The first iPod Released, the iPod 1G
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 Generation
2nd Generation
3rd Generation
4th Generation
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.
