Product Description

Apple?s legendary iPod range has been extended to include the iPod classic for even more musical possibilities. Following on from the fifth generation iPod, the iPod classic has all the same functions as its predecessor, but has an improved interface that's easier to use. In keeping with the iPod tradition, the iPod classic has both audio and video functions, in addition to a very large storage capacity and unprecedented battery life, packed into a stylish, 100% metal case. Its 80 GB memory holds up to 20,000 music tracks, and the interface now features the Cover Flow function, which displays all the album covers of each music track on the 2.5" LCD screen, making it very easy to flip through your entire library. Of course, the iPod classic can also play Podcasts, audio books and video games (available for download from the iTunes Store). Finally, the slimline and lightweight iPod classic has an unbelievable 30 hours of battery life when it's fully charged (in music mode)! The iPod classic is sure to sweep you off your feet!

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #50 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Apple
• Model: MB029ZO/A
• Released on: 2007-09-11
• Dimensions: 40.94" h x 24.41" w x 4.33" l, .31 pounds

Features

• 2.5" LCD Display
• 30Hrs Audio & 5Hrs Video Playback
• MP3, WAV & AIFF Audio Playback
• MPEG-4 Video Playback
• 140g Weight

Manufacturer's Description

Hold Everything

Decisions, decisions. Who needs 'em? Why should you have to choose what to put on your iPod? With up to 160GB of storage, iPod classic lets you carry everything in your collection — up to 40,000 songs or up to 200 hours of video — everywhere you go. In a completely new, even thinner, all-metal design, this iPod is a modern classic.

Overview

With 80GB or 160GB of storage(1), iPod classic gives your music and video room to move. It also has plenty of energy (up to 40 hours of audio playback 2), good looks (a sleek, all-metal design), and a great personality (a brand-new interface with Cover Flow). In other words, iPod classic makes an ideal companion. Why not get to know it better?

Cover Flow

If a picture says a thousand words, think of what all the album art in your collection might say. With Cover Flow on iPod classic, you can flip through your music to find the album you want to hear. Use the Click Wheel to browse music by album cover, then select an album to flip it over and see the track list.

Music

Use the Click Wheel to adjust volume, navigate songs, browse in Cover Flow, or explore the Music menu by playlist, artist, album, song, genre, composer, and more. Want to mix things up? Click Shuffle Songs. iPod classic makes your music look as good as it sounds, thanks to its big, bright, colour display.

Movies

Buy movies from the iTunes Store and you can sync them to your iPod classic to watch anywhere, anytime. The gorgeous 2.5-inch display makes your movies pop. And iPod classic keeps you entertained for up to 7 hours. Long flight or darkened room? Adjust the brightness for even more video playback time.

TV Shows

There's always something good on iPod classic. Browse thousands of episodes of your favorite TV shows on the iTunes Store then sync them to iPod classic. Watch last night's episodes this morning, or buy a whole TV series and play a pocket-size marathon.

Podcasts

The iTunes Store features thousands of free video and audio podcasts, including indie favorites and offerings from such big names as ABC News, Comedy Central, ESPN, PBS, NPR, and many more. Browse and subscribe to podcasts, then sync them to your iPod classic. You can even play video podcasts on TV using an optional Apple component or composite AV cable.

Audiobooks

The digital shelves of the iTunes Store are stocked with thousands of audiobooks — including exclusives like the entire Harry Potter series — so you can catch up on your reading wherever iPod classic takes you. iPod classic recognizes where you left off and bookmarks your place. You can even adjust the reading speed to suit you.

Games

Put hours of fun at your fingertips. iPod classic comes with three games — Vortex, iQuiz, and Klondike — and you can download more from the iTunes. All iPod games are designed specifically for the iPod interface. And all of them look great on the 2.5-inch colour display.

Photos

iPod classic holds up to 25,000 photos you can sync from your Mac or PC via iTunes. Use the Click Wheel to scroll through photo thumbnails the same way you scroll through song titles. To see a photo full screen, click the center button. You can even view photo slideshows — complete with music and transitions — on iPod classic or on a TV using an optional Apple component or composite AV cable.

Search

With up to 40,000 songs1 on your iPod classic, you need an easy way to search your collection. A built-in search function lets you use the Click Wheel to type out the name of the song, artist, album, audiobook, or podcast you're looking for. iPod classic returns results instantly as you select letters.

Extras

Calendars, contacts, and a clock appear in the Extras menu, along with a few more handy items. Take the screen lock, for example. Spin the Click Wheel to choose a four-digit combination and protect your iPod classic from prying eyes. If you forget your combination, just reset when you sync. Or use the built-in stopwatch to log your best times.

1. 1GB = 1 billion bytes; actual formatted capacity less.

2. Testing conducted by Apple in August 2007 using preproduction hardware and software. Rechargeable batteries have a limited number of charge cycles and may eventually need to be replaced. Battery life and number of charge cycles vary by use and settings.

Box Contents

• iPod classic
• Earphones
• USB 2.0 cable
• Dock adapter
• Quick Start guide

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Customer Reviews

iPod Great, iTunes a shambles
Unfortunately, given Apple's twinning of iPod with iTunes, it's virtually impossible to review an iPod without being dragged into reviewing iTunes. That's a shame, because the 80Gb iPod Classic is great. There were only a few disappointments with it:

1) the disk drive makes it much heavier than I expected;
2) the screen is too glary;
3) the price does not include a cover or charger.

Still, it's got scads of space, the battery life is good (don't get stung buying a power adaptor in an Apple store though...I needed one last minute so could not use Amazon. A hefty £19 later, I'm feeling both well equipped to travel, but slightly ripped off for paying retail) and it feels robust. Not sure how the gloss finish will hold up though.

That's the good news...

The bad news is iTunes. Think clunky user interface, unfamiliar - and not that obvious really - icons, lack of feedback on what it's doing (try importing an AVI file and just ignores you...no error, no warning, no suggestion it's a bad idea or that it will give iTunes indigestion...just nothing), etc etc...

The worse news is the iTunes UK Store. Apple flog the iPod Classic on the back of video capability, but then let you down with their meagre selection of **EXPENSIVE** TV shows that you probably don't want to watch anyway. Where are the movies guys?? Why can't I buy from the US iTunes Store?? And did I mention that the content is so amazingly expensive??

Anyway, a better bet is to source your own content - perhaps from Graboid - and use a tool like the Jodix Free iPod Video Converter to make the MP4 files. Then you can actually use the iPod Classic to good effect...watching movies.

ipod classic
ipods are certainly the best, if you have another type of mp3/mp4 player buy an ipod you don't know what your missing out on.

Good value great capacity great battery life MP3
When my beloved Creative Zen Touch gave up the ghost this new ipod seemed to be the only promising alternative on the market at that time. Its smart, slim and light and fits easily in any pocket, including my shirt pocket. The screen is excellent with great colours, I was amazed at the video quality. The sound is sharp and clear, with more volume than i require. I also didnt require coverflow but I quite enjoy seeing the album covers pop up when choosing a song, but many songs do not have album covers and some are incorrectly assigned, which is annoying. I don't want to delete coverflow though, as it doesnt make my ipod slow and just enhances the product with an extra facility. I'm sure apple will manage to improve the software over time.

What really is weak on this product, compared to the Creative software, is itunes. Its ridiculous that you have to keep all the songs on your PC as well as on the ipod, and also that you can't use another PC for downloading songs to the ipod without deleting all the songs you already have on your ipod.

The 80GB capacity is fantastic. I have all my CD collection and even a few movies, and there's still 50GB left, incredible. The battery life is also excellent, it seems to last almost forever. I have the intempo mp3 speakers at home, and you just have to dock the ipod on this and it charges whilst it plays, so I hardly notice having to charge it.

Overall, the ipod classic silver has some great features, looks wonderful, isn't perfect but is arguably the best mp3 on the market just now.