Apple iPod

The iPod, continued

The button found in the middle of the unit acts as an enter key of sorts, allowing the user to select a function. Hitting this button in the "Now Playing" screen switches the time display from time elapsed to time remaining. Navigation through the menu systems is achieved using the scroll wheel, which is rotated clockwise to move down and counterclockwise to move up. The wheel has acceleration, so initially the display scrolls slowly but gradually gets faster the more rapidly the wheel is turned. This comes in quite handy, especially when you have lots of songs to navigate through. This wheel also serves as the volume control while in the "Now Playing" screen.

The controls are laid out in such a way that one hand operation of the unit is not only possible but also natural. With the hand resting on the back of the iPod, the user's thumb is able to access every button, from the scroll wheel to the play button.

Besides iTunes software for the Macintosh, the iPod comes with a pair of earbud-style headphones that utilize 18mm drivers. The headphones produce a frequency response from 20 to 20,000 Hz.. Also included in the package is a 2 meter, 6 pin powered firewire cable The firewire port is located at top of the unit on the left side. Like much else in the iPod package, the iPod's firewire cable is white.

To the right of the headphone jack lies the unit's hold button. Since any button turns on the iPod in its off state, the hold button becomes quite useful.

The final item in the package is the travel charger. When the iPod is connected to a computer it is powered by the firewire connection but on trips a computer is not always available. To solve this problem, Apple includes a travel charger with the iPod that can be plugged into any outlet. Power to the unit is brought via the same firewire cable used on the computer. One nice aspect of the charger is the ability to change the socket connection depending on the plugs available in your area.