iPod® and iTunes® for Dummies®, 7th Edition

Introduction

You don't need much imagination to see why so many people are so happy with their iPods and iPhones. Imagine no longer needing to take CDs or DVDs with you when you travel — your favorite music and videos fit right in your pocket and you can leave your precious content library at home.

What's more, this library is stored in electronic form (and easily backed up to other media), so it never deteriorates — unlike CDs, DVDs, and other physical media that may last only a few decades.

When I first encountered the iPod, it came very close to fulfilling my dream as a road warrior — in particular, the dream of filling up a car with music as easily as filling it up with fuel. For example, I use a fully loaded iPod classic with my car, using a custom in-vehicle interface adapter that offers an iPod connector. I use a cassette adapter, or even FM radio transmitter, in a rental car or boat (see Chapter 5). Whether you want to be On the Road with Jack Kerouac (in audio book form) or "Drivin' South" with Jimi Hendrix, just fill up your iPod or iPhone and go!

But first, find out about the iTunes application, which is the center of my media universe and the software that manages content on my iPods, my iPhone, and my Apple TV. I bring all my content into iTunes — from CDs, the online iTunes Store, and other sources — and then parcel it out to various iPods, iPhones, and Apple TV for playback. Even though I buy content and apps directly with my iPhone and iPod touch, and occasionally use ...