The MP3 Players

Speck Products introduced an iPod case on Thursday that has a personality of its own.

The company’s $35 iGuy is a silicone case, similar to other iPod jackets, but it adds bendable arms and legs to the typical design. For now it comes in a version for fourth-generation iPods, though an iPod Mini version is slated for a June arrival

{ via CNET Tech News } { where to buy? }

See also: iGuy for iPod Mini

Bridge tracked a group of over 3,000 radio listeners for three months to determine how long they’ve owned their digital music players, how often they use them, how their use changes over time and how it affects their time spent with terrestrial radio. Bridge determined that for new owners of MP3 players, their use of the device is extremely high and their time spent with radio plummets, especially among those under the age of 24. But interestingly, as time goes on, their time spent with radio begins to increase again.

MP3 players are less of a threat to terrestrial radio than one might think. While new owners of the gadgets show a decline in TSL, the longer people own these devices, the more they return to traditional radio.

{ via FMQB } { Complete result }

Glossary of Terms

1. TSL: Time Spent Listening. The amount of time the average person spends listening during a particular time period. Expressed in hours or quarter-hours

The PodFreq mini broadcasts music to a nearby car, home, or portable FM radio. It connects to the iPod mini through its dock connector. Users can then tune and broadcast to any clear station between 88.1MHz and 107.9MHz using up/down tuning buttons and a built-in, backlit display. Additionally, the telescoping antenna transmits a clear signal for a longer distance.

The PodFreq mini includes a flip stand and integrates FireWire and mini-USB 2.0 ports. Users can connect to their computer to sync and transfer files, and charge their iPod mini without needing to remove it from PodFreq mini. The top half of PodFreq mini protects the display, leaving accessible the click wheel, hold switch, and headphone jack.

{ via the Mac Observer } { where to buy? }

Yucks! Another FM transmitter kit for iPod.

Now the market is flooded by iPod accessories. Is it too much or it just not enough? Perhaps, the demand tells all!

TransPod FM broadcasts iPod to your car stereo via a digital, drift-free, stereo FM Transmitter. Custom-made to our specs just for iPod, TransPod FM is the ultimate car solution - it charges iPod while it is playing, transmits crisp, clear music through your car stereo speakers and mounts iPod using two jointed charger arms - so iPod is right where you can access it while driving, no matter where your cigarette lighter is located.

It adapts to any dock connecting iPod or iPod mini taking a firm hold on the device. It comes packaged with soft adhesive spacers for slimmer iPods and even an adapter for iPod minis. The TransPod then attaches to either the cigarette adapter arm (which, by the way, has one more posable joint than the one supplied with the RoadTrip) or the dash mount “Base Dock” adapter (no such option with the RoadTrip). This allows you to choose between having a posable and removable plastic arm keep your iPod in reach while you drive or go hardcore and actually install the TransPod as a permanent fixture in your vehicle. The TransPod is packaged with a second auto-charger specifically for the Base Dock.

Cigarette Adapter Arm is extremely posable. Allows you to have your iPod accessible while driving. It offers the option to hide your status as an iPod owner when you leave you car parked by allowing you to take all traces of the device with you. However, over time the connection between your cigarette lighter and the adapter part of the arm will loosen and may send your TransPod flailing during high speed chases. The weight of the iPod can also affect connectivity with the car cigarette adapter when disregarding speed bumps or pulling G’s.

Base Dock Dash Mount Adapter provides a solid base for attaching the TransPod to your dash. It may be possible to attach the adapter to an Arkon SR-88 15″ Flexible Gooseneck Satellite Radio Mount. But it requires screwing the device into your dashboard. With the prevalence of passenger side airbags, many users will find their vehicle has no acceptable spot to attach this adapter.

{ via MacMerc.com } { where to buy? }

With initial applications targeted for implementation within SigmaTel STMP35xx MP3 player solutions, the STIR4230 will also be available for non-music applications including cell phones, digital still cameras, in-store kiosks and printers.

SigmaTel is continuing to build upon its core technologies to bring to market products that will provide portable applications with wireless transfer methods for large files such as digital music and photos. This latest offering expands the company’s range and allows our customers to easily implement wireless, secure functionality within their devices.

The STIR4230 differs from previous SigmaTel IrDA devices in that it is designed for use in portable and other embedded applications and not only as a PC peripheral. The product, with VFIR speeds, is the ideal method of transferring digital music and photos between portable devices.

{ via SigmaTel Press Release }