What is an iPod?

Dear Readers,

How often have you heard the word iPod. Your kids tell you, they want an iPod, your friend tells you he has an iPod...iPod,iPod,iPod. But what is an iPod?

People usually make a mistake when using the name iPod, they often call every MP3 (Media Player) an iPod. An MP3 player is a digital format music player.

iPod is a BRAND of portable media players which is sold by a company called Apple. There are many companies that make portable media players, like Microsoft have their brand called Zune. Sony, Samsung, Toshiba, Creative, all these companies make Portable Media Players or MP3 Players, but they are NOT called an iPod. It is like in the days of Walkmans. Every portable audio cassette player was being called a Walkman. But that was not correct. Walkman was a brand named by Sony. And iPod is a brand named by Apple.

Varieties of iPod.

There are 4 flavors of iPod you can buy.

iPod Shuffle : For the portable minded, comes in sizes 2GB and 4GB

iPod Nano : For those who need portability , but with a screen . Comes in 8GB and 16GB

iPod Classic : For those who want all their songs on the go. Comes in 160GB

iPod Touch : A Large touchscreen, ideally for watching movies. Comes in 8GB, 32GB, 64GB

Why did iPod become so famous.

The major reason for iPod to gain market popularity was because of their hardware design and software simplicity on the iPod. Another major reason was its introduction of music store. Where you could purchase music directly from their computer software called iTunes and transfer it to your device.

Are there any Fake iPods?

Now in this "perfect world", you are always likely to get FAKE products for a named product, and iPod isnt an exception. I have come across many fake iPod's. The problem is, whenever i tell the owner its fake, they think lying. No one wants to hear their 50 dollar purchase was counterfeit right?....

The main issue with a fake iPod is the build quality and sound quality. Yes if your budget does not allow you to buy an original iPod, then go buy a counterfeit, but don't expect it to last more than 6 months.

How do i make sure i dont buy a fake iPod.

1. The Price. If you are getting a nice 8GB iPod for 30-50 Dollars. It is definitely a Fake or Stolen. Usually a genuine 8GB iPod nano costs around 150 Dollars.

2. The Design : All fake iPod's that i have come across have screws holding the iPod together, be it at the back, or at the bottom. Remember a genuine iPod is seamless, and no screws.

3. Connector : A fake iPod will have a mini USB port in the device, which resembles to the ones we use in mobile phones and digital cameras. A true iPod will use its proprietary 30 pin slim connector to connect to your PC.

4. Interface : When you switch on a fake iPod, you will be greeted with colorful menus and bing bing sound alerts. A genuine iPod's interface is always pale grey and has no beeping noise to it.

Disadvantages.

All products are not always glory glory all the way. There are some features of the iPod that i dislike.

1. The iPod doesn't have a user replaceable battery. So when your battery dies out after 2 years of usage, which is unlikely. You will have to go to an Apple authorized center to get it replaced

2. The music you transfer on your iPod, can not be legally transferred to any other computer. You can , but you need another software to do it.

3. It is not Drag n Drop music. You will need a separate software to put songs on your ipod. You will need iTunes.

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Now you know what an iPod is. So next time you see and MP3 player, don't go around calling it an iPod !!