I’ve had an iPod now for probably at least two years. On my birthday, Des picked me up one of those iPod Minis back when they first came out. And as I sit here, on my couch, patiently waiting for it to charge enough so it will make the rainy walk to work, I thought I’d reflect a bit on the iPod.
Since I usually walk wherever I go downtown, I pretty much take the iPod with me when I can. I’m sure I’m going to be part of that generation that goes prematurely deaf since I’m somehow genetically inclined to listen to my iPod on max or near-max volume all the time. In fact, if it could go louder, I’d probably bump it up a few notches. It only took me about a week before I blew the headphones that came with, and now I’m on my 3rd of 4th pair of cheap ones.. None of these headphones actually sound as good as the original ones in my opinion, but I just can’t bring myself to shell out another $40 for the same ones that blew so easily last time.
In terms of battery life, mine’s always been pretty pitiful. It seems like I can only make a few trips to and from work before it’s dead again. I don’t believe the claims about the battery life that Apple made, because in my experience, they are simply not accurate. The menu system is pretty cool, but I don’t think it’s perfect yet.
I think one of the best purchases I made was this little device that lets me hook my iPod to my stereo, and at the same time charges it. It even comes with its own remote, so I can sit on my couch and cycle through my iPod in my living room with ease. It’s made listening to music at home far more enjoyable, since I don’t have to burn CDs anymore. Best part is I’ve become accustomed to dropping my iPod into the charger the moment I walk in the door, so for the most part I never really have it die on me midsong.
Making the jump to my new Macbook Pro caused me to lose most of my MP3s on my iPod, so unfortunately I don’t have a pile of music on it right now. Other than that, it’s been a pretty enjoyable little device. I debated getting the video version a while ago, but truth is I don’t really watch many videos these days, and don’t really think it’s an ideal form factor for watching videos. But when this puppy dies, I imagine I’ll buy something else similar.
Anyways, my iPod should be charged now, so it’s time to make the long dreary walk to work.
I have an iPod video. You’re right, it’s not the best platform for watching movies (unless they’re standard 4:3), and I wish it were smaller. But 30 GB is nice to have, and I did enjoy watching Family Guy reruns at the gym or on the plane.
I had a mini and always hated the battery life. I recently upgraded to a video and i totally dig it. I don’t watch much video on my iPod, but I do download certain webcasts occasionally to watch. More than anything, I like the long battery life and the massive memory. As far as headphones, spend 80 bux on a pair of ear goggles man… they sound better, go louder and last longer. If you get full coverage ones they don’t even need to go as loud because they block out alot more ambient noise. I bought some sony noise cancelling phones recently and they’re real good. Of course, u do tend to look like a dj wannabe in ear goggles, but really…who cares?
The best accessory for my iPod nano is the armband that lets me wear it when I’m running. I decided that paying $40 for a piece of vinyl (that looks like it will rip the second you take it out of the package) just because it is made by Apple was rather stupid, so I bought a way cooler no name one – it’s a black silicon skin with a detachable arm band. It rocks!
Clay – For what it’s worth, I always think that the wannabe DJs on the bus look way cool.
Hey! I too have an iPod video and love it! I contimplated purchasing it in the beginning because I didn’t watch too many videos either, but now I watch them all the time! You should definitly get one!