iPod

The iPod is a small portable music player created by Apple. It is actually a combination digital audio player and portable hard drive with either a 10GB, 15GB or 30GB hard drive. It can be connected to a computer through a FireWire or USB port. Users can transfer songs to their iPod with their computer and the iPod software. It is possible to load an entire CD onto an iPod in as little as 10 seconds, you can keep up to 10,000 songs (or audiobooks) on your iPod! It's another revolutionary Apple product; the next-generation is known as the iPod touch.

Known as being extremely user-friendly, you navigate the iPod with a "touch wheel" designed for one-hand operation. If you like to listen to music while you run, for example, you won't have to worry about it "skipping" as is the case when moving and listening to a CD player. Nor do you have to lug around a bunch of CDs anymore, iPod supports most audio file formats including MP3 and wav. It also contains a vareity of extra features including games, a calendar, alarm clock, voice memos, and text notes.

Historical Perspective: On Feb. 25, 2006, Coldplay's "Speed of Sound" became the billionth song downloaded from iTunes. The downloader was Alex Ostrovsky of Bloomfield, Michigan, who won a new iMac, iPod and $10,000 in iTunes credit. In addition, a scholarship to the Juilliard School of Music was set up in his name :-)