Apple iPod: music (and files) on the go.

Apple has created another fantastic addition to its line of products geared for the consumer market. The iPod MP3 player works with Windows and Macintosh and includes all the software you need to quickly get up and running. Apple's newest iPod is 65 percent thinner than the earlier version, 15 percent lighter, and allows connection to the iTunes Music Store.

Ease of use

The iPod is the first MP3 player that has a real chance to convert mainstream America to the wonderful world of MP3. It's so darn easy! Getting the iPod out of the box will probably be harder to accomplish (too much plastic) than getting your music on the iPod. Just plug the iPod into your Firewire-equipped Mac and a wizard pops up to help you with the quick setup process.

What? You're one of the 98 percent of the world who's on Windows (like me)? The setup is a little more involved, but still easy. Insert the CD and run the installer to install the iPod drivers and the iTunes software. When you connect your iPod, a wizard pops up for the quick setup process.

All your music must be referenced within iTunes for the iPod to "see" it. If you have music on your computer in another folder, transferring the songs to these programs is as easy as dragging and dropping. If the music is on CD, just import the CD by opening iTunes or Music-Match and selecting the Import CD option from the menu. Doing this creates a copy of the CD on your local hard drive and automatically downloads it to the iPod the next time you connect it.

The unit has an innovative scroll wheel that lets you quickly hunt through your music. You can view by artist, song, or genre.

Synchronization 

Although Apple's marketing materials don't openly admit it, the transfer of music on the iPod isn't a sync. Instead, it's a one-way download of music from computer to iPod. If you have music on the iPod that isn't on your computer (maybe from another computer), you can't copy it from the iPod to the computer. This is Apple's strategy for preventing piracy. Note: There are third-party plug-ins you can download that do make the iPod a true two-way experience, but you can't sync out of the box. And, of course, remember, as with all file swapping devices and technologies, you must obey the reproduction rights if the material is copyrighted.

Hey DJ ...

With so many songs at your disposal, you'll quickly get tired of having to scroll to find the next song to play. Apple's playlists are the key to organization. I've created my Party playlist (a mix of all types of music from Alternative to Disco to Blues), Running playlist (high-energy music such as Moby, Prodigy, and System of a Down), and finally my Smooth playlist (featuring the late, great Barry White and other Blues artists). A playlist lets you create a mix of music to listen to in a specific order. My Party playlist has more than 1,000 songs in it, so the party can go long into the night. (My wife is now laughing at me, since the last "party" I threw was for my son's fifth birthday.) Organizing your music into playlists is well worth the time.

Additional equipment

The iPod uses Firewire and USB to connect to your computer. Firewire lets you transfer your music at speeds of up to 400Mbps, versus most other MP3 players that connect via USB at 20Mbps.

All Macintoshs sold within the last year come with Firewire built-in, but Windows users might need to purchase a Firewire card (although inexpensive, this complicates the installation). It can also be tricky to get Firewire to work with older machines. If you're a Windows (2000 and XP only) user and don't want to deal with the installation of a card, you can purchase an optional USB adapter, although the transfer speeds are significantly slower than with Firewire.

Because you have to transfer your music to your computer before you can copy it to the iPod, you'll also need a large hard drive.

For more information on accessories available for the iPod, subscribers can read an extended version of this article online at http://Advisor.com/doc/13299.

Mobility

Depending on the model you choose, the iPod comes with headphones, a wall-power charger, carrying case, and a dock/stand. You can play the iPod through the included headphones or any set of speakers/stereo unit (you might need to buy an adapter). Even though the iPod comes with a wall-power adapter, you might never need it because the iPod recharges while connected to the computer and you get up to eight hours of battery life.

The iPod is really just a hard drive with a special operating system for MP3 playback. Therefore, you can also use the iPod as an external hard drive for your computer. Use some of the drive for music playback and the remainder for disk storage (maybe as an intermediary to transfer files from one computer to another, or to back up your files). It can even sync with your calendar and rolodex (Mac only), giving you on-the-go access to your schedule and contacts.

Drawbacks

The iPod is very near perfect in my eyes, but there are a few drawbacks. For starters, although I think it's worth every penny, many buyers will never give it a chance because it's priced over their budget. Second, the sync is really a one-way download. It would be nice if you could transfer songs from your iPod back to your computer.

UpShot

Late last year, around the holidays, we started getting tons of requests from our celebrity clients to set up these hip units--a sure sign the iPod was going to be a success. Now, with Windows support, USB support, and the Apple Store, Apple iPods are all the rage. Going through a midlife crisis? Carry one of these around and you're sure to feel 10 years younger.

Apple http://www.apple.com

Apple iPod US$299 for 10GB model US$399 for 20GB model US$499 for 40GB model

DIMENSIONS: 4.1" tall, 2.4" wide, 0.62" deep (for 10GB and 20GB models); 4.1" tall, 2.4" wide, 0.73" deep (for the 40GB model)

WEIGHT: 5.6 ounces (for 10GB and 20GB models); 6.2 ounces (for the 40GB model)

BATTERY LIFE: Up to 8 hours

DISPLAY: 2-inch (diagonal grayscale LCD with LED backlight 

PORTS: Dock connector, remote connector, stereo minijack

CONNECTIVITY: FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 and 1.1 through dock connector

ADVISOR EVAL[TM]

BUSINESS BENEFITS

The Apple iPod's ease of use and ability to store all kinds of files make it a fun gadget with a business twist.

(+) Super-fast transfer

(+) Amazingly easy to setup and use

(+) Charges while connected to the computer

(+) Sound quality is excellent

(-) Expensive

(-) Additional equipment possibly needed

(-) Need a large hard drive

(-) No two-way sync

(-) Although Firewire is really fast, it isn't compatible with all machines

Randall Mauro is president of Happy Mac & PC, a premiere technology-consulting firm in Los Angeles. Happy Mac & PC's high-quality approach has helped it carve a niche in the entertainment industry servicing many of Hollywood's top talent and companies, including Edward Norton, Salma Hayek, and Jim Carrey. Along with general technology consulting, Happy Mac & PC performs FileMaker Pro database development for their own customers as well as other consultant's customers. http://www.happypc.com.