Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Top 10 iPod Accessories

From Nino Marchetti
http://about.com/

The Apple iPod – a MP3 player which revolutionized the portable audio market. Mac and PC owners alike have taken to this gadget like no other. So have third party manufacturers. A huge after-market industry has sprung up, making hundreds of iPod accessories like FM transmitters, auto chargers, specialized headphones, custom speakers, remote controls and more. Here are my picks for some of the best iPod accessories out there.

1) iTrip FM Transmitter from Griffin
The iTrip is one of the most popular iPod accessories. Listening to the iPod through your radio is as easy as turning a side knob to select a FM station which is not being used in your local area. A large LCD screen helps to see what you are doing, multiple broadcasting modes help to get the best possible audio out of your radio and auto volume control helps avoid distortion. There are also US and International FM


2) iFi Speaker System from Klipsch Audio
The iFi system is one sweet little speaker setup for the iPod. Packed in this grouping are two satellite speakers which employ a 3.5” aluminum woofer and .75” titanium dome compression driver; an 8” subwoofer that puts out 200 watts; a dock cradle which lines in iPod audio, charges the player and provides volume control functions including a light bar to indicate the current volume level; and a remote which controls the entire iPod + speaker audio system.


3) iCase Travel Pack from Monster
If you’re on the go a lot with your iPod, the iCase Travel Pack might be worth checking out. This lightweight carrying case allows you to carry your iPod, multiple other accessories, cables and more in various pockets and compartments. All of your iPod elements are protected by a durable Nylon shell which zips up via rubberized zipper pulls. Monster throws in two additional items, a car charger and a splitter which allows you to share your tunes with another person, as part of the deal.

4) iBoost Battery Pack from Nyko
For those times when you are listening to the unabridged audio book version of War & Peace and the iPod’s battery is about to die, consider giving it an iBoost. This innovative, rechargeable battery pack from Nyko attaches to the back of an iPod and wraps around the player’s bottom. It boosts the overall battery time up to around 16 hours. The iBoost features a dock connector pass through port so actions like song transfers can occur with the battery pack still attached.

5) iSplitter Mini Y-Adapter from Monster
If sharing that favorite song or listening to a podcast with a buddy is in order, the iSplitter from Monster is a must have. This mini y-adapter cable plugs into the headphone jack on an iPod and in turn sports two headphone jack inputs which can be connected to any standard headphones which use 1/8” mini-stereo jacks. The iSplitter features 24k gold plated contacts to help get better signal quality.


6) iSkin eVo2 Case from iSkin
The iSkin eVo2 case from iSkin encases your iPod in a colored skin – nine choices are available – which glows in the dark by first absorbing light from a nearby source. The form fitting design protects your player in high-grade silicone while at the same time providing top and bottom access to the various ports. The case features a clear screen protector on the front and small pores on the back to help keep the iPod cool when in an extended play session.

7) iTop Button Relocater from Nyko
The iTop from Nyko is one of those accessories which make life with your iPod a little easier. Its chief function is to relocate the play, pause, skip, go back and volume controls from the front of the player to the top. This accessory features a tactile button for each function so you don’t have to look down to know what you are pressing. It fits nicely with the iPod’s design, requires no separate batteries and has a hold button to prevent accidentally pressing one of the other buttons.


8) iDirect Remote Control from Digital Lifestyle Outfitters
The iDirect Remote control allows you to manage controlling your iPod from across the room with ease. It comes with two pieces: an IR receiver which plugs into the top of your player and a five button, pocket sized remote control which controls play, pause, forward, rewind, volume and power. The IR receiver also sports a headphone pass-through for auxiliary output in case you are connected to a portable speaker system or the like.

9) i-Station Docking Station from Logic 3
The i-Station Docking Station offers iPod owners a complete listening, recharging and synchronizing experience in one tight package. Once the iPod is placed into its docking cradle between the two speakers, a good sound experience can be had via the combination of a sub-woofer, tweeter speakers and 3D surround sound processor. Besides sound, the i-Station also includes the ability to recharge the player’s battery and do iTunes music synchronization through USB or FireWire.

10) iCarPlay Wireless FM Transmitter from Monster
The cold hard truth is that your iPod will eventually run out of juice if you don’t charge it. A creative solution from Monster – the iCarPlay – allows you to recharge your player’s battery as you drive while at the same time listening to your favorite MP3s on the radio. The iCarPlay is plugged into your car’s cigarette lighter and also your iPod. As it rapidly refills the battery, you can also tune your radio to one of eight FM stations which the accessory is set to broadcast to.

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