The iPod is one of Apple's most successful products. The latest iPod is available in 30 or 60 GB models and is capable of playing video. The iPod is a brand of portable media players designed and marketed by Apple Computer. Devices in the iPod family are made around a central scroll wheel (except for the iPod shuffle) and provide a simple user interface. The full and half-sized models store media on a built-in hard drive, while the smaller iPod shuffle uses flash memory. Like many digital audio players, iPods can serve as external data storage devices when connected to a computer.



Nowadays in USA, Europe and in the Middle East Apple computer Inc. offers its iPod line of digital music players and all the necessary accessories for Macintosh and Windows users. Since its first appearance in the Middle East this digital music player is becoming more and more popular and its sales are growing up. The iPod is a portable digital music player made by Apple computer Inc., the characteristic feature of which is its Click Wheel that combines a touch-sensitive wheel with several push buttons for one-handed navigation. In October 2005, in the Middle East the Apple Company produced an iPod containing a 2.5-inch color screen that could show album artwork and photos and play video, containing music videos, video pod casts, amateur films, short films and TV shows. Also the iPod line consists of a 30-gigabyte model containing up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 photos or 75 hours of video, and a 60-gigabyte model containing up to 15,000 songs, 25,000 photos or 150 hours of video.

The iPod presents Apple's Auto-Sync technology that can automatically download digital music, podcasts, photos, audio books, home films, music videos, short films and television shows onto the iPod. Besides, it keeps it in a modern working state no matter whenever it is connected to a Macintosh or Windows computer using universal serial bus (USB). The iPod also features Shuffle Songs, which randomly plays songs in a selected playlist or across the entire library. All iPods work with the Company's iTunes digital music management software on either a Macintosh or Windows computer. The iPod's other capabilities include data storage, calendar and contact information possibility, as well as a number of games. The Apple Company Inc. has also entered into unions with most automobile manufacturers to offer an integration of the iPod in some automobiles.

In September 2005, the Company introduced iPod nano in the Middle East, a flash-memory based digital music player. The iPod nano is available in either a 2GB model holding up to 500 songs or 25,000 photos, or a 4GB model holding up to 1,000 songs or 25,000 photos. The iPod nano, which weighs as little as 1.5 ounces and is 27 inches thin, features a color screen and the Company's patent pending Click Wheel. In January 2005, the Company introduced iPod shuffle in the Middle East, a flash-memory based digital music player, which is based on iPod's characteristic feature that selects songs from the user's music library or playlists in a random way. iPod shuffle works with iTunes and its patent-pending AutoFill feature that automatically selects songs to fill iPod shuffle from a user's music library on their computer. iPod shuffle can also be used as a portable USB flash drive with up to 1GB of storage space. It is available in a 512MB model holding up to 120 songs and a 1GB model holding up to 240 songs.

As of July 2006, the lineup consists of the 5th generation iPod with a video player; the iPod nano with a color screen; and the iPod shuffle. All three models were released in 2005. Discontinued versions include two generations of the iPod mini and four generations of the full-sized iPod. The software that is used for transferring music, photos and videos is called iTunes. As a music jukebox application, iTunes stores a comprehensive library of the user's music on their computer and can play, burn and rip music from a CD. The most recent version of iTunes has video organization features. The iPod is currently the world's best-selling digital audio player, and its worldwide mainstream adoption makes it one of the most popular consumer brands. Some of Apple's design choices and proprietary actions have however led to criticism and legal battles. It is important to note that since the first introduction of the iPod in the Middle East the number of its consumers is growing owing to its innovations and the appearance of the iPod nano and the iPod shuffle. The Apple Company Inc. is spreading much faster in the Middle East than somewhere else. If we compare sale figures in the Middle East to the world we will find out that iPod line of digital music players dominates and its number of sales makes the third part of all sales.

Besides, Arab Business Machine that markets Apple's products in the Middle East will have a major presence at GITEX 2005. Located at Hall 4, visitors to the Apple booth will have the opportunity to learn more about computing and entertainment technology from Apple. The company will be showcasing everything from the iPod range to iLife and XServe. The exhibit will also have the latest iMacs and iBooks on display, providing GITEX visitors with an opportunity to get a feel for Apple's products. "We will also be releasing the market's most powerful iPod Speaker/Dock, Altec Lansing's New inMotion iM7 Portable Speaker System at GITEX 2005. The success of the growing iPod range in the Middle East will be continued by the new Altec Lansing speaker dock will definitely catch the attention of iPod users and music fans across the region," said Elias Abou-Rustom of ABM.