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In the Mac and PC world, when a new version of an existing computer arrives that offers modest improvements in processor speed, greater hard-drive capacity, more built-in RAM, and, perhaps, a more robust graphics card, the update is referred to as a "speed bump." The machine is enhanced in ways to make it more desirable, but there's nothing earthshakingly different under the hood.
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If you've ever been on a photo shoot and despaired at the prospect of keeping multiple CompactFlash cards in order, conserving space on a card, or lugging your laptop around for storing images, Belkin's Digital Camera Link for iPod has your name on it. The Digital Camera Link is a specialized device that does one thing: it transfers photos from a digital camera to an iPod for storage until you can transfer them to your Mac.
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Until recently, iPods could receive information only from a computer -- contacts, calendars, and MP3 files all had to be imported. Now the iPod can be used as a recording device, too, for directly storing and playing back audio. You're not going to want to record your band's demo on your iPod, but if you want to capture close-range interviews or voice memos, the Belkin Voice Recorder for iPod and the Griffin Technology iTalk iPod Voice Recorder can get the job done. In the end, though, the Griffin is our pick, thanks to its better sound quality.
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As always, the iPod is still a white-fronted, stainless-steel-backed device that's roughly the size of a deck of cards. The addition of an iPod mini-like gray Click Wheel replacing the touch-sensitive buttons is the biggest change you'll find in this generation of iPod. The row of buttons located above the Touch Wheel on the previous model seemed like a good idea on paper, but they were too easy to hit by accident. To skip songs, play, pause, and navigate the new iPod's menus, you now physically depress the edge of the iPod's Scroll Wheel at one of the four compass points, each of which is labeled with that button's function.
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With its white plastic design and scroll wheel, Macsense's HomePod is inspired by Apple's iPod in more ways than its name. But the HomePod, an MP3 player that streams music over a network from your Mac, doesn't come close to matching the elegance and ease of use of the groundbreaking player it seeks to emulate.
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When Apple's iPod burst onto the scene, many people who previously hadn't thought about buying an MP3 player snapped to attention. Flash-memory-based players had been fairly inexpensive but very frustrating to use with Macs. Now the hard-drive-based iPod and iPod mini are the best-selling MP3 players on the market. Given this new context, we decided it was time to look at the alternatives, for people who are on a tight budget and who just want to use a player at the gym or during a commute, and not for storing a huge music collection.
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Yes. Apple has an official out-of-warranty battery replacement program for $59 + $6.95 shipping in the United States (see also: Europe and Canada pricing). The program requires that you send in your iPod (any model), and Apple will replace the battery and return it to you for $59 plus shipping and handling. Technically, Apple actually replaces your whole iPod with an equivalent new model or factory-refurbished model in a brand new enclosure, with its own 90-day service warranty; if the iPod was previously engraved by Apple, it will be engraved again. AppleCare programs for iPod are also available in some markets outside the US, and are expected soon in other markets. 3rd-party ipod battery companies provide better batteries and faster service than Apple.
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Keep in mind that 3rd-party ipod battery companies provide better batteries and faster service than Apple.
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Yes and no. The iPod's case is not designed to be opened, so, in that respect, it's not what would generally be referred to as "user-replaceable". However, with the right set of tools and instructions from one of the following vendors, you can replace the battery yourself and avoid all the hassle by going through Apple:
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You can extend the iPod's warranty, including battery coverage, to two years with AppleCare Protection Plan for iPod. Numerous retailers, such as Best Buy, CompUSA, Circuit City, etc., also have very inexpensive extended warranty coverage available for iPod. Often these plans simply replace the product with a comparable new unit.
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