Apple iPod Gift| Apple iPod Touch

Apple Computers (Now Apple Inc.) has recovered from years of corporate doldrums through the introduction of an innovative line of computers but more importantly, through the phenomenal success of the iPod. Apple more or less created the market for personal digital MP3 players and has sold millions of units, along with millions of songs through their online music store.

Now the video world is coming into the handheld market – virtually every cell phone has a screen of some sort and the recent iPods have video screens as well. Apple’s most recent product introduction is the much-hyped iPhone, which combines the functions of a cell phone, a “wide screen” iPod with touch controls, and an Internet communications device.

Apple has chosen to make an exclusive deal with Cingular, the AT&T cell phone network. Your only source for an iPhone will be through Cingular, along with a Cingular cellular service contract. They plan to make the product available in June. Back in the digital dark ages, Apple made the choice to keep their computer operating system in house, while Microsoft moved beyond IBM and licensed to any computer manufacturer who wanted it. It was the most important misstep that Apple has ever made, and is the reason that they will probably never extend beyond ten to twelve percent of the computer market. It will be interesting to see what happens when iPhone clones begin to appear in Verizon and other cell operator outlets.

The 4GB iPhone model will cost $499 with a two-year contract and $599 for the 8GB version (also with a two-year contract). Those are expensive phones, but Apple is in a unique position in that it has a dedicated core of iPod fans that may become Cingular converts. The iPhone’s design is cutting edge: it has done away with keypads and with the exception of a “home” button the controls are operated on a 3.5 inch square touch screen.

According to early reviews the videos and photos look great. One giant touch screen controls the phone, the picture component and the videos – no stylus needed. For text messaging, there will be an onscreen keyboard – again controlled by touch.

Apple’s iTunes store has gone into the video business, most recently negotiating a distribution contract with Paramount. Videos are downloaded onto the iPhone the same way that music is: through a wired connection to your computer. Apple’s decision to push the viability of the iPhone as a video viewing device raises a couple of questions. The first is how satisfactory watching a movie on a three and a half inch screen will be, and the second is whether or not 8GB is enough to manage a library of music and video content. The current largest video iPod model has 60GB of space, in comparison.

For Internet and video functionality, the iPhone runs on the most recent Mac operating system. It has a 2 megapixel camera and promises support for Google maps, conference calling, and text and multimedia messaging. In short, all the features are included that young people use their phones for today, along with increasing numbers of traveling execs. The iPhone has Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity and includes both email software and a browser.

If you judge by the hype, Apple is betting big on the iPhone. It’s worth noting, however, that Steve Jobs is pretty good at hyping every new Apple product. But the integration of telecommunications, video, and full blown Internet interconnectivity into the revered iPod is a major step – and the cell service completes an impressive multimedia package. It should be interesting.

Madison Lockwood
http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/early-info-on-the-apple-iphone-104390.html

It seems as if everybody else is doing it – shopping online, that is. There’s the co-worker who bought all their Christmas gifts online without ever setting foot in the crowded local mall. Or the friend who won a bundle of like-new, brand-name baby clothes on eBay. Or your son’s college roommate, who paid hundreds of dollars less than your son did for his college textbooks, simply because he ordered them online rather than from the University bookstore.

If you’ve been meaning to learn to shop online – whether at an online retailer like Amazon.com or an auction site such as eBay – it’s time to quit procrastinating, conquer your fear and dive into the waters of cyberspace. You’re not only missing out on good deals, convenience, and worldwide product selection, you’re actually losing money.

1) Good deals: With the growing popularity of price-comparison websites, it’s easier than ever to find a low price on a product you want. I just typed “iPod Nano 8GB MP3 player” into one of these specialized search engines, and got 33 results with prices ranging from $229.99 to $292.75 – that’s a $62.76 price difference. The search engine also listed available rebates and factored in shipping costs.

2) Convenience: Not much explanation needed here – you can shop from home at 3 in the morning while wearing your pajamas. You can shop from work during your lunch break. You can shop from the hotel room when you’re stuck overnight in the middle of nowhere. And you don’t have to fight crowds, prowl the parking lot in search of a place to park, or drag screaming kids around.

3) Product Selection: When you shop online, you’re not limited to the stores within driving distance or even the stores you’re familiar with. You can shop just as easily from a home-based artisan as from an exclusive upscale department store like Saks Fifth Avenue.

Odds are, though, that you already know about deals, and convenience, and selection – so why haven’t you started shopping?

Here are two additional reasons that may encourage you to start.

4) Shopping Online is Safer than Shopping Offline: A survey from Paypal UK published in November 2006 found that you’re much more likely to be a victim of physical theft in your home town than to suffer fraud in the digital world.

More than a third of respondents (35%) had been victims of property theft, but only 15% of UK adults surveyed had been victims of online fraud. Similarly, around 71% of Brits know someone who has had their wallet or purse stolen but only 29% know a victim of online fraud.

And despite rumors to the contrary, paying with a credit card at a reputable website is virtually risk-free if you follow commonsense safety precautions. Online merchants know the importance of secure payment systems, and US shoppers are protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act. (You can dispute charges under this law, and even if your credit card is used fraudulently, you generally would be held liable only for the first $50 in charges.) Other payment processors such as Paypal offer their own fraud protection.

It’s at least as safe to buy online as it is to hand your credit card to the waiter at the restaurant, who whisks it out of your sight for several minutes!

5) NOT Shopping Online Can Cost You Money: Besides the savings to be gained by comparing prices, savvy online shoppers have discovered ways to actually get paid to shop. There’s an entire industry devoted to educating online shoppers how to get cash back for purchases, how to earn money or points for shopping and how to get offers for free and sometimes very valuable products online.

Most of these cash-earning, money-making shopping strategies are cumulative – small rebates or points earned add up over time to hefty bonus checks or free gift cards. (I have a $50 gift card in my purse from Pier One Imports that I got absolutely free, and I’ll send for another $100 gift card as soon as I decide whether to get it from Target or Home Depot.)

There’s no better time than today to educate yourself about shopping online – when you’re not in a hurry, can start small, and don’t need to buy ten gazillion presents by next Sunday.

If everybody else can do it, so can you!

Diana Ratliff
http://www.articlesbase.com/women’s-issues-articles/5-compelling-reasons-to-learn-to-shop-online-today-93580.html

As always, in the age of “consumer first” economics, Apple leads the way. The iPod nano is following along behind the footsteps of the original iPod, as Apple’s fourth digital player. The iPod nano came out the same day the iPod mini was discontinued – September 7, 2005 – but is known for having combined features of the iPod shuffle and the original iPod in its new development. It only took nine months for the design development of the iPod nano to become effective, even though most media were aware it was coming. What they did not know was the iPod mini was being discontinued on that same day.

Where the iPod Photo and Video versions capture the deeper pockets, and iPod Shuffle takes in the shallow pockets, iPod Nano catches those who find themselves in the middle. Although its disk size isn’t comparable to that of the iPod Photo or iPod Video, the iPod Nano does bring the tremendous features that makes the Apple iPod the industry leader. Picking up where the iPod Shuffle leaves off, the iPod Nano has a hard drive of 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB flash drives which holds up to 500 to 2,000 songs in a 128-Kbps AAC format, up to 25,000 iPod nano-viewable photographs, and stores data via the USB flash drive.

The iPod shuffle brought a lower price with the ability to listen to favorite music, but was lacking in the user-friendly features. For instance, with the iPod shuffle there was no control over the song that is being played – it was completely random. With the iPod nano, there is all the control needed like the bigger iPod systems, but without the disk space. It is smaller in disk size than the larger versions, but the iPod nano brings a sleek look and fee, roughly as thick as an ink pen or pencil. It is still slim and manageable like the iPod shuffle, so you can take it running or to the gym. The important thing to remember is that a person DOES have control over what they are listening to. The disadvantage of the iPod nano is much the same as that of the larger versions of the iPods – its durability. It can be taken to the gym or to run more than say the iPod Video or Photo, but does seem to fade out a little quicker than the iPod Shuffle. This is a problem that all electronic devices seem to have, but the more expensive the device the less the consumers are willing to put up with faults and glitches.

Mike Singh
http://www.articlesbase.com/electronics-articles/ipod-nano-shall-we-take-a-deeper-look-64401.html

At this time of writing the iPod nano has its thinnest shape yet, 0.26 inches thick, 3.5 inches high, 1.6 inches wide and 1.41 ounces in weight. Available in a tough anodized aluminum case, colors are olive, blue, pink, black or white. This mp3 player also has a 40% brighter 1.5 inch display capable of detailed album art and slideshows, and there is 24 hours worth of rechargeable lithium ion battery life to boot. Three models exist, the 2GB, 4GB and 8GB, the cheapest at around $149, a max potential of 2000 songs in the largest storage model!

In addition to music iPod nano can house a staggering 25,000 pictures and play podcasts and audiobooks, all downloadable from the iTunes Store online.

Locating and playing music, or indeed anything else, is a simple affair. Various menu options can lead you, for example, by artist, composer, album, tune, genre or playlist. Songs can be mixed by utilizing the ’shuffle songs’ option.

Podcasts come from all manner of places, from the well known to the obscure. ESPN, NPR, ABC News, Comedy Central, amongst many other names, are available to browse and subscribe to.

A huge variety audiobooks are on offer at the iTunes Store. If you want you can learn languages, read sci-fi’s, or catch up on natural history, amidst the huge array of information available, everything is available within a few presses of the click wheel. A perfect way of getting into reading, iPod nano bookmarks and has an adjustable reading speed function.

Photos can sync from your Windows PC or Mac with iTunes to your iPod nano. Photos can be viewed in full screen by pressing the center button. Up to 5 hours of slideshows have time between slide adjustment functions and transition effects.

As extra features to this nifty device, the iPod nano has an array of useful tools like calendars, world clocks, a stopwatch, contacts pages and a screen lock to hide your secret four digit combination. Forgotten combinations are no problems since you are able to reset them when you next sync. Games such as Solitaire, Brick, Music Quiz and Parachute are there for when you want a fun challenge. Slow (1.5 hours achieving 80% battery capacity) and fast (3 hours for 100% capacity) charge time options are standard.

Menus are customizable, storage capacity can be checked, different languages and sound qualities are available. The number of songs residing on your nano, alongside the max volume and various graphic equalizer options and the backlight timer are modifiable.

The dock on the underside of the nano can be connected directly to stereo systems, and the address book can be updated through Outlook or Outlook Express on the PC. Windows system requirements are USB 2.0’s, Windows 2000 with service pack 4 onwards, Windows XP Home or Professional with service pack 2 or later, and iTunes 7 onwards. Similarly, Mac specifications are USB 2, OS X v10.3.9 or later and iTunes & onwards.

All manner of accessories exist to make your nano experience yet more enjoyable. A stylish iPod Hi-Fi, nano armband, in-ear or lanyard headphones, dock, Nike+iPod Sport Kit, USB power adapter and radio remote are all available in stores.

A massive range of car companies and in-car sound system companies have teamed up with iPod to help you fully integrate your nano for a great driving experience, whether your car is brand new and already incorporates nano friendly features, or older and needs customizing.

I hope this information has been useful, check out the official Apple website for finer details.

Alex Rider
http://www.articlesbase.com/gps-articles/so-what-are-apple-ipod-nanos-70349.html

iPod is an ultra-portable digital music player that enables you to bring your music collection with you, wherever you go. It provides you the flexibility that you crave for. Listen to music in the bus while traveling, when taking a jog, at the gym, and even when you are at work. No more heavy baggage of CDs. The iPod weighs just a few grams and you can load over 10,000 songs in it. It comes with varied storage capacity options.

It was in the year 2001; Apple introduced the iPod with a memory of 5 GB. It was the memory which never heard of then. The latest i.e., the 5th generation iPod was introduced in October 2005 with 30 and 60 GB sizes. It can play songs, movies and photo slideshows, and with the recent one you can store up to 60 GB of any type of file you want.

Apple has continuously made innovations in its product. The current generation of iPod players includes:

iPod shuffle which has 1-GB capacity. The only problem is that it can play songs but display is not available.
iPod nano which can play digital audio and display digital photos. Its available in 2, 4 and 8GB storage

iTunes is the integrated media-player software that comes along with an iPod. It is installed on the computer/laptop with which one can use for organizing, playing, converting and downloading files from an external source to the computer and even from the computer to an iPod.

The iTunes Store lets iPod users purchase music, movies, podcasts, audiobooks and music videos with a click. The Store offers 3.5 million songs, tens of thousands of podcasts, 3,000 music videos and 20,000 audiobooks, as well as TV shows, feature films and iPod video games. One can directly watch or listen to the files through iTunes on the computer and download them to the iPod.

The Click Wheel is easy to navigate. Its very fun to select playlists, scroll through artists, and select the song. Even a child can do it playfully. Apples iPod is the best portable digital music experience possible with highest sound quality possible. Some of the notable features include:

Digital Audio:
You can have access to 20,000 songs in 80-GB iPod whereas for 30 GB model iPod, one can store up to 7,500 songs. It supports MP3, WAV, AIFF, AAC, Apple Lossless and Audible 2,3 and 4 audio files.

Digital Video:
The 80-GB version can hold up to 100 hours digital quality video. It supports H.264 and MPEG-4 files as well as MOV files which can be converted to iPod video through the iTunes software.

Digital Photos:
The 80-GB iPod can store up to 25,000 photos. The important feature of the iPod is that it can support files which are converted from JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, PNG and PSD. You can download your photos to the iPod from both Mac iPhoto and Windows Adobe Photoshop Elements/Album.

Other Uses of iPod:

Functions as handy hard disk, carrying all types of files for computers.
Calendar/contacts syncing
Download and create games
Car integration with iPod player into the sound system.

Rather than buying the iTalk for 40 USD, you can install a program called Podzilla on your iPod and use a regular old microphone to record high quality audio. All iPods, except for the shuffle, come with calendaring functionality built in, so you can sync your desktop calendar to your iPod and keep track of where you are supposed to be and when if you are out and about. Using Griffins Total Remote Software and IR device, you can set up your iPod as a remote for any number of devices, including your TV, DVD player, Xbox, and Roomba.

The best notable feature of Apples iPod is that it can work with both Mac and Windows machines.

So with a 30GB or 80GB iPod in hand, one can enjoy music, movies, TV shows, iPod games, podcasts, audiobooks, photo albums, and, of course an entire library of music. In other words, iPod is a pocket-size prodigy.

You can continuously listen to the iPod songs up to 20 hours. Or else, if you want to watch movies and TV shows you can have the nonstop entertainment up to six-and-a-half hours.

On the whole, iPod can give you a non-stop entertainment of 20,000 songs, 25,000 photos, and 100 hours of video or any combination of each. Thus its aptly said with iPod in hand one can enjoy the whole world as a theater.

anonymous
http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/ipod-the-nonstop-entertainer-130406.html