They are available in different colors too and quite affordable at only $79 US dollars. Although this may seem like a small detail, I really like that they come with a clip so that you can clip them anywhere you like and they go everywhere with you. It is no wonder that it has been called the “most wearable iPod to ever be made”.

Apple announced the release on September 12, 2006 of the second generation of iPod shuffles. The new features of the iPod shuffle include a single 1 GB model that is available in an aluminum case, which is similar in appearance to the second nano and the iPod mini. This tiny new model is smaller by half the size of the previous, and Apple has branded it the smallest MP3 player in the world.

USB connectivity with the second generation of the iPod shuffle is now being provided through an included dock. It transfers the data through its headphone jack, which I find to be much easier and faster. The iPod second generation shuffle is also able to be used as a flash drive, as was the first shuffle.

The dock is required though, because of the change in design from the first to the second generation iPod shuffle. The new iPod shuffle is not even big enough to hold a decent USB port, so you need to use the dock unless you want to purchase an optional USB adapter for $29 US dollars to charge your shuffle. I personally do not think the dock is a large enough issue that would require the purchasing of additional accessories. However, this will depend on personal preferences.

The sound quality of this second generation iPod shuffle is still very stunning, though I tend to use a higher quality of headphones to listen so that I may truly enjoy the quality of the sound. The battery life is rated by Apple as lasting up to 12 hours, and I feel that this length of time is about accurate. Mine has lasted through 5 days of 2 hour long commutes and still going strong.

The new iPod shuffle does away with the lanyard that the original came with. In contrast, it now has a handy little clip on the back so it can be clipped onto your clothes or where ever you want. It feels pretty sturdy, because I keep thinking it is going to fall off, and I check it frequently. No problems so far though. It is seriously so small that it fits on my thumb with the clip. I think that is amazing.

In January, 2007, Apple added a refreshing line of four brand new colors, in addition to original color of silver. The colors were orange, green, blue, and pink. Then by the end of the year, the colors changed again to four new ones, which included lavender, dark red, turquoise, and mint green. I’m personally not going to go get another one for the color, but lavender would be my choice instead of the pink one I have now.

Like its predecessor, the second generation new Shuffle does still lack a display. It is only intended to hold music data. There is a switch on the bottom that will allow you to either listen to a full playlist or toggle to listen in a random order. The LED that is supposed to warn of low battery is absolutely tiny, like a pin hole, so it’s not exactly the alarm that I need. They also now come with redesigned headphones.

So, in conclusion, I have to say that Apple is right on again. They never cease to amaze me. This second generation iPod shuffle delivers usability, and is a great product for music lovers that want to take their music with them in a very small, compact way. I think the people at Apple have hit it out of the ball park and it is definitely another home run with this one. I would highly recommend this iPod shuffle.

As the advances of the iPod continue, so does the need for the small machine to be integrated into a person’s home theater system. This is becoming especially true for those who not only enjoy the music of the iPod, but the video and pictures that the home theater system could really enhance.

The call for technology to integrate the iPod with a home theater system is enormous. As more people become comfortable with iPod technology, they await the next and newest piece of equipment to go with it to integrate into their home theater system.

There are several different products that have appeared recently on the market which allow the iPod to be able to integrate with the home theater. Most of this new technology is dealing with the dock or iPort for the iPod. The iPort seems to be a bit more limited than some other hook ups, but there is a couple easy to use home theater system docks that will work well with the iPod.

What to Look for in a Home Theater System Dock for the iPod

When deciding on what type of dock to use to integrate the iPod into a home theater system, shopping around will be very helpful. There are many devices that cater to the needs of the home theater system. A complete docking system that will hook up the iPod into the home theater system will have common and easy to use connections that are familiar.

A good home theater system will have a RCA plug cable which will be able to connect the iPod to one’s home stereo. Being able to hear the mp3 quality music streaming through surround sound house speakers is wonderful, and the experience is well worth the price for the equipment itself.

Another important aspect of an easy to use home theater system dock for the iPod is to ensure that the dock system has an S-video plug for the television. With an S-video plug, you will be able to see the pictures and videos that make the iPod so much fun to have. Seeing those images on the big screen is an enhanced experience over squinting at the tiny screen of the iPod.

Computer Integration for the iPod Home Theater System Dock

A good dock system will provide a standard USB connection cable and plug that will be compatible with a Macintosh and/or a PC. Being able to transfer and organize the music on the iPod as it plays in the home theater system will allow you to create the play list of their dreams.

Two more considerations that one should keep in mind when looking for the type of dock system they want to use for their home entertainment system is if the dock is able to charge the iPod.

One of the important features to look for is a remote. This is a key ingredient for a iPod dock which integrates with a person’s home theater system because getting up to continually change the server manually is like changing the channel of a television by hand.

While the new Zune may not be the “iPod Killer” it was hyped to be, the dynamic music player still has plenty of features and downloadable goodies to help you stay organized and entertained. Unlike other music and media players, the Zune uses Microsoft’s own proprietary encoding for formatting files, which can make it tricky to fill with media you have in different formats. But fear not - there are several sites you can utilize to bring all of your favorite tunes into your Zune.

Snagging new music, podcasts, and videos for your Zune

If you have a new Zune, and you are looking to load it with great music, movies, or videos, the first place to look is Zune.net. Microsoft’s official Zune Marketplace has a catalogue of albums, including big name artists, popular podcasts, and video from your favorite television shows. All of this great media content is available for download with a subscription to the service, which is $14.99 per month or $.98 per download.

While collecting content from Zune Marketplace is convenient, Microsoft may not always offer the tunes that are music to your ears. Naturally, there are many competing music download sites available to help you find music that you enjoy. Some of the biggest pay-per download and subscription music sites are Napster.com ($14.95 per month), Rhapsody.com ($.89 per song), and Emusic.com ($9.99 per month).

Filling up your Zune without depleting your pocket

The drawback of using these services is that they all cost money. Thankfully, there are some thrifty alternatives for beefing up your content collection and unlocking the power of your Zune that do not require any credit card transactions.

Would you like to load all the other music you have downloaded before from different services to your Zune? Wouldn’t it be fantastic to watch your favorite movies that you have bought in other formats on your Zune?

Using Windows Media Encoder is the great way to convert all of your existing media onto your new Zune. Because Zune uses a different filing system than most other portable media devices, it is necessary to convert the files you want to load. Although it may sound complicated, Zunethoughts.com has an easy-to-follow tutorial on how to use Windows Media Encoder. Simply follow the easy conversion instructions, and you will soon be watching your favorite DVD on your Zune’s three inch LCD screen.

If you like music, but you are tired of paying for featured artists, check out completely free Creative Commons licensed songs and albums. Visit Jamendo.com and discover a growing, international community of artists and fans. Simply click a tag to launch the music genre browser, and when you hear something your ears enjoy, click the artist’s name. The album and artist details will appear on a separate page, where you have the option to download the song or album you just discovered totally free.

Once the music is on your hard drive, simply transfer the files to your Zune, and you can hit the street with your new-found favorite band playing in your ears.

Now that your Zune is crammed full of content, it is time to personalize your mobile media player. Turn your Zune from nondescript digital gizmo into a unique extension of your own style and personality. Click on over to Zunewallpaper.com and have review great backgrounds for your Zune desktop. Browse the category links on the left and select from hundreds of free wallpaper designs, themes, and photos to customize your Zune before you head out the door enjoying great music playing in your ears.

Microsoft is confident that Zune will be a viable contender, potentially winning at the game that the Apple iPod initiated. The Zune certainly is a competitive bet in the digital music industry, featuring Microsoft’s innovative Wi-Fi implementation and the 30 GB hard drive.

The Zune’s first effort is impressively polished, and it has an enormous potential in giving the reigning iPod champ a run for its money. However, in its current state, the Microsoft Zune is not necessarily compelling enough to be a serious threat to iPod’s market dominance.

Zune Facts and Figures

At $250 dollars, the Zune is priced identically to the 30 GB version of the video-capable iPod. The Zune supports WMA and MP3 file, as well as MPEG-4, H.264, WMV video files and a FM tuner. Packaged nicely with a brown bow, the Zune includes a carrying case, headphones, and USB cable. It also comes with a trial membership for 15 days to Microsoft’s Zune Pass, which would normally cost $15 per month.

Microsoft Gives Birth to Baby Zune

On September 14th, 2007 the announcement of a Microsoft branded portable media player caused consumers and the industry to take notice. Although Microsoft is the leading software company in America, many were speculative as to whether the Zune could possibly compete against the iPod dynasty. Attempting to provide more features than the iPod, the Zune has integrated wireless technology for sharing of files. In addition, it also uses Zune Marketplace to locate Zune users, although this is similar to what the iTunes has with the iPod.

The new Zune MP3 player comes in brown, which makes a different statement, but it is also available in black or white. Even though the Zune is incompatible with formats like protected WMA-DRM9 files, it is user friendly for the beginner. Seasoned users might want to stay with their proven systems until some of the fundamental issues and weaknesses are corrected.

One advantage of the 30GB hard drive Zune device is a 3 inch screen, which is bigger than the iPod’s 2.5 inch. When viewing movies and videos on a small screen, every extra half inch counts. As you may imagine, with the increase in size, the Zune is slightly heavier and larger than the most recent iPod release.

Zune Appeal

The biggest appeal to the Zune is the Wi-Fi access, which allows you to beam playlists, tracks, and photos to and from friends who also possess a Zune. The downfall of this type of sharing is that you only have a maximum time of three days, or three plays, to listen and enjoy the files before you will be prompted to purchase the track in the Zune Marketplace.

The wireless sharing of music and photos works flawlessly when two Zune players send music to one another. However, sharing is limited to users within a certain range, and there is no video sharing as of yet. Microsoft says that the range is approximately 40 feet when in an open space, and connecting with other Zune users is very easy and convenient. You simply initiate and turn on the Wi-Fi, choose “Community,” select “Nearby,” and then locate another Zune user to share with and start beaming. Another nice bonus for users that are currently ripping CDs with the default setting of iTunes, the Zune supports and works with unprotected AAC files.

While the audio sound of the Zune is excellent and quite comparable to the iPod’s quality, the video support is weak. At launch, there is no video content even available to be purchased through the Zune Marketplace. That is a shame for the Zune’s competitiveness because with the bigger screen and the preciseness of the player controls, the Zune actually beats iPod visually.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the Zune will be an innovative contender in MP3 players, especially with its integration of a Wi-Fi chip for wireless access. Even with the few disappointments, Microsoft’s first shot at implementing a wireless MP3 player is primarily successful.

Nonetheless, the iPod will remain the champion of the digital music arena for now. However, with some wireless improvements and follow up by Microsoft, the Zune could possibly cause Apple to shake in their boots in anticipation of their next battle.

The iPod Classic can play videos and bring entertainment to you wherever you are. Videos like podcasts, TV shows, movies and music videos can be bought through the online store, iTunes or Google Video. You can easily import those movies and videos to your iPod through the iTunes software. The updated version of the iPod Classic has enhanced its video capabilities in order to achieve a longer playback time for videos.

iTunes is an American favorite in digital music stores, and soon to become your pick in digital movie players. They have best sellers, new releases, and every movie will be downloaded at almost DVD quality, with a 640-by-480 resolution.

When you first open your iPod, you will receive an account with iTunes. If you have not already looked into all that iTunes has to offer, sign into your account now. You can use your current Apple or AOL account to gain access to buy songs and videos. If you do not have an account, signing one up is free and easy.

iPod Video - Its easy and fun

Once you are logged in, you can browse the many digital items that are available for purchase and download. There are almost 1000 movies from major movie and film studios. You can buy movies, music videos, and TV shows. You can even purchase an entire season of your favorite TV show. After you have decided what you would like to put onto your iPod Classic with video, proceed to the checkout and make your purchases.

With the enhanced video support available with iTunes, users are able to drag and drop any movie clips to the iTunes library from their own computers for organization and cataloging purposes. The video content that used to be available was encoded and protected. They can now be viewed either full screen or in a small frame inside the main display.

You can add the TV shows and movies that you purchased the same way that you would add songs to your iPod. The settings on your iPod let you set it to automatically sync all videos and movies when you connect your iPod to your computer. Optionally, you can set it to manage your lists manually, so that you will be able to add video from more than a single computer while not erasing everything that is on your iPod. These are managed in the Music tab in iTunes.

The default setting for iPod classic is to sync when you connect your iPod to the computer. This is the easiest and fastest way of adding movies and videos to your iPod Classic. All you do is connect the iPod to the computer and it will start adding any recently added videos to your iPod from your computer. So, basically, anything you may have added to your iPod since your last connection to the computer will now be added to your computer. Also, if you have deleted anything since the last connection, they will be deleted from your iPod Classic.

Three Steps to Video Bliss, Synch - Watch - Enjoy!

When you are ready to set your iPod to sync any unwatched or your selected videos and movies follow these steps below:

• Open iTunes
• Select the movie tab in the left panel
• If you are asked for source, select iPod Classic
• Select the playlist or movie that you want
  Unwatched movies: Select the number you want
  Selected movies: Click “Selected..” then choose “movies” from the pop up menu and select
• Click Apply

Wasn’t that pretty easy? Now, just wait for the status to say it’s finished, unplug your iPod Classic and go! If you have files that you have downloaded which are compatible with iPod and Quicktime, you can simply drag the items to the music or movie libraries and repeat this process. Now, you are on your way to having a collection of movies, videos, music, and podcasts at your fingertips.

The packaging was stylish just like previous Apple products, including a USB charging cable, a docking station adapter, (although no docking station is included), a wall adapter and the same old, familiar white ear bud headphones. The signature white has been replaced by silver and is also still available in black. I personally would have liked to have seen Apple release black ear buds, however this is a minor preference of my own.

The enormous amount of storage with the thin iPod classics is more than I could ever fully utilize, with the low end being 80 GB and the high end giving 160 GB. That is a huge step up from the iPod Touch that has just 16 GB of storage. The battery life has improved tremendously also, with a full 30 hours for audio and 5 hours for videos on the 80 GB model. The 160 GB model can last 40 hours for audio and 7 hours for video. These are the two biggest improvements, in my opinion. This sixth generation iPod classic can hold 20,000 and 40,000 songs on the 80 GB and the 160 GB, respectively.

The iPod Classic is made of all aluminum with very slight differences in the overall shape. The corners are more rounded now, and this makes it easier to hold while using the click wheel to select menu items. The click wheel returns with menu, fast forward, rewind and play being marked on the wheel for easy navigation. There is a hold button and the headphone jack on the top, as well as the proprietary connector, is located on the bottom.

Another addition is the split menu, which functions by having the menu items on the left as descriptive pictures are displayed on the right. There is also an improved interface that has incorporated the new Cover Flow into this iPod Classic. It was enjoyable at first to see the covers of my music albums while flipping through them, but truly many do not have cover artwork, so some of my rotating art is blank. It really does work well and I did not notice a significant lagging. With that said, I do not have 120 GB of songs on mine yet, so I’ll have to see if it gets slower with more music.

The images are beautiful, sharp and bright on the 2.5-inch screen, and video looks crisp with a 320×240 resolution. The playback is about the same as TV signals, 30 frames a second. The image quality left a little to be desired, caused by the reflective faceplate when watching darker scenes. Overall this was not too much of a hindrance. However, I purchased a component AV cable so I could watch my movies on my television.

For your entertainment, the iPod classic includes three games, Klondike, Vortex, and iQuiz. They have been specifically designed for the interface of the iPod and show improved graphics. In the iTunes store, there are many more games available to download at $4.99 per game. You can also buy your favorite television show for $1.99 at the store.

With all of those songs that the iPod Classic is able to hold, there was a dramatic need for an easy way to search through the masses to find what you are looking for. Apple added a built in function that was pretty powerful and very useful. The search function finds the artist, title, album, podcast, or audio book that you type in using the click wheel. This was an excellent idea and I think Apple did the right thing by adding this type of search functionality.

In my final conclusion of the iPod Classic, it really can hold a large amount of songs, movies and videos. However, the small screen doesn’t appeal to me when watching videos, unless connected to my TV. I would recommend this iPod Classic to users that need extra storage, because that is what I feel is the biggest benefit to this 6th generation of iPod.

Every generation has used a 1.8″ storage hard drive and led the industry in MP3 players. The iPod was deemed a “classic” on September 5, 2007, when Apple announced its release of the iPod Classic.

First generation - revolutionizing the media player

October 23, 2001 - Apple Inc. introduced the very first-generation iPod Classic. This iPod was $399, featuring a 5 GB hard drive capable of a storing 1,000 songs. This innovative iPod revolutionized the mp3 industry with its small compact size; the iPod utilized a 1.8″ hard drive, while all other players were manufactured with a 2.5″ hard drive.

The click wheel created an easy, innate navigation controlled by a scroll wheel and an “OK” button in the center. Around the wheel were convenient auxiliary buttons, such as play, rewind, and fast forward. The battery life of this iPod lasted through 12 hours of song play.

March 20, 2002 - taking the iPod to the next level, Apple released a 10 GB version, which cost $499. It was during this release that Apple added vCard compatibility, as well as allowed iPods to sync business card information from Mac computers.

Second generation - increasing convenience and functionality

July 17, 2002 - Next to be introduced was the second generation of iPod Classic. The hold button was redesigned, while keeping the same body style of the first generation. The mechanical click wheel was replaced by an intuitive wheel that was sensitive to the touch. The iPod’s style was slightly altered, featuring rounded edges and corners. On the FireWire port, Apple added a protective cover.

This iPod was available with 10 GB at a cost of $399, while the 20 GB was priced at $499. The price of the first generation had been reduced to $299 for the remaining inventory carried over with the announcement of the second generation.

In December of 2002, limited edition iPods were unveiled by Apple, with Tony Hawk’s, Beck’s, or Madonna’s signature. There was also an option to purchase the band logo of No Doubt, engraved on the back for an extra $50. Beginning with the second generation, Apple started selling iPods that were PC compatible. They were not bundled with iTunes, but Musicmatch Jukebox, and they had featured FireWire adapters with either four or six pins.

Third generation - morphing into sleeker, slimmer designs

April 18, 2003 - A totally redesigned iPod of the third generation was announced by Apple. This model had a sleeker, thinner design, and its casing featured additional rounding of corners and edges. The new generation boasted a new dock connector that replaced the FireWire port.

In addition, this third generation iPod introduced a non-mechanical interface, called the Touch Wheel, with a row of 4 buttons located between the touch wheel and the screen. Lastly, this iPod contained a new remote connector, with a 10 pin jack - an upgrade from the first two generations’ auxiliary ring.

The introductory price was set at $299 for the 10 GB model, $399 for 15 GB, and $499 for 30 GB. Compatible with both the Mac and PC, Windows users simply needed to reformat the iPods before they could utilize them on a PC. All iPods came with both Musicmatch and iTunes in a bundle.

September 8, 2003 - The 20 GB replaced the 15 GB model, and the 30 GB model was upgraded to a 40 GB model. At this time, only iTunes was available for the iPods, as Musicmatch’s support was discontinued.

Fourth generation - sharing mini music with the world

January 6th, 2004 - Apple introduces the iPod mini, which is a revolution in the mp3 player realm. The smallest player to ever hold 1000 songs, music lovers worldwide were quickly enamored with its convenient size.

July 19th, 2004 - Modest modifications were made to the iPod mini, including replacing the Touch Wheel with the Click Wheel. In addition, the four navigation buttons were now placed under the scroll. The accessories that previously included with an iPod mini purchase were minimized down to the dock, with all other parts requiring additional purchase. Selling for $299, consumers could purchase the 20 GB model, while the 40 GB model was $399.

Fifth generation - adding visual stimulation to sound

October 12, 2005 - The fifth generation iPod, simply known as iPod Video, arrived with a robust 2.5″ screen with 320 x 240 resolution, as well as a slightly smaller click wheel. This iPod was the first to release color case alternatives, as it now offered the signature white along with black. The iPod Video played MP4 videos, and they could be purchased online in stores such as iTunes or Google Video. A 30 GB model sold for $299, while the 60 GB model sold for $399. There was a 30 GB, U2 special edition that sold for $349.

September 12, 2006. - An update was made that included a search feature, gapless playback, a brighter screen, and support of games. Users were now required to use iTunes and download from the Apple website. Upon initiation of this update, the 80 GB replaced the 60 GB, and all of their prices were reduced by $50.

Sixth generation - Perfecting personalization

September 5, 2007 - Adding the suffix “classic” and sporting a greatly improved battery life, the sixth generation was announced, called the iPod Classic. This iPod is made of anodized aluminum, and the white has been replaced with silver. New interface, cover flow, and more graphics are featured with the newest generation. The 80 GB holds 20,000 songs and sells for $249, while the 160 GB holds 40,000 songs and retails for $349.

The illustrious evolution of iPod generations will continue to change and advance. Reviewing its history, the iPod reflects a pattern of regular price fluctuations, continuously increasing storage space, and decreasing iPod sizes. With the monumental success of the iPod, it is certain that the future generations will continue to improve, as Apple strives for total market domination, superior quality, and total user satisfaction.

Apple’s success has continued despite a myriad of companies claiming to have the next “iPod killer.” Competitors range from sophomore companies like Creative to media giants like Microsoft, who released its Zune model in November 2006. Do these mp3 competitors offering more technical capabilities (personal organizers, recorders, FM tuners) present any real threat to Apple’s market domination? For now, Apple is having no trouble holding on to its sovereignty in the mp3 kingdom.

Competitors Line Up To Cash in on Profits

Mp3 models have appeared in a surplus of shapes, sizes, and styles. While iPod focused on unique user interface and ease of use, other companies including Creative, iRiver, Samsung, Sony, and Microsoft added extra technical functions to gain an edge. The result is additional costs. An Apple 30GB iPod currently retails for $10 per gigabyte. The closest contender is the Creative Zen Vision:M at $11 per gigabyte, which adds $30 dollars to its price tag. Samsung and iRiver, who are also capable of playing video, are priced at $15 to $25 per gigabyte; other competitors without video are at least $11 per gigabyte. Thus, when it comes to consumer pricing, it is hard for other competitors to beat the iPod.

The question still beckons, what competition truly exists for the iPod? As it appears that a single company alone can tackle this iPod dominated market space, Yahoo, SanDisk, and Zing have teamed up to pool their talent resources in efforts of launching an “iPod Killer,” aka the Sansa Connect. The Sansa Connect is a unique Wi-Fi based audio player. The product does deserve proper kudos for their efforts, as those with a Yahoo ID are able to utilize the device to access LAUCHcast Internet radio or even peruse through Flickr photos. However, there is still a tremendous way for the Sansa Connect to go before becoming a true contender in the iPod arena.

iPod vs. Zune - Battle of Giants

Until now, when assessed by sheer volume, the only real competition for the iPod is Microsoft’s Zune. Microsoft teamed with smaller developers to produce their mp3 players and services built on Microsoft technologies. However, Microsoft’s Zune is more likely to steal market shares and customers from those companies making iPod alternatives, rather than from the Apple iPod itself.

In a side by side comparison of Microsoft Zune 80 and Apple iPod Classic, the storage and capacity of songs and pictures are identical. The Zune outperforms the iPod in hours of video played (Zune’s 250 hours to iPod’s 100 hrs) and FM radio capability. Zune also has a larger screen, which can be turned 90 degrees, making it perfect for horizontal viewing of pictures and videos. The Zune also offers “Wi-Fi” for Zune-to-Zune audio and picture file sharing (although it has a 30 feet limitation, and it cannot be used with other devices or PCs). The catch is that digital rights management (DRM) makes it very difficult to transfer songs between Zunes; with DRM, any song or podcast that is loaded to another Zune will automatically be deleted from the receiving device after three plays or three days - whichever occurs first.

One can also look forward to unlimited music downloads for a $14.99 subscription fee. As for iPod, they carve their niche by offering more entertainment options including downloadable videos, TV shows, movies and games. The iPod also supports Windows and Mac OS X, while Zune only supports Windows.

Consumer reviews of the Zune software have placed it second in comparison to the iPod’s software performance. Whereas the iPod is available in a diverse array of capacities, Microsoft’s Zune can only be purchased with the 30 GB capacity.

The Zune will be the leading competitor to the iPod, but Microsoft acknowledges that it is a first effort, and we can expect many new versions to arrive on the market. However, with the current version, most consumers and media experts concur that the Zune places second after the iPod as a media player; On the other hand, the overall functionality of the Zune is excellent, and in some aspects, it performs better than the iPod. This is the start of true competition for iPod. Let the media games begin.

Express yourself with an iPod skin

Since you have a unique personality, music interests, and lifestyle tastes, you want your iPod to be an expression of yourself. What can you do to make your iPod stand out? How can your iPod be different from everyone else’s player? For as little as $10, you can easily find an iPod skin to match your tastes and personality.

Hundreds of websites and stores offer thousands of custom designs. You can go with girly swirly skin designs, anime looks, skulls and hardcore symbols, classic colors, clear cases - whatever your personality and visual tastes dictate! They come in vinyl, silicone, cloth, leather, aluminum, faux snakeskin, and more.

Protecting your iPod with attractive skins

In addition to added pizzazz to your iPod, many skins will protect your musical investment. After all, you paid hundreds of dollars for your iPod, and it is an investment that accompanies you throughout your day. Thus, you want to keep the screen and case from being scratched from everyday wear and tear and the occasional slip onto the floor. Some iPod skins offer extra safety with enhanced grip texture, while others add a layer of silicone or aluminum between your iPod and any physical hazards.

You can also enhance your iPod appearance with stylish cloth cases, an alternative which lets you safely and fashionably carry your iPod. Much easier to use than a conventional skin, the fabric iPod slip on and off easily, but they do not have any openings for the screen. The advantage of cloth iPod skins is that they are easy to use, and some offer more padding than the conventional iPod skin.

Although sticker designs are attractive, they offer the least protection and are the most difficult to remove from your iPod. If you are concerned with protecting your iPod or preventing adhesive residue, you might want to avoid the stickers. Most iPod skins are actual cases which fit snugly around the iPod and then come off cleanly with no mess.

Finding the perfect skin style for your iPod

If you are looking for an attractive skin for your iPod, there is good news! You have more skin options that fulfill your needs and express your personality every day!

For example, for a classy iPod, Griffin Technology offers a reflective case. At most angles, the skin is mirror-like, sleek silver. However, if you turn it to the right angle, you can see the screen. This is the perfect skin for someone whose music tastes is as slick as 007, or who is always at the forefront of GQ trends. The iPod skin is scratch resistant, but its protection is limited if you drop the iPod.

If you are crafty or artistic, you can take your iPod skin to the next level by customizing your own cases. With websites such as Leftskins.com and SkinIt.com, you can create a skin that matches your personality and musical tastes perfectly. Upload a photo, create a graphic design - do whatever you want to make your iPod skin completely unique. Whatever you can conjure in your mind, it can appear on your iPod through a customized skin.

Your pocketbook vs. iPod skin

Your iPod, which cost your pocketbook hundreds of dollars, is certainly a worthy investment. Like any other investment, it is important to protect your iPod and ensure its longevity.

There are iPod skins available for an easy $10, with a great array of visual designs and protection levels. If your limit is $15, you have even more options, including some of the stronger skins which offer more protection. Custom cases can be more expensive, but for a customized, one of a kind skin, you certainly are getting your money’s worth.

For iPod owners, it is truly a buyers’ market. If you want to customize your iPod, there are literally thousands of designs a few clicks away. Skins and cases, custom and artsy, homey and glam - whatever style fits your personality and tastes, it is all available for your iPod.

It is also an interface for the iPod (and now the iPhone as well) and is thus necessary if you own one of these widely popular digital media players that began their lives as simple mp3 players. It gives you access to the iTunes store from where you can legally purchase and download digital music, music videos, films, television shows, iPod games, free podcasts, ringtones and any such digital media that you may desire and is supported.

You need not buy the software. iTunes comes free bundled with Macs and some Dell and HP computers. It is available as a free download from the Apple website for Windows Vista and Windows XP as well as for Mac OS X. There are also older versions that are compatible with older operating systems like the Mac OS 9, OS X 10.0 - 10.2 and Windows 2000 and ME.

Here is a proper list of what iTunes is capable of:

• You can play music stored as mp3 files on your hard disk.
• Just like any regular CD player, iTunes acts as a CD playing software and plays your music CDs.
• iTunes gives you the ability to import music from your CDs as well. You can access these files from your hard disk without needing to use your CD anymore. The files can be stored in a variety of supported formats like AAC (for MP4), MP3, WAV, AIFF or Apple’s own Lossless Encoder Formats. Remember, it is illegal to import music from CDs you do not own as it is an infringement of copyright law.
• You can subscribe to podcasts online and listen to them as well. The latest episodes get downloaded automatically if you are running iTunes and are connected to the internet. You can then play them from you iTunes Library.
• Apart from free podcasts iTunes also gives you access to a vast range of music and visual content that you can purchase and download. Through the iTunes store you will have access to music, videos, films, audio books, television shows and much more.
• You can burn CDs and DVDs using iTunes. Just create a playlist and burn it onto a CD or DVD using a CD-RW or DVD-R drive. Some versions also support external drives and you can check you manufacturer’s documents or Apple’s list to see if your drive is supported.
• A great feature of iTunes is the ability to create playlists. This allows you to organize the media you have stored on your hard disk. You can create playlists to select your own preferences. The ability to create smart playlists is a highlight of iTunes. These can be automatically updated on the basis of customized selection criteria. Playlist can play files sequentially or randomly is ’shuffle’ mode. Shuffling can be entirely random or have a method to it. For example Party Shuffle shuffles between songs with higher star ratings. These ratings are decided upon by you. Like this songs that you do not rate are unlikely to be played during shuffle mode. This gives you a unique combination of randomness and pre-selection.

Finally iTunes is the software you must have to synchronize your PC with your iPod. Your iPod cannot function properly unless you use iTunes. What better reason do you need?

Download the latest version of iTunes here: http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/