Editing IPod (section)

== Software ==
The iPod line can play several [[audio file format]]s including MP3, [[Advanced Audio Coding|AAC]]/[[MPEG-4 Part 14|M4A]], [[FairPlay|Protected AAC]], [[Audio Interchange File Format|AIFF]], [[WAV]], [[Audible.com|Audible]] [[audiobook]], and [[Apple Lossless]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title = iPod touch: Supported file formats |url = https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT1709 |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160402140056/https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT1709 |archive-date=April 2, 2016 |access-date=2020-04-18 |website=Apple Support}}</ref> The iPod Photo introduced the ability to display [[JPEG]], [[Windows bitmap|BMP]], [[Graphics Interchange Format|GIF]], [[TIFF]], and [[Portable Network Graphics|PNG]] image file formats.<ref>{{cite web |title=iPod photo (40&nbsp;GB, 60&nbsp;GB) – Technical Specifications |url = https://support.apple.com/kb/SP66?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US |website=support.apple.com |access-date=2020-04-18 }}</ref> Fifth- and sixth-generation iPod Classic models, as well as third-generation iPod Nano models, can also play [[MPEG-4]] ([[H.264/MPEG-4 AVC]]) and [[QuickTime]] [[Container format (digital)|video formats]], with restrictions on video dimensions, encoding techniques and data rates.{{NoteTag|The restrictions vary from generation to generation; for the earliest video iPods, video is required to be [[Hi10P|Baseline Profile]] (BP), up to [[H.264/MPEG-4 AVC#Levels|Level 1.3]], meaning most significantly no [[B-frame]]s (BP), a maximum bitrate of 768&nbsp;kb/s (BP Level 1.3), and a maximum framerate of 30 frame/s at 320×240 resolution. Newer iPods support BP up to level 3.0 (10,000&nbsp;kb/s), for a maximum framerate of 30 frame/s at 640×480 resolution. Current specifications can be seen at [https://www.apple.com/ipodclassic/specs.html iPod classic Technical Specs], and practical implementations can be seen in the libx264-ipod320.ffpreset and libx264-ipod640.ffpreset preset files for [[FFmpeg]], as discussed in [https://lists.mplayerhq.hu/pipermail/ffmpeg-user/2006-June/003218.html <nowiki>[Ffmpeg-user]</nowiki> Successful ipod h264 encoding] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826061150/https://lists.mplayerhq.hu/pipermail/ffmpeg-user/2006-June/003218.html |date=August 26, 2010 }}, by Daniel Rogers, June 11, 2006.}} Originally, iPod software only worked with [[Classic Mac OS]] and [[macOS]];<ref>{{cite web |url = https://support.apple.com/kb/SP103?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US |title = iPod with scroll wheel (5 and 10&nbsp;GB) – Technical Specifications |website = support.apple.com |access-date = 2020-04-18 |archive-date = August 2, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200802012447/https://support.apple.com/kb/SP103?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US |url-status = live }}</ref> iPod software for [[Microsoft Windows]] was launched with the second-generation model.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.apple.com/itunes/download/ |title=iTunes Downloads |website=Apple.com |date=February 7, 2008 |access-date=August 15, 2011 |archive-date=September 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160905124649/https://www.apple.com/itunes/download/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Unlike most other media players, Apple does not support [[Microsoft]]'s [[Windows Media Audio|WMA]] audio format—but a converter for WMA files without [[digital rights management]] (DRM) is provided with the [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] version of iTunes.<ref name=":0" /> [[MIDI]] files also cannot be played, but can be converted to audio files using the "Advanced" menu in iTunes.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20040824211827667 |title = Use iTunes to convert MIDI to audio files – Mac OS X Hints |website = hints.macworld.com |access-date = 2020-04-18 |archive-date = March 25, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210325042450/http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20040824211827667 |url-status = dead }}</ref> Alternative open-source audio formats, such as [[Ogg Vorbis]] and [[FLAC]], are not supported without installing custom firmware onto an iPod (e.g., [[Rockbox]]).

During installation, an iPod is associated with one host computer.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=Use iTunes to sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod with your computer |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210612 |website=Apple Support |access-date=April 18, 2020 |archive-date=March 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331155532/https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210612 |url-status=live }}</ref> Each time an iPod connects to its host computer, iTunes can synchronize entire music libraries or music playlists either automatically or manually.<ref name=":1" /> Song ratings can be set on an iPod and synchronized later to the iTunes library, and vice versa.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.apple.com/guide/itunes/rate-songs-and-other-items-itns3000/mac|title=Rate songs and other content in iTunes on Mac|website=Apple Support|access-date=April 18, 2020|archive-date=May 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519175215/https://support.apple.com/guide/itunes/rate-songs-and-other-items-itns3000/mac|url-status=live}}</ref> A user can access, play, and add music on a second computer if an iPod is set to manual and not automatic sync, but anything added or edited will be reversed upon connecting and syncing with the main computer and its library. If a user wishes to automatically sync music with another computer, an iPod's library will be entirely wiped and replaced with the other computer's library.

=== Interface ===
[[File:IPod wheel.svg|thumb|The signature [[iPod click wheel]]]]
iPods with color displays use [[spatial anti-aliasing|anti-aliased]] graphics and text, with sliding animations. All iPods (except the [[iPod Shuffle|3rd-generation iPod Shuffle]], the [[iPod Nano|6th & 7th generation iPod Nano]], and [[iPod Touch]]) have five buttons and the later generations have the buttons integrated into the [[iPod click wheel|click wheel]] – an innovation that gives an uncluttered, minimalist [[User interface|interface]]. The buttons perform basic functions such as menu, play, pause, next track, and previous track. Other operations, such as scrolling through menu items and controlling the volume, are performed by using the click wheel in a rotational manner. The 3rd-generation [[iPod Shuffle]] does not have any controls on the actual player; instead, it has a small control on the earphone cable, with volume-up and -down buttons and a single button for play and pause, next track, etc. The [[iPod Touch]] has no click-wheel; instead, it uses a touch screen along with a home button, sleep/wake button, and (on the second and third generations of the iPod Touch) volume-up and -down buttons. The user interface for the iPod Touch is identical to that of the [[iPhone]]. Differences include the lack of a phone application and the lack of a SIM card to connect to cellular data. Both devices use [[iOS]]. 
=== iTunes Store ===
{{main|iTunes|iTunes Store}}
The iTunes Store (introduced April 28, 2003) is an online media store run by Apple and accessed through iTunes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 April 2003 |title=Apple Launches the iTunes Music Store for US Customers |url=https://www.apple.com/uk/newsroom/2003/04/28Apple-Launches-the-iTunes-Music-Store/}}</ref> The store became the market leader soon after its launch<ref>[https://www.apple.com/pr/library/2004/aug/10itms.html iTunes Music Store Catalog Tops One Million Songs] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060209114047/https://www.apple.com/pr/library/2004/aug/10itms.html |date=February 9, 2006}}, Apple Inc., August 10, 2004. Retrieved on December 28, 2006.</ref> and Apple announced the sale of videos through the store on October 12, 2005. Full-length movies became available on September 12, 2006.<ref>Scott-Joynt, Jeremy. [https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5339470.stm Apple targets TV and film market] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728040216/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/5339470.stm |date=July 28, 2024 }}, [[BBC News]], September 12, 2006. Retrieved on September 12, 2006.</ref>

At the time the store was introduced, purchased audio files used the AAC format with added encryption, based on the [[FairPlay]] DRM system. Up to five authorized computers and an unlimited number of iPods could play the files. Burning the files with iTunes as an audio CD, then re-importing would create music files without the DRM. The DRM could also be removed using third-party software. However, in a deal with Apple, [[EMI]] began selling DRM-free, higher-quality songs on the iTunes Stores, in a category called "iTunes Plus." While individual songs were made available at a cost of {{US$|1.29}}, 30¢ more than the cost of a regular DRM song, entire albums were available for the same price, {{US$|9.99}}, as DRM encoded albums. On October 17, 2007, Apple lowered the cost of individual iTunes Plus songs to {{US$|0.99}} per song, the same as DRM encoded tracks. On January 6, 2009, Apple announced that DRM has been removed from 80% of the music catalog and that it would be removed from all music by April 2009.

iPods cannot play music files from competing music stores that use rival-DRM technologies like [[Microsoft]]'s [[Windows Media DRM|protected WMA]] or [[RealNetworks]]' [[Helix (project)|Helix]] DRM. Example stores include [[Napster]] and [[MSN Music]]. RealNetworks claims that Apple is creating problems for itself<ref>{{cite web|last=Kanellos|first=Michael|title=Real's Glaser exhorts Apple to open iPod|url=https://news.cnet.com/2100-1025_3-5177914.html|publisher=CNET News|access-date=December 20, 2011|date=March 23, 2004|archive-date=August 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809174717/http://news.cnet.com/2100-1025_3-5177914.html|url-status=live}}</ref> by using FairPlay to lock users into using the iTunes Store. Steve Jobs stated that Apple makes little profit from song sales, although Apple uses the store to promote iPod sales.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hansell|first=Saul|date=August 11, 2008|title=The iTunes Store: Profit Machine|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/11/steve-jobs-tries-to-downplay-the-itunes-stores-profit/|access-date=December 20, 2011|archive-date=December 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111215232752/http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/11/steve-jobs-tries-to-downplay-the-itunes-stores-profit/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, iPods can also play music files from online stores that do not use DRM, such as [[eMusic]] or [[Amie Street]].

[[Universal Music Group]] decided not to renew their contract with the iTunes Store on July 3, 2007. Universal will now supply iTunes in an 'at will' capacity.<ref>Evans, Jonny. [https://www.macworld.co.uk/ipod-itunes/news/index.cfm?newsid=18459 Universal confirms iTunes contract change] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927050825/http://www.macworld.co.uk/ipod-itunes/news/index.cfm?newsid=18459 |date=September 27, 2011 }}, ''[[Macworld UK]]'', July 4, 2007. Retrieved on July 5, 2007.</ref>

Apple debuted the [[iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store]] on September 5, 2007, in its Media Event entitled "The Beat Goes On...". This service allows users to access the Music Store from either an iPhone or an iPod Touch and download songs directly to the device that can be synced to the user's iTunes Library over a [[WiFi]] connection, or, in the case of an iPhone, the [[cellular network]].

=== Games ===
{{Main|iPod game|App Store (iOS)}}

Video games are playable on various versions of iPods. The original iPod had the game ''[[Breakout (video game)|Brick]]'' included as an [[easter egg (media)|easter egg]] hidden feature;<ref>{{Cite web |title=First iPod game |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/first-ipod-game |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308040605/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/first-ipod-game |archive-date=8 March 2024 |access-date=8 March 2024 |publisher=[[Guinness World Records]]}}</ref> later [[firmware]] versions added it as a menu option. Later revisions of the iPod added three more games: ''[[Parachute (iPod game)|Parachute]]'', ''[[Solitaire (game)|Solitaire]]'', and ''Music Quiz''.

In September 2006, the [[iTunes Store]] began to offer additional games for purchase with the launch of [[iTunes version history|iTunes 7]], compatible with the [[iPod (5G)|fifth generation iPod]] with iPod software 1.2 or later. Those games were: ''[[Bejeweled (video game)|Bejeweled]]'', ''Cubis 2'', ''[[Mahjong solitaire|Mahjong]]'', ''[[Mini Golf]]'', ''[[Pac-Man]]'', ''[[Tetris]]'', ''[[Texas Hold 'Em]]'', ''[[Vortex (iPod game)|Vortex]]'', ''[[Asphalt 4: Elite Racing]]'' and ''[[Zuma (video game)|Zuma]]''. Additional games have since been added. These games work on the 5th and 6th generation iPod Classic aswell as iPod Nano generations 3rd through 5th.

With third parties like [[Namco]], [[Square Enix]], [[Electronic Arts]], [[Sega]], and [[Hudson Soft]] all making games for the iPod, Apple's MP3 player has taken steps towards entering the video game handheld console market. Even video game magazines like [[GamePro]] and [[Electronic Gaming Monthly|EGM]] have reviewed and rated most of their games as of late.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 15, 2006 |title=iPod Games Review Roundup |url = https://www.gamepro.com/article/features/81588/ipod-games-review-roundup/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607151141/https://www.gamepro.com/article/features/81588/ipod-games-review-roundup/|archive-date=June 7, 2011|access-date=August 15, 2011|website=Gamepro.com}}</ref>

The games are in the form of [[.ipg]] files, which are actually [[.zip]] archives in disguise.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://fileinfo.com/extension/ipg |title = IPG File Extension – What is an .ipg file and how do I open it? |website = fileinfo.com |access-date = 2020-04-18 |archive-date = July 28, 2024 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240728040227/https://fileinfo.com/extension/ipg |url-status = live }}</ref> When unzipped, they reveal executable files along with common audio and image files, leading to the possibility of [[third-party developer|third party games]]. Apple has not publicly released a [[software development kit]] (SDK) for iPod-specific development.<ref>[https://www.bensinclair.com/article/whats-inside-an-ipod-game "What's Inside an iPod Game?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907165721/https://bensinclair.com/article/whats-inside-an-ipod-game |date=September 7, 2008 }} bensinclair.com, September 14, 2006.</ref> Apps produced with the [[iPhone SDK]] are compatible only with the [[iOS]] on the iPod Touch and iPhone, which cannot run click wheel-based games.


=== File storage and transfer ===
All iPods except for the iPod Touch can function in "disk mode" as [[USB mass storage device class|mass storage devices]] to store data files but this has to be manually activated.<ref>{{cite web |date=January 6, 2010 |title=iPod touch: Appears in iTunes but not in Finder or Windows Desktop |url=https://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=306414 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080418104003/https://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=306414 |archive-date=April 18, 2008 |access-date=August 15, 2011 |publisher=Docs.info.apple.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.macworld.com/article/195777/ipod_portable_storage.html |last=Fong |first=Kris |title=Turn your iPod or iPhone into a portable drive |publisher=Macworld |date=April 4, 2009 |access-date=May 11, 2022 |archive-date=May 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511051744/https://www.macworld.com/article/195777/ipod_portable_storage.html |url-status=live }}</ref> If an iPod is formatted on a Mac OS computer, it uses the [[HFS Plus|HFS+]] file system format, which allows it to serve as a [[boot disk]] for a Mac computer.<ref>{{cite web |author=—Gina Trapani |url=https://lifehacker.com/software/how-to/boot-up-your-mac-from-your-ipod-260157.php |title=How To: Boot up your Mac from your iPod |publisher=Lifehacker.com |date=May 14, 2007 |access-date=August 15, 2011 |archive-date=August 12, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812065231/http://lifehacker.com/software/how-to/boot-up-your-mac-from-your-ipod-260157.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> If it is formatted on Windows, the [[FAT32]] format is used. With the release of the Windows-compatible iPod, the default file system used on the iPod line switched from HFS+ to FAT32, although it can be reformatted to either file system (excluding the iPod Shuffle which is strictly FAT32). Generally, if a new iPod (excluding the iPod Shuffle) is initially plugged into a computer running Windows, it will be formatted with FAT32, and if initially plugged into a Mac running Mac OS it will be formatted with HFS+.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ipod.about.com/od/restoreandreformatipod/a/ipod_format_a.htm |title=Restore iPod – Format iPod – Reformat iPod – iPod Restore Software |publisher=Ipod.about.com |date=February 1, 2010 |access-date=June 2, 2010 |archive-date=July 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707075031/http://ipod.about.com/od/restoreandreformatipod/a/ipod_format_a.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Unlike many other MP3 players, simply copying audio or video files to the drive with a typical [[file management application]] will not allow an iPod to properly access them. The user must use software that has been specifically designed to transfer media files to iPods so that the files are playable and viewable. Usually ''iTunes'' is used to transfer media to an iPod, though [[comparison of iPod managers|several alternative third-party applications]] are available on a number of different platforms.

''iTunes'' 7 and above can transfer purchased media of the iTunes Store from an iPod to a computer, provided that computer containing the DRM protected media is authorized to play it.

Media files are stored on an iPod in a hidden folder, along with a proprietary database file. The hidden content can be accessed on the host operating system by enabling [[hidden files]] to be shown. The media files can then be recovered manually by copying the files or folders off the iPod. Many third-party applications also allow easy copying of media files from an iPod.