Engine Optimization companies and Internet Service Providers. As none of these are being released for the Mac platform, it has left many of us Mac users wondering why.

Contrary to popular opinion, most software today does release a Mac version. With Apple’s launch of the iPod and iTunes music store, and the significant drop in computer prices, many people are switching to the Mac platform. Mac users are on the rise and most software companies recognize this and are meeting the Apple community’s needs. So, why hasn’t Google, MSN, Yahoo! and all the other Toolbar pushers released a Mac version?

It’s really quite simple. Since about 1997, with the release of Apple’s Sherlock, we’ve had all the functions of these toolbars and desktop search programs built-in to the operating system. With the exception of a Google PageRank checker, everything you can do with your Toolbar or Desktop search of choice, you can do with the software that comes built-in on your Mac. And now there’s even a way to check the PageRank of every site you visit with any browser in Mac OS X. I’d even go so far as to say us Mac users have it better. Shall we take a closer look?

Desktop Search software by Google offers 3 main features: search the files on your hard drive, search through your email, and search the web. All of these features have long been a part of the Macintosh Operating System.

Searching through the files on your hard drive has always been a snap for Apple users. The Finder is even named for it. In every finder window there is a quick search field (http://www.abalone.ca/images/finder1.jpg" target=new>fig. 1) for a simple search of your hard drive. This search is a keyword search of the names of every last file on your drive, including your web history or SiteCache (http://www.abalone.ca/images/finder2.jpg" target=new>fig. 2). You will also notice there are mailboxes in the returned search results in http://www.abalone.ca/images/finder2.jpg" target=new>Figure 2. This is just a name search though, so only mailboxes with the keyword you wish to find in the name will be returned as search results using this quick search.

With a swift keystroke combination [Apple F] or a selection from the File menu in the Finder, a search window opens up with seemingly limitless parameters (http://www.abalone.ca/images/finder3.jpg" target=new>fig. 3). With this find function, you can search by name, content, date modified, date created, kind (i.e.. audio, video, text, etc), label, size, extension, whether or not it is a visible file, type, and creator (http://www.abalone.ca/images/finder4.jpg" target=new>fig. 4). You can also search using a combination of these things by clicking the button.

There are endless combinations of search criteria and locations. By using the "Search in:" drop-down menu, you can search in any specified location. Your home folder, your music folder and your entire hard drive are a few examples. Finder search is powerful, easy, quick and has been able to out-search any Desktop search tool since the 90s.

The quick search has also been included in Apple's e-mail client, Mail. Search through messages and mailboxes for content, keywords, sender, recipient, subject and attachments. As the owner of a web-based company, I receive more email than anyone would consider decent, so you can imagine how much use I get out of this particular function (http://www.abalone.ca/images/mail1.jpg" target=new>fig. 5). It's absolutely invaluable.

So, what does that leave us with? Searching the web. Enter Apple's magnificent Sherlock. Here's where I turn into a total nerd.

Sherlock, released for the first time in 1997, is Apple's way of organizing the web. Organized into channels, you can search many different services. Sherlock Channels include and are not even close to being limited to:
• About.com
• Best Site 1st
• Looksmart
• Lycos
• Overture
• Google web search
• Google directory search
• Google groups search
• Google news search
• Picture search - search for images on the web
• Lycos Stock search - Search for a stock, it's symbol, it's last trade and news from the company it represents.
• Dictionary.com - Look up words in a dictionary or thesaurus.
• Systran translation - translate anything into a dozen languages.
• AppleCare - search the AppleCare knowledge base for Mac tech support.
• Movies! - This is my personal favorite. Powered by Moviefone, search for movies, their show times at theaters near you, a description of the movie, the movie poster and play the quicktime movie trailer, right there in Sherlock! http://www.abalone.ca/images/sherlock1.jpg" target=new>See fig. 6.
• Project Gutenberg e-text search - find electronic books.
• Heise online - search tech news from heise online.
• NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day - use the APOD viewer to browse through NASA's latest pictures of the day - some of these are absolutely breathtaking.
• USGS Earthquake Hazards - this lists the latest seismic activity, no matter how small, from around the entire globe. In the wake of the Indian Ocean tsunamis, this one can be a little frightening.
• Ebay - Search for items and track them.
• Phonebook - search for phone numbers, addresses and get directions to every search result.
• Japanese news from Mainichi Shimbun
• Above California - search maps for campgrounds, ranger stations, lakes, trails and much more.
• Wedlock - plan your wedding in Sherlock.

Sherlock also features an RSS feeder, localized searching and web cams, and the ability to create and manage your own channel for just about anything within the possibilities of the world wide web. All of this, every last point, can be done without opening a web browser, but if you are within the Apple built-in Safari web browser, in the upper right hand corner of every window, there is a Google search field (http://www.abalone.ca/images/safari.jpg" target=new>fig. 7). So you say your Desktop search can search Google from your desktop? That might have impressed me in 1996, but I've been using those functions for years now. 'bout time you kids caught up.

So, between the Finder and Sherlock, I'd say Mac users have Desktop search more than covered. Next up? The Toolbar. The most popular toolbars offer some really useful features, such as a web search, pop-up blocking, check PageRank, autofill, and the ability to search within a web page. Every one of these features, with the exception of a PageRank checker, is built-in to Safari. We already covered the Google search in the top right hand corner (http://www.abalone.ca/images/safari.jpg" target=new>fig. 7), so let's jump ahead to the others.

Since it's first release in 2003, Safari has offered a pop-up blocking option (http://www.abalone.ca/images/safari2.jpg" target=new>fig. 8). I'm on all the Apple newsletters and visit the site at least once a day. Needless to say, I had Safari almost the very second it was available to the public. In all my time using this browser, I have never once seen a pop-up. It's a virtual brick wall that I am eternally thankful for - I don't think I could do my job if I had to look at the myriad of products and services advertised within the wretched pop-up.

Autofill is also a feature that is available with Safari. Using your personal or business contact information from Apple's Address Book, Safari will finish names, e-mail addresses, countries, states, provinces, phone and fax numbers, web site addresses, street addresses, etc as you begin to type them. Also included in this feature is the Safari autofill button in the address bar (http://www.abalone.ca/images/safari3.jpg" target=new>fig. 9). One click of this button and the form on the open page is filled in. You can even have it automatically fill in your user name and password for any account on any site, but I would only suggest doing this if you are the sole user of this account and it is unlikely no one else will be using your computer.

Finding keywords within a web page is something that is available in every application within the Macintosh Operating System, much like Windows (http://www.abalone.ca/images/safari4.jpg" target=new>fig. 10). The Apple key and the F key at the same time will bring up a search field and any instances of these keywords will be highlighted within the web page, the text document or the e-mail you are searching. You can also search within an entire site, by typing into the Google search field in the Safari window site:www.abalone.ca tsunami - this will search within the domain name abalone.ca for the term 'tsunami'.

Now we're only left with one thing. A PageRank checker. This has been my biggest issue with the Toolbars not being released for the Mac platform. I have written many, many, many letters to the developers at Google. It was of no use. They kept telling me to interpret the green lines under every link in the google Directory. Sure, Google, that's not time consuming or anything. I searched and searched and searched and I found several web sites that checked PageRank after you entered a specific URL, but that wasn't good enough. As an SEO company owner, I needed something that checked the PR of every site I visited without me having to do a thing.

After months of frustration, my brother finally came across the solution at konfabulator.com - widgets. Konfabulator is a small piece of software that allows you to run tiny programs called widgets. You can paste these widgets to your desktop, allow them to float above all other open windows or only bring them to the front when you need them. One such widget is a long-awaited PageRank checker for Mac (http://www.abalone.ca/images/safari5.jpg" target=new>fig. 11). Once installed, it will check and show you the PageRank of any site you visit with any browser, automatically.

If you visit widgetgallery.com you can find more than 850 other widgets that do various things such as giving you the weather forecast, desktop search for almost every single search engine, bring you your favorite RSS feed, news, stock info, even plant a character of some kind on your desktop with whom you can interact. Konfabulator is available for Windows as well. These widgets are so useful that Apple has included them in the next release of OS X (Tiger) under the name Dashboard.

So, you can see, as a Mac user, I am outfitted perfectly with everything the Toolbar and Desktop search has to offer and more. Perhaps one day your toolbars and desktop search software will include some of the more advanced features we have, such as downloading and viewing movie trailers, checking flights and earthquake risks, etc. Until then, anything your PC can do, my Mac can do. Perhaps even better.

About the Author

Courtney Heard is the founder of Abalone Designs, an Internet Marketing and SEO company in Vancouver, Canada. She has been involved in web development and marketing since 1995 and has helped start several businesses since then in the Vancouver area. More of Courtney's articles are available at www.abalone.ca/resources/

The Secret to the Apple Ipod 's Success: The Look and Feel

A big reason for iPod sales goes beyond its incredible functionality (which we’ll look at further in this book). Apple has been known for its aesthetics since it entered the personal computer market decades ago.

In fact, one of the reasons that Apple Macintoshes (now referred to as iMacs) have found such a loyal following among artistic professionals is its relentless commitment to how things look, in addition to what things do. It was no surprise, therefore, that the iPod followed this legacy perfectly.

The iPod is about the size of a deck of cards, while the iPod mini is about half that size. They’re both a kind of creamy white, which is Apple’s signature color for the devices.

The iPod works through a grey click wheel that is rotated and pressed/depressed at the same time. This allows listeners to navigate through various songs – skipping tracks, scanning, repeating, and pausing.

A nice new feature of the latest iPod versions is that this wheel must be depressed by the listener in order for the song navigation to occur.

Apple added this little feature after some negative feedback on early versions. Those models didn’t require the wheel to be depressed, and therefore some listeners complained that it was being accidentally hit or bumped.

Also, take heart if you want to have a more unique-looking iPod to add to your sense of personal style. It looks like there are special edition” iPods in the works, such as:

• the Ashley Simpson iPod
• the New York Yankees iPod
• the Eminem iPod
• the Madonna iPod• …and more!

http://www.ipodresourcecenter.com/The_Secret_to_the_Apple_Ipod_s_Success_The_Look.html

The Power of iTunes With the iPod

So, you know about iPods and the various ways that you can enjoy them – including as you drive. Yet there’s a very big subject that we want to cover, because this is the biggest reason that people buy this neat little device: iTunes.

It’s not difficult to understand what iTunes is, and why people are somewhat addicted to it (in the good way, of course!). Look at it this way: the iPod is the hardware, and iTunes is the software. Or if you’d prefer a different analogy – one that isn’t so technical – imagine that the iPod is the radio itself, and iTunes are the music stations.

iTunes is the name of an online music store that sells countless numbers of audio tracks that include music, but also include books and other material, too.

While there are a number of websites that legally sell music, iTunes is unarguably the most popular and the most well-known; and that trend doesn’t appear to be stopped whatsoever!

As of the end of the second quarter of 2004, iTunes had sold 70 million songs in its first year and offered 700,000 tracks. Both of these numbers have grown substantially since then, and analysts are busy tallying up the numbers for the rest of 2004, and now into 2005.

So…just how far reaching is iTunes popularity? Well, in England, it seems to be the favorite destination – in fact the # 1 destination of people who are looking to purchase digital music. iTunes’ market share in the UK is 54% while Napster has only 10%.

http://www.ipodresourcecenter.com/The_Power_of_iTunes_With_the_iPod.html

The Sold Out iPod Shuffle; Product Review

The iPod Shuffle is the one to get, but they are sold out for now, but do not despair more are on their way and should arrive in by January 15-20 they say. The iPod Shuffle, which holds 240 songs, is compact, easy to use and extremely popular with all ages. The Christmas Rush had the Official Apple Website completely sold out on the third day and even Best Buy knew they would not last. Target sold out as well, as a matter of fact if you can find any left you are doing well and a lucky duck.

The iPod Shuffle is preferable to most folks because it has a one-gig hard drive, but Apple says it is also coming out with a smaller version of the iPod Shuffle soon too. Your other choices are to buy the iPod 512 Megabyte model which is a little less expensive and still holds over 120 songs which should be plenty for most people.

Best Buy and other large electronic box stores indicated that since the iPod Shuffle sold out and they will be replenishing supplies in mid January they noticed a 10% rise in over all store gift certificates, as parents were quick to use the gift certificate option so their kids could still get the iPod Shuttle, the version of choice after the Holidays were over.

Apple admits it did not realize the incredible trend it had started until after it placed all the orders, now the factories producing the iPod Shuttle are running full tilt just to make sure they do not run completely out for a second time. The iPod Shuttle; you need this for 2006.


http://www.ipodresourcecenter.com/The_Sold_Out_iPod_Shuffle_Product_Review.html