Apple has done it again. Not even two months after they revolutionized the mp3 player market with the iPod nano, and changed the way we think about flash mp3 players, they’ve done it again with the new iPod with video playback, the next generation of Apple iPods.

This new mp3 player is THE must have player for this holiday shopping season.

In With the New

With this player Apple has added a dual color option, so if white just isn’t for you, the iPod Video also comes in a sleek black color. The new design is also super thin, coming in at a full 50% thinner than the original iPod. And of course, to get full function out of the picture viewing and video playing capabilities, the iPod video comes with a new and improved 2.5 inch color screen, 0.5 inches larger than previous models. The new LCD screen is also covered by a hard clear resin, instead of the standard plastic cover. This will protect the screen from scratches and provide a clearer picture view.

The Sizes

With 30GB and 60GB file capacities you can store your entire music collection and have plenty of room to spare! Store all your pictures, download TV shows straight from iTunes and watch them on your commute. With this player you’ll never be wishing you “just had some more space for your files”.

The iPod Gold Standard

Remember, this is an iPod first and foremost. So the picture is superb. The sound is excellent, and has even been improved slightly in this new generation. The navigation is easy and intuitive with the amazing clickwheel. And the organization control is unmatched. Plus you have all the regular extras like calendar, organizer, games, alarm, a newly added lap timer, photo slideshows, and more.

Support for Video Playback

Apple hasn’t just added video capabilities to their player and left it at that. They’ve incorporated new video downloading services into their iTunes store. Download music videos straight to your iPod, or even last weeks episodes of Lost or Desperate Housewives. Hook the iPod up to your TV and play the video files on a larger screen. The transfer quality is even pretty good. Videophiles might want more, but for most of us the display will be just fine. The player even boasts a much improved 20 hour battery life for the 60GB version(15 hours for the 30GB).

Price and Accessories

Sure iPods are more expensive than other mp3 players. But the new 30GB iPod can be purchased for the same price the old 20GB iPod used to be sold for. And this player comes with video and photo support! This is a huge step forward for Apple in making the best mp3 players more accessible to most of us. The only noticeable drawbacks of this player are the lack of some of the usual accessories that come standard with iPods, including the need to purchase an extra AV cable to hook the player up to your television. But these drawbacks are minimal when compared to all the great advancements of this player.

Conclusion

The days when mp3 players only played music files are a thing of the past. The consumer has spoken, and we want our players to not only PLAY music, but to STORE ALL our music. But this isn’t enough either. We want to store and listen to audio books. Store and view our photo albums, and now we want to be able to watch videos. Be it music videos, TV shows, or movies. We want it all, and Apple has delivered. The new Apple iPod video is a must have for anyone in the market for a new mp3 player, and will make an excellent present this holiday season. But if you’re looking for something a little smaller and cheaper, the iPod nano may be a great alternative. Tiny and sleek, this player is great for working out or smaller music collections, for those who want the signature iPod quality.

Gregory Nirshberg owns and operates Mp3 Player Buyer Guide. A website dedicated to helping people find and choose the best mp3 players. A comprehensive buying guide and resource for mp3 player reviews. Also contains up to date clearance and rebate deals.

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