Top Five Most Useful iPod Accessories

Since iPod's first release in 2001, manufacturers of iPod accessories has increase so vast and is continuously increasing that financial analysts call the iPod accessories market as the "iPod ecosystems".

Stylist and engineers are constantly developing more ideas on making iPod accessories for all the iPod generations including the iPod nano and the iPod shuffle lines. Even the well-known corporations like the Bose and Altec Lansing joined the crowd. This just proves how iPod has become the leading brand for the market of digital audio player.

But be aware that there are many iPod accessories out there that are costly yet worthless. So if you like to save time in finding cheap and useful iPod accessories, we have searched and listed the top five iPod accessories worthy of your money.

I. SPEAKERS.

Large companies like the Altec Lansing, Bose, Kessington and JBL jumped into the bandwagon and began manufacturing speakers specifically for working with the iPods using the dock connectors available on the iPod.

iPod speakers come in "Apple white" color and a sleek design to complement other accessories along with the iPod. Even though these speakers are usually quite small in size compared to other normal speakers, its sound still remain crisp, and there is no cracking sound as well. We’ve chosen Altec Lansing inMotion iPod speaker as the best iPod speaker for its quality and generous price (about $150).

Why use speakers?

We know the iPod have a built-in speaker, but it is not enough to emit good sounds from audio files. The small speaker is just for warning tones only and nothing else. A separate speaker in the other hand will allow you to play your favorite song in a much better sound quality, and without needing the earphones too. The sound of an iPod speaker is good and loud enough to play for a small party.

II. FM TRANSMITTER.

Companies like the Monster Cable and the Griffin Technologies have introduced to the iPod community the FM transmitter, which you can use to listen to musics over the radio.

III. iPOD SKINS AND CASES

These iPod accessories are created mainly to protect iPods from scratches and dirt. Manufacturers of iPod cases and iPod skins came up with innovative and stylish iPod skins to increase sales. Well-known manufactureres of iPod skin and cases are the iSkin, Incase, Kate Spade, Speck, Xtreme Iconz, and the Chums.

www.iLounge.com offers many of the best iPod skins and cases in the market at low prices. They are a must have for your iPod to increase its hardiness and durability. The silicone types are usually better than the leather ones because silicone skins are cheaper than leather and they offer better heat resistance.

IV. iPOD ARMBANDS

iPod armband is one of the most creative iPod accessories available. It allows you to do your daily workouts while listening to your favorite music on the iPod. You can even do the most sophisticated dance and still keep your iPod in place, playing your songs smoothly and steadily. These iPod accessories also comes with a screen protector to protect your iPod from dirt and scratches.

V. SOUND ISOLATION EARPHONE

This iPod accessory is best for those who works as a transcriptionist, a musician or a student reviewing for the bar exams.

Etymotic Research ER-6i sound isolator earphone offers a very high accuracy in emitting sound bass and trebble, and keeps all other unwanted noises at bay. It is light in weight and portable. It also comes in the usual "Apple white" color.

UNIQUE IPOD ACCESSORIES

I. CAR INTEGRATION ACCESSORIES

BMW is the first automotive company to release an iPod related accessory for its automobiles. The company introduced iPod automobile interface around 2005. An iPod control was integrated into the built-in steering wheel alongside the radio head and control buttons. The iPod unit is safely confined inside the glove compartment and is attached to a cable harness to make sure it is in place every time the car speeds up or is traversing bumpy roads.

The iPod steering wheel control allows the driver to create and shuffle five "BMW playlist". The playlist is displayed through the small LCD of the vehicle's radio head.

II. iTalK FOR THE iPOD

Aren’t you tired of listening to your iPod everyday? With this accessory, your iPod can now listen to you. iTalk is a device that enables you to record your voice on your iPod.