iPOD GENERATION - 2010

Ever since the evolution of big hefty computers to small tiny devices that look like cigar cases, the general requirement of gadgets in daily routine is like preferring an extra toast over the sandwich. Yet it is seen almost everywhere that somehow all this technology relates us to the way we have to survive in this metropolitan world therefore portable multimedia is very popular in our generation who also tend to have 'boredom' as a facetious excuse.  Notably, Apple Inc. line of portable media players, the iPod is palatable to even narcissists. The iPod branding actually consists of various different models depending on the device type that differ with storage capacity & practicality with continual meliorating of the former model thus, juxtaposing generation to generation.

iPod is the biggest selling music player, at present sales touching around 220 million. Apples Ins. rival at initial years was Creative Technologies with their patent, Zen. After being filed a lawsuit Apple Inc. settled the dispute by paying $100 million for a paid-up license, after which iPod line was going to incline. As the companies CEO, Steve Jobs had himself looked over the development of this ultra portable technology, the hardware engineers managed to produce the first device in a year's time therefore first iPod was announced in October 2001.Ever since Apple Inc. has vigorously developed the product line with an evolution that has currently led many other portable media player (PMP) parties to struggle & develop better standards that Apple Inc. offers. The product line comes in various vibrant colors in which the (PRODUCT) Red costs $5 more; hereby the amount is donated to Global fund to fight AIDS. The most popular of the line is iPod Classic (video) which is known for its high storage capacity using an internal hard drive, up to 160 Gigabits that up till now is hackneyed in form of 6 generations i.e. from the 1^st to 6^th generation model. It offers ample music playback with a long battery time, thereby being a popular choice for the working population also because it acts as a storage medium too. The compact iPod Nano which has relatively less storage capacity (max 16GB) as it uses flash memory & it is a compact PMP with up till 6^th generation. Apart from music playback the latter & nano display photos, play videos, store notes & addresses moreover have alarm, calendar, games & the 6^th generation nano is capable to record video. The Operating System (iOS) is user friendly & the click wheel that is used to scroll is as easy to use as smudging delicate sketches because it is touch sensitive. The wheel has four basic buttons labeled, play/pause, Menu & other two to back or forward track. Apart from the iconic design of classic & nano, iPod shuffle is tangible enough due to its dimensions & portability up till 4^th generation & the devices are very small & affordable for a decent storage capacity for they use flash memory, notably has no screen so only music playback is possible. The 3^rd generation model quasi the tiniest of Zippo lighters with no buttons on the device except from hold switch; instead they are located in the earphone wire. iPod shuffle is very popular as a tiny music device that anyone can hardly notice due to its size therefore preferred by people outdoors who tend to keep themselves fit. iPod touch is relatively a different device which has an iOS of the iPhone, as it gets its name simply because it has a touch screen but has no phone call capabilities. As compared to latter devices iPod touch is larger with a 3.5inch display screen, runs till 3^rd generation with maximum storage capacity of 64GB. The ramification of iPod into new designs has led this device to stand out like a super model. It offers more than just music or video playback, to mention, the 3^rd generation offers HD video recording & Wifi web browsing with the credibility to add thousands of applications, which our generation finds alluring.

Ever since Apple Inc. introduced the iPod, every owner has wanted to upgrade to the newer version/generation of the device that is announced. It may be called curiosity or passion to own a better PMP, iPod has now got the best reputation of its class & to mention youth, owning this device is a status symbol for many however the general price of the product line-up is much higher than of the similar products by other manufacturers. Practically known,  iPod is a very secure medium for storage as even the media content has to be specifically synchronized via Apple iTunes or a dedicated program & this can only be hosted by one computer at a time therefore it is known to have been used as a secure delivery mechanism for businesses & anti piracy protocols. A very definite reason for the success of the product is the availability of accessories, it may be Apples or a third party who sell under the label, 'Made for iPod' which seems like a girl opting for shiny party wear. These range from advanced wireless earphone types, docks & FM tuner for playback in cars, portable & external speakers, wired remote controls, protective cases & to the extent where a few airlines had agreements to install iPod seat connectors for charging & playback on seatback screens. According to a survey, whoever buys an iPod is willing to purchase some other Apple product due to its reliability, performance & build quality. Our generation is oblique towards better education using IT so iPods have been used by firms for training, verbal & visual. Duke University provided iPods to all the fresh students in fall of 2004 & it continues today.

As the basic music playback device, iPod has evolved into a palm size media hub, revolutionizing the limits of a handheld PMP & pacifying the younger people to adapt a sense that, 'future is here in small & powerful'.