iTunes Music Store

If you aim to update your music files or if you are planning to download more music for your iPod, you must be knowledgeable about the iTunes music store. The iTunes music store would the legal portal you must use when downloading MP3 or other types of music files for whatever version or type of iPods you may have.

There are many ways on how you usually download MP3 files online. And whether you admit it or not, for sure, there are illegal measures you inevitably take to download music. There are numerous Web sites that exist to distribute music downloads for lesser prices, or most of the time, for free. This is actually piracy and is a form of stealing.

Now that iPods are becoming too popular and widely used by electronic consumers from all walks of life, iPods are considered staple gadgets. Portable music listening anytime, anywhere, is never the same again since people started heavily patronizing iPod products.

Apple Computer Inc, the maker of the phenomenal iPods, wants to contribute to the industry’s battle against unauthorized downloading of music. Through its iTunes music store, which is actually the legal and prescribed portal for iPod downloading of files, piracy can be prevented.

ITunes music store surely helps make sure that every song to be downloaded into an iPod is legally acquired. Thus, iTunes transactions are not free most of the time. However, downloads from iTunes are sure to be of the highest standards and quality. There are no jumping parts of the song, nor are there unwanted sounds.

Your iPod would surely take its much-needed content through the iTunes. You can also facilitate for connectivity between the iPod and your personal computer. Thus, you could easily manage your files and make use of them through the computer.

Imagine if you are still resorting to the illegal way of downloading iPod music. You are contributing to the slow killing of the music industry. Plus, you are patronizing music downloads that are of low quality. You would surely not make use of the superior iPod music superiority if you keep on using such illegal download means.

Plus, Apple Computer is ensuring that iPods would not be able to download illegal files or music. There is a program in iTunes music store that would only authorize legal and permissible downloads. Do not patronize other download services for your iPods aside from the prescribed and appropriate iTunes music store.

http://www.frozenipod.com/2007/itunes-music-store/#more-34

iPod Software

Since the iPod became commercially available, many users have wished additional functionality, and those among those users savvy enough with software and programming were able to come up with unofficial iPod software to fulfill their wants.

The official iPod software itself is (as of the fifth generation) reportedly the Pixo OS 2.1 operating system, along with PortalPlayer’s Digital Media Platform. This Digital Media Platform is actually a “system on a chip” that comes with support for customizable firmware, audio decoders, and other software development tools. The iPod interface is also reportedly based on the Pixo Toolbox software (this software was available when Apple was just creating the iPod).

At present, iTunes and the iPod interface are not the only pieces of software that can be associated with and supported on the iPod. Third party software and programs designed to run on the iPod are commonly called iPod hacks, although unlike what the name implies almost none of these software have malicious intent. (However, use of third party software may indeed void the iPod’s warranty, meaning that the people at your local Apple Genius Bar might not be able to help anymore if you decide to modify your iPod’s software or hardware.)

One of the most drastic and effective hacks is getting Linux to run on your iPod. A group called the iPodLinux Project has come up with a way to port Linux to an iPod, as well as a Linux user interface they have called podzilla. Linux is a full-featured operating system, and with Linux on your iPod, it becomes much more like a portable PC than just a digital audio device.

Linux on the iPod allows for the playback of previously unsupported music file formats, such as OGG files. In addition, the appearance of the interface (podzilla) can be easily modified by downloading schemes to your iPod. And, lastly and most importantly, what are called modules can now be downloaded and used on your iPod. These modules are basically applications designed for use with the iPodLinux system.

Now, as can be expected, a lot of these modules are now available, with iPodLinux having been around for intrepid programmers to play with for quite a while. Among the most popular of these are ports of games that are now playable on the iPod. Such games as Doom – a first-person shooter, Bejeweled – a puzzle game, Space Invaders – a space shooter, and even classics such as Pacman have been ported over to the iPod. Other useful hacks include increasing the memory of an iPod Nano, turning the iPod into a universal remote control, and even support for the creation of text files!

Who would’ve thought that the iPod software and hardware would be capable of all these things? And these “iPod hackers” are far from finished.

http://www.frozenipod.com/2007/ipod-software/#more-33

Tips for caring for your iPod

There are several tips for caring for your iPod. Because your iPod is a truly well loved device, you are rendering significant importance to it. Thus, you should always make sure that your iPod is safe and secure. And when you say safe, it does not mean that you should always keep your iPod at a secure place. Of course, you need to use the gadget whenever, wherever you need it. Thus, there should measures that should help you protect the device.

Like any other device, the iPod is very fragile. Thus, avoid dropping the gadget to the floor whenever possible. If that happens, make sure you would never accidentally do it again. You could use an iPod sock where the iPod could be safely placed for such protection. Because of the accessory’s soft cushion, you can be sure the iPod would still be safe even if its drops. Plus, such socks also provide temporary protection from moist and water drops.

As fro operating the iPod, you are allowed to operate the device continuously for about 12 to 14 hours non-stop. Although there is no specific warning about using the gadget much longer than that, be aware and let the device take some rest. You know that any machine running 24 hours nonstop is more susceptible to troubles.

Use the iTunes music store to download music files. The online portal has been specifically instituted for iPod users’ downloading requirements. Now, you can also download videos from this store.

Another tip would be to invest even in cheap silicon cases. You know that the exterior of the iPod very well says a lot about the entire device. It is true that the case makes or breaks the iPod, at least, in terms of being fashionable. Many such cases are sold in the market and you would not have a hard time finding and buying them.

Another problem surrounding iPods is the cords, which tend to tangle. To resolve problems with earphone cords, you can opt to buy wireless headsets in the market. These accessories are far more expensive than the conventional earphones but they are highly functional, very beneficial and are extremely fashionable.

For the battery, the makers of iPods advise users to operate the device in temperatures ranging from 0?C up to 35?C or 32?F to 95?F. Do not leave the gadget under direct exposure to sunlight because the battery might be the first to be affected, which might lead to explosion. Likewise, do not leave the iPod inside the car when you are parking under direct sunlight. The temperature would surely rise and in turn might directly pressure and heat up the battery, which can cause explosion or fire.

There are many tips for caring for your iPod. But overall, the best tip would be to love your device and responsibly use it.


http://www.frozenipod.com/2007/tips-for-caring-for-your-ipod/#more-32

How to Extend your iPod’s Life

There are a few simple things you could do to keep your iPod playing for longer as well as extending its battery’s life and good performance.

First off, you should know that moving from one track to other costs more power if the two are not related by a play list. Moving among unrelated tracks requires the iPod’s hard drive to keep spinning, draining battery life. A solution to conserve power is to simply create longer play lists that you could settle in to, instead of jumping around your iPod music library.

The hard drive and the way the iPod accesses its memory cache also works more efficiently with smaller file sizes. Specifically, files larger than 9 MB would put more stress on the iPod. Typical songs do not usually reach this file size if they are in the compressed formats such as MP3 or AAC, but uncompressed AIFF files may prove quite large and unwieldy. Large file sizes may also be reached by tracks consisting of more than one song such as medleys. The only remedy to this is to try and keep your iPod library’s songs’ file sizes down to manageable levels (<9>

Another way to prolong the iPod’s battery life is to decrease the amount of time the backlight remains turned on, or even turn it off entirely. The backlight may be a great help in seeing the screen, but it drains the battery a whole lot. If you are interested in getting the most playing time out of a single battery charge, you should adjust the backlight timer settings accordingly.

It could also pay off to get into the habit of turning the iPod off when not in use. Or if you would prefer not to turn it off when not in use, at least use the Hold switch located at the top of the iPod. This switch, when engaged, will disable the controls and prevent the iPod from skipping through tracks or other unintentional behavior.

The iPod battery was not designed for extremes in temperature, and its performance might decrease noticeably in especially hot or especially cold conditions. So, avoid leaving the iPod inside a parked car that would be likely to heat up, or exposed to direct sunlight. If the iPod is left out in the cold for too long, on the other hand, be sure to let it warm back up to room temperature first before attempting to turn it on again - or it might flash the low battery signal even though it might have some charge left.

And lastly, even when the iPod is not getting used, its battery gets drained completely in a period of about two to four weeks. Recharge the iPod every 28 days or so, then, to keep it in optimum shape, as it shouldn’t be left with an empty battery for long.

http://www.frozenipod.com/2007/how-to-extend-your-ipods-life/#more-31

iPod Repair

You need an iPod repair if your iPod suddenly stops working. You must be so hooked up with this portable music player that you would practically not be comfortable without it. But just like any gadget, iPod is susceptible to breaking and would surely cease operating after some time. For some cases, the device may undergo damages that can manifest as soon as after the purchase.

If you are seeking for an iPod repair service, Apple Computer Inc, the manufacturer of the device, is offering such repair services. You would be sure that the service would be safe and would ensure that you iPod would be totally okay. But if you want other repair services from other repair technicians, you can still actually do so. It would cost less. However, prior to that, make sure your Apple warranty is expired or you would break it.

While some say that undergoing repair would make your iPod’s performance deteriorated, experts believe otherwise. Of course, iPod repair would do you an advantage because you would be able to enjoy your iPod again after it has been damaged. Repairs would help you generate savings because iPod repair is still farm less costly than actually buying a new unit of the music player.

You see, while it is true that brand new units of iPod are truly better than the old or the slightly used ones, you can save significantly higher amounts of money if you would be patient to bear using your old and reliable iPod. By the way, it is estimated that the gadget would last long if proper care and regular damage repair services are maintained.

Through iPod repair services, you could opt not to buy a brand new iPod unit. You could just spend a little amount of money for the repair services and voila, you can enjoy listening to your music tracks again, anytime, anywhere.

Good iPod repair services can also be an opportunity to fine tune or make the settings of the iPod good. You might be an expert to using your gadget already, but for sure, there are manufacturer settings that you know little of. Setting these manufacturer standards would surely make your iPod perform better.

Overall, subjecting your iPod to an appropriate iPod repair service would be to your advantage. Aside from customizing your music player gadget, you can be sure that any damages, both minor and major, would be fixed and offset.


http://www.frozenipod.com/2007/ipod-repair/#more-30