iPod:
iPod Accessories

Headphones and pacemakers just don’t get along

Posted on Nov. 10, ’08, 12:07 PM PT by Dan Moren

Category | iPod » iPod Accessories

The threat posed to your pacemaker by your iPod may have been cleared by no less than the FDA, but that doesn’t mean that you can go listen to your music willy-nilly. The player itself might be harmless, but perhaps you’re forgetting about that most dangerous of accessories: the headphone.

According to a researcher at the Medical Device Safety Institute at Beth Israel Medical Center (the hospital at which I was born, I must point out, so clearly their track record is beyond reproach), the magnets in headphones can affect pacemakers or implanted defibrillators. Fortunately, in order for that to happen, the headphones need to be held very close to the device in question: namely, right over the heart. So, in other words, don’t keep your earbuds in your front shirt pocket.

“I certainly don’t think people should overreact to this information,” [said study leader Dr. William Maisel] but it’s smart to keep small electronics at least a few inches from implanted medical devices, and not let someone wearing headphones lean against your chest if you have one, he said.

“The headphone interaction applies whether or not the headphones are plugged in to the music player and whether or not the music player is on or off,” he added.

Well, there you go, then. But really, as I think we all know, the only safe thing for you to do is start using your iPod with no headphones at all.

In-car iPod connections expected in nearly 60 percent of 2009’s US cars

Posted on Oct. 16, ’08, 8:12 AM PT by Cyrus Farivar

Category | iPod » iPod Accessories

In my car back home in California, my radio faceplate has an auxiliary input, where I can jack in my iPhone via a cable to my car stereo. Not exactly elegant, but plenty functional. My other friends have radio transmitters, cassette tape converters, and other ways to get their tunes pumping through their respective jalopies.

However, a new study by iSuppli, an analysis firm, says that by next year, 58 percent of new American cars—that’s luxury and low-end alike—are expected to have iPod integration. That means that probably by the time I buy a new car (maybe in the next 5-10 years) it’s pretty much guaranteed that I’ll be able to dock my iPhone (or whatever the future version will be) directly into my car without having to futz around with a cable.

In a further surprising move, 82 percent of the same model year cars will have Bluetooth support (likely for voice calls), according to the same study. Here’s to hoping that my next ride will easily play both my voice calls and music from my 6th generation iPhone without a hitch?

[via Engadget]

Apple patent might tell if shoe sensor is on the other foot

Posted on Sep. 17, ’08, 9:54 AM PT by Dan Moren

Category | iPod » iPod Accessories

Apple’s famous for maintaining every aspect of control they can, and so there’s been a bit of buzz around a recent Apple patent that suggests that they may extend their restrictions to clothing choices. The patent in question, 20080218310, is credited to Brett Alten and our good friend Robert Borchers and would appear to deal with the Nike + iPod Sports Kit, and allow the shoe sensor to be paired with a specific garment.

Here’s the relevant portion:

[0005]Unfortunately, however, it is becoming more commonly practiced to place the sensor at locations on a garment (shoes, for example) that are not specifically designed to physically accommodate the sensor and/or calibrated to accurately reflect data supplied to the wrist device.

[…]

However, some people have taken it upon themselves to remove the sensor from the special pocket of the Nike+.TM. shoe and place it at inappropriate locations (shoelaces, for example) or place it on non-Nike+.TM. model shoes.

[0006]Therefore, what is desired is a method of electronically pairing a sensor and an authorized garment.

Apple’s concern would seem to be performance-related, but naturally it also raises concerns about whether they would somehow construct a way to let you only use the Sports Kit with appropriately branded shoes. But the patent also goes on to describe a number of other sensors that could be integrated into garments, such as GPS.

What seems likely to me is that Apple is investigating ways that they could more easily extend licensing deals with other clothing manufacturers in the same way that they run the “Made for iPod” program, thus creating a whole system of garment-embedded sensors that could be used to track performance data. And as such, they’d want to be able to certify a certain standard of efficiency, hence restricting it to authorized garments.

I wouldn’t panic just yet, though, as we’ve seen any number of patents from Apple in the last several years that have come nowhere near reality. I mean, where’s video conferencing on my iPod, people?

Apple to release new high end earphones

Posted on Sep. 9, ’08, 6:15 PM PT by David Dahlquist

Category | iPod » iPod Accessories

Along with the updated line of iPods, Apple will release an updated version of their in-ear headphones.

So what sets apart the weak from the strong when it comes to these suckers? First off, most cheap ear-buds (like the standard iPod ones) contain a single driver, or speaker, in each earpiece that is responsible for reproducing the entire spectrum of sound contained in your music. High-end earbuds provide two, and sometimes even three separate drivers dedicated to specific frequency ranges. This results in a higher level of detail that a single-driver ear-piece can’t offer.

The new Apple In-Ear Headphones, which will retail for $79, contain two drivers: one for bass and mid-range, and one for high frequencies. The ear tips are made of soft silicone that fits snugly in your ear and greatly reduces outside noise. They also come in three different sizes that should cover people of all ear-types.

The cable features a control capsule that includes a microphone and three buttons that let you adjust volume, control music or video playback, and record voice memos. While these headphones will play audio with any iPod, the remote and mic are supported only by the new 4th gen iPod nano, the new iPod classic, and the 2nd gen iPod touch.

It’s about time Apple addressed the need for higher quality ear-buds, and it will be interesting to see how these compare with the much-loved Shure ear-buds.

Rejuvenate a dead Nike + iPod sensor

Posted on Jul. 28, ’08, 8:55 AM PT by Dan Moren

Category | iPod » iPod Accessories

I admit: it’s been a while since I last used my Nike + iPod gear. I know it probably feels neglected, but look, I’ve just been busy okay—it’s not you, it’s me. Yes, I’m sure I will miss you when your battery eventually fades into nothingness and I’ll remember all those good times we had. Like that time, when we were running…and then…we stopped running. Good times.

Fortunately, when that does inevitably happen, all I need to do is follow this simple technosurgical procedure, courtesy of Instructables, to replace it with a juicy new one. And the net cost of such an operation? A mere $5. You’ll need a knife, pliers, a small philips screwdriver, electrical tape, crazy glue, a CR2032 battery and a sense of adventure.

Instructables walks you through the whole process, from prying open the little pebble’s case to attaching the new battery. Then you can get back to the important business of leaving the kit in a drawer and ignoring it again.

[via Lifehacker]

Why are those iPod accessories so darn pricey?

Posted on Jul. 11, ’08, 1:13 PM PT by David Dahlquist

Category | iPod » iPod Accessories

Ever wonder why a lot of iPod and iPhone accessories seem kinda, well, over priced? It’s not just the insatiable greed of the accessory companies, mind you. The root of the problem goes deeper, into the deep dark corners of Apple itself!

Popular Mechanics reports that since the release of the original iPhone and the current generation of iPods, Apple has installed a proprietary authentication chip in their portables that makes it impossible for 3rd party companies to create iPod/iPhone compatible accessories without signing an often times costly agreement with Apple.

For instance, if I wanted to output video from my previous generation iPod Video, I could go on eBay and buy a generic $2 iPod Video cable that would work just fine. New iPhones and iPods, however, require the “officially licensed” Apple cables, and these can run you up to $50!

Needless to say, the chip not only causes prices to go up, but it forces accessory companies to cut corners and cheapen their production so they can pay for the Apple license (not to mention, the costly “made for iPod” stickers) while maintaining a consumer-friendly price point. Sucky.

Of course the other side of the argument goes that since Apple is the great innovator, and the sole creator of this massive, $2 billion accessory market, they are entitled to a cut. This makes sense, and it’s also understandable that Apple would want to have some control over the quality of the accessories designed for their products, but some of Apple’s methods detailed in the PopularMechanics report seem a little overboard. In fact, most manufacturers interviewed by PopularMechanics estimated that up to $20 of the retail cost of iPod and iPhone speakers can be directly attributable to fees levied by Apple. Ouch.

What say you, fair reader? Should Apple accessory companies be given a little more freedom to produce Apple-friendly items, or are Apple’s steep tariffs fair in your book?

Need more juice for your iPod Touch? mStation’s gotcha covered

Posted on Jul. 9, ’08, 1:39 PM PT by David Dahlquist

Category | iPod » iPod Accessories

Capitalizing on the success of their juice pack battery booster for the iPhone, mStation has released an iPod Touch version of this product. It’s a portable battery pack that docks to your iPod Touch, “juicing” it up with an extra 7 hours of video playback or 30 hours of audio playback. This is definitely an appealing option for road warriors or frequent travelers who are away from power sources for extended periods of time.

The juice pack also has 4 LED ‘charge status’ indicators along with its very own mini USB connector, so you can sync your iPod and recharge the juice pack’s lithium polymer battery at the same time. The juice pack is being released under mStation’s recently acquired mophie brand. They are continuing mophie’s legacy of style and substance, as well as their “too cool for upper case letters” approach to branding (note that this is the “mophie juice pack”, not the “Mophie Juice Pack”).

The mophie juice pack for iPod Touch is available for pre-order now, and it’ll run ya $99.95.

JVC shows us why two iPods are better than one

Posted on Jun. 23, ’08, 3:00 PM PT by David Dahlquist

Category | iPod » iPod Accessories

JVC, consumer electronics producer extraordinaire, has released an iPod docking station with a twist: It charges and plays two iPods at the same time! This would be great for when you have your buddy or significant other over and you want to take turns playing your own music without having to constantly switch iPods.

It also works as a radio tuner and alarm clock, letting you set a song on each iPod to go off at a different time. You know, in case you and your darling have to get up for work at different times or what not. It also provides a traditional analog input for your non-iPod music playing devices (as if you have one of those), as well as video output so you can watch your iPod vids on a larger screen.

You can cop one of these bad boys for $149.95, so go ahead and double your pleasure, double your fun. Er, wait, I think that’s for another product.

[Via Engadget]

iCooly turns your iPod Touch into an adorable mini iMac

Posted on Jun. 2, ’08, 2:15 PM PT by David Dahlquist

Category | iPod » iPod Accessories

For those of you who own an iPod Touch but really wish it were an iMac, and for those of you who’d like an iMac, but think they’re way, way too big, your wait is over—well, kind of.

RockRidgeSound’s iCooly stand for the iPod Touch is a $47 accessory that lets you mount your iPod Touch in a way that makes it look like a miniature, elongated iMac. It features a 90-degree pivot joint that lets you mount it both hot dog and hamburger style. This would come in handy for watching movies on your iPod Touch without having to keep it in your greasy hands the whole time. The iCooly also has a dock-connector cut-out, and headphone extension cable. It’s set to be released on June 7th, so start savin’!

[Via Engadget]

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1) Sell unauthorized iPod accessories, 2) get sued, 3) profit?

Posted on May. 16, ’08, 10:02 AM PT by Dan Moren

Category | iPod » Legal

Apple may find itself, not infrequently, under the gavel, but that doesn’t mean they don’t launch their own fair share of legal action. Take, for example, the complaint they’ve filed against Atico International USA, a “Global Sourcing and Product Development Supply Chain Management Company.”

We don’t know exactly what it is that Atico does—from what we can tell, they’re one of those vague, shadowy companies that appears to manufacture and sell cheapo products—but Apple’s not thrilled, because the 350,000 products they sell apparently included iPod accessories. Totally unlicensed iPod accessories. Hence, Apple suing them for patent infringement.

Of course, there’s money at stake. Apple licenses its technology (think 30-pin dock connector) to accessory companies for a fee (according to my sources, a pretty profitable one, at that). They’re claiming that Atico is not only costing them money, infringing on their trademark, but harming their reputation. On the streets, you know.

Seems like Atico doesn’t have much of a leg to stand on here, but we’ll let you know how the case progresses.