Apple’s iPod: The Revolution and Revelation

reviewed by Trey Currid

Apple’s iPod: it’s not just for mp3s anymore… it’s a lifestyle. Apple’s iPod, at its core, is a battery powered hard drive with the capability of playing mp3s loaded via the use of Apple’s iTunes software, which comes with it. The newer iPod Photo is all that, and allows you to view your photo archives as well.

The idea to make a battery powered hard drive, by itself, is genius. For businesses that need to carry large amounts of data on removable drives, you can not beat it. They come in models with capacities of four, 20, 40, or 60 gigs of hard drive space with a battery life ranging from 8 to 12 hours, depending on model. The ability to bring extremely large amounts of data from work to home, and vice versa, makes the iPod a low cost alternative for increased mobile productivity.

All of the creative uses for the iPod is the lifestyle. From my own experiences as a night club disc-jockey, it was much simpler and efficient to bring a portable drive rather than a bulky case of CDs. Lawyers can store massive amounts of information about a case, or have presentation data, all secured on a drive that can fit in your pocket. Doctors can store reams of reference data on them. And of course, everyone can store all of their favorite tunes on them.

Apple’s genius did not stop with the invention of the iPod, it’s iTunes software is the infrastructure behind the iPod. A person logged into the iTunes network can buy mp3 music at $.99 a song, and if you are into audio books, they have those as well. The capability of having an audio book on one iPod verses 4 or 5 CDs is great - no more changing out CDs. When the iPod is paused or turned off, it keeps your exact place in the song or audio book you are listening to. And if you pull out the headphone cord from its jack, the iPod pauses itself.

The iPod can be accessorized to perform numerous additional functions. External batteries, some with larger cells and others with AA battery cradles, can give several extra hours of usable time. You may never listen to the radio again because the car charger and FM transmitter allows you to use your iPod in your car.  The transmitter allows you to pick any FM channel from 88.1 through 107.9 to pipe your iPod music through your car’s radio.

A microphone can also be attached to your iPod for recording. For the students out there, the iPod can record not one but all of your classes for an entire semester. The iPod can be linked back up to your computer after a recording, and the session may be loaded on your hard drive.

Software and firmware upgrades provide for numerous additional possibilities as well. For instance, there is software that provides the ability to load calendars, contact lists, E-books, even the news. With all these capabilities, this is still only a taste of what can really be done by or with an iPod, and more and more are coming everyday.