Paying attention to the iPod battery icon helps keep a user from being without their device when they need it the most.  The iPod battery icon alerts a consumer how far the battery how been whittled down over time due to use.  Eventually, when the battery is about to die, it will change color to alert you that it is on its last leg.  When the battery finally dies, the battery icon pops up full screen to let you know until you charge it, you are without your iPod.  By taking the time to learn how the battery icon helps you, you can avoid your iPod dying completely and not being able to use it until it charges two hours or more after plugging it in.

The first thing to know about the iPod battery icon is that you use your iPod, it will gradually decrease from being fully charged.  Once you have only one quarter of the battery bar filled, you should charge your icon if you plan to use it a lot during the day.  Otherwise, you should be good to go for a short period of time.  When your battery icon hits red, this means that you are about to run out of battery life and your iPod will shut down on itself once this happens.  You want to charge your battery anywhere between it having a quarter of life left and right when it hits red; if you wait until the battery dies completely, it will take longer to charge and be ready for use.

As your iPod ages, the battery life begins to degrade.  You may not get the full use out of it after four to six months.  Depending on how much you use the iPod, this time can be cut even shorter.  The more familiar you are with how your iPod works, the easier it will be for you to gauge exactly when to charge your iPod and how close you can cut it.