iPod
From the Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia that anyone can change
The iPod is a range of portable music players made by the company Apple Inc. The iPod comes with computer cables so that the user can put music from their computer onto the iPod, and play music from it using headphones. Newer iPods allow a user to view pictures and videos as well.
The first iPod ever was simply named the iPod. This was released in 2001. Apple still make iPods like this today, but they are now called "iPod Classic".
Apple makes a smaller iPod called the iPod nano. It is much smaller than the iPod, but does not hold as many songs. It uses flash memory, a special kind of memory for very small electronics, instead of a hard drive. It replaced a version of the iPod called the iPod Mini.
Another type of iPod, called the iPod shuffle, is very small, and it uses flash memory, like the iPod nano but it has no screen. It is the cheapest iPod.
The most expensive iPod is called the iPod Touch. It has a touch screen, like the iPhone. The first iPod Touch was released in 2007.
iPods often contain songs downloaded from an online music store, using a program called iTunes. (The name of Apple's music and video store is the iTunes Store.) Songs are sold in AAC file format, as compared to MP3 or WMA, two other popular formats for compressing (making smaller) music until it does not take up much space and can easily be put on a media player such as the iPod.
[change] Models
Model | Generation | Image | Capacity | Changes introduced | Connection | Original release date | Pricing (USD) | Minimum OS to sync |
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iPod classic | first | 5, 10 GB | First model, with mechanical scroll wheel. 10 GB model released later. | FireWire | 23 October 2001 | $399, $499 (5 GB later $299) |
Mac: 9, 10.1 | |
second | 10, 20 GB | Touch-sensitive wheel. FireWire port had a cover. Hold switch changed. Windows compatibility through Musicmatch. | FireWire | 17 July 2002 | $399, $499 | Mac: 10.1 Win: 2000 |
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third | 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 GB | First complete redesign with all-touch interface, dock connector, and slimmer case. Musicmatch support dropped with later release of iTunes 4.7 for Windows. | FireWire (USB for syncing only) | 28 April 2003 | $299, $399, $499 | Mac: 10.1 Win: 2000 |
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fourth | 20, 40 GB | Adopted Click Wheel from iPod mini. | FireWire or USB | 19 July 2004 | $299, $399 | Mac: 10.2 Win: 2000 |
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fourth (photo) (color) | photo : 30, 40, 60 GB color: 20, 60 GB |
Premium spin-off of 4G iPod with color screen and picture viewing. Later re-integrated into main iPod line. | FireWire or USB | October 2004 | photo: $499, $599 (later $349, $449) color: $299, $399 |
Mac: 10.2 Win: 2000 |
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fifth | 30, 60, 80 GB | Second full redesign with a slimmer case, and larger screen with video playback. Offered in black or white. | USB (FireWire for charging only) | 12 October 2005 | $299, $399 (later $249, $349) |
Mac: 10.3 Win: 2000 |
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sixth | 80, 160 GB | Introduced the "classic" suffix. New interface and anodized aluminum front plate. Silver replaces white. | USB (FireWire for charging only) | 5 September 2007 | $249, $349 | Mac: 10.4 Win: XP |
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iPod mini (discontinued) | first | 4 GB | New smaller model, available in 5 colors. Introduced the "Click Wheel". | USB or FireWire | 6 January 2004 | $249 | Mac: 10.1 Win: 2000 |
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second | 4, 6 GB | Brighter color variants with longer battery life. Click Wheel lettering matched body color. Gold color discontinued. Later replaced by iPod nano. | USB or FireWire | 22 February 2005 | $199, $249 | Mac: 10.2 Win: 2000 |
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iPod nano | first | 1, 2, 4 GB | Replaced iPod mini. Available in black or white and used flash memory. Color screen for picture viewing. 1 GB version released later. | USB (FireWire for charging only) | 7 September 2005 | $149, $199, $249 | Mac: 10.3 Win: 2000 |
|
second | 2, 4, 8 GB | Anodized aluminum casing and 6 colors available. | USB (FireWire for charging only) | 12 September 2006 | $149, $199, $249 | Mac: 10.3 Win: 2000 |
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third | 4, 8 GB | 2" QVGA screen, colors refreshed with chrome back, new interface, video capability. | USB (FireWire for charging only) | 5 September 2007 | $149, $199 | Mac: 10.4 Win: XP |
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iPod shuffle | first | 512 MB, 1 GB | New entry-level model. Uses flash memory and has no screen. | USB (no adaptor required) |
11 January 2005 | $99, $149 (later $69, $99) |
Mac: 10.2 Win: 2000 |
|
second | 1 GB | Smaller clip design with anodized aluminum casing. 4 color options added later. Colors were later refreshed. | USB | 12 September 2006 | $79 | Mac: 10.3 Win: 2000 |
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iPod touch | first | 8, 16, 32 (released later) GB | With Safari browser, Multi-touch, Wi-Fi, wireless access to the iTunes Store and YouTube. | USB (FireWire for charging only) | 5 September 2007 (32GB February 2008) | $299, $399, $499 | Mac: 10.4 Win: XP |
[change] Other websites
- Apple iPod — Official website
- Apple's 21st century Walkman — Brent Schlender, Fortune, October 2001
- iPod Nation — Steven Levy, Newsweek, July 2004
- Behind the Music — Ken Aaron, Cornell Engineering, 2005
- The Perfect Thing — Steven Levy, Wired, November 2006
- iPod Wiki