Even though the Boston version ofMacworld Conference & Expopales in comparison toJanuary ’s CES , and is little even when compared toMacworld Expo San Francisco , that does n’t mean the East Coast show was at a personnel casualty for iPod supplement . In fact , some of the best new mathematical product at the exhibition were aimed not at Macs , but at Apple ’s “ other ” production , the astounding - sale - statistics - generating iPod . Here are those that made an feeling as I walked the show floor .
Harman Kardon Drive+Play . The most substantial new merchandise — evaluate by the perpetual line of people waiting to get inside the cubicle ( OK , a nicely equipped BMW)—wasHarman Kardon’sDrive+Play iPod solution for the car , which the company say should be available in September for approximately $ 200 . Like other systems we ’ve cover orreviewedin the past , the Drive+Play is design to reserve you to play your iPod through your car ’s stereo . However , the Drive+Play is unique in three way of life . The first is its connector flexibility : It can link directly to any car stereo with an auxiliary input signal knave ( via a received audio cable ) ; to most stereoscopic photograph with a CD changer connecter ( using an optional third - party adapter ) ; or , for those who do n’t want to go to the bother of a more complex instalment , via the Drive+Play ’s built - in FM transmitter .
But the two features that had the great unwashed let the cat out of the bag were the building block ’s covert and its controller . A backlit , 5 - line , monochrome LCD display , approximately 4″ x 2.5″ ( from memory ; I did n’t get a chance to value it ) , mimics your iPod ’s own showing — when navigate the iPod , it prove the familiar computer menu , and when mind , it displays cross information . The display can be mounted on your dash , on your window , in your nerve centre cabinet — anywhere you like . ( Although it ’s connected to the organization ’s main console table via a cable length . ) The arrangement ’s five - push button , round control — affectionally referred to as “ the knob ” by many show attendee — mirrors the iPod ’s own user interface : a declamatory prime button in the middle border by forward , back , menu , and dally / interruption buttons . Instead of scroll through menus via a Click Wheel , you rotate the knob itself .
Besides the silver screen and boss — or , perhaps more accurately , because of the two — attender were excited about the system ’s ease of use . Unlike most other machine port and adapter , which involve you to learn an un - iPod - like interface based on your car stereophonic system ’s own controls , the Drive+Play ’s restrainer pommel and screen function almost precisely like the iPod ’s own user interface . During our demonstration , we sit down in the Harman BMW and immediately start out navigate menu , choosing item , and playing and decamp call . My only ill was that — as with other car solution and unlike the iPod ’s Click Wheel — the Drive+Play demo model could n’t accelerate through track / album / creative person names ; the scrolling hurrying was constant , no matter how many tracks were on a link up iPod , making it difficult to quick find a strain among several thousand . However , Mike Griffin , chair of Harman ’s Mobile Systems division , state Playlist that the Drive+Play being shown at the Expo was using an early version of the system ’s software program and that one of the company ’s priorities is to implement some form of quickening feature for sail iPods with large music libraries .
JBL On Stage with Remote . Sharing the booth with the Drive+Play was Harman Kardon ’s sis company , JBL , which was displaying a unexampled edition of the popularOn Stagedesktop speaker unit scheme for the iPod . The update intersection , to be priced at $ 179 and useable in September , now includes an RF - based remote control . ( The ship’s company has licence Griffin’sAirClicktechnology . ) This gain rectify one of the most common criticism of the On Stage — the lack of a wireless remote control . ( See ourreviewof the original On Stage . )
DLO TransPod for iPod shuffling . Another promising automobile - focalize accessory debuting at the show wasDigital Lifestyle Outfitters$60 TransPod for iPod shuffle . Like the caller ’s full - size of it TransPod , the TransPod for iPod shuffle plugs into your car ’s accessory outlet ( a.k.a . , butt lighter plug ) and bring home the bacon a “ moorage port”—in this fount , a USB stopple . When you place your shuffling in the TransPod , the shuffling is charged while the TransPod ’s FM transmitter send the shamble ’s audio to your car stereo . A backlit LCD display let you choose any FM absolute frequency from 87.9 to 107.9 ; you may also salt away up to four preset frequencies . Two useful feature are a telephone circuit - out diddlysquat , for send out high - quality sound recording to your car stereo via an audio line or cassette adapter , and a line - in jack , which lets you circularize any other audio author to your railcar stereo via the TransPod . ( you’re able to also use the TransPod to agitate any other twist that can be charged via a USB cablegram . )
DLO mini fling . DLO also debuted their novel $ 35 mini pass font , draw as a “ manner wristlet case for iPod mini . ” The company assure Playlist that the mini whirl was designed to fulfil a col in the case market : fashionable and functional cases specifically design for women . The mini spree is a standard flipcase , but is useable in a number of unique last , including mini - matching metallic pink , blue , green , and silver ; three “ psychedelic ” models ; and four “ crocodile ” textures . The interior of the flipcover host a small cosmetic mirror , an pliable loop on the back accommodates earbuds or a tube of lip rouge , and a matching wrist shoulder strap can be used to carry the case .
( DLO also gave Playlist a stoolie height at a line of broken but stylish leather cases—“for guys”—that will debut in the near future . Urban Outfitters fans will need to hold these out when they ’re available . )
Delarew Designs Delapod Accesspak . verbalize of iPod accessary for woman , we ’ve got one of Delarew Designs’Delapodhandbags in our revaluation queue , but the company announced the addition ofAccessPak backpacksto the Delapod railway line at the Expo . Like the pocketbook model , Delapod packsack are made of leather — uncommitted in a number of colors and texture — and have a well-defined external window that allows you to reckon the screen and get at the control of an iPod stored inside the bag . The haversack rendering places the screenland on the side of the purse that sits against your back , nominate it less conspicuous — in all likelihood a good approach in these days of iPod - inspire muggings .
BTI Tunestir . Battery Technology , Inc.was showing off their new $ 70 iPod Tunestir , a unique production that flux an FM transmitter , FM radio set , and iPod remote in a single unit . The Tunestir ’s 10.5 - inch cable plugs into the headphone / remote labourer of dockable iPods ; the literal Tunestir social unit , which measures just over 2.5″ x 1.5″ by .75″ in sizing ( including the cable management cartridge holder ) , includes a set of iPod and radio receiver controls , as well as an LCD exhibit for choose a hearing or broadcast medium frequency . A switching on the side of the Tunestir lets you assign which modal value to use ( remote / transmitter / tuner ) , and you could store up to 5 transmission and 5 response FM frequencies
Macmedia ETCHamac . Hidden in the Apple Specialists Showcase was a treasure of a product : Macmedia’sETCHamacservice for iPods and PowerBooks . You transport Macmedia your iPod or iPod miniskirt , along with your option of text , a logo , or an image , and for a fee of $ 20 to $ 50 ( depending on the blueprint ) the company will practice a special laser to permanently etch the conception into the back of your ’ Pod . The sampling iPods on display looked very nerveless and very professional . ( We ’ll be have a sample distribution for recap here at Playlist . ) or else , you may buy a new iPod from Macmedia and have them “ etch ” the intention into the iPod before they transport it to you .
KeychainPod iKeychain . A while back , KeychainPod post us a few sample of their machine aluminum iKeychain display case for the iPod shuffle . Although we liked the original version — see ourreview — our biggest ill was that the earphone jack opening was too small to accommodate many third - party headphones . The society has partly rectified this issue with a new version of the iKeychain that boast a much larger earpiece opening . The case itself is still too thick to apply with L - shape earphone plugs , but many straight plugs that did n’t fit before now do . KeychainPod will also custom - scratch your iKeychain for an additional fee .
Protective Solutions Invisible Shield . Protective Solutions was demonstrate their $ 25Invisible Shieldproducts — thin skins to protect against scratches — for full - size and mini iPods . The Shields are made of material from 3 M that was originally design to protect military chopper blades from abrasive and corrosive substances — so it should be able to keep your iPod scratch - free . Although theinstructionsfor applying the Shields are a bit more tangled than applying a sticker to your iPod , the monstrance being prove by the company ’s president were impressive : He inquire passersby to seek to pound a ball - period pen through an outstretched Shield ; the Shield stretched over the pen for nearly a foot but did n’t puncture . The troupe also guarantees inconspicuous Shields against vesture and tear for sprightliness .
We ’ll be go over these product and many more in the weeks to add up ; keep an eye on thePlaylist Product Guidefor the latest in iPod accessory .
