Features

• Works with both old and new iPods
• Fits any 12-volt accessory outlet or car lighter jack
• Convenient status LED
• Fused and filtered to protect your iPod
• 4-foot cable; simple to operate

Amazon.com Product Description

If you thought your Apple iPod was just an MP3 player, you're in for a surprise: Griffin Technology's tailor-made iTalk plugs into the top of your iPod and turns your digital music player into a world-class voice recorder with literally thousands of hours of recording time.

With iTalk you can record seminars, meetings, classes, notes in your car, songs in the woods, whatever your life or imagination dictates. iTalk's built-in monaural microphone is designed to record crystal-clear audio from sources up to 100 feet away, and onboard Automatic Gain Control ensures optimal recording levels. You can even connect an external microphone directly to iTalk for greater flexibility.

iTalk's built-in speaker is great for playback of voice memos. You can also use iTalk as a mini-speaker for your iPod's music files. Play your favorite audio book through iTalk or listen to a downloaded seminar. You'll never realize how much you've missed a built-in speaker--until you have one.

There's a stereo headphone jack too, of course. It includes an iPod passthrough circuit so you can monitor your voice recording or listen to your music without removing iTalk. You can even download your recordings to play back on your computer. ... Read more

Features

• Converts your Apple iPod music player into a digital voice recorder offering thousands of hours of record time
• Built-in microphone with automatic gain control
• 2 watt loudspeaker lets you listen to your voice files or music files
• Stereo headphone jack with passthrough circuit so you can listen to either voice files or iPod music files
• Includes a .125-inch minijack input for use with an external microphone (not included)

Reviews (3)

Useful for voice memos
I bought the iTalk to take memos when I'm out in the field. Camera in one had, iPod in the other. I read the reviews first so knew it would be risky but it sounded ok for my uses and I got it cheap.

* Files are about 1 minute per Mb, stored as wav.
* Sound quality is understandable but not as good as AM radio.
* For a fully charged iPod, I got about 90 mins recording before the battery showed empty.

Pros

* Recording works fine, and I can dictate captions for photos as I think of them on site. Typically these are 1-2 minutes at most. I have also made an hour-long recording as a test without problems. I tried recording conversation in a cafe but it picks up too much background to be understandable.
* The best feature for photo memos is that files are time stamped, so I copy each memo to the same folder as my photos (which are also time stamped) making them easy to match up.
* iTalk can take an external mike which cuts out background white noise.
* Files are automatically sync'd to iTunes Voice Memo list and stored in the iTunes unknown artist folder. (If you have this feature set in iTunes)

Cons

* Software glitches randomly lock up the iPod under almost every condition except for the initial condition (more about this below).
* The iTalk covers the iPod lock. This is a serious design flaw given how quickly the battery drains. It means that you can't carry the iTalk connected to the iPod and easily lock the keys.
* The line that takes a mic also doubles as a line out. If headphones are connected and you try to record, the recording light shows but nothing is recorded. It creates a file but it's empty.

Hints

Prevent freezing: If the iTalk is in place when the iPod is turned on, it will often freeze. To prevent freezing, remove the iTalk before turning on the iPod every time. Under these conditions I've never had it freeze. If the iPod does sleep, to prevent freezing, remove the iTalk then insert it again (i'm not sure how often this is necessary, but I haven't had to reset the iPod since the first day).

Reset: To reset the iPod, remove the iTalk and hold down the iPod's MENU and PLAY '>||' buttons for 10 sec. I used this 5x the first day with the iTalk but haven't needed it since.

Locking: Slide a laminated card (my credit card is too thick) between the iPod and iTalk to lock, or carry the iTalk separately (annoying, but not as annoying as rebooting every time).

Saving: It's not enough to pause a recording, you need to remember to stop and save it before removing the iTalk. The MENU button will also save files.

Finding the files on PC: I have iTunes set to automatically sync files. To find the files in iTunes, look under the Voice Memos list. It's a trifle disconcerting when they disappear from one list and appear elsewhere unless you're prepared for it. On my PC, they can also be copied from
iTunes music/unknown artist/unknown album

Battery: I tried letting the battery run out while recording. It ran for ~50 minutes while the battery was showing empty then shut down with no warning. The file appears to have been saved ok.

Battery life: Check out the apple web page for battery tips (...) (I know this comment is outside the scope of iTalk, but if you use a voice recorder with the iPod, you're going to be dealing with battery issues.)

Summary

Despite the glitches, I like having a handy memo system and will keep it til something better turns up. Doesn't sound like Belkin is any better in terms of software glitches or battery life, but it looks like it would be possible to lock the iPod with the Belkin in place which would be a plus. The minus is that Belkin doesn't take an external mic.

Griffin dropped the ball with the iTalk
I owned the belkin voice recorder then somehow lost it and then I saw ads for the iTalk. Since I owned the iTrip and was happy with it, I thought this was a blessing in disguise. I'm a college student and record my lectures, for the most part the Belkin voice recorder worked well but the iTalk claimed to have auto gain control etc. I'm buying another Belkin. I've recorder a week of lectures already and not a single one has come out with the iTalk. I know it's not the lecture halls because the Belkin voice recorder worked just fine. I don't know where to even begin about how bad the iTalk has worked so far. All my lectures sound like the beach. I cannot hear any voices at all. Just hours and hours of horrible background noise. It obviously does not work for lectures as claimed. Go with Belkin for once

save your money
this 50 dollar (after taxes s/h etc...) piece of cheap garbage is a big waist of money. distorts even if just recording your own voice talking. griffen advertises that you can use this product to record song ideas. tried that. all i hear is a muffled distorted version of what i played. the sounds quality is horrible. i get better quality recordings on my pocked pc's built in mic. bottom line.... DO NOT BUY THIS ITEM!!! you will feel ripped off... i certainly do. i'd give the iTalk negative stars if i could. ... Read more

Features

• Meshes nicely with iPod style
• Compact, flexible design for easy installation
• 24k gold-plated contacts
• Y adapter connects 2 minijack (.125-inch) stereo headphones or speakers to one minijack output
• .125-inch male jack to two .125-inch female sockets

Reviews (5)

Simple solution with great design/aesthetics
OK, this is a splitter. You can buy a cheap one anywhere but this one is well-made. The design matches the iPod well but it's functional as well. The black circle is a rubberized material with ridges that provide a good place to hold the splitter while you plug or unplug headphones. It works great.

I bought the splitter to use with a laptop playing DVD's while on vacation so that my wife and I could both listen with headphones (extremely important not to wake kids, especially while trying to enjoy a quiet moment on vacation). It works well on the plane too where you must use headphones to not disturb other passengers.

SWEET!!!!
This thing is sweet, it works great to play your ipod through your stereo!!!

IPOD RETURN POLICY is sorta SHORT!!
Okay. Here is a write up, that I did, on the comparisons/contrasts on MP3 players. Mainly, the Harddrive versions (I.E. Rio Riot/Apple IPOD -both of which I own) and the flash memory type... (I.E. Memorex 3642 Mp3 Player, of which I own as well).
What prompted this little jaunt (of which you may send to as many people as you like) My $499 Apple IPOD died during a sync last month. Just me copying files over to it, and the battery ran out of juice. I would have not attempted to copy music had I known the battery was low, but the battery read FULL STRENGTH. Anyhoo, I called Apple, they said return it for maintenance.

I did. Sent it back.

They returned it, still broke.

To my suprise, there is only a TEN DAY return policy.

TEN DAYS.

I did not realize this at all... and it was a costly realization.

So, after a month or so of messing around trying to find another MP3 player... I decided to go with a flash memory MP3 player, the ones that use memory sticks.

SO, here are the pro and cons of these devices.

Pro's for the Memory Stick Mp3 players

-Cheaper. WAY CHEAPER than Hard drive types.

-If you go into music match and file convert to MP3 Pro and shrink the size of your MP3 to like, say 3o percent... you can really make a good Kompression. Example. My Memorex MP3 player has 32mbs of memory on board. It is expandable to 256mb. 32 mb will basically let you put one cd's worth of music. It is easy to put music on and off of them, due to your computer reading the USB as just another hard drive, so you drag and drop to put on, delete them to take them off. But, after you shrink your files to MP3 Pro 30 percent, you can put twice as many. So, basically a 256mb chip will allow me to put 208 songs on my little less than palm size MP3 player. And it wieghs like 3 ounces.

- More on memory. These little chips are the size of the upper part of your thumb, at least my thumb anyway. They come in 128mb, 256mb, 512mb and even though there aren't any MP3 machines out there to handle them YET, you can even buy a 1.5gig thumb size chip thingy. Considering the size of the chips and the shrinking kompression I told you about earlier, I could shrink my whole KOLLEKTION down to 10 of those 1.5gig chips. At the current shrink rate I am at 5 DVD's, which are way bigger and more fragile than these little chips.

- Not as fragile as hard drive type. You can drop one of these chips and not scratch it. I wouldn't stomp on one with my foot, nor get one in water, but they are encased in plastic. Ruggedish.

- Batteries last for like two days. There isn't much going on here, no moving parts, no laser or hard drive to put power to. Most of these flash Memory types have a single AA battery. I use a rechargeable type, so we are talking very low cost here.
In comparison to the hard drive types, where you will get a solid 8 hours of playing, this really whupps up.

- Size. Small. Very small. Mine is three inches by three inches. A square. But, you can get smaller ones. And the memory chips that go in them are the same ones you use for your camera. And you can put files on them. If you want to put a word doc on your memory chip, you can. Your Mp3 won't recognize it, but it is nifty storage.

COMPARISON/CONTRAST

- Size does matter. In the case of hard drive Mp3 players... lets face it, you can, if you so chose to, put a library of congress on these monsters. They are the caddilacs of the hand held devices, and guzzle batteries like gasoline. But when it comes down to it, size is the only thing they have going for them. I don't mean to downplay the hard drive types, but don't drop them, don't shake them, and after shelling out $499 to Apple you might consider insurance. Apple doesn't care about you or your apple after 10 days of ownership.

- Price/Komparison. IPOD ran me $499 bucks. My memorex MP3 player ran me 45 dollars. The 128 memory chip runs you 50 bucks. Owch. There really isn't a comparison to the two. The memory stick Mp3 players just kick butt on this issue. And, you get MORE than a ten day return policy, since you buy these things at Target/Wal Mart etc...

So, that is my review in a nutshell
*************************************

Not completely sure why I am getting such a roasting on this review. I am only reporting what happened to me, and how I bought another product and compared the two.... I am not trying to change anyones mind, but letting someone know what happened to me.

not just for the ipod!
This is a simple minijack splitter that takes one female 3.5mm stereo minijack and turns it into two! Wallah! You can use this anywhere a headphone jack exists. Use it on your laptop computer, your discman, walkman, mp3 player, even the soundcard on your pc - it doesnt matter it's just a splitter.

In typical monster style the splitter is made of the highest possible quality and offers excelent performance. It's also stylish, although it is made to fit with the iPod/iBook design scheme.

Bottom line, this type of splitter is ideal for gadget finatics and people who travel a lot and like to bring along thier music (unless you dont ever have the need to share). With this you can allow two pairs of headphones to be plugged into one discman, laptop, mp3 player, etc.

If you've ever wished you and your friend could both plug your headphone into your laptop so you could BOTH watch (and hear) a DVD on a bus trip this is the solution.

Great.
This is ideal for the new iPOD you want to share with a friend. As usual, the sound quality on the Monster product is superior. ... Read more

Features

• Supports the new iPod Photo (40 GB or 60 GB models)
• Connect to your home audio system
• Watch photo slideshows on your TV via S-Video connection
• Connects to a PC or Mac via FireWire or USB 2.0 (requires Mac v10.3.4 or later)

Amazon.com Review

This iTrip FM transmitter for third-generation iPods can play your music through any FM radio: in your car, at work, at a party, wherever the mood strikes you--so long as there's a radio handy. The iTrip gives you the cleanest possible signal, too, since you can tune for the best performance by choosing any radio station on the dial. What's more, the iTrip needs no batteries--it draws its tiny (nearly unmeasurable) current directly from the iPod, and it can rotate out of the way so you can charge the iPod while the iTrip is still in use.

Choose the best frequency for broadcast.

The iTrip can transmit wirelessly to any radio.

There's not even a power switch--you just plug it in and go. It shuts off automatically after 60 seconds of silence, just like the iPod. If the iTrip is already connected to the iPod, it will turn itself on after it detects a few seconds of audio. With iTrip, you have over 100 stations to choose from, which you select directly from the iPod. An installed playlist from the supplied CD-ROM called "iTrip Stations" contains every available station. You can keep them all in your iPod or just keep the ones used regularly--you manage them just like songs.

How does it sound? All the iTrip does is create a miniature FM radio station on top of your iPod, so it has the potential to sound as good as the best FM radio stations. The iTrip does not have the physical space to accommodate the iPod remote control (it lacks the required female iPod headphone connector to provide a signal pass-through), and the iTrip occupies the iPod's headphone jack, so it's one or the other at any given time.

Be advised that some car windshields impair FM radio transmission, which could prevent you from using the iTrip with your car's radio. Some windows have a metallic film that substantially blocks the FM signal traveling from within your car to your external antenna. You can usually tell which windshields have the film by looking carefully--if you see an unusual bronze or reddish tint, you may have the metal film, or if your see a very fine grid pattern you may have woven metal wires, but check with your dealer to be sure.

What's in the Box
iTrip transmitter and iTrip CD-ROM. ... Read more

Features

• Play your iPod music through most FM radios
• Choose any radio station on the dial to tune for the best performance
• Needs no batteries, it receives its tiny amount of power from the iPod
• Shuts off automatically after 60 seconds of silence
• Designed specifically for third-generation (3G) Apple iPods

Reviews (62)

Great compliment to your ipod!
I bought this product in June 2004. I have a second generation ipod and was looking for a way to connect it to my car stereo. My brother had suggested sending RCA cables up behind the dash into the auxiliary input of the stereo. This sounded like it would be a pain, though, so I thought I'd give Griffin Technologies' ITrip a chance. When I received the item, I was delighted to find that the sound quality was actually quite good. I had read some people giving it poor ratings due to sound quality. Maybe it's because the city I live in (St. Louis) isn't packed from one end of the dial to the other with FM stations. Maybe it's because of the radio I was transmitting the signal to. Whatever the case, I found the item to be very nice. It comes with some software which is easily installed. You just put the cd in and it automatically adds an FM "playlist" for each frequency on the dial (every other .1 KHz, i.e. 89.7, 89.9, 90.1, etc.) to your music program (for me it was MusicMatch Jukebox, I'm sure it does the same for ITunes or WinAmp). As soon all the station playlists have been added to the program, one simply needs to connect the Ipod to the computer to synchronize it with the computer, and then you're ready to go! It took me a matter of minutes to figure out how to use it. All you do is connect it to the top of the Ipod unit via the headphone jack, a little blue light comes on, and then you go into "playlists," choose a frequency, then press pause. This sets the ITrip to transmit to that particular frequency. If you want to try a different one, you simply go back to your ITrip playlist, choose another, and press pause. The blue light flashes several times once the chosen frequency has been locked. I chose 101.7, which is in between two large stations in St. Louis...101.1 and 102.5. I figured that frequency would have a fairly large buffer between it and either one of the high strength stations adjacent to it and thus a clear signal. I was right, and the sound quality was really good! The most important thing I found was positioning of the unit. I think it has to be positioned a certain way for best sound quality. The Ipod volume also has to be at an optimum setting for the best sound quality. Most of the volume control is done through the radio volume control anyways, not through the Ipod. Also nice is the fact that the unit does not require batteries! All in all, this is a great little item if you plan on taking your Ipod with you on the go. The only thing I'm not sure of is taking it on long roadtrips. It might require changing the ITrip's frequency many times because while a particular frequency may be unoccupied in one part of the country, it may house a very strong signal conglomerate radio station in another part. Regardless, I'd strongly recommend the item to anyone interested. It's affordable and it does its job as advertised.

Great Product
I have to say, I don't understand what all the complaints are about. I live in Los Angeles, and rarely have any problems on all types of radios. If it starts to get staticy - usually close by a major radio station in town - I change frequencies and am good to go.

People complaining about audio quality should adjust the volume on the Ipod, as if it's set too high, the sound distorts. You should keep ipod volume levels in mid range and use the volume on your stereo. Also - they might not be setting the stations correctly.

Also - installation is NOT COMPLICATED. All it is is Mp3s of all the radio frequencies and a Playlist to put them all in for easy access. The itrip responds to these short mp3s and if you hit the pause button while they play you reset it to a different station. Easy as that.

In fact, the quality is so good that anyone with a radio in my office can set theirs to the frequency and listen to what I'm listening to. Only on soft songs do I detect some static, sometimes.
I give it four stars only because I think ipod should just come with this feature installed inside. Don't listen to the bad reviews - this is essential for ipod owners.

Bad iTrip
Well I had a Bad iTrip. The thing was a knobathon to get going in the car while driving (and that was with my CoPilot) and when i 'luckily' found a station almost by accident, it sounded terrible. Like an MP3 thru an FM channel or an FM station thru a tin can.

it has been returned - up for auction it goes.
(++ on the plus side the design and concept were way too cool - it hooked me. It might take 2-5 years to perfect the technology maybe then i'll try again...but for now it definitely sucks.)

Good Idea, Bad UI
I will first say that the ability to choose which station you want to us brilliantly better than the numerous iPod transmitters that only let you choose between 4 pre-set frequencies.

I will also add that the iTrip is powered through its connection to the iPod iteself and consumes very little of your iPod's power supply, which is also an excellent feature.

The only problem is that the stations on which you can broadcast are stored ON your iPod as mp3 files. That means that they appear in your library, and worse, if you are like me and usually like to just listen to your entire library on "shuffle", what happens is that you will "shuffle" to one of the stations, effectively *changing* the station on which you are broadcasting.

This is a supreme pain in the buttocks, because invariably you will find yourself broadcasting on a frequency that is competing with a high-powered radio station in your area, and, worse, you have to suddenly change your car stereo's receiver to match it. You will never realize this is happening until after you are blasting static, though.

In the end this fatal flaw makes this device worthless if you like to shuffle.

Very impressed!
I bought the iTrip so that I could use my iPod in the car. I heard mixed reviews about devices like this that transmit music over an FM signal. Therefore, I was only expecting mediocre performance out of this unit. I first tried to use the product without reading the instructions. Big mistake. I spent two hours trying to get it to work. Once I read the instructions, It took about one minute to get it to work perfectly. The hardest part for me was to get my Sony car stereo to stay on a frequency that didn't have a strong signal. I love my iPod and my iTrip! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

You already love your iPod. But think how much better it would be if you had the ability to use it in the car. Monster Cable's iCarPlay wireless FM transmitter gives you just that: great sounding, wireless access to your entire multi-gigabyte collection of tunes, right through your car stere's FM radio. At the same time, the iCarPlay charges your iPod to keep the music playing.

Plug the iCarPlay's charger end into the 12-volt DC outlet (cigarette lighter) in your car and plug the other end into the dock connector on the bottom of your iPod. Select an FM station on the iCarPlay (choose from 88.1, 88.3, 88.5, 88.7, 88.9, 89.1, 89.3, or 89.5), and find the same station on your car stereo. Then pick your favorite song on your iPod and you're ready to roll. Your music transmits wirelessly to your car stereo using FM radio frequencies.

Monster Smart Digital Charging technology rapidly charges your iPod, then switches to a trickle charge to optimize its performance. You'll never have to worry about running out of power while using your iCarPlay wireless transmitter. ... Read more

Features

• Plug the iCarPlay Wireless charger end into the 12v outlet (cigarette lighter) in your car, and plug the other end into the dock connector on the bottom of your iPod
• Select an FM station on the iCarPlay Wireless, and find the same station on your car stereo
• Or pick your favorite song on your iPod, and you're ready to roll
• Your music transmits wirelessly to your car stereo using Fm radio frequencies
• Monster Smart Digital Charging technology rapidly charges your iPod, and then switches to a trickle charge to optimize its performance

Reviews (32)

it's great!
i'll try keep it short here... this thing works great. some knucklehead kid at the Mac store tried to tell me it was no good and to get the iTrip, so i got that and started walking to the parking lot. got to my car and was about ready to rip the iTrip box open when i see that there's a CD inside. the iTrip needs to be set up with software! that's weak! i want plug and play. so i rolled back to the Mac store, exchanged the iTrip for my original choice... the Monster iCarPlay. plugged it into my cigarette lighter, set it to 89.1 (empty frequency for L.A. people!) and bad-bing! it was on. it has eight manually switchable frequency choices. the thing charges my iPod while i've got it on, too! the iTrip DRAINS your iPod... which we all know is a bad thing by now. keeping the pod charged is a constant challenge, eh? many other similar devices require their own batteries. this is an all in one solution. had it six months now. remember... it'll never sound better than the best FM station you've ever heard. once in a while you'll hear a little static for a few seconds. a straight "line in" would obviously produce better sound. but for those of us who don't want to or can't deal with a line in wiring job... this is your answer. i'm a former record producer and the FM quality sound is just great to my ears. the bad... well if you are driving long distance you will eventually run into a radio station that occupies the band to which you have it tuned. so you've got to switch channels... which is EASY on the Monster... if you are not driving the car. i believe on the iTrip you've gotta reprogram the darn thing on your computer to get to another frequency (not sure about that though). anyway, this works great for me especially since my GM car has a stock Delco stereo system that has no standard line in plugs. Open the box, plug it in, set your station with the easy interface, and you are rollin' with tunes in less that a minute! Plus, if you have another car, or are riding in a friends car, you can just take your Monster iCarPlay and your pod with you and subject whomever to your fabulous taste in music!

Good as any FM trasmitter can be
Couple things to note:
- You have it plugged into your car to power the transmitter (Doesn't use iPod battery power for transmission).

- I use this on my commute in a major metro area and find that I have to change the channel while driving often. Yes, there are stations 88.1, 88.3, 88.5, 88.7, 88.9, 89.1, 89.3, and 89.5 (or stations are bleeding through 2 or 3 point channels).

- I get a lot of noise with more vocal, ambient, or softer music. But if you listen to Rammstein or Skinny Puppy...no problem...

No need to be skeptical of this product.
This product works great. I have had it for about a week now and have no prblems with it at all. The only thing you may want to do is play around with the settings on your car radio as well as your Ipod for maximum sound quality.

Excellent Product
I live in Dowtown LA, and commute a lot around the city due to my work. This product is wonderful on what it's supposed to do. This product is not a disappointment. If you want a great transmitter and a charger, purchase this.

So much better than the iTrip
I tried using an iTrip several times, the signal always faded in and out. We live in San Francisco, which somone else has already mentioned here is horrible for these transmitters. My poor daughter would spend our entire car ride holding up her iPod to the radio in a feeble attempt to better the sound. Got the iTrip, opened it up, plugged it in and off we went. Sound is more than adequate (a slight hissing can be heard between songs, otherwise it's impressively clear). And best of all, the iPod isn't dead when you get home. And, if it ever should trip over a radio signal, we can just change the frequency while we're in the car, which you can't do with an iTrip. Much better product!! ... Read more

Features

• Compact docking station for use with iPod or iPod Mini
• Combines subwoofer, dynamic tweeter speakers, and 3D surround sound processor
• Recharges iPod battery while music plays
• Powered by AC adapter (included) or 4 AA batteries
• Synchronizes with PC or Mac via USB or FireWire cables

Amazon.com Product Description

Everyone loves Apple's portable iPod digital music player, and taking music with you on the road can be a life saver. But you probably don't always feel like putting your headphones on, especially once your back at your hotel room--or if you're organizing the garage or simply making dinner. Altec Lansing has created a headphones-free portable listening alternative: the inMotion powered speaker system, the first portable audio system designed expressly for use with iPods.

With its compact design, ultra-low battery power consumption, powerful class-D amplifier, patented MaxxBass technology, and even a built-in iPod dock, inMotion gives you performance you'd never have thought possible from a portable audio system. inMotion features four full-range, custom-designed neodymium micro drivers (two per speaker) for clear audio output. Using principles borrowed from the professional audio world, inMotion also delivers incredible, natural-sounding bass at frequencies far below those normally possible from small speakers.

No bigger than a trade paperback book, inMotion turns your iPod into a platform for convenient, headphone-free listening any time, any place. Its sound quality rivals that of systems many times its size. Sleek in design like the iPod itself, the inMotion system matches the iPod color scheme and features a built-in docking bay located between its speakers.

When docked inMotion's iPod bay, your music player can perform all the same data transfer and synchronization functions possible via Apple's standard, free-standing iPod dock. inMotion even takes advantage of iPod's alarm feature to create a fully-functioning alarm clock that plays wake-up music of your choice--perfect for travel or dormitory use.

Other convenient features include a minijack .125-inch headphone jack for private listening; an auxiliary stereo minijack input for hookup with other audio devices such as portable CD players, laptops, older iPods, and other MP3 players (an interconnect for this purpose is included), and built-in, flush-mounted power and volume controls.

The secret to inMotion's strikingly deep bass is a combination of specially designed neodymium micro drivers and MaxxBass technology. Founded on the principle of the "missing fundamental," MaxxBass generates a specific set of harmonics in response to bass input; the brain then interprets these harmonics as the intended bass sound. The technique is used in commercial audio systems for restaurants, high-end retail environments, clubs, and other venues where exceptional fidelity is essential, but where large speakers or subwoofers are impractical.

inMotion's Class D amplification provides maximum sound with minimum power consumption. Smaller, cooler, and more efficient than other amplifiers, inMotion's onboard amp can support up to 24 hours of continuous playback on just four AA batteries (not included). For desktop or other indoor use, inMotion also includes an AC power supply that recharges the iPod anytime it sits in the inMotion docking bay.

What's in the Box
inMotion sound system, a .125-inch minijack-to-minijack stereo analog audio interconnect, a protective case, 10 GB/15 GB iPod docking spacer, a docking connector travel cover, an iPod-charging AC power adapter, a user's manual, a quick-connect card, and warranty information. ... Read more

Features

• Dual 1-inch neodymium micro drivers per speaker deliver big sound in a small format
• MaxxBass technology creates a sense of rich, deep bass without the need for a subwoofer
• Lightweight and compact; includes AC power adapter and charges your iPod while docked
• Efficient, class-D amplifier offers up to 24 hours of continuous playback with 4 AA batteries (not included)

Reviews (36)

Great compact speakers for travelling
The balance of size, weight, and sound quality makes these speakers a traveler's dream, whether or not you own an iPod. But do not expect the sound quality to compare to that produced by large floor or bookshelf speakers. My side-by-side comparisons indicated that the sound quality of these speakers was also inferior to similarly priced "2.1" satellite speakers with powered subwoofer that are designed for computers. However, given the size of these inMotion speakers, the sound quality is very impressive (as long as the volume of the sound output to the speakers is set correctly: see below).

I recently used the speakers every day during a three-week business trip to the Balkans. I like to travel light and prefer not to check luggage. These speakers are extremely small and light weight and fit into my carry-on bag without any problem. The speakers come with a universal power adapter (110V to 220V) that is usable in Europe. But I left the adapter at home, brought a small battery charger, and ran the speakers on rechargeable NiMH batteries. The speakers ran about 8 hours on one set of these batteries (4 X AA 1.2V 2300mAh NiMH).

The volume of the speakers was more than enough to fill my hotel room. In fact, I never felt like playing the speakers at full volume. The speakers do not seem to distort at the highest volumes. The speakers faithfully reproduced a wide range of music including hip hop, rock, folk, blues, funk, jazz, and classical. The bass response is impressive for such small speakers. I can clearly hear the bass tracks of blues CDs (Eric Clapton's latest) and Rap albums (Snoop Dogg). However, the speakers do not produce the heavy bass feel you get from a powered subwoofer. That means you do not feel the bass pounding in your chest. But this is actually a good thing in hotels. Powered low frequencies travel unimpeded throughout a building, whereas the frequencies produced by these speakers are quickly absorbed by walls. This means that I was able to play the speakers relatively loud late at night without disturbing the people in the next room. A second advantage is that it takes much less energy to drive these speakers than larger speakers or a subwoofer. This allowed me to play the speakers for 8 hours on four AA batteries.

I do not own an iPod and always played the speakers directly from my computer. I connected the earphones-out plug from my computer to the auxiliary jack on the iPod speakers. An extended cord is needed for this connection; the cord that comes with the speakers is too short. This worked well and allowed me to play new CDs I bought while traveling. But through experimentation, I discovered that if the volume setting on my computer was too low or too high it severely affected the sound quality of the speakers. Since the speakers have their own volume control, I can set the sound volume however I want, regardless of the volume output of my computer. However, when the volume on my computer was set too low, the speakers produced an inferior muffled sound. And when the volume on my computer was set too high, the speakers occasionally produced distorted sound. I eventually learned to adjust my computer volume to a medium level before connecting the speakers. Unfortunately, different CDs and MP3s are set with different default volume levels, so I had to reset my computer volume every time I switched albums.

Road Warriors Dream
Sure, we love to listen to our iPods on the plane, especially with noise cancelling headphones, but do you really want to be that isolated in your hotel room? These speakers have great sound considering their size and portability, run on 4 AA batteries, and look great with the iPod attached. If you travel with a laptop with decent speakers, this wouldn't be an item you need (you could just us iTunes to play your iPod), but you still may want these speakers to take the the beach, etc.

Only complaints: why is the supplied power cord so ugly? The bundled power cord is the standard black cord with a AC converter attached to the plug. You can use your iPod Firewire cord and AC adapter with these speakers, but oddly enough, this will only charge the iPod and not provide power to the speakers. So far, I've gotten about the 24 hours on the AA batteries as claimed. I also have to take off my iSkin to use this, but I guess that's my problem!

EXCELLENT!
I echo what everyone's said here. This little speaker set is great! <br /><br />The sound is amazing for something this size and can be turned up quite loud before distortion. <br /><br />The portability is second-to-none! Light, compact, and it runs on 4 AA batteries for a decent amount of time?? Fantastic! <br /><br />I use it ALL the time. Sure beats plugging it into my old Aiwa stereo and having it tied to one room! Now I can carry it from room to room, work, whatever! <br /><br />VERY happy. :)

Portability makes these a "must-have"
After weighing all the options for small speaker options for the iPod, I decided on this system. Why?
1) SIZE: Yes, other systems that are slightly bigger probably have better sound, but with the folding feature and carry bag that comes with this system, it's unbeatable.
2) PORTABILITY: Closely linked with size, but with other key factors: Battery use and lack of parts. It uses 4 AA batteries and if you don't take along the power cord, it's one small piece when folded. That's it. You're gone.
3) EASE OF USE: With the built in iPod dock that lets you charge while listening, it is just too easy. But that's not all! You can connect to your PC via the system's base and do all the normal functions. But wait, there's more! Since the iPod is docked it leaves the headphone jack open. If you happen to have the iTrip (or other FM transmitter), you can use this jack and transmit to other speaker options using FM. This is useful in situations where others might want to share your collection (e.g. the beach). Then you and others can listen.
4) THE COOL FACTOR: I'm not sure how to put a price on this one, but I paid $109 and the cool factor is probably worth $75 of that. It just looks cool, and since it is clearly made for the iPod, gawkers know it's probably the latest thing.
Since it's so easy and sounds so good, I've taken to moving the speakers to wherever I am in the house instead of having the home PC play through the home speakers throughout the whole house. We're not talking earth shattering sound here, but for one/two room or office use - these are excellent.

good sound could be great, plus one problem
i am replacing my cambridge speakers with this little compact unit. the inmotion sounds adequate for its size but if you're a bass junkie like me you have to have more bass. just to experiment i plugged the jack from the (cambridge) sub into the headphone jack of the ipod and voila, nice tight bass, controlled by the ipod volume, and speaker volume controlled by the inmotion panel. if you have a small sub already,you're set, otherwise add the price of a computer size sub to use with this set. i set the ipod to "treble boost" since i have the sub hooked up. the sound is wonderfully rich and you won't complain because you have highs and lows, perfect for the office!
just remember when travelling around with it, you're back to so so sound, but for something this size, it's great.

here is the downside i've found so far. plugging into the back dock, the ipod says "do not disconnect" and the ipod never mounts.
i'm using a windows machine configured to work with mac ipods
and the ipod works when plugged directly with the computer but
via the inmotion it just doesn't work. hoping to get help on this. even if i can't get it to work that way i'll still keep the "inmotion". ... Read more

Features

• The iPod In-Ear Headphones add enhanced sound quality and bass response to your iPod, and are supremely comfortable for long listening sessions
• Three different size caps ensure the headphones fit comfortably and securely in your ear
• Compatible with all iPods, and all computers with a headphone port

Reviews (65)

I finally got it right
I confess it took me a while to get the hang of these little guys, that's why I'm giving them 4 stars only. Having tried my friends original headphones and realizing they were very unconfortable and actually hurt my ears after wearing them for a while, I decided to buy the in-ear Apple headphones when I first got my ipod. At first I tried the medium and the small ear caps since I don't have particularly big ears, but as it has been mentioned before I only managed to get them stay into place when I wasn't moving, excercising or chewing! To my surprise when I tried the large size caps they stayed in my ears even when jogging! What a delight! I'm no sound electronics expert or anything, just a regular music lover, and I must say that with these headphones I have discovered sounds in my favourite songs that I didn't even know were there! A little tricky at first but in the end, a satisfying purchase.

Baloney, these earphones are terrific!
I've got 15 sets of headphones and earphones surrounding me as I write this, and the iPod in-ear phones blow away all of the ear buds and most of the headphones.

They're probably only 4 or 4.5 stars, but I gave 'em 5 to offset the 1-star reviews. Maybe these guys got pre-production phones or had problems with them; mine are excellent. The only complaint I agree with is that cord sounds are transmitted to your ears, so you have to take extra care positioning the cord. But I'd rather have that than having ear buds jiggle when I run or even walk down stairs.

Regarding the tone, they're much flatter in frequency response than ear buds. The lows are not exaggerated, and the highs are very articulate--the ear bud fans probably never heard the highs from their iPods before. They sound very much like my Sennheiser HD 280 Pro phones.

There OK
well the sound is clear and pretty-comfortble, but if you have a ipod and the headphones that came w/ it are a hole lot better, The "IN-ear headphones" dont have bass, only a little bit of bass, so it would rate the "IN-ear headphones" 2 out of 5 and the ones that came with the ipod 5 out of 5 (they are just a little big or small (differs on ear size) (of course). so dont get them, if you dont care about bass and all that junt then i guess u might want then

Great Fit!!
This are the only earphones that fit in my ears. I love the sound of them and I would highly recommend them.

Not On My Wish List
My Headphones were working great but i dont know what's going on with them..my sound is sounding horrible and the wire is very weak so u can get a short very fast.DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY! ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

If you're looking to upgrade your portable music listening experience, the Shure E3c sound isolating earphones deserve a serious look. The E3c's offer a level of sensitivity and range that places them in the audiophile tier of earphones and fortunately, Shure has priced them to make this kind of quality within reach.

In many ways, judging sound quality is all about making comparisons, and when the E3c's are matched against their big brother, the Shure E5c earphones, the E3c's do reveal a noticeable loss of dynamic range and clarity. Of course, the E5c's are worth every penny for those who want to spend more on earphones than they spent on their iPod. The E3c's, on the other hand, come out a clear winner when you weigh their quality and cost.

Design
The E3c earbuds are small and easy to insert in the ear-- easier, in fact, than the E5c earbuds, which are larger and less friendly to folks with small ears. The E3c's thin and pliant cords are light and easy to manage. They're also designed to be looped over the back of the ear, but some testers found it uncomfortable and awkward to keep them there. These testers also said they preferred inserting the earphones upside down, letting the cords dangle downwards from the ear to avoid hassles. By comparison, the E5c earphones feature a bendable stiffening material in the section of cable that runs behind the ears, allowing the listener to loop the cables over and behind the ear more securely. It would be nice to see this simple solution added to the E3c earphones.

Shure did choose to give the E3c's the same gold-plated, 3.5mm input connector as the E5c's. The connector has a low-profile elbow bend to minimize accidental unplugging and snags-- great for laptop and airline users. And just like the E5c's, the E3c's come with a number of earplug "sleeves" packaged in what Shure calls a "fit kit". Our testers had little trouble finding a sleeve that felt comfortable. We especially liked the expanding foam sleeves that, like those foam dinosaurs that grow in water, expand to fit the contours of the ear canal.

Sound Quality
As we listened to a broad range of musical genres on the E3c earphones it was hard, once again, not to make comparisons with the E5c's. If you aren't even entertaining the notion of purchasing the E5c's, then make sure you never have occasion to listen to them. Rest easy in the knowledge that the E3c's deliver clear, crisp highs and rich, thundering lows. Delight in the fact that they excel at delivering the celebrated earphone experience; the external world is largely silenced and the music resonates inside your head. Meanwhile, if you are toying with the idea of stepping up to the E5c's, go ahead and give both models a listen. Although the difference between the two is not stark, we immediately noticed that we had to drive the E3c's at higher volume to get the same kind of resonance and fullness the E5c's deliver at a relatively lower volume.

Comparing the E3c's to the E5c's is a bit unfair, but in many ways, the comparisons revealed just how good both sets of earphones really are. The E5c's represent an extremely high benchmark, and fortunately for those who don't want to spend a bundle on top-quality earphones, the E3c's aren't too far off the pace. We recommend them as a massive upgrade to the standard headphones that ship with most portable music devices.--Joshua Gunn

Pros

• Simple, compact design
• Designed for compatibility with most ears
• Excellent sound quality at a non-stratospheric price

• Cord ergonomics could be better
• Lower-quality sound than the E5c model generates unplanned spending urge

Features

• Smallest of Shure E-series Weighing only 0.9 ounce - less than 1 ounce
• Instead of bulky headphones, E3 wearers get form-fitting earpieces that stay securely inside the ear without uncomfortable headbands
• Sound isolation prevents outside noise from interfering with the music, and creates a quiet space for exceptional audio clarity
• The studio grade, low mass, high energy micro-speakers employ balanced armature technology for more efficient output and extended high frequencies
• Compatible for use with 1/8 inch (3.5 mm) audio output ports

Reviews (3)

Ok but I agree to much for what you get
I was expecting sound nirvana as I am a musician and am familar with the Shure brand. I tried every size ear peice and none realy fit. To get a full range sound I had to press them in my ear. If I moved around at all they alwasy came out. Way to much effort. Not worth (...)

high quality - high price
I have used the E3c earphones for about four weeks, (in addition to two weeks without them). I was hesitant about spending so much for, what essentially, looked like earbuds. My expectations were tempered with other reviewers' comments about unimpressive bass response. When I received them, I was indeed initially disappointed, because to my dismay the left speaker sounded "blown". I could clear up some of the buzz by pushing in on the nozzle. I did send them back to the manufacturer, (the vender only allowed a 15-day return period which I could not meet). I was very suprised to have a new, packaged, replacement set of earphones within days. I'm sure that they were immediately shipped the day my faulty ones arrived. The replacement earphones worked very well. The sound quality of these phones are exceptional. The bass is deep and significant, (but not like a sub-woofer if that's what you're looking for). Instead the bass compliments the music without overpowering it like a sub-woofer. The music's quality is so good it has a 3-dimensional feel, almost like the musicians are in the room with you! As an example, when listening to a guitar instrumental that I've heard many times before, while using the E3c earphones I could now easily hear the sound of fingers moving up and down the strings as cords were played. Somethings that I had not noticed previously. The sound-isolating qualities are also very good. In fact, as good as earplugs to the outside world, which further enhances the music quality. If you can afford them, these are very high quality phones. I chose this model as a compromise... I would love to try the next model up..., which costs three times as much! I am very happy with the customer service/support and the quality of the earphones. I would have given them a five-star rating had the first pair of phones worked properly.

Not Enough Bang for the Buck
I used these for about 3 weeks before returning them. If I didn't know how much I spent on them, I would say they are ok. There is something about spending a lot and expecting a lot. Well, find another pair of earphones, these have a decent sound, mid-range bass reflex and get uncomfortable after an hour of use. They are basically ear plugs with a small driver on the outside. If I paid $40 for these, I would keep them. Anything past that is simply not worth it. That small driver doesn't really compare to a good over-the-ear type headphone set. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Fully compatible with third-generation Apple iPods, Belkin's auto kit saves batteries by connecting your iPod to your car's DC power source. The kit even includes an exclusive Belkin cable that charges your iPod right from your car's cigarette lighter. The auto kit also provides an adjustable amplifier and .125-inch analog audio-output so you can play your iPod through your car stereo or other audio equipment when using a cassette audio adapter or FM transmitter (not included). An illuminated LED indicator lets you know when your auto kit is properly connected to the power source. Belkin has engineered the unit with a replaceable safety fuse to protect the iPod from potentially damaging spikes or short circuits. ... Read more

Features

• Connects iPod device to car's cigarette lighter
• .125-inch audio-out jack lets you play the iPod through your car stereo (requires optional cassette adapter or FM transmitter)
• Locks securely to iPod with dock connector
• Replaceable safety fuse to protect from potentially damaging spikes or short circuits
• Manages excess cord easily with convenient strap

Reviews (20)

Amplify & Power up.
Before I got this adapter, I was just using a cassette adapter and an FM transmitter in the car. In both cases the iPod was struggling to provide enough power output to provide clean undistorted sound, and still having to crank the volume control up all the way on both the car stereo and the iPod.

This product solves that problem, and charges your iPod to boot. It uses the new line out capabilities through the docking connector. You then plug your adapter into a mini-plug jack located on the power adapter. Adjust the aplifier volume on the adapter as well. The built in amplifier provides enough power now so I don't have to crank the volume on the car stereo, making the sound to be fuller, richer, more accurate and eliminating all the hiss & noise caused by having to turn up the car stereo all the way.

The only things that might need to consider is the mini-plug output for the amplifier and volume controls are on the side of the cigarette plug. While this wasn't a problem for me, people with resessed power plugs in their cars might have difficulty with it if your cassette adapter/fm transmitter doesn't have a angled plug (I have a MB that has a power adapter in a recessed ashtray and it's challenging to use that plug because of space requirements, but does work after some adjustment). Belkin should have put these on opposite sides of the device, but should only be a minor inconvience. I don't envision anyone having to adjust the output volume very often, after you set it for the first time.

I highly reccomend this product to anyone wanting to listen to their iPod in the car.

GREAT PRODUCT!
I think that the folks that gave this product low ratings have electrical systems in their vehicles that are not compatible or are hooking it up wrong (somehow?). This charger should not have any effect on the hissing sound through a cassette adapter. There are many ways to use the line output with this product: If you have an aftermarket cd player that has a line input on the front of the head unit, you can use a 3$ mini stero jack cable and hook it up that way (from the ipod headphones or the Charger). Better yet, in my case my cd player has RCA line inputs on the back, so I just bought a Mini Stero Jack that splits to two RCA's and plugged them in...AWESOME SOUND!! I recommend the charger, and for me it works great!!

Great when working with RCA to Mini Jack Adapter
From my Car Stereo Head Unit, I bought a 15 dollar rca adapter to convert the CD changer port to a standard RCA Input. Go out and buy a 5 dollar RCA to Mini cable and connect that from the RCA adapter to the Auto Kit. Connect your IPOD to the Auto Kit, and away you go. The best sound you can get from your IPOD. No static Cassette, no low sound FM transmitter. Just straight RCA input into your Car Stereo.<br />Total cost approx. 55 dollars to get the best out of your ipod while charging. After buying two cables and the Auto Kit. 1.5 years and still going...<br />Worth the buy.

Get the DLO charger and save yoursefl $10
This device is not worth the $30+ since the amplifier function is so hit and miss. With my car stereo & iPod mini the signal produced from the "amped" line-out on the charger is about 1/50th of the volume produced just by hooking the tape adapter into the normal audio-out on the iPod. I didn't even think the charger's line out was working at first until I cranked the stereo all the way up with the "amped" line out volume on max. Basically, I paid an extra $10 for a non-feature. In hindsight I should have ordered the DLO charger only for $20 from somewhere else because all I have is a charger.

cool product
i bought this product despite the reviews cuz the majority of people reviewing this product used the fm transmitter. i don't use that thing. i use a genric cassette adapter and works like a beauty. i reccomend this highly ... Read more

Features

• Earbud's neodymium transducers technology enhances frequency response and overall sound quality
• Wired remote lets you fast forward, rewind, play/pause, and control the volume with four simple buttons
• Hold switch allows you to lock your iPod remote so buttons can't be pressed accidentally
• Clip the remote to your lapel, shirt, or collar for easy access
• Supports all iPods with Dock Connector

Reviews (5)

Great, but cord is way too long
They are great, the sound quality is great, and the remote is extremely handy. My one and only complaint is that the cord can become annoyingly long. It is basically the normal headphone length, doubled with a remote in the middle.

The remote is fun and handy, and works when your iPod is on hold. The play/pause turns it on and off when held down as the normal button does. It also has it's own hold button. Overall, it's great. However, I think the cord could be shorter and if the price was lower, or you could buy them for cheaper w/out the included normal headphones (and use the money to buy a different type, use the ones you have or whatever) then this would be great.

4 stars

Price is set at real value
Although these may not be the best earphones, they are exceptional, especially for the price. Just about the best earphones you can get cost about $500, but if you want exceptional, but not the best, these earphones are for you. The remote, along with your ipod comes in handy if you have your ipod in your pocket, or if you have it in a case. The little remote if fun to have, because it makes it so easy to adjust the volume, and it creates joy in the user. I think that this is a good pair for $40, especially the earphones. Unless you are willin to spend $120 or more, these are the best earphones for their price.

Nice remote, problematic ear phones
I like the remote - it is well designed and easy to use. It features a pause/play button, track skip (forward and backward), volume, and a hold button so you don't hit the buttons by accident. Especially handy when the iPod is in its case.

The earphones sound pretty good, however, it's hard to keep them from falling out of your ear which is a shame.

Also, the white color of everything is good and bad - on one hand, it's fun because you advertise that you're using an iPod to everyone. On the other hand, it's bad for the same reason because they're so distinctive, some one may steal your iPod!

Fantastic features and sound, but some problems
The remote control for iPod is inspired. I love it, and use it all the time. It's fragile, though, and I've been through two of them, working on my third, in less than two years. I had the remote in my purse, dropped my purse, and a nail polish bottle falling on the remote caused the back cover to break off. Not good.

The earphones have great, great sound, tremendous range, but... They are much too big for my ear canals. Wearing them for longer than fifteen minutes is painful. I'm investing in Sony earbuds for this reason. They tend to fit smaller ear canals better, and the EX-71SLB Fontopias definitely fit better, with their three sizes of bud covers. Can't go wrong there.

Excellent device!
I use my IPod mini mostly at the gym. The remote is a handy little device that clips into either the mini, or full-sized IPod. The earphones produce great sound, but like so many "in-ear" devices fall out easily. Apple really needs to produce and include an "over the ear" type of headset.

The remote control has a clip so it can be attached to clothing. It is fully functional, including volume and hold switches.

Buy some decent Sony headphones, and you've got quite a good combo. ... Read more

Features

• Designed to work with Apple iPod portable music players
• Provides 15 to 20 hours of additional battery life
• Indicates charge levels with 4 LEDs, so you know when to replace batteries
• Secure switch prevents accidental on/off powering
• Includes 4 AA batteries and 2 extra suction cups

Reviews (17)

Somewhat disappointed with Belkin iPod Battery Pack
Hello,

I had a chance to use the battery pack a lot over the past ten days. The problem I had was that it didn't work for as long as promised. I was promised 15 hours of extra iPod use with the Belkin battery pack, so that's what I expected. I tried cheap-o drug store batteries at first, and then tried some of the more well-known and higher priced batteries. The performance was about the same for each kind of battery. Here's what happened...

On flights between LA and Chicago, the battery pack worked fine. The flights were about four hours. At the end of the flight I was careful to turn off the battery pack. When I turned the battery pack on again later that day, my iPod would not start up. I was careful to follow the instructions in the manual. The Apple logo would come on, but then an icon with a battery warning appeared and the iPod would shut off. I expected the battery pack to last much longer than that. I had to replace the batteries to restore the battery pack's ability to work with the iPod.

The same thing happened when I used the Battery Pack at my parents house while visiting them in Chicago. Each night I would use the iPod to help me get to sleep, and each morning I had to replace the batteries. I went through a lot of batteries in ten days.

Also, (and I admit that I am not at all sure this is a problem - maybe this is normal), the cable that connects the battery pack to the iPod gets pretty warm. It's not so hot that it cannot be touched, but it is very warm. So is the plastic near the cable. I thought that perhaps this might mean that I had made a mistake when inserting the batteries into the battery pack - reversing the polarity or something like that, but I checked and the batteries were put in correctly.

That's all...

Patrick

Piece of junk.
I bought this thinking it'd be the panacea to the brevity of the iPod's battery life. It is. When it works.

Pros:
•More time to listen to music.

Cons:
•Bulky. Power connector should be integrated, and the device should somehow fit around the iPod. While I have not had any bad experiences with suction cups holding expensive equipment, they are simply illogical considering that you are entrusting them with a $3-500 piece of equipment full of your life's work and all of your music.

Here's the kicker, and I realize that I'm not the only one who has had this problem:

I thought it was just a fluke when my battery pack's springs melted and I smelled burning plastic. Fortunately I haven't seriously burned myself, but cbBut it happened three times. Belkin phone support was no help, e-mail support didn't even address the issue, they just said "call us for help", and Belkin refused to replace the product.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has been helpful(I recently filed a complaint/report), but Belkin is still quiet. Oh well. The Voice Recorder for the iPod is also pretty bad. Stay away unless you enjoy getting burns and wasting batteries.

Bad batteries!
To the person who had two of these burn up on him...I had a similar experience. My iPod kept locking up with the battery pack plugged in, and the pack got HOT. I replaced the batteries, and suddenly everything was fine. I was curious so I put the original batteries (the ones that came in the package with the battery pack) in a battery tester and got some really strange results...the tester gauge started bouncing all over the scale! It seems that the included batteries are funky in the sense that they don't supply a steady source of power. My new batteries, in the same tester, move the gauge and it STAYS PUT, rock solid. I can see how an iPod with an unsteady power source would have problems. It seems fine now.

Good but way to BIG!
I got one when I was in Canada because my ipod ran out of juice and there was no where to charge it up... Simply put ... its just 'TOO BIG' for practical and on-the-move use!... there is no way you can walk around with your ipod and the battery pack in your pocket... its stupid... it is good for flights but that's about it...Belkin have made a smart looking and high quality product but the size is just stupid in my opinion...but saying that I wouldn't need to carry around a bloody battery pack if Apple improved the ipod battery life.

Poor Design
I was so excited when I bought my iPod and I went right out and purchased the Belkin charger. Three units (and a burned finger) later I finally returned it for a refund. The first unit lasted about two hours before it stopped working completely. The others lasted only slightly longer. The smell of burining rubber was the clue.

What I finally figured out was that when the unit was placed on a flat surface with its flat side down it overheated to "very hot" and fried the electronics. My guess is that the flat side is the only way to dissipate the heat. Therefore, when it's on a flat surface it just heats up until it burns up. But with no warnings there was no way to know. When I finally figured it out I deceided that I needed a backup device that wasn't so fussy about which side was up or down.

This is the poorest designed device I have ever purchased which is saying a lot for 61 year old life-long gadget guy. It's a shame I have to be so negative but maybe that will help someone from wasting time and money. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

What classier cable to use when hooking your iPod up with your home stereo than Monster Cable's custom iCable interconnect? Your iPod is capable of delivering audiophile-quality sound, and the iCable uses Monster Cable's latest technologies to deliver a connection that maximizes the transmission quality of your digital music while being rugged enough for portable use. Just plug the minijack connector into your iPod's headphone jack and connect the RCA jacks into any pair of left/right analog inputs and you're ready to rock. It even comes with a handy, road-ready carrying pouch.

The iCable's straight-cut turbine RCA and split-tip pins provide excellent contact pressure at the component end, while its 24k gold contacts ensure high signal integrity at both ends. Further, the interconnect's twisted-pair XLN technology offers superior noise rejection--important when connecting your iPod in an environment that's high in radio-frequency or electromagnetic interference. A gracious, seven-foot length accommodates tricky stereo hookups.

What's in the Box
iCable for iPod stereo analog interconnect, carry pouch, and an insert with product details. ... Read more

Features

• Stylish, high-quality stereo analog interconnect (.125-inch minijack to left/right RCA connectors)
• Straight-cut turbine RCA and split-tip pin for superior contact pressure
• 24k gold contacts for high signal integrity
• Twisted-pair XLN technology offers superior noise rejection
• Includes handy carry pouch; 7-foot cable length

Reviews (22)

Perfect for iPod or any portable
The other cables of this type from Monster have a huge connector which is square and bulky on the minijack end. They put alot of strain on the headphone port of the iPod. So I've always went with a lighter, cheaper cable. Until I found this 'iCable' as Monster calls it. This cable is a much better design and all the connections fit very snug. The black nylon "snakeskin" covering is very resistant to wear and tear, and very flexible and relaxed. I prefer it over the traditional poly/rubber coverings of the other models. A black nylon pouch with a velcro enclosure is also included. I can even fit my iPod (with case) in that pouch along with the cable, which comes in handy for bringing all your music over to a friends place. And the 7 foot length is more than enough, and quite a value for a cable of this quality and design, considering the relatively low price. Monster also makes a car charger (iCharger) for the iPod now, which is very well-designed and also highly recommended.

EDIT: After a few weeks, I'll add some comments. Mainly, these connectors are TIGHT. And the small size makes them sometimes difficult to remove. In several cases I've had to pull on the cable itself. Monster Cable does have a lifetime warranty, so you can go into any store that carries it and swap it out. Something to keep in mind, nevertheless.

Don't pay for style over substance!
Monster makes good cables and often has products other people don't have, but this isn't the case here. This is a very common cable available in your choice of lengths from stereo and electronic stores. I have an iPod and a Bose home theater system and get perfect sound from the 6-foot, $6 version from Radio Shack. All you need is a stereo mini-plug on one end (plugs into the top of the iPod) and RCA red and white stereo jacks on the other (plug into the "input" jacks on your stereo).

Common sense
Ok guys, personal disclosure: I'm an audio engineer and a classical musician. My life revolves around fussing over the most minute details of music, whether listening to it or making it. These cables are STUPID. When I was a kid, I remember buying these from the loser sales-people at Hi-Fi Buys. It's the same old line, "You spend how much on your system, and you're going to waste it all with $5 Radio Shack cables?" It's BS! Here's the line profesional musicians and engineers fall back on, "If it sounds good, it is good."

Technical note: if you really wanted high quality cables, you'd have to use 3-pin balanced cables operating at +4dbu. All consumer equipment is 2-pin, unbalanced and operates at -10. So you can buy gold cables (hell, why not platinum, or - DIAMOND, yes DIAMOND cables!), dip them in expensive chocolate, and do a rain dance and it's going to sound just the same.

it really depends on what sort of music you listen to
There's a schism here between people who think the cable is worth the extra money for the sound fidelity it affords, and those who feel ripped off because they can get basically the same thing at Radioshack for $5.

To be honest, it all depends on what sort of music you listen to. I love the Sex Pistols, Nirvana, Spoon, Joy Division, Pixies, Dead Kennedys. And guess what? High fidelity cables aren't going to make a 128 kbps MP3 of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" sound any prettier.

However, if the bulk of your iPod collection is classical or vocal music ripped as larger 192 plus files, then these cables DO make a difference. If you like showtunes, Bette Midler, Clay Aiken, or Andrea Botticelli, sure, I think you'll hear a difference. But who cares? You're an @$%hole anyway.

I'm happy satisfied with it.
Great unit! Who says size does matter? The length of the cable makes the whole package quite satisfying. I would not hesitate to get it again. ... Read more

Features

• Powerful, high performance audio output in an extremely small format driver
• One of the lightest earphones available anywhere for portable listening
• Personalize your earphone fit with either the pair of disposable foam sleeves or the three pairs(S, M, L) of reuseable flex sleeves (all included)
• Natural noise attenuation permits lower listening volumes in loud, distracting environments
• Ideal for sports, exercise or any activity where headphones or earbuds may come loose

Reviews (14)

The best in-ear, noise-blocking earphones available!
I have used the Etymotic ER6 and also the Shure E2c's for a couple years now (since January 2002 I think). I use them extensively - probably averaging 2-3 hours daily. In my opinion they are both the best in-ear and isolating earphones in existence. I started with the Etymotic ER6's and then bought the Shure E2's as soon as I saw them advertised. I use them mostly while working out in the gym and yes--don't tell anyone-- while riding a bicycle. I know it's not the safest, but I'm addicted. As far as comparing the sound quality, I am not an expert and cannot tell much of a difference between the two. The main difference I have noticed is that the Shure E2c's have significantly better amplification than the Etymotics at the same volume settings on my MP3 player. Otherwise they are both so far above any of the dozens of other earphones, earbuds and headphones I have used that there is really no comparison. I could never go back. I use the Shure E2c's more now because they stay in my ears better as a result of their design which allows the cables to wrap around my ears. Also the cables have heavier shielding which decreases noise from wind and from the cables brushing against my clothes. The other advantage is that the Shure offers a 2 year warranty, whereas with the Etymotic's I could find no published warranty and they charged me $60 for a replacement after owning them for a few months.
Unfortunately both earphones take quite a beating with all the physical activity. I'm on my second pair of Etymotic ER6 and my 3rd pair of Shure E2c's. The problem seems to be broken wires from motion and pressure associated with weightlifting. This is unfortunate, but I have not found any way to avoid it nor have I found any better in-ear earphones (with similar noise-blocking) to replace them.

Sounds Good
I'd read a lot of good things about these earphones so I plunked down the hundred to buy them. It was definitely money well spent and they do exactly as advertised. I used them mostly just with my ipod and now I hear things in songs that I never even heard before. I actually went and re-recorded some of my songs at 320 kb and could actually notice a difference. They're also good for using on the tractor as an alternative to earplugs. My only complaints are that they're not AS sound isolating as I thought they would be. I can't hear people talking but I can still hear some of what's going on around me. They work about the same for sound isolating as foam earplugs do. Also, the ear pieces get pretty nasty after a while. But those are just nitpicks for what are otherwise excellent headphones. Definitely the best I've ever used.

READ ME!!!! unbiased review
Shure's E2c's are 'entry-level' consumer earphones (hence, the 'c') in their line of premium in-the-ear headphones. I recently purchased these at an airport after reading a CNET.com review. As stated in that review, the e2's are designed to be accurate, so dont be expected to be blown away by rattling bass, or sizzling high frequencies - they are just meant to present to you the music that is put into them.

After a bit of testing with the different sleeves, i found that the medium foam sleeves are the best in terms of comfort AND isolation - oh yeah, these go pretty deep into your ear, or else you won't get any bass at all. Before you turn on the music, everything's muffled - you can still hear anything outside, its just more subdued (some report i read said that they provide about 20 decibels of isolation). When you turn on the music, however, you won't notice any outside noise at all, unless its EXTREMELY loud.

Remember - if you want some of the best premium headphones on the market, don't need mega bass, and can take care of your stuff, then get these e2's. You won't be dissapointed. I use these with my iPod daily.

P.S. if you still can't hear quality out of these headphones, either they're defective or you need to encode your music at a higher bitrate - at least 160 for mp3, 128 for aac, and 96 for wma.

Amazing sound from such a small package
I purchased these headphones because I had read so many good things about them. I ride a motorcycle and wanted something that sounded great on the road. These earbuds are light years ahead of the very uncomfortable normal earbuds that hardly fit in your ear at all. The sound is great, yes, no BOOMING bass, but enough to keep me happy, very alive sound, blocks everything else out. Well worth it, I would do it again in a second.

Best Earphones Ever
Ever stopped and thought about how much you love your ipod? Sure you have. After a week of use, you'll begin to develop a similar fondness for these earphones. They block out all exterior noise, they're extremely comfortable, and the sound quality is supreme. These are the best earphones on the market - do yourself a favor and get them. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

With this handy device you can listen to your favorite tunes through any FM stereo receiver with your iPod, PDA, PC, or laptop, even an MP3, CD, or cassette player from up to 30 feet away. The Belkin TuneCast II Mobile FM Transmitter makes it easy to wirelessly connect portable music players to your car or home stereo FM radio. Simply plug the TuneCast II into the headphone jack of your player or connect it to your PC or laptop computer, then tune your car stereo or receiver to any clear FM frequency.

There's also an auto on/off function that lets the device simply power on whenever an audio signal is detected. If there is no signal, the TuneCast II switches off after 60 seconds, helping to preserve battery life. There's also four programmable memory slots that let you save the clearest station wherever you go. The device comes with a DC cable for optional battery-free operation, but it only works with the Belkin Mobile Power Cord for 3G iPod. Batteries are included. ... Read more

Features

• Scans all FM frequencies from 88.1 to 107.9MHz (as opposed to the four frequencies other transmitters offer), and you can select the frequency that best enhances your music experience
• Memorizes up to four FM frequencies, giving you easy and quick access to your favorite songs
• Unique Auto ON/OFF function frees you from manually toggling your TuneCast II's ON/OFF switch, by simply powering on when an audio signal is detected (switches off after 60 seconds without a signal)
• Just plug the TuneCast II into the headphone jack of your iPod, PDA, MP3, CD or cassette player, or connect it to your PC or laptop computer
• Tune your car stereo or receiver to any clear FM frequency, and enjoy your music experience, with more sound and fewer wires!

Reviews (3)

Better than some of the alternatives
I ended up buying the TuneCast II when I accidentially broke my iTrip. When I first got the iTrip, I thought that it was a pretty good FM transmitter. After I got the TuneCast, however, I realized that it's much better than the iTrip. For one, you don't have to "load" the radio stations into your iPod and the fact that the TuneCast gives you the option of using any frequency imaginable, which is good when you live in a big city (like I do), and the availabilty of radio frequencies seems to change from day to day. True, the sound quality is not perfect, but I attribute part of that to not being able to find a 100% unused frequency. I don't like the battery drain, but I've been told that some of the specialized digital media batteries (like the kind typically used in digital cameras) solves the drain problem easily. Overall, I'd give the TuneCast II a B+ to A-.

Not the answer to traveling w/ your ipod...
I live in a fairly large metropolitan area and many of the lower FM frequencies that would be available in smaller towns are filled here. That being said, it's difficult to find a frequency to tune into with the Tunecast II. The second problem is sound quality...it's not terrible but it's less than cd-quality sound. Third is the Tunecast II's monstrous appetite for AAA batteries. On one car trip (a total of 6 hours of driving) I changed batteries twice. The secondary problem with this battery hog is that it loses its programmed memory when it loses battery power, forcing you to reprogram the frequencies over and over again. Don't waste your money, I'll be returning mine to the store.

Purchased and Returned the Same Day
I read the reviews on all these fm transmitters and this seemed to be fairly good with reviews on both ends of the spectrum. However, I had some major beef with this product for several reasons. First because the power cord kept coming out of the transmitter and reseting to the lowest freq. when plugged back in, that resulted in constant reseting the stations. Second, when the frequency was set to a certain station, it would be okay for alittle while then start picking up the signal from the station it was on. Third, the sound quality was not very good because it's only as good as an FM station can be, basically it sounds like the radio. Fourth, it worked best when the receiver was placed as far from the ipod as possible and also not particullarly close to the radio. I just had a lot of difficulties with it...I later talked to a employee at an Apple Store and he said to get the monster cable icarplay. He uses that one and said its much better than all the others he's tried, but still the best way of connecting is hard wiring it your radio if you can. I'm looking into that now and will probably purchase the icarplay if thats not possible. ... Read more

Features

• 3-pack of iPod Skins to protect your Apple iPod music player from scratches and bumps
• Designed specifically for 4G (fourth-generation, 20/40 GB capacity) iPods
• Protect multiple players or change your iPod color with your week, day, or mood
• Elastomer material lets one size fit all 4G iPods; dock your iPod without removing it from its case
• Frosted-clear, cobalt-blue, and pink colors

Features

• Comprehensive service and support
• Protection for the iPod and iTunes solution
• Quality and convenience backed by Apple
• Provides expert support for both Mac and Windows users
• Permits transfer of the plan between owners

Reviews (4)

??
Why on earth would anyone buy applecare from amazon.com? I mean, really, come on.

Question is, who serves who?
Be prepared to hear Apple's Service Representative tell you that, "Amazon is not an authorized reseller" and that you must fax them a copy of your sales/shipping document, and also fax them a copy of the enrollment number of the service plan along with its bar code (which is on one of the sheets of paper inside the "protection plan" package).

If you have a fax machine at your fingertips, I guess this isn't a really big deal, but if you don't, and if you are handicapped and can only walk with great difficulty, you might decide the whole thing really isn't worth the hassle.

Also be prepared to read your iPods serial number which is indistinctly, dimly, and microscopically etched into the backside of your machine. My tired, old eyes required my best magnifying glass with intense light to make it out, and even then I managed to mistake 2 Qs for Os on my first attempt.

On my first request for service I found the iPod representative to be pleasant enough, even affable; but, upon reflection I realized that other than to recite the things I must FAX to them, she hadn't so much as given me the time of day, let alone an answer to the question I had asked her.

Expensive, limited coverage
Considering that this policy only extends the warranty for one year, it is expensive. Coverage for the iPod's biggest problem, its battery, is vague. Apple simply defines as non-defects some apparent battery problems, such as the fact that the battery drains very rapidly when the unit is not in use and turned off. Plus, the battery can drop drastically in usage time, and Apple protects itself by saying this: "Service coverage is available ... for battery depletion of 50 percent or more from original specification." What other company clearly states that precipitous product failure is not covered by either the original or extended warranty?

For just Pennies a day....Peace of Mind!
The iPod and iTunes redefine what digital music should be: great audio on a superlight device with stunning design, fast download speeds, and ample storage for your music collection. Now, with the AppleCare Protection Plan for iPod, you can be sure that your music will play on.

One number to call for world-class support
Because Apple creates both the iPod and iTunes, they form a truly integrated digital music solution. If you ever have a question about their use, you'll have direct telephone access to Apple's own technical support group-the people who know iPod and iTunes best. AppleCare representatives can help troubleshoot your iPod and its connection with iTunes.

Apple offers the same complete service for both Mac and Windows users.

Investment protection
Every iPod comes standard with 90 days of phone support and one year of hardware service coverage.The AppleCare Protection Plan extends your service and support coverage for your iPod, its included accessories, and iTunes to up to two years from the original purchase date of your iPod.With this plan, you get direct access to Apple experts for answers by phone and anytime access to web-based resources. If your iPod or the included accessories should need service, Apple-certified technicians will repair it or provide a replacement using genuine Apple parts.

It's recommended that you purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan with your new iPod to take maximum advantage of the coverage the plan provides. This comprehensive plan is available for all iPod models, within their one-year limited warranty, that connect to either Macintosh computers or Windows PCs.

Peace of mind at home or on the road
With the iPod, you can take your entire music collection everywhere you go. But should your iPod need service, the AppleCare Protection Plan gives you the peace of mind of knowing that Apple provides global repair or replacement coverage.

All this for just pennies a day! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Sure, why not
While this Apple power adapter way not be anything fancy or elegant by Apple's standards, it is very useful. Aside from its job of powering up your laptop, it has built-in extending arms to wrap your power cord around. This helpful feature reduces clutter. ... Read more