iPod Buyer's Guide
The Apple iPod is now one of the most famous pieces of consumer technology in the world, shifting an incredible 160 million units since the bulky original was launched back in October 2001.
If you’re planning your first purchase, or fancy an upgrade, here’s our guide to the current models. Should you opt for the convenience of Shuffle or the high-tech versatility of Touch? Find out right here...
iPod Shuffle
Weighing in at teeny 15 grams, the Shuffle is the smallest and lightest member of the iPod family, with no screen and a pared-down navigation system. The anodised aluminium casing comes in a range of five colours so you can match yours up with your Lycra cycling shorts!
- Turn on and work out: The Shuffle is aimed at active music fans who want to listen while jogging or hitting the gym.
- Shuffle and see: Yes, there’s no screen! Shuffle will play your tracks in a pre-defined order, or you can hit the Shuffle button to totally randomise your playlist
- Clip and go: There’s a handy clip so you can attach your Shuffle to your clothing.
- Jog to the beat: The shuffle is available as a 1GB or 2GB model, allowing you to store up to 500 tracks. The solid state drive means that the music won’t jog, even if you do...
Buy Shuffle
iPod Nano
With its diminutive, gently-curved chassis and large range of flamboyant colours, the Nano is the style leader of the iPod range. Boasting a two-inch, high-resolution colour screen, it'll play movies and TV shows as well as music. Plus, the Nano gives you 24 hours of audio on a single battery charge. It's also the only iPod you'll actively want to shake...
- Songs and snaps: The Nano is available in either 8GB or 16GB versions, the latter storing up to 4,000 songs. It’ll also hold up to 14,000 of your own digital photos.
- Small screen legend: The compact LCD display allows you to visually navigate your music collection, and we love the Cover Flow feature, which lets you browse via album art!
- Lifestyle accessory: Available in nine colours and featuring a sleek aluminium casing, this one’s for fashionistas who value style over sheer memory capacity.
- Shake it, baby!: The Nano includes a motion-sensing accelerometer, allowing you to shuffle tracks by literally shaking it! There are lots of Nano games available on the AppStore that support its motion controls.
Buy Nano
iPod Touch
The superstar of the range and easily the most talked-about music player of the last few years, the iPod Touch is a modern design legend, and a cracking piece of technology. It features a large Multi-Touch display, Wi-Fi connectivity, a contoured stainless steel chassis and even an external speaker, for when you want to share your music or movies with friends. Apple gets it all just right, yet again.
- Touch and turn: The iPod Touch features a Multi-Touch display, allowing you to browse your music by touching the screen, or scroll through your library with a finger stroke. There’s also an accelerometer, allowing you to control games and other apps by tilting your iPod.
- Wi-Fi winner: With the Touch, you can browse the web and check your email via any Wi-Fi connection. You can also easily access weather reports and live traffic info via the main menu.
- Game on!: There are thousands of Touch-compatible games and applications on the AppStore, from such cute platformers as Rolando to Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. Indeed, Apple wants its technically identical iPhone and iPod Touch devices to rival the DS as the world’s favourite handheld games platform.
- Geek and chic: Part games console, part PDA, part web browser, the iPod Touch is a must for tech lovers who want to get much more out of a music player than just great sounds.
Buy Touch