Educate me on the IPOD

[Onceler]

I guess I just don't get it! I just can't see paying $200 for something for my kids to listent to music on. Does the ipod do something else too? Wouldn't an MP3 player be just as good. Somebody clue me in please.......I guess I'm just not cool.

What about the MP3 players I see in the ads, think it was ScanDIsk or something. Are these just generic type versions of the Ipod? Do they perform the same basic thing? Where do you get the music for one of these generic type players?

The biggest advantage that iPods have over the other mp3 players is the fact that it is THE thing to have. The coolness factor enormous.

Even if you ignore the coolness factor, iPods are still generally better than other players. They all play mp3's and other selected formats which is the reason to use such a device. But the interface used by the iPods is much easier to navigate than most other players. If you get a chance I would recommend going into the store and playing around with some of the other players and then trying an iPod. You will probably agree that an iPod is much easier to use. Whether or not the ease of use is worth the extra money is up to each individual person.

In respose to the original poster:

1) iTunes is not the only software that you can use to download songs to an iPod. But it is the easiest way to do it by far. Other software will do it but it can be a cumbersome process.

2) iTunes will not work with Windows 98. You need Windows 2000 or Windows XP.

3) Yes, you can delete songs. You have the option of doing this manually or automatically.

 

[jekjones1558]

I am a 58 year old retiree and I have a personal bias about trying to NOT make our kids so materialistic. But I remember very well wishing for certain "cool" gifts and getting "uncool" similar items instead. I try FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS to give kids the COOL item, not a practical alternative, because my memories are so vivid. If it were me and it is for a gift and you can swing it financially, make the kid happy. Get the iPod!

 

[poohj80]

I'm also thinking of getting an IPod for someone as a Christams gift but want them to be able to view photos on it as well. I didn't realize there were so many IPods and similar devices available. I assume not all can display phots so can anyone suggest a particular make/model? We don't care about name recognition as much as features and reliability.

Thanks!

 

[Cindy B]

I guess I just don't get it! I just can't see paying $200 for something for my kids to listent to music on. Does the ipod do something else too? Wouldn't an MP3 player be just as good. Somebody clue me in please.......I guess I'm just not cool.

My Ipod plays games, (arcade style and music quiz), calendar function, appt. function, alarm and other stuff. Its not really an organizer per se, but it does have some organizer capabilities. I have the photo one so I can use it to store photos from my digital camera as well.

 

[Cindy B]

I'm also thinking of getting an IPod for someone as a Christams gift but want them to be able to view photos on it as well. I didn't realize there were so many IPods and similar devices available. I assume not all can display phots so can anyone suggest a particular make/model? We don't care about name recognition as much as features and reliability.

Thanks!

My 30 G photo does this. I bought it back in May/June so I don't know if they make these anymore. This in NOT the HP one, but the regular Apple one.

 

[poohj80]

I have the photo one so I can use it to store photos from my digital camera as well.

Thanks, but which one is the "photo" one?

 

[DizParks]

Any iPod with a color screen will hold photos.

 

[eam]

I have had my IPOD for several years with no battery issues.

The ITUNES does work with Window98

Itunes may work with Win98, but on the Apple website it states that the Ipod Nano:

Works with Mac OS X or Windows 2000/XP

http://www.apple.com/ipodnano/

You might look in to the new Ipod that plays video, for $100 more it has 30GB of storage!

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

I am a 58 year old retiree and I have a personal bias about trying to NOT make our kids so materialistic. But I remember very well wishing for certain "cool" gifts and getting "uncool" similar items instead. I try FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS to give kids the COOL item, not a practical alternative, because my memories are so vivid. If it were me and it is for a gift and you can swing it financially, make the kid happy. Get the iPod!

Truer words have never been spoken!

 

[HaleyB]

Ditto on getting the real deal- the ipod and not some knock off. In this case they are not only the 'cool' ones but also the best quality avaliable.

Many of the questions here are answered on the Apple website:

http://www.apple.com/ipod/