How to Get The Most Out of Your iPod!

iPod Photo

Visit our Audio Blog: iPod

Get Ready for the iPod Photo!

So the iPod offers you music, educational tools, and now photo display!  Apple released the iPod photo in early 2005.  The portable music player now has a color screen to allow users to display photos and album art. 

The iPod photo can send photos to a television via a composite or S-video cable.
The iPod photo can hold 30,000 photos, but it costs “an arm and a leg” according to some consumers.   Rumors have it however that as soon as it’s picked up and given a look-see, the temptation to buy one gets very, very strong.  So beware!

Using your iPod

Congratulations!  You are the proud owner of an iPod; maybe more than one, if it’s just after holiday season and you were the beneficiary of such nice presents!

Now, we’re noted earlier that Apple has done a very good job of making things as simple as possible.  However, there are limits to how simple things can get; and there are elements of iPod ownership that can be a little bit complicated. 

If you’re intimidated by technology, or if like a lot of people you’re worried about doing some damage, then this section is for you!
The Remote

The iPods are small, delicate things; particularly the iPod nano.  While they are somewhat designed for real-life usage, they are vulnerable to the elements and to scratching.  For this reason, many people gladly reach for their iPod remote instead of fiddling with their precious little device by hand. 

Fiddling with your iPod while driving is risky business, but if you absolutely must do so, think about using a remote control, a valuable device even if your iPod is within reach.  Apple makes one and it retails for about $40.00-$45.00.  

Car iPod?

Yup, in case you aren’t aware, you can mount your iPod in your car and enjoy it as you motor to work (or anywhere else for that matter).  In June of 2004, MacWorld magazine conducted a survey of mounting options available for iPods, and discovered about a dozen products available, ranging in price from $15.00 to $50.00.  Some devices hook into vents, some are for dockable iPods only, some tilt and swivel, and still others attach to car dashboards. 

If you do decide to mount your iPod to your car (thus making it a much cooler car!), you probably want to know how to fine tune your iPod once it’s mounted.  This is a little easier said than done!  It takes a bit of tweaking the mounting installation so that you can get the sound quality and direction that you want. 

A man named Franklin Tessler, who allegedly and in his own words spent more money than he should have installing an iPod in his Infinity G35, wrote:

“if you hear a humming or whining sound when the iPod is playing, install a ground loop isolator between the iPod and the head unit.” 

He adds that Radio Shack sells one for less than $20.00 (part number 270-054).

If you browse through any computer or electronic magazines, the iPod-related advertisements alone should clue you into the many ways you can use your iPod:  many iPod users like to listen to their iPods in the car – probably the one single place where most listening is done. 

Griffin (www.griffintechnology.com) is marketing the iTrip which attaches your iPod to the built-in FM stereo of any car.

Become a Sound Engineer!

Here’s another way to maximize iPod use:  by using Griffin’s iMic, you’ll have a USB audio interface enabling you to record your old records and tapes to play in iTunes (discussed in the next section), add to your iPod, or burn to CD and listen just about anywhere.  A device called GarageBand (also by Griffin) lets you connect any keyboard, guitar or microphone for quality recording. 

Take a Memo…

Want another way to obtain “mileage” for your iPod?  How about taking a note?  iTalk (also by Griffin) will turn your portable music player into a digital voice recorder with thousands of hours of recording time.

Protect what you Love!

If you consider your iPod one of your most prized possessions, you’ll want to protect it.  These things do get misplaced or forgotten at airports, taxis, and bars.  Here are ways to protect your iPod:  you can have it engraved (Apple offers this service for free); track it (Inspice’s SmartProtect can recover stolen electronic devices; cloak it (through PodLock, retails for $40.00).  Podlock won’t protect your music libraries and photos, but it will prevent the thief from getting into your private documents.