Beginner's Guide to iPod Accessories

The iPod was not the first portable music player, nor was it the first with a capacity to hold thousands of songs. Those titles go to the 32MB Diamond Rio in 1998 and the first hard drive-based MP3 player, the 20GB Archos Jukebox Studio in 2000. Both devices are lost and forgotten, thanks to the first style-conscious digital player, the iPod.

The iPod's unique wheel design from Jonathan Ive made it easy to navigate while its bundled desktop software presented a complete solution to making your music mobile.

With more than 10 million iPods estimated to be on the street, companies that make accessories get excited about tapping into this large user base. Griffin Technology, a long-time Apple accessory manufacturer, and Belkin, a more recent arrival, each produce dozens of interesting gadgets to plug into the ports found on the iPod.

My must-have accessories for the iPod span multiple functions and categories. Many of them travel with me daily and others get carried around the world in my bags. Keep in mind that many of the items listed here require a 3^rd or 4^th generation iPod or any iPod Mini featuring the bottom dock connector required to interface with the gadgets.

Rock the beat

Altec Lansing inMotion iM3 Portable Audio System - This portable "flat folding" audio system is a vast improvement over its first generation cousin with the addition of protective speaker grills and a wireless remote control that docks into the speakers. This will pump tunes for 24-hours on four AA batteries or forever with the included AC adapter. The 4-watt class D, which means digital goodness, amplifier sounds loud in a hotel or dorm room, but obviously won't shake the walls at a party. A bonus feature included is the velvet and nylon case which holds the power adapter and speakers, but not the iPod. You want that to stay in your pocket anyway. ($179.95)

JBL OnStage - If aliens used iPods, they wouldn't leave the galaxy without the OnStage. This 12-watt, two-speaker ring has a bass port to reflect low frequency audio through its donut hole. The volume buttons are a bit odd without tactile feedback but you can touch them both to mute playback. The speaker does not feature a remote and you will need to keep it plugged in, as there is no batteries option. The looks are stunning, however, and the sound is great, too. Plus, the device works with other players or computers that have 3.5 mm audio outputs and includes a dock connector on the back to plug into your PC or Mac for syncing if it sits on your desk. ($159.95)

Power up

Nothing is worse than running out of juice when you are running. Whether it's Gatorade or AC, you need to stay powered up. For this I use a couple gadgets so I can leave my FireWire charging cable and weighted dock at home.

iGO Juice - While the Juice AC/DC adapter is charging my laptop, a second cable is daisy chained to the iPod or my cell phone to keep it topped off. You just need to carry unique tips for your products, rather than the whole charging mechanism. Charging on a plane or in a car is no problem either. ($119.99)

Belkin Battery- If I do not have access to AC or DC power, four AA batteries slide into this Backup Battery Pack for an extra 15 hours of playback. This is a hiker's best friend, that is if you don't like to hear birds singing, snakes rattling or bears growling. ($59.99)

Keep it clean

Skins - The white front of the iPod stays pretty clean, but its mirror-like chrome back scratches and smudges easily. You can protect that finish by sliding a colorful DLO Jam Jacket over your iPod. The top loading DLO is my favorite skin since Griffin accessories fit better than with the Speck Products cases, which require trimming. Speck does get an honorable mention with their Gumby-like case, the iGuy. Don't ask. ($34.95)

Input/Output

Griffin Technologies iTrip and iTalk - Like my Amex, I never leave home without these two wonders. With each occupying about the same amount of space as a nine-volt battery, the iTrip ($39.99) broadcasts your iPod music across ANY frequency on the FM dial. Most of these so-called modulators can only operate on a few bands that are typically full in modern cities. It's also ingenious in robbing power from the iPod's remote control port and gets its frequency from listening to a special audio file played from the iPod itself.

The iTalk ($39.99) installs like no other voice-recording gadget that I have ever seen. Just plug this into the iPod and up pops a voice recording menu that you have never seen before. That's right, no software is required for this gadget. Feel free to nap in class while your iPod works for you, recording your professor.

Over the top

The "over the top" award goes to Ten Technologies with their Bluetooth headset adapter. This device is a "sled" that plugs into the iPod to provide not only wireless stereo audio to your headphones, but an interface with your mobile phone as well. They left nothing out by including a switch to remotely control your tracks from across the room. While a tad excessive in your car or on your body, I love this product at home and on the boat since I can change tracks pumped through the stereo without getting up. ($199)

On the cheap

I've frequently seen a single pair of ear buds being shared by a couple, ah, how cute. However, you can prove to your significant other that you're not cheap by spending a few bucks on a Monster Cable iSplitter and a pair of noise canceling ear buds like the Sony MDR-EX71SL/WK or the Apple In-Ear headphones. Both products beat the ergonomics, or lack thereof, of the factory headphones while canceling outside noise by creating a silicon seal between the speakers and your ears. ($9.95)

Dave Mathews is waiting for the next generation of tiny 1.8 inch 100GB hard drives so he can carry his entire music collection on his hip. Until then he has two iPods to hold his favorite tracks. More technology stories and videos can be found on his website at DaveMathews.com.

© 2008, Young Money Media, LLC. All rights reserved.

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