More Than A Music Player: How To Use The IPod In New And Creative Ways

More Than A Music Player: How To Use The iPod In New And Creative Ways

The iPod is arguably the ultimate cultural icon for the 2000s. But its use is evolving, and it is now also a tool for some college students and budding DJs alike. At Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, they have taken it one step further: giving all first year students such a device. Some 1,600 Apple iPods were handed out free of charge. The university is paying out of its technology budget. The students can keep the digital music players, specially engraved with the university's logo, if they can show physical ownership after one year.

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The iPod is arguably the ultimate cultural icon of the 2000s. And it can be more than just a music MP3 player. DJs and college students, have clever ideas on how to use the iPod.

Universities Find New Ways To Use The iPod As A Education Tool

At Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, school officials are giving all first-year students Apple’s iconic music player. Some 1,600 Apple iPods were handed out free of charge. The university is paying for the iPods out of its technology budget.

Students can download audio files of lectures and listen to them on the iPod. They can also download documents and other materials to the iPod’s hard drive.

Students are allowed to keep the digital music players, specially engraved with the university’s logo, if they can still show physical ownership after one year. But if they lose it, they have to pay for it.

But does a trend-setting gadget really belong on the college campus? “The fact that it’s “pop culture” doesn’t mean that’s the only use it can be put to,” says Peter Lange, provost of Duke University.

iPod DJs In Manhattan

Ipod Djs Mix Music And Drink — iPod DJs at APT in New York City (DAVID MILLER)

In Manhattan, two DJs who go by the name Andrew Andrew hold a weekly iParty open mic night. Attendees are given seven minutes to mix and switch between two players, and can even bring their own. Customers effectively enter an iPod democracy.

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J. Frank Wilson

Frank Wilson is a retired teacher with over 30 years of combined experience in the education, small business technology, and real estate business. He now blogs as a hobby and spends most days tinkering with old computers. Wilson is passionate about tech, enjoys fishing, and loves drinking beer.