iPod & iTunes: The Missing Manual, Second Edition

Chapter 1. Meet the iPod

Even before you extract it from its box, the iPod makes a design statement. Its shrink-wrapped cardboard cube opens like a book, revealing elegantly packaged accessories and software nestled around the iPod itself.

The first part of this book will familiarize you with the hardware portion of this parcel.

Parts of the Pod

In addition to the nicely nestled iPod itself (Figure 1-1), the package’s compartments hold all the other stuff that comes with various iPod models: earbud-style headphones and their foam covers, the connection cable for your computer, power adapter, dock, carrying case with belt clip, remote control, and software CD. All you get by way of instructions, though, is a small square folder, including the short iPod User’s Guide. Good thing you have the book in your hands to fill in the gaps.

Figure 1-1.  After the outer sleeve (top) is removed, the artfully designed packaging opens up to reveal the inner iPod. (Don’t be deceived by the black-looking iPod photo. That’s supposed to show what the thing looks like in the dark. There’s no such thing as a black iPod—at least not yet, although a company called Colorware will sell you a hand-painted Pod at http://www.colorwarepc.com. (And you can always indulge your color whims with an iPod Mini.) The iPod comes with all the hardware and software you need to get up and running, but the choice of music to ...