Friday, May 25, 2007

Selecting Speakers For Your iPod

More and more people are purchasing a set of speakers for their iPods, some to replace their current home audio set ups in order to get rid of the cd collections that take up so much room, some to have a portable audio source for when they are away on holiday, some just for having some iPod speakers because everyone else is buying them! One of the problems we come across the most is people being faced with a huge selection of choices and feeling bewildered about what to buy. What I am aim to do is make your choice that little bit easier.

We can break down the different sets of speakers into the following categories:

Portable and powered by batteries.

Portable and powered by mains adapter.

Home Set up powered by mains adapter.

For those of you looking for a portable set that is powered by batteries there are a variety of excellent options at varying prices. Personally I am of the belief that whatever amount of money you are spending it is important that sound quality is pretty good as what use is a light speaker set that has crackily sound! If you are looking to spend under £50 then we highly rate both the Logic 3 i-Station 7 and the Monster iSpeaker. Both of these are very light to carry, are of a size very conveninet for putting ina backpack or suitcase and run for a good amount of time on batteries, sound from both is exceptional for this pricepoint with great clarity.

If you are looking to spend a little more then a lot of options open up in the £50 to £150 bracket. If lightweight is your number one problem then you will not go far wrong with the JBL On Tour, this is an incredibly lightweight unit that what it lacks in bass it makes up for in the sound clarity department. If you would prefer better sound quality then a step up to an Altec Lansing IM5 or Logitech MM50, Saitek A250 and for iPod Nano Owners the XtremeMac MicroBlast. All of these provide excellent sound alongside good looks and a highly portable structure. Once your budget is going over £150 you are in to the realms of a great portable system in the Altec Lansing IM7, thumping bass, crystal clear treble and a great portable structure, definetly the daddy of portable iPod Docking Stations and Speaker units.

If you would like something that can be considered portable but don't mind having to use a mains charger then there are a couple of good options available. One of our favourites is the Macally IceTune, this is indeed one of our top 5 iPod accessories altogether, when stacked up it looks like a coke can and has two separate speakers that can be removed and pointed to send sounds in different directions, the sound quality is excelletn for only £39.99 and it is very much portable but does require mains power. The JBL On Stage is another wonderful compact and lightweight unit that can be plugged into the mains for power and will charge your iPod while you listen to it, very high quality sound, lacks bass a littel but you are compromising bass to have such a small portable unit, clarity of sound and loudness are both very impressive. Another excellent unit in this bracket is the Logic 3 iStation 8, newly released and keeping up the fabulous reputation of the iStation 7 this really is worth the money, great combinations of bass and treble and very much a portable size and weight.

For the home set up there are a variety of options and in honesty the best value speakers in our opinion come at this price point. For just £59.99 you can have a pair of JBL Creature II's, these are surely one of the greatest home electronics products to ever hit the market, the bass is phenomenal and the clarity is superb, vocals sound great for many types of music, they also look very appealing and are bound to interest visitors who glaze their eyes upon them! Also in the JBL range are the Encounters, these expand on the Creature philosophy of an alien themed set of speakers and have even stronger bass, they are quite simply phenomenal! At this price point we also have the Harmon Kardon Soundsticks, for a long time these have been my individual favourite speakers, they are see through so you can have a look at what is going on inside and provide possibly the clearest vocals you will hear from iPod focused speakers they are simply outstanding, perhaps not as strong bass as the Encounters but still more than enough for most pallettes. For anyone considering a home iPod set up I strongly suggest a very close look at the Harmon Kardon Soundsticks they are oustanding and will fit in to 99% of home settings in the living room, dining room, kitchen etc!

Hopefully this guide has been of some use to you choosing your speakers, firstly establish which of the three categories your requirements for speakers come into and then you can use the above advice to direct you to some great units, we wish you the best of luck in your choice!

About The Author
Nick Segrue is the Managing Director and Founder of http://www.mp3additions.co.uk MP3 Additions is one of the UK's fastest growing online retailers of iPod Accessories and strives to supply only the highest quality products that will always enhance your iPod experience. All products are thoroughly tested before being offered for sale and the staff at MP3 Additions are happy to advise you on any products you are interested in or catch your attention.

Add Fun To Your Ipod With Accessories

The iPod is the ultimate symbol of the digital age and only those entirely out of the loop haven't heard about it by now. The iPod is today's hottest gadget. Owning one elevates you to the status of the iPod people--audiophiles in love with their iPods. What self-respecting iPod person would you be if you didn't spruce up your iPod with iPod accessories? Fortunately, there are countless companies who offer the best and most exciting hardware and software iPod accessories to complement and personalize your "baby."

Let's begin with the basics of iPod accessories: iPod skins. The first, second and third generation iPods often had to content themselves with the iPod accessories mostly consisting of cases in leather, rubber, aluminum or fabric to protect the iPod from scratches, dust and moisture. Depending on your requirements, there are covers that allow you to carry your iPod in all your activities. From water-resistant cases to sweat-proof sleeves, these iPod accessories help the iPod be more portable.

The skins can also serve a stylish function. http://DecalGirl.com has a vast array of iPod skins, from loud colors to your favorite anime characters, and almost anything you imagine is possible. You can even satisfy the abstract side of you with graphic designs printed on your iPod skin. Just make certain that the iPod accessories you buy come with a guarantee, in case of an inferior product.

The next essential iPod accessories you will need are headphones or earphones. Although an iPod comes equipped with earphones, there are but a few users who prefer a surround sound experience. Other iPod headphone accessories include the retractable headphones, which is great to use while outside. And then there are the headphones with attached speakers, the infrared wireless earphones and water-resistant earphones for those times when you can't even take a bath without listening to your iPod.

Aside from these basic earpieces, external speakers and carrying case iPod accessories are quite popular. The iBoom iPod player has a dock for your iPod player with speakers attached to the sides. It is perfect for picnics and beach outings where music is a must to liven up the party. Another brand, called the iBag, is an accessory with FM stereo that adds more fun because you have the option to surf through local radio stations for more fun beats.

More iPod accessories are available to the iPod junkie online. A number of websites do product reviews of these iPod accessories and you can get a preview of the items you may want to buy through them. Included in these sites are http://welovemacs.com, and http://connectingpoint.net. They have a wide variety of iPod accessories for all the generations of iPods. They not only provide you with the price, features and product compatibility details but also give you the pros and cons of each iPod accessory.

Other iPod accessories that is a must have for any iPod warrior include the Belkin Voice Recorder that allows you to record reminders, meeting and notes into your iPod. There's also the hands-free accessory called the iPod remote and earphones. With it, you don't have to worry about struggling with the iPod controls as you drive or jog. A stationary variation of this remote is also available. Called the NaviPod IR Remote, it gives you the power to control your iPod's audio from across a room. Another essential iPod accessory is the iPod Dock that recharges iPod at work or at home.

For the car lovers, there are iPod accessories to accommodate your stereos. The first of these is the Belkin TuneDok Car Holder that holds your iPod in place. Another one of these nifty iPod accessories is the Sony Car Cassette Adapter that connects your iPod to the car's cassette player. And, last but not least, is another one of those wonderful iPod accessories, the Griffin iTrip FM Transmitter. You can play your iPod through the FM radio of your car. All it requires to work is the iPod dock connector. It draws a small amount of power from your iPod and doesn't use any batteries.

You can really personalize your iPod in many exciting ways. These iPod accessories not only improve your iPod but is also the number one status symbol for any hardcore iPod lover.

About The Author

Susan Miller writes for several web sites, including http://club-product.com andhttp://reviewssource.com.
Article provided by Articlecity.com

iPods- Basic Information You Need To Know

Let's face the fact. iPods are the hottest things to have these days. Just about everybody has one or wants to get one. It's an all in one gadget that seems to do wonders.

iPods are capable of playing music while you are on the move, organizing your personal and business commitments, storing photos which you can proudly display to your friends at the touch of a button.

Since May 2005, Mecedes-Benz, announced that they were integrating the Apple iPod Interface Kit in their passenger vehicles. How cool is that? Very!
Just when you thought that things could not get better, the iPod mini was released complete with cool accessories like:

• Apple remote - Universal Docks support this. You can connect it to a stereo or television, plug it in the Dock and control everything from there.

• USB power adapter- Easily charge your iPod while you are surfing the internet.

• AV connection kit- Play your favourite tunes, movies or photos on the television with a simple connection.

• Radio remote- Changing radio stations is a breeze with the remote. It is a wired remote.

• Universal dock – Basically this allows you to connect your iPod to the television or home entertainment system to view movies or display photos,etc.

• USB cable- You need this to connect your iPod to your computer.

• Camera connector- Tranfer your pretty pictures from your camera directly to your iPod

• In-ear headphones- Makes listening to music even better with its good bas response and quality audio.

You have some variety too. Since iPods come in models with 512MB or 1G. The prices are also very reasonable considering the tons of cool stuff you could do with an iPod. For about $100, you could pick up an iPod and be listening to Shakira's latest hit in minutes.

There are several points you need to consider so that you'll be able to make a wise decision when buying an iPod.

1.) iPod Nano
The iPod Nano is the most common model now. You have a coice of music,data and photos with this model and the colors are great. It is a slim model that will easily slide into your pocket.

2.) Battery life
The 4G model battery lasts about 8 hours roughly. Not too good. However, the latest 5G models have a battery life of about 14 hours.That's much better and the battery lasts much longer too.

3.) Color
Pretty standard color here. :)

4.)Video
In the past, video was not an option. Thankfully, things have improved and now with the iPod Video, you can have data, music, photo and video...all in one model. Just fantastic!

5.)iPod Shuffle
The iPod Shuffle is a slightly cheaper iPod model and suitable for those with a lower budget. It only supports music which you can listen to in a sequence or shufled. There is no screen or other features. If you only need an iPod to play music and don't really need the fancy features, this model would be a good pick.

You should be able to purchase an iPod from most good electronics stores. You could even buy one online.

Some websites are even giving away iPods free. Basically, you'll need to fill up some affiliate form and refer 5 friends to the site to do the same. It's a simple idea but you may face some difficulty getting friends to sign up. You could give it a try. There are many people who have received a free iPod in this manner. The rewards are good since the effort you put into it is minimal.

About The Author

John Abraham writes reviews for a gadget magazine. For more information visit http://ipod-info.wisdom-mall.com/Ipod-free.html
Article provided by Articlecity.com

3 Key Advantages of Buying iPod Products at a Discount Shopping Mall

Finding the iPod of your dreams is much easier now thanks to online discount shopping malls. Online malls offer many choices of brands, colors, styles, sizes and features that you may not find at a local retailer. Whether you're buying an iPod Nano with an LCD screen, and iPod video or other related electronics, you can almost always find what you need at an online mall, and often at a great price! Here are three advantages of buying an iPod at a discount shopping mall on the Web.

1. iPod Features and Benefits
When searching through an online discount shopping mall for an iPod, you can take your time and shop from your own home computer. You have time to read all the features and benefits, compare iPod brands carefully and even look at various styles and colors to find exactly what you need. Features of IPods might include an LCD monitor, song memory capabilities, menu selections, compatibility with iPod accessories, and control features for play, rewind, fast-forward, pause, etc.

Benefits can vary from one brand to the next. Some iPods are very small, even pencil-thin, so you can carry them around anywhere. Some iPods have fabulous sound quality. Others may offer lots of memory for storing up to 1,000 songs!

2. Discount Electronics
Another benefit of searching for your iPod at a discount shopping mall is you can hunt for online bargains. You might be surprised at how affordable on-sale electronics can be when you're shopping online. It's like having your own discount electronic store at your fingertips. There are amazing online bargains on items such as iPods, iPod videos, iPods with LCD monitors, iPod Nanos, digital cameras, MP3 players and other great electronic products.

Some discount shopping malls will include items such as headphones, cables, adaptors and helpful software with your iPod. You may have to dig deep to find the online bargains, but they're well worth the effort!

3. Shop for iPod Accessories
You can also shop for additional iPod accessories such as an iPod sleeve or other related products while at a discount shopping mall. If you can buy all your electronics products or accessories at one website, you'll save on shipping charges as well. Most discount shopping malls offer combined shipping rates for multiple orders. While shopping for an iPod, look around for other items you might need before clicking the "Checkout" button.

Keep these advantages in mind as you search for iPods or related electronics products. You can save time and money by taking advantage of a discount shopping mall on the Web!

About The Author

Chris Robertson is a published author of Majon International. Majon International is one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing and internet advertising companies on the web. Visit their main business resource web site at: http://www.majon.com

To learn more about subjects like discount shopping mall please visit the web site at: http://www.the-discount-shopping-mall.com

For more information and informative related articles and links about this subject matter and content, please visit Majon's Electronics directory: http://www.majon.com/directory/Electronics

My Best FM Site Finds Best Frequency for Your iPod

Belkin's Web site features a finder service that helps you locate the best frequencies to set your iPod FM transmitter to.

Belkin's new Web site is called my best FM. It helps you find the best "dead spot" to set your radio dial to, if you're using an iPod FM transmitter.

iPod owners not fortunate enough to own a vehicle with an auxiliary audio device input or direct iPod dock often rely on FM transmitter peripherals in order to listen to their music. Belkin, whose product line includes such devices for the iPod, has stepped up to the plate with a new Web site that helps you locate the best FM frequencies to set your radio and your iPod FM transmitter to, in order to avoid any interference or crosstalk from actual broadcast stations.

Using my best FM, you simply enter the city or zip code and state you're located in, and click on the "go" button. The Web site will report to you the best FM frequencies, along with second and third-best choices. There's no charge for using the service; it's free.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,132201-pg,1/article.html

Site Makes Sure iPod Users Are Tuned In

The iconic white earbuds, shiny aluminum backs and the white, black, or candy-colored faces are almost ubiquitous in today's world.

If you listen to digital music, chances are you own an iPod. Apple Computer's wildly popular MP3 player has sold more than 100 million devices, and, according to Apple, dominates almost two-thirds of the MP3 player market.

If you already own an iPod or are considering buying one, navigating the world of accessories and support can be a daunting task.

Thousands of Web sites attempt to address iPod user's questions and interests, but the largest and most extensive of such sites is iLounge.com.

iLounge, formerly known as iPodlounge, is an iPod user's resource. Its slogan, "All things iPod, iPhone, iTunes and beyond," reflects its broad range of topics and content that answers just about any question an iPod user might have.

In addition to a users' forum, iLounge provides iPod news and reviews thousands of iPod accessories along with the iPods themselves.

iLounge's staff, run by founder Dennis Lloyd and editor-in-chief Jeremy Horwitz, does the reviews and gives grades from A to F.

The site even publishes virtual guides and books two or three times a year.

Whether you are an iPod user or just interested, iLounge has something to offer. iLounge ensures that for iPod owners, the music never really stops.

http://www.foxreno.com/technology/13385419/detail.html

How To Tell Which iPod You Have?

Fifth Generation iPod (Second Generation) (also known as iPod with video)

You can distinguish the Fifth Generation iPod (Late 2006) from the original Fifth Generation iPod by the last three digits of the serial number. The Fifth Generation iPod (Late 2006) serial number's last three digits will be one of the following: WU9, WUA, WUB, or WUC. Size 30GB and 80GB

.Fifth Generation iPod (also known as iPod with video)

The Fifth Generation iPod is a a hard drive-based iPod featuring a large, widescreen color display, a Click Wheel, and the capability of displaying photos and videos. Like iPod nano, it uses USB for syncing and comes in white and black. Size 30GB and 60GB

*** The Fifth Generation U2 Special Edition iPod (Late 2006) serial number's last three digits will be W9G.***

***iPod Special Edition Harry Potter for the Fifth Generation iPod has a 30 GB hard drive.***

iPod nano (Second Generation)

iPod nano (Second Generation) is distinguished from other models by:

* Its smaller size.
* Its colors.
* The dock connector and headphones port are both located on the bottom of the unit.
* Size 2GB, 4GB and 8GB

iPod nano
iPod nano is smaller than iPod mini and has a color screen and a Click Wheel but has flash memory instead of a hard drive. Song and photo syncing only occurs over USB 2 (not FireWire). iPod nano comes in white and black. The capacity of the iPod nano is engraved on the back of the case (1 GB, 2 GB, or 4 GB).

iPod shuffle (Second Generation)
iPod shuffle (Second Generation) is smaller than the original iPod shuffle and has no USB connector. Size 1GB

iPod shuffle
iPod shuffle is smaller than iPod mini and has no display. There are LED lights on the front and back. The capacity of the drive is engraved on the front USB connector. Size 512MB and 1GB

iPod Mini
The Apple iPod mini, Apple's smallest MP3 player at the time of introduction, features a 4 GB hard drive in a compact 3.6 by 2.0 by 0.5 inch lightweight anodized aluminum case -- available in silver, gold, pink, blue, and green -- with a 1.67 inch (diagonal) grayscale LCD display with LED backlight. Size 4GB

The iPod mini (Second Generation)
The Apple iPod mini (Second Generation), is similar to the original iPod mini, but the second generation models uses richer, deeper shades of four of the original colors -- silver, blue, green, [and] pink (with gold no longer available), the pressure sensitive "ClickWheel" navigation buttons are color-matched to the housing (these were gray on the original iPod mini regardless of housing color) Size 4GB and 6GB

iPod with color display (also known as iPod Photo and 4G - fourth generation iPod)
iPod and iPod photo are now one and the same, with every white iPod boasting a full-color display. They continue to have the same controls as iPod (Click Wheel) but now all models have a color display like iPod photo - ideal for viewing album artwork and playing slideshows. These are considered fourth generation models along with iPod (Click Wheel). Size 20GB, 30GB, 40GB and 60GB

iPod (Click Wheel) (also known as 4G- fourth generation iPod)
iPod (Click Wheel) models have a Click Wheel like the iPod mini, but are larger and the hold switch is on the top-right side. iPod (Click Wheel) models have a monochrome display. iPod (Click Wheel) is referred to as the fourth generation iPod. Size 20GB, 30GB, 40GB and 60GB

iPod Special Edition U2
The iPod Special Edition U2 is a standard iPod model with certain external differences including: Black plastic exterior, red Click Wheel, signatures of the U2 band members engraved on the back, and "iPod Special Edition U2" engraved on the back. The first model was based an iPod (Click Wheel) with a 20 GB hard drive. In June 2005 a new version of the iPod Special Edition U2 was introduced that was based on an iPod with color display Generation iPod . These are both also considered fourth generation iPod models.

In June 2006, a new version of the iPod Special Edition U2 was introduced that is based on a Fifth Generation iPod (also known as iPod with video) with a 30 GB hard drive. In Sept 2006 a model based on the Fifth Generation iPod (Late 2006) was introduced. You can distinguish Fifth Generation U2 Special Edition iPod (Late 2006) from the Fifth Generation U2 Special Edition iPod by the last three digits of the serial number. The Fifth Generation U2 Special Edition iPod (Late 2006) serial number's last three digits will be W9G.

iPod Special Edition Harry Potter
The iPod Special Edition Harry Potter is a standard iPod model with the Hogwarts Crest
engraved on the back:

The first model was based an iPod with color display with a 20 GB hard drive.

In October 2005 a new version of the iPod Special Edition Harry Potter was introduced that was based on an Fifth Generation iPod with a 30 GB hard drive.

iPod - Dock Connector (also know as the 3G - Third Generation iPod)

The third generation iPod makes several hardware improvements compared to the earlier models, including a thinner, lighter, and slightly more rounded enclosure, a "dock" for quick-and-easy connection to a computer and audio out for connection to a stereo or powered speakers. Size 10GB, 15GB, 20GB, 30GB and 40GB

fiPod (touch wheel) (also know as 2G - Second Generation iPod)
All iPod (touch wheel) models have a FireWire port cover. Scroll wheel models don't, and dock connector models don't have a FireWire port. The iPod (touch wheel) model controls look similar to the iPod (scroll wheel) but the touch wheel itself does not turn. iPod (touch wheel) models are considered second generation iPod models. Size 5GB 10GB and 20GB
The top of an iPod (touch wheel) model is shown here:

1. FireWire port cover
2. FireWire port
3. Headphones port
4. Hold switch

iPod (scroll wheel) (also know as 1G - First Generation iPod)
iPod (scroll wheel) models have a scroll wheel that physically turns. The controls (Play, Menu, Next, Previous) appear in a circle around the wheel. iPod (scroll wheel) models are referred to as first generation iPod models. Size 5GB and 10GB

For more information, please visit this articles web page.

http://www.thegadgetlocker.com/article_info.php/articles_id/8