Apple iPod Classic Reviewer's Comments
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Dust off your toy box and load it up with new toys—the iPod has more fun gadgets and dress-ups than any other portable. Our “TopTenREVIEWS Gold Award” winner likes to play and with 160GB of storage can play almost anything including video, music and even games.
In addition to music, the iPod also displays images and text, lets you catch up on your reading with audio books, and easy downloads from the iTunes store. This portable is truly pocket-size and can display more image types than any other player including jpeg, gif and more.
Although the iPod Classic lacks a few features like an FM radio, voice recording and removable storage, which we hope to see in future models, overall, we felt you got more memory for your dollarApple iPod Classic Screenshots. Click to Enlarge
Features:
The iPod can play music and display video, images and text. However, it cannot play or record FM radio without an added accessory. It has a few time management tools such as a clock, a stopwatch and a sleep timer.
Unlike many players the iPod can support games, though currently most games are relatively simple, including titles like Tetris, Ms. Pac-Man and Sudoko. And more are becoming available everyday.
The iPod is compatible with Windows XP (service pack two or later), Windows Vista, as well as Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later. You can even get shareware versions of Linux to download onto your iPod if you are a competent techie.
This player comes with earbud headphones, a USB 2.0 cable, a dock adapter, a case, a quick start guide and software for iTunes. If you want to add FM radio ability you can get an iPod radio remote for $49, or consider the Archos 605 or Zen Vision: W, which comes with an integrated FM tuner.Music Formats:
The iPod supports five types of sound files including aac, mp3, m4a, wav and aiff. It doesn't support wma files, so if you want to play something in this format on your iPod you will have to convert it first.
The audio file formats it does support work with the popular download site iTunes. Additionally, mp3 and wav files are common on other sites so you should be able to download almost anything you want without having to convert.
Picture Formats:
The iPod is compatible with six image file types, more than any other player. It can download and display jpg, gif, bmp, tiff, png and psd formats. Apple offers an optional camera connector cable for quick downloads when you are on the road that costs only $29 and works with cameras that connect by USB.
Video Formats:
The video formats supported by the iPod are not as numerous as the Vision: M, but still notable. It supports mp4, m4v, H.264 and mov file types, which is more than most players. This player is compatible with QuickTime; however, it does not support Windows Media wmv files without conversion.
Physical Features:
At 2.4 x 4.1 x .55 inches, this player is pocket-size. The viewing screen is 2.5 inches diagonal and has the same resolution as the Vision: M (320X240) though neither one of these players' resolution is as high as the Wolverine's (720x480). It has a clickwheel for easy navigation and can play up to 20 hours of music on the 60GB or 14 hours of music playing on the 30GB before recharge.
This player comes in either black or white; the back is a shiny metal and can be engraved for free. Apple also offers a U2 version that is black with a red clickwheel and is engraved with the bands' signature on the back. Because of the iPod's popularity there are numerous cases, skins and other accessories available if you want to change the look of the player.
Help/Support:
Apple only offers telephone support for 90 days. For extended service you have to pay $59 for a protection plan to get two years of telephone, chat and web support.
Apple posts volumes of information online such as FAQs, tutorials and manuals, but it is difficult to actually interact with an Apple representative unless you pay for the protection plan or visit an Apple store.
On the positive side, they do provide free shipping for purchases.
Summary:
The iPod by Apple is an exceptional multipurpose player that has been so trendy you can find endless amounts of accessories and downloads.
The iPod by Apple is an exceptional multipurpose player that has been so trendy you can find endless amounts of accessories and downloads.
If you want FM radio and the ability to record voice you may want to consider an Archos or Creative product.
©2008 TopTenREVIEWS, Inc.
