USVI-On-Line

Ok, I can already hear the sighs of unbelief that someone (who can afford one) doesn't have an iPod. I just haven't wanted another gadget to mess with (have laptop and Blackberry for work, home computer and personal cell phone). However...I have finally decided I really want one so I can have my fav music with me when I travel. I have never even looking in to them, so I know nothing.

When I was in Target last week, I happened to wander by the electonics aisle, so I took a quick look. The one I saw was $175 . There also was a little tiny one that was less. Is $175 a going price for a decent one? I would want to be able to "manage" the songs - I assume there is some type of feature to categorize and organize them so I can find a particular song.

Can you iPod experts give me some pointers and recommendations on what to buy? I usually research stuff like this, but I really don't have time to look into it before our trip in June.

Thanks!

Here are the spec comparisons on Apple's web site.
http://www.apple.com/ipod/compare-ipod-models/

If you want to be able to "manage" the music...create playlists and choose what you want to listen to, you want a Nano or better.... the rest of the decision depends on how much music you will download, whether you want video capabilities and if you want to make the big jump to the iTouch and have the ability to have apps and wifi!

Good luck with your decision!

The price depends on the model you saw. If it was the larger (16G) Nano (slim, shiny, lots of colors), ~$175 is the going price. Target.com has them on sale for $168.

If all you want is something for music (no video, no podcasts, games, books, etc.), the Nano will probably a good choice. The iPod Classic has a lot more space, is larger in size and costs ~$50 more. Functionality wise, they're about the same.

The iPod Shuffle is the smallest and cheapest, but as the name says, it just shuffles the music.

There's also the iPod Touch, but that probably has more bells and whistles than you want or need. It's very similar to the iPhone, without the phone.

Both the Nano/Classic allow you to arrange your music anyway you want (either downloads or imported from your CD's) via iTunes. I'm sure you've seen all the threads regarding vacation Playlists (actually working on one right now

I've owned an iPod since they came on the market. Love them!

Between Marcia, me and our four teenagers, we have been through a ton of iPods.

You need to realize that the iPod will connect to your computer with a cable. On your computer, you can manage your music through iTunes (the Apple music store). On your computer, you can create playlists...name them what you want...and then put songs in them. Then, you will sync those playlists on to your iPod.

It is very easy and pretty intuitive.

Wanted to say that there are others out there w/o ipods... We haven't felt the need for one in our lives. Have fun with your search though!

I have an Ipod Classic (holds 10,000 songs). In hindsight I totally overbought. I have about 4-5,000 songs but seriously listen to perhaps the same 50 songs over and over again then change the genre and listen to the same 50 songs over and over again.

I upgraded to the Itouch about 6 months ago. It's much lighter than the Classic but if memory serves me correctly I paid aprox. the same price for both of them (around $250 Cdn) but the Classic was bought about 4-5 years ago). Can't put 10,000 songs on the Itouch but I learned I don't need that capability. I do use most of the features on the Itouch.

I love the Itouch and can't imagine living without it now. My Classic has been retired to the docking station in the bedroom and the Itouch is my constant communication device.

I have never had a cell phone plan and don't even carry my cell phone with me so not having that on the Itouch was of no concern. Best of all, after the initial outlay of cash, it's totally free. No monthly bills but you get the features of an Ipod plus so much more.

I have a classic it is great have all my music on it plus right now I have 15 movies works great for watching on planes or waiting in airports still I only used about a third of the space.

We got an Itouch right before our Feb trip and I love it. I am not a gadet person at all, I barely use my cell phone.

I downloaded an entire season of a certain TV show and watched that on the plane. I am addicted to podcasts so I have lots of those downloaded also.

I have been slow to add music. Once I do so, we will get a docking station.

For those of you with large libraries I must once again mention the Genius feature on iTunes for creating playlists with your music! Of course it recommend similar music to purchase but I use Pandora on my phone for that.

http://ipod.about.com/od/advanceditunes ... aylist.htm

B&J - I think you are totally on the right track. Since we're neighbors, maybe Flip Flop and I can have an iPod class for you here in NoVA. We can meet you at an Apple Store and walk you thru the details.

Honestly, it's the most intuitive thing and a great way to take you music with you. If you think you might be interested inwatching movies ro tv shows for travel then an iTouch might be worth it.

Soudns liek you already have communication capability with your BB but I have to say I LOVE the interactivity of mu iPhone (everything in one place) and the apps can make life a gazillion times easier.

Also consider going to the Apple store at Fair Oaks or Tysons. I like the Fair Oaks locatin a bit betetr as it tends to be less insane IMHO.

Go in and talk with an Apple consultant and they can walk you thru it. They won;t laugh at you, I promise.

You shoudl have seen me when I walked in with my 66 year old mom to buy iPhones. Talk about clueless! We were the clueless twins. Now I can't imagine life without it.

You can always go back to Target, but start at the Apple store first.

Wow! How many glasses of wine did you have before you wrote that,Gromit?

Probably not nearly enough.

See? This is how stupid sounding I get when I try to be nice

Oh, hell, Gromit,I was just jealous. We were out of beer.

As to B&J's original questions, I bought my wife an iPod Nano for Christmas. It was the first one for us. I'm usually the one that figures out new gadget stuff but I insisted that she do the iPod stuff on her own, as it was her toy. After a little stumbling around she has it down to a fine art and loves it. We will load it up for our upcoming trip. We'll have a suitcase worth of music in that little thing-a-ma jingy! I would recommend the 8 gig Nano as a good place to start, or as bubblybrenda said, look into the iTouch.

JT, PA girl & water guy - I so admire you techy guys.
I have the classic but have only managed to understand & acquire skills for uploading music from my playlist & syncing it to ipod as I add new music. But thus far I've been challenged as to how to upload a DVD,Books on tape (actually not tape) CD for audio listening - specifically - please don't flame me - Bill O'Reilly's "Bold Fresh" (what can I say we both suffered through parochial school). Can anyone offer any Ipod for dummies keep it simple advice on how to do this (put a DVD & an audio CD of Bold Fresh on Itunes then my Ipod )advice?
I feel so ashamed & embarrassed that I can't figure it ouut.
PS - I am master an animated Power point slides though.
Thanks so much.

A passing thought. Why not combine the music capabilities of the iPod with a cell phone, GPS, camera, etc. etc. and look into the iPhone. The prices for the iPod and iPhone are very similar and the service for the iPhone is probably about the same as for your Blackberry.