Sunday, June 20, 2010

The Marvels of iPod Video

You might see people walking around, whipping out their big ipods. These ipods might look like the other ipods that we often see, but they are otherwise. They are one of Apple’s latest releases. You are now given a notion that ipod does not just play music and MP3, but also plays videos. Like aforementioned, it might look like a common ipod, but it actually costs more, and has a different name, of course. It is the video ipod.

The video ipod does not have much thickness, unlike the other ipods that you probably have seen. They are also not of the same size with those other ipods that display photos. You might find this fact a disadvantage, but surely, you will find the next feature to be highly advantageous.

Video ipods do not just play videos, but these play videos with extreme clarity. Plus, it has no delays. The numbers of pixels that are present on the images a video ipod produces are fluctuating; therefore, it is very hard to determine its exact number.

But whichever, the videos a video ipod play go very easy on your eyes. They do not give you bloodshot eyes nor do they give you visions of floating dots wherever you look.

It is not difficult to play videos via your video ipod. It is definitely a no-brainer. With just one click, videos stream through your video ipod, and are played for you pronto. You do not have to allot time lengths to the videos that you want to save on your ipod for video ipods do not require time limits, upon watching videos.

As long as your memory works so you can put to memory what you’re watching, then you can watch any video you like, without exception. By without exception, just think television. You can watch about anything on your television sets, from music videos to films. It is like you own Mtv, for you have the power to choose which videos to play and which are deleted from the track list.

If you want to have low-caliber dreams, then you can at least feel the feeling of having your own mini-Mtv on the palm of your hands. You can also play your own home videos, the way your video player at home does. Only, it is a video player that fits quite snugly in your pocket. These are few, but not the only ones, reasons why the video ipod is simply amazing.

Everything is known to be imperfect, so there is no reason why Apple should break the superstition. The video ipod, though seems to be perfect, is imperfect after all. Its weight is not as convenient as those of ipod minis or nanos, or the more with the ipod shuffle, which weigh almost nothing.

Video ipods weigh more since they are much bigger in size. And probably, the materials used for this innovation, weigh a lot too. But this flaw is nothing compared to the joy (and the smug feeling) of showing your friends and officemates your new video ipod, and the videos it contains.

MP3’s can still be played on your video ipods. You might have a quick notion that since the video ipod plays videos big time, then it must have neglected the MP3’s. That is very much not the case.

The video ipod, however, does not have that much of a difference from the other ipods that have been invented and commercialized. The only difference is its big colored screen, which makes it a lot easier for you to view your most wanted videos; and its capability to play videos.

The Click Wheel is also smaller with video ipods, compared to the Click Wheels of the other ipods. This gave way to an even larger screen to support the resolution color display that extends further down the face of the device.

Apple has updated their itunes website, especially the downloading service, because of the release of the video ipod. The staff and crew of Apple put in more music videos and other ordinary videos on the selection of downloadable videos.

So, if you’re looking for a more visually stimulating experience, the video ipod is the thing for you. Apple has really outdone themselves on their latest release. You, together with the whole of the trendy humanity, should see if the video ipod would become a big hit. Looks like it will, doesn’t it?

Sunday, June 13, 2010

The "Get Productive" Guide For New iPod Owners (GUIDE TO THE MAXIMUM IPOD EXPERIENCE)

So you have got an iPod as a Christmas or birthday present. It looks good and holds true with its claim of a thousand songs in your pocket, huh? But do you know that iPod could do much more for you aside from entertaining you? To all new iPod owners, here is a guide on how to be productive with your iPod.

New iPod owners could find a sleek, sexy personal data assistant with their iPod. Read on below to learn how to sync contacts and calendars from your iPod to your computer, or use it to transfer soft files, of any format, to your computer, and read sticky notes.

* Add VIPs

All the stored information in your computer about the important people in your life that you know such as phone numbers, home addresses, email addresses, company name, birthdays, and other personal information, you can transfer it your new iPod.

If you're a Mac user, it is quite easy to sync your Address Book with your new iPod. If you're a Windows user, you can use Outlook Express or Microsoft outlook to sync your contact details in your new iPod.

* Sync Schedule

Scheduled for a meeting with the top bosses tomorrow? Or have a date with the lady of your dreams on Saturday? You can sync your alarms and schedules from Mac's iCal with your new iPod. For Microsoft Windows users, your new iPod can work with Microsoft Outlook to sync schedules.

* Take and Read Sticky Notes

You do not need those yellow sticky notes to write anything that pops up in your head (since they always get lost, anyway) like, what are your deadlines for the day and the coming week, your grocery lists, driving directions, etc. You can take all your sticky notes inside your new iPod and carry it with you all the time. 

Your new iPod can hold a total of 4096 characters or (4kb in total) for each note. So, keep in mind to keep your notes briefly so won't run out of character lines if you sync it with your new iPod.

How can you sync sticky notes from your computer to your new iPod?

Here's how.

1. Open your notepad or any word-processing application that can save the file into .txt. Type a new note to create your grocery lists or those bulleted to-do's that you have been laying aside for a few weeks already. Or if you want to keep an important email message or want to put in your new iPod lyrics of the songs from your new iPod's playlist, just copy the text and then paste it in a notepad.

2. Save document in .txt file.

3. Connect your new iPod to your Mac or Microsoft Windows computer.

4. Since you're a new iPod user, you might have not set your iPod for disk use. But if you are a techie new iPod user and already did this, skip this step.

To new iPod users who have not set their new iPod for disk use, enable this feature by doing these:

1. Open your iTunes program from your computer and then open iTunes preferences. Mac users should click 'Preferences' from the iTunes menu, while Microsoft Windows users should choose the 'Edit' menu first before clicking  'Preferences').
2. Find the iPod tab, click it, and then a new pane will open. Click in the iPod pane the Music tab.
3. A Select the "Enable disk use" checkbox, then click OK.

5. Open your iPod volume that appears on your desktop (Mac) or in My Computer (Windows) to display three folders: Calendars, Contacts, and Notes.

6. Drag your text file to the Notes folder on your iPod to add it.

* Use the iPod as File Carrier

If you haven't already figured it out by now, you can use any iPod model as an external hard drive, allowing you to copy files onto it and shuttle items from one computer to another. This comes in handy if you need to work on projects at the office or school and at home, or you want to transfer your digital music collection from your old computer to a new one. Here's how to enable this feature.   

Show me how:

1. Connect your iPod to your computer.
2. Open iTunes (if it isn't open already), then open iTunes preferences (Mac users, choose Preferences from the iTunes menu; Windows users, on the Edit menu, click Preferences).
3. Click the iPod tab, then click the Music tab in the iPod pane.
4. Select the "Enable disk use" checkbox, then click OK.

Your iPod should now appear as a mounted volume on your desktop (Mac) or in My Computer (Windows). To copy files for transport, simply drag any file onto the iPod volume icon, or double-click the volume, create a new folder (or folders), and copy items to it.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

An Abs iPod Workout Guide

Many people believe that if they lift weights, or do those crunches, they will lose those lovehandles and have a tight, packed abs that they have been dreaming of. Which is why when those who have been religiously attending the gym didn't get the Jennifer Lopez bod that they have expected to have after twenty sessions of lifting and crunching their stomach like a curled shrimp in the gym, they pack their bags and never dared to step onto the gym's doorstep again.

There is nothing wrong with going to the gym and crunching and curling yourself to have tighter and tucked abdomen. There are, however, some basic preparations that you must do first before you curl and crunch. (1) Cut out the fat in your diet starting, right... now! (2) Do more stretching, and (3) Do more cardio workouts. 

You can do the stretching and cardio workouts even outside the gym. Just carry your iPod, wear your sneakers and sweat and you're all set. Below are some iPod workout guides that you can work on. All you need is an iTune, determine the BPM or beats per minute of a song, and you're all set to create your own and unique iPod workout playlist.

CUTTING FAT IN DIET

Abdominal muscles are the easiest part of the body to work muscles on. The only reasonwhy inspite of your abs curling workout it seems that nothing works is because your muscled are covered with fat.

Yes. You need to cut the fat.

And the first step to cut the fat is curtail intake of fat. Go for a less fat diet (not 'no fat diet.' We all need some amount of fats in our body.}.

STRETCHING WITH iPod WORKOUT GUIDE

Strech to improve the elasticity of your muscles and to tighten it up in a natural way. Create a Playlist, name it "Stretching" and then select your iPod Workout stretching playlist.

The best iPod workout song for stretching should be around 105 to 115 beats per minute, a song with a slow beat.

Suggested iPod workout song for stretching:

There You Go - Pink
Three AM - Matchbox 20
Feeling So Good - Jennifer Lopez

CARDIO WORKOUT WITH iPod WORKOUT GUIDE

Warm up

Before you do your cardio workout, have a five minute warm up first. Although stretching is already a form of warm up, it is better if you warm up by doing the stationary marching and jumping jack.

BPM for warm up should be in the range of 125 to 130. Limit the playtime to 5 minutes and select by random.

Suggested iPod workout song for Warm up:
Can't Take My Eyes Off You
Ain't no Mountain High
All You Need is Love

CARDIO WORKOUT

Lifting weights and doing a hundred crunches won't help you lose fats. The best way to lose fats is to do a fifteen-minute a day cardio workout. Create your iPod cardio workout playlist and name it "Cardio." iPod workout songs to include in your playlist must be upbeat, lively, and with no slow or mellow parts.

 - Walking

BPM if you were walking, brisk walking, that is, should be in the range of 136 to 140. Limit the playtime to 5 minutes and select by random.

You must follow the rhythm of the song as you walk to achieve the fifteen minute minimum daily workout. Just breathe normally or as you would when you are at rest. If you're new with walking (walking for fifteen minutes without stopping) you might experience shortness of breath at first. Don't worry, as you continue with walking while listening with your iPod workout songs, your heartbeat will beat a bit slower and then
will normalize.

Suggested iPod workout song for Walking:

You Gotta Be - Des'ree
This Kiss - Faith Hill
Livin' on a Prayet - Jon BonJovi

 - Jogging and Running

Jogging and running should be in the range of 141 to 150. All songs under this category should be limited to 5 minutes also, and is selecte by random

Suggested iPod workout song for Jogging and Running:

Can't Get You Out Of My Head - Kylie Minogue
Hollaback Girl - Gwen Stefani
Hey Mickey


You can repeat the Walking and Jogging and Running iPod workout songs or playlist as many times as desired.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

The Benefits of iPod Videos

People today are wireless. Everything is on the go. The young generation, according to the older people, cannot live or stay by themselves for a long period of time. That is quite true, you can see that almost everybody has a pair of earphones, and are listening to, either the oldies music or the latest tracks, or watching videos on their portable gadgets. We can say that today’s generation is dependent on the new technology.

The most popular wireless device on the market today is the APPLE’s ipod. It is popular because it is very small, which makes it very easy to bring, plus you no longer have to bring a cd, otherwise known as compact disc, or a cassette tape to play on it. But with this convenience comes also a flaw.

It is quite expensive (make that oftenly impractically expensive). Yes, it is and that is why not all people can enjoy such luxury because of its high price. As you must know, life is rough and every cent counts. So these gadgets are no’t the first priority for a lot of people, approximately half of the globe’s population.

If you are rich and your money does not have much to go on, this want is not a problem for you. But if you are on the harder side of life, then you have to depend on prayers to avail of a gadget like the said ipod.

So if you want to have an ipod but your low on budget, there, on the market exists cheap ipods. These cheap ipods are not necessarily copies or imitations, or worse, fakes. Its just that these cheap ipods were probably built with cheaper materials and are may also not be so super in its special features. The cheapest model is the 512 megabyte iPod shuffle.

This device can hold up to a whopping 120 songs. You can spend a day without taking your earphones off your ears with this one. This is about $70 or 3570 pesos. That is the cheapest ipod that you can buy. The price actually differs on the memory of the ipod. Though they are all the same, they are all ipods, the memory they contain are different with one another’s. Some have bigger memories that allow them to save more songs, while others have a smaller memory that opposes the function of the bigger memory.

The bigger the memory, the more expensive it is going to be. So if you just want to have a device which is portable and can play music, the cheap ipod is going to be the device for you.

Hey, 120 songs is a lot for this small ipod. Considering the comfort, convenience and enjoyment it will bring you. The price is really cheap. Instead of spending too much on a music player, an ipod, you can just spend your left money on things that are more helpful for your being. So it is recommended that you avail of the cheaper models of ipod.

Next on the line of cheap ipods is, the ipod shuffle. It is not as big as the other ipods that have been invented but they still play good music, so there is not much of a difference. Ipod shuffles are designated under the category of cheap ipods, though you should be mindful that it only has a memory span of 1GB. It is not much, but it can still allow you to save a big number of your favorite hits.

Since it has a bigger memory, also compared to those others, it is much more expensive than the other one. This cheap ipod can play up to 240 songs, double of that of the cheapest ipod. This mars the saying that goes “Entertainment is a price to pay”. You do not have to pay so much, so high an expense, just to be entertained. The ipod shuffle does that for you, entertains you, yet it does not cost so largely. This product is about 100 dollars or 5000 pesos.

Again, you’ll have more song selections but the physical appearance of your ipod is the same. That’s about the cheapest ipods you can buy on the market.

With these cheap ipods, you not only save money, but you get to own one of the latest technological trends in this generation. So grab one of those cheap ipods now.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

The Ipod Video Converter

First, there came BetaMax. It lasted for a long time, but had to end when the VCD was invented. VCD are discs, which, alone, is one of the reasons why it is more referred to than the hard tapes of the BetaMax.

The VCD still works but more and more people use the DVD compared to those who still watch films on VCD. DVD always has clear copies. The only problem is, you need to have a number of wires, to be connected to a medium, most usually a television set, before you can actually avail of the entertainment a certain movie can give you. This is not the same case with the ipod.

Ipod videos are now hitting the markets and are quite a trend. These said videos are videos that you can watch on your ipod. Neat, huh? But like any other good thing, there is always a bad side.

But the good side always wins, so there’s no reason to fret. However (the bad side), not all videos can be viewed. Reason, mainly, is that not all video files match the type that of the ipod videos. This leads you to the conclusion that a conversion is needed before you can attain the experience of watching box office films on your ipod. There has only been one converter, that has been invented, that can do something about this dillemma (this is another good side that overpowers the bad side).

You need an ipod video converter. Not just any ipod video converter, but the Xilisoft ipod video converter. The Xilisoft ipod video converter builds in a lot of codecs to be able to convert video files like AVI, MPEG, WMV, MOV, RM, RMVB, DivX, ASF, VOB, and 3GP. These different types of video files are not so easy to convert, but the Xilisoft ipod video converter does it all.

When it converts the videos into ipod MP4, the clarity and level of comprehension does not lessen. The Xilisoft ipod video converter connects audiso files too. The audio file types that are WAV, WMA, MP2, AC3, RA, and OCG, are converted by this said ipod video converter into ipod MP#, M4A, or AAC.

You do not have to worry about getting the file you downloaded tampered or, even worse, destroyed, for the Xilisoft ipod video converter doeas all these conversion processes in a very fast manner, at the same time, very easy to manage and handle. The quality of your files are in good hands, thus, well intact.

If you have a very high satisfaction level, and are not easily impressed with the settings of the Xilisoft, then you can just readjust the settings. The settings are very easy to adjust. You can change a file’s video size, if the file is either too big, or too small for you to view it on your ipod; bit rate; frame ratio; and many more adjustable settings.

The Xilisoft ipod video converter also supports batch conversion and multithreading, which allows you to convert a multiple number of files at the same time. This way, you save time and could allot the time left for doing something else that is constructive or helpful. You use the time left to look for other videos or video files or audio files for your Xilisoft ipod video converter to do what it does best. This way, you can get to enjoy more music and videos on your ipod.

This ipod video converter does a lot of things for you. This is so because it lets you see the preview of the files’ conversion first before actually converting them. Here, it acts like a fortune teller, wherein the future state of your ipod file is revealed to you, only that, in this case, you are given a chance to decide whether to proceed with the conversion or not.

This prevents you from downloading tracks or videos that do not really sound good once converted. It saves you time, space, and your patience as well.

The Xilisoft ipod video converter is indeed a thing to have, for with this kind of ipod video converter, you get to enjoy the comfort of your television sets, even if you’re far from home.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

iPod Video Cases: Durable, functional, fashionable protection for your iPod

iPod is Apple Computer's brand of portable media player that provides a simple user interface designed around a central scroll wheel. The standard iPod model has media storage devices including a built-in hard drive while the iPod Shuffle and iPod Nano use flash memory. It can serve as an external storage device when connected to a computer.

Over the years, the line up of iPod has continuously evolved to the iPod models of today. The iPod has five generations to its name while iPod mini has two generations. Apple also introduced over the years other iPod models including iPod shuffle and iPod Nano.

To protect any of these iPod models, iPod video cases are now readily available in the market. It is made of different materials including deluxe leather that features a rich leather exterior in black, brown, dark brown and saddle with complimentary stitching. These have unique textured exteriors as well that give your iPod a nice look.

These iPod video cases are designed to fit both the 60GB and 30GB iPod models with video. The iPod video cases will keep your iPod securely closed with a tab and post closure. When it is opened, you can see that it has a built-in protection for the screen which is the most easily damaged part of your iPod.

iPod video cases help prevent scrapes and scratches that will not only deteriorate the look of your iPod but can be damaging in the long run as well. The outside of iPod video cases are sturdy with layers and the insides are cushiony to protect your iPod from impact due to improper handling. iPod video cases also features a soft grip material to keep it from slipping from your hands.

iPod video cases can be Speck armband cases, aluminum hard cases, flip cover cases, leather pouches, core cases, crystal clear hard cases, silicone skin cases, and more. Examples are:

A protective crystal clear hard case can help protect your iPod video from scratches in many ways with its built in lanyard or neck strap, attachable swivel belt clip and belt loop.

Iconic characters can also be featured in your iPod video cases. You can take your pick from Superman, Batman, Homer Simpson, Darth Vader of Star Wars and Tweety Bird with its see-through back so you can see the shiny side of your iPod.

There are iPod video cases that are made to encapsulate your iPod video for protection and fun with its vibrant colors. It is made of strong tear resistant material and includes a screen protector and detachable belt clip for optimal performance and easy usage.

With more iPod video cases being released in the market each week, you can find more and more features of these products and professional evaluations to check if they can measure up to the standards of iPod users.

Leather iPod video cases offer a snug fit with quality leather to protect your iPod not only from impact but from dust, finger prints, and scratches as well.

iPod flip video cases are also trendy in its ultra-slim design that fits your iPod like a glove. There is a multi-use soft clip on the back that easily snap into a belt or an armband.

iPod video crystal cases are quality clear cases that forms a protective hard case around your iPod. It also comes with a clear belt loop, detachable belt clip and lanyard for carrying convenience.

iPod video soft skin cases protects your iPod from scratches, knocks, dusts and even bad breath while still providing free access to your controls and connections.

iPod aluminum video cases are made of anodized aircraft-grade aluminum that features a form-fitting design. Neoprene cushioning inside protects your iPod from harmful scratches and shocks.

Any of these iPod video cases can be bought at around $10 to $40 a piece.

iPod video cases also provide iPod headphones' jack and hold switch even when closed. The cutouts in these cases can give you easy accessibility to all ports for your convenience while giving your iPod's much needed protection.

These iPod video cases are also made fashionable with different basic and vibrant colors and designs, durable with its protective materials and functional with its special features for different iPod models.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

The Future of iPod Video

The release of the fifth generation of iPod players opened us to the possibility of video streaming with our iPods. When Apple launched the iPod video last October 2005, we began to see the potential of this popular gadget in the field of entertainment, marketing and advertising.

The fifth generation iPod video is available in 30 GB size and 60 GB size capacity models and priced the same between $299-$399 USD. They feature the ability to read and play MPEG-4 and H.264 video. iPod video resolutions of up to 480 x 480 and 320 x 240 are available to users. Some of them though have said to play wide screen resolutions of up to 640x360 in using MPEG-4 and 400x192 while using H.264. The screen capabilities are often dependend on what the users can tinker around with.

The iPod video has a 65,536 color (16-bit) screen, and is able to play video on an external TV through the use of an AV cable accessory. It plugs into the headphone mini-jack and the connector splits into composite video and audio output with RCA jacks. However, video watched on via television often has poor quality due to the compression.

The iPod videos are encoded at 480x480 or less. This iPod resolution is similar to conventional VHS recordings. The screen size is 2.5 inches diagonally, 0.5 inches larger than the previous iPod. The iPod video is also 30% thinner than the previous full-size iPod. The battery life for the 30 GB size is 14 hours and for the 60 GB size is 20 hours. Watching movies reduces that time to two to three hours.

It’s not an Apple Ipod without the click wheel and the iPod video has that feature. It gives you access and control to your entire photo, music and video library — from one thumb. You can control the volume and browse it using the iPod’s touch-sensitive surface. The iPod video’s click wheel provides easy control and access right at your fingertips.

What this gadget can do is the usual music player function plus play video downloaded from iTunes Music Store or other external sites that offer the same video file format. With this unit, you can put music in the pocket and still have room for practically everything else. You can read your audio books with iPod video. Browse through your picture gallery

with iPod video’s photo slideshows. Refer to your iPod video calendar or look up an email address in the address book. You can also check time from your favorite city and record your fastest lap. With this iPod, you can watch video pod casts, music clips, videos and also the TV shows you missed. This is what makes the iPod video so exciting. Everything you need in one ipod.

The major advantage of the iPod video is how advertising can use it to promote other products and services for sale. Think of a preview of J. Lo’s next music video to be released and only those with an iPod video can watch it. That’s hitting four birds with one stone; promotion for the album, the song, the iPod unit and whatever else the marketers can think of. Indie artists can also use create a fan base using the iPod video through self-promotion via iPod video-accepted formats and by giving out free music clips or video clips.

And what about television shows that wants feedback from iPod video users? They can easily hook up a pilot episode, test the initial reaction to the public and have immediate response through the website or mobile phone replies. Another great idea is to make available instructional video clips of cooking classes. Companies will have a ball making ads for iPod video and also make it possible for us users to get free downloads.

There are also the companies who will create accessories to fully enhance your iPod. The plans to create innovative software and content for the iPod video is just starting. The future for Ipod is very bright. In the end, we are the winners of this race to video technology.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Have Nothing Else To Do? Watch iPOD TV Shows!

Boredom. It’s man’s worst enemy, especially during breaks.

Everyone may have an ample supply of various reading materials, ranging from books to magazines to alamanacs, simply any reading material that may take the boredom off your shoulders. This was the primary reason why the television was invented by an inventor. Boredom certainly met its match. This is not highly unlikely, but it’s still, in a way, unlikely, for not everyone has television sets.

So, if you’re one of those television-less people, then you look for other media of entertainment. The ipod is a solution to your problems.

The population of those who do have a television set is certainly outnumbered by the population of those who have an ipod. If you have an ipod, good for you, if you don’t, that’s too bad because you’re missing a lot. A lot is inclusive of the experience of watching your favorite tv shows on an ipod.

Yes, you read that right. You can now watch your favorite tv shows on your ipod, by way of the ipod tv shows.

NBC has made it a point to be associated with the itunes, and be included in the itunes website, being one of the most surfed website ever made. It is because of this said affiliation that you can now watch quite a number of NBC shows on your ipod. These shows will be listed as available on the itunes website, so that things will be a lot more easier for you, for all you have to do is click wherever it is that the word Download! is located.

After a few minutes, you can now enjoy ipod tv shows and watch the said ipod tv shows while shopping in the mall or while waiting on the subway train to get to your destination. You can also use your ipod and watch your downloaded ipod tv shows, at the same time, chasing the deadline on that full report your boss has been pestering you with for weeks. This is certainly a way of mixing business with pleasure.

The available ipod tv shows are Law and Order, which is perfect for the pre-law people, and also for those who have a calling to participate in the law; the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, which is a brew of serious topics for conversations, and laughs that give you and endless supply of gas; the Office is also available, this ipod tv show narrates to you the possible events that may happen in an office (which is very obvious, given the title); the show, Surface, can also be downloaded; the same thing goes with Late Night with Conan O’ Brien, you probably know this guy already, who doesn’t? Conan O’ Brien is a fantastic host.

In this ipod tv show, you get to know more about your favorite artists, actors or actresses, at the same time, cannot stop gasping for air, for the laughs that this ipod tv show offers come so unexpectedly; Monk also is an ipod tv show; and another is the show Battlestar Galactica, which , reading the title, gives you a notion that it occurs in the vast outer space and that there is an inevitable battle.

Simply, a variety of very good, probably the best, ipod tv shows that you can enjoy.

This concept, however, is not entirely new to the Apple industry. Though, what makes it somewhat new, is that it is now a full-pledged application which is very user-friendly.

There are various programs that are involved in the ipod-tv-shows mania, but the most talked about program is the MrTVpod.

The MrTVpod is a new, though not the newest, but new all the same, program that lets you manage your downloaded ipod tv shows in the tv shows category. This, however, is not approved by the itunes.

This prohibition is caused by the fact that, with this MrTVpod, you can just save any video in the category and declare these said videos to be ipod tv shows, for use on the new 5th generation ipod, which is also referred to as the ipod video. Itunes decided to go against the MrTVpod’s flow because they wanted, and still does, to keep their authenticity well intact.

Another probable reason could be their avoidance of a competition. This program, the MrTVpod is available for download for Mac Os X and the Windows.

So grab an ipod now and start enjoying those ipod tv shows that you love most. Cry; get mad; laugh; all of these are offered to you be ipod tv shows.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Finding the Perfect iPod Speakers For You

Nowadays, you can throw a party anywhere as long as you have an iPod and a set of iPod speakers. They are so tiny, yet they can boom the bass and shake up the place.

iPod speakers are either portable, which you can carry around, or home models, which you cannot carry around because of some restrictions like, it is bigger and heavier and is therefore not handy, and it is not battery operated and work only when plugged into an electrical outlet.

The portable models are battery operated and has a size just slightly larger than iPod Nano and some weighs only half an ounce! Although portable iPod speakers offer sound better than most computer speaker, it can't compete with the home only or standalone iPod speakers that can produce louder, crisper, and more booming sound, for these iPod speakers get their power directly from an electical outlet that gives much energy compared to a low voltage battery.

Below are the best in iPod speakers that could rock us out of our seat with their booming sound.

-iBlasting the Room with iBoom iPod speakers

iBoom is the newest iPod speaker from DLO. The iBoom iPod speakers sport an amorphous shape and has a slot in the front which serve as a hub for iPod or iPod mini. The four iPod speakers only need 20 watts per channel to start producing sound. iBoom iPod speakers also has a built-in handle, an AUX in port, and can run either on AC power or a with six "D" batteries. When plugged in to an AC power, the iBoom iPod speakers will charge the cradled iPod. Design wise, iBoom iPod speakers look pretty good with a white iPod cradled on it. 

The plus points for iBoom iPod speakers are (1) low wattage consumption but could still produce decent sound, (2) portable and (3) charge an iPod when it is running on A/C power.

- 'What's the new Black?'

For Altec Lansing, the answer is still black.

Altec Lansing's inMotion iM3 iPod speakers come in the usual Apple white and, now, in black. It weighs around 15 to 16 ounces only and is sized just a bit larger than the iPod.

Altec Lansing is known for creating sound system that could produce sounds in different ranges from the highest pitch to the lowest bass. And now that Altec Lansing has speakers for the iPod, expect that these iPod speakers would be of high quality. In fact, these iPod speakers has a class D amplifier to create rich, audible sounds.

It's quite unbelievable that these speakers could last 24 hours from four AA batteries. You can carry these iPod speakers anywhere, and play it on for an all night party even on a place where there's no power outlet, like the soccer field, basketball court, or the lakeside.

The black Altec Lansing iPod speakers has the same price as that of the Apple white version.

- Apple's Hi-Fi Shouts "Party!"

When iPod was released in 2001, the only way you could hear the playing songs is through headphones. There were no Apple-branded iPod speakers then, yet. Third party manufacturers and developers created their own iPod speakers to answer the growing demand for off-headphones music playing.

In 2006, Apple realized that it was time to create one of its own.  In February, Apple released the iPod Hi-Fi. Priced at $349, Apple's eye is set on the high-end market.

Hi-Fi iPod speakers, according to Apple, creates a large soundstage and has a wide frequency range. So, Hi-fi iPod speakers are not only portable speakers, they can be the only speaker for a small house or an apartment, replacing the bulky speakers with separate woofer and sub-woofers. With the sound of these Hi-Fi iPod speakers, you can shout "Party!" anytime you want.

Design wise, it looks cool. It bears the traditional Apple white color. It's size is bigger than most portable iPod speakers and is the heaviest, weighs 15 ounces, in the entire line of third party developed iPod speakers

Hi-Fi iPod speakers are powered in two ways, AC or DC (six D-cell batteries), comes with a small, white remote control, and built-in handles to bring it anywhere you go.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Guide to Good Software for Your iPod

New users of the ipod are having difficulty putting on songs on their device. Some complain about some of their play list getting lost after it has been uploaded from the computer. Some are really just not used to it and are having trouble with the very process itself. Addressing this problem, different companies have come up with softwares that will make the use of the ipod not that stressful.

Adding and uploading playlist, songs, videos and etc. will no longer have a hard time as it has been made easy for them. If you decide to use one of these softwares, you should not forget to read instructions first.

Also, you will still be doing most of the work so do not expect the computer, the ipod, and the software to do it all by themselves.

One thing that makes the apple iPod unique is the addition of different iPod software you can add to your gadget. These softwares make it easy for you and add a little more spice to your iPod. Ipod software will help you personalize your little gadget as you use it throughout the day and as you download music to it.

The software can be acquired through download and is very easy to install. Just connect your ipod to your personal computer and wait for it to be transferred. After that, enjoy the wonders of the software which is so positively sure that you will definitely enjoy.

There is a lot of ipod software out there and here is just a small list you can use on your gadget. But I have chosen to show you four softwares for a more easy and convenient use. It is now up to you to choose which Ipod software you need. On my list are the newest software released up to date.

First on my list is the Anapod Explorer 8. Anapod Explorer 8 was created by Windows for the sole purpose of serving Ipod users. The anapod is basically an alternate for itunes. It can copy your music and back to your personal computer and brings your ipod into the windows explorer.

This can be found as a device under my computer. It will give you a more familiar windows explorer interface and this will make it easier for you to transfer and manage your on-board music, play list and more. Transfer from your computer to your ipod or from your ipod to your computer does not get any easier than this.

There is also an add-on to this ipod software. It includes the AnapodSQL and the rare Anapod Xtreamer which is a web based streaming interface. Basically, anapod is a backup software for your easy use.

Another Ipod software is the PodUtil 2.5.1. PodUtil is an Ipod software that is so easy to use. It is for viewing the songs on your Ipod and transferring it to your computer for a more customizable an organized manner. Then, it will automatically add them to itunes and you will be able to rebuild your play list as you wish. Again, another ipod software that makes organizing and transferring music and play lists easier.

Aside from the two mentioned, there is also the gtkpod 0.88. gtkpod is a platform independent GUI for apple ipod that uses gtk2. This ipod software allows you to upload songs and play list to your ipod. It supports ID# tag editing, multiple charsets for ID3 tags, detects duplicate songs, and also allows offline modification of the database with later synchronization, and more.

Lastly, there is the ipod.itunes 3.0. This ipod software has the capability to add missing songs, videos, playlist, ratings, played dates, and play counts in both directions between ipod and itunes.

This software is designed to keep songs, videos, and playlists on different Macs and ipods up to date, and can perform a full restore of these items after a hard disk failure. Now, that is efficiency. The software updates foreign ipods not linked to your itunes library without deleting its content.

Now remember, these ipod softwares are add-ons to your gadget for easy use, but that does not mean that it will do everything for you. Of course, it is still you who will do all the work so that you will have a good time with your ipod.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Should You Get a Skin for your iPod?

iPod came into the world of digital audio player in 2001, and since then, for a short span of five years, the standard for digital audio player has never been the same. If it is not an iPod, it is inferior; if it is an iPod, it should be the latest generation.

Third-party manufacturers of iPod accessories were born and are continually growing in number like bunnies. Speakers, FM transmitters, Voice Recorder, BMW Playlist, these are just among the few iPod accessories that keep our mouth agape with delight and expectation. There is, however, a single iPod accessory that created a niche of its own in the "iPod ecosystem": the iPod skin line.  

THE LINE OF iPod SKINS

iPod skins are designed, initially, to protect iPods from scratches, dirt, and getting wet from perspiration. iPod skins specifically shelters the screen and click-wheel. But iPod skins manufacturers do not limit themselves to these basic iPod skin feature; for them, iPod skins should be stylish, innovative, and fashionable.

There are iPod skins available for every generation of iPod, including the shuffle, mini and nano lines.

There are wide arrays of iPod skins to choose from. iPod skins may be made from silicone, hard plastic, thin vinyl, or leathers and comes in various colors. There some iPod skins that even glow in the dark!

Known manufactureres of stylish and innovative iPod skins are Kate Spade, iSkin, Incase, Chums, Speck and Xtreme Iconz,.

www.iLounge.com offers the best iPod skins in the market at low prices.

GO SILICON, HARD PLASTIC OR LEATHER WITH MY iPod SKIN?

- Silicon iPod skins

iSkin has the best line of iPod skins. It offers silicone and thin vinyl type of iPod skins. Its eVo2 line of iPod skins offers all-around surface protection, including screen and click wheel protection.

Silicon iPod skins is cool and soft to the touch and keeps the iPod unit insulated from battery heat. Although silicon felt like soft, gummy rubber, it stays in your hand with its anti-slip grip.

Silicon iPod skins comes with a rotating belt clip or a plastic lanyard (if you like) and spaces for ipod, buttons, jacks, click wheel and dock port were cut out for easy access. If you want a glow in the dark iPod skins, buy silicon made iPod skins.

You can dress up your iPod with silicon iPod skins for $20 to $30.

- Hard Plastic iPod Skins

Hard plastic iPod skins are the next best thing to silicon iPod skins. It is offered in various colors, see through and with a plastic lanyard or belt clip. The best hard plastic iPod skin is from NanShield.

Hard plastic iPod skins, unlike silicon iPod skins, does not have the no-slip guarantee when your hand perspires. If you accidentally dropped your iPod, the hard plastic skin could crack and shatter and might do more damage to your iPod than with your iPod unskinned.

Hard plastic iPod skins are the cheapest iPod skins in the market, offered on the internet for just $9.

Some breaking news. This April of 2006, Gizmondo released The Jimi case, a 100-percent recycled plastic iPod skin. Attached at the back of this iPod skin is a mirror which you can use for make up touch ups or any other purposes that you could think of. This environment friendly iPod skin comes in six different colors.

- Leather iPod Skins

This is the most expensive iPod skin in the market. Priced from $20 to as much as $200, those who think they are in vogue and in style prefer the hot and tight leatherette to skin their iPods. Kate Spade has a line of expensive but elagantly crafted leather iPod Skins.

Some leather iPod skins look more like a case rather than a skin because of a flip-flop top cover. The leathery look, subdued hues and a flip-flop cover are the kind of design especially preferred by the older crowd of iPod users.

A leather iPod skin has cut out to make way for dock connector, jack port, and click wheel. It has a detachable rotating belt clip and a leather lanyard if you prefer to wear your iPod on your neck.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Get Raw With iPod Shuffle

Ever since the release of iPod shuffle, there has been much confusion as to the merits of this ipod series. The original iPod boasted of other features like displaying contacts, calendars, and notes; the ability to play games and to record voice notes through an external microphone and store pictures with the use of a media card reader. All of these were able to capture the high and middle end users of portable audio players. But when you close closely at the iPod shuffle, you’ll see that it was created for the lower end market.

The iPod shuffle is Apple’s smallest, easiest and most affordable audio player of the ipod series. Having storage capacities of 512 MB and 1 GB, it is not only remarkable for it’s size, price and design. It is also unique from the rest of the ipod family because of its lacking LCD display. It is this quality that makes consumers think twice before buying an iPod shuffle.

Unbelievable as this may seem, there are those who find the iPod shuffle fitting right in their lifestyle. There are those who prefer to keep low about their players and just concentrate on their music. Those consumers are the primary targets of the iPod shuffle. So despite the sacrifice in display, it is also one advantage for the device.

Stripped down of its accessories and naked on its functions, the iPod shuffle is nothing more than a simple music player. How bare is it? Aside form the lack of LCD display; iPod shuffle only has three simple toggle switches on the back for the power switch, continuous play and shuffle mode. The green stripe below the switch helps the user see what position its switch is on.

Apple’s iPod shuffle communicates with the user through two LEDs under the plastic housing out front of the player. If you don’t know what that blinking yellow light is, Apple has included an iPod shuffle “cheat card” that translate what the different blinks and LEDs mean.

Some of the blinks are fairly easy to understand. The iPod shuffle shows a steady green LED when it is fully charged. But there are times when some lights are better without it on the iPod shuffle. For example, the only way to know if the unit is activated is to plug it in. Unless you’re sure to turn the iPod shuffle off when not using it, you’ll soon be surprised to know that the battery is drained after being accidentally activated as pressure is applied through a pocket, purse, or backpack. There are dangers to over charged batteries too.

Now it’s not an iPod without the kind of click-wheel controller, and the iPod shuffle gives that to ipod fans as well. Because navigation is impossible with iPod shuffle, there’s no spinning wheel controller or even a Menu button. In its place is a device that includes a round controller, which offers a Play/Pause button in the middle and the four-way click ring on the outside for volume control, Fast Forward/Next, and Rewind/Back.

For the iPod shuffle to communicate with your computer, there is a USB connector on the tip of the iPod shuffle. This can also link to an optional third-party power supply. Having the connector built in the iPod shuffle has its pros and cons. It is convenient because you don’t need to bring along a cable to download music on your computer and move it to your iPod shuffle. But at the same time, you must charge the unit with your computer.

Another problem is the size of the iPod shuffle. Since it is bigger than the usual key drives, it won’t fit some computers like the Apple iMacs. In come the accessories especially made to resolve the iPod shuffle’s limitations: the iPod USB Power Adapter, the External Battery Pack and the iPod shuffle Dock. Another great feature is the ability to specify amounts of storage space on the device for music and data.

The iPod shuffle is as good as any of the iPod models. The petite size, it’s about a pack of gum, gives the user a chance to hide it under the shirt while walking along the streets. The weight of it though is less appealing. Not to mention that the lanyard for the iPod looks inadequate to support the weight of the unit.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

The Clash of MP3 Players and iPods

In the music universe, being number one means having the best of everything. From storage space and versatility to style and functionality, engineers have been moving towards the realization of that need. Not since the mp3 players and ipods have we seen the most amazing array of music devices available for audiophiles and techno rats.

It is interesting to note that MP3 players and ipods have always been mistaken for each other. And as hard as the brand managers try to differentiate their product from competitors, society has the last say on which product makes it and what its nickname will eventually become. MP3 players and ipods started out fairly the same; both are portable, audio players designed to eliminate the need for compact discs. MP3 players and ipods play a variety of music file formats from WAV, MP3, WMA, and MPEG to name a few. Both can also work as file storage devices. However, MP3 players are flash drive storage devices only. They have a limited capacity of up to 1 GB whereas ipods give the user a choice between a flash drive and a hard drive that can store up to 60 GB in memory size.

The competition between MP3 players and ipods extend to the capabilities of the devices. The features offered by MP3 players include an audio player, storage device, voice recorder telephone directory and an FM radio. Though it sounds like a fully loaded car, you are actually limited in terms of accessories. The wildest thing you can do to MP3 players is change the neck strap. Ipods have a wider selection and gives you more freedom to personalize it. Aside from being audio players, there are ipods that can show your pictures with its small LCD display. And with the latest ipods that play videos, you will always have something to keep you company on those stormy nights, alone in the car.

Ipods also give its user the freedom to dress up or dress down their units. There are websites that offer stick-on covers for ipods like the ones at Decalgirl.com or Ipodstyle.com. Ipods can also be used as a slight PDA since some fanatics have tinkered with these digital players and used it to upload their address book and calendar from their computer.

Other accessories available to this device include waterproof cases, headphones, dock, speakers, a home clock/radio system, battery pack, cassette adaptor, media reader and FM transmitters. The list goes on and on as more people find ways to enjoy their ipods.

With technology changing as often as the months do, it is no wonder that the once prized MP3 players are now only second – bit players to ipods. From just being portable audio devices, they have come out of our pockets and have invaded clubs. The most favorite accessories of hardcore music junkies are these docks that serves as a “mixing table” for tunes right from their ipods’ playlist.

Club disc jockeys have a field day with this device since they can create new dance floor beats with their trusty ipods bringing in the crowd thus spawning a new generation of digital mixers. Even club patrons can get into the action by downloading their favorite tunes and taking it to the mixing table for a spin.

MP3 players are not yet obsolete. It still is the next best thing to ipods and as long as there are people willing to make do without the extra features, MP3 players will always be around. If you are tight on the budget but would still like to carry your tunes around without lugging the heavy compact discs then this is the device for you.

Yet, hands down to the winner of this clash of the best audio device – the ipods. More than a just an audio player, ipods have established itself as the icon of the digital age. Its popularity, ease of use and huge potential has taken the music industry by storm. It has taken a life of its own because it has created numerous gadgets and applications that appeal to the geeks, yuppies, artists and fashionistas.  As more and more people fall in love with ipods, engineers will continue to work and deliver us the accessories that we can use to fully enhance our beloved toys.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Reviews on the iPod

There are many things that people say about apple ipods. iPod reviews are posted all over the Internet and there will always be good or bad reviews available for the interested reader.

Here are some of the summarized iPod reviews available on the Internet:

Pros of iPod

Throughout the years, music lovers have acknowledged the crisp sound produced by the Apple iPod. iPod reviews have always attempted to describe the different music experience is always felt by the listener and every record song seems to be played live. Aside from this, here are the features that people have written in their iPod reviews. Things that they love about Apple iPod:

1. Apple iPod reviews claimed that the hard drive can hold more than five thousand songs. Now, this number of songs is enough that a user would not be able to listen to the same song twice.

2. Apple iPod reviews reveals that the hard drive boasts of a forty gigabytes of storage space.  

3. Apple iPod reviews comes with an ergonomic design which is the Click Wheel. Using the Click Wheel, users can easily browse through the controls of either fast forward, play, reverse, pause and stop. Apple iPod users can even access the menus using the Click Wheel.

4. Apple ipod reviews also counted the long battery life of up to 12 hours as very helpful to the image of Apple iPod. What is the use of storing about 5 thousand songs inside teh Apple iPod if the battery would not last until all the songs have been played.

5. Apple iPod reviews also listed the capability of users to set up play lists on the Apple iPod. 

6. Apple ipod reviews also lists the shuffle function as one of the most notable function of the iPod. It creates a sense of randomness in the play list avoiding boredom for the user.

7. Apple iPod reviews revealed that the Apple iPOd is an excelent audio player. This is due to four reasons:

a. The menu system of the Apple iPod is super-intuitive.

b. The sound quality is great. Although, other users contend that the Apple iPod would be better sounding through the use of other headphones.

c. The storage size for the Apple iPod relative to its size is a bonus.

d. Lastly, but definitely not the least, they consider this the most important; thousands of accessories of the Apple iPod to choose from.

Cons of iPods

1. Apple iPod reviews revealed that post sales services of the Apple iPod are not good. The service warranty of Apple iPods does not cover "abuse," which by itself is a very general term. Service stores of the Apple iPods sometimes argue that the malfunctioning of the iPods was caused by the abuse of the user.

2. Apple iPod reviews have also revealed posts that after the warranty of the iPod expired, weird things started to happen to the iPod. The Apple iPod is supposed to be skip-free, with enough battery life to last and a robust hard drive.

After the warranty year, however, it was reported that the ipod started skipping, the hard drive usually failed and the battery life suddenly became somewhat shorter.

3. Apple iPod reviews have also revealed that the Apple iPod seem to have a software bug or design flaw. Tracks being played are meant to flow continuously from one track to the next. The Apple iPod, however, sometimes blanks out for a moment between tracks.

4. Apple iPod reviews also revealed that users wish that Apple would make the video player more perfect. Doing so would shatter the competition and make Apple iPod the number one music player.

5. Apple iPod reviews also mentioned that users have an occasional problem with the iTunes. Also, the computer which has a MAC OS sometimes have difficulty recognizing the iPod when plugged. It also occassionally freezes up. 

6. Apple iPod reviews also revealed that Apple iPod are easily affected by static inside a coat pocket. This cause the Apple iPod to randomly switch off occassionally.

7. Apple iPod reviews also discussed that the battery life expectancy of the Apple iPod is realistic only if the user would avoid using the back light and the equalizer of the device.

Based from the Apple iPod reviews, the music lovers uses other products simsilar to the Apple iPod such as Creative Jukebox 3, Nuvo MP3 players, Archous Jukebox, Rio, Fist MP3 player, Creative Muvo2. Creative Zen Xtra, Creative Zen Touch, Sony minidisc player, Siemens SL-45 MP3 player, and Sony WM-D6 Pro.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

iPod Repair Service Centers

If you are contemplating on putting up your own business, why not try to learn the ins and outs of iPod repair service center? If you will scout the net, you will find that very few offer iPod repair service. In fact, your State doesn't even have one.

Although Apple have some offices in some States that offer iPod repair service, third party are not discouraged to put up their own iPod repair service center.

* About the Apple iPod Repair Warranty

Apple iPod offers one year warranty for newly purchased iPod nano, iPod mini, iPod video and iPod shuffle. This warranty includes replacement of the entire unit for iPod nano, iPod mini, iPod video and iPod shuffle that has factory defects, iPod repair service for screen repair and circuitry repair, and refurbished unit replacement for battery repair.

When the one year warranty expires, owners of iPod nano, iPod mini, iPod video and iPod shuffle may avail of the $59 battery replacement service. This is not a battery replacement service, actually. The $59 serves as your fee for receiving a refurbished iPod with a new set of lithium batteries.

If you require other iPod repair services other than battery replacement, you have to pay at the cost of almost half of the cost of a brand new iPod. For instance, if you would like your first generation iPod to be repaired at the Apple iPod repair center, the iPod repair service fee is as much as the cost of a brand new third generation iPod. So some iPod owners just buy a new one instead of having their old iPod repaired.

With this costs, this is the reason why many iPod users are looking for iPod repair service center that can do the job that Apple iPod center does, but at a cheaper cost.

* Why Not Put Up Your Own iPod Repair Service Center?

You can offer iPod repair services such as battery replacement, screen replacement or microdrive replacement.

Some online iPod repair service centers offer iPod screen repair service for just a hundred bucks for fifth generation and iPod video and fifty to seventy bucks for first to second generation monochrome iPods.

This is much cheaper compared to the $200 plus iPod repair service fee that Apple iPod center offers.

If you want to tap the repair market which still has a few competitors to spar with, you might learn the iPod repair market by studying the activities and services being offered of your future competitors.

Services that you can offer:

- screen replacement
- battery upgrades,
- audio jack repair
- hard drive or microdrives upgrades

* Online iPod Repair Centers

-- TECHSTORE

Techstore has opened its iPodRestore program for those those who care for their iPods more than their own mothers. With its Full-Restore plan, a box specially designed to carry your iPod nano, iPod mini, iPod video or iPod shuffle will be sent to you, which you need to ship back, with your iPod unit in it, to the iPod repair center of iPodRestore.

This costs for $29, which already includes the overnight from iPodRestore to your home and then to your home back to iPodStore and from iPodstore back to your home, and an estimate of your iPod's condition.


After iPodRestore receive your iPod, a technician will call and email you within 24 hours with a repair diagnosis and service repair price. You can opt to hire them to fix your iPod or ask them to send your iPod back to you at no extra cost.

They also offer Self-Restore program if you want to do the tinkering by yourself for $10. You have to supply your own iPod repair materials for this.

- iPodMods.com

iPodMods.com works like iPodRestore program but its approach in transporting iPods for repair differ in some ways.

iPodMods.com does not charge any fee for diagnostic testing. They will email you instructions on how to send your iPod to their iPod repair and testing center. Of course, the iPod owner bears the cost of the shipping.

iPodMods.com offers all types of iPod repair services such as battery replacement, hard drive or microdrive repair and upgrades, iPod screen repair, and earphone and jack port repair.

Sunday, February 28, 2010

First-time iPod Nano User? A Quick Guide on Cases

iPod nano cases  are designed to shelter iPod nanos from dust, dirt, scratches, and from getting wet from water or perspiration. iPod nano cases also protects the color screen and the click wheel. Most iPod nano cases in the market have a built in cover that you can flip up or back to cover the front screen.

--What's the best iPod Nano case for you?

If you are in the lookout for the best iPod nano case, know first what kind of iPod nano user are you and from there, you can select the best iPod nano case for you.

1. The Trendy iPod Nano User

If you like to name the colors in these manner: pink is to blush, blue is to atomic blaze, black is to sonic eclipse, and white is to arctic, then we can say, you are a trendy user.

The best iPod nano cases for Trendy users are those that are silicon based and made by iPod nano cases experts like: iSkin, Speck, and iCandy.

The silicon material of these iPod nano cases ensure that your iPod nano is free from dust and stay inside the case even if you shop your way around the mall.

Silicon iPod nano cases, even those with colors, are translucent. So, if your iPod is black, don't choose a light colored iPod nano case. Your pink case would look like as though it had been smeared with black ink.

The best thing with silicon iPod nano cases, they have this anti-slip feature and is soft and cool to the touch.

You can either have these cases with a rotating clip or a lanyard.

2. The Practical iPod Nano User

If you are the type of person who thinks shelling out $20 to $100 for an iPod nano case is utterly ridiculous, the hard plastic iPod nano cases fit you perfectly.

Priced for as low as $2, these hard plastic iPod nano cases could also protect your iPod nano from dirt and scratches. These cases could do the job of silicon iPod nano cases less the price.

Nanshield offers well designed hard plastic iPod nano cases that come in various colors, are see through also, and bundled with a plastic lanyard or rotating belt clip.

The disadvantage of owning a hard plastic iPod nano case is that, unlike silicon iPod nano cases, it does not offer the no-slip guarantee when the case gets wet or your hand perspires. These iPod nano cases are also maleable and could easily break when dropped once or a few times.

3. The Elegant iPod Nano User

If you think black and ultra white are elegant, you should find your way in e-stores where a collection of italian leather iPod nano cases are showcased.

Apple released in 2006 its own line of italian leather iPod nano cases, which were priced from $89 up. It's true that leather iPod nano cases are pricey; but, these iPod nano cases satisfy your need for a fashionable yet elegant dress for your iPod nano.

Leather iPod nano cases also come in other colors: pink, red and blue, but in hues that don't shout but merely whisper its presence with a simple, "Hello, I'm here." The texture of the leather are soft to the touch.

Leather iPod nano cases have precise and detailed cut out to make way for the iPod nano's important features such as the click wheel, jack and dock connector,

4. The Sporty iPod Nano User

You love snowboarding and swimming and you wish you could listen to your iPod nano playlist, but you know you cannot possibly do this because your precious nano will get wet.

Well, this is the iPod nano case you have been waiting for.

H2O Audio, in April 2006, answered the wishes and prayers of sporty ipod nano users by announcing the release of its Waterproof Housing or casing for iPod nano.

With this waterproof iPod nano case, users can dip their iPod nano by 10-feet without the nano getting wet. The case is thin, waterproof and has a see through exoskeleton for the click wheel.

Better save some bucks for this iPod nano case for it costs $80.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Great Accessories for Your iPod Nano

One of the latest ipod innovations is the ipod nano. Though it is a little more expensive than you can imagine, lots still grab ipod nanos off the racks. Now, you think, what makes the ipod nano click so much?

What Accessories Do You Need For Your iPod Nano?

Ipod nano accessories give the ipod nano a unique look. Ipod nano accessories aren’t all about looking good. Most of these accessories help in the ipod nano’s portability and also in the convenience of its use.

It comes with a leather case that is handcrafted from Italian leather. Touching it makes your fingers feel ticklish because of its extremely soft and very durable lining that makes up for its nice, fine, rich look. This ipod nano accessory secures your ipod nano like a baby snuggling in its crib. It has a ribbon case design, wherein you just have to pull at the ends of the ribbon and, voila! You’re ipod nano is in plain sight for you to manage and use again.

In-ear Lanyard earphones also accessorize the ipod nano. This accessory turns your ipod nano into a wearable music player. Not only that, but these earphones are also very artistic, a stunning piece of art indeed. These ipod nano accessories are unlike any other type of earphones, for these increase the clarity and the bass response of the song you are listening to.

Most earphones look unmanageable because of the cluttered look they portray, which is not offered by this ipod nano accessory. In-ear Lanyard earphones give an uncluttered look due to the fact that the audio cable is integrated with the Lanyard itself.

You do not have to worry about using your ipod nano while busy with something else. The armband is another ipod nano accessory that gives you easy access to the Click Wheel and also to the other controls an ipod nano has. This ipod nano accessory can also be used for fashion for it has a variety of hues and shades that you can choose from.

If you want a character of a hopeless romantic, the pink armband is perfect for you; if you’re the nature person, either that or you’re a hippie, then the color green is the armband color usually recommended for people of your genre; the shades of red depict confidence and determination, the color usually bought by a dominatrix; and other colors like blue and gray, etc.

The ipod nano dock is an ipod nano accessory that makes your residence, not only a home for you, but also for your ipod nano. This accessory makes a convenient home base for chargine and syncing. With this ipod nano accessory, you can also connect your ipod nano to an audio system, to share the good music, your ipod nano plays, with everyone else.

Together, with the aforementioned ipod ano accessories, is the USB power adapter. With this adapter, you can charge your ipod nano when it is not connected to a computer. To do so, you need to have with you your dock connector and USB cable.

Ipod nanos do not just play what you have downloaded. You can also enjoy the good music of FM radio on your ipod nano. With the radio remote, yo can control everything you need to control to set your FM radio. This ipod nano accessory also makes things a lot easier for you because the remote is conveniently wired. With this package comes a shorter cable that seems to fit the remote with perfection.

The tubes fit the ipod nano like a glove and gives you a full Click Wheel control form the outside. This ipod nano accessory clothes your ipod nano, yet it doesn’t decrease your ipod nano’s manageability. The tubes are also colorful; a set of the colors clear, blue, purple, green and pink.

The last ipod nano accessory that completes the package is the AV connector kit. This kit is inclusive of everything that you need to connect your ipod nano to your home stereo. With this ipod nano accessory, you can enjoy your music library right in your home. You can share your favorite trackes with your family and friends this way too.

“Accessories” may sound like all they do is accessorize. Well, they do, but that’s not the whole story. They also make things easier or more manageable for you. That is exactly what ipod nano accessories do.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Spin Tunes With the iPod Nano

Welcome the age of innovation! Welcome the Apple iPod nano. The iPod nano is the successor of Ipod mini. The ipod nano was born on September 7, 2005. It works on flash memory instead of a full a hard drive unlike the other ipods. The iPod nano is 62% smaller than its predecessor, with memory available in 1 GB, 2 GB, and 4 GB sizes. The 65,536 color LCD display can show photographs and connects to a computer with the use of a USB 2.0. The iPod nano has a headphone jack on the bottom and also has a dock for other peripherals. One setback though is that the iPod nano is the only one in the ipod series that does not sync to any PC or Windows through firewire.

The iPod nano has many features that would be copied and included into the fifth generation video iPod. These iPod nano features that are new to the ipod series is the addition of the world clock, a stopwatch, and the screenlock option. The world clock permits the users to set time in world cities and set alarms for their time zones. The clocks are ready to adjust for the Daylight Saving Time. The stopwatch feature enables users to start the timer and to stop. The screenlock feature lets users set a passcode for their iPod nano. Should the user forget his or her passcode and the iPod nano is locked, the iPod nano must be plugged into the computer and it will be unlocked.

Spinning tunes with the iPod nano is easy. All the user has to do is upload their chosen songs from iTunes or other external websites, attach their iPod to the computer and start using it. You can choose an iPod nano with colors in white or black. The memory size varies from in 1 GB, 2 GB and 4 GB models. The price for an iPod nano ranges from $149 to $249, depending on the memory capacity you want.

One of the most appealing things about the iPod nano is its sleek design. However, there have been a number of complaints about the nano’s screen softness thus becoming easily scratched or cracking if too much pressure is applied. The iPod nano body is also delicate and scratch easily. Its surface is soft plastic and frequent use can damage the surface.

Because of this, Apple has had to defend its iPod nano from lawsuits, stating that they found the units not living up to its claim. Also the battery life is not as reliable. Since then, Apple began to package the iPod nano and fifth-generation iPods along with soft fabric cloth carrying case to help prevent scratches on the screen and body. The bad side to this is that the case does not give access to the control and the screen. The user must really exert effort in using the function of the iPod nano under the soft case.

Lucky for us, there are iPod nano accessories that solve this problem. One such device is the rubberized skin covers. These skins not only prevent the unit from being scratched, it also protects it from moisture and dust. The snug fit ensures that it does not slip and the rubberized feature gives the user a tight grip on their iPod nano. For the battery problem, users can always purchase a new adapter that they can carry to charge their units anywhere, as long as there is a socket.

Along with the car charger, earphones and loud speakers, the iPod nano has loads of peripherals available to really give you listening pleasure all day long. Among the favorites is the iPod FM stereo and cassette adaptor. Now you can search for tunes and play them through conventional devices like a car stereo the use of your iPod. It’s fast and simple.

And also there is the iPod Groove Purse Tote with Built in Speaker & Amplifier System. This classy tote bag lets you display your iPod and share your music with everyone around you. The flawless integration of style, clear sounds and amazing technology, make this a hot item for gifts.

Spin your way into the world of music and multimedia with the iPod nano. Its great tunes, great photos and the coolest gadgets to show everyone what you’ve got are what turns an audiophile into an iPod lover. Once you get the beat started, it’s really hard to back down.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

iPod Music - the ultimate music experience

iPod music has sold models to over 10 million users. With the growth of iPod users, iPod music among the most sought after kind of music through the Internet. During the second quarter conference of its company, Apple, company executives said that it is actively going for the international digital music market.

In the United States alone, Apple's iPod and iPod music has a 78% share in the market, while it is also leading in the United Kingdom with 40%. In Japan, Canada and Australia, iPod music is also popular with market shares of 54%, 45% and 58% respectively. Apple Chief Operating officer Tim Cook said that while the iPod is the top portable audio player in these countries, Apple is also eyeing on improving iPod music sales in other countries like Italy and the rest of Eastern Europe, and Asian countries like China and Korea.

Cook said that Apple is planning to make local advertising and distribution points to help boost the sales of iPod and iPod music in these areas. The Apple executive said that there are now more than 35,000 storefronts in the world that sells iPod and promote iPod music. He said that the company is increasing the capacity of resellers in the United States that will enhance and increase the number of channel partners to distribute iPod and promote iPod music in Latin America and Asia.

More gadgets, accessories for iPod music

iPod music can now be played in Teac's two new offerings. The first one is called SRL-200 that features an integrated iPod dock, digital AM and FM radio tuner with 20 FM station presets, LCD display, and wireless remote. It lets you awaken or fall asleep to iPod music. It sells for $150.

The second offering is called GR-10i. It is a similar clock radio with iPod dock that sports a silver exterior. It also features digital AM and FM radio tuner, LCD display, remote and sleep/alarm functions.

iPod features

iPod can allow you to store up to 15,000 songs and up to 150 hours of video in your pocket size gadget. iPod and its music has surely brought the ultimate music experience both in sight and sound. It is now in thinner and lighter design that is available in white and dramatic black. Its 320x240 pixel QVGA color display allows you to view photos and videos in iPod music and video formats. These are all available in iTunes Music Store by Apple.

You can play more and more iPod music from your iPod with the 60GB and 30GB iPod but without occupying a big space. Incredibly, iPod plays almost countless music and videos yet measures only a half inch thin that can easily pit into your pocket.

There are many gadgets that you can plug into your iPod that does not only play iPod music but videos and slideshows as well on your TV. You can show and share your iPod music and other iPod files. The optional Audio video cable helps you do this and combined with a new Apple remote with an optional iPod Universal Dock, you can easily have control on your iPod music, videos and slideshows from across the room.

You can play iPod music up to 20 hours non stop. The 60GB iPod offers 20 hours of battery life for your music playing. The 30GB can be used for 14 hours non stop. The battery of your iPod can be charged up to 80% of its total capacity in just two hours while a full charge can take four hours all in all.

iPod has become the best travel companion when taking pictures during your vacation. In the absence of memory cards, you can automatically store extra files of pictures in your iPod. The optional iPod Camera Connector helps you do this while playing iPod music. You can connect the cable and transfer the pictures from your digital camera to your iPod. From your iPod, you can view your pictures immediately.

iPod is definitely not exclusive to playing iPod music alone. It has evolved to become best handy player of audio and video files in the world. No wonder that iPod is music lovers' most favored gadget.

Bono of U2 simply says it all, "iPod is the most interesting artistic creation in pop since the electric guitar.

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Now Showing On Your iPod: Movies

The fifth generation ipod created the buzz since its release. Many users have enjoyed television shows, movies and music videos played on their beloved iPod video. Hundreds of software has circulated the market to rip DVD and so users can upload their favorite movies, tv shows, music video, games and other multimedia clips. iPod movies are now the latest trend among iPod fanatics.

How do you add a movie to become a part of your iPod movies? The first step is to choose what movie you want to put in your iPod movies. You can opt to download movies straight from the Internet but that might cost a bit more, around $2 USD for a movie. It is highly recommended that users download their iPod movies through the Apple iTunes Music Store. For one thing, it is not so easy to convert DVD into iPod movies because of the possibility of incompatibility with the software. Secondly, you can be sure of the quality of your iPod movies.

If you still want to rip an existing DVD movie on to your iPod video, start by downloading software available on the web but be careful! Choose only those that support the iPod video format. Look for features that are easy to use and fast,brief interface and design. Make sure that all encoders/codecs are built-in.

The iPod video converter should be able to integrate with all video/audio encoders/codecs. It should also support a preview function so you can be sure that the iPod movies turn out well. Examples of these are PQ DVD to iPod Video Converter, Handbrake or ImTOO iPod Movie Converter v2.1. Each of these software converts all of the popular video formats to iPod Movies MP4 (iPod video format MPEG-4) and they also convert audio files to iPod supported MP3, AAC, M4A file format. The conversion process happens automatically so all you have to do is set what format you want the movie converted then set the volume and the directory to save it in. Presto! You now have an addition to your iPod movies.

But as legal issues over piracy and copyright laws are beginning to be strict, many are concerned about the future of iPod movies. Will the users be made liable for home videos or ripped DVDs downloaded on their iPod movies’ play list? The economics of iPod video distribution are very different and is dominated by the Hollywood moguls, including licensing and windowing agreements. Not to mention the progress of theatre shows to other markets like rental shops, pay TV, retail stores, free-to-air and now to iPod movies.

And what about porn? The advent of 3G technology on mobile phones has also opened the gates of thrash content when sex videos started to circulate. Will the iPod movies follow suit? Will there be a regulation in the near future of what we can or can’t download to our iPod movies? It is not too hard to see the iPod movies being used for such frivolity. After all, we are free to put whatever content we want on our iPods.

Aside from the iPod movies, the TV shows that can be played on the iPod video are endless. Right now, Desperate Housewives rule the iPod video landscape. Another great ipod feature is the video pod cast, users don’t just watch pod casts but they can also create their own. Eventually home movies will be added as users explore the iPod movies and its limits.

To fully enjoy your iPod movies, there are accessories available for your iPod video. With its TV OUT and wide screen option, you can share you iPod movies with friends inside your living room. The video quality will somewhat depend on the file compression but over-all the resolution is a great. External speakers are also available for you to fully appreciate the audio sounds of the iPod movies you are watching. Add the optional audio cable so you can play music from iPod to your home stereo or use the S-video cable play VJ on your TV. You can also perform the same big-screen feat with iPod photo slideshows and iPod movies.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

A Biography of the iPod Mini

Yes, the ipod mini said its goodbye to the technology market last September 7, 2005. It seems only proper to pay our respects to this whimsical gadget that once put a smile on our face. When the iPod mini was released on February 20, 2004, many were delighted. Being the smaller version of Apple Computer's iPod first generation portable audio player, it’s variety in color (though still somewhat limited to five colors: silver, gold, pink, blue, and green) appealed to a much broader market. The ipod mini operated with both Macintosh and Windows PCs.

The iPod mini’s feature was the click wheel, where four buttons were located above the wheel. To use one of the buttons, a user had to push the wheel edge inward over one of the labels. The click wheel is now used in the fourth and fifth generation iPods as well as in the iPod nano. Above the wheel was the monochrome display that gave the menus or information of the currently selected track. The new generation of ipods now has a colored screen display.

The iPod mini made use of the ultra-thin Compact Flash Microdrive hard drives. The first-generation mini models only had to content itself to a 4GB hard drive. The second-generation mini models were then available in 4GB and 6GB memory size. The iPod mini 4 GB is capable of storing 1,000 songs while the iPod mini 6GB stored 1, 500 songs.

Later the drive size was laser engraved on the case to distinguish between the two minis. Near the end of the iPod mini’s life, Apple laser etched two lines of 32 characters on top of the reverse side on the mini free of charge. Such a feature would originally cost more money. However, Apple seemed sentimental enough and the gesture was a sign of respect for the mini’s impeding demise.

The battery life of its first generation iPod mini was 8 hours that led to some argument on its short duration. This problem was solved with the second-generation models that claimed a battery life of 18 hours.

Unfortunately, the 2nd generation had no FireWire cable or an AC power adapter, a compromise made by Apple to reduce the retail prices of the new iPod minis. The iPod mini also had a dock connector provided on the bottom for a connection to the computer (Hi-Speed USB or FireWire). The battery was charged during its connection. On the top it was a headphone jack, a hold switch, and remote port for other accessories.

Like the larger iPod, the iPod mini supported a host of file formats like MP3, WAV, AIFF and MP4. It maintained it’s flawless integration with the iTunes Music Store and the files being downloaded there. Software-wise, the iPod mini was as reliable as the original iPod units. 

The appeal of the iPod mini is it’s compact and colorful design. And the accessories that come with it are there to enhance the iPod mini’s sound quality and functions. It is true that some of the accessories are expensive but aren’t all the iPod gadgets expensive too?

Besides if there was something good to be said about the iPod mini, it’s the option it gave the consumers when getting a digital audio player. The Ipod mini competed directly with players like Creative's Zen Micro and the Digital Networks Rio Carbon. The smaller display was one line shorter than the previous models, thus limiting its on-screen track information display to title and artist only, taking the album information off.

The original price for the first generation iPod mini was around $249 for the 4GB memory size. The second-generation lowered the price to $199 and kept the 4GB model. An increased-capacity 6GB mini model sold for $249.

As the Ipod family began to expand, the Ipod mini was laid to rest when Apple launched the introduction of the iPod nano. The iPod mini was no more and stopped its production. Though it seems the iPod mini only stayed for a while, its influence as the pioneer of the click wheel will always be remembered.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Apple Drowns in iPod Lawsuit

When a product is meant for sale, it has to meet certain quality standards. It is not different with the case of the Apple ipods. With the release of up to five generations of the unit, one has to wonder how strict they are with its manufacturing procedures. An ipod lawsuit being filed by different complainants project the image that Apple has been very irresponsible with the production of these portable music devices.

One of the ipod lawsuit filed are claims that the unit causes hearing damages. The complainant in the ipod lawsuit states that the company does not warn users of its physical risks, and the design of the ipod’s white earbud phones increase the chances of hearing loss. There was even one rumor that fuels this ipod lawsuit that said that Apple's engineers increased the ipod’s sound because they reasoned that CEO Steve Jobs is almost deaf.

Such childish remarks only serve to discredit the ipod lawsuit. But in this case, it only shows how irresponsible Apple has been with neglecting to consider quality standards. But with the new release of the fifth generation ipod, this ipod lawsuit will no longer be a problem since ipod has included the capability to lower the volume and even fix a volume range to a certain level so that parents can limit the sounds their children take when listening to their ipod.

Another ipod lawsuit raised is the battery life. The consumers, who filed the suit, alleged that iPod failed to stand to its claims of the rechargeable battery lasting the product's lifetime and continuously play music for up to 10 hours.  Thousands of consumers who has read the ipod lawsuit also complained that the ipod’s battery —costing $99 to replace — lasted only 18 months or less and it only played music for four hours before recharging.

Because of this, many consumers with battery problems on older versions of the iPod digital music player will receive $50 vouchers and an extended service warranties as ordered from a tentative settlement filed under the said class-action lawsuit. The ipod lawsuit could affect 2 million users in the US who purchased first-generation, second-generation and third-generation iPods through May 2004.

Environmentalists were also upset, saying the short-lived battery encouraged consumers to dispose of their old devices, which were ending up in landfills and possibly leaking toxins. Apple has been the target for yearlong campaign by these environmental groups, who are asking the executives to reduce/eliminate recycling fees for their consumers and build recycling centers for the ipod.

However, Apple has done almost nothing to discourage the iPod as a disposable unit and there is a possibility of a future ipod lawsuit should they continue to neglect the problem.

One can quickly address this ipod lawsuit and say that there are available third-party gadgets to prolong, charge the ipod easily or even replace the battery. These batteries contain more capacity than its original standard Apple batteries. However, since the battery is a major part of the music player device, its inability to meet the claims on the box does implicate that Apple ipod is liable to those who filed the ipod lawsuit.

The ipod lawsuit does not end there. Another class suit was filed against Apple for the replacement fees being charged to customers for replacing the broken iPod nano screens. The ipod lawsuit alleges that the iPod nano is defective because the screen is easily scratched and the company is breaking the product warranty by charging $25 for their replacements. They contend in the ipod lawsuit that since the Nano cannot withstand normal use without being damaged, the company should have appropriate warnings to the consumer.

What does this entire ipod lawsuit mean for Apple Computer? Make better products or they end up paying settlements left and right. Just like every other industry, Apple Computers must fix products deemed defective for free or refund the costs its paid customers, especially when it is within the warranty period to lessen the ipod lawsuit filed against them.

Many see this ipod lawsuit as a wake up call for the billionaire company to be strict with their quality control, be responsible in their advertising, and be efficient with their after-sales service. As long as greedy companies are duping people into buying inferior products, many more lawsuits like the ipod lawsuit will surface.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

No Need to Shout for iPod Help (iPod Help is Here)

In the last two years, Apple iPod has been releasing new models every six to eight months. Every new iPod that come offers new feature not available from the previous ones. In fact many features have been totally changed that some units need to be phased out (like the iPod mini). It is for this reason that iPod help center regularly updates their iPod help at the Apple's official website, the Apple.com

iPod help are specifically made to accommodate and answer the needs of iPod users owning iPods of different generations. If you are a new iPod owner, of a first to fifth generations or iPod nano, iPod mini, or iPod shuffle, you might wonder what are the things you could do with your iPod. Now that you have shouted help, we will bring you five top things that new iPod owner ask for and the iPod help and answers that correspond them.

iPod Help 1: Know thy iPod Battery

iPod help states that your iPod battery shall last for 300 to 500 recharge cycles. Meaning, after the 500th discharge and recharge, you need to replace not just the battery but the entire unit at the Apple Center for a refurbished unit with new set of iPod battery.

There are many iPod help documentations about iPod batteries. iPod help iPod users to understand how an iPod battery works, how new iPod users can save power and thus enjoy their iPod batteries longer.

iPod Help 2: Know thy special features

iPod help states that iPod is not just for entertainment. iPod nano, iPod mini, iPod shuffle, and iPod video may actually be used as a personal assistant.

You can add your address book and personal information of all the people you know from your computers to your iPod nano, iPod mini, iPod shuffle, and iPod video. You can do this by following the instructions from the iPod help center.

It's quite easy. It is just a simple sync in feature that can be done by simply attaching your iPod nano, iPod mini, iPod shuffle, and iPod video to your computer and then by pressing some tabs on the iTunes.

Aside from the 'Sync My  Address Book' feature of iPod nano, iPod mini, iPod shuffle, and iPod video, you can also sync your schedules using iCal for Mac or Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express for Microsoft Windows.

With the ipod help center, you will be taught on how to attach and read small sticky notes to and from your iPod nano, iPod mini, iPod shuffle, and iPod video.

iPod Help 3: Know thy third party software

iPod help center also offers free downloads of iPod software. iPod can help you on how to install dictionary, translators and text-to-speech translators to your iPod nano, iPod mini, iPod shuffle, and iPod video.

Some iPod software from the iPod help center are offered for free. iPod help center call this a freeware. iPod help center also has shareware software which you can use for free but for a limited time only.

There is this shareware offered at the iPod help center that will work best for travellers: the Accio Dictionary for iPod.

With this shareware, you can listen to translatations of phrases and words that a tourist often ask to a native, like asking directions or asking for a name or saying thanks and sorry. The translations in Accio Dictionary are spoken by native speakers.

iPod Help 4: Earn thy living through Podcasting

You might have heard of Podcasting before, but never did it make you turn around the computer and read about it again. Here is your chance to know about it and earn through it. Podcasting is an entertainment media, a new generation, that is, that permits listeners to subscribe to shows, radio-style. These podcasts can be downloaded from the subscribers' computers and can be listened either in their computer or in their iPod nano, iPod mini, iPod shuffle, and iPod video. 

iPod help center accepts podcasts submission, which the iPod help center will submit to the iTunes store. Podcasters can offer their podcasts for free or for a fee.

Many people have earned money through podcasting. You can also benefit from podcasting too by learning the ins and outs of podcasting at the iPod help center. Just log on to Apple.com website and go to the iPod and iTunes support and help center.