The PDA Substitute - The Apple iPod

You do not need to buy a PDA if you already own an iPod. Simply use your iPod as a PDA. Your iPod can do more than just play music. Your iPod already has the capability of storing such things as your contacts, calendar information, and your notes. Although the iPod is not in the running for PDA of the Year, it can serve as a ready backup for contact and calendar info while you are traveling or if your normal one is broken.

If you have never tried using your iPod as a PDA, you should probably go check out your iPods Extra menu. This Extra menu is where you will find your iPods Clock, Contacts, Calendar, Notes, and of course Games. Besides storing your latest music files, your iPod is able to store phone numbers, addresses, web site URLs, and other important information that you may need, up to 1,000 contacts! If you wish to export this information about your contacts, you can do so via vCard format from Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express, Palm Desktop, or any email applications that support the vCard.

To start inputting your contact information into your iPod, go to the Extra menu and choose the Contacts options. If you currently do not have any contacts, your iPod will give you instructions on how to do so. If you are going to import your contacts information, your Windows XP needs to recognize your iPod as hard drive before it can start exporting to your iPod.

Once you connect your iPod to your computer, double-click on My Computer and select your iPod icon. If you are using Outlook 2003 or Outlooks Express with iTunes 6, you can go ahead and automatically synchronize your contacts using iTunes and your iPod. Go to the Edit menu and select the Preferences option. Now select the iPod option and the Contacts button. Now choose Outlook or Outlook Express from the Sync Contacts From on the drop down menu. This is where you can choose if you would like to sync all of your Outlooks contacts or you can go ahead and choose only those you wish to export to your iPod. Click on OK to confirm these choices.

If you would like to export calendar information from Outlook or Outlook Express, you can do so by going through the same steps you did for exporting your contact data. In addition to keeping your contact and calendar data, your iPod is also able to store text data. After you save your text as a text file, save it to a folder of your choosing that is located on your local hard drive. No you are able to drag and drop the text file onto your iPods Notes directory.

However, you cannot do this with .RTF files. If you are using Microsoft Outlook 2003 or Outlook Express 6 or later, as well as iTunes version 6, it will be very easy for you to maintain your iPods data. Simply go to the iTunes File menu and select the Update iPod option. Take note though, if you are using an older version of Outlook, you will have to update your calendar data manually or you will need to use a third-party sync application.

Even though your iPod may never come close to replacing the PDA you normally use, your iPod can serve as a good backup incase you leave your PDA somewhere or if your PDA is broken. Your iPod should be able to help with your day-to-day activities by storing contact information, calendar data, and notes that contain important information.

For people using iPods on their Mac computers, they have the advantage of the iCal function as well as storing their contacts with more relative ease than those using Windows computers. Windows users, if syncing your contacts becomes a hassle, you can purchase iPod Sync 2.24, which retails for around $15. This software program will allow you to synchronize your iPod like it is a PDA. It will store all of your Outlook data, from your schedule to all of your email. Also, the iPod photo units will let you store complete PowerPoint presentations on your iPod for easy portability and use.

The iPod - A True Musical Revolution

There is no doubt that iPods are changing how we are listening to music. It is changing how people listen to music. It is changing how they buy music. It is even changing how companies market music. It really is a true musical revolution.

Technology is truly exploding. How often do you see a new electronic gizmo on the market? You can get cell phones that take pictures or even videos. Music can be brought along with in your iPod. Ring tones can be of your favorite song. Accessories can be purchased to make your iPod or cell phone fit your personality.

iPods are changing how we listen to music. No longer are we forced to choose on one radio station with one style of music. Your play list is entirely of your own choosing. You can choose an Italian opera for one song and the latest rap music for the next. Mix country and hip-hop, oldies and alternative. You do not even have to listen to commercials!

When variety is essential, iPods are perfect. They allow for easy portability to the beach or the gym. Parents can download kid-friendly songs and have the perfect soundtrack for a long car ride - without having to worry about R-rated conversations from the DJs or questionable music lyrics. With anywhere from 1000 to 10,000 song capacity on an iPod, users never have to get tired of hearing the same songs played over and over again.

iPods are changing how we watch movies as well. Now some iPod versions offer the capability to see video as well, and you can download the hottest new releases. It is an entertainment center in the palm of your hand, letting you have the ultimate in entertainment options. You can even download TV episodes and catch up on the latest Desperate Housewives while you are at the gym.

An entire side industry has opened up just to create accessories to give iPods the ultimate personalization. From colorful skins to practical carrying cases and from headphones to car chargers, iPods offer a myriad of options. There are even toys that can be plugged into your iPod. Accessories range from the practical and functional to those that are purely decorative.

Along the same lines, companies are changing designs of their current products to make room for iPod. Purses and briefcases offer larger pockets to carry an iPod in. Designers are making shirts and even ties with iPod pockets. There is even a stroller with a special iPod carrying space.

iPods are changing how companies market new music as well. With pod casting (a live feed of files placed on the internet for people to use) independent bands can market their music that would be too expensive for them to do otherwise. Shortened versions of the songs downloaded as ring tones are gaining popularity. No longer can companies focus just on the sale of music in stores, but they have to pay attention to what is being bought and downloaded online.

iPods are even changing the legal system. With so much music to download, legal issues began to crop up. The most infamous is Napster, where some artists sued because they were not getting compensated for their music that was being downloaded.

Now there is a variety of sites allowing you to pay a monthly subscription to download as many songs as you would like, or the option to pay a small fee per song. A boom in online music stores resulted, and now there are several places online where you can download music. Even Napster stayed around, in a newer form. Music piracy is another problem, keeping officials on their toes looking for illegal down loaders.

Also, as with any other great idea, other companies are starting to come up with their own version of the iPod. Companies such as Rio Audio, SanDisk, and even Dell have their own players on the market. Competition will keep iPod looking for bigger and better things for its consumers, which is a win-win all around.

As you can see, iPods have started a music revolution that has changed how the world looks at music and personal entertainment. It is very exciting to think of where it can go from here!