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Rejuvenate a dead Nike + iPod sensor

Posted on Jul. 28, ’08, 8:55 AM PT by Dan Moren
Category | iPod » iPod Accessories

nikebattery.jpgI 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]

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Why are those iPod accessories so darn pricey?

Posted on Jul. 11, ’08, 1:13 PM PT by David Dahlquist
Category | iPod » iPod Accessories

accessories.jpgEver 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?

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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

mophie juice.jpgCapitalizing 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.

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ipod_accessories

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.jpgJVC, 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]

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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
iClooly iPod touch stand hopes to be an iMac when it grows up - Engadget.jpgFor 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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legal

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

AticoApple 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.

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See ya CD: iPods taking over cars

Posted on Apr. 30, ’08, 1:54 PM PT by Dan Pourhadi
Category | iPod » iPod Accessories

iPodCar1.jpgI’ll be honest: I use the cassette deck in my car way more than I use my CD player. In fact, I hardly ever use the CD player, and use the cassette deck every day.

And no, it’s not because I have a bunch of cassettes with old-person music that geezers like Chris Breen probably listen to. Nor is it because I’m one of those “post-modern” analog-loving hipsters who make mix tapes Old Skool style to demonstrate their chic non-conformist approach to the our “evil” consumerist culture.

I actually just use the cassette deck because I have one of those nifty cassette adapters that let you play your iPod music through your car speakers. And these days, most people I know play more iPod music in their cars then they do CDs — either with cassette adapters, or FM transmitters, or integrated iPod player systems.

Seems that car stereo manufacturers are taking notice of this, too, according to a piece at MacNewsWorld by USA Today detailing a few companies’ new stereo products that do away with CD drives entirely, replacing them instead with iPod/MP3-player/USB/SD card player systems (adapters, slots, ports, etc.).

Stereo-makers like Clarion, Alpine Electronics, and Blaupunkt have all jumped on the CD-player-less (it has an iPod jack instead) bandwagon, offering car stereo units sans optical drives. Some, though, like Pioneer Mobile Entertainment, are standing their CD-lovin’ ground until the disk-less concept builds some momentum.

Check the MNW article for more details, and sound off in the comments: How do you listen to music in your car?

[image from Car Domain]

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Beef: It’s what’s for…iPod cases?

Posted on Apr. 19, ’08, 4:05 AM PT by David Dahlquist
Category | iPod » iPod Accessories

meatpod.jpgLet’s cut the bull and get straight to the, ahem, meat of things. We like iPods. We like meat. We think vegetarians are sissies (and no, Steve Jobs is not a vegetarian; he’s a pescetarian) and we aren’t afraid to say it. We like meat so much, in fact, that we’d love nothing more than to wrap all of our prized possessions in a slimy cocoon of red, uncooked meat, or at the very least, imitation red, uncooked meat.

And so we must sing praises for the Japanese company that has tapped into this deep, unspoken desire held by all men, by creating iPod cases that look just like grade A red meat. I’m not sure what they’re made of, or what truly motivated someone to mass produce such a product, but for just ¥6,800 (or about $66) you can now proudly display your manly affection for all things meat via iPod case. Which is either really really sick, or really really awesome. I’m still trying to decide.

[Via Engadget]

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iSoniCast wireless audio bridge for iPod now shipping

Posted on Mar. 13, ’08, 3:55 PM PT by David Dahlquist
Category | iPod » iPod Accessories

isonicast.jpgWanna listen to your iPod through your home stereo without having to run a cable between the two? You’re in luck, as Monster has released the iSoniCast to take care of your wireless iPod-to-home stereo connection needs. It’s a two piece wireless audio bridge that transmits your iPod’s signal to your stereo using 2.4GHz wireless technology. It streams audio at 4Gbps, which helps to eliminate artifacts, according to Monster.

The base connects to your stereo system through a cable and the battery-free transmitter attaches to your iPod input, essentially turning your iPod into a really cool remote control. It’s worth a look, but at $100, it ain’t exactly easy on the wallet.

[Via Macworld]

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ipod_accessories

ShadesCases shipping Shades for iPod Touch

Posted on Mar. 7, ’08, 5:30 PM PT by David Dahlquist
Category | iPod » iPod Accessories

shadescases.jpgNow you can hook your iPod touch up with some cool shades, courtesy of ShadesCases.

ShadesCases has started shipping its popular line of Shades for the iPod Touch. The polyurethane cases measure just .4mm thin and weigh 0.5-ounces (in case you don’t want to add to the Touch’s staggering 4.2 ounces).

The cases feature built-in clear screen protection that lets you operate the touch screen interface, and come in 10 colors. They go for $17 a pop, which is probably a good investment for your several hundred dollar iPod. Remember: when it comes to iPods, even the tiniest scratch can bring ruin and shame upon your entire family.

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