Tag: iPod

Best iPod accessory ever!

On today’s Daily Giz Wiz podcast (a short daily audio program featuring Dick DeBartolo and Leo Laporte) Dick reviewed the best iPod accessory ever!

The 500XL Desktop Earbud Speakers are 500 times the size of the stock earbuds that come with iPods but are otherwise identical (though a version old.) While I’m not about to replace my new Klipsch desktop speakers these would look great next to my iMac!

Make listening to your podcasts in iTunes even easier

I follow a lot of podcasts. They make for great background while I work and by following podcasts like TWiT and Buzz Out Loud I can easily keep up with what’s going on in the world of tech.

To make listening to my podcasts even easier I made a Smart Playlist in iTunes to consolidate my unplayed podcasts. Here’s what I did:

  1. In iTunes, select “New Smart Playlist…” from the File menu
  2. In the Smart Playlist rules create a rule for “Podcast is true”
  3. Add a rule by clicking on the + next to the first rule
  4. Set the second rule to “Play Count is 0”
  5. You can add more rules if you like, or just click OK and name the playlist

Smart Playlist setup

This Smart Playlist has a couple advantages when playing podcasts. First, podcasts will play continuously, so when one podcast ends, the next one will begin. Second, podcasts will not drop off this list until you have played them to the end. This is better than the “is new” indicator in the Podcasts list which disappears as soon as you start playing a podcast.

Update: As an added advantage if you are sorting by item number you can drag and drop your podcasts to change their play order.

itunes, apple, ipod, music, podcast, mp3, netcast

A fireplace for your iPod

iPod FireplaceNow that we’re finally seeing some seasonably cool weather in New England here’s a nice little fireplace video for your iPod video. It looks even cooler on my black iPod than it does in the picture and even has some nice sound.

Thanks to the folks at Eastwind Budo Life Centre DVD for providing this video.


christmas, xmas, fireplace, fire, ipod, ipod video, video

The Ultimate iPod/Party/Travel/Drinking accessory

iBreathWell I certainly wasn’t beating down the door for the Nike + iPod Sport Kit but now DavidSteel.com has come up with an iPod accessory I could really use: an Alcohol Breathalyzer with Integrated FM Wireless Transmitter!

Yup, that’s right, soon for just $79 you will be able to pull out your iPod and check your blood alcohol content, then you can decide if it’s time to drive home to “Born to be Wild” or just mellow out and sober up to some Jim Morrison (ok, maybe someone else.)

Dubbed the iBreath, the device powers itself off the iPod battery, supports the full FM band (88.1 – 107.9) and claims accuracy within 0.01% blood alcohol content. I want one, don’t you?

Thanks to Will for sending this on to me.

drink, drinking, alcohol, ipod, apple, mp3, party, breathalyzer

Agent 18 VideoShield iPod Case

Agent 18 VideoShieldFor the record, choosing an iPod was easy, choosing a case was very, very difficult.

Finally fed up with waiting for the battery replacement on my 10GB 3rd generation iPod I went out and bought myself a black 60GB iPod last week.

I couldn’t be happier with the device, but then there was the real dilemma… Which case to get…

Too many choices. When all was said and done I settled on the Agent 18 VideoShield. I had seen an Agent 18 on a coworker’s nano and it seemed to fit the bill.

I got the case earlier this week and it’s fantastic. The case is hard plastic and protects the back, body and screen very well.

Pros

  • Clear case does not change look of iPod
  • Covers screen
  • Allows access to all ports and hold switch
  • Prevents scratches
  • Hard case gives solid feel
  • Click wheel is not covered to allow easy use
  • The case adds only a minimum amount of bulk to the iPod
  • Installation and removal are both easy

Cons

  • Case does not protect against shock
  • Others have mentioned sand and dirt can enter the case resulting in scratches
  • iPod will not sit in some docks with case on

At $25 the price is right in line with other cases. The bigger problem could be finding it. I got mine at The Apple Store.

Overall the Agent 18 VideoShield comes highly recommended.

ipod, apple, apple ipod, video ipod, mp3, mp3 player