IPod classic

The iPod is a digital music player designed and marketed by Apple Computer Inc. Most iPod models store media on a hard disk contained within the unit.

The iPod is a portable digital media player designed and marketed by Apple Computer. Most iPod models store media on a built-in hard drive, while the smaller iPod shuffle and iPod nano use flash memory. Like most digital audio players, an iPod can serve as an external data storage device when connected to a computer. Discontinued versions of the iPod include two generations of the popular iPod mini and four generations of the full-sized iPod, all of which had monochrome screens except for the iPod photo of the fourth generation. As of September 2005, the lineup consists of the fifth-generation iPod which can play videos, the iPod nano which has a color screen, and the iPod shuffle; all three iterations were released in 2005. The iPod is currently the world's most popular music player in terms of sales.

The bundled software used for uploading music, photos, and movies to the iPod is called iTunes. iTunes is a music jukebox application that stores a comprehensive library of the music on a user's computer, as well as being able to play and rip it from a CD. The most recent incarnations of iPod and iTunes have video playing and organization features. Other forms of data can be added to iPod as if it were a normal data storage device.

1st & 2nd Generation
The first generation iPod was release in October of 2001 and came in 5 and 10GB hard drive capacities. It had a physically moving control wheel which was replaced in the 2nd generation version with a touch sensitive wheel. The second generation iPod came in 10 and 20GB models.

The first iPods were very thick and heavy compared to iPods today, it sported a smaller gray scale screen.

3rd Generation
The 3rd Generation iPod was when the iPod took off in the main market. It came in 10, 15, 20, 30, 40GB models. It was redesigned as it had a new control wheel which was very different to the previous iPod as it was flat on the surface of the iPod instead of sticking up out of the case. It was a unique design as the 4 buttons (menu, play/pause, forward, backward) were separate illuminated buttons above the wheel.

This was the first iPod to sport a dock connector which was proprietary to the iPod.

4th Generation
Fourth generation iPods continued their evolution by integrating the buttons into the wheel, resulting in an exceptionally clean look. The backlighting on the controls was dropped, but the new model did enjoy four more hours of battery life. The screen once again was the blue-hued monotone from the third generation, but the interface displayed several new features. Capacities of 20 GB and 40 GB were offered.

iPod photo
See iPod photo article

5th Generation
The much-anticipated 5th Generation iPod was debuted in October of 2005. Utilizing the H.264 codec, the unit could now store and play HD-quality video. The screen was significantly larger than the 4th Generation/Photo version, and the body size slimmer. Models were offered in 30GB and 60GB capacities, and in keeping with iPod nano's popularity and the feedback gained from the U2 Special Edition, were available in either white or black.

New features were included in the interface, and this "iPod video" was promoted as being ideal for music videos, television shows, and short films. Popular television shows, such as ABC's Lost, began being offered through iTunes. Other means of acquiring television shows and movies (such as peer-to-peer sharing) were utilized by many iPod owners, and soon conversion software was being circulated to convert video files into the M4A format the iPod required.

Product Images

 * iPod Gallery