iPod Reviews

In 2007, Apple released three models, the third generation iPod Nano, iPod classic and iPod touch. And this year (2008), Apple has upgraded all these three models on the major and minor areas that were criticised and has increased their capacities too. The first generation Apple iPod touch had some real potential features which such as, the 802.11b/g wireless antenna which enables the iPod to not only play music and videos from its own library, but also to surf the web with a Safari web browser and purchase music wirelessly from the iTunes Store. But these high potential features were crippled by its display issues, capacity, low battery life and mainly its expensiveness. It remained to be under equipped when compared to the iPhone. Hence, the second generation has come up with a lot of substantial changes.

Design:

As this Apple iPod Touch 8GB Second Generation is physically redesigned, it feels much thinner and lighter. It has a 3.5″ display with an attractive 480 x 320pixels resolution. It has a chrome bezel at the front that also sports the internal speaker and the volume controls in its sides are designed in an easy to use manner. The “Home” button is in the front, “Sleep/Wake” button at the top, Dock Connector in the bottom and Headphone ports. The dimensions are similar to the first generation but there is a slight reduction in weight. Everything with the design is fine with the design except for its Wi-Fi antenna cover which is still made of black plastic.

Features and Performance:
This iPod Touch 8gb 2nd generation is fairly high-priced when compared to the other MP3 players in the market. The features of this iPod include the audio and video playback, a photo viewer, podcast support, a safari web browser, an e-mail reader, an integrated Wi-Fi music store and many more. The second generation touch is more of a Pocket PC than an MP3 player.

The iTunes App:
The new iTunes App feature is now integrated in Touch itself. This means that you can download a whole lot of fun stuff from this store. You can also access the third party “Made for iPod” hardware accessories where you can download a lot of iPod related stuff.

Nike plus iPod sport kit:
Apple iPod Touch 8GB MP3 player has true Nike plus iPod Sport Kit support, a miniature speaker to let users enjoy music, movies, and games without the need for headphones and microphone support to give its users a thrilling experience with their iPod. This version is not the same one as the iPod Nano, but somewhat a close one. The support for wireless remote controls, such as Nike’s Amp+ Watch, which is capable of pausing playback, changing controls, and changing volume levels while you run, is a notable absence. You can also hit the home button in middle of a workout to access any other application and then hit the “touch to return to workout” in order to continue with your workout.

Interesting speakers:
Apple iPod Touch 8 GB Second Generation Black enjoys the fact that it was the first ever iPod to include a speaker for music and video. This second generation does not use its traditional ventilation and interestingly does not create any new holes in the case for ventilation. Rather, it is using the metal back surface of the iPod touch as a speaker, sort of like an NXT flat panel audio system. You can feel a very slight vibration when the music is put on a very high volume, but otherwise, you cannot feel any difference.

The Genius software:
It was disappointing to note that the Touch still does not support the flash audio or video content via its safari browser. There is a lot of attention paid to even very small details. You can use your finger to scroll through the playlists, songs, artists etc. When you flip the iPod touch on its side, b a scrolling Cover Flow view of your library is shown with large album covers. Genius software creates a play list of 25 songs that has the characteristics of the song that you have currently selected. This software is real fun and you can enjoy to your best if your collection has enough songs. But this software will work only if you enable Genius in your computer’s iTunes software.

Audio:
The audio in this Apple iPod is very clear and there was no problem with it. It has the support for the following media: AAC, AIFF, MP3, Audible, WAV, and Apple Lossless but, even now apple has not included support for WMA music files, yet the WMA tracks can be converted to MP3 formats within Apple’s iTunes software.

Video:
Apple iPod touch’s 8 gb 2nd Generation video feature is very identical to that of the iPhone’s iPod feature. The MPEG-4 and H.264 formats are supported, and it still does not play back hi-def video than the 640×480 files. The screen quality is much superior to that of its previous version. This second generation iPod display is brighter and differentiates the colours well and also does not suffer from the “negative black” (the dark colours become reflective washing out the details in the process) problem that was experienced in most of the pervious iPods. The TV-out feature is still absent in iPod touch. This means that you have to either buy an expensive authentication chip-based video cable, otherwise a similarly overpriced docking device in case you want to watch iPod-stored videos on an external display.

The iPod Touch has a lot to offer when it comes to videos. You can load TV shows, video podcasts and iTunes movie rentals. You can also watch unlimited free video clips using the included YouTube widget.

Battery and life:

iPod Touch 8GB 2nd Generation uses the lithium ion battery which can be charged in four hours. This apple iPod Touch 8GB gives more than 36 hours of audio performance and about six hours of continuous video. But this statistics may vary based on the brightness of your iPod and Wi-Fi usage.

The container:

The second gen iPod touch is shipped in a pack that is very similar to that of the packs of Shuffle and Nano, a hard plastic container. One interesting thing that was very noticeable with the container was a front sticker which would show the buyer how his new Touch would look like when switched on. And this pack contained the Apple earphones, USB-to-Dock Connector cable, and Universal Dock Adapter, an adapter of version 16, two Apple logo stickers, a safety and warranty booklet and a quick start pamphlet. Apple has a thinner and cheaper cleaning cloth, and the package also lacks the small plastic stand for viewing video. The media synchronisation software is not included and so you will have to download iTunes from web.

Verdict:
Apple iPod Touch second generation 8gb is one of the best iPods in the current market. If you are planning to buy one, then this would be a great choice for you. But if you already own the first generation touch or an iPhone, then this may not impress you much with only upgrades in display and battery life.

Technical, Specification Details of Apple iPod Touch 8GB Second Generation

Manufacturer	Apple
iPod Type	iPod Touch
Model Name	Apple iPod Touch 8GB Second generation
Device type	Portable media player
Dimensions (H x W x D)	4.3 x 2.4 x 0.3 inches
Weight	4.1 oz
Colour	Black
Display	3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch display
Display resolution	480-by-320-pixel resolution at 163 pixels per inch
Capacity	8GB 1750 songs or 10,000 photos or 10hrs of video
Supported audio formats	AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV
Supported video formats	H.264, MPEG-4
Wireless	Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) Nike + iPod support built-in Maps location-based service7
TV	Support for 480p and 576p component TV out
Input and output	Dock connector 3.5-mm stereo headphone jack
Battery	Built-in lithium ion battery
Battery life	Music playback time: Up to 36 hours when fully charged Video playback time: Up to 6 hours when fully charged
Battery charge time	Fast-charge time: about 2 hours (charges up to 80% of battery capacity) Full-charge time: about 4 hours
Operating system	Windows Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 3 or later
iTunes version	iTunes 8 or later
Box contents	iPod touch Earphones USB 2.0 cable Dock adapter Polishing cloth Quick Start guide
Warranty	One Year

Apple iPod touch 32GB (1st Generation)

If you are a technology lover, then Apple iPod touch 32GB 1st generation might be just the right one that you are searching for. With the commendable commitment of designers and engineers, the new Apple iPod touch feels as rich as it looks to be. The all-metal-and-glass design is gorgeous. The scratch resistant card used makes the user feel secure about his ipod. The downward facing headphone jack and volume controls are the two design aspects that distinguishes ipod touch from iphone. No other digital media can match apple ipods interface. The audio format is same as that of the previous models. The apple ipod touch 32GB 1G inherits most of its features from iphone. One of the major drawbacks that users would be unhappy with is that ipod touch is the only ipod that does not support the generic USB storage mode. The usage of high technologies such as multi touch, wireless internet access and accelerometer makes our cash worth it.

Main Features:

Home Screen:

The home screen gives an instant access to any of the features, applications, or web clip. You can customize your home screen with any applications and web clips that you choose.

Music:

With the cover flow feature in this first generation 32gb apple ipod touch, you can just flick through your music to find the album and when you do so, just a tap on the cover will flip it over to display you the track list and with another tap, your music goes on. If you want to have an idea of the lyrics, then you can even view the lyrics as you are listening to the track.

Video:

The 3.5 inch wide screen display is a visual treat that you must have not experienced in any other portable device. Enjoy any kind of video using the multi-touch touch screen technology. Just a turn is enough to switch between the wide screen and full screen. Using the optional Apple AV cable, universal dock or any other suitable video accessories, you can output video and photos to a television. This feature is absent in iphone.

App Store:

Apart from the itunes Wi-Fi, which is a media world on its own, the app store piles up hundreds of ipod touch applications on all categories such as games, photography, reference, travel etc, you can also expect a lot among to be free too. This store is a part of the iphone2.0 software update for ipod touch.

Safari:

Ipod touch is the only ipod in the world of digital media with wireless access to web. Since the safari browser is built-in, we can see the website as they are. The touch screen keyboard is used to access the web. By tapping the multi-touch touch screen, you can zoom in and out. You can also create a web clip on your home screen from any of the web sites.

Mailing:

Ipod touch can take the pride that it is the first ever ipod with email. It lets you view rich HTML mails with graphics, photos, PDF, MS office applications and iwork attachments.

Maps:

With the help of some Wi-Fi network, ipod touch finds your approximate location and can give directions from there. Using a hybrid map and satellite view, you can witness some major street names on top of their satellite images.

You Tube:

With a special built-in you tube player, you can watch featured videos and even book mark them. Hence you have got all the fun of you tube pocket sized.

Ambient light sensor:
The ambient light sensor automatically adjusts the brightness to suite your ambient light in your surroundings. And as a result of this feature, you can save your battery life efficiently.

Extras:

The photo viewer in this iPod touch 32gb first generation comes with a higher quality and with the eye pulling facilities as available in the other Apple ipods. It has a specialised built-in calendar which aids in keeping your schedules at your finger tips. You can carry your entire address book with you in your ipod touch. It stores information such as names, email address and phone numbers. All your contacts sync when you connect it to your system.

With just a tap, you can get information on stocks and weather. The ipod touch has a simple calculator , which you can update as a scientific calculator using the iphone 2.0 software update.

The new apple ipod touch 32GB makes you feel good but its price may not please you much.

Apple iPod touch 32GB(1st generation) - Technical Specification Details

iPod Type	iPod Touch
Model Name	Apple iPod touch 32GB (first generation)
Dimensions (HxWxD)	110 x 61.8 x 8 mm
Display	3.5 inch (diagonal) wide screen multi-touch display
Resolution	480 x 320 pixel
Interface	USB 2.0
Audio formats supported	ACC, MP3, MP3 VBR, audible (formats 2, 3 and 4) , WAV, AIFF, Apple lossless
Battery	Built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery
Battery life	5 hrs video play back 22 hrs audio play back
Charge time	Fast charge time- 1.5hrs ( charges 80% of battery capacity) Full charge time - 3hrs
Memory capacity	32GB
Photo formats supported	JPEG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, PSD (Mac only), PNG
Ports	Stereo minijack (3.5 mm) / dock connector
Video formats supported	MPEG-4 (mp4), h.264
Ear phones	Yes (binaural stereo)
Photo viewer	Yes
USB cable included	Yes
Wireless internet access	Yes
Special features	Wi-Fi web access, multi-touch display, maps, app store, and ambient light sensor.
Mounting options	Arm band
Colour	Black
Included accessories	Docking station adapter
Service & support	12 months parts 12 months labour
Weight	4.2 oz
Box content	Apple ipod touch 32GB Ear phones USB2.0 cable Dock adapter Polishing cloth Stand Quick starter guide

Apple simply dominates the market of ipods with their admirable techno developments each year. This third generation Apple iPod shuffle 2GB sets a couple of ipod records by being the tiniest in the ipod world as well as being the cheapest ever. Compared to the other ipods available in the markets, ipod shuffle is only slightly bigger than the nano’s display screen.

Its beauty not only lies with its smart durable aluminium exterior but also its simplicity.
Yet the lowest price is given at the cost of loosing any real display. The small tri-colour LED only indicates the basic functionalities to the user.

The new ipod shuffle 2GB 3G allows you to wear around 500 songs on your belt or your sleeves or your lapel. It comes in four vibrant colours (red, green, blue, purple) and in the original silver.

Controls:

This apple ipod shuffle 2 GB comes with a circular control pad. The center button is made use of to play and pause. The outer buttons are used to move back, skip forward and adjust the volume. But the disadvantage is that, it lacks the scrolling facility.

Clip:

It comes with a built-in clip so that you can clip the ipod shuffle on your sleeve, lapel or pocket.

Shuffle switch:

The shuffle switch is sure to steal your hearts. This switch is flipped to mix up shuffles contents.

Head phone jack:
The head phone jack also acts as a dock connector.

Charging:

Ipod shuffle’s small size makes it incompatible with the docking mechanism as the other ipods. Hence, they use a unique USB dock that plugs into the head phone jack.
Charging is done by flipping the ipod shuffle upside down and dropping it into the dock. Then connect the dock to Mac or PC for quick sync and charge. In case you are away from your computer, then use the optional Apple USB power adapter as mentioned above.

Ear buds:
Though they do not make much difference in the sound quality, they are a little more comfortable than the former versions.

Battery Life:

The charge lasts up to 12 hrs. In the charge indicator, green indicates go, amber indicates low and red indicates that you have almost hit zero.

Hence ipod shuffle 2 GB third generation is a small and sweet product of apple.

Apple iPod Shuffle 2gb (3rd Generation) - Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer	Apple
Model Name	Apple ipod shuffle 2GB
iPod Type	iPod Shuffle
Generation	Third
Dimensions (HxWxD)	27.3 x 41.2 x 0.41 mm
Colours available	Blue, Green, Silver, Red and Violet
Interface	USB dock
Audio formats supported	ACC, protected ACC, MP3, MP3 VBR, audible(formats 2, 3 and 4), WAV, AIFF
Battery	Built-in rechargeable lithium polymer battery
Battery life	12 hrs
Charge time	Full charge time - 4hrs
Memory capacity	2GB
Ports	Stereo minijack
Play back modes	Skip-free playback
AC adapter included	No
Ear phones	Yes (binaural stereo 3.5mm)
Photo viewer	No
Wireless internet access	No
Radio	No
USB cable	No
Voice recording	No
Included accessories	Docking station adapter
Service & support	1 year Phone consulting - 90 days
Weight	15.6 grams
Box content	Apple ipod shuffle 2GB Ear phones USB Dock Quick starter guide