| iPod compatibility on the original iPod was | | | | Windows. Fourth-generation and earlier iPods |
| designed for use with Macintosh computers | | | | could still be made to boot a Macintosh by |
| running Mac OS 9 or Mac OS X but Apple began | | | | reformatting their hard disks with HFS |
| selling a Windows-compatible iPod too on July | | | | Plus.The iPodLinux project has successfully |
| 17, 2002. Apple released a Windows version of | | | | ported an ARM (Advanced RISC Machine) version |
| iTunes on October 16, 2003; previously, | | | | of the Linux kernel to run on iPods. It |
| Windows users needed third-party | | | | currently supports first through third |
| | | | generation iPods, and features simple |
| software such as Musicmatch Jukebox | | | | installers for Mac OS X and Windows. The |
| (included with Windows iPods before the | | | | Linux interface is known as "Podzilla".The |
| release of the Windows version of iTunes), | | | | interface will run on all iPods, however the |
| ephPod, or XPlay to manage the music on their | | | | development team does not support its usage. |
| iPods.iPods originally shipped formatted with | | | | The iPod uses standard USB and FireWire |
| Apple's native filesystem, HFS Plus | | | | mass-storage connectivity, and therefore any |
| (Hierarchical File System) and consequently | | | | system with mass-storage support can mount it |
| would only work with Apple's Mac OS because | | | | and use it as an external hard drive. The |
| Windows does not support HFS Plus. An iPod | | | | iPod will also charge from any powered USB or |
| formatted with HFS Plus is able to serve as a | | | | Firewire port, regardless of software |
| boot disk for a Macintosh computer, allowing | | | | support.Here is a link in reference to this |
| one to have a usable, portable operating | | | | article iPod CompatibilityDaniel Dwase is the |
| system installed on their iPod.With the | | | | webmaster and editor of a website that |
| advent of the windows-compatible iPod, Apple | | | | provides reviews and buyers guide of iPod |
| switched iPod's default file system to FAT32 | | | | Video, Nano, Shuffle and cheap iPod |
| because FAT32 is the only file system that | | | | accessories and a blog that provides the |
| can be used natively with both Mac OS and | | | | latest news from Apple Computers about iPods. |