5th generation ipod
iPod, a product of Apple is a brand of portable media players. The ipods are mainly designed to playback audio files. The device consists of a click wheel located at the center. From its introduction in October 2001, there has been a continuous revising of the product and more software features catering to the different consumer demands has been added and it has been named as the 1st generation iPods, the 2nd generation iPods etc. to differentiate between the later and the earlier versions. There also have been models named according to their size like the iPod mini and iPod nano.
iPod uses a built in hard drive to store media files, although for the smaller models like the iPod nano, a flash memory is used. iPods also serve as data storage devices just like any other digital media players.
A software known as iTunes is used to transfer music to the device. The user can store music files, play them, and also burn and rip music from an external source. Apple, different from most others, has given more importance to the convenience of the user than its technical versatility.
iPod is designed to play most of the popularly used audio file types such as mp3, aiff, wav, audible audiobook, protected aac, aac/m4a . it is also able to play picture file types such as jpeg, bmp, gif, tiff and png. The 5th generation iPods can also play video formats such as mpeg-4 and QuickTime video formats.
5th generation iPods: The fifth generation iPod released in 2005 has a number of new features introduced in it along with all the features of the last generation being retained. The most attractive facility in the new ipod is that it is possible for you to watch your favorite TV program or movie on your iPod irrespective of whether you are in the middle of a journey or during the intervals in your work place.
The models: There are three models introduced in the 5th generation which are specifically designed to satisfy the iPod fans with varied interests. They are
iPod shuffle: the iPod shuffle, being lowly priced is intended for people who could not afford for an expensive model. It is also suitable to customers who are mainly interested only in hearing the music rather than to watch the videos and pictures, as the iPod shuffle comes without a screen.
iPod nano: As the name suggests, iPod nano is most popular among the three 5G models. Also, data, music, and images could be stored and played on the iPod nano which has a colored screen.
iPod video: The iPod video which is targeted towards those who are ready to invest bigger amounts towards their iPod, comes with the facility of watching video on the slightly bigger screen specially provided for this model. The iPod video plays 30 fps video display.
Differences from the earlier generation iPods to the new 5th generation iPods could be classified as follows:
1) Hard disc: Unlike with the 4G (4th generation models) models. Flash drives are introduced in the 5th generation models namely in the iPod shuffle and iPod nano. The flash hard drive, being very slim and also more resistant to shock and able to withstand sudden movements, makes the iPod more efficient in its working and also contributes to its life. It also allows the user more freedom in the sense that it could be used for activities which involve rigorous movements like sports and dance without the fear of any damage causing to the device.
2) Battery life: Taking into consideration the widespread criticism that due to the short battery life that the 4G models had, the device could not be put to use for longer periods, vast improvement has been brought to the battery life of 5G iPods. The new iPod could be used upto 14 hrs as compare to the 8 hrs in the case of the 4G models.
3) Color: Color screen and playback has been introduced to the new iPod nano and iPod video. Earlier, only the iPod photo was the model with color playback.
4) Introduction of video: Option of storing and playing video has been introduce with the new iPod video, which was not available in the 4G models.
5) Casing: Whereas with the 4G models there was a wider range of choice of color, with the 5G models, the choice of color has been restricted to either black or white, with the exception of iPod shuffle which comes only in white. Also the material used for the casing for all iPods has been standardized to hard acrylic. Earlier, aluminum was used for some models.
6) Clickwheel: The iPod clickwheel was earlier produced by another company other than Apple. The 5G iPod clickwheels are being designed and produced by Apple itself which has drawn praise from the users.
7) Headphone jack: Whereas the earlier iPods had the headphone jack on top of them. Now in the 5G series, the iPod nano has the headphone jack at the bottom.
Taking care of your iPod: iPods are one of the most vulnerable electronic devices, and if not properly cared, its efficiency of working and the life itself would be affected badly.
The vulnerable areas or the areas to be specially looked after in the iPod nano and the iPod video are the screen, clickwheel and the back. It is advisable that you buy the protectors for the screen and wheel as early as the time of purchase itself. Also it is a good idea to go for a leather case for your iPod as they are available aplenty and also in various colors in the online stores. As with iPod shuffle the fact that it is made of case-hardened acrylic, it is more resistant to scratches which means that an external case is not a must in the case of iPod shuffle. The parts of iPods other than the screen could be cleaned using a damp cloth. For the screen, it is better to use soft cloth such as spectacle cloth for cleaning.
Other Articles
