Essential Add-ons for The Little Media Player That Could
In many ways the intersection of all that is good about iPod--the compact size, the ample capacity, the bold design--the iPod nano is a must-have device for music lovers. So, what accoutrements must the nano have? Yes, I'm talking about iPod nano accessories.
With a bit of protection, and a bit of support, the nano can do some amazing things. We need to keep it safe, perhaps make the thin wafer a little easier to handle, and make sure it remains properly juiced. But what about unleashing its music over something other than headphones? Home and car stereos beckon, as do speaker systems specifically designed to work with portable MP3 players such as this.
We've seen and heard a lot of different ways to complement Apple's finest, and here then are my Top 5 iPod nano Accessories:
The iPod nano might have a sleek one-piece aluminum body, but that doesn't make it immune to scratches and other injuries. And with the onboard camera presenting a whole new way to hold it, the proper case is essential. The textured, angular look and feel of the PixelSkin--which is crafted of smooth, soft, snug-fitting silicone that feels good in the hand--adds security without a lot of girth. PixelSkin (MSRP: $19.95) provides a serious layer of protection while maintaining full access to all necessary controls, with an all-important peephole for the camera. This handy little number is available in any color you want, as long as that color is black.
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Creative Labs ZiiSound D5 Wireless Speaker System
New to the home speaker dock scene is Creative's latest addition to their premium ZiiSound line, the D5 (MSRP: $299.99). It blasts big sound from the little nano, combining full-range drivers and an integrated bass port within the respectably-sized, rigid one-piece enclosure to deliver well-defined, room-filling audio. It's also happily wireless, and an included 30-pin module plugs into almost any iPod to transform it into a Bluetooth device, ready to stream its contents as well as any out-of-the-box Bluetooth-equipped player. Once set up, the nano also becomes its own remote control: As long as we stay within range of the ZiiSound D5, all of our tunes are at our fingertips.
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The complete iTrip AutoPilot kit from Griffin (MSRP $99.99) offers unmatched convenience for those whose nano spends a lot of time in the front seat of the car. A smartly designed DC adapter (for the dashboard/console cigarette lighter) puts the hard "AutoPilot" Play, Pause and Skip controls right on the plug, so we need not fumble with the iPod itself while we drive, and we can even play music while the iPod is charging, with a multi-colored ring to indicate recharge status. The included FM transmitter plays our music back over any car stereo, aided by Griffin's exclusive SmartScan technology which automatically determines with one-button setup the three best frequencies, then recalls them should we need to switch on long road trips through different radio listening areas.
Where to Buy:
Soundmatters international inc. foxLv2 Personal Audiophile Loudspeaker
I finally figured out why this thing is called "fox": because it's crazy like one. Crazy how well-designed and well-built it is, and even crazier how good it sounds. (If we also have an iPod touch or other Bluetooth device, it's also crazy-easy to pair wirelessly.) All imaginable cabling and accessories are included to use the foxLv2 (MSRP: $249) anytime, anywhere, and we will definitely want to. This compact marvel throbs with low-end energy we can feel, even more so when positioned against a wall or tabletop. The true stereo effect is exquisite despite the proximity of the two main drivers, almost too good for MP3 frankly, so consider Apple Lossless format for your tunes. While the pocket-sized audiophile loudspeaker category might not be an especially crowded one, the foxLv2 is by far the best I have ever heard.
Where to Buy:
It's surprisingly hard to find a really good video-enabled iPod dock, a well-built A/V component that delivers all the quality and versatility we yearn for. Enter the Wadia 170iTransport ($379.95), with its powder-coated cast-aluminum chassis, S-video plus component video outputs. It also bypasses the iPod's built-in digital-to-analog-converter, thereby avoiding any loss of resolution from analog circuitry and connectors in the signal path. Instead, the coaxial digital out provides pure pass-through of the audio signal to our home stereo system. (Unbalanced RCA-type analog stereo outs are also on board.) The result is a high-performance media server needing only the content--easily supplied with the connection of the oh-so-transportable nano--and then the music and movies can flow, doing a top-notch home theater proud. A remote control, digital cable and docking inserts are all in the box.
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