iPod Reviews

Apple iPod Classic 80GB (updated version) – Stores all that you have

iPod Classic, formerly called  ‘iPod video” had its fifth generation iPod released in the year 2006 that generated waves with its amazing storage bank of 80GB. Hearing 20,000 songs or playing 100 hrs of video could not get any better. This super-power gadget is designed to be trendy and the features are eye-catching.

Outlook

You have the Apple iPod classic 80GB black, all in scratch prone polycarbonate and metal enclosure with a shiny black color, thick enough as a wafer. The visually rich graphical user interface with ‘cover flow’ is a treat to users. Explore your iPod with the click-wheel to navigate, select the track and volume-control. The screen is scratch-prone and a finger-print magnet, hence, we would highly recommend a protective cover.

Design

The physical appearance of the updated version of the iPod classic 80gb has not changed from the original fifth generation. It still looks sleek with its dimensions being (H x W x D) 4.1 x 2.4 x 0.55 inches and weighs just 5.5 ounces. The iPod is having a soft and shiny plastic fascia and a metallic rear design, both of which, as we mentioned above are scratch prone. Apple can take as example a product of its own kind, the Nano which has a scratch and print proof aluminium casing. This 80GB version of the Apple iPod Classic is available in white and Silver shades.

Classic sports a LCD display of 2.5″ having a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. Another improvement that had been made was in the area of the display brightness which has been improved by up to 60 percent. The previous model had a good level of brightness but the increased brightness gives the display a better appeal. Backlights are comparably brighter for the Apple iPod classic 80GB which can be restricted only for viewing videos and photos to save up on battery. Screen brightness can be increased clicking the ‘select’ button, twice.

Enhanced interface:

One of the most impressive design improvements in Apple iPod Classic 80GB 5th Generation is the dramatically enhanced menu system with a strikingly attractive split-screen main menu which has the selected track on the right half and the picture related to the album on the left. The same split-screen magic can be viewed for other menu items too, such as podcasts, photos and movies.

The ‘cover flow’ system makes its classic debut with an emphasis on album-artwork. The noticeable lag found in the cover flow makes it quite an engaging, yet slow way to browse your music.

Features

Support for video, music playbacks, photos, podcasts and games, remain unchanged though the classic encompasses many of the features seen in portable video players. It recognizes and skips chapter-markers and can automatically resume video playback where you last left off. A small touch which is easy to miss is the newly evolved music shuffle function which helps you to randomize songs until you find an artist you enjoy.

iPod classic 80gb Fifth Gen from Apple  uses the iTunes version 7 which was initially released with a lot of bugs and then later updated with the corrections made. The iTunes store contains a huge library of audio and video entertainment which can be synced to the new Apple iPod classic 80GB. Audio-books available at the iTunes store will cater to the needs of voracious readers who wish to have their slice of reading through the iPod.

The classic is another seamless integration of various other pleasurable features which includes three interesting games, that include Tetris, Texas Hold ‘Em, and Pac-Man giving you yet another way to stay distracted and unique photo slide-shows which can be put up along with music to make one’s still-memories come alive. One enhancement that Apple has to consider in the games sector in its next iPod is that, the start-up time of the games has to be reduced; currently it is 12 seconds which is no-good.

Apple iPod classic 80GB fifth generation has a built-in search mechanism, enabling to locate the song of your choice based on any available category within the bat of an eyelid. One of the categories that you might frequently use is the alphabet style instant search which creates a list of the albums, artists and tracks with the starting letter being the first alphabet that you have entered. You would have real fun in watching the results come-up dynamically as you enter each letter. But, remember that you will have to hit on the done button in order to browse through your search results, which might at times be quite annoying.

The absence of gapless playback is one of the criticisms that Apple had to face with its previous models. This updated model of Classic has well responded by including gapless playback which is a great news for the dance music lovers.

The headphone has been enhanced and sounds good, but they found it really hard to stay firmly in ears.

Performance enhanced:

Taking ‘sound quality’ into consideration, though users do get 20 equalization presets to choose from, there can still be room for improvement. The 2.5 inches of screen is having a greater resolution, making it very impressive. Apart from the increased storage and upgraded interface, the enhanced battery life makes it a more mature iPod, many steps wiser than its predecessors.

Battery and included accessories:

The battery life has been increased largely by around 75% from its predecessor. Now you get up to 6.5 hours of video life and about 20 hours of audio life. By boosting its battery life, Apple  iPod classic has become more appealing.

Apple has done a good job by reducing the accessories that comes in the packaging. The package contents include the Apple iPod Classic 80GB itself, a set of ear buds that are newly designed, a proprietary USB cable, a soft case, and a dock adapter. You will not find a separate power adaptor which you will have to get for some extra dollars. iTunes software is also not included which will end-up as a head ache for users those who do not have access to the net.

Final Touch

Address book, built in clock, calendar and 21 languages completes the look of the Apple iPod classic 80GB fifth generation with screen-locking facility as the icing on the cake. An ultimate blend of use and aesthetics, it is a top-tier product and a listener’s dream come true.

Verdict:

Apple has given a great deal of consideration in reducing the price of this fifth generation classic with a lot of under-the-hood improvements, yet it does not completely satisfy the video lovers. The absence of any major improvements such as the FM radio, wireless recording, the small size of the display which limits the video viewing experience with a very narrow video-format compatibility, the use of proprietary USB cable and the scratch prone body are all the negatives that makes us hesitant to highly recommend this product of Apple. Some of the improvements that are most welcome by us includes the enhanced video battery life, brighter display, gapless playback, instant search and enhanced games which give the product an excellent value.

The cost of the ipod is the seller point, Apple has certainly made it very affordable.

Check latest Apple iPod reviews, Apple iPod Classic 160gb Reviews in this website.

Fifth Generation Apple iPod Classic 80GB - Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer	Apple
Model Name	Apple ipod classic 80GB black
iPod Type	iPod Classic
Generation	Fifth
Dimensions (HxWxD)	103.5 x 61.8 x 13.5 mm
Display	2.5 inch diagonal color LCD with LED back light
Resolution	320 x 240 pixel
Interface	USB 2.0 or power adapter
Audio formats supported	ACC, MP3, MP3 VBR, audible , WAV, AIFF
Battery	Built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery
Battery life	5hrs video play back 30hrs audio play back
Charge time	Fast charge time - 2hrs ( charges 80% of battery capacity) Full charge time - 4hrs
Memory capacity	80 GB
Photo formats supported	JPEG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, PSD, PNG
Ports	Stereo minijack (3.5 mm) / dock connector
Video formats supported	MPEG-4 (mp4), h.264
Play back modes	All tracks repeat, one track repeat, play list, random play/ shuffle
AC adapter included	No
Ear phones	Yes (binaural stereo)
Photo viewer	Yes
Radio	No
USB cable included	Yes
Voice recording	No
Wireless internet access	No
Special features	Metal casing, built-in clock, file browser, 21 languages, stop watch, calendar, photo viewer, address book, video playback, game function, ID3 tags support.
Body housing material	Aluminum
Colors available	Black , Silver
Included accessories	Docking station adapter
Service & support	12 months parts 12 months labor
Weight	4.9 oz or 140 grams
Box content	Apple ipod classic 80GB in black Ear phones USB2.0 cable Dock adapter Quick starter guide
Warranty	One year

Apple iPod Touch Second generation - The funniest iPod ever

The second generation of iPod touch has almost sealed the gap between the iPods and the iPhone. If you are a technology lover, then ipod-touch 32GB might be just the right one that you are searching for. The volume control and the internal speakers were the two desirable features that were available in the iPhone and that has now been included in the iPod Touch.

The first generation iPod touch which was released along with the fourth generation Nano was just seen as an MP3 player for people who could not afford the iPhone 3G. But, this 2nd gen iPod Touch, looks just identical to the iPhone and has most of its functionalities except for the ability to make calls or surf the web using 3G. But, if you are looking only for a MP4 player and not a phone, then the good news is that, the music played in iPod touch sounds better than the one played using iPhone.

Little design tweaks:

The design tweaks done to the second generation touch are very minimal. The iPod touch 32gb has a very slim and extremely compact design with its dimensions being 62 x 110 x 8 mm. It has an all metal and glass design with its new stainless steel back and feels very expensive as it looks to be. One factor that can easily spoil the reputation of a MP4 player is if it sports a bad screen. But, Apple wisely has employed the same scratch resistant 3.5″ screen that is found in the iPhone. However, we would advice you to buy a protective case as the body of the iPod is still glossy which means scratch and smudge magnet but this time around, it feels less fragile than its previous model. Apple seems to have known it previously as it has included the cleaning cloth in the package. Viewing angles on the second-generation iPod Touch seem better than the previous model, while color balance and brightness seem about the same.

Physical controls:

Coming to the physical controls, there is a button in the front face of the Touch that calls the main menu and it also sports a deactivation button found in the top left edge of the Apple iPod Touch 32gb 2nd generation. There is a volume rocker available for you in the right side of the Touch that enables you to adjust the volume on a fly. Touch has the standard 3.5mm headphone jack, which means, you can use any standard minijack headphone connection. The speaker that is included in Touch is not visible form outside.

The incredible interface- seller point:

As we all know, the main selling point of both the iPod Touch and the iPhone lies not only on its incredible load of features, but also on the interface. There are a lot of other devices that offer a better load of features with better audio and video features, but Apple’s multi-touch interface of the Touch can never be matched by any other device. The menu is predominantly icon based as is the case of the iPhone, but since Touch is basically a player, the emphasis is placed more on the music, photo and video playback. Apart from the physical volume control, you can bring-up an onscreen volume slider with a double click over the main menu button. The volume screen thus appearing can also be used for playing, pausing and skipping your music. When you flip the iPod touch on its side, a scrolling Cover Flow view of your library is shown with large album covers. Zooming of the pictures with a pinch of your fingers and gliding through your music cover makes you realize that you are certainly in the 21st century. A lot of attention has been paid to even minute details.

Ambient light sensor:

The ambient light sensor automatically adjusts the brightness to suite your ambient light in your surroundings. And as a result of this feature, you can save your battery life efficiently.

Features:

The biggest blunder that an iPhone owner can  ever make is to invest on the iPod Touch as it is simply the same. If you do not own any then lucky you as you can get all the exquisite features of the iPhone without any costly contracts. The list of features that touch offers, makes it more of a pocket PC than a player.

PDA like features:

Apart from audio and video playback, the other features that iPod Touch 2nd Gen from Apple offers you are, a photo viewer, Safari web browser, email reader and an integrated Wi-Fi music store. The other miscellaneous features available are, calendar, weather, maps, notes, stocks, contacts, clock, calendar and notes. The iTunes App store is the new feature that allows you to download in install a wide range of applications such as games, voice recorders, radio players, social networking tools and much more. This feature can be accessed either form your PC or the iPod touch itself. If the list of features that Apple offers you for the iPod touch is not enough for you, you can also opt to use a lot of other third party accessories known as, “Made for iPod” which include Bluetooth transmitters, battery packs, speaker systems and audio or video docks.

The genius software:

The 32gb Apple iPod Touch Black also has the Genius feature that allows you to create a play list of 25 songs that have similar characteristics of that of a single song. This is a real fun feature for you to enjoy on if you have a really large database of songs. The play lists that you had created using the genius software can be saved in your touch if you like the collection and they get synced automatically with your iTunes in your PC. But for this, you have to remember to enable the genius feature in your computer else, the play lists would not sync.

Upgrade worthy?

If you ask us the question if it is worth an upgrade from your first generation iPod Touch to this Second generation model, here is our answer. By spending just over 20 dollars, you will get all the software that is included in the 2nd generation Touch. But there are still a few things that you cannot get unless you spend on the Touch that is, the built-in speaker, Nike plus support, the GPS capabilities, camera and headphone jack microphone input. The inclusion of Nike plus proves Touch to be a good companion to the regular exercisers.

The external speaker and audio:

Apple iPod Touch 2G 32gb Black enjoys the fact that it was the first ever iPod to include a speaker for music and video. The sound from the external speaker is good but cannot be said as spectacular. The amount of attention that had been paid to the design has not been shown on the audio quality. The sound enhancement options form its competitors like Sony Walkman are far beyond the reach of iPod Touch which has only the average EQ presets included. The audio though is smooth and balanced and does not suffer from degradation which would satisfy most of the listeners. This second generation does not use its traditional ventilation and interestingly does not create any new holes in the case for ventilation. Rather, it is using the metal back surface of the iPod touch as a speaker, sort of like an NXT flat panel audio system. You can feel a very slight vibration when the music is put on a very high volume, but otherwise, you cannot feel any difference.

With the addition of the external speaker, games are going to be more fun. One disappointing fact is that the Touch still cannot stream flash video or audio content through its safari browser.

Video quality:

If you are a video freak, Touch has a lot to offer you. You can load you iPod Touch with video podcasts, music, TV shows, and even watch ever-ending amount of video using the included You Tube widget. Apple iPod touch’s video feature is identical to that of the iPhone’s iPod feature. The screen quality is much superior to that of its previous version. This second generation iPod display is brighter and differentiates the colors well and also does not suffer from the “negative black” (the dark colors become reflective washing out the details in the process) problem that was experienced in most of the previous Apple iPods. The TV-out feature is still absent in iPod touch. This means that you have to either buy an expensive authentication chip-based video cable, otherwise a similarly overpriced docking device in case you want to watch iPod-stored videos on an external display.

Supported formats:

The supported audio formats are, MP3, AAC (including protected files), Audible, WAV, AIFF, and Apple Lossless with no support for WMA. The MPEG-4 and H.264 are the video formats supported, and it still does not play back hi-def video than the 640×480 files.

ITunes WiFi:

The iTunes WiFi store allows you to view, purchase and download music. Only music is allowed and no movies, pod casts or games. In order to purchase you will have to enter your iTunes password for the sake of security. Once the download is complete, it is instantly available for you to listen and the next time you sync your iPod, it is transferred to your PC. This feature is almost flawless as even interrupted download continues when the WiFi connection is re-established.

Regarding the iTunes, as you know it is the music software exclusive to Apple iPods with the most number of both pros and cons. You will need the iTunes 8 to use the iPod Touch. If you are new to apple iPods and hence to iTunes, then just have a go through before you actually use the product.

Battery life:

Coming to the battery life, the iPod Touch has 36 hours of audio playback and 6 hours of video playback. Yet, the performance is mode when the WiFi is turned off. The battery performance has been increased considerably from the pervious version which had 22 hours of audio playback and 5hours of video.

Box contents:

The box contents include Apple earphones, USB-to-Dock Connector cable,  Universal Dock Adapter, an adapter of version 16, two Apple logo stickers, a safety and warranty booklet and a quick start pamphlet. Apple has a thinner and cheaper cleaning cloth, and the package also lacks the small plastic stand for viewing video. The media synchronization software is not included and so you will have to download iTunes from web. Apple iPod Touch second generation comes with one year warranty.

Verdict:

Apple iPod Touch 32gb second generation is one of the best iPods in the current market. If you are planning to buy one, then this would be a great choice for you. But if you already own the first generation touch or an iPhone, then this may not impress you much with only upgrades in display and battery life. The new apple ipod touch  makes you feel good but its price may not please you much.

Check the reviews of  iPod Classic 160GB, Shuffle 1Gb, Nano 4GB 2nd generation in our website.

Apple iPod Touch 32GB 2nd Generation - Technical Data

Model	Apple iPod touch 32GB
Manufacturer	Apple
Dimensions (H x W x D)	110 x 61.8 x 8 mm
Display	3.5 inch (diagonal) wide screen multi-touch display
Resolution	480 x 320 pixel
Interface	USB 2.0
Audio formats supported	ACC, MP3, MP3 VBR, audible (formats 2, 3 and 4), WAV, AIFF, Apple lossless
Battery	Built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery
Battery life	5hrs video play back 22hrs audio play back
Charge time	Fast charge time - 1.5hrs ( charges 80% of battery capacity) Full charge time - 3hrs
Memory capacity	32GB
Photo formats supported	JPEG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, PSD (Mac only), PNG
Ports	Stereo minijack (3.5 mm) / dock connector
Video formats supported	MPEG-4 (mp4), h.264
Play back modes	All tracks repeat, one track repeat, play list, random play/ shuffle
Ear phones	Yes (binaural stereo)
Photo viewer	Yes
USB cable included	Yes
Wireless internet access	Yes
Special features	Wi-Fi web access, multi-touch display, maps, app store, and ambient light sensor.
Mounting options	Arm band
Color	Black
Included accessories	Docking station adapter
Weight	4.2 oz
Box content	Apple ipod touch 32GB Ear phones USB2.0 cable Dock adapter Polishing cloth Quick starter guide
Warranty	One year

Apple, the creators of the most popular media players, was under criticism for their devices low battery stand. It was said that the battery was not as good as they claimed to be and the iPods were also very prone to scratches. Apple iPod Nano 4GB second generation has set new standards for gadget designs and has made the technology very flexible. Apple seems to have addressed the above mentioned issues and its consumers are delighted with the player’s performance. Apple’s first generation Nano 4GB was the first ever 4 GB flash players and the thinnest one. Apple has now unleashed the second generation of 4GB Nano. This iPod Nano does not have too many changes from that of its predecessor. The bigger iPod’s capabilities are inherited by iPod Nano 4GB with its bright color screen. With some supported upgrades, we are having a phenomenal MP3 player in front of us.

Design:

This Apple iPod Nano 4GB has avoided its simple white colour of its previous generation and has come in black and four other vibrant metallic colors like green, pink, blue and silver. The casing is similar to that of iPod mini. Its body casing is made of smooth anodized aluminium. Hence this case the iPod will not only be less scratch-prone, but also very hard-wearing. This Nano model has the click wheel control, the “hold button” is at the iPod’s top. This click wheel is very sensitive to touch. Above the click wheel is the small 35mm screen. This player’s bottom edge sports the headphone jack and a proprietary dock connector. Second generation Nano is only slightly thinner and taller than the first gen Nano.

Features:

Display:
The display in iPod Nano 4gb 2nd generation 40% brighter than the first generation. This display uses a new video technology that not only gives a lustrous picture, but also allows for the most brilliant pictures available. Though the screen is very small, it is perfectly adequate for providing sharp and colorful arts of the album cover and the text is also very easy to read. The artist and the track player is also displayed in the screen which was absent in its previous generation. The battery life status is displayed in the screen, a very welcome feature. If it indicates green, it requires no charging now but if it glows red, then you will have to charge soon. If you press the center button when the track is playing, the screen displays the track time line, and when you press it once more, a clear, bigger image of the album artwork is presented to you. The backlight provided is handy when in low-light areas, but do not keep it on for too long as it might eat up your battery backup.

Navigation:
Apple iPod 4gb Nano is easy to navigate, yet the first time users may take some time to get used to this model. The main menu has options for settings, photos, music, extras and shuffle songs. The search function is available and hence if you do not remember the location of it, you can just make use of this handy function.

Some handy features:
This revamped Nano still lacks FM tuner and so, in order to listen to the FM radio in Nano, you have to get a radio remote of Apple. For recording, a different accessory has to be picked like the Belkin’s tune talk. This iPod Nano supports photo viewing and album art. You can view the photos in a 3 x 3 thumbnail preview grid. The absence of video playback is prominent and this is because many of Nano’s competitors offer it. Even if apple has included the video playback feature, Nano’s small screen would have not complemented it. This unit has included some handy features like the contact book, calculator and a locking feature to keep you iPod away from prying eyes.

The iTunes:
As the CD is omitted with the package, the itunes has to be downloaded from the web. This is not a complicated task. All you need to do is, just follow the on screen instructions and agree to a couple of user agreements and then register your iPod. Then connect the dock connector to one end and the USB side to a port on your PC. From then on it is a long wait for you as the player takes around 4 hours to get fully charged. Once the charging process is over, you can then set up an account with the itunes store and begin to transfer songs to your player.

Apple iPod Nano 2G is now capable of playback sans any hesitations found in the previous generation, but it must be delegated to iTunes 7 to be break-free. This upgraded version of itunes has made the usability of this iPod excellent. Once the iTunes software is installed, all you need to do to get set is, just connect the phone to your PC and the syncing can be done either automatically or manually. Manual syncing is necessary only if you are intending to sync with more than one library.

Compatibility:
Apple iPod 4gb Nano is compatible with the protected AAC files, AAC lossless, MP3, WAV, AIFF and Audible files.

Performance:

Apple iPod Nano 4GB has doubled its battery life to a respectable 24 hours. The sound quality has not changed from its previous version and has continued to do an excellent job. Since the processor is very fast, the navigation was speedy and the photos also loaded quickly. Selections are snap with the single click mouse wheel. The games menu is still loaded with the four games that the previous generation contained.

Package:

The tiny clear see-through plastic casing of 2G Nano includes everything that you may be requiring for the basic usage. These include a dock adaptor, a USB cable for syncing/charging, a pair of white ear buds, quick start guide, a user agreement with warranty information which covers the product for one year and two apple logo stickers. Though the head-phone provided is clumsy, the external speaker attached to the headphone jack does a great job. IPod Nano 4GB comes with 1 year warranty.

Apple has not brought about any new drastic features in this competitive world of the MP3 players, but a few advancements from its previous generations such as the brighter display, longer battery life and gapless playback are definitely welcome. With its new design and performance enhancements, this generation Nano is recommended for sure.

Technical Specification Details of Apple iPod Nano 4GB - 2nd Generation

Manufacturer	Apple
Model Name	IPod Nano 4GB Second Generation
Dimensions ( W x H x D)	90 x 40 x 6.5 mm
Weight	40 grams
Colours Available	Silver, black, pink, green and blue
Display screen size	38 mm
Supported digital audio standards	MP3
Supported audio formats	MP3, WAV, AAC , MP3 VBR , AIFF.
Built-in camera	No
Built-in microphone	No
Memory	4GB
Number of tracks loadable	1000
On screen display status for	Battery level, play mode
Battery type	Rechargeable Lithium ion
Battery life	24 hrs
Included cable	USB2.0
Warranty	1 year