ipod

Being of a decidedly superficial ilk, we're always on the lookout for stuff that catches our visual fancy despite how it might perform. That's why we were both pleased and disappointed in Saitek's new iPod speakers.

The "gently smoothed pebble" appearance, as Slashgear describes it, is indeed fetching. But then we saw a photo of the Nano stand affixed to the speakers, which looks like something of an afterthought applied with a nervous screwdriver. It's not nearly as bad as some of the deformities we've documented in this space, but it's not … Read more

Now that the Playstation madness has subsided, Sony may be turning its attention back to the PSP. But if a report in the Financial Times is correct, the competition for its next move could be just as hairy.

The newspaper says Sony plans to launch a video service for the handheld gaming device, a move that would put it in direct competition with the iPod. The service "will allow PSP owners to download a film from the Internet to a PC and then to transfer a single, legal version of the film to a Sony device," according to … Read more

We've grown somewhat weary of iPod and MP3 accessories, as should be abundantly clear to anyone who reads this space regularly (all two of you). But everytime we're tempted to impose a moratorium, one comes along that we just can't resist. Today's example: the "i-Snake."

We don't know where to begin, but let's start with what we like: its name. Things start to go south in a hurry after that. One immediate question is its use--if there's an obvious one, we plead blind ignorance. Another point is its design, if it … Read more

Count 'em, two trends in one. We've written exhaustively (and exhaustingly) about the maddening ubiquity of iPod cases and retro design. So what do we come across? Oh joy, a product that combines both categories.

The "iHome iH19" is a protective water-resistant case for the iPod that includes built-in speakers--and the resulting form looks remarkably like a old boombox from the '70s. The case has features that update the concept for 21st century use, of course, but just looking at it will always make us nostalgic.

If the sun rose today, it must mean another new iPod case is around somewhere. Voila! Here's one now.

Although we're loath to post another item about another accessory, this one at least looks more stylish than the usually mundane case. And you've got to hand it to the people at Pacific Design for getting "bikini" and "skin" into the name.

The "Mila Bikini Skin" is thusly named for its "fun bikini shape," according to iLounge, and "allows you to attach your iPod to virtually anything." The $… Read more

The new and improved Belkin TuneStage isn't slated to hit stores for a few weeks, but got our hands on an early unit and give it a test run. Right out of the box, we had the TuneStage II up and running in less than two minutes. Plug in the base station, run a connecting cable to any stereo or powered speaker system, and you're ready to use your iPod as a wireless music box. The new and improved transmitter dongle uses the standard iPod 30-pin connector, so unlike the original TuneStage, the TuneStage II is compatible with … Read more

Just minutes after having noted that laptops face relative neglect when it comes to protective products, we got notice of yet another an iPod safety accessory--thereby proving our point once again. But to show we're not bitter, we're passing along DLO's "Action Jacket" for the Shuffle, a strap-on case for Shufflers on the go.

Ultra-mobile podsters will probably also appreciate the "Power Bug" announced at the same time, a "compact, fold-away" charger that plugs into the wall. It should be noted that DLO isn't just any iPod accessory bandwagon-jumper: Months … Read more

Awhile back we posted an item on a product that could have been the offspring of an iPod-Chocolate union, from a company that produces neither. But LG apparently had such romantic leanings already, for it has given birth to the lovingly named "UP3Flat," a screen-less Chocolate MP3 player that appears aimed at the iPod Shuffle market.

Our cousins at Crave UK describe it this way: "It's about the same size as a lighter and sports a sumptupuous 'piano-black' finish. Its silver volume buttons take the place of the red touch-sensitive navigation buttons on the Chocolate phone.&… Read more

If Louis XIV had a MySpace page, a Web cam and iPod he would totally cry his eyes out in this chair.

I can hear him now: "Even though I totally distracted all the nobles by making them hang out at Versailles--finally--and have become the standard for any wannabe absolute monarch, I still feel like my people just don't get who I am. You know? I mean, I wish someone would just notice me as a regular guy with big hair who wears high heels, and not as, like, the quote-unquote Sun King."

Even if you're … Read more