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The New Apple Video iPod: Catching Everyone’s Attention Punita Jasrotia Phukan Punita Jasrotia Phukan has spent more than five years in print media. Starting her career with Express Computer, part of the Indian Express Group, she has written on varied topics. While HR and IT have been her favorite topics, she loves writing on people-related issues and things that touches everyone’s life. She believes that we all have ‘ability’; the difference lies in how we use it. Fond of creative and feature writing, Punita has been freelancing for past two years. She loves traveling and meeting people.

Never had a single product changed the fortune of a fledging company, the way the iPod did for Apple. And never had a company brought so many changes to its hottest selling product, the way Apple brought changes to the iPod.

The first iPod changed the way people listened to music. Soon it became the most sought after product (who can forget the fact that a young man was killed in New York for an iPod!). But Apple did not sleep on it. It brought in Nano; sleeker, smaller and an eye-catching version of the previous iPod. Then, within a few months, the new video iPod was launched – an ultra chick and slick model in black and white colors. The new iPod comes in two price range of $299 for 30 GB and $399 for 60 GB.

The new iPod has many features that can make it a winning product. It has up to 20 hours of battery life (five hours more than before) and the display too is bigger. With support for up to 150 hours of video and a 2.5-inch color display, you watch your favorite music videos, TV shows anywhere and anytime (its well integrated with iTunes) or photo slideshows complete with music. The 30GB holds upto 7500 songs) and 60GB models hold up to 15,000 songs), full-color album art and up to 25,000 photos.

The half an inch thin, new 30GB iPod takes up about 45 percent less room than the original iPod. Even the new 60GB model is 10 percent thinner than the fourth-generation 20GB iPod. According to Steve Jobs, the CEO of Apple, and industry analysts, ‘the new iPod will change the way we watch, much in the similar fashion the earlier iPod changed the way we listen’.

No doubt, Jobs could confidently state at its launch, ‘The new iPod is the best music player ever—it's 30 percent thinner and has 50 percent more storage than its predecessor—yet it sells for the same price and plays stunning video on its 2.5-inch color screen. Because millions of people around the world will buy this new iPod to play music, it will quickly become the most popular portable video player in history.’

Industry experts were initially apprehensive about the way people would react, when Jobs launched the video iPod just months after the launch of Nano. And the questions raised were about the viewing experience on the tiny screen and its battery life for video playbacks. Also, the cost ($ 1.99 per episode) and the limited collection of content for video was an issue. Lack of ‘pan and zoom’ feature for the photos or lack of accessories such as dock and A/V cables (which need to be purchased separately) proved to be a little turn-off. There were also doubts whether people would be comfortable holding it with one hand and watching the video.

Nevertheless, seeing the way the product is selling, it seems Apple has created a compelling reason for people to buy the product. In addition, experts opine that whether people use it for video or for only music, Apple has a sure winner with its 5th G iPod.

At a Glance:

Holds up to 15,000 songs and full-color album art
Incredibly thin and intuitive design
Bright 2.5-inch, 320 x 240 pixel TFT display
Up to 20 hours of battery life
Holds up to 25,000 photos and 150 hours of video
Plays video or photo slideshows on TV via the optional Dock
Apple Click Wheel
Accessory-compatible Dock connector
Dock works with the new Apple Remote
Charges and syncs via USB
Works with Mac OS X or Windows 2000/XP
Seamless integration with iTunes

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