Player Blog Category Archives: Accessories

Bluetooth for the iPod with the Thanko iCombi

The iPod accessory parade continues. Korean company Thanko is debuting the iCombi AP11, which turns your iPod into a Bluetooth transmitter. Now you can listen to your iPod, wirelessly, through Bluetooth headphones or on your laptop.

The AP11 supports A2DP, AVRCP, Headset and Hands-free Bluetooth profiles, though Headset and Handsfree wouldn't give you stereo sound. Range is said to be around 10m (32 feet). [Via DAPReview]

Posted April 12, 2005 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [11]

BTI Tunestir iPod Remote/Receiver/Transmitter

BTI has announced an interesting new iPod accessory, the Tunestir. It combines an FM receiver, an inline remote and an FM transmitter into one package. The Tunestir even has 5 presets for listening to radio stations and another 5 presets for open FM channels to transmit on. Everything is controlled from the inline remote control unit.

Retailing for $69.95, the Tunestir is supposed to be available later this month. [Via Engadget]

Posted April 12, 2005 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [18]

iPod Buyer's Guide 2005

The ever-industrious worker bees over at iPodLounge have a new 2005 Buyer's Guide for all things iPod. It covers just about everything: which iPod might be the right choice for a first-timer, lotsa iPod accessory review and a look at upcoming iPod paraphenalia.

Posted April 8, 2005 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [3]

iPod Camera Connector Review

The all-things-iPod guys at iPodlounge have written up their review of the newly release iPod Camera Connector. If (and only if) you have an iPod Photo, the Camera Connector will let you import photos directly from a digital camera (but not another iPod Photo). The verdict:

Overall, the iPod Camera Connector is a suitably inexpensive and simple way for digital photographers to transfer to and view their pictures on an iPod photo. It remedies the biggest single complaint that early iPod photo purchasers (and potential purchasers) had about Apple's newest iPod, and though it is technically more powerful because it's doing more with the photos it imports, it preserves the slow overall transfer times of the photo transfer peripherals we've previously tested. On balance, serious photographers will like some of its features, but because of the long transfer times and battery issues will probably continue not to view the iPod photo as a legitimate alternative to a dedicated hard disk-based photo vault.

Posted April 1, 2005 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [9]

DIY iPod Dock

Many new iPods no longer come with a dock and you might balk at dropping an extra $30 for it. Or better yet you spend the $30 on something actually usefull, like the iPod Camera Connector.

Coming to the rescue of dockless iPoders, Piers of Lists and Diagrams has devised a creative (and cheap!) way to make your own iPod dock.

Posted March 29, 2005 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [2]

The JamPod: Play Along With Your iPod

DVForge has announced an interesting new iPod accesory, the JamPod. The JamPod lets you plug your guitar into your iPod, jam along to tunes and hear the mixed result in your headphones. Perfect for when the neighbors are asleep and you feel the need to exercise your inner Jimmy Page.

Any instrument that has a 1/4" output (guitar, bass, keyboards, etc.) can be used so you can exercise your inner Geddy Lee and Vangelis too. Also, it runs off the iPod's battery.

The JamPod retails for $29.99 and is supposed to be available April 8th.

Posted March 21, 2005 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [1]

iPod Photo Camera Connector Available

Apple has just added the iPod Photo Camera Connector to its online store. The $29 accessory lets you connect your digital camera to your iPod Photo and import photos directly from the camera. A nice touch for the photographer who needs the extra capacity of the iPod Photo's large drive. However, it's been mentioned more than once that Apple should have built this functionality into the iPod Photo rather than charge an extra $30. It is called the iPod Photo after all.

Even though you can order it now, Apple says that it will be 1 to 3 weeks before the Camera Connectors ship.

Posted March 21, 2005 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [5]

GM to Add MP3 Player Input Jack to New Models

Playlist is reporting that GM will begin adding an MP3 player/AUX input jack to select vehicles in the upcoming 2006 model year. First to get this welcome addition will be the new 2006 Chevy HHR SUV, Impala and Monte Carlo; the Saturn Vue and Ion; Pontiac Solstice; Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS. After the 2006 model year, additional vehicles will get the AUX jack as well.

This is very good news for everyone who owns an MP3 player. Let's hope it starts a trend among both automobile and car stereo makers. [Via Engadget]

Posted March 18, 2005 in Accessories by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [2]

New iPod Speaker Trifecta

The avalanche of accessory posts continues with 3 brief reviews of iPod speaker systems by iPodlounge.

First up is the Altec Lansing inMotion iM4 (review here). Shown at right, it kind of looks like a briefcase with speakers. It retails for $99.99 and reportedly gets 18 hours of battery life from 4 AAs.

Also reviewed is the Macally IceTune, shown at left. Powered by a wall outlet only and retailing for $69.99, the IceTune's speakers and dock can be piled into one big stack or separated for stereo sound.

Speaker review number three looks at the Logitech mm22, shown at right. The mm22 retails for $79.99, runs on 3 AAA batteries and folds up nicely into a zippered nylon bag.

Posted March 10, 2005 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [1]

DLO iDirect Remote Control Review

MediaBlab has a brief review of yet another iPod accessory, the Digital Lifestyle Outfitters iDirect. The iDirect is a wireless remote control system for the iPod that has all the basic controls (play, pause, track and volume) on the remote.

According to the review, they got at least 30 feet of usable range from the remote, which should be sufficient for most household, line-of-site purposes.

The iDirect retails for $49.99.

Posted March 10, 2005 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

iPod iBeam Review

Out of the hundreds of different iPod accessories now available, the Griffin iBeam is likely one of the oddest. For only $19.95 you actually get two separate attachments. The first is an LED flashlight and the second a laser pointer.

But in case your wondering "is the iBeam the right flashlight/laser pointer combo for me?", Pocket Lint has come to your assistance with their iBeam review.

Posted March 9, 2005 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

iRiver H10 Accessories

Mistic River has the lowdown on new H10 accessories that iRiver is producing. Unfortunately they're available only in Korea right now, but we assume that some or all of these will end up in other markets eventually.

The new H10 toys are a cradle, an LCD-less remote and a proprietary-to-iRiver USB cable.

Posted March 9, 2005 in Accessories, iRiver :: H10 by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

Is the iPod Dock Worth It?

More answers, opinions and goodness from Ask MetaFilter.Today's topic is whether it's worth spending an extra $40 on a dock for your iPod. The general consensus: probably not.

Posted March 3, 2005 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

Apple Camera Connector

If you can't wait a month until it hits the stores, Apple Insider has a photo of the upcoming iPod Camera Connector.

Announced last week with Apple's iPod lineup changes, the Camera Connector will allow you to connect an iPod Photo directly to a digital camera and move the photos onto the Photo's harddrive. [Via MacRumors]

Posted February 28, 2005 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [1]

Apple Cuts Firewire Cable from New iPods

CNet has an article on Apple's decision to stop shipping FireWire cables with the latest generation of iPods.

Whether Apple does or does not include a cable for a technology that is dwarfed in popularity by USB may not seem to be that big of deal, but for Apple it is. Apple is has long been the driving force for FireWire adoption and only recently has Apple been including USB connections for Mac desktops and laptops. It is telling then that Apple's own cost-cutting measures negatively affect a technology that it is a big proponent of.

The new 5G iPods still have FireWire capabilities, you'll just have to buy the $19 cable from Apple before you can use it. [Via Digital Media Thoughts]

Posted February 28, 2005 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

New iPod Photo Gets Digital Camera Download

Among the changes that Apple made to its iPod lineup today there really weren't any new features, just price and capacity changes. There was oneone notable exception however. Today Apple also announced the iPod Camera Connector. The Camera Connector will let you connect an iPod Photo to a digital camera and import photos directly from the camera onto the Photo's larger harddrive.

This comes as good news for iPod Photo owners since the lack of digital photo importing was a glaring omission for a product touted for viewing and transporting digital photos.

The iPod Camera Connector will be available in March and will retail for $29.

Posted February 23, 2005 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [6]

Cephal-iPod Case

Welcome your new squidy overlords in style with this Cthulu-shaped, felt iPod cover.

Do note that the Cephal-iPod is "guaranteed to be real", but is "not meant to protect your iPod if it crashes to the ground". [Via Gizmodo]

Posted February 16, 2005 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [1]

Marlboro iPod Mini Case

For the chain-smoking nicotine addict in your life comes an iPod Mini case made from a pack of Marlboros. We're not so sure about being happy that school-aged children are excited to find empty cigarette boxes, but here's a chance to get the original.

Posted February 14, 2005 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

iPod PowerStick Auxillary Charger

Accessory maker Audio Outfitters has created an auxilliary power source for all versions of the iPod called the iPod PowerStick.

Essentially it runs your iPod (and charges the battery) from 4 AA batteries. This could come in handy on that long backpacking trip. The PowerStick retails for $24.98.

Posted January 11, 2005 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [1]

Audiovox iPod Mobile Interface Kit

Audiovox has joined Monster, Dension and others in the iPod-to-car connectivity market with the annoucement of their iPod Mobile Interface Kit. Like similar kits, it lets you play tunes from your iPod through your car stereo. Also, you can play, pause and change tracks on the iPod via car stereo controls or steering wheel controls if they're available.

Like the Monster kit, the Audiovox will retail for $200. [Via Engadget]

Posted January 10, 2005 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

Keep Your Desktop on Your iPod

One of the nice features of higher-capacity MP3 players is that they can (usually) be used as portable disk drives. However, there are packages, one for the Mac and one for Windows, that let your iPod do quite a bit more as you move from place to place.

The first is Migo for Windows which replicates your personal desktop on whatever computer that you're using. Attaching your iPod to a Windows 2000 or Windows XP machine with Migo gives you access to your email, calendar, address book, Internet favories and your desktop preferences. Also, it will keep selected important files in sync.

Migo for the iPod is currently $70 after a $30 rebate.

If you're a Mac user, the iPod already lets you view a copy of your calendar and addresses. But youPod let's you take this a step further. It can sync not only your calendar and addresses across different Macs, but also Safari, Firefox and Internet Explorer bookmarks and your password Keychain.

youPod for Mac is $12.95

Posted January 10, 2005 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [1]

Monster iCruze iPod Car Stereo Interface

Monster (they of the million dollar stereo cables) has announced the iCruze, a car stereo/iPod interface. Once installed, the iCruze docs with your iPod to play tunes through the car stereo and will integrate with CD changer or steering wheel audio controls if they're available. At $200 it's not exactly a bargain, but eventually there will be an add-on display of some sort to show track information. [Via Engadget]

More bits at AutoBlog.

Posted January 5, 2005 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

MP3 Player Skins

If you're in to this sort of thing, SkinIt is now offering MP3 player skins for just about every popular audio player on the market. There are dozens of style choices for the vinyl skins and they run $9.95 each.

Currently SkinIt supports Apple/HP, iRiver, Archos, Creative, Dell, Rio/Digital Networks, Samsung/Napster, RCA and Nike devices.

And if skinning you're MP3 player isn't enough, you can even skin your TiVo and its remote.

Posted December 4, 2004 in Accessories by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

3 Books for the iPod

Slashdot has posted reviews of 3 iPod books: The iPod Fan Book, Hacking iPod + iTunes and iPod & iTunes Hacks.

Thus far most of the Slashdot commentary seems to revolve around why a device so easy to use needs books that teach you how to use it. We tend to agree.

Posted December 3, 2004 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

Clarion iPods Your Cap

Car stereo maker Clarion (or as they prefer to be known, "aftermarket automobile entertainment system manufacturer" Clarion) will debut an iPod/car integration system at the upcoming CES 2005 show in Las Vegas. The Clarion VRX755VD will have a 7" LCD monitor that can be used to display track, artist and playlist information from your iPod. It will also play DVDs.

This sounds pretty cool, but the price might be pretty steep. There's no pricing yet on the VRX755VD, but the linked article says that DVD systems for cars usually run $1800 to $2000. Ouch. [Via Gizmodo]

Posted December 3, 2004 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

Color Coordinated iPod Mini Earphones

For those of you (and you know who you are) dying to take color coordination to the next, Audio Technica has come to your rescue with earphones that come in each of the 5 iPod Mini colors. Mix and match colors to your heart's content for only $59 each. [Via i4u]

Posted November 30, 2004 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

Dension Updates the ice>Link

Dension has updated their iPod to car connectivity system with the new ice>Link: Plus. Rather than just a way to pipe audio from your iPod into your car stereo, the ice>Link: Plus is a more extensive hardware solution to connect and control your iPod with your car stereo.

If your car or replacement stereo supports it, the ice>Link: Plus lets you control your iPod with radio controls or, vice versa, control your car stereo from the iPod interface.

The new version is also more modular than the original and has upgradeable firmware. [Via iPoding]

Related Links:
Dension ICELink Connecting iPods to Your Car

Posted November 24, 2004 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [1]

25% Off iRiver Accessories

From now until December 13th, iRiver is offering a 25% discount on iRiver accessories. Just use code ATC25Y4M a checkout.

Posted November 24, 2004 in Accessories, iRiver by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

Upgrade Your iPod Battery

Before the release of the 4th generation iPod, battery life on Apple's runaway hit audio player was, in a word, dismal. Just about every competitor beat the iPod on battery life, but those iPods just kept on selling. So if you're one of the folks who still have one of the older (1G, 2G or 3G) iPods and are disappointed in run time, there are some replacement batteries that would give you significantly better battery life.

Other World Computing is a good place to start and has a couple of inexpensive choices. For about $40 you can upgrade your 1G or 2G iPod to a 2100mAH battery that should give 20+ hours of life. Not a bad price if you want to extend the life of your older iPod.

Posted November 9, 2004 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [1]

Slappa iPod HardBody Case

Vaja has just about everbody covered in terms of cases, but the iPod is still the king of accessories. Here's one more, the Slappa Hardbody iPod Case. $30 gets you a case for 3G and 4G iPods and even the iPod Photo. [Via Gizmodo]

Posted November 9, 2004 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

Leather Cases for iRiver, Dell, Creative and Rio Devices

Although, we've mentioned them recently, we'd like to note that Vaja Cases has leather cases for just about every popular audio player on the market. iRiver H1s and H3s, 1G Dells, Creative Zen Touch and older Nomads and Rio Karma, Carbons and Nitrus' (Nitri?). Beware of the price, though. Cases run about $50 or $60 depending on the model they fit.

Related Links:
Rio Carbon Cases

Posted November 9, 2004 in Accessories, Creative, Other, Rio, iRiver by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

iSkin for iRiver Preview

Mistic River has an early preview image gallery for the upcoming iSkin case for iRiver H100s. This should be a welcome addition as the case included with iRiver's is, though sturdy, kind of bulky. It looks as if the iSkin will give adequate protection without unnecessarily increasing total size. Also, the belt clip is a plus since the original case has a nearly useless belt loop only.

Posted September 22, 2004 in Accessories, iRiver by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

Xeni, Her iPod and the BMW Loaner

Xeni over at BoingBoing has a writeup of her experience with the in-car integration between the iPod and new BMWs:

I loved the car, and I loved grooving out to my own digital tunes by way of the iPod. The abilty to select songs, playlists, and control volume from the steering wheel was great. But some aspects of the system seemed lacking. For instance -- the iPod sits inside the glove compartment, but just sort of bangs around loose inside there. No special case to protect it, and passengers in the car with me were always cramming keys or sunglasses in there. Damage seemed inevitable. Also, when I'm in iPod mode -- why can't I see what's playing? The stereo display shows you names of radio stations, even program and song details -- but you get nothing but playlist number and song number when you've selected the iPod mode. Other aftermarket products do display the names of songs when you're in iPod mode, and I was frustrated by the fact that this system didn't.

Xeni's post also spawned another thread with several good suggestions for in-car connectivity for your MP3 player.

Posted September 16, 2004 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

Sonance In-Wall iPod Station

The unending torrent of new iPod accessories continues with the Sonance iPort, a novel in-wall docking station for the home. The iPort is intended to integrate your iPod into Sonance's line of home multi-room audio distribution and control system. Engadget has more pictures here.

More bits at Digital Media Thoughts and Engadget.

Posted September 15, 2004 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

iPod Accessory Round-Up

For quite a while the iPod has been the king of audio player accessories with literally hundreds of add-ons and extras for the device. Here's a run down on a few that have recently appeared.

The "ergonomic and luxurious" leather iPod case from cigarette maker Dunhill. [Via BoingBoing]

iPod bags from Gucci and Fendi. [Via i4u]

"MUST HAVES" (their words, not ours). [Via Endaget and Gizmodo]

DIY iPod superCase. [Via Engadget]

(This one is actually useful, we swear). The Griffin RoadTrip: FM transmitter, car charger and cradle in one. [Via Engadget]

Posted August 23, 2004 in Accessories, Apple by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

The Firepod: USB/Firewire Power in the Car

The Firepod is a nifty new gadget that lets you charge devices in your car via a USB or Firewire port. Not every audio player supports USB or Firewire charging, but (we believe) that all generations of iPod and iPod Mini do. iRiver H1xxs do not support USB charging, but the H3xxs do. Go figure. [Via Engadget].

Posted August 10, 2004 in Accessories by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [1]

Kevin Kelly Cool Tools: The iPAL

The latest edition of Kevin Kelly's Cool Tools is out and one of the items is the iPAL, a portable, cordless way of playing tunes from your MP3 player. Granted, it's not rocket science: the iPAL is an iPod rubber-banded to the Henry Koss-designed, Tivoli PAL, a weatherized portable radio. But the PAL is supposed to have great sound in a miniscule package, perfect for hoisting on your shoulder as you "share your musical tastes" with your neighbors.

Posted June 17, 2004 in Accessories by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

Anarchy on the Freeway: iPod Pirate Radio Starter Kit

These days FM transmitters are a popular way to connect MP3 players to car stereos. Typically these are low power devices with ranges of just a few tens of feet. However, except for the FCC, broadcast spectrum law and voided warranties, there's nothing stopping you from upping the range on your transmitter and starting your own travelling pirate radio station. If you own an iPod and a Griffin iTrip, start with Engadget's how-to. Next, prepare your marketing materials ([Via BoingBoing]). And finally, solder yourself an antenna amplifier (also [Via BoingBoing]) for the iTrip and you're ready to go.

Posted June 16, 2004 in Accessories by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

Review of the iTrip Mini FM Transmitter

The Engadget gang got their hands on pre-release Griffin iTrip Mini and wrote up a review:

Simply stated, the iTrip mini takes the sound from your iPod mini and broadcasts it so any FM radio and receive it. This is very handy for the car, in home stereo, boom boxes, wireless headphones and anything else that can play FM. We have a shower radio and use the iTrip to broadcast our tunes while in the show too. It’s pretty cool not have to plug in a bunch of wires, the iTrip mini doesn’t require batteries (it uses the iPod’s) and that’s why we really like it. That and unlike a lot of gadgets, this one looks great and works as described.

Posted June 14, 2004 in Accessories by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

iTrip Mini Announced

Griffin Technology has announced a new version of its FM transmitter for the iPod Mini, the iTrip Mini. Like its predecessor for the original iPod, the iTrip, it's a snug-fitting attachment for broadcasting tunes to a nearby FM receiver, such as your car stereo. The iTrip Mini will retail for $40 and should be available in July.[Via Gizmodo]

Posted June 10, 2004 in Accessories by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [12]

Bookend Autos Have Aux Inputs

DAP Review informs us that both the new Nissan Titan and Mini Cooper have AUX (3.5mm) inputs to the car stereo as standard options. All you need is a 3.5mm cable to plug your MP3 player into automotive listening pleasure. I wish more cars (especially mine) had AUX inputs, so hopefully this is the start of new trend. However, what's most striking about this news is that the Titan is one of the largest trucks on the road, while the Mini is one of the smallest. There's a message in there somewhere, but I don't know what it is.

Posted May 24, 2004 in Accessories by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

2 New iPod FM Transmitters

The onslaught of Apple accessories continues. This time Engadget gets the story on 2 new FM transmitters for the iPod. First is the $69.99 Monster iCarPlay FM Transmitter, reviewed by iPodlounge. Second is the $99 Sonnet PodFreq noted at MacMinute.

Posted April 27, 2004 in Accessories by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

Even More iPod Accessories

As evidence for yesterday's entry about the iPod being the king of accessories, Engadget brings news of two more entries into the already crowded field of iPod add-ons. The first is Belkin's Camera Link that lets you transfer photos from your USB-enabled digital camera directly to your iPod. Second is Griffin's iTalk, a voice recorder attachment that includes an external speaker and a jack for an external microphone.

Posted April 22, 2004 in Accessories by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

iPod: The Accessories King

Reuters has an article about the plethora of accessories available for the iPod. They run the gamut from the mundane (protective cases) to the wacky (snowboarding jackets and a purse with built-in speakers). Reuters counts over 200 different accessories, which makes the iPod, far and away, the most well-supported MP3 player. That, it seems, is exactly how Apple want it. [Via Engadget]

But Apple has been careful not to pack too many features into the unit, said Greg Joswiak, vice president of hardware product marketing.

"The primary reason people buy an iPod is to listen to their music on the go," Joswiak said. "You don't want to screw that up."

Posted April 21, 2004 in Accessories by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

Slate: MP3s on the Road

Slate has just published an article by Peter Rojas of Engadget fame on playing MP3s in your car. The article mostly uses "iPod" synonymously with MP3 players, but only one of his alternatives is iPod-specific, the upcoming Alpine accessory that connects directly with the iPod.

Posted March 31, 2004 in Accessories by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [4]

iPod Backpack from Burton

Snowboard, clothing and accessories maker Burton is now shipping a backpack specially made for the iPod, the Burton Amp Pack. It's not just an overgrown carrying case though. It actually has controls for your iPod in the bag and a headphone connector in the shoulder stap. Gizmodo has brief review.

Posted March 17, 2004 in Accessories by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]

New Versions of Notmad Software

Gear @ IGN.com is reporting that Red Chair Software has released new versions of each of their MP3 player add-on software packages.

If you haven't heard of them before, Notmad was Red Chair's first third-party package that improved the software support for the Creative Nomad line of players. Now they've expanded their offerings to include Anapod for iPods, Riorad for Rios and Dudebox for the Dell DJ.

Posted February 19, 2004 in Accessories by Lindsey Smith | Link | Comments [0]


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