Pimp my Pod
David A. Dodson

Nyko's iTop

All right… you finally got your Apple iPod. You've filled it up with your favorite (legally obtained) music; now it's time to accessorize. But which add-ons do you really need? You could easily blow more than the cost of the original unit on accessories and still not significantly improve the listening experience. Luckily for you, those selfless heroes at Nyko have dedicated their lives to solving this very problem with the introduction of their 2005 iPod peripheral line.

"What's so great about these particular accessories?" you ask. Well, so did we; here's what we found…

iTop

The iPod is an amazing device. No thought was spared in making it the most compact, powerful and downright convenient media device on the market. Well, almost the most convenient. The iPod is fine if you plan on listening to your cuts while sitting, driving or some other sedentary activity, but the control placement on the face of the unit makes it rather unwieldy to use when carried in your pocket or clipped to your waist in a case. Anytime you want to adjust the volume or skip a tune on the go, you have to take it out, look at it and make your adjustments; sort of dangerous when running, biking or skating. If only there were some way to move the controls where you could get to them with minimal effort or concentration. Well worry no more, for those maestros of mobile music at Nyko have come up with the perfect solution with their iTop control insert. The big idea? Relocate the controls to the top of the iPod where they can be easily accessed while on the move. Not only does the iTop make the controls easy to get to, it also uses raised, engraved buttons so that you can feel what you're doing without having to take your eyes off your path.

Sounds great, but does it really make that much of a difference. Damn straight it does. It's so much easier to simply drop your hand to the top of the iPod and click a button than to drag it out of your pocket, mess with the click wheel and navigate a menu when you merely want to bump the volume a little. The buttons on the iTop are the perfect size and conveniently spaced for blind usage. The volume and advance buttons on the iTop also have the same functionality as the click wheel: click once to go to the next volume setting or advance to the next song, or hold the button to gradually change volume or fast forward/rewind a song. Installation is also a snap; just pop the iTop into the headphone jack and you're ready to go. It runs off of the iPod's power supply so no extra batteries are needed.

The iTop sports play/pause, hold, volume up, volume down, next song and previous song buttons along with a headphone jack. It also matches the iPod's chrome and off-pearl white color scheme.

Bottom line is that the iTop from Nyko is the perfect accessory for the iPod user on the go. Attractive, easy to use and unbelievably convenient, it's a must have for those looking for an easier way to navigate their iPod. For about thirty dollars you can grab one wherever electronics are sold or one of the retailers listed at www.Nyko.com.

iBoost

Nyko's iBoost

What could be better than the iPod's rechargeable lithium battery? How about a rechargeable lithium battery that ads up to sixteen extra hours of playtime? Yeah, the fine folks at Nyko think so too, so here they come with the iBoost Battery Pack for the iPod.

Simply pop your iPod into the iBoost and your playtime jumps sixteen hours. Don't worry about bulk either, the iBoost with iPod fits perfectly into grown-up sized hands. It also sports a passthrough connection port so you can download files without having to remove the iBoost. Nyko also took the time to make sure that the iBoost matches the iPod's unique chrome and white-ish color scheme. As an added bonus, it also accommodates Nyko's iTop Control Relocator.

The iBoost Battery Pack is definitely the way to go for iPod listeners looking to get a little more life out of their music. For about seventy bucks you can get one anywhere games are sold or at one of the retailers listed at www.Nyko.com.

Universal Car Mount

Nyko's Universal Car Mount

The beauty of the iPod is in its versatility. You can listen to it practically anywhere while doing almost any activity. The only stumbling block is listening while driving. There's no real easy way to keep up with it if it doesn't fit your console perfectly. And even if it does, you still have to take your eyes off of the road to adjust the volume or skip a song. If only there were a way to keep your iPod at eye level when navigating the roadways. Luckily, Nyko has you covered with their iPod Universal Car Mount. The big idea: the Universal Car Mount lets you conveniently mount your iPod to the dash or air conditioner vent keeping it easily within reach and within your peripheral vision while driving.

Super easy to use, simply peel the plastic sheet off of the adhesive base and stick it on your dash or console. A little too permanent for your liking? Then use the mounting clips to temporarily clamp the Universal Car Mount to your nearest A.C. vent. Once you have it where you want it, just pop your iPod, iPod mini, or iPod photo into the receiving clamps and lock it in place. That iPod ain't goin' nowhere. When you get to where you are going, tap the release button and your favorite MP3 player springs forth, ready to travel with you.

The Universal Car Mount is compatible with pretty much any car charger on the market and several other peripherals (like Nyko's iTop Control Relocator). It has also been designed to compliment the iPod's unique color scheme.

Nyko's iPod Universal Car Mount is the way to go for any iPod owner who enjoys listening in the car. Now it can be done safely and conveniently. For about twenty dollars, you can grab one most anywhere electronics are sold or at one of the retailers listed at www.Nyko.com.