| To date, there has been a number of Apple iPod | | | | iPod immediately. A good selection can be found |
| models. Well, with the release of the new iPod Video, | | | | here.Compact ClickwheelThe iPod Clickwheel was |
| there are now officially three iPod models for the 5th | | | | previously a scroll wheel that was designed and |
| generation of iPods. The earlier 4th generation models, | | | | supplied by a 3rd party. The new iPod clickwheels are |
| including the popular iPod Mini, iPod Photo, U2 and | | | | now designed and produced by Apple itself. The |
| 20GB iPod are now officially history.The three official | | | | functionalities are similar but users reported better |
| 5G iPod models include the iPod Shuffle, iPod Nano | | | | response feedback.Headphone jackHeadphone jacks |
| and iPod Video. What's the difference between this | | | | for all iPod models, including the very first 1G iPod up till |
| new range of iPods and the previous 4G models? | | | | the 4G models, has always been on top of the iPod. |
| Broadly speaking, the differences are:Hard DiskTwo of | | | | The iPod Nano breaks ground by having the |
| the new iPod models, iPod Shuffle and iPod Nano, are | | | | headphone jack at the bottom.Which iPod model to |
| based on flash hard disk technology. This new hard | | | | choose?As of this writing, the iPod Video has only |
| disk is ultra slim and is able to withstand shock and | | | | been out for less than 2 weeks. The current 5G range |
| vigorous movement. Unlike 4G models, this make the | | | | of iPod seems to be the most complete and versatile |
| iPod Shuffle and iPod Nano ultra slim and allow them | | | | thus far, and we can see that the 3 different models |
| to be used for vigorous activities, including sporting | | | | are essentially targeted at different segments of the |
| activity, dance, accidental drops, etc. Previous 4G | | | | iPod user market. A basic guide to choosing the right |
| models were less robust and vigorous activity tend to | | | | iPod model can be broadly classified as:iPod |
| cause possible malfunction.Battery lifeBattery life on | | | | ShuffleThe iPod Shuffle is obviously targeted at users |
| the 5G iPod has improved tremendously. One of the | | | | who have a lower budget or those who only have an |
| major complaints about 4G iPod was the short battery | | | | occasional need for a music player. The Shuffle |
| life(8hrs) and battery life draining away quickly after | | | | comes without a screen and user can only choose to |
| heavy use. The new iPod lasts up to 14 hrs and has a | | | | listen to music in a sequence or have it shuffled |
| better battery lifespan.Color is standardUnlike 4G | | | | randomly. Because of it's lower price, this model has |
| model, where the iPod Photo model was the only | | | | become a choice for those who desire for an iPod but |
| model with color, the new iPod Nano and iPod Video | | | | may not have the neccessary budget. iPod NanoThe |
| comes standard with color screen and | | | | iPod Nano is now the mainstream iPod model with the |
| playback.Choice of videoWith the new iPod Video, | | | | exit of 4G iPod models. With a size and thickness |
| there is now a range of activities, including data, music, | | | | slightly larger than a credit card, this is now a runaway |
| photo and video that can be supported on one iPod. | | | | favorite iPod model. Users have a choice of data, |
| Previously, video was not available as an | | | | music and photo with this colored screen iPod. iPod |
| option.Standardized casingThe 4G iPod included the | | | | VideoThe newest kid on the block, the iPod Video, is |
| multi-color iPod mini, with a choice of pink, blue, green | | | | desired by those with a higher budget or who wish to |
| and silver. The only option for black was the U2 | | | | watch video on their iPod. It has a slightly larger screen |
| model.Today, the colors has been standardized to | | | | than the iPod Nano and play a crisp 30 fps video |
| black or white (except iPod Shuffle - White only). In | | | | display. With not many iPod videos available for |
| addition, all iPod casing has been standardized to hard | | | | download as yet, we'll need to see if this model can |
| acrylic instead of the anionized aluminium for iPod Mini | | | | overtake the iPod Nano as the mainstream iPod |
| and hard acrylic for the other models.However, the | | | | model.Katherine Xie has 4 iPods starting from the 2G |
| hard acrylic casing used for the 5G iPod models | | | | model. She runs a popular website, that gives tips on |
| seems to have a tendency to scratch as reported by | | | | iPods as well as showcase quality iPod accessories |
| many iPod user websites. It is advised that a iPod | | | | from Japan. Please feel free to distribute this article as |
| casing or protector film be purchased for the new 5G | | | | long as credit and reference is made to her website. |