They're everywhere – little white headphones sitting discreetly in the ears of the person in front of you on the train, on the treadmill next to you at the gym, the person you accidentally bumped into on the street. It's official, portable music is something we definitely can't do without. And the iPod just keeps on winning in the market share stakes. Apple sold over eight million piano white or black beauties last quarter – 32 percent more than those sold in the same period last year.
Click to enlarge |
What Sony did with the Walkman in the 1980s, Apple has managed to do with the iPod in the new millennium. This October marked the little player's fifth anniversary, and in those five years, it has sold over 60 million units worldwide.
Research company Gartner Inc. forecasts a big year in the portable music market, with sales predicted to hit 187.7 million units, or over 50 million more than last year. Clearly, there are sure to be many people out there with some kind of music player on their Christmas wish list.
And if they already have a player, perhaps they might fancy one of the thousands of accessories that are available today. We've rounded up the best of the best for your listening and viewing pleasure.
THE PLAYERS
Apple iPod RRP nano $219 (2GB), shuffle $119, video $380 (30GB) www.apple.com.au
Apple has recently refreshed its iPod offerings. The nano is now smaller than ever, with a 40 percent brighter screen and 10 hours more battery life. The shuffle is now the world's smallest music player, according to Apple, and the fifth generation iPod promises a 60 percent brighter screen and a 75 percent battery life increase, offering up to 6.5 hours of continuous video. You also now have the ability to play games on it (games cost $7.49 a pop) and there are new search and quick scroll features. Software updates online also mean anyone with a fifth generation video iPod can take advantage of the games and quick scroll features.
Toshiba Gigabeat S Series RRP $429 (30GB), $569 (60GB) www.toshiba.com.au
These recently released portable audio and video players from Toshiba allow you to store and watch recorded TV programs, video and photos as well as listen to music. They use Microsoft Windows Portable Media Center software and integrate with Windows XP Media Center Edition PCs as well as Xbox 360.
