***If you’re looking for information on Apple’s 2010 iPod releases, check out our article here, this article relates to Apples 2009 series of iPods***

Whether you are an Apple fan or not, there’s no doubting that the iPod line of devices has been instrumental (no pun intended) in the prevalence of the MP3 player as a whole.  When the original iPod was released in October of 2001 the world was a very different place; many people still relied heavily on CD’s or minidisks for listening to music on the go (I’ll have to check this, but I’m sure I still remember tapes being on sale back in 2001).  Not even ten years later and CD’s have long been relegated to use at home and in the car, and everywhere you look you see earbuds and cables hanging from peoples ears.

In fact, the iPod has been so succesful that in September 2009 Apple announced that they had sold over 220 million (that’s 220,000,000) devices under the iPod brand.  I call it a brand as there have been over 20 “iPod” devices since 2001, not including the iPhone or iPad.  In this article we’ll look at the four current iPods available for sale in the UK and offer insights into which device could be the one for you.

Before we get to that, lets talk about iTunes.  iTunes is the software package used to manage your music library (and more) on your computer and to sync your media with your iPod.  All iPods (current line and discontinued models) use it to connect to your computer and sync.  iTunes is currently available for both Windows and Apple Mac computers (though it tends to work better on the latter) and can be quite a powerful tool if set up properly.  iTunes also includes online stores for music, TV shows, movies, ebooks and applications: content is paid for using an online account and downloaded directly to your computer for consumption either at home or on your iPod.

A lot of people see iTunes as a reason NOT to buy an iPod in favour of a different brand of MP3 player.  The reason for this is often that people wish to have better control over their media libraries and prefer to manage their collections rather than rely on software to do it for them.  This is a fair request, but if you’re happy to allow iTunes to manage your media library then an iPod could be for you.

iPod Shuffle

The Shuffle is the runt of the iPod litter, it was originally released in 2005 following calls from punters for Apple to produce a lower cost alternative to the other iPods available at the time.  The current Shuffle model features either 2GB or 4GB of storage (roughly 500 or 1000 songs respectively), has no screen (it famously will play all songs stored on it either in order or at random, hence the name), cannot play video or display photos, but does feature voice controls and an integrated clip for attaching to clothing.

Apple iPod Shuffle - 3rd Generation

These last two features make it an ideal device for people on the go, or for use during exercise.  It’s small foot print (yes, that is really it on the right) and price tag also make it ideal for those on a budget or those who worry about carrying expensive electronic devices around with them.  It’s also an excellent addition to your collection if you already own a more expensive iPod but don’t want to use it in certain scenarios for fear of breaking it.

Voice functionality was introduced with the 3rd generation model (the earlier models used buttons on the device itself.  Some controls remain on the headphone cord, and adapters are available should you wish to use your own headphones.

The voice functionality also make it ideal for those who struggle with touchscreens or Apple’s famous click-wheel control mechanism (like on the iPod Nano and Classic below).

iPod Nano

The Nano was an evolution of a previous model known as the iPod Mini, which was in a turn a cut down version of what is now called the iPod Classic (stay with me).  The design is similar to the original iPods with a few subtle changes.

iPod Nano - 5th Generation

The current Nano features a slimmed down and rounded design and comes in a choice of colours.  Control is made using the traditional iPod “Click Wheel”.  Control of the device relies on four touch sensitive buttons for navigating menus and song selection, with the white band operating in the same way as a laptop trackpad; run your finger clockwise to scroll down and anti-clockwise to scroll up.  Some people love this control method, others loath it, but it has been a mainstay on the iPod lineup since 2004 so it’s something you’ll have to make peace with if you want to use certain iPods.

The Nano is currently the only iPod to feature a camera, though it can currently only shoot video and not take still pictures.  Videos are can be transferred to your PC or Mac using iTunes.  This iPod is also the cheapest that can playback video or display photos, though doing so for long periods is not recommended given the small size of the screen.

Capacity wise, the Nano is available in 8GB and 16GB variants, which Apple claim is enough space for 8 or 16 hours of video respectively, or around 2000/4000 tracks each.

This iPod is better suited to those who want to carry more of their music collection with them or want more control over what they listen to.  The camera is also a nice touch, though it’s a shame it can’t capture still photos.  This is the cheapest model currently available with a display, so is also good for those on a budget.

iPod Classic

The Classic has more in common with the original iPod than any other device in the current lineup (hence the name).  It’s also the only iPod that still uses a traditional laptop hard disk for storage rather than the flash storage that the other models all boast.  The advantage of this is that you get a lot more storage space for your money than with the other devices, the Classic currently ships with 160GB of storage, that’s ten times more than the largest Nano.

iPod Classic - 6th Generation

The advantage of this is that most people will be able to carry their entire music collections around with them (as well as some photos, a few videos, a calendar, address book, notes and the odd game).  This is the closest you will currently get to a mobile jukebox.  It’s not without a price though, the Classic is still more expensive than the base models of all the other iPod models (only the larger capacity iPod Touch models are more expensive).

Navigation uses the same method as the Nano (and most iPods since 2004), though the shape of the screen can make it more difficult to browse through libraries compared to the more portrait-esque Nano.  Unlike the Nano, the Classic doesn’t feature a camera, but as a basic pocketable media playback device their’s no faulting it.

The classic is more suited to those who wish to carry their entire music collections with them, those who will be away from home often is a good example.  It’s also useful for connection to home Hi-Fi systems and car stereos.  The downside is that it’s heavier than other iPods, and the hard drive storage means that it’s more susceptible to damage from impact or sudden jolts than the rest of the range.

iPod Touch

The Touch is the most technologically advanced of all the iPods.  The ancestry of it is that of the Apple iPhone, in fact the comparison is often made that the Touch is simple an iPhone minus the phone.  It’s easy to see why people would make this comparison; the touch is a similar size with the same touch screen as the iPhone, it runs the same operating software and can run apps designed for the iPhone.  The only other thing missing from the Touch is a camera (though this is rumoured to be included in the next revision due later this year – hold off upgrading if you can wait).

iPod Touch - 3rd Generation

The Touch is also the only iPod to include a speaker (though it’s not the best) which allows you to listen to your music or watch videos without the need for headphones.

It also features more connectivity, it has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built in which allows you to connect to the internet and download more content (games, music, video, books, etc), web browse and chat with friends.  The bluetooth can also be used to connect wireless headphones for those who detest cables.

The Touch is currently available in three sizes; 8GB, 32GB and 64GB.  The latter two models also feature a faster processor and come with headphones that feature a microphone compared to the basic earbuds that come with the 8GB model.  The 8GB model is actually cheaper than the iPod Classic, so if you value features over capacity this could be the iPod for you.

The Touch is suited more to those who would rather remain connected to the web than carry their entire music collection with them.  With free wifi access becoming the norm in many bars and restaurants, it’s a nice touch (no pun intended).  The base model is especially is very affordable and great for those who want an upmarket device on a budget.  The touchscreen is also a contentious issue, some people argue that older users will find it too confusing, while others insist it is to the benefit of those not too familiar with technology.  Whatever your opinion, it is important to consider that this is the only iPod that lacks traditional button controls (except the “home” button used to bring up the menu).  If you can live with that, then it’s a fantastic piece of technology for the money.

Conclusion.

There’s definitely an iPod for everyone, some models are better suited to certain types of people and to certain lifestyles.  With price points across the scale it can be as affordable or as expensive as you like to move to an Apple mobile device.  Accessories for all of these devices are widely available, and not just from Apple; several other manufacturers make accessories for iPods, some of which can be used with a variety of models.  In the end though, an iPod may in fact NOT be the device for you; there are definitely other devices available and each are worthy of your attention.  This article is designed to compare the iPod models to each other, not to mobile media players from other manufacturers, and assumes that you’ve already made the decision to purchase an iPod.  In reality, if you already have a system in place to manage your music and video libraries, than a player from another manufacturer may be a better way to go.  But it’s very difficult to argue with 220 million sales….