Lab+1

=Compare and Contrast the Sony Walkman and the Apple iPod= The differences between the Sony Walkman and the Apple iPod are numerous. The physical construction of the Walkman is gargantuan. Its protruding buttons and various inputs contribute to its mammoth structure and does not conjure excitement or suspense, but instead reluctance and confusion towards using it. Though the Walkman fulfills its purpose as a portable music player, it defies the essence of portability, which is convenience. Its structure is inconvenient, burdening the user, by fighting against the function of a belt on one's Levis jeans. Similarly the headphones required to actually listen to the music are a fashion faux pas that contribute to bad hair days.

From its sleek physical appearance to its overall functionality the Apple iPod is the epitome of new age design and universal access. Its simplistic construction invokes intrigue. Unlike the Walkman, the iPod is a fashion statement that symbolizes a lifestyle. Users have the ability to change the look of their iPod to match their style. The headphones are remarkably comfortable and match to compliment the look of the iPod.

The interface design of the Sony Walkman and the Apple iPod are polar opposites. The Walkman is inefficient. In order to actually use the product you need another product, such as the cassettes. Batteries are also needed in order to use the Walkman. It is limited in its actual purpose, since there is a limited amount of songs one can listen to using one tape. In order for a user to be able to listen to a full album of songs or many albums they would have to carry the tapes on their person and constantly change the tape themselves. This is more of a hassle that a leisure. Its features to play, rewind and fast forward can be a handicap rather than a bonus. Since these features are not accurate and are mechanical in function, which can easily be broken.

The interface design of the iPod is efficient. Its features such as menu, rewind, fast-forward and scroll are sleek and self-explanatory and their functions are instantaneous and lightening fast, unlike the Walkman. Everything about the iPod speaks of convenience. It sits nicely on one’s person, in order to listen to numerous albums it’s possible without carrying any extra baggage and there is not need to buy another product such as batteries to operate the iPod.

The Sony Walkman and the iPod are equipped with very different technologies. The Walkman uses analog technology and the iPod uses digital technology. Powering the Walkman is possible by the use of AA batteries, whereas the iPod is powered by a built in rechargeable lithium battery. Unlike the Walkman, iPod technology is designed to store information that increases its use to the user, by allowing one to access thousands of songs at the tips of their fingers.

The quality of sound between these two technologies is substantially different. The Walkman delivers sound through headphones that sit on top of your ears. This reduces sound quality greatly. These headphones deliver unclear, static sound. The iPod has headphones that sit inside the ear. This delivers sound to the user is more clear and efficient. Overall, though the Sony Walkman changed the how people listen to music; the Apple iPod has brought how people listen to music to a whole new level.