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Converged Devices Will Never Have The Depth of Their Standalone Counterparts

According to a report in the UK’s Sunday Times, music phones (ie cellular phones that also play mp3 music files), could spell death for iPod sales. What has brought them to this conclusion? Sales of the Sony Ericsson Walkman line of music phones. The company reported, last Friday, that they have sold 17 million Walkman phones last year, and has sold more than 20 million since they were first introduced just over 18 months ago - a sales rate of that is far superior to the first 18 months of iPod sales. In total, Sony Ericsson has sold just over 43 million music phones, but this is nothing compared to music phone king Nokia.

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Your iPod Should Be Left at The Door

Michigan kids do not need iPods, in fact kids around the nation do not need iPods. I know some people (like Steve Jobs) think that the iPod will make you smarter, will help you retain more information, and help you succeed as a student, but the reality is it won’t. Why not? Because the iPod, just like any other electronical device in the classroom, including desktop/laptop comupters, cell phones, calculaters, etc. are nothing more than distractions. How do I know? I use to be a teacher…and the last thing I or any of my former colleagues would want is more electronic devices in the hands of children.

Children Should Use Technology

But they should use the “right” technology, and unfortunately, that does not include an iPod. Computers are a fantastic tool to use to assist in the learning process, but even they have their drawbacks, mainly the learning curve involved with teaching a student how to use a computer or particular program. It takes time, time that is taken away from the basics. Just like sell phones, and graphing calculators, the iPod is a potential learning tool that can easily be exploited and mis-used by today’s more “advanced” youth, serving as a distraction to their learning and that of others in the classroom - a lose-lose. While I applaud Michigan’s proactive technology plans, their is no room for the iPod in the classroom.

That’s 20 Million iPod’s Per Year…

…and over 54,000 iPod sales per day. Not bad. According to Steve Jobs,

“iPod has helped millions of people around the world rekindle their passion for music, and we’re thrilled to be a part of that.”

I am not so sure if it has rekindled people’s passion for music, but more likely, was an enabler of the trend toward digital media distribution. In any event, analysts predict that there are least 400 milion more iPods left to be sold before sales of the line will begin to fall-off. I think Howie will get one of them….

It is also interesting that they noted the size of the iPod family of accessories. According to Apple, there are 4,000-plus dedicated iPod accessories, that is an insane amount, and goes to prove just how far one can customize their iPod and their iPod experience.

Is your iPod Frozen? Methods & Resources to fix your frozen iPod!

So your expensive and cherished iPod is frozen, here are a few methods and resources to revive your frozen iPod to its former glory.

How to unfreeze your iPod, in no particular order:
1. Wait until your iPod battery runs out, charge your iPod and turn on your iPod.
2. Hold down the menu and middle buttons on your iPod for 10-20 seconds.
3. Apple’s official “Reset iPod” Article
4. LifeHacker: “How to reset your frozen iPod”
5. Command-Tab “Fixing a Frozen iPod”
6. About.com: “How to Reset/Restart a frozen iPod Video”

Hopefully these help you fix your frozen iPod!