The new iPod video was one of the vital stunning products of 2006, resulting from the fact that iPods didn’t embrace the video feature, for the reason that launching of the 5th generation of iPods in 2005.

Nonetheless, the natural comparison the shoppers (and not solely) made was the one between the play station transportable, also referred to as the PSP and the new mannequin of the iPod series. PSP is mainly a handheld game console which was produced by the company Sony Pc Entertainment, back in 2004. The public’s reactions to this new system which was quite different than virtually everything on the market was excellent, resulting from the truth that the small device allowed prospects to play famous games, and, at the similar time, watch clips.

Comparing the batteries of those 2 devices or, better mentioned, the lifetime of the batteries, it is a incontrovertible fact that the PSP gadget lasted much longer than the iPod. While playing a movie, the battery of the iPod dies after nearly 2 hours and a half, whereas the PSP battery lasts up to more than 7 hours, which is a big plus.

Evaluating the audio high quality, it have to be said the truth that each the devices present an excellent audio quality; nonetheless, the iPod video turned out to provide a slightly clearer sound than the play station portable. This is because of the act that the audio in the iPod video file is encoded into AAC audio. Alternatively, the PSP seemed to have more bass in some circumstances, but total, the distinction was not that related and significant. The video high quality of the 2 gadgets is one other subject worthy to debate and debate upon. It is recognized the truth that the PSP has a much larger screen. Even so, on this case, the big size benefit doesn't equal a better picture: the iPod manages to show a really sharp image and sharp and clear text (even lengthy ones). Alternatively, when discussing the distinction within the video dialog, the fact is that a video iPod takes around 12 hours to encode a video, whereas the play station portable solely wants a bit underneath 3 hours to do the identical thing.

Comparing the two units, it is obvious that they each have advantages and some flaws. Regardless that the video high quality appears higher on the iPod video machine, the PSP presents a longer life of the battery and quicker ways to encode videos. Still, the iPod is a smaller system, so it is natural that some features usually are not that optimized as within the case of the PSP. Much more, resulting from the fact that it's smaller, the iPod is way simpler to transport and to make use of in numerous occasions. The studies even showed the truth that each gadgets are bought largely in trip intervals, meaning the fact that the purchasers use them as an leisure item of their each summer season and winter holidays.

The two units, even though they're comparable in many ways of their practical utilization, present each pros and cons or benefits and disadvantages. Depending on the shopper’s needs and needs, they can select the one that best fits their necessity, obtainable time or high quality expectations.

The capabilities of the brand new iPod video continue the creating means of the old capabilities - software, hardware and compatibility with other devices.

Regarding the software, it's nicely-known that the iPod generally and the iPod video specifically play MP3, audible audio e-book, WAV, M4A/AAC, protected AAC, AIFF and Apple Lossless audio file formats. For the reason that 5th technology iPods there is another risk of playing m4v and mp4 MPEG-four video file formats. Solely non copy-protected WMA files could also be copied to an iPod. Different codecs should not attainable to be played by the iPod and that is the case of FLAC and Ogg Vorbis formats.

Moreover, the iPods are particularly designed for matching the iTunes media library software. This online music retailer appeared in 2003 and it sells songs and it was thought completely for the iPod customers and never for different moveable music players. This may increasingly have contributed to the success both the iPods and the iTunes music retailer and to the nice development and improvements of the iPod’s capabilities.

The software of the brand new iPod video has new features - customized suggestions and video content that may be performed on a Pc or transferred to the iPod. The software program was upgraded to Model 6, fact that represents a growth and a definite achievement.

Concerning the hardware of the iPods one could say that the first technology iPods were recharged only by means of FireWire with the help of a small power adapter. The 4th generation iPods may have been charged over USB. The 5th era iPod may be charged with the assistance of a dock connector allowing the FireWire cable to be plugged in for the recharge.

Compatibility of the iPods with Home windows is the concept of Apple, realized in 2002, fact that contributed to the creation of a Home windows version of iTunes in 2003. The iPods could possibly be made to be compatible with a Macintosh and there's also an iPodLinux project.

Some additional options could also be mentioned while talking concerning the iPods on the whole and iPod video in particular. The iPods can display textual content information, fact which is very useful. There are additionally PDA calendars, some games that were fascinating a number of years ago but they seem outdated nowadays. The games accessible on almost every iPod besides the iPod shuffle are brick, parachute, solitaire, music quiz. The most attention-grabbing game is the music quiz, playing some fragments of some songs and waiting the person to establish the music from a list. The drawback of this recreation is that it makes use of quite a lot of battery power.

All these capabilities seem to be improved within the case of the brand new iPod video except the creation of other games or the introduction of latest ones. This may be seen as an obstacle, but if taking into account the fact that it's a case of a transportable music participant this aspect does not have such a fantastic importance.

The innovation is of course the video functionality, although the primary options of the brand new iPod stress on nice improvements within the picture and sound quality. The video image is surprisingly easy and in this means might exchange the skeptical attitudes with joyful exclamations.

Though it's not the primary try of bringing video on a conveyable handheld gadget, this achievement appears to be the most successful. This success is due to lots of required work and complex changes in the software program and hardware as well. In a manner or one other, Apple appears to be the champion in creating special moveable gadgets and perhaps another steps can be taken within the growth of the small video transportable devices. On this approach, possibly a particular compatibility with more gadgets may be developed, guaranteeing different periods of nice success. Different on-line shops could appear and develop in the tradition of the iTunes music store. Resulting from iPods from the Apple Company authorized content material of the downloaded and paid music or TV exhibits, episodes or different supplies is ensured.

The brand new iPod video grew to become famous because of its large reminiscence and the capability of enjoying video, as a result of its slim design and longer life battery. Still, there are voices that point out some disadvantages and highlight different negative aspects.

Taking into consideration that there are few perfect issues made by the human hand, these facets may be utilized by the iPod video creators for further improvements. Subsequently, the customer’s critiques are essential and the ideas could also be really taken into account.

The fact that the display is larger is great, but the floor is easy to scratch, facet that is extra in the cons category. Although the picture is superb and the readability screen could also be easily compared with the TV set’s display screen quality, there are still some problems with freezing video images. There's a great achievement the fact that the sunshine, solar or different previous obstacles are annihilated, however another important drawback is the unresponsiveness in some cases.

The dimensions of the brand new iPod video are nice, but there isn't a means you may watch it with more than a number of persons. Anyway, it was designed for private not collective wants and you may still share your picture album and music or video music preferences with one person. The flat display screen is large sufficient to take pleasure in your favorite videos.

Though the life battery is longer, the complaints concern the brief battery life for video. And this criticism may be balanced by the fact that the video is played with no flaw. The professionals of the brand new iPod video are considered the cool look, the impressive variety of features, and the good organization of the music menu so that you may even rank your favorite songs. The cons of the new iPod video are thought of the absence of FM choice, the fact that no cradle is included, the impossibility of connecting the iPod video to the computer and the cost.

The wonderful new options concern the sound high quality - it is clearer and stronger with a bass that is stronger articulated, the sound is also louder than that of the previous generations. The other good features are the simple management, the video function is classified with “great”, but the flaws regard the interruption of the sound between the tracks, being blanked out. There are nonetheless other strategies relating to the battery life, bearing in mind the amount of music that the new iPod video has.

The professionals could also be gathered collectively mentioning the thin and enticing enclosure with an awesome display, one of the best sound, 15-20 hours of music, new clock and the time in other parts of the world. The cons highlight the incompleteness of the video integration that suggests the experimental undertaking aspect, absence of the brand new video games, no adjustments within the interface, the smaller display than anticipated especially for video options edition. One other disadvantage concerns the gradual switch of photos direct from the camera.

Some critics point out the truth that the design and the options of the brand new iPod video may be seen from completely different perspectives. Due to this fact, the complaints and the satisfaction may be contradictory. These aspects could also be seen from a movie lover perspective, an audiophile or photographer and even from an easy shopper with no great expectations. That is why you may discover musician’s evaluations or video addicted critiques that are in contradiction. It's possible you'll resolve wherein class you could be located for deciding if the new iPod video is worth the money or not.

From the same point of view, you may say that as a music player the new iPod video has superior high quality of sound. As a display for the photograph album, the readability of the display screen might win the competitors with any TV set’s screen. As a film player, the iPod video is below the expectations, however it may be thought-about an excellent step within the video technology.

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The Corporate Podcast Push

What do Duke University, IBM, Capital One, Newsweek and Barenaked Ladies all have

in common? Answer: they are all reaching out to staff, students, and customers with

a new and powerful tool - podcasting. You may have heard about podcasting from

your kids or on the news, but podcasting is much more than some phenomenon

started by the rock and roll or techy crowd. Podcasting is a powerful communication

tool being used to reach global and mobile audiences, save people time and, most

importantly, really connect with their audiences in news ways - in today's

communication/message glut. But let's take a look at what podcasting is, who is

using and why it is so effective for both business and individuals.

First, we'll look at the size and scale of the podcasting phenomenon...

-- A recent study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project found that more than 22 million American adults own Ipods or and MP3 player and 29% of them have

downloaded podcasts or listened to podcast that have been "pushed" to them. That

equates to 6 million people listening to podcasts. Market researchers and analysts

continue to buoy up podcasting's future with latest figures suggesting a US

audience alone of 56 million by 2010.

-- Jupiter Research recently predicted that US digital music player sales would

grow to 56 million by 2010, up from 16.2 million in 2004 and by 2010, three-

quarters of all people who own portable digital music players will listen to podcasts,

a growth from less than 15% last year.

What is podcasting?

Whether you describe it as the greatest communication tool since email, or as an

RSS feed for audio, podcasting is a way to "push" audio content to subscribers for

virtually zero cost. Podcasting allows anyone (me, you, IBM, or NBC) to post audio

content that gets pushed to any subscriber's desktop and then directly to their iPod

or MP3 player. This is global. Anyone, anywhere can "tune in" to your podcast and

learn what you have to offer or say. You don't need to be NBC with a global

distribution infrastructure. Now people can "subscribe" to a podcast and have new

content "pushed" out to them without them having to surf the web, download MP3s

or burn CD's.

Ideas/Stories/Voices ? Audio/MP3's ? Internet ? PC ? MP3

player

All the arrows go in one direction. Once someone has subscribe to your podcast,

your content get "pushed" out to them. There is no turning in to stations with

podcasting. You don't have to visit a website to find streaming podcasting. Podcasts

show up (pushed) when new content is produced. If you are a subscriber, you get

the podcast right then. All you need is an Ipod or MP3 player of any kind for

listening, thus the word podcasting.

The term "Podcasting" is derived from the iPod (Apple Computer's popular device

for playing compressed audio files) and "broadcasting." Podcasting allows for audio

files that would have been previously downloaded and played on a personal

computer to be automatically downloaded and listened to on portable music playing

devices (such as the iPod and other MP3 players).

Having originated in the world of blogging, some have even referred to podcasting

as "audio blogging." For many, podcasting is a logical next step from blogging. As

Business Week Senior Writer Stephen Baker observes, "The heart of the podcasting

movement is in the world of blogs, those millions of personal Web pages that have

become a global sensation. In a blogosphere that has grown largely on the written

word, podcasts add a soundtrack."

Now that you know what a podcast is, let's look at where they come from: who is

producing the "pushed audio content."

Who is producing podcasts?

The answer is wide ranging. Teenagers, techies and rock musicians were early

adopters. Today you see the likes of Rush Limbaugh, Business Week, ESPN and news

programs of all types producing, distribution and marketing podcasts. The number

of podcasts available is growing at a very rapid pace. In late 2004, there were close

to 500 podcasts available. Today there are over 10,000 different podcasts to choose

from.

Now that podcasting has becoming more mainstream, corporate and non-corporate

organizations are getting into the act, using podcasting to connect with customers,

students, staff and partners. Here are some examples:

-- Duke University handed out iPods to their entire 2005 freshman class so they

could receive podcasts that included university news, class work and social content.

-- Capital One University has handed out over 3000 iPods to support corporate

training and communications. This includes, leadership training, sales, customer

service and other topics.

-- IBM has created podcasts to show their thought leadership to customers

investors and prospects.

-- Keane Inc. has handed out over 100 ipods to their global sales force to share

training, customers' stories and organizational content.

Why have these and other organizations gotten into podcasting? They have gotten

into it because they know their audience (whether internal or external) is inundated

with text-based content: emails, articles, the web portals, and marketing messages.

Podcasting allows them a unique medium to reach and connect with their audience.

iPods will be part of Duke University's new Duke Digital Initiative (DDI). "We've been

focusing on iPods and other mobile computing, but our wider goal is to integrate

technology broadly into the teaching and learning process," said Peter Lange, Peter

Lange, the university's provost and senior academic officer. "The iPods have helped

jump-start this process, and we plan to keep pushing ahead."

Listeners love podcasting because it delivers rich content directly to them, in a form

that allows them to save time, control what they hear and listen to while

commuting, working or whenever it works for them. No longer is learning tied to a

book, PC screen or web portal.

Content is still king in any communication, especially recorded podcasts. Podcasting

is the delivery tool. Compelling content ensures continuous listening and not a flip

of the power switch or turn of the dial.

Should you podcast?

Podcasting is not answer to all your learning and communication problems. As great

as audio is, like any medium, it has its limits. While audio allows users to multi task,

it is not easily scanned - which means you consider the listeners needs very

carefully. You must provide value.

Corporate podcasting is different that individuals or media podcasting. The

standard for a corporate podcast is much higher than for individual or media. Your

staff and customers expect certain from your communication with them. You can't

just offer long-winded rants, self serving commercials or cute content. It is all about

value. When producing that value, ask yourself; who and how will you produce your

podcast? Who will review it and how? Will you get it transcribed? There are legal

issues to consider as well.

Despite these issues podcasting can be simple. Once you have determined your

format and established a process the whole process gets much easier. Still

podcasting takes a proactive effort, a planned approach, creative development and

the courage to try new things. But if you have the courage, and are willing to put the

front-end work into it podcasting and mobile audio can provide huge benefits. If

you would like to:

-- Reach a global audience

-- Connect with that audience in a new and effective ways

-- Save your audience time

-- Share the passion, experience and stories of your business

...try podcasting - it works!

© 2006 Tim Keelan, StoryQuest Inc.

Tim Keelan is the founder of StoryQuest Inc. A Chicago based firm that produces peer-based mobile audio learning and communication tools. You can reach Tim at tkeelan@storyquest.us or by calling StoryQuest at 312-258-0111.