iPod and iPhone case roundup: grab bag

We look at a holder for the original iPhone, a leather sleeve for the iPod classic, and a bag-strap pouch that fits all of Apple’s mobile gadgets.

Review: Remote for iPhone and iPod touch

If you've been frustrated by Apple TV’s painfully-slow menu navigation, Apple’s new Remote program for the iPhone and iPod touch may be the answer.

Appletell Review: TuneCast Auto with ClearScan for iPhone and iPod

Section: iPod + iTunes, iPod Family, iPod Accessories, iPhone + Communications, iPhone Accessories, Features, Review Product: TuneCast Auto with ClearScan for iPhone and iPod Developer: Belkin Price: $79.99 Availability: Out now Rating: 7/10 Remember the iPod Classic? Hey, me too! Awesome! We should hang sometime! With all the warranted ferver surrounding the iPhone 3G and its little sidekick, the iPod Touch, the iPod that actually, you know, has enough disk space for a respectable music collection, has been nearly forgotten by the press and many Apple users...and sometimes, I think, even Apple itself. Thankfully, third party developers are well aware of the iPod Classic and its user base, and continue to release some pretty cool products. Such a product is Belkin’s TuneCast Auto with ClearScan for iPhone and iPod ($79.99). This is one of those FM transmitters that allows you to broadcast the music from your iPod to a clear FM channel on your car radio. I’ve reviewed many of these transmitters over at Applelinks, and none of them won me over to the process. FM transmission is faulty technology that rarely produces solid results. This is because it requires you to find an FM frequency on your car radio to which no broadcast is being sent, allowing the transmitter to take it over. If you live in a rural area, you’ll likely have luck with this. I live near Cleveland, Ohio, however, where it seems that just about every frequency is either taken or is floating around one that is. The end result is that I can hear my iPod, but I can also hear plenty of hiss and pops, and sometimes other songs. The other problem is that if you travel a good distance, you’re eventually going to have to find another station, as a frequency that’s open in one area may not be 50 miles down the highway. Most FM transmitters these days include presets, but that doesn’t help if you’re travelling someplace new, and you really shouldn’t be messing around with an FM transmitter while driving, anyway. This is where Belkin’s TuneCast Auto with ClearScan for iPhone and iPod stands out. With the push of a button, the ClearScan technology will automatically scan your radio for what it feels is your best FM option, then let you know with its large backlit display. Tune your radio to that frequency, and you’re set. The ClearScan is a bit shizophrenic, as it never seemed to settle on the same frequency twice in a row, but it eventually did pull in two stations on my commute that work fairly well, neither of which I would’ve tried on my own. Both were already getting a weak broadcast, but apparently weaker than the static I get on other channels. Someone will have to explain that to me later. And while you’re at it, explain to me why the signal is affected by the weather, and why cars and trucks driving by seemed to momentarily take over my transmission. For now, I’m just happy the ClearScan did its job. I tune to 88.5 when I leave my home near Akron, Ohio, then flip over to 88.5 when the interference on 88.3 starts as I approach Cleveland. Reverse that on the way home, and I’ve finally got acceptible iPod audio on my commute. It helps that the device comes with two programmable preset buttons. The Tunecast Auto allows you to broadcast in mono, which reportedly improves reception in congested areas. Perhaps my favorite addition, however, are the “Pro” settings that allow you to boost the audio level from the iPod. This is great, as previous FM transmitters were so weak that I had to crank my radio to hear the iPod. When turning off the car, that brief second where control would revert to the radio would blow out my eardrums and (worse) my speakers with music or static. TuneCast Auto allows me to play the iPod at the level of the radio, so I usually don’t need to mess with the volume. One thing to consider when looking at the TuneCast Auto is that it doesn’t come with any kind of holder. It’s just a device on a cable which plugs into your cigarette lighter/power source, so your iPod will sit loosely in the car. I actually prefer this, as I don’t want some stick rising in front to my dashboad panel, letting any would-be thieves know there’s expensive technology here for the taking. The TuneCast Auto cable can be easily tucked away and allows for easy access by both the driver and a passenger. Although the backlit display is legible in most circumstances, I found it hard to read when the sunlight was hitting it directly. Oh, and, Of course, your iPod will recharge as long as it’s plugged in. FM tranmission is still not the way to go if you can avoid it. But, if you don’t want to spend the money on an installed iPod interface, TuneCast Auto with ClearScan for iPhone and iPod is certainly one of the better options available. And having access to nearly 4,000 songs is worth any interference that should surface. Full Story » | Written by Kirk Hiner for Appletell. | Comment on this Article »

TUAW Review: Richard | Solo Smart Backup Battery for iPhone / iPod

If there's anything I've learned about the iPhone 3G since July 11th, it's that the battery life is horrible. If I'm just texting and making the occasional call, I can survive for a day, but if I try to play games or use 3G I know it's going to go to the dreaded red battery icon quickly.That's why there are a growing number of manufacturers who have extended battery packs for the iPhone on the market. For example, I looked at the Kensington Mini Battery Pack and Charger (US$49.99), but the website doesn't show that it works with the iPhone 3G. My next choice was the Richard | Solo Smart Backup Battery. This US$49.95 lithium-ion battery pack has saved me from running out of juice prematurely more than once! Read on for more information about this must-have sidekick for the iPhone 3G.Continue reading TUAW Review: Richard | Solo Smart Backup Battery for iPhone / iPodRead | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Review: B&W Zeppelin iPod speaker system

The Zeppelin is among the most expensive iPod speaker systems we've seen, and if sound quality is your only consideration, there are less-expensive alternatives. But, like Apple's own hardware, few systems can match the Zeppelin's combination of design, performance, and overall quality.

First Looks: Case-Mate Carbon Fiber Leather Cases for iPod classic, touch + iPhone

Infusing leather with carbon, Case-Mate has introduced the Carbon Fiber Leather Cases for iPod classic ($50), iPod touch ($50), and iPhone ($90), three separate designs with similar features. The classic, touch, and iPhone cases each cover the device in a layer of carbon fiber-styled leather that has been wrapped around a hard shell, exposing the screen, controls, and ports. A screen protector, cleaning cloth, and application card are included in…