The iPod is everywhere, perhaps even in your pocket. And if not, maybe you're ready to get one with the recent launch of the updated iPod Classic, the fourth-generation iPod Nano, the newly shaded iPod Shuffle, or the price-reduced iPod Touch. Our iPod resource page keeps you informed with the latest news, photos, and videos of the new players, as well as helpful reviews as soon as we write them. If you're hanging onto an older iPod, check below for information on the best accessories, as well as some handy tips for getting the most out of your iPod.
We put the Apple iPod Nano and the Microsoft Zune through their paces, pitting the players head-to-head in five bone-shaking rounds. Read more
Protect, empower, and unleash the full potential of your iPod Touch with these top-rated add-ons. Read more
July 21, 2008Don't let its small size fool you. The iPod Nano is a powerful player, and you can make the most out of it with these accessories. Read more
July 25, 2008CNET editors round up a variety of accessories that are made for the Apple iPod Classic. Check out skins, cases, speakers, and more! Read more
July 22, 2008Apple iPod Touch (second generation)
The biggest news with Apple's second-generation iPod Touch is its drastically reduced price. The 8GB version of the iPod Touch is now $229, the 16GB is $299, and the 32GB is $399. On the hardware end of things, we're happy to see that the new iPod Touch is thinner than its predecessor and includes a built-in speaker and a volume switch.
Apple iPod Touch 32GB |
Apple iPod Touch 16GB | Apple iPod Touch 8GB
Apple iPod Nano (fourth generation)
Looking at the fourth-gen Nano, it seems like last year's squarish design was just an awkward, forgettable phase in the Nano's development. This year, Apple has set the Nano back on track with the thinnest, lightest design yet, and features that are hard to ignore.
Apple iPod Touch 16GB | Apple iPod Touch 8GB
Apple iPod Classic (second generation)
The iPod Classic refines the formula that put the iPod on the map. Few devices can match its combination of storage capacity, battery life, and intuitive user interface.
Apple iPod Shuffle (second generation)
The bottom line: If you like your music playback simple and your device nearly invisible, the second-generation iPod Shuffle will suit you well. But absentminded users should steer clear of this easy-to-misplace player.
If you're looking for the ultimate blend of ease of use, beautiful design, seamless integration with car stereos and other components, and a wide array of accessories, then Apple's iPod is probably your best choice for an MP3 player. The latest generation of iPods has every target audience covered. The iPod Classic ($249 for 1280GB) is the best fit for those who want their entire music library with them at all times. The iPod Touch ($229 for 8GB version; $299 for 16GB version; $399 for 32GB version) is an iPhone without the phone, boasting the same wide-screen touch screen, Wi-Fi connectivity, games, and direct iTunes downloads as the superhyped handset. The fourth-generation iPod Nano ($149 for 8GB version; $199 for 16GB version) has a brand-new look and upgraded features, including Genius playlists. And the tiny, clip-on iPod Shuffle ($49 for 1GB; $69 for 2GB) is available in a rainbow of new colors for the fashion-conscious.
If you love the size of the Nano but want more features in your MP3 player, there's a handful of worthy alternatives. Jasmine France rounds up some small players that have goodies such as built-in FM radios, user-definable EQ settings, and booming sound. Read more
September 14, 2007Our digital music editors have listened to a lot of MP3 players, and these five make the sweetest music. What's at the top of Donald Bell's list? Read more
If storage capacity is at the top of your list when it comes to choosing an MP3 player, take a look at this list. More manufacturers are making the jump to lower-capacity flash players, but there are still several options in the high-capacity player realm. Read more
Small is the new big. If you're looking for a player to take to the gym, slip in your shirt pocket, or listen to without it skipping, these flash-based players will do the trick. Read more
Want to document everything you've got in your iTunes library? Here's an easy way to do it. Read more
Your music player can do more than just store tunes. Use it as a backup device, too. Read more
Liberate your music from the clutches of your iPod. Veronica Belmont shows you how. Read more
So goes your battery, so goes your iPod. Give it a longer life with these tips. Read more
Wouldn't that video look better on a big screen? Sure. Here's how to super-size it. Read more
Are you a multi-iPod household with one computer and several music collections? Keep 'em separate but equal with this advice. Read more
CNET's forum on MP3 players is the best source for help, troubleshooting tips, and buying advice from a community of experts. Discussions include the iPod, iPod Nano, Creative Zen Vision:M, Zune, iRiver Clix, Archos PVP, Rockbox, audiobooks, and podcasts.
CNET's forum on digital music is the best source for help, troubleshooting tips, and advice from a community of experts. Discussions include CD burning, music software, converting audio files, recording music, and online music stores.
by lstockett (see profile), 09/20/2007
by firefinder24 (see profile), 09/08/2007
by RonaldJr18 (see profile), 09/07/2007
by donwright (see profile), 11/18/2007
by trx1701 (see profile), 12/02/2007
Apple's 2008 line of iPod MP3 players offers improved value and some beautiful new designs.
The iPod Touch has slimmed down its design and its price, which starts at $229 for 8GB, $299 for 16GB, and $399 for 32GB. Just like the original iPod Touch, the second-generation model includes many of the same features as the popular Apple iPhone, including music, videos, photos, games, Wi-Fi, e-mail, and more.
The slim, flash-based iPod Nano also got a dramatic overhaul. The fourth-generation Nano's design has returned to the candy bar form that made the original Nano a hit. At $149 for the 8GB version and $199 for the 16GB version, the Nano may be the best deal of the new crop of iPods.
Apple also refined their iPod Classic slightly, discontinuing the chunky 160GB model and offering a new 120GB model for the same price as last year's 80GB version ($249). Like the new Nano, it also includes Apple's new Genius playlist feature and support for voice recordings.
And finally, the bite-size iPod Shuffle is now available in a boatload of new colors. The price is still as tiny as its size: $49 for the 1GB player and $69 for the 2GB model.
Steve Jobs always marks the fall with new iPod announcements, and September 2008 is no exception. Check out this year's slide show for photos and details on the new iPod Classic, iPod Nano, iPod Shuffle, and iPod Touch.
Apple's iPod Touch puts the multimedia capabilities of the iPhone into a lighter, leaner package. Available in 8GB, 16GB and 32GB capacities, the iPod Touch has drop-dead looks and a graphic user interface that's ahead of its time.
The slim, flash-based iPod Nano has returned to the candy bar form that made the original Nano a runaway hit. The iPod Nano is offered in more color options than ever before, with an attractive price of $149 for 8GB and $199 for 16GB.
Apple's original iPod becomes a Classic and gets a cosmetic touch-up; an upgraded, image-centric user interface; and a capacious new hard-drive option.
Steve Jobs shows off the next-generation iPod Touch, calling it the "funnest" iPod.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs announces the latest iPod Nano. It's thinner and has a new interface much like the iPod Touch.
Apple's fourth-generation iPod Nano returns to its slender form and offers new features such as Genius playlists, voice recording, and shake shuffle.
At an event at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in downtown San Francisco, Apple CEO Steve Jobs discusses new software upgrades for the iPhone and iPod Touch. iPod Touch owners who paid to update to OS X 2.0 will get a free update to 2.1. The new 2.1 software applies to the iPhone as well.
Apple's second-generation iPod Touch is even slimmer and offers new features such as Genius playlists and a built in speaker.
Donald Bell takes a first look at the updates made to the Apple iPod Classic.