It is now set to shift even more because Apple has added a video camera. It allows some editing effects and videos can be uploaded to YouTube via your computer at the touch of a button. The new design also sports a larger screen, now 2.2 inches and a polished anodized aluminium exterior. There is support for FM radio and it can even be paused. Users can also tag songs they like to make purchasing them from iTunes even easier. They have also added voiceovers to tell you what track is playing. It seems the iPod Nano can also now be used as a fitness aid. Via a tie-in with Nike it works as a pedometer and can keep track of steps taken and calories burned.

The device remains very competitively priced at $149 for the 8 GB version and $179 for the 16 GB version. It works for five hours on a single charge. The video recording feature is clearly the biggest new attraction and you’ll be able to get 7 hours on your 8 GB. Interestingly it can’t take still pictures because the sensors required would have thickened the device and Apple want to keep it slim as ever at 0.2 inches thick.

The biggest surprise for Apple fans was probably the lack of a camera in the new iPod Touch amidst claims they see the device as a gaming machine and wanted to keep the price down. The 8 GB model costs $199. They rounded off the news with a new 160 GB iPod Classic model with the same $249 price tag as the old 120 GB model and the iPod Shuffle got new headphones and a price drop to $59 for a new 2 GB model.

The first place you should look is the Apple Support Website. Simply select the correct iPod model that you are struggling with and you can access simple, easy to follow help which should solve some of the most common problems you might encounter. There are sections on how to deal with charging problems, frozen devices, syncing problems, computer failure to recognise the device and issues with basic functionality. The website is easy to follow and in most cases it will do the trick. For more in depth or complex problems you may have to spread your search wider.

Something you might consider as a last resort is completely erasing your iPod, reformatting the device and reinstalling the software. This will result in the loss of all the files you have on the iPod but provided you have no issue with the battery it is liable to solve all iPod problems. If you need a guide for how to erase your iPod then check out the Method Shop for really simple step-by-step instructions for different operating systems. They cover Mac OSX, Windows XP and Windows Vista and also show you exactly what to do in iTunes.

If you have specific technical questions about your iPod and you need an answer then why not try out Zolved. They give the opportunity to type in questions and have them answered by an expert. You can also find details of popular existing questions that other people have already asked. For handy tips and quick solutions to specific iPod problems it is a great resource and well worth checking out.

If you cannot find any solution that seems to fix your iPod then there is always the chance that it requires a new part. You could check out a website like King iPod that offers a repair service. You should use their diagnostic service first to get a free quote for your iPod repair. This should determine whether you need to send your iPod away to be fixed and will give you an idea of the cost involved if you do. They are equipped to deal with any problems and they also offer an option where you can sell your old broken iPod device to them for quick cash.

Make sure that you check for online solutions before you pay out for a repair service. The vast majority of problems will be solved by restoring your iPod to the original factory settings and reinstalling the firmware. If your problem is with the connection then make sure you try another cable and another USB port just in case the problem lies elsewhere.

There is no denying that the vast majority of problems can be fixed by the five R’s. Reset, Retry, Restart, Reinstall or Restore. People often assume the problem is more complex or difficult to solve than it really is. It is also easy to forget to try some of the basic things when you are upset about the device not working. Just remember to stay calm, work through the Apple Support advice and only look elsewhere for a solution if that fails.

You can buy iPod covers in a really wide range of materials and styles. Some are basic functional accessories which protect the iPod from damage. That is the principle purpose of covers but you can also make a stylish statement about your personal tastes.

One of the best places to find covers for the full range of iPods is Amazon. They offer some terrific discounts and you can find very cheap and simple snap on transparent plastic covers, silicone skins in different colours or decorative covers with artwork or logos adorned upon them. They also stock bags designed for your iPod and even armbands for easy carrying.

An interesting website which is dedicated to iPod covers and skins for laptops is Wrappz. They have a wide choice of designs featuring movies, musicians, television shows and various other artworks. They are simple stickers that you apply to your iPod and while they may offer some protection from scrapes they are primarily decorative. The best option on the website if you want a really unique cover is the offer to create your own. You can use a favourite photograph and upload it to the site and they will make a cover for your iPod which features the photo.

The website iSkin has a good range of covers which protect your iPod from damage and look stylish. You can choose designer patterns or go for plain colours. These soft and flexible skins provide plenty of protection for your device and they include a docking port protector. You can get them for various iPod models and they are a good marriage of style and function.

One of the best places for all things iPod related is the iLounge website. If you have a look in the Reviews and Accessories section you will find a wide range of cases for all models of iPods reviewed. There are silicone, acrylic, leather, crystal, carbon fibre and even metallic cases in all manner of styles. Each one has at least a description and key features with a photograph and a link to the manufacturer’s website. Some of them have in depth reviews and comments from consumers who have tried them out. This is a great place to do your homework and check out a wide variety of iPod covers before you actually invest in one.

One of the simplest and most effective covers you can get for your iPhone is the invisible shield from Zagg. At the end of the day one of the reasons you bought an iPod in the first place was the beautiful design and craftsmanship. A cover that doesn’t hide that design is a great idea. The invisible shield is designed to prevent scratching or damage, it is extremely tough and as the name would suggest it is virtually invisible. Check out the video demonstration on the website to see just how touch it really is, you’ll be impressed.

With so many covers to choose from you will easily be able to find one that suits your style, your budget and performs the function required.

The iPhone features an amazing 3.5 inch widescreen multi-touch display with a high resolution of 480 x 320 pixels. It is very attractive and one of the main selling points of the device so you’ll want to make sure it is protected. If you have it in your pocket or worse throw it into a bag when you are out and about then you should definitely consider investing in a case to guard against marks and scratches.

You can get cases for your iPhone in a wide variety of different designs and they come in various different materials. Some of them are practical and functional, others are decorative. There are so many options out there you will have no trouble finding the right one for you.

You can find some great cases for your iPhone on Amazon. They have lots of options at discounted prices and they come in various colours and materials. One of the most popular options is the Speck PixelSkin which looks great. It is a rubber case with a tile pattern which protects the iPhone from damage. It even has thicker corners for extra safety and it allows you to access all the ports and controls. The rubber is great for grip and prevents slipping. The fact you can use the device without removing or opening the cover makes it very handy. It is an inexpensive and functional solution and it comes in a range of colours.

One of the cheapest options you can find is a basic leather holster. Heavily discounted on Amazon the DLO Leather Holster Case is functional and attractive. It is a padded leather holster which closes with a Velcro tab. It offers access to the headset jack even when closed and it has a belt clip so you can fix it onto your belt. It is easy to flip open quickly and it will provide protection for your iPhone.

If you want to check out some alternatives then the website iPhone cases is well worth a look. You can search for cases suitable for the first generation iPhone and for the 3G iPhone. You can also search by material and there are categories for leather, plastic, silicone, textile, clear and metal cases. Each case has a large picture, a short description and a link to somewhere you can purchase it. There are loads of potential cases listed here so it is definitely worth visiting.

If you are still struggling for ideas and you have a large budget then you could always check out the Top 10 Luxury iPhone Cases. There are some amazing examples in the article but these cases are at the expensive end of the market. My favourite luxury case is the Miniot iWood which costs around $100 and comes in a wide variety of different woods. The most ridiculously impractical one on the list is crafted from gold with inlaid diamonds. The idea is to protect the expensive iPhone within but with a gold and diamond cover the iPhone is cheap by comparison.

If you are seeking something genuinely different for your iPhone then you might find inspiration by reading 10 Unique and Creative Apple iPhone Cases. There are knitted cases, a mock GameBoy cover and even one which makes your iPhone look like a bar of chocolate. As you can see the choices are endless.

There are constant rumours about future iPods and every technology website and publication out there would love to get an exclusive peek at the next generation. Truthfully we simply don’t know what Apple will decide to add next. They are masters of innovation and they keep their intentions secret in order to gain an edge over the competition. We are left to speculate about possible developments and the best we can do is take an educated guess.

The development of the iPhone was a huge deal for Apple and so it is not a big stretch of the imagination to suppose that they will continue to develop similar features for the iPod range. The iPod Touch is already quite similar to the iPhone and some people believe that this is a direction Apple will continue to go in.

The new range of iPod Touch and iPod Nano players is due to be launched in September of this year. One of the most persistent rumours suggests that they are planning to add a built-in camera. Most likely it would be a 2 megapixel camera like the one currently included in the iPhone.

Apple is also looking to add a video recording capability to the new generation of iPhones and this would be an interesting development. It seems to add credence to the idea that they may be considering camera additions for the iPod Touch and even the iPod Nano. Both devices already have photo viewing capabilities and Apple are set to develop more camera related applications for sale on the iPhone and the iPod range.

The new iPod Nano is apparently set to be fitted with a point and shoot digital camera and will also be redesigned to accommodate a larger screen. You can keep up to date with the latest rumours by reading the news on websites such as Apple Insider. They report on various sources and bring you news and rumours on all things relating to Apple and their products.

Fans of Apple enjoy speculating about possible new designs and the company certainly listens to their customers. If you’d like to see some concept mock ups submitted by fans you will find lots of galleries at the iLounge. There are all sorts of weird and wonderful designs and ideas for new features on show. These are concepts of future iPods created just for fun but you never know. Some of them may be close to Apple’s real plans for the future.

Another interesting rumour which may be something that Apple is exploring is the idea of having future iPods powered by the sun. They actually filed a patent to place solar panels behind the LCD screens in their portable devices. Motorola actually filed a similar patent and this is obviously something which is being researched. Whether it is a viable development remains to be seen but the potential is obvious and it would undoubtedly be popular with consumers.

More obvious developments which we can expect to see in new iPod devices are increased memory sizes, better LCD displays and smaller, sleeker designs. There are bound to be a few special surprises further down the line and we will just have to wait and see what innovations are in store.

If you check out the Apple store you will find some discount deals on refurbished iPod devices. These are iPods which have been sent back to Apple. They test and certify them and offer them for sale at much lower prices with a 1 year warranty. You can get some terrific deals this way and there are iPod Shuffle, iPod Nano and iPod Touch devices all available for well below their usual price.

Another place where you will find discount iPod models is Amazon. They are such a big retailer and they sell in such huge volumes that they can afford to offer discounts on the recommended retail prices of products. You will find the vast majority of iPods have some kind of discount on them. They also provide links to third party sellers who offer discounts and they highlight offers on used iPod devices. Used iPods are always available much cheaper than new ones but if you are buying from an individual you have to be careful as they may come without any kind of warranty.

If you have decided you are willing to take the risk on buying a used iPod in order to get a low price then another obvious place to check out is Ebay. You can bid on second hand iPods and depending on your luck you can get terrific bargains this way. If you are concerned about buying used products and not having any kind of warranty protection then you should still check out Ebay. In addition to used devices they also have adverts from companies offering brand new discount iPods.

Retailers run promotions on iPods and change their prices quite frequently and it can be difficult to keep up with where the best deals are. You can always let a shopping comparison website do the hard work for you. Try out something like Shopzilla and you can see at a glance where the best offers are. This is definitely one of the easiest ways to find the lowest possible prices. Simply enter the specific model you want into the search bar and browse the results.

Another price comparison website which might help you to find the best deals is Shopping.com and it works much the same way as all the others. You enter the model you want into the search bar and browse the results to find the best deals.

Another place you may want to check out is the discount specialist Overstock where you’ll find some terrific prices. They have limited stock and will sell out on certain items but it is a very good place to try for a bargain.

Finding the lowest prices is often down to timing and luck because stores run promotions for limited periods. You will generally find much lower prices online than you will in the stores but occasionally you’ll get a great offer. Just remember to keep your eyes open when you are out and about shopping.

It is always a bit risky to buy used goods unless you buy refurbished models direct from Apple. You could also pick up an iPod at a second hand store where you will be able to hold and test the device before buying. For a brand new iPod you will be hard pushed to find better deals than those offered on Amazon.

The iPhone is almost identical to the iPod Touch and you will find that applications and devices designed to work with one will generally work with the other. The iPhone can play music and video content in exactly the same way as the iPod range. It supports the same apps and games as the iPod Touch and it will usually work with the same docking technology. It also charges and gets updated in the same way. You can sync the iPhone using iTunes just as you would for the iPod.

The iPhone was released in 2007 and Apple has sold well over 20 million of them since then. The device took a long time to develop and only came about after a failed joint project with Motorola which yielded the Motorola ROKR E1. After that Apple decided to go it alone and their central idea was to focus on a touch screen as the centrepiece of the device.

The technology within the iPhone is much the same as that used in the iPod range. The operating system is exactly the same as the operating system used in the iPod Touch. There were complaints from LG when the iPhone was released that Apple had copied their LG Prada design and indeed the two devices are very similar in terms of basic specifications.

When it came to selecting the name iPhone rather than iPod Phone it is easy to see that iPhone just sounds more appealing. The choice wasn’t as straightforward as it seems because a product had already been released in the 90’s with the name iPhone. A company called Infogear created an internet phone for use with landlines and they filed for the trademark back in 1993. They were later acquired by Cisco Systems and Apple entered negotiations to obtain permission to use the name.

Apple applied for a number of trademarks in various countries but the majority of their claims are still pending. There are still other companies releasing products which carry the same name. However the Apple iPhone is by far the most popular and famous so it seems unlikely to harm their brand.

In addition to the actual iPhone device, which is effectively an iPod phone, there was an interesting article recently published on the BBC website. It discusses a freeware application which uses Wi-Fi in order to convert the iPod Touch into a virtual mobile phone. The application is called Truphone and they offer the same functionality for the existing iPhone. It potentially saves you money on calls because you can use instant messaging or Skype services to other users on the same service for free. The only real catch is that you need to have decent wireless Internet access.

The hybrid iPod phone released as the iPhone has been tremendously successful and Apple are planning to release a new generation in the near future. According to the rumours they will be adding more functionality and it looks set to become ever more popular.

For a new iPod you will need to shell out a fair bit of cash and even for a used iPod the cost can be quite high. So what do you do if you have no spare cash? Well there is more than one way to find free iPods.

The easiest way to get a free iPod is also the least likely to succeed. You could search for competitions to enter where the prize on offer is an iPod. There are many free prize draws that you can enter for absolutely nothing. There are also various promotional contests which will give you a chance to win an iPod.

These competitions are open for limited periods so you need to watch out for them. They will expect you to give them your details and you should always read the terms carefully and make sure you tick or do not tick the relevant box which allows them to send you spam mail.

It can be tough to find competitions so you could always use a website like MyOffers. They search for prize draw competitions and provide you with direct links to enter them. Registration is free and you have a chance to win all sorts of goodies. The prizes are categorised and you’ll find iPod competitions in the electronics section.

If you would prefer not to enter competitions then you could try out a referral service instead. You can earn free iPods from websites like FreebieJeebies. The sign up is free and then you can try out various trials for different services and products. Some of them are free, some cost a small amount of money.

In order to earn your iPod you need to refer a fixed number of people to the service and they need to sign up for free trials. The website basically earns money for every referral sign up they manage to get and when they earn over a certain amount they will use the cash to send you a free iPod.

Another website which uses the same system is GiftMonkey. They also require you to refer a fixed number of people before you can earn your reward. In addition to free iPods both websites offer a number of alternatives and GiftMonkey even pays out cash if you can get enough referrals.

The problem with these systems is that you will need to persuade other people to sign up and to take part in trials. This may actually involve a fair bit of work on your part and will certainly take some time. When you think about it the iPod you might earn at the end of it has not really been free because you have spent time and effort to get it.

If you attempt to spam people with requests to sign up you are unlikely to get a favourable response. These systems are like pyramid schemes because the only way to earn is to refer more people. The only guaranteed winners are the websites themselves.

There is an element of chance with both of these approaches. However, if you aren’t willing to part with any cash in order to get an iPod, then these approaches may represent your best chance of picking one up for free.

The Internet offers various explanations for what iPod might stand for but you can’t always trust the information you find online. The first iPods were released in 2001 and the brand soon became famous with Apple releasing more iPod devices. They also developed the iTunes software to run alongside the iPod and allow people to purchase music and sync their collections from the computer to the iPod. The iPhone followed in 2007 and Apple had already released the iMac and the iBook. They clearly intend to continue using the “i” prefix for their products.

You can find inaccurate suggestions such as Interface Protocol Option Devices. That explanation is definitely wrong but just what does iPod stand for? The most commonly held belief is that the “i” stands for Internet. Many people have also offered the explanation that pod stands for Portable Open Database. This story centers on the suggestion that the software originally used to run the device was called Portable Open Database. There is no confirmation that this supposition is correct either.

The original iMac had the lowercase as a reference to Internet but actually the prefix has now come to represent a concept of personal devices. Something for the individual, designed to be enjoyed and used by average consumers. The idea is that the “i” effectively stands for you and distinguishes the consumer range from products designed for professionals. Professional Apple products always lack the prefix.

It is possible that the name iPod doesn’t actually stand for anything at all. It is not actually an acronym. The name was apparently proposed by a freelance copywriter named Vinnie Chieco. According to one story he saw the device and was reminded of the film 2001: A Space Odyssey which contains various references to pods.

Once Apple had settled on the name they found it was actually already in use. The trademark had been granted and used for a number of Internet kiosks. The kiosks failed to take off and had actually been discontinued by 2001 so in 2005 the trademark was granted to Apple.

Apple have been asked the question “What does iPod stand for?” many times but they have refused to answer it definitively. This is clever marketing on their part because the more discussion and speculation there is about the meaning of iPod, the more their products have a mystique about them. In simple terms the more people are talking and thinking about iPods the better for Apple.

There are a few comical explanations which are entirely false but might raise a chuckle. The next time someone asks what does ipod stand for? You could always answer Idiots Price Our Devices or perhaps I’m Puzzled Over Defects.

The “i” prefix is now a concept and it seems to appeal to consumers. There are loads of references to it nowadays and it has passed into common usage as an idea. For anyone who writes the blatant disregard for grammar is an irritation and every dictionary will tell you that you have misspelled the name. iPod is ultimately a catchy and clever name with great consumer appeal and, whatever the thought behind it, that is Apple’s main aim.

You don’t need to use the iPod earphones provided because there are plenty of other options out there. There are headphones which offer much greater comfort and there are headphones which offer better quality sound. Whether you prefer the earbud style or you want something which is held in place more securely there are plenty of options.

The most popular alternative to the Apple Earbuds for headphones in the same style are the JBuds. They also feature a sleek design and are supposed to be inserted in the ear with nothing to keep them in place. They come in black and are supposed to be slightly more comfortable and offer a better quality of sound.

If you need something in a different style because you find the earplug headphones keep falling out. You don’t necessarily need to go for headphones with a headband you could try out something like the iLuv Ear Clips. They are cheap, offered in a variety of colours and the earbuds are held in place by soft rubber ear clips which hook around your ears.  The sound quality is not fantastic and they certainly don’t stop noise from escaping but they are cheap and effective.

If you find that the earbud style is no good for you because it makes your ears hurt then you should try something different altogether. Instead of buds which are designed to fit into your ear you might want to check out a more traditional style of headphone. The older type of headphone needn’t be a traditional over the top headband design either there are sets which go around the back of the head now as well.

The Monster iFreePlay Cordless Headphones are designed specifically for the iPod shuffle. This clever design includes an actual iPod dock on the left headphone which allows you to slot in the iPod and eliminates the need for any wires. They loop over the ears and around the back of the head for comfort. They also feature traditional headphone style speakers which sit over the ear rather than in the ear. The sound quality is reasonable and these are fairly good value for money. If you have an iPod shuffle and you are sick of wires when you are exercising these just might be what you’ve been looking for.

If you are happy with a more traditional headphone design and you want comfort with excellent sound quality without breaking the bank then you need to check out the Sennheiser PX100 Collapsible Headphones. They are open headphone speakers that sit over the ear and they are held in place by a traditional over the top headband. They are super light with a great fold up design which allows you to put them away in your pocket using the case provided. They also offer terrific sound quality and for around $40 you will struggle to find a better option.

If you haven’t seen anything you’ve liked then perhaps the website Earphone Solutions can help you with their honest and interesting comparison of the best iPod earphones available.