News
XtremeMac’s MicroPack extends iPod playback time
By LC Angell
Senior Editor, iLounge
Published: Thursday, January 12, 2006
News Category: iPod Accessories
XtremeMac today announced its MicroPack battery pack/dock for iPods. The MicroPack, which has an integrated Universal Dock for all dockable iPods, provides up to 80 hours of audio playback for the iPod nano and up to 8 hours of video playback for the 5G iPod. It also doubles as a dock for syncing your iPod with a USB cable, sports dual headphone ports with independent volume controls, and is designed to “position the iPod at a precise angle for optimal viewing, serving as a convenient base for the iPod while watching video content.” The MicroPack is expected to begin shipping this spring for $100.
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1
Would be great while watching films through an AV cable (where you don’t have access to mains for charging, of course), but is this a “one-use” pack, or can it be recharged itself?
Posted by Jack Bauer on January 13, 2006 at 6:24 AM (PDT)
2
Just read site: “Charge battery using Apple’s 30-pin cable and any USB power source”. Answers my question, heh.
Posted by Jack Bauer on January 13, 2006 at 6:25 AM (PDT)
3
Good idea, but I questions the means to its usage and method of execution. Docking it in the manner that it’s designed (positioning the iPod like any wall or computer-plugged dock) seems too tenuous a connection in a mobile environment, as in a plane for instance. To me it seems some method of locking down the 5G iPod is in order or there’s a bloody good chance that iPod may end up in little pieces, or at the very least with a severe headache with the requisite scratches and blemishes as a result of ‘unintended separation’ from this MicroPack.
Moreover, the iPod needs to be out of the case or at the very least has to have a dock-friendly protector to use this device. Given all these points, this doesn’t seem all that practical in mobile use, and is very much ‘what’s the point’ in a more iPod-friendly (re: safe from damage) environment like a hotel room, where a wall outlet is bound to be available for a cheaper power/docking solution.
Posted by flatline response on January 13, 2006 at 11:22 AM (PDT)
4
I really can’t see an iPod falling off this base during a plane ride.
Posted by Dylan on January 16, 2006 at 12:10 AM (PDT)
5
This seems like a good buy, however, I’m always shy about purchasing rechargable’s since you never know if it’s enough and have no way of replacing it once it’s out of juice. I have been using the Belkin one that uses 4AA batteries and it is GREAT. Also, as long as you keep a few extra 4 pks with you, you never have to worry. 4AA’s let me watch an additional 4 hours on my dead video ipod. Not bad. It’s a heck of a lot better than trying to find an outlet to plug in at around the airport and worrying about how much longer you have.
Posted by Michael Bricker on January 17, 2006 at 3:35 PM (PDT)