News
Belkin debuts TunePower for video iPod
By LC Angell
Senior Editor, iLounge
Published: Monday, March 20, 2006
News Category: iPod Accessories
Belkin today announced the TunePower for Apple’s fifth-generation (video) iPod. The add-on battery pack, which ships later this month for $80, provides up to 6 hours of extra video playtime. The TunePower comes with two sleeves to fit either the 30GB or 60GB iPod, features a protective case, and includes an AC adapter for simultaneous charging and playing.
“Belkin’s new TunePower for iPod video keeps your videos and tunes playing even when the internal battery is drained,” says the iPod accessory maker. “The iPod video allows for approximately two hours of video viewing, which may not be enough to last until you reach your iPod dock. TunePower will give you this extra time so you can watch your videos, making it ideal for long flights, hikes, or for anytime you do not have access to an AC outlet.”


Next: Mix: Georgia College, Shareholders, Do Not Disturb, Inflation
Previous: Microsoft designing device to rival iPod, other portables
Comments
If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod 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
- iPodweek newsletter coming shortly
- Ngmoco releases Rolando 2: Quest for the Golden Orchid
- L.A.-based band uses iPhone to record new single
- iPhone patent filings: haptics, fingerprints, karaoke, packaging, more
- Apple, developers wrestling over App Store pornographic content policy
- AT&T memo touts record-breaking iPhone 3GS launch
- New iPhone 3GS ad highlights video features
- Winners of iPWR SuperPack Giveaway announced
- iLounge announces Tekkeon myPower Giveaway
- Nike+ site updated, adds some iPhone/iPod touch access
Recent Reviews
- Gameloft S.A. Castle of Magic
- Altec Lansing BackBeat 903 Wireless Stereo Headphones
- id Software Doom Resurrection
- Blackmagic Design Video Recorder with H.264 Encoding
- Ultimate Ears UE 4 Pro Custom Monitors
- Kensington Bluetooth Stereo Headphones with Microphone
- Avantalk Multimedia Wireless Speakerphone BTSP-200
- Apple iPhone 3GS (16GB/32GB)
- Apple iPhone OS 3.0
- Ozaki iCommand Controller for iPod shuffle 3G
Recent Articles
- Weird + Small Apps 19: A.D.D. Lite, Archon Classic, iYamato, Warpack Grunts + More
- Ask iLounge 6-26-09
- Instant Expert: Secrets & Features of Apple TV 2.4
- Weird + Small Apps: Blue Block, Guess!, Idiot Test, ThreadBound, Water Toy, myXident, StamPa + More
- Ten Things You Didn’t Know About Apple’s iPhone 3GS
- Editorial: Why No Lines at iPhone 3GS’s Launch is Good For Apple, and You
- The One-Page Guide to iPhone 3G, 3GS, and iPod touch Differences
- Editorial: Developers’ iPhone OS 3.0 Features Work, With Key Caveats
- Editorial: In-App Purchasing Shame - $1-per-Minute GPS is Here, is Psychic Friends Next?
- Instant Expert: Secrets & Features of iPhone OS 3.0
1
Now if this only had a flip-out stand it might be worth it for watching movies on a flight on on a desk.
Posted by Joe on March 20, 2006 at 1:41 PM (PDT)
2
AHHHHHHH!!! its soooo cool. could be great for hurricane season down here in florida…but one question: is there a dock connecter on the plug connecting the battery?? if anyone got that and anyone knows, please post a comment!
Posted by Jeremy K on March 20, 2006 at 1:44 PM (PDT)
3
Yeah, that would be great with some kind of stand.
Posted by Dan on March 20, 2006 at 3:50 PM (PDT)
4
Are you kidding me, for hiking? too much.
“making it ideal for long flights, hikes”
Posted by tom on March 20, 2006 at 3:57 PM (PDT)
5
are there other good battery options for the 5G, perhaps one that won’t interfere with the case i already have?
Posted by liam on March 20, 2006 at 4:27 PM (PDT)
6
the ezcharge by ezgear is half as much and you get like 3 times the battery power. this thing sucks!
Posted by nope on March 20, 2006 at 5:20 PM (PDT)
7
The ezgear doesn’t actually come with a battery though? Or, interestingly any way to charge them when you have them. So you’d have to buy one ezgear, one set of batteries, and a charger to compete with the Belkin….
Posted by Geoff on March 20, 2006 at 6:57 PM (PDT)
8
I agree with user nope:
powerStick ($33)+Batteries (max $5)=$38, which is more than $40 less than the TunePower. Plus, the TunePower gets rid of the ability to use many iPod cases. With the leftover money, you can even buy a wall charger and the ezCharger car charger!
Posted by Yuto Toyama on March 20, 2006 at 9:16 PM (PDT)
9
<<the ezcharge by ezgear is half as much and you get like 3 times the battery power. this thing sucks!>>
actually, the ezgear charger states that it can charge your ipod “3 or 4 times” on a new set of batteries. Since the video ipod gets about 2hrs of video per charge, that means 6 to 8 hours of video (and that’s assuming you’re using good AA batteries, if you use rechargeables I’d guess that would drop to 4 to 6 hours). So really, it’s pretty comparable as far as charge times, and you still have to buy a battery charger for the AA’s, and carry that with you to.
I actually AM looking for a good battery pack for an extended hike. If you’re hiking for a couple months, with not a lot of places to charge during the hike, something like this would be quite handy -
I wish it was compatible with my case, or at least had a case with decent coverage. Oh well.
Posted by Sammy on March 21, 2006 at 1:36 AM (PDT)
10
I just ordered the battery pack from handhelditems. I must have got the last one, because now their on back order. I can’t imagine that 48 hour time they give is for video playback, probably for just playing music. I’ll let you know when I get it how it is
Posted by Robin on March 21, 2006 at 5:02 PM (PDT)
11
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE WILL SOMEBODY ANSWER!!!!!!!!
DOES THE TUNEPOWER HAVE SOME SORT OF DOCK CONNECTER TO PLUG IN STUFF THAT CONNECTS TO THE IPOD’S DOCK CONNECTER??????? IT DOES SAY YOU CAN CHARGE THE BATTERY AND USE THE IPOD AT THE SAME TIME. IF THATS TRUE THEN WHERE IS IT CONNECTED TO CHARGE!!!!! PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!
:O
Posted by jeremy k on March 27, 2006 at 3:50 PM (PDT)