Using an iPod
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
The iPod is a well-designed device that is easy to control—once you understand its controls and how they work. Because the iPod is likely quite different from other devices you have used, it can take a little time to get totally comfortable controlling one. That's where this chapter comes in. Whether you have an iPod or an iPod mini, you'll learn about the iPod's controls and how to use them. You'll also come to know (and love) the iPod's menu structure and the major screens with which you will deal. You'll get into the details of using all these controls and screens in subsequent chapters.
In this chapter, you'll learn the specific controls on each type of iPod that you use to perform certain actions. Throughout the rest of this part of the book, I'll refer to the action in general and expect that you know which control to use for your model of iPod. For example, I'll explain where the Play button is on both types of iPods, but in later chapters, I'll just write that you should press the Play button without telling you where it is on each model.
In this chapter
- Connect an iPod to headphones or speakers so you can hear its music.
- Turn an iPod on and learn about its controls.
- Do the same for an iPod mini.
- Tour the iPod's menus and screens.
- Light up your iPod's world with the Backlight.
- Turn an iPod off.
Getting Ready to Play
In order to hear the music that is stored on your iPod, you must attach a sound output device to it. The most common one you might think of is the earbud headphones that were included in the package.
To use these, you connect the mini-jack on the earbud cable to the Headphones port located on the top of the iPod (see Figure 3.1). When you do so, you'll hear any sound coming from the iPod through the earbuds.
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Figure
3.1 The top of an iPod is where you plug in headphones, speakers, or other
audio output devices.
Although you are likely to use earbuds or other headphones with an iPod, those are certainly not the only audio output devices through which you can play an iPod's music. Following are some other devices you might want to use to play your iPod's music:
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Powered speakers—You can connect a set of powered speakers to the Headphones port to play your iPod's music on those speakers. For example, you can use any set of computer speakers to create a mini stereo system.
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FM Transmitter—You can connect an FM transmitter to the Headphones port to broadcast your iPod's output over FM. You can then tune into your iPod's music on an FM tuner, such as the one in your car or home stereo system. You'll learn about these devices in Chapter 7, "Rocking Your World with iPod Accessories."
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Home or Car Stereo—You can use various cables and connectors to connect the Headphones port to an input port on a home stereo receiver, a car stereo, or boom box to play your iPod's music over one of these devices. You'll learn how to do this in Chapter 8, "Using an iPod with a Home Stereo or Car Stereo."
If you connect a set of unamplified speakers, you aren't likely to hear very much if anything. The iPod doesn't put out enough power to drive a set of unpowered speakers.
NOTE
On the top of the iPod, you'll also see the iPod Remote port in which you connect a remote control (you'll learn about these in later chapters). And, you'll also see the Hold switch, which you'll learn about later in this chapter.
NOTE
If you have an iPod, read the section "Controlling an iPod" on this page. If you have an iPod mini, skip to the section "Controlling an iPod Mini." If you have both, well, read both of these sections.