| The iPod can play MP3, AAC/M4A, Protected AAC, | | | | it is formatted on Windows, the FAT32 format is used |
| AIFF, WAV, Audible audiobook, and Apple Lossless | | | | because Windows cannot access HFS filesystems. |
| audio file formats. The 5th generation iPod can also | | | | The user must use iTunes or a compatible third-party |
| play MPEG-4 (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC), .mp4 and | | | | software to load audio, videos, and photos in such a |
| QuickTime video formats, with restrictions on video | | | | way that they are playable and viewable on the iPod. |
| dimensions, encoding techniques and bitrates. Apple | | | | Unlike PlaysForSure-compatible and other MP3 players, |
| does not support Microsoft's WMA audio format | | | | simply copying files to the drive will not allow the iPod |
| — unlike most other media players | | | | to properly access them. Some third party iPod |
| — but a converter for non-DRM WMA files is | | | | software allows this however. |
| provided with the Windows version of iTunes. MIDI files | | | | An iPod formatted as HFS Plus is able to serve as a |
| cannot be played, but can be converted to audio files | | | | boot disk for a Mac computer, allowing one to have a |
| using the "Advanced" menu on iTunes. Alternative | | | | portable operating system installed. The older iPods |
| open-source audio formats such as Ogg Vorbis and | | | | with FireWire ports could additionally function in |
| FLAC are not supported. | | | | FireWire Disk Mode. With the advent of the |
| Each time an iPod connects to its host computer, | | | | Windows-compatible iPod, the iPod's default file |
| iTunes can synchronize music playlists or entire music | | | | system was switched from HFS Plus to FAT32, |
| libraries and the user can choose for automatic or | | | | although they can be reformatted to either filesystem |
| manual synchronization. Song ratings can be set on the | | | | (excluding the iPod shuffle which is strictly FAT32). |
| iPod and synchronized later to the iTunes library. | | | | iTunes cannot transfer songs or videos from device to |
| iTunes Store | | | | computer (although iTunes 7 allows it for music |
| The iTunes Store (formerly iTunes Music Store) is an | | | | purchased online). The media files are stored on the |
| online media store run by Apple and accessed via | | | | iPod in a hidden folder, together with a proprietary |
| iTunes. It was introduced on 29 April 2003 and it sells | | | | database file. The hidden content can be accessed on |
| individual songs relatively easily and cheaply, with | | | | the host operating system by enabling hidden files to |
| typical prices being US$0.99, EU€0.99, or | | | | be shown. The audio can then be recovered manually |
| GBL0.79 per song. iPods are the only portable music | | | | by dragging the files or folders onto the iTunes Library |
| players that can play the purchased music. The store | | | | or by using third-party software. |
| became the market leader soon after its | | | | Additional features |
| launch[verification needed] and Apple announced the | | | | The larger models also have limited PDA-like |
| sale of videos through the iTunes Store on 12 October | | | | functionality and can display text files. Contacts and |
| 2005. Full-length movies became available on | | | | schedules can be viewed and synchronized with the |
| September 12, 2006, ranging in prices from | | | | host computer, and some built-in games are available |
| US$9.99-$14.99.[3] | | | | including Brick, Parachute, Solitaire and Music Quiz. Brick |
| Purchased audio files use the AAC format with added | | | | was originally invented by Apple co-founder Steve |
| encryption. The encryption is based on the | | | | Wozniak in the 1970s. |
| controversial FairPlay digital rights management (DRM) | | | | A firmware update released in September 2006 |
| system. Up to five authorized computers and an | | | | brought several new features to 5th generation iPods |
| unlimited number of iPods can play the files. Burning the | | | | including downloadable games, adjustable screen |
| files onto an audio CD removes the DRM, at a cost of | | | | brightness, and gapless playback. |
| reduced quality when re-compressed from one lossy | | | | Open-source alternatives |
| format to another. | | | | The iPodLinux project has ported an ARM version of |
| iPods cannot play music files from other competing | | | | the Linux kernel alongside an interface called "Podzilla" |
| music stores such as Napster or MSN Music which | | | | to run on all iPods, although only the first, second and |
| use rival DRM technologies like Microsoft's protected | | | | third generations are officially supported by the |
| WMA or RealNetworks' Helix DRM. RealNetworks | | | | developers. The iPod shuffle is not supported. |
| claims that Apple is creating problems for itself,[4] by | | | | An open-source firmware called Rockbox allows the |
| using FairPlay to lock users into using the iTunes Store. | | | | iPod nano, mini, and all display-capable iPods after the |
| Steve Jobs stated that Apple makes little profit from | | | | 3rd generation (except for the updated video iPods) to |
| song sales, but Apple uses the store to promote iPod | | | | play Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, Musepack, Wavpack, Shorten, |
| sales. | | | | and MIDI files, but not FairPlay-encrypted files. Rockbox |
| File storage | | | | also offers gapless playback and a more sophisticated |
| All iPods can function as mass storage devices to | | | | equalizer but is in a testing stage as of September |
| store data files. If the iPod is formatted on a Mac OS | | | | 2006. |
| X computer it uses the HFS Plus file system format. If | | | | |