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Features
Music Management Software
System Requirements
Features
Compatibility: This 6GB Apple
iPod mini is compatible with both Macintosh and Windows operating systems. See
System Requirements section below for minimum requirements.
Storage Capacity: This iPod
mini has a built-in 6GB hard drive, capable of storing over 1,500 songs
(4-minute song average--recorded in AAC format at 128 kbps). In addition to
storing audio, you can use the hard drive to store data files as well.
Audio Formats: The iPod mini
supports the following audio formats: AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from
iTunes Music Store), MP3 (32 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible, AIFF, Apple
Lossless, WAV, and AIFF. When you import music from a CD using iTunes, it is
converted to AAC format by default.
Note: If you are using
iTunes 4.5 or later on a Windows PC, you can convert non-protected WMA
files to AAC or MP3 format.
Aluminum Case: The iPod mini
features an anodized aluminum case that resists stains and scratches. The case
protects the player while in a purse, pocket, or backpack.
Display: The grayscale liquid
crystal display measures 1.67" diagonally with 138 x 110 pixel resolution,
0.22mm dot pitch, and blue-white LED backlight. In the Settings menu, you can
adjust the screen contrast.
Backlighting: The display's
blue-white LED backlight illuminates the LCD screen for a selectable amount of
time each time a button is pressed. The backlight timer can be set for 2, 5, 10
or 20 seconds, always on, or off.
Skip Protection: In addition to
the hard drive, the iPod mini has a memory cache. Since it is solid state, there
are no moving parts, so it is not affected by movement. The memory preloads up
to 25 minutes of music to the cache at a time, and the iPod mini plays the music
from the cache instead of the hard drive. The 25 minutes of skip protection is
nearly twice the amount found in other hard-drive-based MP3 players.
Controls: The iPod mini's
touch-sensitive controls are located on the front of the unit. There is a Click
Wheel, which gives you the enhanced durability and sensitivity of the iPod Touch
Wheel, with buttons underneath. There are 3 Playback Mode buttons (Play/Pause,
Previous/Rewind, Next/Fast-forward) and a Menu button located under the Click
Wheel. The Select button is located in the center of the Click Wheel. The Click
Wheel and Select button allow you to navigate through menus and song lists,
highlight the desired selection, and select the item. To avoid unwanted actions
due to accidental button pressing, you can disable the iPod mini's buttons with
the top-mounted hold button.
Playback Functions: You can set
the iPod mini to repeat one song over and over, or repeat all songs in the list
(album or playlist) from which the song was selected. You can also have the iPod
mini shuffle songs or albums. When set to shuffle songs, it plays all the songs
at random from the list the song was selected. When set to shuffle albums, it
plays all the songs on an album in order, then randomly selects another album
and plays it through in order. During Shuffle play, the songs do not repeat
until all songs have been played.
On-The-Go Playlists: You can
program the iPod mini to play the songs you want in the order you want. The
songs are queued in the On-The-Go playlist. In addition to individual songs, you
can queue entire lists of songs (albums) in the On-The-Go playlist. There is no
limit to the number of selections you can put in the On-The-Go playlist.
Equalizer: The iPod mini's
built-in equalizer has 22 EQ presets to change the sound to suit a particular
music genre or style. The presets include: Acoustic, Bass Booster, Bass Reducer,
Classical, Dance, Deep, Electronic, Flat, Hip Hop, Jazz, Latin, Loudness,
Lounge, Piano, Pop, R&B, Rock, Small Speakers, Spoken Word, Treble Booster,
Treble Reducer, Vocal Booster, and Off.
Headphones: The iPod mini comes
equipped with earbud-style headphones with 18mm drivers using Neodymium magnets.
If desired, you can use any headphones with a 3.5mm miniplug.
Clock Functions: The iPod mini
has an internal clock with time/date settings, a calendar, an alarm clock and
sleep timer. The calendar can be advanced a day at a time or a month at a time.
The alarm clock can be set to any minute up to 24 hours in advance. The sleep
timer can be set to automatically turn off the unit in 15, 30, 60, 90, or 120
minutes.
Contacts/Calendar Events: When
using a Mac with OS X v10.2.8 or later and iSync, you can import contact
information (name, address, phone, e-mail, etc.) or calendar events
(appointments, to do lists, etc) automatically into the iPod mini for use on the
go.
Note Reader: The iPod mini has
a built-in note reader that lets you download text-based information and read it
on the screen.
Games: In addition to enjoying
music and books, you can play one of four pre-loaded games on your iPod mini.
The games that are available include Brick, Music Quiz, Parachute, and
Solitaire.
Computer Interfaces: The iPod
mini can be connected to your computer via FireWire (also called IEEE 1394 or
i.LINK), or by USB 2.0.
Power Requirements: The iPod
mini has a built-in rechargeable, non-removable, lithium ion battery. When the
iPod mini is connected to your computer, the battery charges. When fully
charged, the battery provides approximately 18 hours of playback time, and about
4 weeks standby time. The battery charges up to 80% of capacity in 2 hours and
fully charges in 4 hours. A battery life indicator appears at the top of the
display.
Optional iPod mini Dock: The
optional iPod mini Dock holds the iPod mini upright as it charges or transfers
music. The iPod mini cable attaches the iPod mini Dock to your computer. In
addition, the iPod mini Dock has a 3.5mm minijack stereo line output for
connecting the iPod mini to a home stereo or external powered speakers.
Music Management Software
iTunes: The supplied CD-ROM
software provides iTunes music management software for Mac and Windows users.
This software allows you to organize and manage your music and audio downloads.
With the software, you can buy music and audio books from the iTunes Music
Store, create your own custom audio or data CDs, import tracks in AAC, rate
tracks and sort your library based on ratings, create mixes automatically with
Smart Playlists, share playlists with other users, play audio books, or learn a
foreign language. With iTunes and an AirPort Express Base Station, you can
stream music wirelessly from your Mac or PC to your home stereo or powered
speakers.
Volume Levels: iTunes can
adjust the volume of songs automatically, so they play at the same relative
volume levels.
Audio Books: In addition to
music, you can download audio books from the iTunes Music Store (approximately
5,000 titles), or from Audible.com, an independent website with over 18,000
titles.
High-Speed Transfers: Transfer
time varies depending upon how much music you want to transfer from your
computer to your iPod mini. You can connect the iPod mini using USB 2.0, which
transfers data at up to 480 Mbps. A FireWire connection allows you to transfer
data at up to 400 Mbps.
Auto-Synching: Each time you
connect the iPod mini to your computer, the unit's Auto-Synch feature
automatically updates it with any changes made to the iTunes program on your
computer, including any new music purchased at the iTunes Music Store.
Song Ratings: You can assign a
rating to a song from 1 to 5 stars to indicate how much you like it. Song
ratings can be used to help you create playlists automatically in iTunes.
Smart Playlists: You can create
customized Smart Playlists from the songs stored in your music library. Smart
Playlists can include only certain genres of music, songs by certain artists, or
songs that match particular criteria, such as songs rated 3 stars or higher or a
playlist that's no more than 3 GB in size. After the Smart Playlist is created,
any songs you import that meet the Smart Playlist criteria will be automatically
added to the Smart Playlist.
System Requirements
Minimum Requirements for Macintosh:
To use iPod mini with a Macintosh, you must have the following:
- Macintosh with a built-in
FireWire (IEEE 1394/i.LINK) port or USB 2.0
- Mac OS X v10.2.8, or Mac OS X
v10.3.4 or later
- iTunes 4.7 or later (iTunes is
included on the iPod mini CD-ROM)
- iSync 1.1 and iCal 1.0.1 or later
(optional for synchronizing contact and calendar information with iPod
mini--works only with Mac OS X v10.2.8 or later)
Minimum Requirements for Windows:
To use iPod mini with a Windows PC, you must have the following:
- Built-in FireWire or a FireWire
card installed, or built-in high-power USB 2.0 or a high-power USB 2.0 card
installed
- Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4
or later, or Windows XP Home or Professional
- iTunes 4.7 or later (iTunes is
included on the iPod mini CD-ROM)
