iPod’s battery life is an issue to most iPod users. Users say that an iPod battery degrades over time and is irreplaceable. Users’ contention have certain bearing since (1) the iPod battery is lithium-based, its recharge cycles last roughly around 300 to 500 times and it really does degrade over time, and (2) apple’s design of an iPod battery is done in such a way that users cannot easily replace the internal lithium ion battery with a new one.

So, many ask, are iPods made to be a disposable digital audio player.

The answer is no.

Apple designed iPods to last a long time. But since an iPod battery is lithium based, we cannot expect it to last longer than two years. 300 to 500 complete charges and discharges wears down the power of a lithium battery. Apple, nevertheless, published guidelines about iPod battery on its website and gave tips on how to maximize the life of an iPod battery.

An iPod battery cannot be removed or be replaced the way a user does with a digital celfone by just clicking the open button at the back of the unit to remove and replace the battery when it wears down. The iPod battery is integrated in the circuitry.

You will ask now, why did Apple engineered the iPod this way?

Apple integrated its iPod battery with the main circuitry to achieve the ultra thin and ultra sleek design that it boasts. If the iPod battery is removable, the iPods will be as bulky as regular digital celfones.

Previously, Apple does not accept replacement of a worn-out iPod battery. Under their official policy customer should buy a refurbished replacement worth as much as a brand new iPod.

Because of this situation, third-party manufacturers offered battery replacement kits, with instructions on how to disassemble, remove and replace the iPod battery and then reassemble your iPod.

It was only on November 14, 2003 that Apple had announced a cheaper battery replacement program. The battery replacement program which costs $99 had been trimmed down to $59.

Some tips to maximize your iPod battery’s power.

Keep your iPod at room temp.

An iPod battery works at its best when the iPod is at room temperature, between 0° to 35° C (or 32° to 95° F).

If your iPod has stayed in the cold for many hours, let it warm up first before turning it on. Otherwise, a low-battery warning will appear and the iPod won’t turn on unless you recharge it. But you wouldn’t want to recharge it because it will deduct a recharge cycle to its 300 to 500 recharging cycle, right? So use it at room temperature and don’t forget it! If after warming up your iPod remains asleep, do this: connect the iPod to the power adapter. Press the Menu + Play or Pause buttons. Do this repeatedly until the Apple logo appears.

* Do not leave your iPod inside a car, especially during at noontime.
* Do not expose your iPod to direct sunlight.

Extra tips

*When charging

An iPod battery can be fast-charged in an hour with eight percent (80) of its capacity. But it would be better if you charge it for four (4) hours fully recharge the iPod battery to 100%. This will save you discharge and recharge cycles by 20% for every recharging.

An iPod battery slowly empties even when the iPod unit is not in use. The iPod uses, even when asleep, a small wattage of current. So, store your iPod in room temperature to maximize the battery and slow down the draining of power. If you do this your iPod batter can last from 16 to 28 days.

Important!

* Empty the iPod battery fully before you recharge it.
* iPod skins and iPod covers look good on your iPod, but please do not charge your iPod while it is still dressed with iPod skin or cover.

When unattended, Press the Pause

Pause your iPod if you will leave it on a table to pee, or do anything else. iPod will continue to play if left playing until the iPod battery drains out. Always turn off your iPod when not in use to save battery life.

Backlighting

When the room is well lit, you do not need backlighting. Backlighting can use use up a lot of your reserved battery power. Turn off backlighting when you do not need it. Select: Settings > Backlight Timer > Off.

Apple iPod users have always been satisfied with the music experience. Based from a survey online, Apple iPod users love the following features of their iPod:

1. The original iPod have a hard drive space of forty gigabytes. This amount of space made it possible for Apple iPod users to store up to five thousand songs.

2. The original iPod has a “Click Wheel,” an ergonomic design for button controls on the iPod. Instead of the usual play, stop, pause, fast forward, and reverse, you can also access the menu with convenience.

3. The original iPod has a battery life that extends up to 12 hours. This time line is from a non-stop usage of the Apple iPod.

4. The original iPod was also built with a design that would make it more convenience for users to set up a playlist of songs. Apple iPod users can also activate the shuffle function and would introduce randomness in listening to music.

The Sexy Apple iPod Mini

The latest collection on the Apple iPods is the Apple iPod mini. This iPod mini is usually compared to a US$ 1, 200 Chanel bag. This is very true because the Apple iPod mini exudes worldwide class and posh with its variety of iPod case. An iPod case has a variety of five colors.

iPod Case

An iPod case has an anodized frame made of aluminum. Apple iPod mini usually weighs 3.6 ounces. The frame measures 2 inches by 3.6 inches, with only half an inch in thickness. Though it does not look like it because an iPod case is meant to camouflage the real weight. At first glance, it would seem that an iPod case is made of heavy metals, but iPod skins such as that of the Apple iPod mini can be weighed almost as light as a featherweight.

An iPod case is also also silky and smooth to the touch. The frame of an Apple iPod mini fits perfectly inside your palm and an iPod case is meant to give you more comfort while holding your Apple iPod mini.

To give it a sleek design, an iPod case has no breaks in them, meaning Apple iPod minis have no externally moving parts. Underneath the iPod case, however, is a sensitive circuitry that provides the Apple iPod user convenience in using the Apple iPods.

This sleek design of an iPod case was supported by a highly ergonomic design of the control buttons. A “Click Wheel” is available for the user if he wants to play music, pause, stop, fast forward or reverse. The Click Wheel also provides access to the users for the menu.

The Click Wheel control buttons are located on the pad and matches whatever the color of iPod case is. The Click Wheel buttons is a revolutionary design as compared to the original four function buttons of the previous Apple iPods.

An iPod case is available in various warm minimalist choices of possible colors. Apple iPod users can choose from pink, green, silver, blue and gold.

Other Features of the Apple iPod Mini

The Apple iPod mini was also incorporated with a tiny Hitachi hard drive. This hard drive can hold various music files such as Audible, MP3, WAV, AIFF and AAC.

It is also possible for the iPod to integrate with iTunes. There is a software that enables this integration. After the seamless integration, you would be able to cruise with the tunes.

Battery life is always important for Apple iPod users. The battery life of an iPod mini extends up to 8 hours which is enough to listen to about 5,000 songs.

In addition to the options available when choosing an iPod case, the iPod mini have an array of accessories that includes a USB 2.0 cable, a Firewire dock connector, an AC adaptor, a belt clip, earbuds and the Apple iPod mini installation software. Another accessory available in the market is the armband.

iPod Hacking

Over the years, due to technological advances, techies started to experiment with the iPod vis a vis the cellphones. They started introducing modifications to the iPod case, themes and even use.

These modification were made to provide more power to the user for the customization of their iPods.

To define briefly, iPod hacking is done to introduce changes to the Apple iPod not only in terms of software or hardware but also in appearance. There are many softwares and firmwares available to the Apple iPod user to introduce modifications to their iPod case etc. such as the iPodWizard.