Article
First Looks: XtremeMac FS1, mTune, GripSkins, smartCharge, iSnug Armband & More
By Jeremy Horwitz
Editor-in-Chief, iLounge
Published: Monday, October 10, 2005
Category: First Looks
Welcome to this week’s First Looks - a collection of previews showing brand new iPod accessories that we’re currently in the process of testing. If you’re looking for earlier previews, visit our Articles page, where you’ll see First Looks dating back to the 2002 introduction of the 20GB iPod, or take a look at our more recent Sneak Peeks articles from Apple Expo Paris, and in The Free iPod Book. Here’s what’s new for this week:
XtremeMac FS1 Headphones - Click Here for Details
These high-style versions of FutureSonics’ classic earphones boast superior bass response and a nice collection of ear molds, including a quadruple flange design, foams, and silicone rubber caps. A tiny, curved headphone plug will prove compatible with virtually any iPod accessory you can imagine.


Speck GripSkins for iPod 4G and mini - Click Here for Details
These new comfortable black grippable cases from Speck preserve all of the features you’d expect from the company’s cases: screen protection, ideal top protection, and unique design. As promised, they feel good in your hand - despite or perhaps because of their added size.


Macally mTune for iPod shuffle - Click Here for Details
Shuffle, meet headphones. mTune gives you the ability to listen to your iPod shuffle without carrying it around in your pocket - or elsewhere. The shuffle mounts inside one of the earcups, exposing its controls, and provides the power the headphones need for normal listening. An audio cable is included so that mTune can be used with other iPods and audio devices, as well.


SendStation smartCharge for iPod shuffle - Click Here for Details
This new combination of iPod shuffle charger and audio output device provides a shuffe-specific alternative to Belkin’s well-known Auto Kit for earlier Dock Connecting iPods. It pivots on a relatively narrow set of angles - 36 degrees north or south of flatness - but makes the shuffle surprisingly usable regardless.


Macally IconUF 30 Pin to USB and FireWire Adapter - Click Here for Details
This three-piece kit includes an iPod Dock Connector to USB and FireWire Adapter, plus USB and FireWire cables. It compares with SendStation’s earlier adapter designs in functionality.
Handstands iSnug Armband - Click Here for Details
This black neoprene armband kit includes cases for both iPod and iPod mini, plus a detachable armband for workouts.


Handstands iSticky Pad XL Pad - Click Here for Details
This larger version of the semi-adhesive iPod car holder formerly known as iGrip sells for the same price as its predecessor, but has more surface area for bonding with your car’s dashboard and iPod.


We’ll have plenty more to say on these new iPod accessories in the days to come - and there are some other surprises in store, too. For other great accessories, again, check out the Free iPod Book, available now! Earlier features on Nyko’s Movie Player and iLounge Loves Japan are stil available online, as well.
Related Stories
- Apple Computer iTV / Apple TV First Look
- First Looks: PocketParty V2, Aural Earbuds, Cases for Apple Remote, nano, 5G
- First Looks: Kensington Dock 500/Radio Duo, Icuiti DV920, Belkin TuneBase FM & More
- First Looks Special: Motorola SLVR L7 iTunes Phone (photos inside)
- First Looks: Altec iM3c, SmartShare, OtterBox 5G, Commuter & Mork Mount
- First Looks: Applesauce, Blinkit, EyeTV 2, iM11, iRhythms & More
Comments
If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods/iPhones/iPad or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod/iPhone/iPad products or services, read iLounge's Comments + Questions policies before posting, and fully identify yourself if you do. We will delete comments containing advertising, astroturfing, trolling, personal attacks, offensive language, or other objectionable content, then ban and/or publicly identify violators.
Recent News
- Apple nabs top spot in corporate reputation study
- Rokform debuts Rokbed Fuzion for iPhone 4/4S
- NPD: Apple top electronics brand of 2011
- Incase teams with Shepard Fairey on iPhone case
- Apple sued over iPhone, Apple TV wireless interaction
- Apple exec Cue accepts Grammy honoring Steve Jobs
- ThinkGeek intros iCade 8-bitty game controller
- Apple requests audits of Foxconn by FLA
- Apple sues Samsung, seeks to block Galaxy Nexus in U.S.
- AT&T doubles upgrade fee to $36
Recent Reviews
- Cygnett Metalicus for iPhone 4/4S
- Cygnett Platform Universal Tablet Stand
- Cygnett FlexiView Adjustable Stand for iPad
- FLOS / Philippe Starck D’E-light
- Twelve South HoverBar for iPad 2
- Cygnett Apollo for iPhone 4/4S
- Case-Mate Pop! ID for iPhone 4/4S
- Case-Mate Pop! for iPhone 4/4S
- Case-Mate Pop! With Stand for iPhone 4/4S
- Solid Line Products RightShift 2 Removable Keyboard Case for iPad 2
Recent Articles
- iOS Gems: Adventures of Tintin, Reckless Racing 2 + Scramble With Friends
- Ask iLounge 2-3-12
- Making The Case For - And Against - An Apple iTV Television
- Instant Expert: iTunes U for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch
- Instant Expert: Secrets & Features of iBooks 2.0
- iLounge’s 2012 CES Best of Show Awards: Honorable Mentions
- iLounge’s 2012 CES Best of Show Awards: iPod, iPhone, iPad + Mac
- iOS Gems: Bug Princess, Dora Hops Into Phonics, It’s A Small World, Sleepy Jack + X Is For X-Ray
- The Complete Guide to Managing iTunes Videos
- Editorial: As CES Grows, Will Microsoft’s Loss Be Apple’s Gain?


1
Now that mTune is one SMART design. Though walking around and about with a full earcup headset seems a bit too isolationist for me.
Posted by flatline response on October 10, 2005 at 10:34 PM (PDT)
2
Reminds me of that bit at the beginning of Diff’rent Strokes where Arnold used to boogie on down with his radio headphones!
Posted by Magic Rabbits in Aberdeen, Scotland on October 11, 2005 at 2:39 AM (PDT)