The iPod is an iconic range of portable media players from Apple. iPods have around 70% of the market for music players.

iPod users can add music to their device by "ripping" their CDs using iTunes, by purchasing music from the onlne iTunes store, or by adding media files from other sources to their iTunes library.

Apple makes four types of iPod, the iPod Shuffle, iPod Nano, iPod Classic and iPod Touch. Each of these usually comes in different storage capacities and different colors. This buying guide will help you quickly decide which iPod is most suitable for your needs.http://www.apple.com/ipod/compare-ipod-models/

The iPod Shuffle is very small and simple, and comes in 2GB or 4GB sizes. It's often the choice of people who want to listen to music while they work out, or go about their chores. With its small storage capacity and limited controls, it's not the device for people who want to carry around a lot of music, and it is often a second iPod for people who already have another model. http://www.apple.com/ipodshuffle/specs.html

The iPod Nano is Apple's best selling iPod, and probably a good choice for most users. It is relatively small, comes in many colors, and in storage sizes of 8GB or 16GB. It can also play and record video, although it's 2.2" screen is on the small side. For many users this is an excellent combination of features. http://www.apple.com/ipodnano/specs.html

The iPod Classic is available in black and silver, and is the only iPod that now uses a hard drive, giving it a massive 160GB capacity. Like the Nano is can play video, and has a slightly bigger 2.5" screen. However unlike the Nano, it has no camera to record with. The Classic is the choice for people who want to carry their entire music library around with them. such as people that listen to music for hours a day while working. http://www.apple.com/ipodclassic/specs.html

The iPod Touch is much more than a music player. With it's 3.5" touchscreen and Wi-Fi connection, it is an excellent device for watching videos, playing games, surfing the internet, and running iPhone applications as well as for listening to music. It's currently available in 8GB, 32GB and 64GB models. The iPod Touch is great for people who want a pocket computer, but may be unsuitable if you want a device that you can easily use while moving around, as controlling it often requires looking at the screen, and for many operations you may also need to use one hand to hold it while operating the touchscreen interface with your other hand.http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/specs.html

When thinking about buying an iPod it's also worth considering the iPhone. This is similar to an iPod Touch, but also includes a phone with a 3G data connection, and normal phone features like a camera and microphone. Unlike an iPod, using an iPhone will mean paying a carrier for phone service, either on a long-term contact or pay-as-you-go. http://www.apple.com/iphone/

The iPod is capable of storing and playing many types of files, including MP3, AAC/M4A, protected AAC, AIFF, WAV, Audible audiobook, and Apple Lossless for audio files. JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, and PNG are supported for picture files, and since the so-called third generation iPods can also play MPEG-4 and QuickTime video formats.

The iPod grew of necessity. Apple believe that the existing MP3 Players were large and cumbersome or small and useless. Engineering chief Jon Rubinstein enlisted the help of Tony Fadell, Michael Dhuey, and Jonathan Ive. The software was not created in-house, but used the program PortalPlayer, previously used by IBM. The creation of the iPod took less than one year, making its debut on October 23, 2001.

In July 2009, Apple reported the for first time ever that iPod sales were down on the corresponding quarter of the previous year. In the first quarter of 2009 10.2 million sold in North America, compared to 11m for the same period in 2008.

Apple said this was a forseen trend, and it is expected that future iPod development will take the product more into the direction of a multi-purpose mobile device, like the current iPod Touch.

As BusinessWeek put it: "The iPod is Dead, Long Live the iPod".http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jul2009/tc20090726_261031.htm

• Mahalo's Guide to iPod Nano

iPod Nano image by Apple

• Apple: iPod Nano
• Apple Store: iPod Nano
  • Features: Plays Music, Photos, and comes in a variety of colors.
  • 4GB Model, Approximately 1,000 songs: $149
  • 8GB Model, Approximately 2,000 songs: $199
• Engadget: iPod nano 3G first hands-on (2007)

• Mahalo's Guide to iPod Shuffle

iPod Shuffle image by Apple

• Apple: iPod Shuffle
• Apple Store: iPod Shuffle
  • Features: Small, clip-on iPod available in a variety of colors.
  • 1GB, Approximately 240 songs: $79
• TUAW: What Color iPod Shuffle are you Getting? (2007)

• Mahalo's Guide to iPod Touch

iPod Touch image by Apple

• Apple: iPod Touch
• Apple Store: iPod Touch
  • Features: Plays Video, Photos, Music, WiFi, Touch Screen and Games.
  • 8GB Model: $299
  • 16GB Model: $399
• Gizmodo: iPod Touch Can Run All Apple and Third-Parties' iPhone Apps (2007)

• Mahalo's Guide to iPod Classic

iPod Classic image by Apple

• Apple: iPod Classic
• Apple Store: iPod Classic
  • Features: Plays Video, Photos, Music, and Games.
  • 80GB Model, Approximately 20,000 songs: $249
  • 160GB model, Approximately 40,000 songs: $349
• Wired: iPod Classic: 160GB in Your Pocket (2007)

• Mahalo's Guide to iPhone

iPhone image by Apple

• Apple: iPhone
• Apple Store: iPhone
  • Features: Phone, Text Messaging, Web Browsing, Video Playback, Photos, Music, WiFi, Touch Screen and Games
  • 8GB Model: $399
• Engadget: iPhone Review (2007)

iPod 5th Generation image by Wikipedia

• Wikipedia:
  • iPod Photo
  • iPod Mini
  • iPod 5th Generation
• Amazon.com Electronics:
  • iPod Photo
  • iPod Mini
  • iPod 5th Generation