BlackCoat with integrated iPod controls

January 16, 2006 Apple sold 14 million iPods in the Christmas quarter of 2005. Which accounts for why there are 700 iPod accessories soon to be wearing Apple’s “Made for iPod” logo – 700 different products which are all iPod accessories - no wonder Apple decided to charge a fee to trade off the success of its iconic MP3 player. As we’ve already noted, the world’s automotive manufacturers are clamouring to offer iPod integration and now the first wave of wearable technology manufacturers are doing likewise. One of the latest announcements is from Kyono which is marketing what it hopes will become the male equivalent to a woman’s ‘little black dress.’ The BlackCoat Work is a lightweight jacket made from water resistant stretch cotton and is scheduled for release in March 2006 at US$179. The BlackCoat Work is one of four new lightweight outerwear designs for Spring 2006 that will include integrated controls for Apple iPods. As with similar MP3-player jackets already released, the BlackCoat Work user hooks the iPod up to the jacket and controls the play, pause and volume controls from the sleeve.

Koyono founder Jay Yoo prefers to think of himself as an inventor, rather than a fashion designer and considers Elektek smart fabrics “to be the next zipper.”

Yoo says, “We think the Eleksen fabric control technology opens up a vast array of possibilities for how we can effortlessly integrate with our technology. We are looking at how we can use this innovation in all our designs.”

ElekTex is a unique five-layer laminate of electrically conductive materials that transforms fabric into an electronic touchpad. The technology replaces the hard touch pads, flexi-circuits and polymer switches, which limited the growth of the wearable electronics market. ElekTex, which is lightweight, flexible, durable and washable, is revolutionizing design across the consumer electronics and wearables sectors.

Kyono designs will wear the Made for iPod logo, “assuring customers that an electronic accessory has been designed specifically to connect to iPod and has been certified by the developer to meet Apple performance standards.”

http://www.gizmag.com.au/go/5052/

How To Turn Your iPod Into TV

The Apple iPod is synonymous with mobile audio and music, and with the launching of the video-capable iPod, music lovers not only will enjoy the audio but also video.

Herein lies the problem - the apple iPod screen is only 2.5 inches, and there is no doubt that viewing pleasure can be increased when we can have a bigger video screen.

How then can the iPod have a bigger viewing screen - so as to be considered a mobile TV as well?

To convert your iPod into a Mobile TV, all you need to do is to get a MicroOptical Goggles.

You can wear this goggle over your regular spectacles or eyeglasses, and where you do not feel comfortable, you can do so over your contact lenses.

The goggles is fairly light at 70 g, with a belt clip that holds the iPod and the battery pack of 3 AAA-batteries. A cable connects to the iPod headphone port.

These goggles will deliver the image from two tiny LCDs through a series of lenses directly to the eyes so that you can watch video on what looks like a 27 inch screen TV!

Now, if you are always on the go and travelling, and you need to research or study or to get information from video clips, you can now enjoy 27" equivalency viewing with the apple iPod.

The only drawback is the cost of the MicroOptical Corp Goggles, which, however is expected to drop with demand. Without the goggles, you have to tolerate the viewing from the 2.5 inch screen from the iPod, or dish out around $269 for the Goggles and start to enjoy Mobile TV using the iPod.

With the development of technology, soon the battery pack consisting of the 3-AAA size batteries will disappear, making it more light weight!

Indeed, there is nothing to hold back the iPod from developing into the music player and mobile TV player if you can afford the cost of the goggles.

http://www.ipodresourcecenter.com/How_To_Turn_Your_iPod_Into_TV.html

iPod 's Unique Advantages

Have you every bought something, like a new car or new kitchen device, and months (or even years later), someone comes by and introduces you to a feature that you never knew existed?

Well, if this has ever happened to you; take heed: you aren’t alone! There are so many features and gadgets and settings on today’s modern devices, that it sometimes feels that you need to take a school course in gadgetology just to ensure that you’re enjoying your item to its fullest capacity.

So, in an effort to ensure that you’re getting the most bang for your buck, let’s take a look at some of the advantages of your iPod (whether you own it now, or are in the market to buy one).

Some of these advantages may seem very straightforward to you, while others might be an eye opener.

Remember, too: you may not use a particular feature or advantage right now, but that doesn’t mean the opportunity won’t arise in the future for you to enjoy something new.

Here are some advantages of the iPod:

--> Size Does Matter!

While you’re obviously aware that your iPod can store your music for you while you’re on the go, you might not be aware of just how much space there is to some of the new 4th generation iPods on the market right now.

Current versions offer 20 gigabyte and 40 gigabyte storage capacities, which is enormous for most audiophiles. Of added convenience, the new iPods also offer a new music menu, and support for multiple playlists.

--> The Shuffle Feature

iPod’s shuffle feature allows you to listen to music you’ve selected yourself, such as listening to a radio station that plays only the music you like. That’s why Apple added the Shuffle Songs” feature – this saves you from having to activate the shuffle in the iPod’s settings menu and then browse through several levels just so you can select songs.

--> Not Just for Music…

The iPod was originally marketed as a device for listening to music; and this made sense, since that wonderful teenage demographic spends more than the other groups put together! Yet as the iPod has matured, so has its target market.

The educational market has now caught on to the advantages offered by the iPod; and this is a driving reason why many people who might not otherwise buy an iPod are finding one in their pocket.

For example, take the case of Duke University in North Carolina. University officials provided 1,650 of the 20 GB iPods to freshmen. These sets of iPods came pre-loaded with campus information, orientation notes, and an academic calendar.

And here’s the most interesting part: the Duke iPods adopted the format of the iTunes store so students can purchase academic materials, course outlines, language lessons, and yes of course: music. We look specifically at iTunes in the fourth section of this book.

In addition, there’s also the thriving audiobook market. We’ve come a long, long way from a binder full of tapes! Now, entire books can be downloaded onto an iPod, and enjoyed on the go.

These audiobooks include everything from young fiction to romance, from business books to self-help, and everything in between.

So if you’re currently using your iPod just for music – or that’s what you plan to do when you buy one – remember that it can indeed be used for so much more.

http://www.ipodresourcecenter.com/iPod_s_Unique_Advantages.html

iPod Music Downloads Now

iPod downloads are a great way to fill your iPod with unlimited music without the steep costs generally associated with buying music at the music store and without having to shell out 99 cents per song. You'll find many sites that can give you unlimited iPod downloads in addition to other downloads as well. iPod download sites differ in terms of how much they offer for the money you spend, the type of customer service and the ease of use. You'll want to take time browsing different sites in order to find the biggest bang for your buck. Once you find the right website for your iPod downloads, your collection of music will grow easily and quickly as you start downloading iPod music.

To get the most of your money, take the time to read reviews on what the different sites have to offer. iPod downloads are fast becoming the best way to get the songs you want quickly, but iPod download sites are not created equal. So many that are on the web have terrible customer service and are very difficult to navigate and get the songs you want, or worse, have a limited choice of songs for you to download. There are really only a handful that really give you great value.

To read reviews on various iPod Download sites, please visit iPod Music Reviews.

http://www.ipodresourcecenter.com/iPod_Music_Downloads_Now.html

iPod Mini Product Review, It Is Only Small In The Name

The Christmas so many of the most popular iPod Models sold out, with some stores forced thru customer demand and hostility at times; to make waiting lists, when the new stock came in. Why are so many iPod Models sold out? Well, Apple started a new craze, which is without borders and age groups niches. Everyone wants the new iPods and many have their sites on the iPod Mini, yes it is small, but only in size and name.

The iPod Mini comes in four gigabytes and six gigabytes and that is approximately 1000 songs and 1500 songs respectfully. The prices are not too bad, but most places are sold out until mid January to early February and many stores already have waiting lists, which exceed their estimated new stock shipments. The earbud earphones are excellent and make it very pleasurable to take a walk around the block or jog thru the park with ease, no discomfort at all. The backlit screen and customizable menu make it very favorable compared to other versions.

The iPod Mini comes with an 8-hour battery life, which could be longer, especially if you go hiking for the weekend and do not have a place to plug in for a recharge. But all in all there are few complaints from those who own them, most reviews give the iPod Mini very high marks indeed. So you need this in 2006.

http://www.ipodresourcecenter.com/iPod_Mini_Product_Review_It_Is_Only_Small_In_The.html

iPod Nano, Good Things Do Come In Small Packages

Have you seen the new ultra slim iPod Nano; this little cool gadget is a must have and it is not much bigger than a couple of business cards set end to end. When we all saw the first ads on the Intenet for the Innovative and High Tech iPod Nano on the various high tech gadget website, it was hard to believe, some thought is was not real at all, how could it be, where was the battery, where was the hard drive; how could this little contraption have that many songs? It seems now that most editors and personal tech writers are giving the iPod Nano the first prize for the 2005 greatest and most innovative gadgets.

The iPod Nano comes with two different options; the 2 GB version which holds about 500 songs and the 4 GB, which can hold about 1,000 songs. Of course it is not cheap, but some say it is less expensive than they thought it would be starting at $199.00 and the prices go up from there. How thin is The iPod Nano? Well it is about a thin as a number 2 pencil and as powerful as floor size juke box and then some.

It is three and a half inches by an inch and a half and weighs less than 2 ounces. The LCD screen is cool too, as it is very bright and about one and a half inches. Twelve solid hours of play for its battery life and it does have the new cool click wheel, which users love too, making it extremely easy to use. The iPod Nano has all the same ports and docking connectors like all the other iPods. And you know what? You need this in 2006.

http://www.ipodresourcecenter.com/iPod_Nano_Good_Things_Do_Come_In_Small_Packages.html

iPod Nano Review

I had seen the adverts on TV on how small the nano was but it wasn’t until I held one in my hands that I fully understood how small and how impressive these MP3 players are.

Weighing only 42grams and a mere 90m by 40m and only 6.9m thick (or thin) these little units are not going to fill your suitcase when you go on holiday. Ideal for putting in your pocket, wallet or purse you can take them anywhere, except the pool of course as they are not waterproof. The small size does create concerns for me with my children though. They can easily get lost if not looked after and outside of the home could be easy prey to pickpockets or thieves so beware.

They come in two colours white and black and two memory sizes 2gb and 4gb, theses can hold 500 and 1000 songs respectively. For me this is more than enough songs but for those of you with large CD collections, who want to put their whole collection in one place, you may want to go for one the larger iPods.

The colour screen looks excellent and shows easy navigation throughout, you can download your tunes into files, albums, types of music etc. My only concern with the screen was, I felt it may scratch easily and some of the cases that you can buy for the nano still leave the screen exposed. My concern is when you put your nano into your pocket or bag and catches something metal. I had heard on the news there had been issues with the early nanos , I still feel this could be an issue.

The main control in the centre of the unit was more touch sensitive than I expected, I use my thumb to scroll the menu, but it wasn’t long before it was easy as pie, if fact working really well with the gel case I had bought to protect it.

The sound is excellent, I can’t tell the difference between CDs and MP3s and I often think those who say they can, can’t either. You can download your music from iTunes, a legal way of owning music. They are impressive boxed also where you open the box like a book and see your nano inside. However you do not get any form of charging your nano except for the computer leads that come with it. This means if you wish to take your nano away from your computer for a period of time you will need to buy a separate mains charger. Which of course is larger than the unit itself.

My final conclusion is that this little unit is a fantastic move forward in the music player industry. I was impressed by the larger iPods that my friends had, but it wasn’t until the appearance of the nano that I was suitably impressed to put my hand in pocket to make a purchase. And I haven’t been let down.

http://www.ipodresourcecenter.com/iPod_Nano_Review.html