iPod nano (3rd generation)

iPod classic

iPod (5th generation)

iPod nano (2nd generation)

iPod nano

iPod with color display (iPod photo)

iPod (Click Wheel)

iPod mini

iPod mini (2nd generation)

Toggle the Hold switch on and off. (Slide it to Hold, then turn it off again.) Press and hold the Menu and Center (Select) buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo appears, about 6 to 8 seconds. You may need to repeat this step. Tip: If you are having difficulty resetting your iPod, set it on a flat surface. Make sure the finger pressing the Select button is not touching any part of the click wheel. Also make sure that you are pressing the Menu button toward the outside of the click wheel, and not near the center. If the above steps did not work, try connecting iPod to a power adapter and plug the power adapter into an electrical outlet, or connect iPod to your computer. Make sure the computer is turned on and isn't set to go to sleep. To reset iPod, iPod (scroll wheel), iPod (touch wheel), and iPod (dock connector) Toggle the Hold switch on and off. (Slide it to Hold, and then turn it off again.) Press and hold the Play/Pause and Menu buttons simultaneously until the Apple/iPod logo appears, about 6 to 8 seconds.

You may need to repeat this step. If the above steps did not work, try connecting iPod to a power adapter and plug the power adapter into an electrical outlet, or connect iPod to your computer. Make sure the computer is turned on and isn't set to go to sleep. If you are still unable to reset your iPod, use only one finger from one hand to press the Center (Select) button, and one finger from the other hand to press the Menu button. When you reset iPod all your music and files are saved, but some customized settings may be lost. Date and time is preserved (unless the iPod reset itself because it had no power and then was reconnected to power). Other customized settings, such as Bookmarks, On-The-Go Playlists, Shuffle, Backlight timer, and so forth are preserved from the last time the hard drive turned on. If getting a workout in after the business day is through is part of your traveling routine, you're probably entirely too familiar with noisy hotel swimming pools, er, drowning in the yelps and squeals of splash-happy kids making waves.

I had seen the adverts on TV on how small the nano was but it wasn't until I held one in my hands that I fully understood how small and how impressive these MP3 players are. Weighing only 42grams and a mere 90m by 40m and only 6.9m thick (or thin) these little units are not going to fill your suitcase when you go on holiday. Ideal for putting in your pocket, wallet or purse you can take them anywhere, except the pool of course as they are not waterproofs. The small size does create concerns for me with my children though. They can easily get lost if not looked after and outside of the home could be easy prey to pickpockets or thieves so beware. They come in two colours white and black and two memory sizes 2gb and 4gb, theses can hold 500 and 1000 songs respectively. For me this is more than enough songs but for those of you with large CD collections, who want to put their whole collection in one place, you may want to go for one the larger iPods. The colour screen looks excellent and shows easy navigation throughout, you can download your tunes into files, albums, types of music etc. My only concern with the screen was, I felt it may scratch easily and some of the cases that you can buy for the nano still leave the screen exposed. My concern is when you put your nano into your pocket or bag and catches something metal.

I had heard on the news there had been issues with the early nanos, I still feel this could be an issue. The main control in the centre of the unit was more touch sensitive than I expected, I use my thumb to scroll the menu, but it wasn't long before it was easy as pie, if fact working really well with the gel case I had bought to protect it. The sound is excellent, I can't tell the difference between CDs and MP3s and I often think those who say they can, can't either. You can download your music from iTunes, a legal way of owning music. They are impressively boxed also, where you open the box like a book and see your nano inside. However you do not get any form of charging your nano except for the computer leads that come with it. This means if you wish to take your nano away from your computer for a period of time you will need to buy a separate mains charger. Which of course is larger than the unit itself? My final conclusion is that this little unit is a fantastic move forward in the music player industry.

I was impressed by the larger iPods that my friends had, but it wasn't until the appearance of the nano that I was suitably impressed to put my hand in pocket to make a purchase. And I haven't been let down. Take solace; the Audio Series of waterproof cases from H2O Audio can help you muscle out your laps without the accompanying din of those water-crazed imps. Submersible to 10 feet, the transparent, flip-style cases use an interior silicon T-Seal lining to create a tight seal that keeps your iPod dry while it plays music.

H2O Audio cites about a one-year life expectancy for the T-Seal lining (replacements are available), but it suggests checking the lining for debris and scratches before each use to avoid leaks. Inserting an iPod into the case entails unlocking the LatchTight mechanism at the case's bottom and sliding the iPod into an interior stereo jack. Lock the case and you're ready to dive in. Audio Series cases are only compatible with the company's Audio Headphones, which insert into a rubberized SealTight extension.