Have you ever bought something, like a new car or a new kitchen appliance, and months (or even years later) someone comes along and presents you with a feature that you never knew existed?
Well, if this has ever happened to you; be careful: you are not alone! There are so many features, gadgets, and settings in today’s modern devices, that sometimes you feel like you need to take a school course in gadgetology just to make sure you’re enjoying your item to the best of your ability.
So, in an effort to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck, let’s take a look at some of the advantages of your iPod (whether you own it now or are in the market to buy one).
Some of these benefits may seem very simple to you, while others can open your eyes.
Also remember: you may not be using a particular feature or benefit right now, but that does not mean that the opportunity will not arise in the future for you to enjoy something new.
These are some of the advantages of the iPod:
-> Size does matter!
While you are obviously aware that your iPod can store your music while on the go, you may not know how much space there is for some of the new fourth-generation iPods on the market right now.
Current versions offer storage capacities of 20 gigabytes and 40 gigabytes, which is huge for most audiophiles. For added convenience, the new iPods also offer a new music menu and support for multiple playlists.
-> The Shuffle function
The iPod’s shuffle function allows you to listen to music that you have selected yourself, such as listening to a radio station that plays only the music you like. That’s why Apple added the “Shuffle Songs” feature – this saves you from having to activate shuffle in the iPod settings menu and then navigate through various levels just so you can select songs.
-> Not only for the music …
The iPod was originally marketed as a device for listening to music; And this made sense, since that wonderful teen demographic spends more than the other groups put together! However, as the iPod has matured, so has its target market.
The educational market has now realized the advantages that the iPod offers; And this is one of the main reasons why many people who would not otherwise buy an iPod find one in their pocket.
Take, for example, the case of Duke University in North Carolina. University officials provided 1,650 of the 20GB iPods to freshmen. These iPod games come preloaded with campus information, orientation notes, and an academic calendar.
And here’s the cool part: Duke iPods have adopted the iTunes store format so students can purchase academic materials, course outlines, language lessons, and yes, of course: music. We specifically look at iTunes in the fourth section of this book.
Plus, there’s also the thriving audiobook market. We’ve come a long, long way from a folder full of tapes! Now, entire books can be downloaded to an iPod and enjoyed on the go.
These audiobooks include everything from youth fiction to romance, from business books to self-help, and everything in between.
So if you’re currently using your iPod just for music, or that’s what you plan to do when you buy one, remember that it can indeed be used for so much more.
