Podrunner: Free Workout Music from dj steve boyett is an interesting way to load your iPod with non-stop constant beats-per-minute workout music. It’s not fantastic (I’m a fan of a bit more melodic stuff, without so many crashing beats), but for a thumping background groove, I think it would do the job.

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The Eyeshirt is the worst iPod accessory product ever made. Mykala: “How much more lame can you be?” Watch the priceless commercial.

The website iLounge has a 5+ year tradition of a journalistic approach to Apple iPod news; their reviews, articles, and regular news updates are completely devoid of snarkiness, instead focusing on facts and well-written leads. In short, they’re a well respected resource for Apple news. However, their review entitled “Apple iPod touch (8GB/16GB)” did nothing but attempt to reinforce the iLounge opinion that the iPod touch is a “downgrade” from the iPhone. Preoccupation with iPhone comparisons caused iLounge not to miss the boat, but miss the harbor on this one:

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iPod Protection - I have to ask: why get a full case (of which I have 2) for your iPod when you can just get a clear plastic sticky cover? I really like this idea because you can continue to hold in your hand and experience the efforts that were made to make the iPod so nice to hold, yet also protect your investment from scratches. Now I’m sounding like a commercial.

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An iPod speaker that looks like an iron - A pink iron, no less.

Great podcasts from NPR - Worth a look: This American Life, NOVA, The Writer’s Almanac, etc.

iPod Shuffle 50 and 1418 errors - If you are gettting the errors -50 or -1418 when you try to use iTunes 7 to put music or change settings on your new iPod shuffle, use the trick from “Albertech842 ” in this link, and your problem will be solved!

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Shuffle Phones 2.0

In February of 2005, I mocked up an idea I had for attaching the iPod shuffle directly to my full size headphones. Today, when I got a second-generation iPod shuffle, I was able to realize this idea and correct a shortcoming in this newest iPod. Note that the shuffles currently ship with the previous generation iPod earbuds. You know, the ones with slightly inferior fit and sound quality to the newer ‘buds. Thanks, Apple. I had assumed the pictures depicting the old earbuds on the Apple website were used simply because the newer model was not available at time of photography/photoshopping­ (I’m not sure how those images were originally generated). In an effort to correct the earbud shortcoming, I realized I could combine headphones and a shuffle into a cords-free wundermusik contraption. In short, I could make my original idea a reality: a version 2.0, if you will. I’m still looking to get a shorter y-cable (1/8” stereo jack to 1/8” dual mono … anyone?), but for now this works pretty well. I’ll walk you through it.

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Man orders 40GB iPod - receives shrinkwrapped box of soap and some batteries - At least the thieves in the shipping chain had a sense of humor; or if this guy is being dihonest, at least he’s creative.

You thought the Nano was small - The new iPod shuffle is so small, the headphone cord almost dwarves (dwarfs?) it.

I really like this Bob Dylan & iTunes Commercial - I never thought I would use “Bob Dylan” and “iTunes Commercial” in the same sentence … but here we are and really, there’s not much to dislike about this little spot. Great music, cool camera work, and probably better video quality than you get on your TV.

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Perfect iPod Accessory - This great gadget features a gramophone-type appearance, but it plays your iPod’s music and incorporates a touch screen album art display. Exquisite.

Great idea, great photoshop - This great picture flawlessly merges images of an iPod and Swiss Army knife to give the appearance of a great idea: an iPod with flip-out multi-tools on its sides.

Shure E4c Headphones - The better you fit earphones in your ears, the lower the volume can be.

My guess: Apple & eInk

Apple upcoming product speculation is mind-numbingly boring. Why am I interested, then, you ask? I am a perfectionist, and Apples are made by perfectionists. The fit and finish of the cases combined with the rendering of the text on the screen (literally 50% more readable than Windows XP’s text), is enough to sell the machines (for me). It is obvious that Apple is a company guided by people with ridiculously high expectations for the Apple Computer experience.

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Invsible Shield - The first gadget protection I’ve seen that carries products for my cell phone (Moto V551), MP3 player (iPod 4g 20 gig), and my camera (Canon Digital Rebel EOS 300). I’d have bought this for my camera had I known about it. That’s ok, the current protector on there gets the job done.

iPod Bartender - Load a bunch of drink recipes on your iPod.

The best iPod case for sports - I’ve got a wonderful Burning Love case for when my iPod is at home with me (thank you, Mykala :), but I found that I need something a little more when I am running. This Incase case comes with wristband, armband, hard cover … everything you need for working out. Reasonable price, and a very rare flat A rating from Ilounge.com.

iPod nano: That small? - Yeah, the iPod nano next to a Club cracker. Good lord.

iPod Stand - Having a hard time rationalizing this purchase … but it’s one of the most appealing iPod accessories I have seen in a while.

No no, thank YOU

The unbelievable folks at St. Thomas got together and got me a 200 dollar gift certificate to the Apple Store. I was absolutely blown away by this birthday gift (earlier in May), and jumped at the chance to get the music player that my ears have always dreamt of. They wrote:

We love you Alex - thanks so much fo all your help & for being so so great!! We know you really want/NEED an ipod - here’s a start! We all owe you our computer’s lives! Happy Birthday! - you are the BEST!

- Elise, Emily, Emily, Jordan, Kim, Dan, Ryan, & Tony

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Shuffle Phones

Mark my words. I will tell you one more time - mark my words, this is what will be coming out so very soon I can taste it. Now, I have heard no industry rumblings about this idea, but one thing I have been inspired by was a wonderfully funny Do-It-Yourself Oakley Thump using the iPod Shuffle. Consider this, the iPod Shuffle is unbelievably small and light (and yes, it is just a glorified USB flash drive … but stay with me here), so this allows it to be used in ways music players have not been used before. People need to think outside of their “box” here (to borrow a corporate clichÉ). You see, the music player no longer has to hook to your headphones via a long, cumbersome cable that twists and turns its way up through every piece of clothing you are wearing - no, the music player can be your headphones now. Before we get to that, I must share my favorite two comments from that DIY Oakley thread I mentioned above.

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