Recommendation: Kensington Pico FM Transmitter

We're heading on a long road trip this May to watch 2Poppy graduate from law school. I normally use a cassette adapter in my Maxima, but the Odyssey doesn't have one. So I decided to pick up a FM transmitter, despite the normally bad reviews.

Ultimately designed for the iPod nano, this Pico FM transmitter by Kensington may be small, but it packs a powerful punch. It was the highest-rated transmitter on the Apple.com web site at around 4 out of 5 stars. All the other transmitters had 1 or 2 stars.

It works with all clickwheel iPods and comes in black or white. What's really great about this device is it requires no software. Just plug it into the iPod dock connector, select your FM station, and play. You select the station to use with a clever toggle wheel on the transmitter. Stations appear on the iPod screen. You can store up to 2 presets.

Even on the extremely crowded radio dial in Atlanta, I was able to find a couple clear static frequencies. The sound from the Kensington is fantastic. I hardly hear any static or pops. Even with the volume up all the way.

I think the cassette adapter gives slightly better sound and more volume. However, if that's not an option, or if you don't want to mess with wires, etc. I highly recommend this FM Transmitter.

Recommendation: Great Case - iSkin eVo 3

Just got this case and definitely give it a great rating. Made of silicone, it fits snug, but is still easy to get the iPod in & out. There is convenient and easy access to the dock connector. The best part is the cover over the clickwheel. It keeps dirt & moisture out, but still allows the clickwheel to function. There is a hard plastic cover over the screen protecting it from scratches. There is even a removable swivel belt clip in the back.

I picked up the clear color for my black iPod 60GB. It does take away some of the asthetics. There are other colors available - blue, pink, green, red and black. I've been told that the black does look better with the black iPod, but it shows dirt and scuffs a lot more than the clear.

Beware of Counterfeit iPods

Counterfeit iPod Shuffles and nanos have begun to appear on the market. The fake nano has an different screen, different interface and different clickwheel. The fake Shuffle has no repeat setting or battery indicator light.

Buyer beware.

Coins for Tunes

Take that spare change laying around to a Coinstar machine and trade for an iTunes gift certificate. Great idea.

Buy Concert Tickets on iTunes

Okay - well not just any concert tickets - not yet anyway. As part of the Red Hot Chili Peppers pre-release ordering, you'll get a copy of their new single along with an email with a code. That code will enable you to order concert tickets 4 days earlier than anyone else.

Mac Does Windows

Well - I personally didn't think it would happen, but Apple officially enables consumers to install Windows XP on their Intel-based Macs.

Notice how I didn't say "officially supports". Apple still maintains that they have no interest in supporting or selling windows. However, Apple enables users to install Windows XP and a whole lot more. Boot Camp walks you through the process: it dynamically resizes your startup disk's partitions to create a new one for XP (no reformatting required), automatically burns you a CD full of Windows drivers for Intel-based Mac hardware, and then reboots you into Windows to start the installation procedure. Boot Camp works on the awesome iMac and MacBook Pro Macs.

MacWorld tested the new software basically says the whole thing is "simple". Anyone could do this, and everything is fully supported.

If you've always wanted a Mac (who hasn't), but have been hesitant because you want that Windows safety net, now is the time to switch. Once you go Mac, you'll never go back.

Everything but the iPod Sucks

Um, duh.

iPod Tip: The 5 Rs

Reset, Retry, Restart, Reinstall and Restore. The 5 Rs will get you out of most any trouble you have with your iPod. Read all about it.

Create A Web Page With Your iTunes

Looking to create a web page that lists all your music? Well, iTunes Catalog to the rescue!

This nice little program will create a web page that looks nearly identical to iTunes itself. Or if you prefer, build a web page that looks just like an iPod with video or an iPod nano.

For the more sophisticated, you can stream your music and much much more.

In addition, the progam also helps you download and maintain album artwork with very easy to see indicators as to which songs/albums/artists have album art and which ones don't.

Stupid is as Stupid Does

The stupidity of the MPAA astounds even an old pessimist like me. Hmm, let's see. I got an idea. Let's make our movies available for download the day the DVD is released, but instead of charging the same or less, let's charge double! Yes! Brilliant. That's the ticket. We don't have to print anything, we don't have to package anything, we don't have to ship anything and better yet, the quality of the movie will probably be less than that of the DVD version. But we can charge double for it! People will flock from all corners of the world just for the "convenience" of it all. Oh yeah! I almost forgot, we'll only let the purchaser watch that movie on one computer and not let them burn to a DVD! We're geniuses!

As if I don't drive past at least 5 places that sell DVDs on my way home from work. Hmmmm, 5-10 minutes max to run into Target and pick up the DVD versus, oh, I don't know, 2 hours to download it? Hmmmm....I wonder which one I'll choose.

GoogleTunes?

ipodnn reports the strong possibility for a Google music service.

Apple & Record Companies Ready for Showdown

Since the launch of iTunes in 2003, there have been over a billion songs downloaded, music piracy is down, and Apple is the undisputed leader in digital downloads.

Now what? Well, the record companies are pressuring Apple (and others) to up the price. Can the market survive songs for more than .99? It's a magical number - It's not a dollar - it's ninety-nine cents. Don't believe it? How does $1.50 sound for a song? Sounds a lot more than ninety-nine cents, doesn't it? No? Who asked you?!