accessories

It has to be said: I cannot WAIT to model these suckers for you on camera. I mean, just look at them! Tell me that this is not exactly what leapt to your mind back in the early 90s when you first started dreaming about the time when video glasses would rule the personal entertainment marketplace. Now, that time hasn't quite arrived yet, but MyVu is sure aiming to make it so. The company offers a line of Personal Media Viewers in the form of glasses that hook up to an external video source (such as an iPod) to … Read more

Clearly, the Apple iPod offers a reasonable array of attractive features--a slick interface, excellent podcast support, video capability--but recording ability has never made the list. The value of this feature may be questionable for some, but for others, it's a desirable extra. Luckily for audio note takers and aspiring podcasters, several third-party vendors have come to the rescue. The latest is Belkin with its fabulously portable Podcast Studio, which cradles the iPod while turning it into an on-the-go recording machine. The Podcast Studio, which is expected to launch in June 2008 at a price of $99.99, runs off … Read more

'Tis the day after Christmas, and all through the land, people play with gadgets that fit right into the hand. Some tinker with iPods, others play with a Zune, but they have one thought in common: "Can I accessorize soon?" Well, Santa's passed out--it's his first rest all year--so you'll have to get up and find your own audio gear. But before you bundle up to brave the snow, wind, and fog, make sure you check out our iPod accessories blog.

Creative Zen accessories

You want to take your tunes on the road, but headphones don't always cut it, and even the smallest home speakers and receivers/amplifiers aren't portable. Technology has come to the rescue with a new breed of portable speakers that sound a lot better than the tinny models you might remember from the Walkman days. These useful devices are the hot ticket for travelers, dorm rooms, the beach, or the office; they plug into iPods, MP3 players, and laptops' headphone jacks, with sound that can easily fill a small to medium-size room.

It's also true that you … Read more

The category of stereo Bluetooth earbuds is still growing, so it's nice to see a newcomer to the market focusing on just that. JayBird debuted in 2007 with the JB-100 headset, a compact stereo earbud set, as well as complementing adapters for the iPod and other audio devices (sold separately). At $129.99, the JB-100 falls comfortably between two close competitors: the Etymotic Ety8 and the Plantronics Voyager 855. This headset has its pitfalls, but if you can get a comfortable fit, it's a worthwhile consideration. Read the JB-100 review.

JayBird Bear focuses on one thing and one thing only: stereo Bluetooth solutions for portable audio devices. The company debuted this year with three complementing products for music phones, iPods, and other MP3 players. The headliner is the JayBird JB-100, a stereo Bluetooth headset with an ultracompact form factor. This product makes a fine companion for any cell phones using A2DP Bluetooth, or for the small handful of MP3 players with that wireless capability (the Samsung T10 and Insignia Pilot, for example). However, for most other MP3 players--including the iPod--you'll need a little more help with cutting the headphone … Read more

DLO's TuneStik handily combines an FM transmitter with an RF remote for the iPod, and now that remote will feature an LCD screen for displaying the FM frequency. In addition to allowing users to adjust the FM band, the remote controls basic playback functions of the iPod, offers a 25-foot range, and comes with a clip for attaching to a steering wheel. The transmitter portion, which connects to the bottom of any docking iPod (including the newest models), is a low-profile black rectangle that is suitable for both in-car and at-home use. It includes a pass-through dock for attaching … Read more

So you've managed to get your hands on one of the world's most popular MP3 players, the Apple iPod. The device on its own will keep you plenty entertained for sure, but you'll soon realize there's a lot more fun to be had if you move beyond the confines of what comes in the box. To that end, we've created a one-stop-spot for all the aftermarket gear that can help you take full advantage of your player. Whether you're interested in an alarm set-up to coax you out of bed with your favorite tunes, … Read more

It appears that the whole colorful earbud thing is gaining a little momentum, and we're not unhappy to see it. There's nothing wrong with a little style in your ear. Griffin is jumping into the game with the TuneBuds Color, some very inexpensive ($19.99) sound-isolating earphones that come in six colors tinted to match the iPod Nanos and Shuffles. The 'buds offer bumping bass for the price, but audio purists will be turned off by the sometimes jarring highs. Read the review.