What is the iPod?

The original Apple press release defined the first iPod as:

A breakthrough MP3 music player that packs up to 1,000 CD-quality songs into an ultra-portable, 6.5 ounce design that fits in your pocket. iPod combines a major advance in portable music device design with Apple's legendary ease of use and Auto-Sync, which automatically downloads all your iTunes songs and playlists into your iPod, and keeps them up to date whenever you plug your iPod into your Mac.

In particular, the original iPod was unique compared to earlier flash memory-based MP3 players because the hard drive enabled the iPod to store many times more songs or data files, and earlier hard drive-based players were enormous and generally not suitable for use while running, playing basketball, or performing other activities.

Since the original iPod, Apple added Windows support and the line has expanded to include photo and video capability and games, as well as and smaller flash-based players -- the iPod nano and iPod shuffle models -- more like those that the original iPod decimated (but with greater capacity than was possible when the iPod was introduced). The iPod touch was the first to add wireless Internet access and a huge number of third-party apps and the iPod nano 5th Gen was the first model to add a video camera, FM radio, and pedometer to the series (note that the later iPod nano 6th Gen omitted a camera).

Competitive products have become much better as well over the years since the iPod was introduced, but few, if any, match the ease of use and seamless integration with music management software.

How do I turn off the iPod?

To turn off the full-size iPod, iPod mini, and iPod nano models, press and hold the play button. To turn off an iPod shuffle model, move the applicable switch to "off". To turn off an iPod touch model, press and hold the skeep/wake button and then drag the red slider that appears on the display.

For additional information, please refer to "How to Turn iPod On and Off" from the Apple Support Site.

How do I charge the iPod?

For full-size iPod, iPod mini, iPod nano, and iPod touch models, you can charge the iPod by connecting it to your computer with the provided cable. Starting with the iPod mini (2nd Gen), Apple stopped providing an AC adapter, but for models that did not ship with one, an AC adapter can be purchased at additional cost.

For the first generation iPod shuffle, you recharge it by plugging it into a USB port. The second generation iPod shuffle needs to be plugged into a small dock or adapter that is connected to a computer.

Also see:

• Which iPods can sync and charge via USB? Which iPods can sync and charge via Firewire?
• Can I use USB 1.1 to charge or sync the iPod?
• Can I use Firewire to charge or sync the iPod nano or iPod 5th Gen models?
• What is the difference between the second generation iPod shuffle and the first generation iPod shuffle?

How can I add or delete photos or songs on the iPod?

Depending on the model, you may be either able to add photos directly from a digital camera or only from a computer. To delete photos "loaded" from a computer, just delete them on the applicable computer through iTunes and they will be removed from the iPod the next time it is synchronized.

Also see:

• How can I transfer photos from my computer to my iPod, iPod nano, or iPod touch?
• How can I transfer photos from my digital camera to my iPod?
• Can I use the iPod to store photos from a digital camera, not only for JPG files, but also RAW image files such as Canon CRW and CR2 and Nikon NEF?

For music, you cannot add or delete songs using just the iPod, but instead have to add or delete songs on the "host" computer, and they will be added to your iPod or deleted from your iPod the next time it is synchronized.

For additional information regarding deleting songs, please refer to "Deleting Songs or Playlists" from the Apple Support Site.