iPod
© 2001 Apple
The iPod is a portable digital music player that can also be used to store lectures (sometimes called podcasts), photos or movies. The first iPods contained hard disks; later versions were RAM based, with a smaller form factor, less battery power and more reliable performance. iPod content can only be managed by a computer running iTunes, which makes it possible to browse, store and purchase digital content. None of these ideas were invented by Apple (there were numerous MP3 players that used Napster), but they were packaged and marketed extremely well by Apple. Today, a variety of digital music players are available for children, including the Fisher-Price FP3 and the Sandisk Sansa, the latter including a built in microphone. Another recent trend is the inclusion of iPod-like factors into mobile phones, calculators and pens. See the iPod Touch.
$200, Windows XP, Mac OSX
Teaches: music