For people who arent techno geeks the act of buying new electronic gadgets
is sometimes challenging. The user manuals are usually little if any help
because they are written in geek speak Almost all of the new cell phones and MP3
players today come with another onslaught of accessories to go along with them
and the iPod is no different. So how do you know which accessories you really
need for your iPod?
The iPod ecosystem as it is sometimes called, is the accessories market that
exists for the portable player. Companies like Lansing, Bose, and JBL
manufacture speakers that work in conjunction with the device by making use of
the thirty pin connector on the unit. There are other manufacturers that offer
add-ons to the device allowing it to play your music through a radio, record
audio, and recharge on the go, or even use wirelessly with a remote control.
Of course there are also cases available for the portable device with people
buying these not merely for protection of their devices but to make them more
fashionable as well. These cases are made by companies that specialize in the
fashion industry and are usually constructed of silicone or plastic. Apple also
offers cases and brought out nano tubes to go along with the iPod Nano.
If you are into skiing or snowboarding you will be stoked to know that Burton
Snowboards has introduced a backpack and a jacket developed specifically to go
with the iPod and allow you to control your device via the Softtouch application
on the sleeve of the jacket or the strap of the backpack. This makes it super
easy to control your music while you are hitting the slopes.
The new iPod radio remote is a wired remote control using an interface
similar to the Shuffle. This accessory also brings radio tuning to your player
and shows the station being played on your screen. Support for this accessory is
included in the firmware version 1.1.
The iPod HI-Fi is a must have for those who wish to use their device to play
music at home. This system features amplified loudspeakers and docks with your
player. The system offers the option of plugging into a regular outlet or
running on D cell batteries for portability using the integrated handles.
In the automotive industry, the German automaker BMW introduced the first
interface for the iPod that was released by a car manufacturer. This is a really
cool option that allows you to control your unit through controls on the
steering wheel or on the stereo buttons in the dash of the vehicle.
