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We are living in the age of the iPod and iPhone. The iPod’s dominant market share in its product category is the envy of just about every manufacturer of portable media players, while the iPhone is now the most popular mobile phone in the U.S. and has spawned legions of imitators.
Throughout January, as company after company reported millions in losses and thousands of layoffs, Apple came in comfortably in the black, with continued strength in the iPod and iPhone segments among the biggest reasons why. Steve Jobs or no Steve Jobs, it doesn’t appear the company’s dominance in the media player and touchscreen smart phone markets will be seriously challenged anytime soon.
And that’s where accessories come in. A virtual mini-industry has sprung up in recent years, devoted to producing products that fit with Apple’s. We could go on for 100 pages of products designed to work with iPods, but we had to narrow it down to the most interesting or fun in the most popular categories. Any iPod or iPhone owner is sure to find something here to make their favorite portable entertainment gadget even better.
Here are some of the best products available to go with your new iPod, iPod Touch, iPod nano or iPhone:
Cases
Of course, once you’ve dropped between $200 and $400 on a new iPod or iPhone, you’re going to want to keep the device safe, whether you’re taking it to school, work, or on a deep-sea dive. Some of the more notable cases:
iStik Magnetic Case
Why limit yourself to a belt clip or armband when carrying your iPod? The iStick uses four strong magnets to hold its sturdy iPod case to any piece of clothing. Current models work with iPod Nanos (2nd, 3rd and 4th generation models). The magnets are strong enough to hold up to vigorous workouts, and you can still access your iPod for navigation. No pockets necessary. Check out the company’s Web site for examples of creative placement for your iPod.
$24.99
www.gostik.com
DLO HipCase For iPhone
This handsome, leather case fits easily on the user’s belt, while providing easy access to both the device itself and its headset jack. Also available for other iPod editions, as well as in brown and nylon versions.
$29.99
www.dlo.com
H2O Audio iDive 300 iPod/iPhone underwater case
This product takes you where few others of its kind do- underwater. Meant for use by SCUBA and other undersea divers, the iDive sports a robust seal that ensures your iPod won’t get wet while you explore the sea.
$299.95
www.h2oaudio.com
Griffin California Roll for iPhone
No, it’s not sushi – rather, this product provides a center pocket for the iPod/iPhone itself and side pockets for other accessories, including headphones, chargers and others. Best of all, the entire thing easily rolls up. Works with everything from the iPhone on down.
$19.99
www.griffintechnology.com
In-Car Accessories
Who needs a car radio? Manufacturers, including Audi, BMW and Infiniti, are beginning to put built-in iPod docks in their cars. But for the rest of us, some other options for charging and playing their devices in the car:
Belkin Dual Auto Charger For iPod and iPhone
This product both charges your iPod or iPhone in the car, while letting you play music as you drive. Can also charge two devices at once, while plugged into a cigarette lighter or accessory socket.
$29.95
catalog.belkin.com
Monster iCarPlay™ Wireless 250 FM Transmitter with AutoScan for iPod and iPhone
This product is one of many which allows for in-car use of an iPod via FM radio frequencies. This version includes special circuitry that blocks interference from cell phones. The device also, using your car’s cigarette lighter, can charge either the iPod or iPhone or any other device with a USB port.
$99.95
www.monstercable.com
Coby FM Transmitter
The transmitter is a step up from the basic models. It includes a digital display to make assigning an FM frequency easy. Unlike the Monster product, this one connects to any MP3 player through a standard headphone jack, so it works with iPods, Zunes, Sansas, anything with a headphone port.
$24.99
www.cobyusa.com
Griffin RoadTrip with SmartScan
Billed as an “in-car entertainment hub,” the RoadTrip both plugs into the car stereo and holds the iPod or iPhone up with a steel neck, leaving your hands free to, you know, drive.
$99.99
www.griffintechnology.com
Alpine Electronics iXA-W404
This after-market product is nothing less than a full user interface for your iPod or iPhone. Fitting into your car’s head unit, the iXA-W404 lets users control their music and other files, including easy search and a simple-to-use touchscreen.
$550
www.alpine-usa.com
Ear speakers (AKA headphones and earbuds)
If you’re somewhere where you can’t listen to your music out loud — work, the train, at home with sleeping kids — various headphone options are available as well. Here are a few of the most notable:
Monster Beats by Dr. Dre Tour High Resolution In-Ear Headphones
These earbuds, a follow-up to last year’s full-sized headphones, endorsed by none other than the legendary Death Row Records rapper, sport both the industry’s first “tangle-free” cables and high-resolution sound quality. This product is the product of ten years of research.
$149.95
www.monstercable.com
Audio-technica ATH-CK52W In-Ear Headphones
These headphones, specifically geared towards women, combine sound quality with in-ear comfort. Available in black, white and pink, the headphones are both iPod and iPhone-compatible.
$69.95
www.audio-technica.com
Scosche IDR 600 LISTEN Headphones
The “IDR” stands for “Increased Dynamic Range,” which is provided by these iPhone headphones, and include a microphone for hands-free phone use. Works with other mp3 players in addition to the iPod and iPhone. Also features a 24K gold-plated audio jack.
$99.99
www.scosche.com
iHome iHP5 Headphone and Speaker
This conventional-looking headphone unit is anything but conventional. For normal personal listening, just slide them over your noggin and enjoy. When you want to share the music, take them off and an automatic magnetic proximity switch activates a built-in power amplifier which turns up the volume to room level–just don’t take them off when sitting on a crowded plane or you’re likely to get thrown off.
www.ihomeaudio.com
Seidio 2-in-1 Retractable Audio Extender
This product is not headphones itself, but rather an adapter which connects your iPod or iPhone to another pair of headphones. It also works for hands-on calling and with a variety of other devices, including the BlackBerry Storm, Bold, Curve and Pearl.
$24.95
www.seidioonline.com
Belkin RockStar 5-way Headphone Splitter
This device allows up to five users to connect their headphones to an iPod or iPhone at once, to enjoy either music or video together. Also works with other portable mp3 and DVD players. $19.95
www.belkin.com
Speaker Systems
There is, for all intent and purpose, no such thing as a traditional boombox anymore – merely multiple iPod speaker options. Here are a few of the best, coolest or most interesting:
mStation Orb 2.1 Speaker
A circular device resembling a bowling ball, this speaker features subwoofer-quality sound that produces jarring bass sound. Featuring a docking station that syncs with iTunes, the speaker comes in 7 separate colors and comes with a ten-key remote for configuring playlists.
$129.99
store.mstation.com
iLive Boombox With Dock For iPod (IBR2807DPBLK)
This product combines a unique design with strong functionality and ease of use. The boombox features an iPod dock, AM/FM radio and digital clock; it can be either plugged in or used with batteries, if you’re taking it on the go by grabbing its handle. Available in several colors.
$69.99
www.ilive.net
Cue Acoustics r1
The r1 combines a minimalist aesthetic design with an innovative haptic touch-feedback technology to offer an iPod radio experience you’ve not felt, or heard before. It includes 24 station presets, dual alarms, five audio profiles, auto dimming with 4×25 Watts of Class D power.
$399
www.cueacoustics.com
The iLuv i9500
This product, introduced at International CES with shipment scheduled for this spring, is a wall-mountable stereo featuring three ways to get music: an iPod/iPhone dock, four separate CD players, and a USB flash drive. It combines this with 2.1 speakers and FM radio. The iLuv brand is a higher-end cousin of JWIN.
Price TBD
www.i-luv.com
Early Adopter’s Remorse
Did you jump at the first iPhone and now find yourself drooling for the latest 3G model? So what do you do with that old iPhone? You could sell it on eBay or give it to your mom. A company called RapidRepair has another option that may help. They offer an iPhone buy back program that will give you $200 for a working 16GB first gen iPhone which will cover the cost of an 8GB 3G model, or most of the 16GB models. RapidRepair also offers other services, such as repairing broken iPods, iPhones and Zunes or you can get a hard drive upgrade for older iPods.
www.rapidrepair.com
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