iPod Details
iPod is a brand of portable media players designed and marketed by Apple and launched in October 2001. Devices in the iPod range are primarily digital audio players, designed around a central click wheel — with exception to the iPod Shuffle, which uses buttons because of its size. As of October 2005, the line-up consists of the video-capable fifth generation iPod, the smaller iPod nano, and the display-less iPod shuffle. The full-sized model stores media on an internal hard drive, while the smaller iPod nano and iPod shuffle use flash memory. Like many digital music players, iPods can also serve as external data storage devices. In January 2007, Apple announced the iPhone, a device that combined the features of the video-capable iPod with mobile phone and mobile Internet capabilities.
Apple's iTunes software is used to transfer music to the devices. As a free jukebox application, iTunes stores an entire music library on the user's computer and can play, burn, and rip music from a CD. It can also transfer photos, videos, games, and calendars to the models that support them.
Apple focused its development on the iPod's unique user interface and its ease of use, rather than on technical capability. As of April 2007, the iPod had sold over 100 million units worldwide.[1] This makes the iPod the best-selling digital audio player series in history. Some of Apple's design choices and proprietary actions have, however, led to criticism and legal battles.
Apple's iTunes software is used to transfer music to the devices. As a free jukebox application, iTunes stores an entire music library on the user's computer and can play, burn, and rip music from a CD. It can also transfer photos, videos, games, and calendars to the models that support them.
Apple focused its development on the iPod's unique user interface and its ease of use, rather than on technical capability. As of April 2007, the iPod had sold over 100 million units worldwide.[1] This makes the iPod the best-selling digital audio player series in history. Some of Apple's design choices and proprietary actions have, however, led to criticism and legal battles.
Hardware
Chipsets and electronics
Microcontroller
iPod first to third generations — Two ARM 7TDMI-derived CPUs running at 90 MHz.
iPod fourth and fifth generations, iPod mini, iPod nano first generation — Variable-speed ARM 7TDMI CPUs, running at a peak of 80 MHz to save battery life.
iPod nano second generation — Samsung System-On-Chip, based around an ARM processor.[10]
iPod shuffle first generation — SigmaTel STMP3550 chip that handles both the music decoding and the audio circuitry.[11]
Audio chip
All iPods (except the shuffle) use audio codecs developed by Wolfson Microelectronics.
Storage medium
iPod first to fifth generation — 45.7 mm (1.8 in) hard drives (ATA, 4200 rpm with proprietary connectors) made by Toshiba
iPod mini — 25.4 mm (1 in) Microdrives manufactured by Hitachi and Seagate
iPod nano — Flash memory from Samsung, Toshiba, and others.
iPod shuffle — Flash memory
Batteries
iPod first and second generation, nano, shuffle — Internal lithium polymer batteries
iPod third to fifth generation — Internal lithium-ion batteries
Connectivity
Two iPod wall chargers, with FireWire (left) and USB (right) connectors, which allow iPods to charge without a computer.
Originally, a FireWire connection to the host computer was used to update songs or recharge the battery. The battery could also be charged with a power adapter that was included with the first 4 generations. The third generation began including a dock connector, allowing for FireWire or USB connectivity. This provided better compatibility with PCs, as most of them did not have FireWire ports at the time. However, the device could not be charged over USB, so the FireWire cables were nonetheless needed to connect to the AC adapter. The dock connector also brought opportunities to exchange data, sound and power with an iPod, which ultimately created a large market of accessories, manufactured by third parties such as Belkin and Griffin. The second generation iPod shuffle uses a single 3.5 mm jack which acts as both a headphone jack and a data port for the dock.
The iPod mini and the fourth generation iPod allowed recharging via USB and eventually Apple began shipping iPods with USB cables instead of FireWire, although the latter was available separately. As of the fifth generation iPod, Apple discontinued using FireWire for data transfer and made a full transition to USB 2.0, due to its widespread adoption. FireWire was then usable for recharging only.
Accessories
Many companies, including Apple, produce accessories designed for iPods. This market is sometimes described as the iPod ecosystem.[12] Some accessories add extra features that other music players have, such as sound recorders, FM radio tuners, wired remote controls, and audio/visual cables for TV connections. Other accessories offer more unique features like the Nike+iPod pedometer and the iPod Camera Connector. Other notable accessories include external speakers, wireless remote controls, protective cases/films and wireless earphones.[13] Among the first accessory manufacturers were Griffin Technology, Belkin, JBL, Bose, Monster Cable, and SendStation.
Two designs of iPod earbuds. The revised version is shown on the right.
The white earphones (or "earbuds") that ship with all iPods have become symbolic of the brand. Advertisements feature them prominently, often contrasting the white earphones (and cords) with people shown as dark silhouettes. The earphones have been revised twice: The first type came with the first and second generations, and the second type appeared on all iPods up to the second generation nanos.
In 2005, New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority placed adverts on the subways warning passengers that "Earphones are a giveaway. Protect your device",[14] after iPod thefts on the subway rose from zero in 2004 to 50 in the first three months of 2005.[15]
BMW released the first iPod automobile interface,[16] allowing drivers of newer BMW vehicles to control their iPod using either the built-in steering wheel controls or the radio head-unit buttons. Apple announced in 2005 that similar systems would be available for other vehicle brands, including Mercedes-Benz,[17] Volvo,[18] Nissan, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari,[19] Acura, Audi, Honda,[20] Renault and Volkswagen.[21] Scion offers standard iPod connectivity on all their cars.
Some independent stereo manufacturers including JVC, Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine, and Harman Kardon also have iPod-specific integration solutions. Alternative connection methods include adaptor kits (that use the cassette deck or the CD changer port), audio input jacks, and FM transmitters such as the iTrip — although personal FM transmitters are illegal in some countries. Many car manufacturers have added audio input jacks as standard.[22]
Beginning in mid-2007, four major airlines, United, Continental, Delta, and Emirates reached agreements to install iPod seat connections. The free service will allow passengers to power and charge their iPod, and view their video and music libraries on individual seat-back displays.[23] Originally KLM and Air France were reported to be part of the deal with Apple, but they later released statements explaining that they were only contemplating the possibility of incorporating such systems.[24]
Chipsets and electronics
Microcontroller
iPod first to third generations — Two ARM 7TDMI-derived CPUs running at 90 MHz.
iPod fourth and fifth generations, iPod mini, iPod nano first generation — Variable-speed ARM 7TDMI CPUs, running at a peak of 80 MHz to save battery life.
iPod nano second generation — Samsung System-On-Chip, based around an ARM processor.[10]
iPod shuffle first generation — SigmaTel STMP3550 chip that handles both the music decoding and the audio circuitry.[11]
Audio chip
All iPods (except the shuffle) use audio codecs developed by Wolfson Microelectronics.
Storage medium
iPod first to fifth generation — 45.7 mm (1.8 in) hard drives (ATA, 4200 rpm with proprietary connectors) made by Toshiba
iPod mini — 25.4 mm (1 in) Microdrives manufactured by Hitachi and Seagate
iPod nano — Flash memory from Samsung, Toshiba, and others.
iPod shuffle — Flash memory
Batteries
iPod first and second generation, nano, shuffle — Internal lithium polymer batteries
iPod third to fifth generation — Internal lithium-ion batteries
Connectivity
Two iPod wall chargers, with FireWire (left) and USB (right) connectors, which allow iPods to charge without a computer.
Originally, a FireWire connection to the host computer was used to update songs or recharge the battery. The battery could also be charged with a power adapter that was included with the first 4 generations. The third generation began including a dock connector, allowing for FireWire or USB connectivity. This provided better compatibility with PCs, as most of them did not have FireWire ports at the time. However, the device could not be charged over USB, so the FireWire cables were nonetheless needed to connect to the AC adapter. The dock connector also brought opportunities to exchange data, sound and power with an iPod, which ultimately created a large market of accessories, manufactured by third parties such as Belkin and Griffin. The second generation iPod shuffle uses a single 3.5 mm jack which acts as both a headphone jack and a data port for the dock.
The iPod mini and the fourth generation iPod allowed recharging via USB and eventually Apple began shipping iPods with USB cables instead of FireWire, although the latter was available separately. As of the fifth generation iPod, Apple discontinued using FireWire for data transfer and made a full transition to USB 2.0, due to its widespread adoption. FireWire was then usable for recharging only.
Accessories
Many companies, including Apple, produce accessories designed for iPods. This market is sometimes described as the iPod ecosystem.[12] Some accessories add extra features that other music players have, such as sound recorders, FM radio tuners, wired remote controls, and audio/visual cables for TV connections. Other accessories offer more unique features like the Nike+iPod pedometer and the iPod Camera Connector. Other notable accessories include external speakers, wireless remote controls, protective cases/films and wireless earphones.[13] Among the first accessory manufacturers were Griffin Technology, Belkin, JBL, Bose, Monster Cable, and SendStation.
Two designs of iPod earbuds. The revised version is shown on the right.
The white earphones (or "earbuds") that ship with all iPods have become symbolic of the brand. Advertisements feature them prominently, often contrasting the white earphones (and cords) with people shown as dark silhouettes. The earphones have been revised twice: The first type came with the first and second generations, and the second type appeared on all iPods up to the second generation nanos.
In 2005, New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority placed adverts on the subways warning passengers that "Earphones are a giveaway. Protect your device",[14] after iPod thefts on the subway rose from zero in 2004 to 50 in the first three months of 2005.[15]
BMW released the first iPod automobile interface,[16] allowing drivers of newer BMW vehicles to control their iPod using either the built-in steering wheel controls or the radio head-unit buttons. Apple announced in 2005 that similar systems would be available for other vehicle brands, including Mercedes-Benz,[17] Volvo,[18] Nissan, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari,[19] Acura, Audi, Honda,[20] Renault and Volkswagen.[21] Scion offers standard iPod connectivity on all their cars.
Some independent stereo manufacturers including JVC, Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine, and Harman Kardon also have iPod-specific integration solutions. Alternative connection methods include adaptor kits (that use the cassette deck or the CD changer port), audio input jacks, and FM transmitters such as the iTrip — although personal FM transmitters are illegal in some countries. Many car manufacturers have added audio input jacks as standard.[22]
Beginning in mid-2007, four major airlines, United, Continental, Delta, and Emirates reached agreements to install iPod seat connections. The free service will allow passengers to power and charge their iPod, and view their video and music libraries on individual seat-back displays.[23] Originally KLM and Air France were reported to be part of the deal with Apple, but they later released statements explaining that they were only contemplating the possibility of incorporating such systems.[24]
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