The iPod is a world-famous series of digital music storage and playback devices that was created by California-based Apple in 2001. When the iPod first debuted, it was a radical innovation. Sure, consumers had been able to listen to CDs and tapes on portable devices but never on something as streamlined and beautiful as the iPod. And, even better they could now add downloaded tracks, remove them at will and build libraries of their favourite music to listen to wherever they liked.
The first iPod arrived out of the blue in October 2001 and eventually changed the way we think about music. Apple hit upon the idea of creating an iconic music player after seeing the rise of digital music downloads via file sharing apps like Napster. They could see that millions of people were using new digital formats to share, store and play their music, and that a gap existed for portable devices to play their tracks.
The iPod arrived at around the time that iTunes debuted, and the two have been intertwined ever since. Initially, sales of the iPod were slow, with only Mac users being able to access iTunes and use their devices. However, everything changed in 2004, when sales started to rocket. More people had adopted iTunes and Macs were becoming ever more popular. Newer iPods also became more user friendly for general music fans and they rapidly became a fixture on trains, buses and in homes across the UK.
Since then, the iPod Classic has been joined (and superseded) by the iPod Nano, the iPod Touch and the iPod Shuffle, and the range of features supported by the devices has grown constantly. Video, cameras, web browsing and even gaming are now core features of iPods, turning them from pure audio players into something much more exciting – tiny entertainment hubs.
The modern range of iPod devices sport some incredible features (and features that go way, way beyond the relatively simple Classic version). For example, with an iPod Touch you can:
Listen to up to 128GB of stored music files in a wide range of formats.
Take photos with an 8MP camera.
Store extra tracks in the iCloud for adding to your library later.
Watch streaming TV shows and movies in high resolution.
Send text messages via the iMessage service.
Capture video footage via the 1.2MP Facetime camera.
Play a wide selection of advanced games.
Connect to other Apple devices and communicate or share files.
Track your fitness with tools to measure distance, steps and calories burned.
All iPods are manufactured by Apple, who currently offer three main varieties – the iPod Touch, the Nano and the iPod Shuffle. All of them have their own quirks and features, and all have their place in a music fan’s gadget collection:
The iPod Touch– Designed to be “ultra thin”, the iPod Touch comes with an A8 processor and an 8MP camera, and is capable of playing music, running surprisingly graphically-advanced computer games and capturing video and photographs. The total capacity comes in at 40 hours of music and 8 hours of video, which should be plenty for most users, and you also have the option of storing extra tracks in the iCloud if need be. The Touch also has a 4-inch Retina display, which provides a larger viewing area than most of the other models, while the resolution of 1136 x 640 pixels is fine for streaming video and gaming. It can also carry out a few handy communications tasks, like sending text messages via the Wi-Fi enabled iMessage tool, and users can browse the web or check their social media sites as well. The iPod Touch also has excellent compatibility with other Apple devices, allowing families to set up sharing groups, which can make the content of Macs and iPads available to iPod users (and vice versa). Connectivity is also impressive, with an extremely quick wi-fi connection along with Bluetooth 4.1, and the Touch comes in a wide range of colours, including blue, white, grey and red (which also includes a free charity donation with every purchase).
The iPod Nano– As the name suggests, the iPod Nano is much more compact than the iPod Touch, but it still has impressive disk capacity. This time around, the screen is just 2.5 inches wide, which is absolutely fine for its major purpose: music playback. In this regard, the Nano excels. It has some nifty features like Shake which moves the track listing on a track when you give the device a shake, and Genius, which suggests related artists at the click of a button. Just as importantly, the Nano is wafer thin (2.5mm) and extremely light (31g), but it doesn’t really compromise much on features. Even though the screen is small, you can still use it to stream video, you can easily use Bluetooth headphones, play FM radio and even use the Nano as a fitness tracker thanks to the in-built pedometer. Everything hooks up seamlessly to iTunes, and as with other iPods, there are plenty of colours are available to choose from too.
The iPod Shuffle – A tiny little square clip-on digital music player, the iPod Shuffle is ideal for people who need an unobtrusive, ultra-light, mobile music player. Although it’s very small, the Shuffle can hold hundreds of tracks at one time, along with audiobooks and podcasts. You can quickly move between standard playlist mode (where tracks play one after the other), or a random shuffle mode (hence the name of the device) and there are some other useful features too. For example, when you are using the Shuffle, you can press the "Voice over" button and it will tell you who is singing or playing on the track and the name of the song. You can synch playlists from any iTunes compatible computer or use the Genius function to have the Shuffle compile bespoke playlists based on your tastes. It all comes in an attractive anodised aluminium player that clips neatly to clothing or bags securely and can handle a few drops along the way.
The iPod Classic – The iPod Classic may have been discontinued, but Apple’s iconic music player can still be purchased either second hand or new from many retailers, and it remains a sleek, beautiful and highly functional digital audio player. The classic iPod style featured a viewing screen placed above a controller wheel, which many users still find more convenient that touchscreens or devices like the iPod Shuffle. However, the last iPod Classic was announced by Steve Jobs back in 2007 (the iPod Classic 6), and there hasn’t been a new version since. But there’s a twist in the story. Despite being discontinued in 2014, the Classic didn’t plummet in price. Instead, prices remained buoyant as collectors and music lovers continued to seek it out, favouring its interface and features over newer iPod models.
In a discussion of the iPod product range, it’s hard to avoid mentioning iTunes, as it plays such a crucial role in the iPod ecology. All iPod users have to handle iTunes at some stage, so it makes sense to briefly outline how it works.
iTunes is an app for computers, smartphones and tablets that functions as a digital marketplace and is run exclusively by Apple. It makes millions of tracks available for download (with many free offers as well as paid downloads), provides curated radio shows, audio books and podcasts too. More recently, iTunes has also become a major player in TV and movies, hosting 300,000 TV episodes and over 80,000 films.
The great thing about using iTunes across multiple devices is that everything you download becomes instantly available to all devices. So, you can listen to music on your MacBook, your iPad, your iPhone or your iPod Nano, wherever and whenever you want to.
The downside is that all Apple devices are limited to downloading from iTunes, although streaming services like Netflix or YouTube are also available. That’s a relatively small price to pay, considering the accessibility and range of entertainment products that iTunes delivers.
The specifications of the three main iPod models differ massively and this may well have a bearing on which one you choose. Here are the specs of all three, which should help you make an informed purchase:
Firstly, the iPod Touch:
Dimensions: 12.3 x 5.8 x 0.6cm
Weight: 88g
Capacity: 16, 32, 64 or 128GB
Display size: 4 inches
Display type: Retina, 1136 x 640 pixels
Processor: A8, 64-bit architecture
GPU: M8 motion coprocessor
Camera: 8MP iSight camera
Video: 1080Hp recording
Connectivity: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth 4.1
Audio formats: AAC (8 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), HE-AAC, MP3 (8 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX and AAX+), Apple Lossless, AIFF and WAV
External ports: Lightning, 3.5mm headphone jack
Battery charge: 40 hours (music), 8 hours (video)
Operating system: iOS 10
Now, the iPod Nano:
Dimensions: 7.6 x 4 x 0.5cm
Weight: 31g
Capacity: 16GB
Display size: 2.5 inches
Display type: Multi-touch, 240 x 432 pixels
Processor: Samsung ARM
Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0
Audio formats: AAC (8 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), HE‑AAC, MP3 (8 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX and AAX+), Apple Lossless, AIFF and WAV
External ports: Lightning connector, 3.5mm headphone jack
Battery charge: 30 hours (music), 3.5 hours (video)
And the iPod Shuffle:
Dimensions: 2.9 x 3.1 x 0.9cm
Weight: 12.5g
Capacity: 2GB
Display size: N/a
Display type: N/a
Processor: Samsung ARM
Connectivity: N/a
Audio formats: AAC (8 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (8 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX and AAX+), Apple Lossless, AIFF and WAV
External ports: iPod Shuffle USB, 3.5mm headphone jack
Battery charge: 15 hours (music)
A quick glance at the specifications and capabilities of the different iPod models makes it clear that they are targeted at very different types of person.
Taking the smallest model first, the iPod Shuffle is absolutely tiny and has comparatively few features. Lacking video playback, a camera, wireless connectivity and with very little capacity, it might seem like a non-essential purchase for many. However, it really is a great device for exercise fans. With its ergonomic clip, high quality sound and ability to synch up to iTunes, the Shuffle is a great way to set up workout playlists and take your music on the road when you run.
However, that obviously doesn’t apply to everyone. Moving up the scale, the iPod Nano seeks to provide the best of both worlds. It’s light and small enough to be taken on bike rides, hikes or runs (and with accessories like clips and holders, you can attach it securely to your person or bike). But it’s also got enough extra functionality to work well on flights or buses or just generally around the house.
The iPod Touch is comfortably the most accomplished version with an impressive range of features. When you add in the ability to send text messages and browse the web, it’s only marginally less functional than an Apple smartphone. The high-quality video playback (and capture) and the excellent camera will appeal to travellers and commuters who want a choice of streaming videos and tracks to distract them during long journeys. The ability to hook up to family groups via iPads and MacBooks is another draw, adding another entertainment option to households with many kids (and adults) to satisfy.
Another aspect of the iPod Touch which sets it apart is gaming. Apple has deliberately marketed the Touch as a gaming device, in a way that they have never really done with iPhones or other iPod models. It might not be as souped up as a PS Vita or even an iPhone 7, but the Touch is a handy gaming option, there’s no doubt about it.
When you boil it down to its essentials, the choice is between price, functionality and mobility. The Shuffle is much, much cheaper and ultra-mobile. The Nano is very portable and slightly more expensive, while the Touch is the least convenient (but still compact) and comfortably the most expensive.
However, there’s another angle to consider: the iPod Classic. As noted above, the Classic has been discontinued, but it still retains a dedicated fan base. Why? Because it is easy to use, has high capacity and is extremely reliable. It’s easily the best option if you want to add a massive CD or MP3 library to a mobile music device. Top end Classics came with 160GB of capacity, compared with 128GB for top of the range iPod Touch models. That’s around 40,000 songs – more than most people will ever listen to, but essential for music obsessives.
Another thing to think about is whether you need to go for an Apple music player at all. Since the launch of the first iPod Classic in 2001, plenty of competitors have joined the field and some of them offer advantages that even the iPod Touch can’t beat. Here are some options that are well worth considering:
Sony NWZ-A15 – It may not have a snappy name, but Sony’s NWZ-A15 is a beautiful music player with a high-resolution screen, 50 hours of battery life and 16GB of storage space that poses a genuine alternative to the iPod Nano. The extra battery life is a major advantage over Apple’s mid-range player, while the NWZ-A15 probably beats the Nano on video playback quality as well.
The Cowon X9 – Cowon may not be well known, but their X9 is a remarkable music player. It may look a little blocky, but the X9 wins out over every other music player on battery life alone. Offering a staggering 110 hours of audio playback, it’s perfect for people who travel and don’t always have access to a charger.
Apple or Samsung Galaxy smartphones – If you are thinking about getting an iPod Touch but don’t have a high-end smartphone, it might be worth giving a little thought to upgrading your phone and music player at the same time. These high-end phones have better displays and gaming potential than the Touch and also play music just fine. They aren’t as user friendly for sheer audio playback, but they make up for it with everything a smartphone can provide (at a higher price).
The Sony W Series – if you are a serious exercise fanatic and need a mobile player to keep you focused, the Shuffle isn’t the only game in town. Take the Sony W Series, for example. Instead of clipping onto your clothing, it is integrated into a set of earphones, and offers more capacity than Apple’s micro-player. If you find the Shuffle awkward (or have had trouble with its headphones), the W Series could be just what you need.
As with all Apple products, the iPod has a wide range of accessories for owners to use with it, and some are more useful than others. Here are some essentials that may well be worth buying when you make your next iPod purchase:
Docking stations – Charging an iPod is one of the major inconveniences of owning one and docking stations are a good way to get around that problem, but they offer more than just a charging point. Stations like Logitech’s UE Air Speaker will hook your iPod up to powerful speakers, turning the tiny player into something approaching a full-blown stereo.
Cases – As with all digital devices, it’s vital to keep iPods safe from drops and moisture. Scratch proof transparent cases could be the ideal way to ensure that your touch screen stays in pristine condition for as long as possible.
Travel adapters – One of the best things about iPods is their suitability for travel. One of the worst things is finding that your iPod needs a travel adapter to fit foreign plug sockets. Special Apple adapters should sort out any travel related hiccups.
Apple remotes – If you are thinking about buying a docking station for your iPod, why not enhance the experience by purchasing an Apple Remote to go with it? That way, you can control your iPod from afar (and it can be used with other Apple devices as required.)
By now, you’ll hopefully have decided which iPod to purchase (or whether to go for an Apple music player at all). Now comes the important part: working out where to make the purchase in a way that saves as much money as possible.
Firstly, have a look at the HotUKDeals iPod listings. You’ll find every model of iPod listed (including trusty Classics) along with docking stations and other accessories. You’ll also find deals from the UK’s biggest iPod retailers, including John Lewis, Apple, Currys, Argos, Tesco and Amazon.
Just search through the current listings until you find a deal that matches your requirements. New offers are constantly being listed, so you can be confident of making savings, whether you are looking for a cutting-edge iPod Touch or a tiny iPod Shuffle.
Deals also tend to be seasonally based, with greater reductions around the Black Friday retail event in November and the Christmas/January Sales, so time your purchase wisely to get the best price. There may also be travel-related discounts as the summer holidays approach – which can be an excellent time to snap up a cut-price iPod.
Either way, bookmark the HotUKDeals iPod listings and you’ll have the best possible chance of finding an affordable deal for Apple’s flagship audio players.
The iPod is the world’s most famous and most popular range of digital music players. Whether you are a music obsessive who needs a way to enjoy their collection wherever they go or a fitness fan who needs to be entertained during 10km runs, you’ll find great offers on all types of iPod at the HotUKDeals iPod listings.
