There are 3 different kinds of iPod accessories. The first are the ones that are built for Ipod specifically, but fall short in delivering the goods once plugged in (iTrip, anyone?). The second are the generic looking accessories that could be used on any mp3 player. They don’t look quite as attractive, but they allow the iPod to last longer, sound better, or perhaps expand the player’s capabilities. The last, and best, accessories for iPod are those do both. Macally’s Podwave is most certainly in this category. It is a small, but powerful speaker system that attaches to the top of the iPod. Podwave is powered by one AA battery that can provide up to 8 hours of continuous use.
The Podwave looks like iTrip in terms of having an almost seamless integration into the top of the iPod. It’s width does exceed that of the iPod but it doesn’t overwhelm the player. Operation of Podwave is simple—open the battery door, insert the battery, turn it on, and play on. The battery door is was the only aspect of the Podwave that I found even remotely problematic. It is difficult to open the door at times, as you need to apply pressure on a portion of the door with a notch on it. It would seem to perhaps be slightly easier with a lock/unlock switch that would allow for a little less elbow grease. The door’s stinginess is almost a wash though, when you consider how difficult it would be for the door to pop open in an unwanted situation.
As for sound quality, this tiny unit packs impressive sound for the price. Podwave provides almost transistor/small radio sound for listening with your friends at the beach. Comparing it to a transistor is no knock; in fact it has an almost vintage feel to it that I found very cool. Podwave is great for those times when you want to expose your friend to that new LCD Soundsystem song, but don’t have earplugs laying around, or you want to listen along with them. The current ubiquitous nature of the iPod makes these situations more frequent.
Article comments
1 - Eric Berlin
This looks like a pretty good deal, Matthew. I was given an iTrip as a gift last year and it turned out to be... not that useful, to say the least. I just wore out the $15 car cassette thing I bought several months ago and replaced it with a new one. Works like a charm for iPod time on the road. Problem, of course, comes for those cars that no longer have a cassette player.
2 - Temple Stark
Damn, didn't they shoot this to you like overnight or something? You already have this?
3 - Ashamed Blogcritic
Eric--If you don't have a cassette player, get a soundfeeder transmitter. Not as sexy as the iTrip, but you can manually tune it in with a dial, instead of hoping a frequency is perfect. The iTrip is crap, in my opinion.
Temple--different iPod accessory. This one is from a month ago. The one from a day ago hasn't come yet, but I look forward to it!
4 - Matt
that was my comment--I used an alias for another post about...umm something you guys may remember. The shame!
5 - Eric Olsen
horrors! Matt, please contact Steve G ASAP to get MacMall link
6 - Matt
Eric--I will email him right now, but switched the links to the direct page for the accessory on MacMall's website. I originally had it going to the manufacturer;s website. My apologies.
7 - Temple Stark
Matt - you are so busted ha ha ha ha. Something about an accidental degree in quantum physics wasn't it? Wait, I don't remember. no sireree. No, not me. ROTFLMOA. ah ha ah ha
8 - Matt
Temple--as soon as I hit the "post" button, I knew the jig was up.