Week+1


 * Compare and contrast a Sony Walkman with an Apple iPod, and describe the differences in their physical construction, interface design, technology and delivery of sound. Quick sketches are helpful for this analytical process.**

The Sony Walkman and the Apple iPod are two innovations which have changed the way individual listen to music portably. We constantly see technologic changes creating new and better products which make our lives better and easier. They both have helped to bring the portable music experience out of the traditional: theatre, studio, home or party environment, allowing users to have it on the go according to their needs.

When looking at the way that the Sony Walkman is physically constructed, it is large and bulky where you would attach to your belt or waist. This was a large step from when people use to carry a boom box around while walking, it allowed all the same interface designs to occur such as play, stop rewind and fast forward, eventually they even made the tape switch side without taking it out of the walkman with such technological advancements. As well, the delivery of sounded with the headphones allowed the music to be secluded to listeners personal area rather than the surroundings. The headphones covered the ears, which they were trying to make sure that there was no loss of quality of sound.

When we look at the iPod, the design is more refined, with its slim profile and touch, easy to use navigations. The quality of the casing around the iPod makes it feel like it is an expensive product that has been built with quality. The interface of the iPod helps the user to switch between songs with a couple scrolls and click, helping to build a library of music rather than guessing where the music might be. It has been a large technological advancement as it can be synced to the computer for various purposes, such as allowing the user to upload and view photographs and video on the device as well, which is a change from having music on it only. The delivery of sound on the iPod has been completely changed from the traditional large headphones to small ear buds which do not clutter the users head with head retainers, allowing the experience to be more pleasant.