Home: Updated 2009

Introduction to the iPod

The iPod is a brand of pocket-sized ultralight hard-drive based audio players designed and marketed by Apple Computers. Today the iPod comes in a range of models such as the Nano, Shuffle and Mini (discontinued now).

All of the models in the iPod family are designed to be user friendly, and can easily be used by young children. Therefore, they offer a simple user interface and a central scroll wheel to browse the iPod navigation system. The scroll wheel has been redesigned for the various models, such as with the Nano.

The Nano is so small the wheel used on the previous iPod's wouldn't fit. Unlike portable cassette or cd players the iPod stores media on built-in memory. This means you do not need to insert a cassette or a cd.

The older models like the iPod Classic and Mini use a hard drive, while the smaller and more modern iPod Nano, Shuffle and Touch use flash memory.

iPod Timeline

2002

First Generation - Classic
Second Generation - Classic

2003

First Generation - Classic
Second Generation - Classic
Third Generation - Classic

2004

Third Generation - Classic
Fourth Generation - Classic
Fourth Generation - Classic - Photo edition with colour screen
Fourth Generation - Classic
First Generation - Mini

2005

Fourth Generation - Classic
Fourth Generation - Classic - U2 special edition
Fourth Generation - Classic - Photo edition with colour screen
First Generation - Mini
Second Generation - Mini
First Generation - Nano
First Generation - Shuffle

2006

Fifth Generation - Classic
First Generation - Nano
Second Generation - Nano
First Generation - Shuffle
Second Generation - Shufflle

2007

Fifth Generation - Classic
Sixth Generation - Classic
Second Generation - Nano
Third Generation - Nano
First Generation - iPhone
Second Generation - Shufflle
First Generation - Touch
First Generation - TV

2008

Sixth Generation - Classic
Third Generation - Nano
First Generation - iPhone
First Generation - iPhone 3G
Second Generation - Shufflle
First Generation - Touch
First Generation - TV

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Additional models since 2005-2007,

iPod classic 160GB - none
iPod touch 8GB - colour
iPod touch 16GB - colour
iPod nano 8GB - colour
iPod Classic Silicon Sleeve - 80Gb - colour

The Dawn of Video iPods

The year 2007 was not only about the iPhone. Apple had a total makeover of it's iPod lineup. The iPod Touch featured the iPhone interface, and players like the Nano had an upgrade to be more video friendly. Below are pictures of the first iPod's to feature video playback.

New Nano redesign 2007

Classic 2007

The Touch which features the iPhone interface

The following is a help guide to finding a cheap ipod from the various comparison services and retailers found online.