IPod

iPod is a brand of portable digital audio players designed and marketed by Apple Computer. (Hewlett-Packard also markets the product under the name Apple iPod + HP, but announced on July 29 2005 they would stop reselling it in September 2005, when existing stock is projected to be depleted). Devices in the iPod family offer a simple user interface designed around a central scroll wheel. Most iPod models store media on a built-in hard drive, while the smaller iPod nano and iPod shuffle use flash memory. Like most digital audio players, an iPod can serve as an external data storage device when connected to a computer.

Third-party accessories

iPod has created a large and growing aftermarket accessory industry; in the 2005 Macworld keynote, Steve Jobs referred to it as "the iPod economy." The large availability of these aftermarket products may be one of the reasons that the iPod is so popular among consumers.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

iPod accessories include memory-card readers, FM tuners, and voice recording modules. Some of the accessories, like the speaker systems made by Bose and the in-car audio interfaces for BMW, make use of the docking connectors found at the bottom of the iPod and have the user dock the unit in the device. These connectors provide control and information as well as a path for the sound signal and power to run the iPod or accessory.

Related Topics:
FM - Bose - BMW

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Third-party software tools supporting iPod include:

Software tools

• AmaroK, an audio player for KDE that has integrated iPod support.
• Banshee, a GNOME audio management and playback application that has full iPod support, using new iPod technology in GNOME (libipoddevice) and Mono (ipod-sharp).
• EphPod, a Windows application that duplicates many of the features of iTunes. EphPod also allows copying of music from an iPod to a computer.
• Foobar2000, an audio player for Windows that can interact with iPod with the optional installation of the foo_pod plugin.
• iPodLinux Project, a Linux based OS made for the iPod. It currently offers support for the first, second, and third generation iPods. While it may work for the other generation iPods, including the mini, it is not officially supported.
• RhythmBox, a GNOME-based iTunes clone.
• gtkpod, an iPod-targeted GTK-based iPod manager for systems using the GTK toolkit.
• GNUpod, a set of Perl applications for Unix-like systems. It uses its own XML database so users can easily edit specific tags on songs, or create playlists, then can re-compile iTunesDB so the iPod can use the database
• SharePod, a free Windows-based application that resides on your iPod and lets you copy music from and to your iPod on any computer.
• Winamp, a popular audio player under Windows that supports iPods with the installation of the open-source plugin ml_ipod.
• CopyPod, a tool used to rip songs off the iPod. Often used for backup purposes.

Hardware accessories

• Griffin Technology makes several iPod accessories, including the iTrip, iBeam, iTalk, PowerPod, iFM and EarJam.
• XtremeMac iPod Accessories
• naviPod by TEN Technology is a 5-button infrared remote control for the Apple iPod.
• The inMotion Speakers by Altec Lansing act as a charging station as well as a dock while turning the iPod into a speaker system. The designers have made the iMmini variation on these speakers for compatibility with the iPod mini.
• BMW releases the first iPod automobile interface to come from an automotive companyhttp://www.ipodyourbmw.com/. The interface allows drivers of late-model BMW vehicles to control their iPod through the built-in steering wheel controls and the radio head unit buttons. The iPod attaches to a cable harness in the car's glove compartment and allows the driver to create up to five unique "BMW playlists" that are displayed through the vehicle's radio head unit.
• The Macworld Expo in January 2005 announced that, by Spring 2005, more auto manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari will include similar systems.
• Apple announced in September of this year that they now have deals with Acura, Audi, Honda and Volkswagen to integrate the iPod into their car stereos this year. With these deals Apple now has 15 car companies worldwide planning to offer iPod integration. More than thirty percent of the cars in the United States now include iPod support. Honda will be the first to include text-to-speech capabilities that allow drivers to search for playlists, artist and album names or genre. http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2005/jan/11cars.html http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articledId=107194
• One alternative method to the dealership installation of an iPod adapter is available at MP3yourcar.com http://www.MP3yourcar.com. This website sells aftermarket adapters that integrate your iPod to the factory stero system. This option enables you to use your regular stereo controls similar to the dealership option. However the website does not inform you how to install the adapter but this option has received good reviews on Edmunds.com http://www.edmunds.com.
• A wide variety of other third-party products also exists and more appear every day, from voice recorders through games and other iPod-based software to various connection devices and adapters.
• A large accessory market has grown up around the iPod, including cases and tattoos such as those made by Hotromz which feature unusual cases made from faux fur, feathers, organic hemp fiber and mohair; or by foof, who offer fabrics made from tweed, corduroy and kimono obi.