by Jerome Foo

Created on: February 02, 2007   Last Updated: April 18, 2012

I know I'm not the only one kicking myself for not investing in Apple years ago. Apple has always been an innovative company, with the Mac being a popular alternative to the PC. However, it was impossible to predict the boom that would be the result of the creation of Apple's perhaps most well known product today: The iPod. Nowadays, you cannot go anywhere without seeing the trademark white headphones peeking out of someone's coat.

Using what criteria can we evaluate the iPod? Let's take a look at a few categories.

• Function: 8/10. The iPod started out originally as a music player, advertising increasing storage size and increasing numbers of functions. Menus can be switched to different languages and allow sorting of music and playlists by artist, album and genre. Now they come available with video playback, podcasts, games and contact information. Within all these features however, none of them come in as handy as the original- audio playback. While the added features are a nice touch, they can be excessive and use up battery reserves rather quickly. As an added comment, while the menu and corresponding clickwheel are a novel design, they lack the ability of some basic things such as 'repeat song', or 'shuffle within playlist'. Sound playback quality depends on the quality of the file originally, and the headphones that you use. I still use the generic white headphones- they are more than ample for my needs.

• Style: 9/10. The iPod is available in any colour and it's simple sleek design makes it not only an effective media device, but a stylish accessory. With all the different selections of 'clothes' for the iPod, made by Belkin and similar companies, one can jazz up their iPod in endless different ways. As a result, they can be worn anywhere from a morning commute to work to a workout at the gym.

• Practicality: 9/10. Available in different sizes (both dimension and storage-wise), everyone can find an iPod to suit their needs. The Shuffle, Nano, Mini, and regular, provide the customer with many options in terms of price and function. Again, with the wide range of available accessories, from exercise bands to radio transmitters, the possiblities are endless. Many current automakers now include docks for iPods in the sound systems of their vehicles, further increasing the versatility of these products.

• Connectivity: 8.5/10. Along with the iPod, comes iTunes- the software program used to actually add the music to

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>