Thursday, September 13, 2007

Add Fun To Your Ipod With Accessories

The iPod is the ultimate symbol of the digital age and only those entirely out of the loop haven't heard about it by now. The iPod is today's hottest gadget. Owning one elevates you to the status of the iPod people--audiophiles in love with their iPods. What self-respecting iPod person would you be if you didn't spruce up your iPod with iPod accessories? Fortunately, there are countless companies who offer the best and most exciting hardware and software iPod accessories to complement and personalize your "baby."

Let's begin with the basics of iPod accessories: iPod skins. The first, second and third generation iPods often had to content themselves with the iPod accessories mostly consisting of cases in leather, rubber, aluminum or fabric to protect the iPod from scratches, dust and moisture. Depending on your requirements, there are covers that allow you to carry your iPod in all your activities. From water-resistant cases to sweat-proof sleeves, these iPod accessories help the iPod be more portable.

The skins can also serve a stylish function. http://DecalGirl.com has a vast array of iPod skins, from loud colors to your favorite anime characters, and almost anything you imagine is possible. You can even satisfy the abstract side of you with graphic designs printed on your iPod skin. Just make certain that the iPod accessories you buy come with a guarantee, in case of an inferior product.

The next essential iPod accessories you will need are headphones or earphones. Although an iPod comes equipped with earphones, there are but a few users who prefer a surround sound experience. Other iPod headphone accessories include the retractable headphones, which is great to use while outside. And then there are the headphones with attached speakers, the infrared wireless earphones and water-resistant earphones for those times when you can't even take a bath without listening to your iPod.

Aside from these basic earpieces, external speakers and carrying case iPod accessories are quite popular. The iBoom iPod player has a dock for your iPod player with speakers attached to the sides. It is perfect for picnics and beach outings where music is a must to liven up the party. Another brand, called the iBag, is an accessory with FM stereo that adds more fun because you have the option to surf through local radio stations for more fun beats.

More iPod accessories are available to the iPod junkie online. A number of websites do product reviews of these iPod accessories and you can get a preview of the items you may want to buy through them. Included in these sites are http://welovemacs.com, and http://connectingpoint.net. They have a wide variety of iPod accessories for all the generations of iPods. They not only provide you with the price, features and product compatibility details but also give you the pros and cons of each iPod accessory.

Other iPod accessories that is a must have for any iPod warrior include the Belkin Voice Recorder that allows you to record reminders, meeting and notes into your iPod. There's also the hands-free accessory called the iPod remote and earphones. With it, you don't have to worry about struggling with the iPod controls as you drive or jog. A stationary variation of this remote is also available. Called the NaviPod IR Remote, it gives you the power to control your iPod's audio from across a room. Another essential iPod accessory is the iPod Dock that recharges iPod at work or at home.

For the car lovers, there are iPod accessories to accommodate your stereos. The first of these is the Belkin TuneDok Car Holder that holds your iPod in place. Another one of these nifty iPod accessories is the Sony Car Cassette Adapter that connects your iPod to the car's cassette player. And, last but not least, is another one of those wonderful iPod accessories, the Griffin iTrip FM Transmitter. You can play your iPod through the FM radio of your car. All it requires to work is the iPod dock connector. It draws a small amount of power from your iPod and doesn't use any batteries.

You can really personalize your iPod in many exciting ways. These iPod accessories not only improve your iPod but is also the number one status symbol for any hardcore iPod lover.


http://www.articlebliss.com/Article/Add-Fun-To-Your-Ipod-With-Accessories/42388

Pay Less For iPods

The buzzword in today's society is "wireless." Everything and everyone is on the go. It's not uncommon for the older generations to comment that the younger generation cannot live or stay by themselves for a long period of time. This would seem to be true, considering that almost everyone seems to be wearing a pair of earphones and are listening to their favorite music tracks, or watching videos on their portable players. It seems as though today's generation is dependent on the new technology.

One of the most popular wireless devices on the market today is the Apple iPod. Its popularity is due to its small size, which makes it easily portable. Additionally it is no longer necessary to bring a CD, cassette tape, or other media outside the player itself. However, with this convenience comes a shortcoming. IPods are quite expensive, often impracticably so. It is due to this high price that the iPod is so universally sought as a status symbol, while simultaneously floating just outside the reach of many people's finances.

For many people, daily life simply does not permit indiscriminate spending. Since these gadgets are not the first priority for most people, they remain in the possession of a relatively small number of people. For the rich and the more financially affluent, this want is not a problem. But for those with tighter budgets it becomes necessary to look for alternate solutions in order to obtain an iPod.

For those who want to have an iPod but don't have the budget to support the purchase of one, there are places where iPods can be purchased more cheaply. These cheap iPods are not copies, imitations, or fakes. These cheaper iPods were most likely built using cheaper materials or may not offer the same special features. The cheapest model currently available is the 512-megabyte iPod shuffle. This device can hold up to 120 songs at an average of 4 minutes per song. This can provide 8 hours of continuous music before repeating a song. This model runs around $70.

That is the cheapest iPod currently offered and as one would expect, the price varies according to the memory capacity of the iPod. Though they are all iPods, the quantity of memory contained can be different from model to model. Some have bigger memories that allow them to save more songs, while others have a smaller memory to allow them to be built smaller and less expensively. A simple rule of thumb is that the bigger the memory capacity, the more expensive it is going to be. If the only criteria are to have a device that is portable, can play music, and wears the iPod name, the cheapest iPod is probably going to be the best solution.

Remember, 120 songs is nothing to sneeze at for an iPod this small. Taking into consideration the comfort, convenience, and enjoyment it will bring, the price is not outrageous. Instead of spending too much on a bigger iPod than is really needed, the smaller version can fill the need while leaving a sizeable portion of money left-over to be spent on more important things. For this reason it is recommended to consider seriously the cheaper models of iPod.

The next rung up in the ladder of cheap iPods is another iPod shuffle. Like it's smaller brother, it is not as big as the other iPods that are available but it still plays the same music. There really isn't much of a difference beyond the memory capacity. The next larger iPod shuffles is still considered to be a cheap iPods, but it has a much larger capacity of 1GB.

While this may not seem like much, it can still allow a significant number of favorite hits to be stored. Since it has a bigger memory compared to the smaller model, it is also more expensive. This cheap iPod can store up to 240 songs, double of that of the cheapest iPod. This simply goes to prove the saying, "You get what you pay for."

Fortunately it isn't necessary to pay too much simply to be entertained. The iPod shuffle provides that entertainment, but it doesn't carry an unreasonable price tag. Weighing in at around 100 dollars, the 1GB iPod can fit most budgets. While it carries more songs than the 512MB version, the physical appearance of these iPods is the same. These are the cheapest iPods available on the market.


http://www.articlebliss.com/Article/Pay-Less-For-iPods/42747

iPod Video - Your New Entertainment Center On The Go

Apple has been continuously innovating on its iPods. Initial iPods were meant to be a storage and playback device for songs on the go. Then came the feature of storing photos, soon followed with podcast facility. The latest iPods can even playback videos for you and come with a whooping 30 GB or 60 GB hard disk option, which can store up to 150 hours of video. So if you own this latest gizmo, read on.

The next question is ‘Where can you get those iPod videos and how can you download them on your iPod’? Well, there are many options for you to choose from. The simplest option is to purchase music videos, Pixar short films, or select TV episodes via iTunes 6. iTunes music store has more than 3000 music videos covering almost all the artists from all the genres and select popular TV shows from ABC, MTV, ESPN etc. You have an option of browsing, previewing and in case if you like them, downloading it for $1.99. Having downloaded the ‘no advertisements’ iPod videos, you can then share it with friends or burn it on a CD.

If you do not want to pay for these, don’t worry. The good news is that there are a lot of free iPod videos available on the Internet, provided you are looking at the right place. If you are familiar with BitTorrent, its search engine can track videos mainly encoded for iPod, especially the famous television shows. Another free category of available iPod videos is that of exercise videos. So go ahead, give your exercise regime a whole new meaning! Doesn’t satisfy you? Join the world of vodcasts and let the free iPod videos come to you without searching for them.

Are you a frequent traveler and miss your family a lot? You can even convert your favorite family videos into iPod videos. Just download the free software from http://www.pqdvd.com and covert all the home videos to iPod videos in one click. The conversion speed is fast and it does not compromise on the video quality. You can also edit these videos. The other free software you can use is Videora or the 3GP Converter. For Mac users, Handbrake, iSquint or MovieToGo is a good choice. The other option of conversion is to utilize the ‘Convert Selection’ facility from the ‘Advanced Menu’ provided by iTunes. Though you will have to purchase an upgrade to Quicktime Pro, this does not need any extra software and you can convert your home movies in MOV, MPEG and MP4 format. Just synchronize it to your iPod and play on!

iPod videos can be a perfect gift for someone you love. Just buy and email an iPod video to a friend. If you are not sure of what the other person would like, just go ahead and print a gift certificate for an iPod video. It will be a gift that will remind the person of you, and rest assured, these will only be fond memories!


http://www.articlebliss.com/Article/iPod-Video---Your-New-Entertainment-Center-On-The-Go/43231

How To Convert Video In Your iPod?

Thinking about upgrading your iPod, or maybe making a first time iPod purchase? Did you know that now, iPod is video capable? The majority of people don’t yet know how to encode videos to a portable device that have strict format requirements, unless they own something like a PSP. The resolution and bit rates of the videos you can use on your iPod have limits and iPod and PSP’s are only capable of playing MPEG-4 encoded videos with AAC audio tracks. I know it sounds complicated but it’s really not all that difficult to do.

The Quick Time Pro 7 software is a great program to help you make videos for your iPod. It allows you to convert the video you want to use into the correct format for the iPod, pretty easily. After you’ve checked to make sure you are using the newest version of Quick Time Pro available, whether it’s 7 or higher, you’ll want to choose the “Open File”, option from the File menu in the toolbar across the top of the window. Locate and select the video you want to convert and then click the “Open” button. Next, you will have to “Export”. You can find that option also in the File menu of the toolbar. You’ll be given the choice to “Move to iPod (320x240)”, then click on “Save”. Watch for the Export progress bar, that lets you know when the exporting of your video is complete.

Once the export is complete, taking more time for longer movies, you’ll find the newly converted movie on your desktop. Now it’s ready for play in your iPod. Before you do anything else, it’s important to play the new version of the movie to be sure it has converted correctly. See, much simpler to do, than it sounds!

Before you can move the video to your iPod, make sure you iTunes version 6. You will need this program for your next step. Here’s the easy part; once you’ve opened iTunes click on the converted video file and drag it to your iTunes library. You can put it into the playlist or folder, it’s your choice. Now you’ll need to connect your iPod to your computer, making sure it’s synchronized with iTunes. If at this point you’d like to play the movie, just click on “Videos”, then “Movies” from the iPod’s main menu. Any other movies you have will be listed here as well.

Did you know, you can also watch TV shows from your iPod? In order to do this, there are a few things you will need, such as an iPod-compatible video converted, an A/V cable and a video-capable iPod.

Once you have those items, you can configure your iPod video options which allow how you export. Go to your iPod video options screen, here you can decide how the iPod will playback the video. First go to “Videos”, and then choose “Video Settings” from the iPod main menu. You’ll see several options to choose from like: TV Out, Widescreen and TV Signal. Tweak these settings to your specifications and choose the video playback style you need. To control whether your iPod plays the video from the built-in screen or is transmitted out through the microphone jack, click on “TV OUT”, option. Select “No” if you want the video to playback on the iPod, “Yes” if you want a TV signal produced. If this is not the way you intend all playbacks, click the “Ask”, option.

The new video iPod is very user friendly as you can see. So now that you know how to convert video files and watch your favorite TV shows, your ready to start making video’s on the go!


http://www.articlebliss.com/Article/How-To-Convert-Video-In-Your-iPod-/43277

3 Reasons Why Zune Could Beat The Ipod

There is a lot of hype around the release of the Zune player. Microsoft claims that their portable media device is a real iPod killer. But the reality may not be that easy. There are 3 reasons though that makes us believe that the Zune can succeed. Two of them are already announced but the third one is more on our wish list for now.

Wi-fi connectivity
With the introduction of the zune in November, Microsoft brings the portable media players on new grounds. The Wi-fi feature will enable users to socialize within their music universe. The social web as took all the attention on the internet in the last year or so. With the Zune, a part of that trend becomes “portable”. Exchanging a song or a video may look boring but doing it with the Zune and at the speed of a Wi-fi network will be very attractive for young people. On a negative note, the drm feature (Digital Rights Management) could eventually generate frustration among Zune users.

Integrated Marketplace
The subscription base Zune Marketplace could be a real skyrocket feature. Being able to access an online database of new music without having to download it first to your computer will make the Zune a real and first “portable media device”. The other important aspect of the Zune Marketplace is the ability to download as many songs as you want for a flat fee. If we can access the Zune Marketplace thru a public wi-fi network it will be a real technology and music orgasm!

VoIp Phone
This feature as not been announced by Microsoft (yet!) but it would be like a cherry on a sundae to have it. Imagine if your Wi-fi portable device could connect thru internet to access a VoIp network. This feature should not be very difficult to develop because most of the required hardware is already there (besides the microphone). A VoIp phone would be a lot easier to release compared to a real mobile phone which requires a lot more integration work and approvals.


http://www.articlebliss.com/Article/3-Reasons-Why-Zune-Could-Beat-The-Ipod/43704

How To Connect Your iPod To Your Home Entertainment System?

Music fans everywhere are tuning in to iPods. To get going with an iPod is not difficult. After you purchase one you can download off the computer, your favorite tunes, right onto the iPod. The flexibility of song choices and its small compact size make the iPod great for those seeking portability. Just like the Walkman’s of old iPods can be used for exercising, walking, waiting in lines, simply clip it on and plug in your headphones or ear buds and go.

Now that you have taken all the time to search, find, and sort your own personal top 100 or so tunes wouldn’t it be nice if you could use your iPod to play them on your supersonic, surround sound home stereo system? Or, if you are planning on throwing a party and have prepared a special song mix for it, you can simply download those tunes to your iPod and play them on your home system. Using some cables and a dock you could be on your way to enjoying your iPod tune selections at home as well.

Using the headphone jack on your iPod you can connect it to your home stereo. Visit a local electronics stores such a Radio Shack, and purchase a 3.5 mm RCA adapter cable. This is the same size as a standard headphone jack. Now you can connect your iPod to the amplifier’s sound input. When you try this for the first time you should make sure your iPod’s volume is set below its half way point. You will be using the stereo’s control to adjust the volume. You don’t want to blow your stereo’s amplifier speakers by having your iPod volume cranked. If you need to you can always adjust your iPod volume after you have determined that it is necessary.

Curious about universal docking? The universal dock works with multiple electronics devices, just like a universal remote. You can use a universal dock to connect your iPod to your computer. A cable should have come with your iPod when you purchased it for this purpose. When you put your iPod in this you are able to sync and charge it. When you plug your dock into an electrical outlet with your iPod Power Adapter you can also charge the battery. You can also dock your iPod to your stereo or speakers using an iPod AV cable or an audio cable from the stereo and now play music using your iPod. If you want to get really fancy you can control your iPod from a distance using an Apple remote control.

If your iPod has video capabilities or a color display you can connect it to your TV and view photos or watch videos. You can do this by using the iPod’s AV cable or a S-video cable.

You can also connect your iPod to your car’s stereo system using the auxiliary input on your car’s stereo. Take a 3.5 mm cable with stereo connectors on each end and plug it into the auxiliary input. If your car’s system lacks an input jack you can use a cassette adapter.

So, while an iPod with its ability to store your personal favorite tunes, may simply seem like an improvement on the old Walkman it has many more functions that you only need a few cables to utilize.

http://www.articlebliss.com/Article/How-To-Connect-Your-iPod-To-Your-Home-Entertainment-System-/44294

Cranking The Volume On Your Ipod Or Mp3 Player Can Damage Hearing

Mobilejuice introduces the bold and stylish MacSleeve Jungle, to protect your MacBook securely with its signature bright colours and sleek packaging suitable for all tastes and ages.

The MacSleeve Jungle is targeted at fashion conscious people especially students who want to protect their precious MacBooks in style. The Mobilejuice design team devised the crinkled texture to enhance its uniqueness and look. The bold colours attract all tastes and ages, allowing them to escape the conventional and boring black laptop cases, and yet sturdy enough to provide optimum protection. Also, the colourful unique animal logos are designed for people who want to make a fashion statement with their laptop case.

The MacSleeve Jungle features lightweight, sturdy, water resistant material, with double padding for added protection. The inner lip improves security and prevents your MacBook from getting scratched by the zippers.

This unique and modern case is available in 4 colours – red, orange, and black with either orange or red piping, uniquely named Tough, Stained, Wrinkled and Bold. It is suited especially for the 13.3” MacBook.

This funky latest addition to Mobilejuice’s array of laptop cases follows the success of their previous innovative and practical inventions, MacSleeve Color and MacSling.

Mobilejuice is a Singapore based company, specialising in quality accessories for Mac/Apple products like Screenshield screen protectors and protective film for MacBook and MacBook Pro. They also have a large range of iPod cases and protective covers. Currently, they have business deals worldwide, including Asia, Europe, America, Middle East, Africa and Australia.

To know more about Mobilejuice and their products, you can view their website at http://www.mymobilejuice.com.

To enquire about sales in South Asia, Europe, Africa and Middle East, please contact David at corpsales@jchsmedia.com or Chun Hua for Australia, America, North Asia and local sales at chunhua@jchsmedia.com.

-END-
For more information, please contact:

JeaKids have always loved listening to their favorite music, and the louder the better – much to their parents’ dismay. In the 1980s, the portable tape recorder with headphones – which came to be known as the “Walkman” – enabled teenagers to listen to their music as loud as they wanted, anywhere they wanted, without disturbing anyone around them.

But the more modern rendition of the Walkman – portable MP3 Players and iPods – pose a major threat to our children’s hearing health, and to ours.

The problem is a combination of the technology of portable digital devices that creates a non-buffered crystal clear sound, and the type of headphones typically used with them, which do not have a buffer either. In December 2005, Dean Garstecki, an audiologist and professor at Northwestern University reported that more and more young people were being diagnosed with the types of hearing loss typically found in older adults. He attributed this trend to the “earbud” type headphones that usually accompany iPod and MP3 Players.

With the earbud headphones, the sound frequencies are not buffered as they are with the more traditional, ear cup-style headsets. Newsweek Magazine recently reported that researchers at the House Ear Institute found that listeners can unfortunately increase the volume of today’s portable digital devices without the “signal distortion that occurs with traditional analog audio.” The older-model headphones that were popular just 15 to 20 years ago – that have ear cups outside of the ears – had that distortion when the volume was turned up, which functioned as a much-needed buffer to protect our hearing. Today’s technology does not provide that buffer – the earpiece is placed in the ear, not outside of it, and the digital devices do not create that distortion, no matter how high the volume.

In addition, people often listen to these devices while they are on the go, and have a tendency to crank the volume in an attempt to drown outside noise, further posing a risk to our hearing. Using the earbud style headphones during activities such as exercise, for example, puts the user at a greater risk. During exercise, blood, which can act as a buffer, is diverted from the ears to other parts of the body – so our already vulnerable hearing is in even more jeopardy.

Headwize reports that a study conducted on music listeners using headphones revealed that while indoors with no background noise, the participants were comfortable with their music at 69 decibels. Outdoors, where the background noise was recorded at 65 decibels, participants using their headphones turned the volume up to 82 decibels and as high as 95 decibels to drown out the surrounding noise. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines limit exposure to noise at this level to no more than four hours each day. The study concluded that the participants were at risk for hearing damage and recommended “avoiding continuous use of [portable stereos] in noisy conditions.”

Northwestern University’s Dean Garstecki offers more specific guidelines: His 60 percent/60 minute rule – listen to MP3 Players and iPods for “about an hour a day and at levels below 60 percent of maximum volume.” The problem is, most of the population using headphones – young music fans – listen to their music for much longer than one hour per day. But, you can help minimize hearing loss, damage and problems while listening to your favorite music as long as you want to – the secret is in the headphones.

Headphones such as the EX29 Extreme Isolation Noise Reduction Headphones help block out external noise allowing you to hear the fine details of your music without blowing out your ear drums. The ear cup fits over the ear, and not in it, and the headphones are lightweight, don’t require batteries and can be used with your MP3 Player or iPod. With 29 decibels of isolation from outside sound, the quiet headphones block outside noise and there is no need to crank the volume of your music.

Aging rock stars like the Who’s Pete Townsend, who has some permanent hearing loss from years of exposure to loud music, and Mick Fleetwood, who has teamed up with Energizer batteries to promote hearing loss prevention, have brought public attention to the fact that many of us take our hearing for granted. But there’s no need to turn off your music – just be smarter about how you listen to it. If you are using your MP3 Player or iPod when you’re exercising, in a noisy environment or you just want to hear the fine details of your music, ditch the earbud headphones and reach for a set of noise reduction ones instead. And you’ll be enjoying your favorite music for a long time to come.n Phillips
JCHS Media Pte Ltd
No. 47 Beach Road
Kheng Chiu Building #04-04
Singapore 189 683
Tel: 65-334-6616
Fax: 65-334-6645
Email: jchsmediapr@yahoo.com.sg


http://www.articlebliss.com/Article/Cranking-The-Volume-On-Your-Ipod-Or-Mp3-Player-Can-Damage-Hearing/47827

go wild with Mobilejuice!

Mobilejuice introduces the bold and stylish MacSleeve Jungle, to protect your MacBook securely with its signature bright colours and sleek packaging suitable for all tastes and ages.

The MacSleeve Jungle is targeted at fashion conscious people especially students who want to protect their precious MacBooks in style. The Mobilejuice design team devised the crinkled texture to enhance its uniqueness and look. The bold colours attract all tastes and ages, allowing them to escape the conventional and boring black laptop cases, and yet sturdy enough to provide optimum protection. Also, the colourful unique animal logos are designed for people who want to make a fashion statement with their laptop case.

The MacSleeve Jungle features lightweight, sturdy, water resistant material, with double padding for added protection. The inner lip improves security and prevents your MacBook from getting scratched by the zippers.

This unique and modern case is available in 4 colours – red, orange, and black with either orange or red piping, uniquely named Tough, Stained, Wrinkled and Bold. It is suited especially for the 13.3” MacBook.

This funky latest addition to Mobilejuice’s array of laptop cases follows the success of their previous innovative and practical inventions, MacSleeve Color and MacSling.

Mobilejuice is a Singapore based company, specialising in quality accessories for Mac/Apple products like Screenshield screen protectors and protective film for MacBook and MacBook Pro. They also have a large range of iPod cases and protective covers. Currently, they have business deals worldwide, including Asia, Europe, America, Middle East, Africa and Australia.

To know more about Mobilejuice and their products, you can view their website at http://www.mymobilejuice.com.

To enquire about sales in South Asia, Europe, Africa and Middle East, please contact David at corpsales@jchsmedia.com or Chun Hua for Australia, America, North Asia and local sales at chunhua@jchsmedia.com.

-END-
For more information, please contact:

Jean Phillips
JCHS Media Pte Ltd
No. 47 Beach Road
Kheng Chiu Building #04-04
Singapore 189 683
Tel: 65-334-6616
Fax: 65-334-6645
Email: jchsmediapr@yahoo.com.sg


http://www.articlebliss.com/Article/go-wild-with-Mobilejuice-/48563

How to Get the Most out of Your iPod

Have you every bought something, like a new car or new kitchen device, and months (or even years later), someone comes by and introduces you to a feature that you never knew existed?

Well, if this has ever happened to you; take heed: you aren’t alone! There are so many features and gadgets and settings on today’s modern devices, that it sometimes feels that you need to take a school course in gadgetology just to ensure that you’re enjoying your item to its fullest capacity.

So, in an effort to ensure that you’re getting the most bang for your buck, let’s take a look at some of the advantages of your iPod (whether you own it now, or are in the market to buy one).

Some of these advantages may seem very straightforward to you, while others might be an eye opener.

Remember, too: you may not use a particular feature or advantage right now, but that doesn’t mean the opportunity won’t arise in the future for you to enjoy something new.

After we’ve looked at the advantages of the iPod, our next section will explore various shortcuts and hints for you to further enjoy these marvels of modern technology.

Size Does Matter!

While you’re obviously aware that your iPod can store your music for you while you’re on the go, you might not be aware of just how much space there is to some of the new 4th generation iPods on the market right now.

Current versions offer 20 gigabyte and 40 gigabyte storage capacities, which is enormous for most audiophiles. Of added convenience, the new iPods also offer a new music menu, and support for multiple playlists.

The Shuffle Feature

iPod’s shuffle feature allows you to listen to music you’ve selected yourself, such as listening to a radio station that plays only the music you like. That’s why Apple added the “Shuffle Songs” feature – this saves you from having to activate the shuffle in the iPod’s settings menu and then browse through several levels just so you can select songs.

Not Just for Music…

The iPod was originally marketed as a device for listening to music; and this made sense, since that wonderful teenage demographic spends more than the other groups put together! Yet as the iPod has matured, so has its target market.

The educational market has now caught on to the advantages offered by the iPod; and this is a driving reason why many people who might not otherwise buy an iPod are finding one in their pocket.

For example, take the case of Duke University in North Carolina. University officials provided 1,650 of the 20 GB iPods to freshmen. These sets of iPods came pre-loaded with campus information, orientation notes, and an academic calendar.

And here’s the most interesting part: the Duke iPods adopted the format of the iTunes store so students can purchase academic materials, course outlines, language lessons, and yes of course: music. We look specifically at iTunes in the fourth section of this book.

In addition, there’s also the thriving audiobook market. We’ve come a long, long way from a binder full of tapes! Now, entire books can be downloaded onto an iPod, and enjoyed on the go.

These audiobooks include everything from young fiction to romance, from business books to self-help, and everything in between.

So if you’re currently using your iPod just for music – or that’s what you plan to do when you buy one – remember that it can indeed be used for so much more.


http://www.articlebliss.com/Article/How-to-Get-the-Most-out-of-Your-iPod/50522

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.


http://www.articlebliss.com/Article/iPod-stuff--Troubleshoot-your-iPod/69717

Free iPod Video Converter Tips

An iPod video converter is a software that will allow you to quickly convert your computer media files (avi,mpeg etc) to a format supported by your iPod. This way you can download, transfer, convert and watch all kind of movies, TV shows and other video files on your iPod. There are a lot of free iPod converters out there and most of them include extra software that will allow you to download video before converting it and playing it in your iPod.

Here is what to look for when choosing a free iPod video converter:

- The video converter software must support as many video file formats as possible (avi, mpeg, wmv, mov, divx are just some popular formats). There are video converters that also support conversion of popular audio files (wav, mp3, ogg, m4a etc). Check out if all the necessary encoders and decoders are included in the software.

- The video conversion speed. A lot of converters while they support all the possible video formats, they are really slow and sometimes they freeze causing a lot of frustration. Many video converters do not support multithreading and batch conversion making the process of video conversion a pain. Batch conversion will allow you to convert more than one video files at the same time.

- The user interface must be friendly and designed in a way that will allow even a total newbie to access all the controls and functions of the video converter software. If a software company creates a user friendly iPod video converter, chances are that the video converter will work properly apart from being user friendly.

- Check out if the iPod video converter allows you to convert a part/segment of the movie. This is a demand if you want to watch just a part of a movie show or a football game. Be sure to use the preview feature if any, to see the output result before converting.

- The quality of the converted media file. Many iPod video converters are really fast but the output is disappointing. Video freezes, audio stops playing, screen turns red or green, short audio or video breaks during playback. This is common for some video converters. Especially if you don't know how to use the conversion process properly. Be careful when adjusting video size, bit rate etc.

Before installing any iPod video converter make sure you have the latest version of firmware for your iPod in order to get the most out of the video converter software. Download the latest firmware for your iPod for free at the apple website.


http://www.articlebliss.com/Article/Free-iPod-Video-Converter-Tips/69718

Using Your iPod As An External Hard Disk

IPods are all the rage nowadays, the whole population is mesmerized by IPods. IPods allow people to listen to their music on the move, and even watch videos. IPods are capable of doing many different things they can store files, play music, play videos, and even display pictures. It’s quite a simple idea it’s a miniature storage system with a screen, it includes video and audio capable hardware and software.

You can load files onto your IPod, take it to work with you and then load them onto your work computer. It’s especially useful for backing up sensitive data. Removable hard drives are great, but one could get stolen, and they’re so big! But you carry your IPod everywhere with you! You can take backups of all your precious files wherever you go.

If you change the settings on your IPod to use I-Tunes and use the matching software then you can easily transfer files to your IPod just by dragging and dropping them.

Regular Setup

You should of already installed the I-Tunes software, as soon as you connect your IPod the I-Tunes software window pops up as if by magic. Simply click the IPods icon in the source list, and then click on the options tab.

If the IPod is setup correctly then it will store the files wherever you tell it to store them, and it will manage all songs manually. You need to use the settings to synchronize your files, you can see if this has been completed properly by looking at the preferences window on the IPods screen.

Shuffle setup

The Shuffle is apple’s MP3 solid state player solution, the storage is no where near that of the other full sized and mini iPods, so you are unable to store anywhere near as much. You must assign space on your shuffle for use by files and then music files are not allowed to occupy this space. Use the I-Tunes software to set up storage limits.

Open the I-Tunes window, click the icon with the IPod picture and click options. Look at the Enable Disc Usage area, and use the sliders to change the space allocation.

Copy to and from

Copying files to your IPod is a cinch you just drag the files using your mouse and drop them on the IPod icon. This icon is in my computer whenever your iPod is connected to your computer. You can copy your files to any device that is compatible with the IPod which is pretty much any computer!

If you ever upgrade your computer, you can use your IPod to transfer the I-tunes library from your old computer to the new one.


http://www.articlebliss.com/Article/Using-Your-iPod-As-An-External-Hard-Disk/75400

What are Podcast Feeds?

So what’s the big deal about the much-talked about podcast feeds? The hype is that the feeds are the very backbone of the podcast revolution—without those feeds, nobody can upload and download these files. Those millions of music videos and video highlights? They’d be gone, buried in the computers of the people who created them, but inaccessible to everyone else on the web.

So how do podcast feeds work? They are a way of sharing files over the internet. Podcast feeds makes use of a small, machine readable file, that updates the users of any changes like new additions to the list.

If you go through the file, you’ll see addresses imbedded into the code. These “share” the locations of the files to the readers, so they know where to look. (The files are usually read-only or share-only media files). Originally podcasts concentrated on music files like mp3s, but recent developments have paved the way for sharing video files too. Who knows what other kinds of information the future “feeds” will bring?

Each individual feed is called an episode, and can be about a number of things: a the latest routine from a stand-up comedian, a song by an aspiring country singer, a lecture on the best California wines, or announcements about a game and a sneak b\preview of its graphic capabilities. In fact, the types of feeds have grown considerably as more and more groups have identified the capabilities and marketing opportunities within podcasts.

To subscribe to a feed, users need to get an aggregator. An aggregator is piece of software that lets you “subscribe” to an RSS feed. iIt then automatically pulls the files/shows you have subscribed to and utomatically inserts them into your favourite desktop music player whether it Windows Media Player or Apple iTunes. Once the audio file has been added to your music library, the next time you dock and sync your portable music player the files are automatically moved over ready for you to listen to on next time you leave the house.

While choosing aggregators, check what types of feeds they can manage. Some don’t just deal with audio files. You can find a few aggregators that will handle feeds from text based only blogs as well as audio and video blogs. Do a bit of research and you will be sure to find one that matches your needs.

In the future, podcast feeds may be used for a number of purposes besides simply sharing media files In fact, the newer innovations in podcast feeds—the vlog, or videoblog—have become more and more popular. Even media greats such as BBC have used it to share some of its news content. Some analysts predict that the feed system could also be used to share software updates, or any of a myriad of other file types. For now, however, podcasting is dominated by small audio and video files, but with the increasing popularity and interest in this new medium, it will be interesting to see what kind of innovations
we will see in the next few years.


http://www.articlebliss.com/Article/What-are-Podcast-Feeds-/77628

All About iPod Battery

Your iPod uses a lithium ion battery. That is not the round kind found in a flashlight. Rather, it is a light, thin battery that is more powerful than conventional batteries. Using your device causes the battery to drain – simple enough. However, every time you charge your iPod battery, it loses some of its total charge. Over time, it will simply run out of power and you will have to replace the iPod battery with an iPod battery replacement kit.

You are walking along, listening to your favorite tunes when your iPod shuts down. You go home to charge it up, and after a few hours, you are ready to go. You pop in your headphones, turn it on and nothing. Your iPod battery has died.

Now before you shake your fist in anger or frustration, it is good to understand why your iPod mini battery has kicked the bucket. It might not be of much consolation now, but knowing how iPod batteries work is always useful information to have.

Let us say that an iPod mini battery holds enough power to play for one hour. After an hour, it dies out, so you charge it again. It is now full, but instead of an hour, it only plays 59 minutes. Over time and repeated charges, the battery simply cannot hold a charge any more. Once that happens, it is time to change the iPod battery.

Now, you may be asking yourself why your iPod does not use conventional batteries. Here is the answer: find any size battery in your home and try to place it in your iPod. You will soon figure out why lithium ion is the weapon of choice for iPod mini batteries. They are smaller, longer lasting, and have the juice to power today’s high-performance devices.

When an iPod battery dies, you can easily purchase an iPod mini battery replacement kit, instead of purchasing an entirely new unit. According to Apple, iPods are designed to last for years to come.

Therefore, the key to long iPod battery life is to only charge it when you have to. And remember, dead iPod batteries are those that won’t hold any charge at all. An iPod battery with some charge left can hold some charge can still be useful, but you will still want to consider purchasing an iPod replacement kit.

Also keep in mind that when your iPod mini battery does die, it requires a proper funeral inside a proper container. No, you don’t need to buy a casket and a plot, but you do need to adhere to local laws when it comes to battery disposal.


http://www.articlebliss.com/Article/All-About-iPod-Battery/83743

Audio Books for Ipods: Pros and Cons

Audio Books for Ipods: Pros and Cons

The audio books market has taken a turn recently toward audio books for iPods. With iPod products becoming so popular, many audio book companies are realizing the tremendous opportunity of using iPods to store and distribute audio books.

Let's take a look at how this works along with some pros and cons of developing audio books for iPods.

How do iPods Work for Audio Books?

Audio books are simply books that are spoken and then stored on an audio cassette tape or compact disk (CD). Those who lack the time or ability to read books often find audio books to be very enjoyable.

Children enjoy listening to their stories read aloud by audio book. They make great baby-sitters in the car while taking long family trips. Also, those traveling alone can enjoy a good book while driving. It's a great way to read without actually "reading!"

The iPod Stampede

Electronics consumers have been rushing out to get the latest technology called "iPods." Why? Because iPods have revolutionized the way audio is stored. Ipods are smaller than CD players, but can hold far more audio data.

Consumers can store their favorite music from many CDs onto one iPod unit. This saves time and storage space!

iPod owners can take their music or book on iPod with them wherever they go. Whether it's in the car, while taking a walk or bike ride, hiking, boating, etc. The possibilities are endless.

Pros of Creating Audio Books for iPods

There are many pros of creating audio books for iPods such as making more than one book available on one iPod player, providing an easy way to read books for those with a busy time schedule, and allowing children to listen to their favorite stories.

Many libraries are now offering iPod audio books on rental as they become more popular. This will save space and reduce maintenance costs. Books on tape usually require many tapes for one book. Books on CD reduced this to several CDs. With iPods, and entire book can fit into one file.

Another advantage is audio book files can be downloaded online from any computer. Public domain books are usually available at no charge.

Cons of Creating Audio Books for iPods

Though iPods can certainly make life easier for bookworms and music lovers there are a few disadvantages to creating audio books for iPods. iPods are still fairly new.

With any new technology, there will be many changes and "improvements" over the years to help quality, add features, increase memory, etc. iPods are still fairly expensive. Each year will offer new iPod technology that's better than the year before. So, consumers should be prepared to spend more dollars on new improved iPods to stay ahead.

Another disadvantage is that not all books are available for iPod just yet. So, it might be difficult to find some audio books.

To sum it up, audio books for iPods can provide great entertainment for those who love to read. And, as they become more popular, iPods will likely become more affordable for everyone.


http://www.articlebliss.com/Article/Audio-Books-for-Ipods--Pros-and-Cons/89704

A Collection Of iPod Cases For The Spring

There are different seasons and each season has got something different to offer. For example, the summer season may bring about the sun and the sand for people while the spring season would allow the blooming of flowers and anything fresh. And in this regard, people who do away with sending out their products and wares do try their very best so much so that they are in tune with the season when they are going to be selling their products.

The line of seasons has yet to be defeated and it looks like the world of iPods is following and walking that line wherein seasons are of great importance. No, it is not time for you to start going to your favorite consumer electronics shop to look for an iPod Video accessories that have been created for the summer because this is not what I am actually referring to. You see, I am actually talking about the very fashionable and ever changing iPod cases.

Yes, iPod cases. And these iPod Video accessories have been following what the fashion world has been doing. If it is time for something black and white, then it sure would not come as a big surprise when we would then find iPod cases that come in such designs and use such colors.

For this spring, Griffin Technology is already sending out the best of its wares and designs of iPod cases. And they are making sure that their products would be best used for the spring fashion and style. Although these new products from Griffin are yet to be sent out to the market, the company has already made an announcement about the new spring line of iPod cases and it would soon be available in a couple of months - perhaps well within the spring period. The company also did mention that the iPod cases could be coming with price tags that could start from as low as $19.99 to a high of $29.99 which is quite affordable for a bunch of spring edition iPod cases.

One of these spring edition iPod cases is the Reflect which has been designed for iPod videos and nanos. It comes with a $24.99 price tag and it has been molded using a polycarbonate shell that is reflective. You may not see what is on the screen with the case on unless you make sure that the screen has got its backlights on. Another style which is like this is the Centerstage which is made just for the iPod video. The price is also the same.

Another one from the spring range is the iClear Photo for the same iPod versions mentioned previously. The one for the iPod video costs $24.99 while it would be $19.99 for the iPod Nano. It is also a case made from clear polycarbonate and this time around, you can put in your photo or your art masterpiece for an even grander and more personalized design.


http://www.articlebliss.com/Article/A-Collection-Of-iPod-Cases-For-The-Spring/92809

Burn Lounge - Will it take a Bite out of Apple Itunes?

After 1 billion downloads Apple has something to truly be proud of.But that pride may be short lived, as Burn Lounge attempts to gain some of Itunes precious market share.

At the outset- going to one of over the 15,000 (3-28-2006) individually owned burnlounge websites is much like Itunes- click on tracks and artists, listen to music, and hit the "buy" button.

Burnlounge.com has a philosopy- or so its seems- to stay away from the glitz and glam of the multi million dollar ad campaign Apple has bombarded us with over the last few years. The idea is to "give back" to the members of the 'network that it is creating. The revenue that would normally be spent on advertising is shared among the site owners in terms of a 50cent profit share per album sold- and a finders fee for those that bring other members into the burn lounge family. 50 cents may not seem much- but compare that to some royalties that artists are awarded from their respective record labels- burnlounge retailers share per sale could actually beat the signed musician. This network is composed of music fans, musicians, dj's , singers, and rappers as they all take the plunge into maintaing and owning their own digital download site. For all of the mentioned, a very minor cash outlay gives you the ability to do something you probably would never get with Itunes- that is the ability to change the top 10 albums / tracks on your home page. The slick interface provided by Loudeye (a company Microsoft is invested into) is fully customizable giving you the ability to choose tracks to sell to your friends, family, and the rest of the world.

If, you happen to be a musician, you are given the option of sending a cd of your tracks to Burnlounge corporate headquarters and according to several representatives of the company within 3-4 weeks you will be able to sell your tracks at a negotiable 50-75 cents. The price for your own site.. it starts at $29.99 for the basic site ,which allows you to sell your own music and receive your share of your download revenue up to a maximum of $440 - the music mogul package which allows you to create groups of music retailers- and when your group of retailers sells mp3s- you get paid from their sales. A pyramid? Hardly- this is multi level marketing with an excellent product for sale that actually sells itself. Everyone knows whatmusic is.The sales pitch quite frankly is this: "Do you like music?"- how simple could that be?

So why should Apple look out? - Well, this is just the type of viral citement that has built such businesses as My Space, Flickr,and Youtube. Added to this is the fact that Burn Lounge will be offering movie downloads, concert tickets, tour merchandise, mp3players and a whole slew of other gadgets you can sell.For more information go to www.burn76.com and fill out the form- or take the plunge and go to http://www.burnlounge.com/djdick , watch the video and click on "become a retailer".


http://www.articlebliss.com/Article/Burn-Lounge---Will-it-take-a-Bite-out-of-Apple-Itunes-/8597

Vox Populi: Popular podcasts on the net

The overwhelming popularity of portable MP3 players has brought with it all new innovations in using this new technology. The most popular application that has come out recently are podcasts.

Podcasts are the automatic distribution of MP3 files via RSS or XML. With podcasts, a user downloads software and installs it in order to receive their favorite podcasts automatically from the podcast’s website. Apple iTunes is an example of a podcast software that can deliver podcasts to your personal computer. The files that are downloaded come in an mp3 format and you can then listen to them in your personal computer or better yet, on your portable MP3 player so you can bring your podcast episodes wherever you go.

Podcasts are like radio programs with one big difference. Anyone can make and distribute their podcasts. This makes it a true populist initiative. Podcasters can rant about their favorite political issue, talk about their CD collections, discuss plot twists in their favorite comic book titles or even advise people about how to make podcasts. The subjects and topics that can be discussed in podcasts are only limited by your imagination.

Just like popular TV or radio shows, there are already podcasts that can be considered as widely popular. Below are some popular podcasts that you should try:

The Onion Radio News – This is a daily podcast that features short news clips from The Onion’s 24 hour radio news network. For those who still don’t know The Onion, it is an online “news network” that puts a satirical spin on the latest news and political issues.

New York Times Front Page – This is a daily summary of the top headlines of every weekday morning.

X-Play Daily Videogame Podcast – This is another daily podcast that offers gamers the latest gaming news, tips, tricks as well as previews of upcoming games.

Meditation Station – This podcast is aimed at people who are stressed and are seeking to achieve a little focus on their hectic lives. The regular meditations can help you de-stress.

This Week in Tech – This award-winning podcast finds Leo Laporte and other well-known tech luminaries discussing the latest tech trends.

Science Friday – Making Science Radioactive – this weekly podcast discusses the latest news and trends in science, technology, health and the environment.

Ebert & Roeper – Popular film critics Ebert & Roeper review and discuss the merits (or demerits) of the latest movies showing in Hollywood.

Indiefeed: Alternative/Modern Rock – This is a great way of getting great songs from the alternative/modern rock genre. Everyday the podcast features one song that includes information about the artist as well as where to buy the album. This podcast is redefining how music is being delivered to people.

The Catalyst Podcast – This is a community that aims to raise the next generation of leaders and teaches them about the church and culture.

Penn Jillette – The popular and edgy magician airs excerpts of his popular satellite radio show to his fans.

Travel with Rick Steves – This is a weekly hour-long conversation with experts and callers about travel, culture, people and the kind of stories that you only get when you travel.


http://www.articlebliss.com/Article/Vox-Populi--Popular-podcasts-on-the-net/10449

Funny bones: Comedy podcasts on the net

Podcasts are enjoying a growing popularity all over the world. Its unique delivery system (podcast files in MP3 format being downloaded into computers automatically upon subscription) and the fact that you can bring it and listen to it anywhere through portable music players is contributing to its continually increasing subscriber base. Of course, the fact that it is all free is a big attraction for anyone, and add to that the relatively easy way of availing this great new application. All one needs is an internet connection and a computer – the portable player itself is an optional accessory and not needed to really enjoy listening podcasts.

There are so many available podcasts on the internet catering to so many genres. In fact, the available genres offered by podcasts are so much diverse than what is offered in regular radio programming. One of the most popular podcast genres though are so-called comedy podcasts. These types of podcasts consistently rate at the very top of any podcast countdown on the internet. This attests to its massive popularity.

There could be many reasons why comedy podcasts seem to have captured the attention and following of so many computer users and podcast fans all over the world. The light hearted nature of the podcasts as well as the silly subjects that are discussed are just perfect for the medium. There are also comedy podcasts that take the usual interview format with celebrities and gives it’s a hilarious spin. Imagine having a very stressful day at work, or you are stuck in rush hour traffic and the wait is driving you crazy. Nothing could alleviate those negative feelings more than hearing hilarious banter or commentaries on your portable music player. The comedy could distract you from the stress or from the boredom. Comedy podcasts are also a good genre to mix with the music in your portable player. After listening to your favorite albums you can kick back and just let your hair down with those zany comedy podcasts.

There are so many different comedy podcasts to choose from that one would be hard pressed to just pick one. Below are some of the most popular comedy podcasts available on the internet:

The Ricky Gervais podcast – The funny star of the British sitcom The Office has began making podcasts. Gervais is as funny as ever. This is British comedy at its best.

The President’s Weekly Radio Address – This is the official parody of the US president’s weekly radio address. Pres. Bush’s weekly address is lampooned every week by these witty writers

Gay Fun Show – called the “Love Boat” of podcasts, hear political comedy given an unmistakable gay twist by its two hosts. These guys also interview different celebrities with their gay aplomb.

Comedy 365 – another outstanding British-based comedy podcast. This is one of the most popular Brit-comedy podcasts on the net and is worth checking out.

Infected by Martin Sargent – TechTV host Martin Sargent brings his zany and hilarious wit in his tour of the most cutting edge, most humourous, and weirdest content on the internet.


http://www.articlebliss.com/Article/Funny-bones--Comedy-podcasts-on-the-net/11865

Movies Downloads for Ipods - Download And Save

IPOD movies are an excellent choice for getting the latest movies quickly and without the hassles of traveling to the video rental location. There are many locations right on the web that can provide you with the best of the best for much less. There are several locations that do offer a wide range of choice when it comes to IPOD movies. Some offer more than others or they offer a better quality product. It will take a little looking to find the most affordable choice that is also the one that has what you would like to download.

Once you find the right location for your IPOD movies, you can easily and quickly (it seems almost instantly) download them to your PC, your notebook, or you can check out iPod movie downloads as well. There are specific services that are available to provide you with the ability to get great quality movies on your iPod. If you choose iPod movies, you can find the right location to download from on the web to your iPod, take the movies with you wherever you decide to go and, if you like them; you can even burn them to CD.

No matter if you choose iPod movies or find a few great movies to download to your PC, there are many services that are providing this ability to you. If you are skilled, you can even find a few free iPod movie downloads or free movie downloads to tap into as well. Of course, to get the best products available, you may want to go with a paid service. It also pays for you to take your time in checking out a few of the services for their fees and their membership details. With so much competition out there, you are sure to find a great deal being offered to new members. Movie downloads are fast becoming the best way to get the movies you want to see quickly.


http://www.articlebliss.com/Article/Movies-Downloads-for-Ipods---Download-And-Save/12584

iPod TV Shows - Fun Wherever You Go

Well, well, well. I had always thought that the inefficiency of the slow moving bureaucracy that is humankind would have put off hell freezing over for at least 10 or 15 years. But, I am a big enough person to admit when I am wrong. But perhaps finding sufficient market demand to allow consumers to pay for and download TV shows that they simply weren’t capable of rearranging their schedule to accommodate for further pop culture consumption must be one of the signs that such a point is closing in upon us. Welcome to ipod shows.

So, you unfortunately have to go to a funeral that you just can’t get out of, but it happens that the new episode of Monk is on at the same time; and the network has really been touting this week as a blockbuster episode. Well, no problem, all you need to do is log on to the apple website and go into the istore where you’ll find all things ipod. Once you’ve found ipod shows you just need to choose the network and the get to the show and you can purchase it and download it.

Having Monk as an ipod show on your ipod is almost better than having skipped the funeral and watched the show at home, even if you taped it for later viewing. This way, you’ll always have it to watch as many times as you’d like, plus you don’t need to sit on your couch to do so, you can run all over town watching the show if you want. But, its not to say that you couldn’t also still just sit on your couch and indulge. Ipod shows are here so download them while you still can, because I can hear the crackling of forming ice in the living room of Beezelbub’s rec room.


http://www.articlebliss.com/Article/iPod-TV-Shows---Fun-Wherever-You-Go/13927

iPods- which rock the world

Wondering why people are becoming crazy about this miniature audio device? iPods offer excellent quality of digital music. The success of iPod is due to its features like:

•iPod is able to deliver extremely rich quality of digital music.
•It comes in attractive small sizes and thus tends to be very handy and compact.
•They come with in-built media library software, called as the iTunes media library software. This feature enables the user to manage the music files efficiently.
•The most attractive feature which made iPod the best seller is the attribute which allows the device to be connected to the user’s computer.
•Thus by enabling connection with the user’s computer, the iPod prove to serve as efficient storage devices.
•iPods sport a display, which makes the gadget more user friendly.
•Improvised iPods also had PDA’s( Personal Digital Assitants).
•Apple, the creators of iPod kept on improvising it, and thus many models of iPod have rocked the market.

The models of iPod categorized according to the chronological order.

First Generation iPods:

Initially the iPods were released with 5GB hard drive, but then later Apple increased their hard drive capacity to 10GB. These iPods have a scroll wheel with a select button in the middle. This device was a huge hit in the commercial market, but now they rarely exist due to the release of new models.

Second generation iPods:

These devices had a thicker body and they supported 20 GB hard drive. They were the first gadgets, which were compatible with the windows. They also sported cases and wired remotes.

Third generation iPods:

These iPods were thinner than the original versions, the 30 pin dock connector was introduced with this series. They also had touch sensitive buttons this attracted the masses to a great extent. And it did not have buttons surrounding the wheels and hanging parts.

Fourth generation iPods:

The only difference, the fourth generation iPods had over the others is the introduction of click wheels. They also sported the same monochrome screen. But it enabled the battery to be charged through the USB connection.

Color iPods:

As the name suggests these devices had a color screen and the ability to store and display JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, and PNG images. They supported 65,536 colors. They possessed the photo library and released accessories like iPod camera connector.

Fifth generation iPods:

They were developed to reduce minor audio effects so that the head phone does not deliver hard drive noise. They came in a wide variety of sizes, colors and hard drive capacities. They also supported features like the World Clock, Stopwatch, and Screen Lock applications. In addition, the earphones plug were smaller.

iPod mini:

The mini had a smaller structure and it resembled the earlier versions in its features. but it did not support third party accessories. They introduced micro-drive hard drive as the storage medium. The minis were futher improvised as the first generation and second generation devices. It had rich case colors and was a big hit in the market.

iPod shuffle:

Flash memory was introduced through these gadgets, but they did not have a screen so navigation of music files were a little difficult. But it has been reviewed as the best sounding audio device in comparison with the other models.

iPod nano:

iPod nano also had the flash memory but it came with a color display. It also included a number of features like world clock, stop watch and screen lock options.



http://www.articlebliss.com/Article/iPods--which-rock-the-world/14981

What iPod Is For You?

They're everywhere, and not only are they everywhere, they look cool too. Since its launch in 2001, 10 million have sold and 8 million of those were in 2004. So welcome to the next generation. 8 tracks, records, cassettes, CDs, and now the iPod.

I don't have one, yet. My first taste of it came when my girlfriend got one, and asked if I would set it up for her using my computer. Wearing those now immediately recognizable hip cream coloured headphones, I could feel the eyes of every have-not-an-iPod on me with curiosity and maybe a little jealousy. I even started walking differently. Listening to Led Zeppelin, then Radiohead, and then some Bob Marley on my way to school, there was definitely more spring in my step, and I sat through class in a much better mood than usual. For a mere two days it was in my possession and immediately I could feel myself being sucked into its cult.

And why wouldn't you' An iPod lets you put 10,000 songs inside something the size of a pack of cigarettes. Gone are the heavy, fragile CD cases and the Discman that skips after each step.

Is the iPod changing the way we listen to music' Undeniably. With an iPod, we can take our music anywhere, and not just one album like we could with the walkman. Now we can carry our entire collections everywhere we go. It can play mixes at parties. You can bring it on the commute to work or for a jog. You can save Microsoft Word documents on it and photos for that matter. Don't like a particular song on an album' Delete it. Thanks to the iPod, music has become an even bigger part of our lives because now it's just a click away, and it's exactly how we want it.

Apart from the possibility of our entire collections being with us at all times, the iPod's capabilities have done something even better. By being able to store over 700 albums, the iPod is encouraging us to try types of music we might not have listened to before. When burning a CD to an iPod takes a short few minutes, what's there to lose'

But is it all just a trend' Doubtful, especially with people spending on average 100 pounds on iPod accessories. It's difficult to picture something people now say they can't live without vanishing, unless Apple CEO Steve Jobs finds another way to outdo himself yet again. And on that note now Apple has come out with the smaller, cheaper version of the iPod called the iPod shuffle. Will it have the same impact as its predecessor' Only time will tell.


http://www.articlebliss.com/Article/What-iPod-Is-For-You-/22406

What To Look When Buying iPod Accessories

The large accessories market that has built up around the iPod is sometimes described as the iPod ecosystem. A host of different companies produce accessories that are designed to work with the iPod.

Companies such as JBL, Bose, Altec Lansing, and Kensington all make speakers that are designed specifically to work with the iPod, using the iPod's thirty pin dock connector.

Other companies, such as Griffin Technology and Monster Cable, make add-ons that allow the iPod to record sound, recharge "on the go," play music over the radio, or be used wirelessly with a remote.

One of the most useful iPod accessories is a protective case which protects your iPod's screen and back from scratches and scuffs. Cases come either in clear or in a number of colors to match your style and personality.

With Apple's release of the iPod Nano and the iPod Video, iPods are becoming more and more popular. They're wonderful little gadgets, but they become even more useful with one of many iPod accessories that can personalize your mp3 player and tailor it to your needs.

Another way to protect and carry your iPod is with an arm band, which makes it easy to rock out to your music while working out at the gym.

On the way home, instead of sitting through the chatter of radio DJs in traffic, you can listen to your iPod in your car. Various FM transmitters can allow you to listen to your iPod on your car stereo, and power adapters let you plug in for the long haul.

No more screwing around with racks of tapes or CDs in your car in order to listen to your music; now thousands of songs are at your fingertips.

These transmitter/power combinations can be the perfect iPod accessory for long commutes or cross-country road trips.

Once you make it back to your home or apartment you can drop you iPod into a speaker set and listen to your music at home too. Many speaker combos are compatible with the iPod base station, which charges your iPod and allowsyou to connect it to your home stereo or television.

Of course, the new iPods with video and photo capabilities allow for a wholenew host of iPod accessories. A/V cables allow you to share photos directly from your digital camera to your iPod, and allow you to connect your iPod to your television to transport your movies and show them on the big screen.

You can even get a wireless remote to incorporate your iPod into your home stereo or theatre, putting thousands of songs, videos, and photos at your fingertips.

Other iPod accessories expand the boundaries of what you thought your iPod could do. The Griffin iTalk allows you to take voice and audio recordingsleaving yourself audio with your iPod, making it a handy tool for tasks from reminders to dictating letters and documents directly to mp3 files.

With the hundreds of iPod accessories on the market, you can quickly turn any iPod into your iPod and have a customized mp3 player to fit all of your needs.


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