Making a case for the iPod: Reflections on a near perfect product.
Part 1:
Here we go (again):
You got yourself a brand New Shinny iPod G5 with Video. Good for you. Now obviously the first few things you notice (in no particular order) are the fact that the screen is wider; and you go hum...More surface to protect -That the cheap case that come with it, is well less than convenient (yes Apple has stopped packing a regular belt-clip case with it) and finally that if you may have a chance to enjoy it for a long long time without having to stare at a screen full of scratches that you will have to do something fast. It's a call to action! In order to serve you will have to protect (it)!
This is our time tested strategy to maximized your investment
1) Get a Superior Case for your iPod
Don't go for a cheap one: You have paid a great deal of money for your iPod don't go on the cheap side to protect it. Get the best!
2) Consider what you will be doing with it: Will it travel with you everyday, under foul weather condition, will you use it for sports, hiking, or will it just be used mostly while commuting with your car?
3) If you love great sound invest in a superior set of headphones: After all (and let's be honest here) the ones that comes with the iPod are ok, but one of the best up grade you can get for a iPod is a great set of ear buds / head phones. what a difference, plus even in a few years if you get the latest and newest iPod (of the moment) you will still be able to use the great headphones that you have purchased- That my friends is a smart investment in time and sound!
4) Yes those electrostatic clear stick-on works wonders to protect against scratches the front and back of a iPod. Use them as well as a case and you will be glad down the road that you did.
5) Maintenance is the key to keep your iPod looking new; Get a true "scratch remover/ Polishing kit for your iPod. They work wonders on surface scratches.
6) Accessorized! That is the key thing to expand the joy of a iPod. Remote control, docks that charge while playing your Movies on a TV screens, Wireless FM transmitters, Car chargers, Headphones "splitters" are all worth considering to expand the usability of your iPod.
7) iPods are not only for Music: Nope! Get with it! Yes you can use them as a booth drive, or how about a portable slide show machine? and how about using them more like your old PDA? You can store all of your contacts, phone numbers, Maps (yes Maps... for the ones in us that can never remember the directions) Did I said maps? Yes even the subways ones. How about notes for speeches? How about your Resume; Great when you don't have a hard copy of it, just "Plug on any PC and Print".
With the proper shareware's you can even carry all the news (that fits) the weather forecast, photo and product description (useful when you want to show what you are talking about to a sales person that doesn't seems to understand what you want). Or simply memo you need to review while commuting. Games! Yes every iPod comes with a few games; Now a days you will find a whole lot more games that you can download from the net for your iPod. And books; Printed or Audio they are all available most of the time only a click away. Want to catch up on a episode of your favorite tv show; Chances are that it is now available for download.
8) Your iPod is not only a iPod; it's in our opinion, it's the best Mac product ever designed. When used to it's full capacity, we truly believe that the iPod experience is life changing!
Part 2 : A face to face test of all the products that are worth your time and money, for your iPod.
1) Superior cases comes in all shapes and sizes, and they range from a few dollars to double digits. Again think before you act. This is the only protection your iPod will get. So give it the Best. This is a list in no particular order of the products that we recommends. They all have been tested and made it to the top 5% of the pile. All Beautiful, solid and reliable.
Clear cases:
- XtremeMac Microshield
- Contour Design Showcase Video and iSee Video
Silicon Layers
-iSkin Serie
Leather
- Apple all Leather iPod Carrying Case
- Acme Made Video iPod Leather Wallet
- Orbino Cambio iPod Leather Case
Aluminum
-Matias iPod Armour
Sealed Case
-oPod by Otterbox
2) Like we said considering how you use your iPod will guide you in your choice of case. If it always travel in your pocket Clear or silicon case are great, not to bulky not to heavy -But if you wear it using a belt clip remember that it's always better to use a system that will not break on you. After all what good is it to protect it using the right case to find out after a few hours later that the belt clip broke of without you noticing it, leaving you in a state of panic, to retrace your iPod? Remembering that might just save the day for you. Again buy the best. If you are really active or work in a high dust high impact environment get (at least) a least the best leather case with hood you can find or go for the Aluminum one. at the end of the day you will be glad you did. In extreme cases; Near water, sand or for the well season travelers get the oPod by Otterbox. It will tightly seal your iPod and shield it against all elements, but still you will be able to use it.
3) Yes her is your best up grade: Headphones / earphones
- Future Sonics EM3 Earphones
- Shure E3C Earphones
-Cerulean XLR Earphones
- Seinheiser Digital Ready Over The Head HD Serie
Note that the Future Sonics and Shure products are noise canceling products; Highly effective to leave behind the noises and sound of a cruel world!
4) Protection start her: They are cheap and efficient to prevent scratches right out of the box.
- TrendyGeek Pod Shield
5) Good polishing kit are a must to a iPod ; It's all about making shure that your iPod stay in a pristine condition
- Ice Creme M by RadTech US
- iCleaner by iPodcleaner
6) Yes sir this is where the fun begins:
Docking Station
-Apple Docking Station with Remote
-Keyspan AV Remote and Dock for iPod
Wireless FM Transmitters
-Griffin Serie
-Monster Cable Serie
Car Charger
- Monster Cable iCar Charger
Traveling Cases (for all your iPod Accessories)
- Sf Bags Serie
- Monster Cable iCase
Headphones Splitters
- Monster Cable iSplitter
Enjoy your Summer with your iPod!
posted by Digital Dispatch Editor at 8:11 AM
