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