The iPod Shuffle!

It is the time to mix things up! The unpredictable new iPod is here. Maybe it can read your mind? What will it play next? Can it read your moods? Load it up - put it on. See where it will take you.

You will be able to choose from pocket size 512MB or 1G models that start at $99. - Surprise yourself!

Random is the order of this iPod--

The iPod Shuffle Songs setting takes you on a unique journey through your music collection. You’ll never know what is around the next tune. Welcome to a life less orderly--iPod shuffle shuns routine by serving up your favorite songs in a new order every time you listen.

You can just plug iPod shuffle into your computer's USB port and let iTunes auto fill it with up to 240 songs and get a different experience with each connection.

The trail you run daily looks and sounds different with an iPod shuffle. That daily traffic jam even seems enjoyable when you are listening and not knowing what song will come on next.

Love it - Lose control

http://www.passtheipod.com/The_iPod_Shuffle!.html

Smart Apple iPod accessories

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.

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

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.

here 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!

For recommeded iPod cases and more useful iPod advice, please visit tha author's website.

About The Author
Katherine Xie is an avid iPod user. She owns 4 iPods starting from the 2G model. She gives iPod advice and recommends quality iPod accessories on her site at: http://www.smart-ipod-ideas.com. Please feel free to distribute this article as long as mention is made of her website.

Replace Your Wedding DJ With An iPod

Whether its true or not, most everyone agrees that wedding DJs are expensive. A popular tip circulating the net is to replace your wedding DJ with an iPod and DJ your reception yourself. While this may sound like a great idea, there are some things to consider. Just as with any do-it-yourself project, you must be aware of all facets before you start.

The first most important job for a good DJ is to play music that the crowd enjoys. A simple shuffle has no way of knowing who is dancing to what. A person does need to run things, but not just any person will do. Putting your 12 year old nephew won't do you any good. The person in charge of the music needs a large amount of music knowledge. A good DJ should have this knowledge. A good DJ should be able to identify a song based on a few bars hummed out of tune or a snippet of lyrics that are slightly incorrect. Your DJ must not have a fear of speaking in front of a crowd, and this is not as easy as it sounds. One simply has to think of all the Best men who have hemmed and hawed their way through a wedding toast with the microphone held at waist level. Also, does he/she know how to auction off a garter or any of the other traditional reception activities? If not, will the bride and groom want to do these things while they should be enjoying their guests? Oh, and just like you would give your wedding singer or officiant a tip for performing your ceremony, don't forget a gratuity for your impromptu DJ.

Unless you're a music collector, chances are you don't have a music library with waltzes, polkas, old country, new country, oldies, classic rock, new rock, soft rock, hard rock, hip hop, dance, etc. And, unless you want to subject your guests to your musical tastes, you should probably buy a selection of these songs. If you're not up on popular waltzes and polkas, or don't know which songs are currently topping the country Top 40, search the web. $25 dollars should buy you enough music on iTunes to cover enough various musical tastes that most guests will enjoy themselves.

Another task for a good wedding DJ is one who is covered by insurance. Sure, your homeowners policy *might* cover it, but I'd hate to see your premiums next year if an accident does occur. Don't think accidents will happen to you? Are you serving alcohol at your reception? If you're telling yourself, "All the drunk people I know never act like fools!", stop and think about that again. Besides, many venues require proof of insurance because they don't want to see their premiums raised because your grandma tripped on a speaker cable and broke her hip. Searching the web for "wedding event insurance" will yield a whole crop of insurers who will give you a $1 million dollar policy for around $200.

Equipment is of course another important factor a good DJ brings to your reception. Do you know where to get speakers? Or mics? Or Mixer?? Larger cities will have rental companies that can provide these things. You can even find many such companies by searching the web for "dj equipment rental". Most wedding sized systems rent for anywhere from $250 to $500 dollars per day. In most cases, you must provide a truck or van to transport the equipment. Now, do you know how to set these things up? If not, will the rental company give you a tutorial? Some rental companies will give you a tutorial when you pick the equipment up, but make sure to take notes, because if you have to call them later they will likely charge you for a service call. Some equipment rental companies will deliver, setup, and test their equipment as well as pick up later, but this is extra.

That being said, if you KNOW your group will interact without being prompted (or just don't care if they interact or not), and if you've got a person with an encyclopedic knowledge of music that will run your iPod (instead of enjoying your reception), and you have adequate insurance to cover any accidents that occur due to your iPod setup, and you have a large enough music library to make sure everyone gets to hear the music they want, and you're able to get your hands on adequate dance lights and speakers, and will be saving money by spending $550 to $700 then by all means use an iPod. You honestly have no need for a DJ.

If planning and organizing all this sounds like just one more hassle, you'd probably do better to hire a professional so that you can enjoy your reception and spend your first day as husband and wife doing something besides returning rental equipment. For a few dollars more you'll get professional equipment, professional knowledge from someone who has planned and performed at hundreds of weddings, peace of mind that any glitches will be resolved quickly, no hassles about tearing down equipment when the reception is over, and no worries about getting it back before you owe another day's worth of rental fees.

About The Author
Tim and Tammy Smith own and operate By Request DJ & Karaoke Company in Fargo, ND. They have been providing exceptional entertainment at weddings, proms, and parties since 1991. Visit their website at http://www.byrequest.dj.

DIY Guide to iPod Battery Replacement

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.

Below are some instructions on how to install your battery. I am aware that there are more than one

Steps to install the battery:

• Lay your iPod on a piece of cloth o non scratch surface. Using your non scratch tools, slowly insert it under the cover and begin to pry off the cover. You should hear it begin to open. Work your way by sliding the tool all around the edges.

• The iPod is basically made of two halves. With both halves separated, put the empty shell aside.

• The other half will have all the internal components in there. You should be able to spot the battery in there. You will see that the battery is connected to the main circuit board of your iPod. Carefully unplug the old battery by pulling on the end of the connector.

• Get your new battery and plug in into the connector socket on your iPod’s circuit board. The connector will only go in one way so do make sure you insert it the right way up.

• Once it’s all connected up, put the cover back on by pressing the edges of the two halves together.

• Plug your charger in and let your new iPod charge up for at least 4 hours. All new batteries should get a longer than normal charge the first time around.

• Now you’re ready to enjoy your music once more!

About The Author
Will Koh works for Circuit Central - specialising in iPod batteries. For more info, or questions, please visit: http://www.circuitcentral.com.au.

Learn How to Download To Your Video iPod

Great! So you have a video iPod. Now What?

Well Google Video has one answer for you. Google Video for your Video iPod!

That's right. Up to now, Google has been offering videos to work with your PSP, your PC and your Mac. Now Google is offering the owners of a Apple's video iPod the ability to download video especially for your iPod as well. What can be better than that?

The Google Store allows you to download videos at a cost with a wide selection to choose from. You will find old television favorites that are available for download like Star Trek Voyager and Star Trek Deep Space Nine to newer shows like Survivor and NCIS. Old shows like The Twilight Zone, The Brady Bunch, McGyver and I Love Lucy are also available. You can download video for great sports like NBA basketball and On The Clock: Collegiate Football Draft Series: Texans and you will find music videos from Usher, Shakira, the Eurythmics to tons of other artists.

But don't forget that there are a lot of great, free and very funny videos from Google as well.

How do I download a video to my iPod?

To download a video to your iPod:

1. Search for a video on Google Video.
2. On the results page, click the video's title or image thumbnail. If a Download button and a 'Video iPod' option in the drop-down menu appear on the video's playback page, you can download the video to your iPod (if your iPod has video capabilities).
3. Select 'Video iPod' from the menu, then click Download.
4. Save the video to a location on your computer.
5. Connect your iPod to your computer and open the Apple iTunes application.
6. In the iTunes application, select 'Add File to Library' from the 'File' menu. Browse for the video you downloaded, then click 'Open.'
7. In the iTunes application, click 'Edit,' then click 'Preferences.' Click the 'iPod' tab, then click 'Videos,' 'Automatically update all videos,' and 'OK.'
8. iTunes will automatically copy the video to your iPod.
9. On your iPod, select 'Videos,' then select 'Movies' to play your video content.

I watched a great old cartoon, Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends and laughed out loud. Love that old stuff!

I also loved watching "Louie Dog sings with himself", there is something for everyone.

Next we will have to learn how to put our own videos online. Should I heat up the old guitar?

http://www.passtheipod.com/Google_Offers_Videos_For_Your_Video_iPod.html