The iPod

Since I've chosen to talk about Apple's iPod in my essay, I've been gathering some research together. I've started off by looking at YouTube and found videos of Steve Jobs introducing the iPod for the first iPod ever, and a line of advertisements for this first model.





This is the iPod timeline from the original iPod to the recent iPad. You can see the changes in screen size, overall size, colour and shape all through its development. The first I owned myself was a 4th generation iPod, and this is the one I still use today. I've been using this iPod for 5 years and it's always been reliable! I also haven't reached it's 20GB capacity with my ever growing music collection as yet. This iPod was largely the same as the previous generations, except the four buttons moved down to a clickable, touch sensitive wheel. These were available in 20GB and 40GB sizes, USB anf FireWire were both integrated fully.

I will continue to research into iPod, other Apple technology and other MP3 players whilst writing my essay.

Sony Rolly

I came across this moving speaker system a while ago, but thought I'd share it as it's fantastic!



The speakers move, turn, roll, spin and flutter to the sound, beat, rhythm and pitch being played through them.
I think it's a great piece of technology and I'd love to see them on the market! Although they might need to be developed so they wouldn't roll off the end of a table!

Edit: ... according to Wikipedia, the Rolly was released in 2007, but was discontinued soon after :(

Second Round.

This week was our lecture on the history of popular music. I have to say I found this very interesting, being a fan of and having an interest in a range of different music and its origins.
We looked at genres such as Jazz, Blues and Rock n' Roll and heard examples of each (live, of course!)

I then spent the remainder of the day looking into the work I needed to complete for this module. I took a look at the starting point questions for the essay I have to produce and started thinking about each one. One that particularly interested me was an essay on 8 things that have changed your life. I came up with things such as The Internet, iPods, phones, games consoles etc.

Over the next couple of weeks, I will think more about what I'd like to do for my essay and also begin carrying out personal research after each lecture.

Beginnings.

(originally posted on PebblePad Jan. 28th)

Today I attended my first Understanding New Media lecture. I was introduced to the module and its contents and to some of the tutors who would be guiding the module. Each tutor told us a little about themselves and their specialised subject.
I learned that we would be looking at media spanning music, film, animation and gaming. I think I'm going to like these lectures!

To get us thinking about media, we had a 'Desert Island Discs'-type task where we chose 8 tracks we'd want with us on an island. Here are my choices!

1. Iron Maiden - Stranger In A Strange Land
2. Iron Maiden - Brave New World
3. Iron Maiden - Rainmaker
(pretty much any Iron Maiden!)
4. Journey - Seperate Ways
5. Amon Amarth - Live For The Kill
6. HammerFall - Glory to the Brave
7. Sonata Arctica - White Pearl, Black Oceans
8. The Eagles - Doolin' Dalton.

Looking forward to next week's 'popular music' based lecture!