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iPods 101: How To Get The Most From Your iPod

Become An iPod Expert And Master The Art Of iPod Customization!

i-POD Article Contents

This iPOD article series covers the following areas:

• iPODs - An Introduction
• Getting Started With Your iPOD
• iPOD Controls
• Making The Most Of iTunes
• Organizing and Transferring Music
• Transferring and Viewing Digital Photos
• iPOD as a Storage Device
• iPOD for Map Directions
• Importing Audio Books
• Voice Recording With iPOD
• iPOD Laser Beam and Flashlight
• iPOD Remote Control
• iPOD Boom Box
• Making Smart Playlists
• The iPOD Shuffle
• iPOD - Conclusion

INTRODUCTION

Since the iPod was first introduced over four years ago is has proven to be a versatile little tool.  Even though the architecture is tightly closed, hackers have managed to find their way in so that they can make modifications.  Software developers and creators of content have made it possible for you to use the iPod to keep all kinds of information at your finger tips.  Besides being a unique way to carry around your music wherever you go, the iPod can be used for many other purposes. 

Most people buy an iPod for the obvious reasons.  The iPod works with your computer so that you can import music and organize your songs and photos. These files are then transferred to your iPod so that you can listen to them and view them wherever you go.

But your iPod is so much more that just a player for music.  Some of the incredible things that you can do with your iPod include:

• Store up to thousands of songs from your private music collection so that you can listen to them wherever you want to take them.
• Store up to thousands of digital photos.  This is ideal for viewing whenever you want as well as for backing up your digital photos until you can transfer them to your computer.
• Import photos from your digital camera by using the iPod Camera Connector.  This is ideal for when you are traveling and your digital camera care is full.
• Look at your photos through a slideshow.  You can add music to the slideshow and view it on your television.  This is done by using the iPod AV Cable.
• Listen to audiobooks.  You can find audiobooks at the iTunes Music Store or at audible.com.
• You can create On-The-Go playlists.  Playlists are great for arrange music that you want to listen to at a certain place and time, such as a work-out playlist for working out at the gym.
• You can use your iPod as an external hard drive.  This is great of storing files or backing up data.
• You can change the equalizer settings on your iPod to make your music sound as great as possible.
• You can store all of your contact information and synchronize it to your calendar.
• You can record your own voice memos.  This is done by purchasing an optional microphone.
• You can play games.

The following pages outline some of the creative things that you can do with your iPod.

Cheap iPod Anyone? Having an iPod these days is not a status symbol anymore. For those like me who works for the web and designs graphics with high MB file size, iPod nano, iPod mini, or iPod shuffle is an investment. With iPods's 6 to 60 GB capacity, it is a dream of every techie. You can save all of your important files in a small, sleek and very elegant iPod. But of course, a $300 to $400 ++ iPod nano or iPod video costs too much for some of us. If you want to have a cheap iPod and wouldn't want to settle for anything less (and go for the cheap flash audio players around), then you may need to read my suggestions below to be able to have that cheap iPod that your money can buy (and your conscience to allow). GO FOR A REFURBISHED IPOD No one would notice that your iPod nano, iPod video, iPod mini or iPod shuffle was bought from a cheap iPod refurbished e-store. In fact if you buy a new iPod, it will look the same like the refurbished cheap iPod after a few months of use. No one would try to look for your receipt just to know you bought your iPod nano, iPod video, iPod mini or iPod shuffle from an Apple store and not from a cheap iPod store, or would they? Also, if you bought a new iPod from an Apple iPod store and then the time came that you needed an iPod battery replacement, you will need to pay Apple iPod store 59 bucks for a refurbished iPod nano, iPod video, iPod mini or iPod shuffle, only this time, with a fresh iPod battery. cheap iPod nano, iPod video, iPod mini or iPod shuffle costs for about $190 to $250 from the cheap iPod or refurbished iPod e-stores. BID ON AN IPOD AT EBAY Try your luck at Ebay and you might get a cheap iPod that costs only $250 for a brand new line. Many people bid their equipment at Ebay because they need the money far better than the equipment immediately and badly. So most of the times, Ebay sellers sell cheap iPod and part ways with their sleek and sexy iPod because if the immediate need for large sums of money. You can bid for cheap iPods at Ebay simple by searching "cheap iPods" or sale iPods. There is a chance that you might get a cheap iPod for a brand new iPod nano, iPod video, iPod mini or iPod shuffle.   Take your chance at Ebay, you may never know, you might get that cheap iPod that you want for as cheap as 100 bucks! BUY YOUR FRIEND'S USED IPOD All of us have friends who can afford to buy a brand new iPod without the need to starve for a few months of saving or can buy a Porsche car and still remain mortgage free. If you don't have this kind of friends, your friends maybe have this kind of friends. Apple iPod regularly changes their models; regularly as in every 6 months since the last two years. iPod fanatics do not want to be caught tinkering on their old and already cheap iPod, they want to have the latest model in the market. These kind of people, your friends or your friends friends, will gladly sell their 3 month old Apple iPod for a cheaper price. A cheap iPod doesn't always come by that easily, so grab the chance when someone offers you a cheap iPod for sale! GO TO EXCHANGE CENTERS There are some exchange centers on the net or on local newspapers that offer cheap iPods, brand new and refurbished, in exchange of any items of, more or less, equivalent amount. If you have some items that are still of superb condition and might interest those people who are selling cheap iPods, offer your equipment or items in exchange of the cheap iPod. If you think you don't need your 3G celfone, you can have it exchanged to a person offering brand new but cheap iPod. Or if you have two items that you think with their selling amounts combined could match that of the cheap iPod, then you can part with those items. Remember to test first the cheap iPod before you make the exchange.

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For more information about iPods, Podcasting and MP3 players, please visit our "resources" section, or go to articles about ipods and mp3 players.