Apple iPod Accessories

When a friend of mine recently made the leap to purchase the popular iPhone, she knew it was out of her budget. Nevertheless, she had to have it. You can only imagine the terror in her eyes the day the phone slipped from her hand onto the concrete. Thankfully Griffin Technology has two new products designed for moments just like this one. The Reflect is a protective polycarbonate case that covers the rim of your iPhone. It is chrome with a black rubber back for security of grip and peace of mind. The Reflect has a suggested retail price of $24.99 and can be found at major retailers nationwide.

Griffin Technology's Courier has a new look and design just for the iPhone. With the practical clip you can secure your iPhone to your backpack, purse, or shoulder strap. It also features a hidden zipper, meant for keys, money, ID or credit cards. The Courier also works great with the iPod touch, iPod classic or iPod with video. The Courier is priced at $34.99 and can also be found at major retailers nationwide. Read more

The Mophie juice pack battery extender gives iPhone users extra time to talk, listen to music, surf the web, and send email. The juice pack houses a rechargeable lithium polymer battery within an ergonomic, comfort-grip case with a soft-touch, non-slip finish. The added “juice” gives consumers up to an additional 8 hours of talk time, 250 hours of standby time, 6 hours of internet use, 7 hours of video playback, and 24 hours of audio playback. The juice pack also integrates a 4 LED charge status indicator and a pass-through dock connector making it simple to recharge and monitor your iPhone’s juice. Available for $99.95 in March 2008. www.mophie.com

The Monster iSoniCast Wireless Audio Bridge is a new wireless device that lets users enjoy music from their iPod over a home stereo system, with no batteries required. This two-piece audio bridge features 2.4 GHz wireless technology for extended control range and excellent sound. Intelligent frequency hopping minimizes interference while high-bandwidth 4Mbps streaming eliminates compression artifacts.

The Monster iSoniCast Wireless Audio Bridge not only connects the iPod to your home stereo system, but lets you use your iPod to control playback, basically turning it into a wireless jukebox. The iSoniCast comes with a two-meter mini-to-RCA cable for easy integration into a home audio system. $99.95. www.monstercable.com

With the new JBL On Time 400IHD system, you can listen – without a subscription fee – to static-free reception on HD Radio stations with FM sound as good as that found on CDs, and with AM sound as clear as analog FM stereo’s. Also, the JBL On Time 400IHD system can store “live” song information from select HD Radio stations with the push of a “Tag” button. That song “wish list” may be downloaded to the iPod the next time the iPod is docked in the system. When the iPod is next connected to iTunes, the “wish list,” as well as the option to purchase the listed songs, will be displayed. With iTunes Tagging, listeners will never again have to scramble to write down a new song title or artist heard on the radio. Convenient, huh? Read more

When you’re on the move, you shouldn’t have to strain your eyes to watch a video on a small screen. This portable multimedia DVD player for your iPod (model i1155) is easy on the eyes, both with its slim and attractive design and with its 8.5” widescreen playback. Watch your favorite video files in several media formats in addition to your iPod and DVD. Charging as it plays, your iPod sits securely into an integrated dock on the front of the player and can be controlled easily with the simple touch of your finger. Through video output, you can even watch videos or view pictures on a TV screen.

It’s also compatible with various DVD functions like multiple subtitles and angles, fast motion, and zoom. Read more

At Best Stuff we have long been fans of Etymotic Research. The company is headed by Mead Killion, a brilliant master of the science of hearing. Killion first worked on perfecting hearing aids and, as a part of his continuing research, found a need for truly high performing headphones. He advanced the headphone concept, developing extremely accurate tiny headphones that fit in the ear, not on the ear---very much unlike the cheap and ubiquitous ear buds that ship with most portable music devices, or the big, bulky earphones that fit completely over your ears, like earmuffs.

After years of "underground" success with the finest recording artists and engineers using the new Etymotics (and those were among the few that could afford to pay the premium prices these devices originally commanded) Killion and his team turned to develop similar, less costly products for the "rest of us" who don't have $500 to spend on earphones.

The success of Killion's products did not go unnoticed by competitors and over the last few years many large earphone companies have slavishly copied Killion's original designs. Meanwhile, the Etymotic line continued to grow and now includes a number of products; one of the newest is perhaps the finest cell phone headset. Etymotic's latest baby is the ety8, a wireless bluetooth headphone that fits in the ear. This tiny device is extremely comfortable and accurate, and was designed to use with the iPods. The ety8 even lets you control your iPod remotely. The iPod can be in your pocket, or even in your purse or briefcase, and you can control it remotely by using the Bluetooth technology developed by Etymotic. As a very valuable side benefit-- as with Etymotic's other in-ear phones-- the ety8 effectively reduces ambient noise by a magnitude greater that those large, over-the-ear "active noise-canceling" earphones that are so popular. Read more

Monster’s new iFreePlay headphones allows iPod shuffle users to play music with no need for clips, armbands or pockets – it docks ON the headphones! The iFreePlay features an iDock port that directly connects into the headphones, so there is no need for headphone cords that only get in the way.

The Monster iFreePlay Cordless Headphones also fold for compact storage. The weight is only 1.6 oz. Sensitivity is 110dB/mw, impedance is 32 ohms+ 15% @ 1KHz, distortion is >5% A 1KHz and max power rating is 20mW. Priced at $49.95, the iFreePlay Headphones are available now. www.MonsterCable.com

Hold that thought with Xtreme Mac’s new MicroMemo. Turn your iPod nano 2nd generation or iPod video into a recording studio. No tapes, no batteries, no cables. MicroMemo plugs into your iPod to record interviews, meetings, lectures, or any audio content directly to your iPod nano. Capture audio using the flexible, detachable mic—or another type of microphone with a 3.5mm-plug, like XtremeMac's MemoMic lapel microphone or a stereo or condenser mic. Read more

So you've bought a video iPod and you've downloaded your favorite movies and TV shows from the iTunes store. There's just one problem. Now you actually have to watch a two-hour feature film on a 2.5-inch screen that you have to hold up to your face. Not a very comfortable or practical situation - especially if you're traveling.

Now there's an alternative - the myvu personal media viewer Made for iPod. The funky eyewear puts the video iPod's bright, crisp viewing experience right in front of your eyes on a large virtual screen. If you missed an episode of "Lost" or "America's Next Top Model," you can watch it on the subway on your way to work. By connecting your video iPod to the lightweight myvu eyewear, you can watch your favorite TV shows, music videos, video podcasts and movies anytime, anywhere. And with display and audio systems built right into the eyewear, myvu can be worn standing, sitting, reclining, or in any on-the-go situation. Read more

This original iPod accessory from Griffin Technology is your own portable karaoke solution! A high-quality compact microphone plugs into your iPod and at the flick of a switch, existing vocals fade into the background, leaving instruments and backing vocals intact, so you can step up to the mic and become the lead singer to your favorite tunes. iKaraoke sends the music -- along with your performance -- to your stereo system for you to enjoy. Read more