Much has been said about the iPod and its amazing popularity with people of all ages and g

roups. The iPod phenomenon has also taken many by surprise as industry-watchers thought that the greatly designed but expensive iPod would be beaten by cheaper knockoffs like those from Dell. Strangely enough the iPod phenomenon shows no signs of abating (减少). In classical Apple style, the iPod mania is set to become another chapter in business studies.

Looking back on the transition of individualized music listening from the LPs to current digital files, we see that the technology of today has made music listening not only easy but also a more personalized affair.

Today's music-buying public is a different breed. A survey of the U.K.'s music-buying public has revealed that "sound quality" is our biggest priority when it comes to choosing how we listen to our favorite artists. Seventy-five percent of 800 people questioned said that sound quality was most important to them, whilst a third enjoy high quality music in the home but are less fussy when on the move. Commissioned by Sony, Philips and Universal Music, the survey focuses on people's music listening habits and tastes.

Whilst one out of every five consumers questioned admitted they found it difficult to tell the difference between sound qualities, an overwhelming 80% of those said that sound quality is important to them. They like their music "to be crystal-clear, free from noise and interference". The iPod has epitomized sound quality in the adoption of the next generation music compression format called AAC that provides small enough files for portability but also provides crystal-clear playback properties. "Crystal-clear music, free from noise and interference" is as much a property of the player as that of the format, and this is where the iPod scores above the rest, in providing a great form. factor with pristine engineering at a cost that most people would not dare put their players to rough use.

Another major factor for the popularity of the iPod is that it perfectly complements the behavior. of people as far as music Consumption is concerned. Until the advent of the iPod, listening to music on the go was a cumbersome (不方便的) experience, one that entailed carrying around expensive CDs or audio cassettes, the use of which did not give people a music experience that was "crystal-clear, free from noise and interference". The iPod changed all that. Anyone can transport their entire music library with them and envelop themselves in a very personalized music experience and more importantly make an instant selection that matches their mood.

This explains how the iPod has become a "cultural phenomenon" and hopefully will remain one for a long time. It has essentially changed the way we experience music in our everyday lives.

What can be learned about today's music-buying public？

A．They are less fussy when listening to music on the go.

B．They are the first individualized music listeners.

C．They give first priority to sound quality.

D．They specialize in distinguishing sound quality.