iPod is a popular brand of portable media players designed and marketed by Apple Inc. and launched on October 23, 2001. As of 2008, the product line-up includes the hard drive-based iPod Classic, the touchscreen iPod Touch, the video -capable iPod Nano, the screenless iPod Shuffle and the iPhone. Former products include the compact iPod Mini and the spin-off iPod Photo (since reintegrated into the main iPod Classic line). iPod Classic models store media on an internal hard drive, while all other models use flash memory to enable their smaller size (the discontinued Mini used a Microdrive miniature hard drive). As with many other digital music players, iPods, excluding the iPod Touch, can also serve as external data storage devices. Storage capacity varies by model.

Apple’s iTunes software can be used to transfer music to the devices from computers using certain versions of Apple Macintosh and Microsoft Windows operating systems.For users who choose not to use Apple’s software or whose computers cannot run iTunes software, several open source alternatives to iTunes are also available.iTunes and its alternatives may also transfer photos, videos, games, contact information, e-mail settings, Web bookmarks, and calendars to iPod models supporting those features. Apple focused its development on the iPod line’s unique user interface and its ease of use, rather than on technical capability. As of September 2007, more than 150 million iPods had been sold worldwide, making it the best-selling digital audio player series in history.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod

iPod came from Apple’s “digital hub” category, when the company began creating software for the growing market of personal digital devices. Digital cameras, camcorders and organizers had well-established mainstream markets, but the company found existing digital music players “big and clunky or small and useless” with user interfaces that were “unbelievably awful,” so Apple decided to develop its own. As ordered by CEO Steve Jobs, Apple’s hardware engineering chief Jon Rubinstein assembled a team of engineers to design the iPod line, including hardware engineers Tony Fadell and Michael Dhuey, and design engineer Jonathan Ive. The product was developed in less than one year and unveiled on 23 October 2001. Jobs announced it as a Mac-compatible product with a 5 GB hard drive that put “1,000 songs in your pocket.”

Uncharacteristically, Apple did not develop the iPod software entirely in-house, instead using PortalPlayer’s reference platform based on 2 ARM cores. The platform had rudimentary software running on a commercial microkernel embedded operating system. PortalPlayer had previously been working on an IBM-branded MP3 player with Bluetooth headphones. Apple contracted another company, Pixo, to help design and implement the user interface under the direct supervision of Steve Jobs. As development progressed, Apple continued to refine the software’s look and feel. Starting with the iPod Mini, the Chicago font was replaced with Espy Sans. Later iPods switched fonts again to Podium Sans — a font similar to Apple’s corporate font, Myriad. iPods with color displays then adopted some Mac OS X themes like Aqua progress bars, and brushed metal in the lock interface. In 2007, Apple modified the iPod interface again with the introduction of the sixth-generation iPod Classic and third-generation iPod Nano by changing the font to Helvetica and, in most cases, splitting the screen in half by displaying the menus on the left and album artwork, photos, or videos on the right (whichever was appropriate for the selected item).

In September 2007, during the course of a lawsuit with patent holding company Burst.com, Apple drew attention to a patent for a similar device that was developed in 1979. Kane Kramer patented the idea of a “plastic music box” in 1979, which he called the IXI. He was unable to secure funding to renew the $120,000 worldwide patent, so it lapsed and Kramer never profited from his idea. Kramer is now in talks with the company to discuss how he will be reimbursed

Trademark

The name iPod was proposed by Vinnie Chieco, a freelance copywriter, who (with others) was called by Apple to figure out how to introduce the new player to the public. After Chieco saw a prototype, he thought of the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey and the phrase “Open the pod bay door, Hal!”, which refers to the white EVA Pods of the Discovery One spaceship. Apple researched the trademark and found that it was already in use. Joseph N. Grasso of New Jersey had originally listed an “iPod” trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in July 2000 for Internet kiosks. The first iPod kiosks had been demonstrated to the public in New Jersey in March 1998, and commercial use began in January 2000, but had apparently been discontinued by 2001. The trademark was registered by the USPTO in November 2003, and Grasso assigned it to Apple Computer, Inc. in 2005.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod

In October 2006, iPod ran into a bit of a snag regarding its Windows support, considered by many in the industry to be crucial to iPod’s near-complete dominance in the portable media player market. One might think that because iPods are Apple devices, they’re not susceptible to the viruses that plague Microsoft’s Windows operating system. Apparently, not so. If you bought an iPod video between September 12, 2006 and October 18, 2006, there is, according to Apple, a 1 percent chance it contains a worm called RavMonE.exe.

The worm is of the sort that opens a “back door” on a PC so that a remote user can start controlling the infected computer. The iPod shuffles and iPod nanos shipped after September 12 are not infected with the malware; the worm does nothing to harm the iPod device itself; and people who only connect the iPod video to a Mac running Mac OS X will never activate the worm. The malware is in the Windows-support programs that live on the iPod.

­ The worm jumps into action when you connect an infected iPod video to a machine running Windows that is set to automatically run iPod applications when it detects a connected iPod. So the easiest way to make sure your PC doesn’t get infected is simply to disable the autorun/autoplay capabilities in your iTunes interface. That way, you’ll be prompted to approve each application the iPod software wants to run. If your computer asks you to run something called RavMonE.exe, also known as Win32.RJump.a, Troj/Bdoor-DIJ, WORM_SIWEOL.B, Backdoor.Rajump and numerous other names, just say no. In fact, it’s probably best to put e-mail rules into effect and just say no to running anything that looks unfamiliar.

So how does this type of thing happen? Apple Vice President Greg Joswiak explains in a CIO Tech Informer article:

As you’re probably aware, the majority of iPod sales are made to Windows users, so we have some Windows terminals on our production line. We discovered that one of these computers was propagating this virus.

­ The machine that was doing the infecting was apparently the last Windows machine on that particular production line — the quality-control computer.

­ If you do end up connecting an infected iPod to your PC, your anti-virus software should be able to detect it, so hopefully you won’t get infected. If you do get infected, running a standard virus-detection-and-removal program should be able to clean your machine. Splotlighting News recommends that all Windows users who have connected a potentially infected iPod to their machine run one of these:

• Microsoft Live OneCare Safety Scanner
• Microsoft Live OneCare
• McAfee
• Symantec Norton Anti-Virus

Apple says that all iPods shipped as of October 18, 2006, are free of malware

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/ipod-virus.htm

While Apple is very tight-lipped about its iPod software, most reports have the iPod 5G runs on the Pixo OS 2.1 operating system along with PortalPlayer’s Digital Media Platform. The PortalPlayer platform is an all-in-one “system on a chip” that provides some of the hardware we already looked at, including the two ARM7TDMI microprocessor cores. The developer package includes audio-decoder support, customizable firmware (with support for DRM-system development) and software-development tools. The iPod user-interface is reportedly based on the Pixo Toolbox software that was available when Apple was creating the device (Pixo is now part of Sun Microsystems).

In addition to the user-interface and operating-system software, the iPod’s video coding and decoding happens at the software level. The Broadcom video chip we looked at in the last section handles processing at the hardware level but has a corresponding piece of software to run the video codec.

As far as operating-system requirements, iPod video is compatible with Mac OS X v10.3.9 or later, Windows 2000 (with Service Pack 4 or later) and Windows XP Home and Professional (with Service Pack 2 or later).

Where iPod software starts getting really interesting is in the third-party software and “hacks” that have sprung up in response to iPod’s popularity. iPod third-party software consists of programs that use or build on current iPod functions without changing the way the device is supposed to work. This includes downloadable iPod games, programs that convert a bunch of DVDs to iPod-friendly video files in one shot, programs that convert PDA data and PowerPoint presentations to iPod-compatible files and software that lets you create your own text-based iPod games.

iPod hacks are programs written to give iPods new (non-Apple-intended) functionality. You know how we talked about things you can’t do with an iPod, like sync via FireWire? Well, you can hack an iPod to sync via FireWire. Unless you’re a programmer, “hacking an iPod” just means you download a chunk of code that alters your iPod’s functionality at the software level. If you’re a programmer, it means developing that code. iPod hackers are publishing all sorts of programs that alter the way an iPod works — some of the software is free, and some of it is for purchase. Some currently available hacks let you:

• Make an iPod work with Linux machines and run Linux applications
• Remove volume caps (iPods sold in Europe cap the volume at 100 decibels; uncapped iPods can reach more than 115 decibels.)
• Turn your iPod into a universal remote
• Attach an external hard drive to your iPod to increase the storage capacity
• Change your iPod’s font and graphics
• Watch movies on your iPod in full-screen mode
• Plug your iPod into any computer (even without iTunes) and listen to music from the hard drive
• Transfer photos to iPod without using iTunes
• Replace iTunes all together as the iPod’s main jukebox
• Use an iPod with a Windows 98 machine

To learn more about iPod hacks, check out How iPod Hacks Work.

file:///G:/ipod5.htm

As of May 2008, the current version is XPlay 3; the cost is $29.95. This version integrates an iPod with the Windows operating system, allowing for the iPod to be managed using Windows Media Player, Windows Media Center, iTunes, or XPlay. It also allows the user to drag music, image, and video files from disk directly onto the iPod.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XPlay

These drives fit into any CompactFlash II slot; however, they may consume more power than flash memory (currents on the order of 190 mA, peak 310 mA, at 3.3 V) and therefore may not work in some low-power devices (e.g. handheld computers). Nevertheless, they have some benefits over flash memory in terms of the way data is stored and manipulated. Microdrives can store 8 GB or more, but must be formatted for a file system which supports this capacity, such as ext3 or NTFS which might not be supported by older CompactFlash hosts. To avoid this problem, the operating system may partition a drive so that each filesystem is smaller than 4Gb.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microdrive

Timeline of iPod Models

The iPod line has been upgraded many times, and each significant revision is called a “generation”. Only the most recent (highest numbered) generation and refurbished units of previous generations of the iPod line are available from Apple for each model (Classic, Nano, Shuffle, Touch). Each new generation usually has more features and refinements while typically being physically smaller and lighter than its predecessor, while usually (but not always) retaining the older model’s price tag. Notable changes include the touch-sensitive click wheel replacing the mechanical scroll wheel, use of color displays, and flash memory replacing hard disks.

The software bundled with the first generation iPod was Macintosh-only, so Windows users had to use third-party software like ephPod or XPlay to manage their music. When Apple introduced the second generation of iPods in July 2002, they sold two versions, one that included iTunes for Macintosh users and another that included Musicmatch Jukebox for Windows users. In October 2003, Apple released the Windows version of iTunes, and started selling iPods that included both Macintosh and Windows versions of iTunes so that they could be used with either platform. Current iPods no longer ship with iTunes, which must be downloaded from Apple’s website.

In December 2002, Apple unveiled its first limited edition iPods, with either Madonna’s, Tony Hawk’s, or Beck’s signature or No Doubt’s band logo engraved on the back for an extra US$50. On 26 October 2004, Apple introduced a special edition of its fourth generation monochrome iPod, designed in the color scheme of the album How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb by Irish rock band U2. It had a black case with a red click wheel and the back had the engraved signatures of U2′s band members. This iPod was updated alongside the iPod Photo and fifth generation iPod.

On 13 October 2006, Apple released a special edition 4 GB red iPod Nano as part of the Product Red campaign. An 8 GB version was released three weeks later and both of them sold for the same price as the standard models. US$10 from each sale is donated to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria. On 5 September 2007, Apple also added a Product Red iPod Shuffle model. They did not disclose how much will be donated to charity from this model. Apple also released Special Edition Harry Potter iPods to accompany the iPod Photo. These were engraved with the Hogwarts Crest on the back and were only available to purchasers of the Harry Potter audiobooks. They were updated when the fifth generation iPods were released, but were only available for a limited time.

In 2007, a Cubismo special edition 2 GB silver iPod Nano was made available only in the former Yugoslav republics.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/iPod

The iPhone is an internet-connected multimedia smartphone designed and marketed by Apple Inc. with a flush multi-touch screen and a minimal hardware interface. Lacking a physical keyboard, a virtual keyboard is rendered on the touch screen. The iPhone’s functions include those of a camera phone and portable media player (equivalent to the iPod) in addition to text messaging and visual voicemail. It also offers Internet services including e-mail, web browsing, and local Wi-Fi connectivity. The first generation phone hardware was quad-band GSM with EDGE; the second generation also adds UMTS with HSDPA.

Apple announced the iPhone on January 9, 2007. The announcement was preceded by rumors and speculation that circulated for several months. The iPhone was initially introduced in the United States on June 29, 2007 and is in the process of being introduced worldwide. It was named Time magazine’s Invention of the Year in 2007. On July 11, 2008, the iPhone 3G was released and supported faster 3G data speeds and Assisted GPS.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone

The iPod Touch (trademarked and marketed as the iPod touch and sometimes colloquially referred to as the iTouch) is a portable media player and Wi-Fi mobile platform designed and marketed by Apple Inc. The product was launched on September 5, 2007 through an event called The Beat Goes On. The iPod Touch adds the Multi-Touch graphical user interface to the iPod line and is available with 8, 16, or 32 GB of flash memory. It includes Apple’s Safari web browser and is the first iPod with wireless access to the iTunes Store. With a software update, which is sold by Apple, it also has access to Apple’s App Store.

The second generation iPod Touch, featuring external volume controls, an external speaker, a contoured back and built-in Nike+ support, was unveiled on September 9, 2008 at the Let’s Rock keynote presentation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod_Touch

At the Apple Let’s Rock Event on September 9, 2008, the iPod nano 4th Generation was officially announced. It returns to the narrow form factor of the 2G model, while retaining and rotating the 2-inch (51 mm) screen from the 3G model. It is also thinner than both the 2G and 3G, measuring 90.7 mm (3.6 inches) tall by 38.7 mm (1.5 inches) wide by 6.2 mm (0.24 inch) thick, and weighing 36.8 grams (1.3 ounces). It has a curved aluminum shell and glass screen.

The six previous colors (silver, charcoal, mint, turquoise, berry red, and rose pink) have been replaced by silver, black, purple, light blue, green, yellow, orange, red, and pink. Apple markets the new colors as “nano-chromatic”. Also added is an accelerometer which allows the nano to switch between portrait and landscape display modes by just tilting the iPod left or right, shuffle songs when shaken, and access Cover Flow when tilted sideways. Also you must turn the Nano sideways to watch videos. The UI has also been refreshed, adding a more stylized look in keeping with the new hardware design. It includes a new voice recording feature which starts automatically when an Apple compatible microphone is plugged in. It also includes the new “Genius” feature, introduced by Apple the same day. The Genius feature automatically creates playlists based on a selected song using an algorithm built by Apple.

It is additionally touted as “the most environmentally friendly iPod Apple has ever made”, containing arsenic-free glass and a BFR-, mercury-, and PVC-free design. It is also claimed to be highly recyclable. The iPod Nano 4G will be shipped in cases similar to the 2G ones with the clear view in the front, and is marketed in two models: 8 GB and 16 GB. Limited quantities of an unannounced 4 GB model have surfaced in various markets.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod_Nano