Update: Apple's iPod now comes in 5GB ($299), 10GB ($399), and 20GB ($499) models. 10GB and 20GB versions ship with a belt clip. IPod can hold contacts, schedules, and has a clock. Apple is also offering a version compatible with Windows.
Back in January 2001 Apple introduced iTunes, part of its Digital Hub strategy to supply consumers with all the apps and hardware needed to equip a digital lifestyle. Apple released the iPod, an MP3 player with all the style and fun "Fresh Gear" has come to expect from the company. The device comes only a few months after the not-so-exciting Macworld Expo announcements of speedier iMacs and G4s and the OS X version 10.1 update. It's just what the Mac community was expecting.
Ahead of its class
Usually, when Apple ships something ahead of anything, it's ahead of its time (think Newton and Lisa). But this time, it seems Apple had its finger on the pulse of the digital music revolution and went with it. The iPod features a 5GB hard drive that holds (according to Apple's own numbers) 1,000 of your favorite MP3 files encoded at 160 Kbps. The device can play back MP3s, WAV files, and AIFF files (the Apple CD audio format of choice).
Keeping in line with the "everything Apple" mentality, the iPod initially worked only on the Mac (
Mediafour's XPlay software now offers Windows support), and offers seamless integration between the Mac OS and iTunes, Apple's audio software. But iPod does better than just show up as an available portable device in iTunes. Unlike most other MP3 players, it will auto-sync with your iTunes library, so when you plug in, new playlists and MP3 files on your computer will quickly find their way to your iPod. No more fiddling with drag-and-drop file transfers of your current MP3s: Just create a playlist, rip some MP3s, and plug in. Apple likes to call this the "plug, unplug, and play" strategy.
"Fresh Gear" finds iPod extremely easy to use, much easier than the handful of supported portable MP3 players that work on the Mac right now. The auto-sync feature is easy to understand, and should your collection of tunes exceed the iPod's storage maximum, a quick trip into the preferences can adjust which playlists and songs will go into your iPod, and which won't. There's even an option to turn the auto-sync off, so you can drag and drop your songs into the player.
The user interface is simple. The new iPods have a solid-state scroll pad to replace the well-known wheel, allowing you to access the various menus. The iPod has a backlight, and the text on the display is crisp. IPod can even accommodate speakers of French, German, Spanish, and Japanese.
Apple says iPod has a 10-hour battery life, and thus far we can't dispute that. The FireWire cable doesn't just provide a high-speed connection to your computer, but also supplies power, so the batteries charge when you're plugged in. This makes for one fewer cable on your desk. The included adapter will turn any AC outlet into a power-supplying FireWire port, should your iPod need charging when you're away from your computer.
Since Apple believes strongly in intellectual property rights, the designers included a unique feature in iPod: the player links itself to your iTunes database on one machine only. You can't take your iPod to work, or to a friend's, who also has iTunes, plug it in, and share your MP3s. The system reminds you that "Your iPod is linked to another iTunes database" and gives you the option to leave it that way or link to the new iTunes database -- at which point you will lose your MP3 files. While this is a great way to prevent MP3 theft, it could present a problem, should you want to use your iPod at work and at home.
Screaming FireWire
The FireWire connection makes data transfer a snap. We added 1.5GB of music in just under three minutes, and Apple claims the entire device can be filled up in around 10 minutes. Moreover, since it is FireWire, and it does have a hard drive, the iPod goes beyond simple MP3 playback. You can also load up iPod with your digital photos, movies, even documents. IPod mounts on your desktop, just like any other removable drive. You can't view this information on the iPod, but you can take the drive between machines for fast data transfer.
Everything and the kitchen sink
As is common with most Apple products, iPod gives you more than you think you'd ever need. There's enough onboard memory to give you 20 minutes of skip protection. That's a plus for anyone taking iPod on a jog, or up the side of a mountain, but also a plus for keeping the battery alive longer, since the hard drive shouldn't need to be accessed that much to keep the music going. And with a 10-hour span between charges, you could run a marathon and not miss a beat.
Summary: Hard drive-based MP3 player features unique Apple style and a feature set not before seen on a portable MP3 device. The seamless integration with iTunes offers Mac users yet another reason not to own a PC, and it gives PC users another cause for envy.
Pros: Seamless integration with iTunes; fast data transfer; easy to use.
Cons: No native Windows support; no onboard recording capabilities; no onboard equalizer.
Company ApplePrice: 5GB ($299), 10GB ($399), and 20GB ($499)
Available: Now
Category: Digital music
Platform: Macintosh
Requirements: Mac OS 9.2, Mac OS X version 10.1, iTunes 2.0.
