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Not every technical issue requires complicated solutions. Here are three simple ways to get more use out of your iPod. [To go to the main page for Digital Music Revolution coverage, please click here.] Apple made its already compact music player even smaller, but doing so meant that there wasn’t enough room for the FireWire port of previous versions. Also one of the “Honey, I Shrunk the iPod” tricks was a smaller battery, which reduces playing time.
The adapter lets owners of accessories, such as car chargers, for earlier generation iPods use them with the new generation players. Equally important, instead of having to buy special purpose dock connector-to-FireWire cables as spares for synching and charging your iPod, the PocketDock lets you use standard FireWire cables (the six-pin variety) instead. I have both old and new generation iPods, so I keep a PocketDock next to my PC. That way, I can use a FireWire cable to sync my old model, then attach the adapter and connect up to the docking port model. PocketDock is, indeed, pocket sized -- about half the size of a “keychain” USB flash memory device -- and users may want to have a couple on hand for ready use. The one downside of PocketDock is that at $18.95 each (SendStation, but not its U.S. distributors, offer a three-pack for $52.95), the cost of buying multiples can add up. The original PocketDock was such a success that SendStation has expanded its lineup. PocketDock Combo ($22.95), shown at left, offers the flexibility of using the device with Windows PC that lack FireWire and only have USB connections -- a standard Windows configuration. The Combo has a FireWire port and adds a USB "B" port with works with any standard USB device cable. It let's Windows users hedge their connection bets. I particularly like the new PocketDock Line Out Pack ($29.95), shown to the right. Here the FireWire port is paired with an audio line out jack. This takes advantage of the fact that the iPod dock connector, in addition to charging and syncing, also has a line feed that is more suitable for connection to external devices (such as speakers) than the headphone jack. Apple fits its iPod docks with an audio out, and the Altec Lansing inMotion also takes advantage of it. The PocketDock Line Out lets you use this audio docking capability without having to actually dock, This gives you a wider range of setup options -- not having to take your iPod out of a carrying case, for example. The package also includes nicely designed, lightweight mini-to-mini and mini-to-RCA audio cables. SendStation gets extra credit for remembering to provide Velcro straps for wrapping up the cable for storage. The accessory works for me in two ways. First, the FireWire port lets me hook up my home stereo iPod connection using the iPod's charger and a FireWire cable, thereby making the power supply usable with older iPods as well as the current dock connector models. And second, the line out jack means I don't have to choose any more between leaving the iPod in a protective case or getting the best audio output. Not only are SendStation's devices "don't leave home without them" products, they are great to use at home also.
Solution for problem #2:
Belkin’s F8E464 Backup Battery Pack. This is simplicity itself -- a rounded
white plastic box that holds four AA batteries, with a short cable with a
dock connector, an off-on switch, and suction cups for attaching an iPod to
the pack. Belkin says it will provide 15-20 hours of playing time (more than double the eight hours of iPod’s built-in batteries). This should get you through long trips -- and if not, well how hard is it to stash an extra set of AAs in your bags? Get to your destination and just buy more batteries. AAs are readily available around the world. Simple. In fact, this is an idea worth getting more general use -- PDAs, cell phones, and many other devices have an annoying habit of running out of juice just when you are nowhere near an electric outlet for recharging. (Notebooks do, too, but that would take a heck of a lot of AA cells.) A battery-powered supplemental power supply, ideally one that can support several devices, would be a valuable tool in the road warrior’s arsenal. The couch potato solution: What could be more essential to a music player than a remote control? TenTechnolgies NaviPod ($50) fills this need admirably for iPods.
The receiver is a rectangular white plastic box that fits on top of the iPod and plugs into the headphone jack. The receiver has a pass-through jack to which you hook up your speakers or headphones. A wire stand lets you position your iPod like an easel. The 3G model is half the size of the earlier model because earlier ones need a FireWire pass-through for charging whereas the 3G iPods' charging port is on the bottom where the NaviPod can't obstruct it. In fact, if you use the iPod docking cradle, you don't even need to use the wire stand. Another difference between the two versions is that when a 3G iPod is connected to the docking cradle, its own volume controls are overridden and the iPod's output level stays constant. This is so that the iPod won't conflict with the your stereo system's or powered speakers' own volume controls. (The NaviPod still will change the iPod volume, it just won't have any effect.) NaviPod is particularly nice to use in conjunction with Apple's iPod Stereo Connection Kit with Monster Cable or Altec Lansing's inMotion travel speakers or other powered speakers. It makes your iPod a full-fledged stereo component. (c) 2004 Al Gordon. In addition to his computer interests, Al Gordon is a principal in the Boston-area strategic consulting firm, Mary Fifield Associates, www.maryfifieldassociates.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You can reach Al Gordon at:  Return to Top
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This is supplemental information to the article:
Solution
for problem #1: 
It is available for both new "3G" and