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IPod add-ons
The 30GB iPod comes with a docking station, and those who have the 10GB and 15GB models can purchase the docking station as an option. The iPod comes with a set or ear buds and a wired remote so you can play/pause, change volume, etc. while out an about and still have your iPod safely concealed.[an error occurred while processing this directive]These are all great if you are listening to your iTunes playlist by yourself, but what if you want to share the joy with others? When I make the long trek to Denver or Kansas City, radio stations fade in and out, play only country, or are non-existent. Being able to listen to the iPod through the car radio would be a big plus. Griffin Technologies will release iTrip at the beginning of September. Unlike other radio transmitters, which only allow you broadcast on three or four frequencies (often with static and drift), this digital radio tuner will allow you to select any frequency on the dial and have your iPod transmit to your radio. Instant music nirvana for those long road trips.
There are numerous companies that sell iPod car charges that allow you to hook into your cigarette lighter and power the unit on the road. No more running out of batteries when you are in the middle of Tucumcari and a million miles from nowhere.
If you want the ultimate iPod add-on, check out the new Volkswagen Beetle commercials that will throw in a new iPod with the purchase of one of their bugs. That’s going a little far, but we all know how “fans” can be.Drawbacks
Are their drawbacks to the iPod? On the PC side, I did have a little trouble the first time I was trying to get the unit to connect. It turned out to be more of a PC FireWire port problem then an iPod problem. Since then I haven’t had a problem, but some new users may be confused, or upset when their iPod doesn’t connect right away.
While I like the current model, there is one thing lacking that could make this a great must have product. And that is the ability to connect a microphone and record. It would be great for a future iPod to have the ability to plug in an external microphone and record 30GB of digital audio. Add timecode and you would have the perfect portable digital audio recorder for film and video production.
The other major problem I see with the iPod is in the cost. The 30GB iPod will set you back 500 large not counting the add-ons you might want to purchase. That’s quite a bit for a portable MP3 player and portable drive. While Apple has gone out of the way to embrace the PC user base that want to use an iPod, Apple could take a lesson from itself in what it did with the price drop of the Cinema Displays. The minute that happened, store were selling out of the display and the PC converter (I must have gone to four different major computer stores in the Kansas City area before finally finding one in stock). If the 30GB iPod sold for half of what it does today, they would be disappearing off the shelves so fast the registers would burn out from the number of transactions taking place.
Bottom Line
I like my iPod. It is probably the second best “fun” purchase I have made since getting the aforementioned Cinema Display. If you are someone who listens to music, hates local radio, or just wants to look hip in the eyes of your colleagues then you should consider embracing the iPod. Apple has begun to embrace the PC crowd with two of their “coolest” products; I hope they continue to do so in the future.
When not working deep in the labs of the DMN Central Division testing the latest and greatest software/hardware products Stephen Schleicher can be found at the local university teaching a few courses on video and web production. He can be reached at schleicher@mindspring.com. You can also visit him on the web at www.mindspring.com/~schleicherPrev 1 2
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