iPod -- or PDA?

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Author: Frakes, Dan

Section: MAC BEAT

iPod -- or PDA?

MUSIC PLAYER KEEPS ADDING PDA FUNCTIONS

Apple's iPod built its following as a music player. And while Apple routinely scoffs at most iPod-PDA comparisons, a closer look at that device in your pocket reveals that the iPod already does a very passable PDA imitation.

And the future is even more promising: the iPod's PortalPlayer chip (www.portalplayer.com) has more functionality than Apple is letting on, including the ability to decode numerous graphics formats and output digital audio and video. But even without such features, the "music player" is quietly becoming a capable PDA.

TRADITIONAL PDA FUNCTIONS

Out of the box, the iPod can store and sync contact information, calendars, and notes; it even has alarm-clock and modest game-playing capabilities. And with third-party software such as iPod It (++++; Mac Gems, June 2004), you can transfer and view e-mail, news, and weather data.

AUDIO RECORDING

Apple added voice-recording support to the iPod last October. Since then, Griffin Technology's iTalk (www.griffintechnology.com) has joined Belkin's Universal Microphone Adapter and Voice Recorder accessories (www.belkin.com) in letting you record audio directly to your iPod.

DATA STORAGE

Since the iPod's debut, Apple has touted the device's ability to act as an external FireWire drive. Belkin's Media Reader and Digital Camera Link now let you use the iPod to store digital photos without having to connect to a computer first.

OUTSTANDING:    (+++++)
VERY GOOD:      (++++)
GOOD:           (+++)
FLAWED:         (++)
UNACCEPTABLE:   (+)

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By Dan Frakes

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