Author: Haider Ali Khan

Pros: A truly beautiful device. Nothing on the market can touch it as far as ease of use and style are concerned. If you are in the market for a portable music player -this is it, hands down. Cons: The price is a little high. MUSICMATCH Jukebox’s iPod support is unpolished. Must have a FireWire capable PC to use. iPod Envy Being a PC user, I was quite envious of the Apple camp when the original iPod was introduced. Here was a portable MP3 player that not only held tons of songs in a little package; it did it with…

Pros: It keeps iPod safe. Attachable pouch for headphones. Full-access functionality. Cons: An abundance of snaps. A lack of style. Protective vinyl appears hand cut. Early in the development phase of the what would later be known as the BiFold case, Willow Design sought the help of iPod users to give feedback to create the case everybody wanted. The BiFold case was unqiue, because it didn’t look or function like many of its competitor’s cases. I’ll be taking a look at how different the case is and how it stands up to the standards I’ve come to expect in a…

Pros: Fine craftsmanship and descent protection. Multidapt system provides versatility. Cons: Snaps poorly positioned. No clear vinyl over LCD display. Krusell, case manufacturer in Sweden, recently introduced two iPod cases. The first case reviewed was the Krusell Classic Case. Krusell also introduced a second case, the Handit Multidapt Case, which offers slightly more protection in some aspects, but slightly less in other aspects. While I was quite pleased with what they had to offer with the Classic case, I was disappointed with the Handit case. Features and Functionality The first and most obvious omission from this case was a clear…

Pros: Elegant design, high-quality construction, accessibility to buttons/ports. Cons: Exposed portions of iPod, no significant cushioning. I’ve never been one who has a great sense of design or style, but I think Xigma’s iPod case is elegant in the extreme. I suspect, though, that most iPod users value functionality over style (if they had to choose just one), when selecting a case for their precious iPod. And it is in the area of functionality that the Xigma case loses points. Fit and Finish Composed of supple pearl-white leather, lined with soft lamb suede, and a transparent vinyl window, the Xigma…

Pros: Craftsmanship is top-notch. Multidapt system provides versatility. Genuine leather. Cons: Nothing to protect the FireWire port (previous model iPods only). Minor glue issue. What is an ideal case? Well, only the owner of the case can answer that question. I have had a chance to review the Krusell Classic Multidapt case, and I must say, for me, this is very close to ideal. Zippin’ in the iPod When I’ve got a case, one of the first things I look for (besides overall craftsmanship) is how easily the iPod slips in and out. While my iPod doesn’t frequently leave the…

Pros: Outstanding Sound, lightweight & portable, excellent fit. Cons: Pricey, but probably will come down in the future. I’d like to tell you about my love affair with my iPod. It is no secret, and I flaunt it shamelessly. Ever since the little bugger made its way into my life, I’ve hoarded and protected it like a cherished child. Unfortunately, I’m positive my lovely iPod experience suffers greatly with the stock earbud system that ships with the unit. If my expectations were less and my ear canals larger, I’d probably be satisfied and not search for a better solution. But,…

Pros: Bundled discount, wire connections give lots of flexibility, and directions make setup a cinch. Cons: Static and sound loss from FM Transmitter, extended set-up time, Kit only worth it if you need every component. At first glance, the iPod Connection Kit overwhelms with its assorted cables and small electronic devices. But true to the packaging’s word, the Connection Kit simply “provides options for connecting iPod” to various audio output devices in the car, at home, and everywhere else. Features The heart of the Dr. Bott Kit is the FM Stereo Transmitter, an iPod-sized black plastic box with extendable antenna,…

Pros: The same as the first review: A well-designed case that offers accessibility on the go, a cover flap for protection, and lots of optional mounts for your belt, car and desk – all at a great price. Cons: None. The best just got better. A look at the revised Xtrememac iPod case. A few months ago, I reviewed the Xtrememac Deluxe iPod Case – the best iPod holder that I had used to date. But since then, Xtrememac has made some small but ultimately impressive improvements to their original design. While these changes have not been highly publicized, they…

Pros: Outstanding full-range sound at a low price. Cons: Most territories appear to have only the black EX70LP version, the white EX70SL are apparently only available in the Far East. Silly miniscule case holds only earphones, not the cable. Ingenious iPod – shame about the earbuds. The iPod’s fatally flawed by those ineffectual white push and twist earphones which just won’t stick in your ears. One size never fits all. Over the years I’ve tried every kind of earphone to find a pair giving full-range bass and top notes with cassettes, portable DAT, portable CD players and hideous cardboard sounding…

Pros: Excellent construction and fit. No hassles, no gimmicks, simple but good-looking case. Priced right. All controls at your disposal. Cons: No cover for the top or ports, but in use, this is a very minor complaint. The Search I have been researching the whole iPod case issue since before I even owned one myself. I have seen a number of cases in person that friends and colleagues have purchased, and to be honest, none of them struck a chord with what I wanted. Well, the search is over! The Discovery I purchased an iGlove made by “Software and Things…

Pros: Solid design and feel. Easy access to all functions while in the case. Large selection of accessories and colors available. Cons: Bulky lid that must be detached in order to remove the iPod from the case. Small amounts of glue on bottom edges of Neoprene inside the case. First Impressions The first thing I thought when I saw this case was that it was very well made. The seams are neatly sewn, and the clear, vinyl opening on the front cover fit nicely over the scroll wheel, not obstructing or scratching it from the inside. The majority of the…

Pros: A well-designed case that offers accessibility on the go, a cover flap for protection, and lots of optional mounts for your belt, car and desk – all at a great price. Cons: The felt-like material on the inside of the case can create loose fuzz, but in reality this is only a minor inconvenience. After spending months looking for the perfect way to transport and protect my favorite mp3 player, I’ve finally found it: the XtremeMac Deluxe iPod Case. It incorporates all features you could possibly want in a case – protection, ease-of-use, and even a solution for using…

The following is a reader rebuttal by Josh Schoenwald. As an iPod owner and devout Mac user myself, I agree that Apple could substantially increase its revenue by making the iPod available to the Windows world. However, I don’t think Apple will do this, and here’s why. Apple is committed to engineering hardware and software for it’s baby, the Mac OS. Apple has never to this date produced much of anything designed to run on Windows with the exception of QuickTime. They could have made the iPod Windows-compatible, or made OSX Windows-compatible, or they could have offered a VirtualPC-esque program…

Pros: Well constructed, great belt clip and a more than ample slit for your headphone jack. Cons: Extra room in front of the iPod could both pose a potential risk. Following the release of the iPod, manufacturers rushed to get cases out for the new device as soon as possible, modifying their old cases ever so slightly, so they could be immediately offer “new” models specifically made for it. OP/TECH USA MP3i Pouch serves as a perfect example of both the benefits and disadvantages of this strategy. As a quick trip to their website will show you, virtually all of…

Pros: The sturdiest, best fitting neophrene case we’ve tested so far. Cons: With no access to the iPod’s controls, you have no protection while you’re using it, leaving it vulnerable to damage. The Pouch, Inc.‘s MP3 Carrying Case, is about as simple and direct as its name is. Little more than a neoprene case with a belt strap, the pouch does not offer much in terms of features, but it does a great job on those it does offer. Features The case is made of thick (about .5 cm) neoprene and is available in seven colors. A padded fabric flap…

Pros: Easy access to the jog wheel. The iPod can be charged or sync with your mac without taking it out of the case. Cheaper than similar leather cases. Cons: The stitches inside the case cause scratches on the iPod. It offers little protection from drops or collisions. The Other World Computing (OWC) Pod Protector is one of the first commercially available cases designed specifically for Apple’s iPod. For all intents and purposes, the Pod Protector is identical to the Deluxe iPod Sleeve from JR Hill: a thin leather case with a round opening to access the jog wheel and…