iPod Tracker : iPod News

Apple also released their much-rumoured highly anticipated iPod “Boombox” today at their inhouse media event.

• Integrated power supply
• 6 D-size batteries
• Speakers: 2 x 80mm wide-range speakers
• Bass: 1 x 130mm dual voice coil woofer
• Ported bass reflex design
• Universal iPod dock connector
• Integrated handles
• Sealed resin enclosure
• Rear auxiliary input for iPod shuffle
• Can be controlled using the Apple Remote
• Price: $349

iPod support for the iPod Hi-Fi isn’t lacking either. Apple have released an iPod update that puts a speaker icon in the menu. Selecting this starts to play back music, then makes the screen go black and display album art.

Looking forward to this one!

Check out these headphones! The Macally mTUNE-N headphones have a built-in iPod nano dock integrated into one of the earphones. This means that you can connect your nano into a neat, cable-free cradle and control it from the side of your head. Changing tracks is as easy as ever, just scroll up or down and select a tune. However, you cannot change menus so if you want to listen to a different album, artist or playlist then you’ll have to take the headphones off and change menu.

There’s no denying that these are a statement - they’re big and bold. Put it this way, you’ll be seen wearing these. But considering that your precious iPod is attached rather visibly to the side of your head, would you really want to make it that easy for a thief to knab it? Moving on, it’s available now priced at $49 / £40.

Now this is a pretty cool iTunes accessory! The ITJ is an electronically enhanced cartridge-based interface that can control what tunes play depending on the jewel case you insert.

The makers have designed the ITJ for parties so that your friends can select the tunes they want to listen to, without having to use your computer. When playing, the jewel lights up blue but when the track is nearing the end it starts to glow orange. Right now the jukebox can only handle about a dozen cases, but because each case can start a playlist you have a fairly broad scope of choice.

It’s pretty cool. Check it out.

We’ve had car docks and a plethora of home docks, but has there ever been a dock for a Vespa scooter yet? Well there is now!

If you’ve got a scooter and would like to start modding it, then try out the Scooterworks Stereo Kit. Priced at $299, the kit comes with a pair of 4″ Alpine speakers, a cradle with iPod connector, an amplifier and a replacement glove box complete with pre-cut holes. Currently the Stereo Kit is compatible only with the Vespa P-Series and Vespa Stella.

The Kensington Stereo Dock for iPod is a new accessory that allows users to control their iPod wirelessly. You just need to connect your iPod to the Stereo Dock via an included 7ft cable. You can then use the included remote control to pause / play / rewind / fast forward and adjust volume. The built-in speaker sounds good with decent bass and treble.

Continuing the ever-growing number of iPod accessories designed for the car is the new 2point5 spec.dock.

The spec.dock is a new accessory that converts your existing ashtray into an iPod dock, and is currently only available as an aftermarket hack. The only thing is that if you smoke, where are you going to put your ash?

It currently is compatible with the following cars:

• MKIV Volkswagen v.2
  Includes 1999.5-2005 Golf, Jetta, GTI, GLI, 20th AE, 337, R32
• BMW 3-Series e-46 v.1
  Includes all 1999-2004 models
• BMW 7-Series e65 v.1
  Includes all 2003-current models
• BMW X5 v.1
  Includes all models
• Dodge Magnum, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300C v.2
  Includes all models
• Universal Cup Holder v.2

Hot on the heels of the Kempo jacket comes the new BlackCoat from Koyono. This new lightweight jacket features ElekTex’s smart fabric interface, an iPod control in the inside breast pocket.

The controls allow you to control what tracks play and can adjust the volume. Koyono will be launching another 3 iPod-enabled jackets in February that will retail at approximately $180 / £100.

The XtremeMac MicroPack is a universal dock that can provide up to 80 hours of music on your iPod, and up to 8 hours of video on new iPods with video. The XtremeMac MicroPack dock is powered by a Lithium Polymer battery and is expected to ship some time in spring priced at $99.

MicroPack allows you to sync with iTunes while iPod sits in the dock. It also comes with a headphone amplifier that can provide sound to 2 headsets that each have separately adjustable volume control. It also has line-in, line-out and can charge the iPod.

Aspen’s Sky Hotel has announced an upgrade to each of it’s 90 rooms to feature new iHome technology. The iHome is an alarm clock featuring an integrated iPod docking station that can charge and play music from any iPod (3G / 4G), iPod mini and iPod photo.

Using the iHome alarm clock guests can wake up to either radio or music played from their iPod. This announcement comes hot on the heels of Chrysler’s decision to roll out support for iPod across all models in 2006 and Levi’s new RedWire DLX iPod-compatble jeans.

Buy the iHome Alarm Clock @ Amazon.com

The number of companies building accessories for Apple’s iPod just keeps on growing. After the recent announcement that Chrysler will be adding iPod support in 2006, Levi have announced a new iPod-compatible pair of jeans!

The RedWire DLX Jeans will launch in August priced at $200 with a built-in iPod dock that is fitted inside a pocket. RedWire DLX Jeans also come with integrated headphones, which is pretty awesome!

Other companies, including Burton Snowboards and Kempo, make iPod-compatible clothing - but Levi are the first to offer iPod-compatible jeans.