A PMP is a portable media player, which is capable to store media files like photos, music or movies and display and play them. One of the best PM players  from the market it is the iPod, a line of portable players designed and released by Apple Inc. at the end of 2001. It is available in many variations of models starting with the classic iPod, to the iPod Touch and the iPod Nano or the Shuffle iPod. It can be compared with the iPhone, the smart phone model launched by the same Company, but, in generally, experts consider it another type of product. The difference between the classic model and the others is that the files are stocked on a hard disk, while the flash memory card is the base for the upgraded products from the same line.

Using versions of Microsoft Windows operating system, iPods can download and use music from iTunes or some other software, like an alternative for this program. This dedicated program can   also transfer photos, games or contact information. Thanks to the Lotus upgrade, a program released in collaboration with IBM, iPods can be used also for e-mails and calendars.

From September 9, 2009, iPod had been sold all over the world and become the best selling media digital player from all the times.


The iPod can play a lot of audio formats like the classical MP3 to the  M4A, WAV or AIFF or AAC. The Apple Inc. introduced with the iPod Photo the possibility to display JPEG, PNG, TIFF and, of course, the BMP format. Starting with the fifth generation, iPod was able to play also the MPEG-4 format, which defines a system of compressed audio and video data.

The first model used the Mac OS software but, starting with the second generation, they implemented the Microsoft Windows. Yet, iPods don't support the WMA files, but there are some converter programs special made for this format. Also, they cannot play the MIDI format, so popular this days, but it is able to replay the alternatives for it, like FLAC or Ogg.

The iPod have an easy interface, intuitive, for all categories of people that are targeted. With slide graphics and anti-aliased text, have an attractive look and design. All models, except the one with touch screen possibilities, have five integrated buttons, representing the basic functions as menu, play, stop, next or previous. Some models have this functions integrated in the click wheel button. Its design reminds of the cool and popular current named minimalism, because of it's curves, simply lines and shine material. The iPod Shuffle don't have integrated any buttons for control on the player but the user can do the specifically functions using a small button attached to the head phone set. Also, near the next/ previous, stop/ play buttons it contains also a volume button.


Because it is designed to keep you busy while you have some free time or to make you enjoy every moment, near opportunity to play music and movies, iPod offers you also the possibility to play games like the well- known Brick or Cubis 2. The 5^th generation added to the game collection some new games like Mahjong, Pac Man, Tetris, Zuma, Vortex or Texas Hold Em'. The format used for this games it is  .ipg, a disguised type of the .zip archives.

You can compare the iPod with a mass portable storage for  data files and can be used as a boot disk for a personal computer. It can be formatted using the FAT32 in Windows, but, this procedure will take place every time a new iPod it is plugged to a computer using a Windows operating system. If the computer it is using a Mac OS X it will be formatting using a HFS+.

This device it is using a special software for transferring data and a simple copy/ paste, like the most other mp3 players, it will involve bad functionality, iPod can't play this type of files. You can use the iTunes software for this process, but there are some other developed programs available on the internet.

Using a database file, media data is stored on iPod in a hidden folder, unable to be seen in normal mode.


The configuration for this devices it is an optical one for a long and standard life. It have a microcontroller chip made by SigmaTel   which is able to handle the  music decoding and the audio circuitry. Wolfson Microelectronics contributed with the audio chip and  the storage flash memory it is from Samsung, a leader for the market in this domain. It have internal batteries made from lithium and a 3.5 inch display available for the iPod Touch or a 2.5 inch available for other versions.

A large numbers of accessories can be found on the market, specially for the iPod lines, like FM tuners,  sound recorders, audio/ visual cables so the user to be able to connect it to a TV, remote controls. They even released an iPod Camera Connector and some external speakers.

With this iPhone, Apple promised the fastest and the most powerful iPhone on the market. So let's meet  some of the iPhone 3GS features.



Speed

Guess what "S" stands for? Yes, that's right; "S" stands for speed! According to Apple, the first thing you'll notice about iPhone 3GS is how fast it's applications will launch. Web rendering will happen in a fraction of time and you can view your email attachments much faster. The iPhone 3GS has a built-in processor which is two times faster than the previous generations and it's more responsive than iPhone 3G. Although it's much more faster than the previous models, it consumes less which has an impact on the improved battery life.

Camera

This is one of the strong points of iPhone 3GS. With an increased resolution 3-megapixels auto focus camera (30 frames per second VGA), your shots will have a much better quality under any condition. With a tap, your shots will be saved in Camera Roll. From there, you can see your pictures in landscape or zoom them in or out with a pinch or a double-tap. The camera also supports photo and video geo tagging.You can tap the iPhone display to focus on anything (or anyone) you want, although the auto focus alone does a very good job. If you want to share your photos or videos, you can trim the video/photo shot just using you finger, then send them via MMS, email, MobileMe or Youtube. iPhone 3GS uses iTunes to sync photos you have on a Mac or in Adobe Photoshop Album on a PC, so that you can have them with you anywhere you go.

Cut, copy, and paste

It seems that everything about iPhone 3GS can be done with tapping. For example, you can easily cut and copy words, content from the web, multiple photos or videos and paste them into an email or text message and if you make a mistake, just shake you iPhone to undo.



Voice control

Now you can talk with your iPhone using voice control feature. You can ask it what song is playing and hear it answer. Or call people. Simply say a name or a phone number and your iPhone will confirm what you have requested and dial away.



Compass

iPhone 3GS has a magnetometer working with a Compass application. You can find locations, get directions, see traffic or which way you're facing and even, change your view.

Graphics

The new iPhone 3GS includes 3D graphics support in hardware. With the same 3.5-inch widescreen multi touch display, but now having a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating, you'll have faster and more complicated 3D games.

Find your iPhone and Remote wipe

Lost your iPhone? No problem, just log on the Apple's MobileMe service and it will help you find it. You'll have a map that shows the approximate location of your iPhone. Have it play an alert sound to help you find it if it's close to you. If not, you can display a custom message, lock it with a password or initiate a remote wipe and restore it to factory settings.



Nike + iPod

Everybody likes to work out. iPhone includes a built-in Nike + iPod support, so now you can buy a Nike + iPod sensor, slip it in one of your shoes and go do your workout.

Internet tethering

Surf the Internet from anywhere. You don't need a Wi-Fi hotspot anymore as long as you have Internet tethering on your iPhone. You can share the 3G connections with your Mac or PC laptop and connect to the Internet. Moreover, although you have your iPhone tethered, you can still make and receive phone calls. Also you can still connect to the Internet through a USB cable or a wireless network.


Although it has the same design and size, the new iPhone 3GS features are practically insane. In addition to all of the above, iPhone 3GS lets you capture your thoughts, memos, or meetings with the Voice memo feature, see charts and financial details of your stocks with the Stocks application or watch Youtube videos wherever you go. The iPhone 3GS gives you everything you need and more. Phone, iPod and Internet all combined in one.

If you own by now any of the iPod players or iPhone (first generation, 3G, or 3GS), then you already know that Apple provides in the retails package for this multimedia devices average (at best) two piece headset. Sure, the audio quality provided by this headset is good if you can make that ear buds stay in your years (really painful).

Even more the quality of the included two piece headset is by far good. It looks nice in design, but the quality is really bad, you probably should take into notice that at best this headset will "survive" for about six months. After this period, they will start to lose audio quality rendering and this is just the beginning. However, today this is certainly no problem with all the available accessories, including headsets, which manufacturers have to offer.


For instance Sony has created its own iPod accessories portfolio that would make even Apple jealous. Therefore, today in this article I am going to present you to good, yet affordable, products that any iPod user and iPhone user should have. The first item is the Bluetooth Transmitter and Headset with the proper model number DRB T21K/B. This is truly a functional headset package, which is advertised as being the proper solution for getting rid of the wires and enjoys in freedom your entire audio library. The DRB T21K/B is at its core a package which contains the DR BT 21 G Bluetooth headset and the TMR BT8iP transmitter / receiver (used in several others packages delivered by Sony).


The whole process of betting this technological package up and running is quite simple. Since both DR BT 21 G and TMR BT8iP are paired in the factory before shipping, just insert the transmitter into the iPod / iPhone connector pin and turn on your headset, and there you go, fully functional Bluetooth headset. In terms of design, I have to say this headset could have looked better. Sure, the black really makes it look good, but the surrounding neck support is made out of rather thin plastic. Therefore, you should be careful when taking the headset of, and even when putting it on, since it can broke really easily even with the flexible hinges (remember thin plastic is breakable plastic). The ear buds look nice with the matte black plastic. Overall the design is accurate for the price range, even more the transmitter really looks good improving the overall design of this package.


How I said, for this price range, the design and the build quality are properly selected, providing a good balance between quality and price. Including the battery this headset weights about 65 grams, making it average in terms of weight. Speaking of battery and power, the built in rechargeable Lithium Ion battery should provide about 11 hours of continuous audio rendering, 100 hours in standby time, and 100 hours in continuous communication time. When completely depleted, a full battery charge will take about two and a half hours. In terms of hardware, this headset has a diameter communication line of about 10 meters or 30 feet.


This headset has the dynamic open air form type, with an embedded microphone (Electret Condenser). The remote controls on the headset are the usual ones, play, pause, stop, and fast forward, fast rewind. The Bluetooth version used, version 2.0 also sports the enhanced data rate, and the A2DP and AVRCP profiles. The audio rendering is quite strange, since the formats supported are either SBC or MP3. The frequency range for DR BT21K/B varies between 14.000 Hz ~ 24.000 Hz, with a frequency response between 100 Hz ~ 4.000 Hz.


Overall, for only $149.99, you get an interesting package, even more if you keep in mind that only the transmitter costs separately $69.99, you will understand that this package is truly worthy, but my opinion is two wait another two months and buy it for $129.99. The next device that should be on the desk of any iPod user and iPhone user, is the Stereo Bluetooth Speaker with the model number SRS BT M30. This device sports a truly interesting design including a great potential. This was seen by Sony advertising it under the style Bluetooth solution for your iPod and iPhone.



This device is light weighted, compact and not only compatible with Apple multimedia devices but also to different gadgets Bluetooth enabled such as mobile phones, music players and computers, both desktop computers or laptop computers. In terms of design, this product is truly unique sporting a rather strange form factor. The front black panel includes both speaker outputs, while the rest of the case includes a silver look (unfortunately made entirely out of plastic). On top of this speaker you get the important controls, such as power on and off, play, pause, and stop, fast rewind, and fast forward. With a height of 111 mm (or 4 3/8 inches), wide of 280 mm (or 11 1/8 inches), deep of 140 mm (or 5 5/8 inches), this Bluetooth speaker weights, with the battery included, about 750 grams or 1 lb and 10 oz. the speaker system includes a 48 m full range, magnetically shielded.


The Bluetooth used is the 2.0 version with the A2DP profile. This Bluetooth headset works with either three size AA batteries or with the DC 5.2 V. either way, you still get sufficient time of audio playback. When using the power input you get a continuous music rendering, while using the three AA batteries you should get about seven hours of continuous audio playback. Even more you get a stereo input mini jack, that should provide sufficient connectivity overall. Sony ships added in this products retail box beside the operating instructions, the AC Power Adaptor, and the AC Power cord.


Overall, the Stereo Bluetooth Speaker with the SRS BT M30 model number is a good balanced product offering a nice, youthful design, and good audio performances for either music playback or movie playback, with a connectivity that is not limited only at iPods and iPhones (compatible with all products that includes the Bluetooth 2.0 plus the A2DP profile). Even more the SRS BT M30 has a diminished price tag, from $149.99 to $129.99. Therefore, with almost $300 you get both Bluetooth headsets with transmitter and stereo Bluetooth speaker for your iPods and iPhones ore even other devices.

There is more to it than just owning a multimedia player. Sure, you can just buy a media player and keep it in its current retail package composition, but what would the point be if you don't buy some quality accessories to improve its performances. These days, is not all about devices.

The attention nowadays customers offer to the devices is shared at half with the compatible accessories. Therefore, if a manufacturer doesn't offer some good quality accessories for its products, it might just lose big sales. Basically when it comes to multimedia players the most important sold accessory is the music system.Many customers focus their attention to the available sound systems compatible with the player.


The most important player on the planet is the iPod line of players. Even more, since the iPhone shares the same dock connection with the iPod players, the accessory lines available for these Apple devices has appeared in almost every important manufacturer's portfolio. Sony is one of these manufacturers who don't want to lose any opportunity to sell products and advertise its logo, even with the help of Apple, thanks to their excellent products. Sony has developed more than a few lines of accessories for iPod players and iPhones. One of these accessory lines is the music system line. Every user of iPod or iPhone who enjoys music has bought or will buy a good music system, compatible with their Apple device.


Apple knows that, and so does Sony. Therefore today I am going to write about two important Sony sound systems for iPods and iPhones, the Muteki XROSSFADE Mini Hi-Fi (also known as LBT DJ2i) and the Muteki Hi-Fi Music System (also known as LBT ZX99i). Although these music systems share the same name, "Muteki", there are not many features they share in common, not even in the design department. It would probably be correct to say that these products are orientated to different potential customers. The Muteki XROSSFADE Mini Hi-Fi provides a more conservative look with an important feature: dual iPod connector. This mini shelf system is made out of four elements, amplifier, subwoofer, front speaker and the DVD, VCD, and CD player. As an overall look, these entire components really look like they belong together.


The design is still modern, even if it's not as youthful as the Muteki Hi-Fi Music System design. The general color is black, complemented with several stainless steel finishes. The player and the speakers are well dimensioned and look very symmetrical, while the subwoofer sports the same style but looks a little oversized. The main component, the player, also contains metallic components to add more style to the overall design. Since it sports dual iPod connection, you will get two sets of controls for each iPod. A centered switch will allow you to choose between the first connection and second connection. The volume controls are located under the iPod controls, and are in terms of design oversized for a better handling.


The main unit sports a 5.78 inches (or 146.8 mm) height, wide of 13.96 inches (or 380 mm), deep of 11.33 inches (or 288 mm), the Muteki XROSSFADE Mini Hi-Fi main's unit weights about 3.2 Kg. Both speakers have a height of 15 inches (or 381 mm), wide of 8.07 inches (or 205 mm), deep of 9.76 inches (248 mm), with a weight per speaker of 4 Kg. The subwoofer has a height of 306 mm (or 12.05 inches), wide of 500 mm (19.67 inches), deep of 505 mm (19.88 inches), the subwoofer weight almost 16.5 Kg. Therefore, this system is not that mini in terms of dimensions and weight. Both speakers have a rated impedance of 2 ohms, with a 90 level sound pressure. The system contains a three way hybrid dual woofer. Beside the iPod connection the main unit also supports the following decoding format for sound, CD, CD - R, and the CD - RW, and also the small CD (also known as 8 cm disc).


This main unit contains several buttons for a better rendering of audio, such as repeat, shuffle and others. The audio accepted has a 44.1 kHz frequency with a maximum bit rendition of 24 bit. The equalizer included in this model provides several excellent features such as GROOVE / Z - GROOVE Bass Boost, the 3 band graphic equalizer, and the MP3 BOOSTER+ MP3 enhancer. Both speakers and subwoofer sport a power output of 150 Watt per component. Beside the iPod and CD accepted music, this sound system also sports one USB connection and 2 Line IN.  The accepted audio formats are AAC, MP3, and the WMA. Also present is the radio with 20 preset radio stations in FM mode and 10 radio stations in AM.


Beside the actual sound system Sony included in the retail box a remote control (the RM AMU 012 commander) and two AA batteries. The Muteki XROSSFADE Mini Hi-Fi is available for purchase for $499.99 advised price tag. The second sound system, the Muteki Hi-Fi Music System looks amazing and delivers a total of 720 Watts power. Its design is not only attractive, but extremely interesting, thanks to the color touch. Therefore, all the components from this sound system includes a metallic finishes with silver plastic inserts. Also you get dome dark yellow orange inserts on both speakers and on the main unit.

The sound system not only looks good but it is also well built making matching the iPod touch or iPhone build quality. The main unit sport a height of 17.20 inches (or 437 mm), wide of 14.25 inches (362 mm), deep of 18.30 inches (or 465 mm), with a weight of 18 Kg (you should probably find a place where to put it without moving it around). Both speakers sport a 437 mm height, wide of 362 mm, deep of 465 mm, and weight 8.5 Kg per piece.


The front speaker sports a 6 ohms rated impendence, with a 91 dB sound pressure level. Beside the iPod connection, this sound system can render music from the small CD (also known as 8cm Disc), CD, CD - R, CD - RW, and MP3 files by connecting a multimedia player using one of the LINE IN connection. The output power for any of the components of this sound system is rated at 180 Watts. For a better audio experience Sony included excellent Equalizer features such as X - GROOVE bass boost function, 10 preset EQ modes, and the 3 band graphic equalizer.

All the information added to the music files will be displayed on the main unit. Also included is the radio with both tuner types, FM and AM. You can save about 20 station entries in FM mode, and about 10 station entries in AM mode. In the retail package Sony included beside the actual sound system the remote control (RM AMU 008 commander) and 2 AA batteries. The Muteki Hi-Fi Music System is available for $649.99 price tag. Both sound systems complete the audio experience started by your iPod and iPhone. The first sound system sports dual iPod and iPhone connection in a conservative look, while the second Hi-Fi system sports more power rendering in a more attractive design. Both way, the prices are not small, and the choice is for you to make.

Lately I noticed that we are dealing with a physical correlation between hardware accessories for iPhone and iPod touch and software accessories for these devices. The is not a master mind behind this process but even so, it is impossible to deny the fact that more and more people, manufacturers, or developers are investing their time, money and attention over the Apple products.

This attention has intensified over the last 18 months, basically due to the App Store and the iPhone integration in the multimedia phone market at first, and smartphone market in time. Not only hardware accessories are gaining more attention but also software application, found on the App Store. In order to develop your iPhone to the smartphone status you need good business applications.

However, not always these applications will come cheap. Some of them might actually cost over $20. Therefore, a good spend time, is the time that used when looking after the free business applications on the App Store. Today's top three free business applications include several interesting application with a larger usable domain then you might think after a first look. The number one application on these top three free business applications is the "Real Estate Search - Near Buy".

Although the house market is doing pretty bad, for the people who have cash money on their hands and don't want to lose them in an eventual dollar drop value purchasing a home could be the perfect investment. The house market includes lower prices, and you might consider buying a house and upgrade it in time, not only getting your money back in a couple of years but also a profit.


Even more, this application is found under the Business category and not under the Lifestyle category because it is addressed to all the real estate agents that are in need for a professional help. Released on August 11, 2009, by Peng Zhuang under the Near Buy umbrella, the "Real Estate Search - Near Buy" was an immediate success. This application will not only show you the apartments or houses for sale, but also the ones for rent.


"Real Estate Search - Near Buy" is compatible with both iPod touch and iPhone running the second or third generation operating system for the iPhone mobile platform. This application is very complex, allowing you to filter results depending on the price ranges, location, near schools, and other objectives. You can easily explore the neighborhood by taking a virtual tour. However, if you are using an iPod touch you should know that this application is developed for the 3G connection. It will work with Wi-Fi connection, but not at its full potential. This application will also display every uploaded picture.


Overall, "Real Estate Search - Near Buy" is an excellent application as long you are looking for a home search application. The second application on the top three free business applications is the "Quick Voice Recorder", an excellent application before the release of iPhone 3.0 OS. Even so, after the release of the current operating system, this application became free. The latest version, 2.4, was released on June 01, 2009 by nFinity. The "Quick Voice Recorder" is compatible with both iPod touch and iPhone running the second or third generation operating system of the iPhone mobile platform.

This application has several nice features, such as stop and save, or email records, pause record and resume, good user interface, intuitive controls, great sound recording and many other features. You can easily use this application for anything you might need or want, or just download it and keep it into your iPhone since you don't really know when you might need it. This application will works faster and easier then the inbuilt voice recorder of you Apple gadget, and even more it will create a ringtone out of any recorded file.

Overall, this might seem an interesting application to keep on your iPod touch or iPhone, however it is not a truly important application. The last application on today's top three free business applications on the App Store is the "Spanish Free" a useful application which involves several other languages even if its title doesn't show this.

On October 07, 2009, seller Marty McDonough released under the Oxford Translator umbrella, the latest version of "Spanish Free", 3.0. This application will prove itself as being extremely useful when traveling or dealing with business partners that don't speak English. Even more great news, is that you don't need an active internet connection, neither 3G nor Wi-Fi for this application to work. "Spanish Free" is more of a substitute name for "Oxford Translator".

This application provides with the most accurate translation found in any other software on the App Store. Even more, it is available free of charge. It might be an indispensable application when traveling around the world. The interface is really intuitive, but is somewhat reminds me of the Sony Ericsson old operating system. It will certainly be easy to use, after you will understand how it works.

The process is not hard to get, but you should exercise a little bit before starting an actual conversation. However, keep in mind that this is a free version. Therefore, if you need a good translator for your iPod touch or iPhone you should not overlook the full version, which will provide several key features such as 210 categories, native voice playback, better user interface, excellent translations, more than 100.000 phrase combinations, works extremely fast (depending on the generation of iPod touch or iPhone used, you get either a faster processor or a slower one which combined with the latest operating system may not always offer the desired result).

For the time being you get the following available languages in the full version application, Italian French, German, Mandarin Chinese, and Portuguese. While the next upgrade will bring the Dutch language, Greek language, Japanese Language, and Russian language. Overall, the lite version of the Oxford Translator might be a good way for you to test part of the full application, before buying it. Overall, today's top three free business applications on the App Store is not a predictable one. But then again, when are the top applications on App Store predictable?