Buying Guide

Though the selection of iPod is not an easy task, it is an exciting exercise. In the process, one has to go through various stages of selection. Basically, the iPod comes in four different series – Classic, Nano, Shuffle and Touch. Each one among this series is available in different models. The models differ in capacity and other features. Before choosing a particular model out of a particular series, the buyer must be clear about the amount he may spend, nature of the MP3 Player he wants to buy, context and way of his using the device and the features he may prefer to have with the MP3 Player.

The iPod Classic is the first generation of iPod. The latest model in iPod Classic is iPod Classic 6th generation. This model has a capacity of 160 GB and costs around $250. Those who want to buy an iPod with huge capacity and are not bothered much about the price and larger size can opt for this model of iPod Classic. But for the huge storage capacity there are no exceptional features with this model. Models of iPod Classic in general do not have a stylish design. However, the 6th generation iPod Classic will carry 40000 songs and will play videos for 200 hours in its 2.5 inches color display. iPod Classic 6th generation enables its user to carry his iTunes music library in its entirety. In addition to music, videos, podcasts, audio books, contacts, notes and calendars also can be stored. This model is available in silver as well as black color and this is the only iPod model that is based on hard-drive.

iPod Touch can be the choice of those who prefer a portable MP3 Player with other features such as video, video camera and applications such as Wi-Fi access to Internet, access to iTunes Store, iBooks Store etc. Though portable, this is not the smallest iPod in size and also it is provided with a glass screen. Hence this model is not ideal for using while doing exercise, jogging etc. iPod Touch has a 3.5 inch touch screen display. The bright and comparatively larger display makes it ideal for watching movies. iPod touch 4th generation is the latest model of this series and it comes in three versions – 8 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB.

1750 songs can be stored in the 8 GB model of iPod Touch 4th generation and can play video for 10 hours. Its price is around $230.

Storage capacity of 7000 songs and 40 hours of video are the characteristics of iPod touch 4th generation 32 GB model. This will cost around $300.

iPod touch 4th generation 64 GB model can carry up to 14000 songs and play video for 80 hours. This model is priced around $400.

The other features of iPod touch 4th generation include Genius Playlists and Shake-to-Shuffle. The Wi-Fi Internet access enables web browsing, email, YouTube, stocks updates, weather reports etc. Songs can be purchased and downloaded from iTunes Store, apps from Apple Store and e-books from iBooks Store. iPod touch is considered as iPhone without phone.  The features of iPod touch 4th generation and iPhone are similar. But, iPod touch doesn’t have the phone features.

For athletes and others who want a music player while they are in the gym or out somewhere, iPod Shuffle is the right choice. It is the smallest iPod which can be kept in your pocket, pouch or can be clipped to your belt or arm band. iPod Shuffle is the most economical iPod. This model is suitable even for small kids. The 2GB and 4 GB models of iPod Shuffle are very popular. They cost approximately $60 and $80 respectively. 500 songs can be stored in the 2GB version and 1000 songs can be stored in the 4 GB version. iPod Shuffle comes in five different colors – silver, black, blue, green and pink. iPod Shuffle has no display. It is ideal only for those who want to listen to music during other activities. Those who want more storage and to watch video should not go for iPod Shuffle.

iPod nano is the most popular iPod. It is very small in size but, with large capacity and a stylish design. iPod nano has a host of innovative features like FM radio and multi-touch technology. iPod nano 5th generation is packed with features. The 18 GB and 16 GB models are available for around $150 and $180 respectively. It is available in nine different colors. The 8 GB model can hold 2000 songs and 16 GB model can hold 4000 songs. They can play video for 8 hours and 16 hours respectively. iPod nano is provided with a video camera also.

The basic aspects to be considered while buying an iPod are its capacity, battery life, screen clarity, sound quality and performance. Number of features alone should not be considered as important. The method of operation also must be simple. Those who want to purchase an MP3 Player should gather information about the available models in advance.

Flash memory players are smooth functioning and will not get joggled easily. Hard-drive players are cheaper but, can easily develop technical problems. MP3 CD Players are the cheapest and can hold more songs.

More than 2 dozen satellites which are orbiting the earth form the Global Positioning System (GPS). The GPS unit and Sat Nav in your car can guide you in finding your location and the shortest route to reach your destination. The unit consists of a receiver and a mini computer provided with route maps. The GPS keeps on guiding you while taking diversions and also it will find out the correct route whenever you make a wrong turn. The Sat Nav system can also provide information regarding speed of the vehicle and accordingly probable time of reaching the destination, weather forecast, altitude and alerts on speed monitors, red light signals, traffic block etc. When you drive your car to a place that is unfamiliar to you, GPS in the car can enable you to save a lot of time by providing instant information regarding the route and traffic. Sat Nav is equally useful for businessmen, tourists and all other types of travelers.

An ideal GPS system should have a voice-guidance feature so that once a particular route is taken it will provide verbal instructions regarding diversions to be taken. A portable GPS unit is more ideal than the other type which is permanently fixed to the car. Portable GPS unit will be compact and can be easily shifted from one car to another. Thus it can be shared among a few people. Portable GPS can be attached to the wind screen of the car and can be charged through a cable from the cigarette lighter of the car.

When you buy your Sat Nav, it must have the mapping software either already loaded or in the form of a memory card which slots into the unit. You may also purchase maps of different countries which can be used during your travels abroad. Digital maps can be easily updated with the changes in the routes. They also provide useful information such as speed camera data, postal codes, places of tourist attraction, positioning of house numbers etc. The ideal map will provide a 3D view of the route which is found out by the GPS according to your requirements like the shortest, fastest etc. The periodically revised maps can be purchased either as SD cards or downloaded from internet.

GPS units with touch screens are the easiest to use. Entering the address of your destination using the touch screen keyboard is the usual method of operation of Sat Nav. Those who can listen and follow the voice instructions need not view the screen continuously. The best GPS & Sat Nav unit can provide information regarding location of petrol stations, traffic condition ahead etc. Sat Navs of different screen sizes are available. However, 3.5” diagonal screen size is considered as the standard.

While buying the GPS unit, you must choose the voice feature suitable to you from a variety of accents and languages. Your Sat Nav must be able to locate the nearest restaurants, parks, supermarket, hospital, post office etc.

Portable GPS unit can be easily removed from the car after your travel so as to prevent theft.

The user interface of the Sat Nav should be easy to use and the touch screen should be responsive. The screen of the Sat Nav should be visible in bright sunlight. Before buying the system, the power lead must be checked. For small trips and shifting the unit from car to car, battery powered units are more suitable. The battery must ensure that it will last for a minimum duration of 4 hours. When you buy a Sat Nav with Bluetooth capability, you can sync the device with your mobile phone so that while driving, you can make and receive phone calls hand-free.

Though a GPS unit with larger screen size will be easier to use, it will be costlier and also difficult to carry around.

There are hundreds of different Sat Nav models in the market and the prices vary within a wide range. The size of the screen and the additional features are the two main factors for fixing the price. Hence while buying a new Sat Nav, the buyer must know about the new features and see whether those features are required. Basically, an ideal Sat Nav must meet the following specifications:

• A portable device with a screen of standard size with clarity
• Audible, visible, simple and clear audio and video alerts
• Simple, easy to operate user interface
• Easy-to-navigate menus
• Useful extra features