In 2001, Apple Inc. launched portable media players of 21st century with a brand of iPod. The new range of iPod presents iPod classic which is hard drive based, iPod touch with a touch screen, iPod nano with video display and screenless iPod shuffle. Apart from them, the classic range of iPod includes iPod mini and iPod photo.
These digital music players can be used as external data storage devices but their capacities vary for each model. Music is transferred to the device with the help of iTunes software by Apple Inc. One can store music collection, and also play, tingle or split music from a CD with this software. In addition to that, photos, games, videos and calendars can also be transferred to the iPods that support such features. Apple`s iPods are easy to use.
iPod has created a history by selling 110 million units worldwide since September 2007. Apple`s CEO, Steve Jobs, decided to develop portable music device which is easy to use. He collected his team of hardware and software engineers and launched the product on October 23, 2001. This digital device used to have 5GB hard drive with a capacity to store at least 1000 songs. Apple took Portal Player`s and Pixo`s support to develop this product. Later Apple continued to develop refined versions of iPod.
iPods have the ability to display many audio file formats like MP3, Protected AAC, Audible audiobook, etc. whereas, file formats like JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF and PNG can be viewed with iPod photo. Similarly, upgraded versions of iPods can play the most advanced file formats. Though Apple doesn`t support Microsoft WMA format, but a converter for Window`s version of iTunes is provided for the same. When an iPod is associated with a computer, music libraries or playlists are synchronized manually or automatically with iTunes. 5G iPods come with click wheel to control the volume and 5 buttons which are used to play, stop, and go to next track, etc.
In order to provide songs for iPods, Apple launched an iTunes Store which can be accessed through iTunes. Rate per song varies from country to country. Buyer can purchase as many songs as he wants and enjoy the protected content. This Store became extremely successful immediately after its launch and then Apple made videos also available for sale in 2006. The purchased songs were downloaded with added encryption of AAC format as FairPlay DRM system. Later, DRM was made free in order to cease the manufacturing of pirated CDs.
In 2007, Apple reduced its rates for iTunes Plus songs and also of DRM coded tracks. Since iPod doesn`t play songs from its rival DRM technologies, it has bounded it`s user to iTunes Store only. With this Apple made limited profit, but later it enables to play music from online stores like eMusic or Amie Street. In 2007, Apple launched iTunes WiFi Music Store that enables a user to download songs from his iPhone or iPod. The downloaded media from iTunes Stores is transferred from iPods to computer with the help of software called iTunes 7 or above.
The sound quality on iPod can be enhanced with the equalizer, but one should keep in mind that high volume can cause bass distortion. The use of hardware in iPods like microcontroller, batteries, Audio chips etc. exclusively depend on the version of iPods. Upgraded iPods are available with more advanced technology. These days lots of accessories are marketed for iPods not only by Apple but also by other parties too. These accessories may enable a user to have FM radio tuners, wired remote controls etc.
iPods have marked their importance in the field of Education also, as it enables the user to download information, lesson plans etc. Apple is continuously working to bring upgrade versions of iPods.
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