iPod Microphone - Product Reviews

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If you’ve ever been curious about iPod microphones or using your iPod as a recording device, you’ll want to check out this review of iPod microphones over on O-Reilly’s website.

Author Mark Nelson tested three popular models of iPod microphone — the Belkin TuneTalk Stereo, Griffin iTalk Pro, and XtremeMac MicroMemo.

Article excerpt:

No matter which device you choose, recording on an iPod couldn’t be easier. Each device has a button that calls up the iPod Voice Memo screen. A click of the iPod’s wheel is all it takes to start recording. 

Read the full article

Red iPod Makes Debut

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We have seen white iPods, of course. And even some black iPods (like the U2 model). Now there’s an iPod nano in bright red.

But this isn’t just any ordinary color release. This red iPod nano is on a mission. Apple has released the new color to support the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa. It’s all part of Product Red.

iPod Causes Issues With Pacemakers?

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In “Internet time” this iPod story is old news. But perhaps you missed it. According to a story originated by the Reuters news agency, a study conducted by a high school student concluded that the iPod can interfere with pacemakers. The student presented his study to a meeting of heart specialists last week, which explains the sudden media explosion.

Excerpt:

The study tested the effect of the portable music devices on 100 patients, whose mean age was 77, outfitted with pacemakers. Electrical interference was detected half of the time when the iPod was held just 2 inches from the patient’s chest for 5 to 10 seconds. -Reprint source, PCMag.com

In addition to the media hype spawned by this iPod “study,” there has been some good humor as well. Take, for example, this mock news story about a combination iPod / pacemaker called the ekgPod.

Waterproof Cases for iPod

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The LA Times website recently posted a review of waterproof iPod cases. In all, they tested three popular models including Aquapac, OtterBox and H2O Headphones.

Excerpt:

To protect our precious digital players on the road, we now have a selection of waterproof and shockproof cases. Some shells resemble modified sandwich bags. Others look like “Star Trek” communicators. We tested three popular versions, using an iPod Nano.

Read the full article

iPod Battery Replacement

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Among iPod users, battery placement is a frequent topic of discussion. Many iPod users are afraid they will damage their iPod when replacing the battery. Such fears are easy to understand, given the delicate circuitry of the Apple iPod.

But iPod battery replacement is not as difficult as you might think. We have some excellent tutorials on iPod battery replacement in the old article archives.

You can also find some good video tutorials online, including several at YouTube:

I hope you’ve enjoyed this mini-tutorial on iPod batter replacement. And remember, Gang, “If you break it, you have nobody to blame but yourself.”

~Brandon

Connecting Apple iPod to Vista-based Computer - Caution

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It seems that if you connect your Apple iPod to a PC running Windows Vista (the latter being one of the most flawed products of our time, in my humble opinion), you run the risk of “corrupting” your iPod.

I don’t mean your iPod will turn to a life of crime. I mean “corrupt” in the data sense, in that your iPod no workie so good. It comes from using the “Safely Remove Hardware” icon while the iPod is connected. “Safely,” in this case, apparently means “with damage to your hardware.”

But fear not, iPod-to-Vista users, for Microsoft has released another one of its famous (infamous) upgrades to solve the problem. Here’s some history on the subject.

Taking on the iPod Shuffle?

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You know your product is a front runner will all new products in the field are said to be “challenging” you and “taking you on.” Such is the case with most iPod products, including the iPod shuffle.

There has been some preliminary buzz about the Zen Stone music player, made by Creative. It is said to have similar specs as the iPod Shuffle, but costs a bit less.

How will it fare? Who knows. I just know the iPod Shuffle is not going to be knocked off it’s pedestal anytime soon. And why should it? It’s an innovation, and as with most innovations the Shuffle puts itself into a class of its own. So even if another product came along with similar qualities to “take on” the iPod Shuffle, it’s still just a sincere form of flattery … I mean mimicry.

Take Your iPod Shuffle for a Swim

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Some people are die-hard iPod lovers. You know … the folks who take their iPods everywhere they go. These people will be glad to know that you can take your iPod swimming. Yes, swimming.

A company called SwimMan sells waterproof iPod Shuffles for swimmers. To quote their website:

Swimman has created the first and only completely waterproof iPod shuffle … SwimMan, the originator of waterproof audio players and waterproof headphones, has combined two top-of-the-line products by two top-of-the-line companies: A 100% SwimManTM WATERPROOFED Apple 1GB iPod Shuffle (2nd generation) and SwimMan’s acclaimed 100% WATERPROOF headphones.

That’s pretty neat and ambitious and all, but I’ll be excited when a magma-proof iPod comes onto the scene. You know, for those of us who spend our weekends tunneling and mapping out the earth’s core.

iPod vs. Velcro - Battle of the Super Products

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by Brandon Cornett

I’m a sucker for a good battle. Not an all-out war, mind you — just a good tow-to-tow, one-on-one slugfest. Think Holyfield vs. Tyson, Alien vs. Predator, or Ashley Simpson vs. anyone with ears.

I’m also a sucker for ingenious products. So in the spirit of combining these passions, I’m acting as the Don King of products to put the Apple iPod up against Velcro, for the title of All-Time Super Product.

Category 1 – Impact on Other Industries
Once it was released, Velcro had clothing manufacturers scrambling to try it out. This led to the creation of Velcro flies, Velcro pocket fasteners, and, of course, the Velcro shoe fasteners you still see children wearing today. Other industries adopted the product as well.

But the iPod has touched a greater number of industries in a shorter time. Just type “ipod products” into any major search engine, and you’ll see what I mean.

Electronics companies like Bose have developed iPod docking stations, speakers and other peripherals. Clothing manufacturers have created iPod pockets in some of their garments. Even car manufacturers have jumped on the train. And then there’s the media impact the iPod has had — “podcast” anyone?

** Point goes to the iPod **

Category 2 – Memorable Features
A product with memorable features will succeed for a number of reasons. Shoppers are more inclined to remember it, recognize it, and relate it to others in casual conversation. This leads to buzz, “mindshare,” popularity and profit.

iPod enjoys a great product name — catchy and easy to remember. It also has a memorable look and feel.

Velcro, on the other hand, has never been duplicated, and so it enjoys complete uniqueness in the mind of consumers. The sound alone is one of the most memorable product features of all time. Open a Velcro fastener, and that sound will be recognized anywhere in the civilized world.

** Point goes to Velcro **

Category 3 – Inventiveness
The iPod has partly evolved from MP3 players, and from walkmans before that. Velcro, on the other hand, was adopted from nature.

George de Mestral got the idea for Velcro while walking his dog through a Swiss meadow in 1948. He and the dog returned home covered with burrs, those prickly plant husks that cling to animal fur as a means of seed distribution.

Intrigued by the seed sacs, Mestral examined them under a microscope. There he found the secret to their clinging power — a series of hook-and-loop fasteners.

Mestral took an idea from the plant world and turned it into a viable product that became a multi-million-dollar industry.

** Point goes to Velcro **

Category 4 – Marketing
George de Mestral overcame a lot of skepticism with his hook-and-loop fastener. He said it would rival the zipper, and people laughed. When it actually did rival the zipper, he sold it as fast as he could produce it — a marketing success story, to say the least.

Apple kept the iPod shrouded in secrecy during its development, and released it amid a flurry of media attention. Within days, every person in every industrial nation had at least heard of the iPod, if not actually seen or purchased one.

** Point goes to the iPod **

Category 5 – Longevity
Perhaps longevity is an unfair category, given the iPod’s young age. But I’m the Don King of product battles here, and I say it goes. To be fair, we can revisit this category down the road a decade or two (to see if the iPod is still around).

But for now, it’s an easy point for Velcro, having endured for nearly 50 years with no end to its popularity in site.

** Point goes to Velcro **

Category 6 – Cultural Impact
Velcro changed the way we think about fasteners. But are fasteners part of our culture? Granted, Velcro enjoyed a brief cultural thrust when some parenting groups argued it would lower the intelligence of children (letting them “get off easy” by not having to tie their shoes). But that’s about it.

The Apple iPod, on the other hand, has changed the way we think of music and mobility. And those things are definitely a part of our culture.

** Point goes to the iPod **

The Results Are In – It’s a Tie!
If you were expecting a lopsided victory, I’m sorry to disappoint. Both products have had a major impact on the world around them. So they share the title of All-Time Super Product. And maybe they’re not meant to compete anyway. Maybe they’re meant to live in harmony and complement one another.

Take those jogger’s armbands for example. Velcro holds the armband firmly in place, and the armband holds the iPod firmly in place. The end result is a more enjoyable experience for the jogger.

And if that’s not harmony, I don’t know what is.

About the Author
Brandon Cornett is the publisher of iPodKnowledge.com

Using iPod With Car Speakers

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How can I use my iPod with my car speakers? This is a common question among iPod users. Some cars come with iPod docking built in, but it’s an upgrade (of course) and it’s only on the latest model of cars.

So, I’ve gathered a few tutorials on using your iPod with your car speakers.

Using Your iPod in the Car
This is a good tutorial that covers all the basics of playing your iPod through your car speakers. Be sure to click “next section” at the bottom of each page, because it’s a multi-part tutorial on using the iPod with car speakers.

Weekend Project: iPod Your Car
This article on CNET does a great job explaining how to integrate your iPod with your car speakers. Full of links to related resources too.

Connecting iPod to Your Car Stereo
This resource section on About.com is a “gateway” to additional tutorials on connecting your iPod to your car stereo.

Crutchfield: Connect iPod to Your Car Stereo
Quote: “This installation guide will help you connect your Apple iPod to your existing factory or aftermarket in-dash receiver.” As a bonus, this iPod tutorial can be downloaded in PDF format. Sweet!

I hope these tutorials help you in your quest to play your iPod through your car stereo speakers. Good luck!

~Brandon

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