A Parents Guide to buying a new iPod or MP3 Player

(How to avoid disappointing your kids by buying the wrong iPod) I've put together this guide for fellow parents thinking of, or planning on, buying an iPod for their little cherub(s). As parents we naturally want the best of everything for our kids, but that can get unnecessarily expensive when buying an iPod.

I wrote this guide with Christmas in mind (Updated Sept 2008), but it's relevant year-round. I'm going to make choosing the right iPod easier. This is all based on my experience as a parent of a 15 year old and someone that knows iPod's inside and out. Okay, just out, because you don't ever open an iPod, but you get my drift.

COUPLE OF NOTES:
I don't cover much on the iPhone in this guide. The iPhone is an iPod with a mobile phone/cell phone built -in, or a mobile phone/cell phone with an iPod built-in, same thing - you decide. Your son or daughter is taking the p*ss if they're asking Santa for an iPhone.

All prices are correct at the time of writing this guide (Updated Sept 2008). All links open in a new window so that you can continue to read this guide.

Go grab a coffee and settle in, this will take 20 minutes.

A Parents Guide to buying a new iPod

1. THE BASICS, AN INTRODUCTION

1.1 What is an iPod?
1.2 iPod and Music
1.3 iPod and Video
1.4 iPod and Other Stuff
1.5 What is iTunes?
1.6 Which iPod? Storage Capacity? What's That?
1.7 How much do iPod's Cost?

2. BUYING THE RIGHT IPOD

2.1 On a Tight Budget?
2.2 Younger Kids?
2.3 Your child has no idea they're getting an iPod?
2.4 Money No Object?
2.5 The Coolest iPod?
2.6 Best Value for Money?

3. THERE'S MORE

3.1 iPod Running Costs. Oh yes, there are running costs!
3.2 iPod accessories
3.3 Essential Accessories
3.4 The Perfect Gift for an Existing iPod Owner.
3.5 and finally

1. THE BASICS, AN INTRODUCTION

1.1 What is an iPod?

At it's basic, an iPod (made by Apple) is a music player that comes with earphones and a cable that's used to connect it to your home computer. There are 5 current iPod models. They're called iPod Shuffle, iPod Nano, iPod Classic, iPod Touch and iPhone. They look like this.

Worth noting that some shops and online retailers may have some of the older iPod models that they'll be trying to clear during the run up to the holiday season. They'll have the same names, but look different. I suggest avoiding these simply because your son or daughter will be running around telling their friends they got a new iPod when in fact, well, they didn't get a "new" iPod.

1.2 iPod and Music

All iPod's store and play digital music. Digital music is the best term used to describe music that has either:

1. Been purchased/downloaded from the Internet
2. Been burned from a old CD in your collection.

I say 'old CD' because owning an iPod means you no longer have to purchase CD's from shops. One of the best features about owning an iPod is that satisfying your music 'needs' tends to be cheaper.

In the UK, a CD single costs between £1.99 - £2.99 (for 2 or 3 songs). Each song purchased for the iPod costs either £0.79p - £0.99p. The savings come from NOT having to purchase all 3 songs, when it's just the song in the Charts that you're after.

It's the same with Chart Albums. You don't have to purchase EVERY song, you can pick and choose which tracks to purchase and download.  In the USA, a Chart Album costs $14.00 - $18.00. A digital version of the same Album typically costs $10.00.

The cost of digital music is the same regardless of which iPod Model you have.

1.3. iPod and Video

4 of the 5 iPod models also store and play video files. The only iPod that can't is the iPod Shuffle. It doesn't have a built-in video screen.

So, with the iPod Nano, iPod Classic, iPod Touch and the iPhone you can play music videos, video clips and TV Show episodes and Movies (I'll cover TV Show episodes and Movies in a bit).

The quality of the video play on each iPod model is the same. The only difference is the screen size. The iPod Nano has a 2 inch screen, the iPod Classic has a 2.5 inch screen and the iPod Touch/iPhone have a 3.5 inch screen.

The cost of video files is the same regardless of which iPod model you have.

1.4 iPod and Other Stuff

So what else? All 5 iPod's can play podcasts and audio books. The 4 iPod's with a built-in video screen can play TV show episodes and Movies.

Podcasts : They're like downloadable radio shows. They can cover any topic. Many Podcasts are entirely free, some charge £1/$1 per episode. My wife likes the Gordon Ramsey Podcasts, while I like the Ricky Gervais Podcasts. Both of which are free. There are loads available for kids of all ages.

Audio Books : You know the audio CD's you see in motorway service stations? The ones that are some random famous person reading a book? Well nearly all are available for the iPod. There are loads of kids books available as Audio books. Each one costs a few quid/bucks depending on the title.

TV Show Episodes : You can purchase and download individual episodes of popular TV shows and play them back on your iPod. Each episode costs £1.89/$1.99

Movies : Much like TV Show Episodes, you can download entire movies.

Games & Apps: The biggest change in 2008 is the introcduction of the itunes App Store. iPod Touch and iPhone can download and store free and premium games and apps.

1.5 What is iTunes?

I'm not going to get too wrapped up in iTunes at this point. I'll put together a separate article on using iTunes and drop the link in here when it's done.

Apple, the company that makes the iPod, also have a piece of software called iTunes. You will need a copy of iTunes installed on your home computer. It's free and it's available to download from http://www.apple.com/itunes/

iTunes is two things. First, It's the very clever online shop that enables you to purchase Music, Video, TV show Episodes and Movies for your iPod. Second, it's the easy-to-use tool that manages your iPod.

For example. Buy the latest Britney Spears song or music video using iTunes and it downloads and stores the song on your home computer. Connect your iPod to the computer (using a cable that comes with the iPod) and it will automatically transfer the song from your computer to the iPod, leaving a copy on the home computer.

After you download and install iTunes, you'll create an 'iTunes Account'. You use your credit/debit card to top up your iTunes account. The money in your iTunes account is used up over time as you purchase items from iTunes.

iTunes has great Parental Control features that restrict what your child can purchase and how much they can spend.

1.6 Which iPod? Storage Capacity? What's That?

So earlier I told you that there are 5 iPod Models. The iPod Shuffle, iPod Nano, iPod Classic, iPod Touch and the iPhone. Not entirely correct, because there are 2 versions of the iPod Nano, iPod Classic, iPod Touch and the iPhone. Don't panic though. They're basically the same. The only difference being their storage capacity.

The storage capacity determines how many songs, videos, TV shows and Movies the iPod can hold at the same time.

NOTE : You don't have to have everything on the iPod at the same time. Everything bought on iTunes is stored on your home computer. You can use iTunes to swap and change what is actually stored on the iPod.

The iPod Shuffle is ONLY available with a 1GB  or 2GB storage capacity.
The iPod Nano is available with a 8GB or 16GB storage capacity.
The iPod Classic is available with an 120GB storage capacity.
The iPod Touch is available with a 8GB, 16GB or 32GB storage capacity.
The iPhone is available with a 8GB or 16GB storage capacity.

It's the storage capacity that determines the difference in price.

1.7 How much do iPod's cost?

I'll give you the RRP (Recommended Retail Price) for each iPod model, and a quick break down of what the different storage capacity means. You can compare these at a glance using my iPod Features Comparison page. You should be able to find it cheaper if you look around on the Internet.

If you're in the UK, I'm checking prices of all of the iPod's every 24 -36 hours between now and Christmas 2007. You can find the cheapest iPod in the UK here.

iPod Shuffle (1GB) : £32 / $49
Holds up to 240 songs.

iPod Shuffle (2GB) : £45 / $69
Holds up to 500 songs.

iPod Nano (8GB) : £109 / $149
Holds up to 2000 songs, up to 8 hours of video, movies, TV shows, or a mix of each.

iPod Nano (16GB) : £149 / $199
Holds up to 4000 songs, up to 16 hours of video, movies, TV shows, or a mix of each.

iPod Classic (120GB) : £179 / $249
Holds up to 30000 songs, up to 150 hours of video, movies, TV shows, or a mix of each.

iPod Touch (8GB) : £169 / $229
Holds up to 1750 songs, up to 10 hours of video, movies, TV shows, or a mix of each.

iPod Touch (16GB) : £219 / $299
Holds up to 3500 songs, up to 20 hours of video, movies, TV shows, or a mix of each.

iPod Touch (32GB) : £289 / $399
Holds up to 7000 songs, up to 40 hours of video, movies, TV shows, or a mix of each.

So that's the basics covered. Next we'll cover choosing the right iPod. If you have any questions, you can use the comments form below. I'll try to answer any queries you have.

2. BUYING THE RIGHT IPOD

2.1 On a Tight Budget?

If you're on a tight budget, then it's the iPod Shuffle for you (£32 / $49). It holds up to 240 songs. It can also take Audio Books and Podcasts, but no video.

This is also a guide on "How not to disappoint your kids by buying the wrong iPod". If your child has no idea what they're getting for Christmas, the iPod shuffle is a great bit of kit. A nice present.

If however, your child has asked Santa for an iPod, the iPod Shuffle is DEFINITELY NOT the one they meant.

2.2 Younger Kids?

The iPod Shuffle is perfect for younger children. It holds up to 240 songs and can also take Audio Books (Nursery Stories anyone?). It's light, robust (though not indestructible) and easy to use. Ideal for smaller hands.

Price : £35 / $49

2.3 Your child has no idea they're getting an iPod?

If you're after an expensive stocking filler then go with the iPod Shuffle (£35 / $49). It holds up to 240 songs.

If you're buying an iPod as the main gift, then you can't go wrong with either of the iPod Nano's. It's does it all. Music, Audio books, Podcasts, Video, TV Show episodes and Movies. At only 2 inches, the screen is the smallest in the video enabled range, but the iPod Nano is an awesome present!

Price : iPod Nano (8GB) £109 / $149 or iPod Nano (16GB) £149 / $199

2.4 Money No Object?

If money really is no object then it's the 32GB iPod Touch (£289 / $399). It's touch screen/wide screen viewing is brilliant. Not only is the iPod Touch the coolest of the iPod range, it's the 'must have' gadget of Christmas 2007 and will be for Christmas 2008.

The iPod Touch holds up to 7000 songs, up to 40 hours of video, movies, TV shows, or a mix of each. It also has a wi-fi web browser, which means it can connect to the internet via your home wi-fi hub.

Although money may be no object, the 8GB iPod Touch is perfectly adequate. My advice is to get this and save yourself some cash and/or treat your yourself, your husband or your wife to something a little special. You deserve for taking the time to read this article.

2.5 The Coolest iPod

See 2.4

2.6 Best Value for Money?

In my opinion, and based on my being very surprised to ever learn of a child that has a need for more than 1000 songs, I highly recommend the 8GB iPod Nano (£109 / $149).

The iPod Nano does it all. Music, Audio books, Podcasts, Video, TV Show episodes and Movies. It holds up to 2,000 songs, up to 8 hours of video, movies, TV shows, or a mix of each.

3. THERE'S MORE

3.1 iPod Running Costs. Oh yes, there are running costs!

Songs, Audio books, video, TV show episodes and Movies all cost money to download. There are a few services offering limited free downloads, but you'll have little or no parental control over this content, so it's best to restrict the iPod for use with iTunes. iTunes has great parental controls that allow for easy control of spending/purchasing.

Example Prices: Individual songs cost £0.79p/$0.99c each. TV Show Episodes cost £1.89/$1.99 each.

3.2 iPod Accessories

There are loads of accessories available for iPod's. Cables, headphones, speakers, cases and covers and a whole bunch of gimmicks/fun gadgets. Take a browse through my iPod Accessories Directory (http://www.doipod.com/ipod-accessories/) and check out 'Stupid iPod Gadgets'

3.3 Essential Accessories

There are two accessories that I consider essential for an iPod owning teenager. An iPod Speaker/Docking Station and an iPod Case.

iPod Speaker/Docking Station: Simply insert the iPod into the dock and the music will play over the speakers. It will also charge the iPod. I'll hunt out a good value one and put a link in here. Until then check out my iPod Accessories Directory (http://www.doipod.com/ipod-accessories/). There you'll find links to online retailers ready and willing to take your cash.

iPod Case: You're gonna get pissed off when you see the iPod lying around, covered in scuffs and scratches. Check out my iPod Cases directory (http://www.doipod.com/ipod-cases/).

3.4 The Perfect Gift for an Existing iPod Owner.

iTunes Gift Cards are an excellent gift for any iPod owner. Available online and in stores these come with a code. When that code is entered in to an iTunes account, the value of the card is deposited in to the iTunes account, ready to be used to purchase items from iTunes.

3.5 and finally

The iPod Shuffle and iPod Nano are available in a variety of colours. Stick with Silver or Black. As nice as you may think the other colours are, you know it'll be wrong. But hey! at least you got the right iPod :)

As always, you're welcome to leave comments and questions on this article using the form below.