To start off, first understand that mp3 is a file format for music. Second, an mp3 player is a generic term for any device that is capable of reading the mp3 format. Thus with that understanding, technically an ipod is a mp3 player. All right, now on to the point of the article.
Today's culture is invaded by the iconic symbol of Ipod. You see the apple logo, the distinct white ear phones, the familiar rectangular shape. It's the average person's mp3 player. But, is that really the best mp3 player to buy is the question. I will not deny that the ipod is a fantastic mp3 player because it's the truth. when ipods started coming out with the scrolling wheel design, it was perfect. All you had to do was move your thumb in a circle and you could move up and down on the ipod's menu effortlessly. It was a natural movement that could go on and on. The buttons were very simple and easy to understand. It was able to sync with a computer perfectly. Typically, Ipod memory capacity are bigger than most mp3 players. With the latest model, the Ipod Touch, the quality hasn't suffered. But not everything is great about ipods.
The price of ipods are extremely high. The quality is good, but ipods don't have additional functions. It's common for other mp3 players to built in radios, yet it's a function that has never been put on the ipod. You can receive radio on an ipod, but it requires you to go out and purchase that attachment. Some come with voice recorders. Considering the player is $150 at a minimum, I would think that there could be more. the other problem you have to worry about is theft. Since Ipods connect rather easily on computers, it's not a problem to steal an ipod. To continue loading music requires a computer with Itunes. Unfortunately, since ipods are popular, it is quite easy to find a replacement connection cable, recharging cable, etc. Or if the thieves don't use it for themselves, they can sell it to somebody else at a cheaper price.
The smaller ipods, known as shuffles, are not worth buying. You have no indication of a battery life, so the shuffle could run out of power at any moment. the price is expensive for something that only plays music. There are other mp3 players that are just as small and have more functions than shuffles. Since it is called shuffle, there is no order the music is played. From that perspective, it becomes a small, expensive, and limited radio. The lastest shuffle is shown to be controlled by your headphones. Not the greatest idea since there's the chance that you could have defective headphones and no way to control the ipod.
the capabilities of ipods are amazing. We have gotten to the point where they can play videos, pictures, and games. However, the question is: Do you really need those functions? In the case of the ipod nano, there's not point in having videos or pictures because the screen is tiny. I would rather shell out more money to get a bigger ipod to watch a movie or view pictures than to straing my eyes on that screen. Besides, it would be better too since the bigger ones usually have more space. Picture carrying capabilities on the ipod is rather dumb because there is no reason to take up space. We have phones and digital cameras able to take and store photos. unless you have the Iphone, the ipod can't take pictures. Why would you want to show off a device that can only show pictures if it can't take pictures? So when you buy an ipod, keep in mind that you're paying for a useless function. The video capabilities is a tricky territory. The world we live in today has a variety of technology that displays video. Unless you really need to watch something, the odds are that this is also a pointless function. the other point about ipod videos is that it drains your battery rather fast. Unless you are watching for a short time, this is still not a good function. As for games, why drain the battery faster? It is possible to charge an ipod through an electrical socket, but you have to buy that additional accessory. Besides there are handheld devices that are made to play more sophisticated games than the ones on the Ipod.
In short, when you buy mp3 players, it comes to two things. Money and desire. If you have money to spend, then go ahead and buy an ipod by all means. However, if you're on a tight budget, it would be better to get a alternative brand mp3 player because they're cheaper and come with more functions than an ipod.