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I use the Griffen Technologies PowerPod. http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/powerpod / I use this in my car, and it works with the first thru the third generation iPods.

For the rest of us I think the Belkin TuneDok Car Holder looks pretty cool. Griffin also has a lot of iPod stuff. Both companies offer car chargers too. Check out the iPod Lounge forums for user recommendations before buying.

Not only that but when you DO encode those CDs you have all that extra room to go for Apple Lossless.

Top it off with backing up gigabytes of data off of your hard drive (my digital camera photo archive for one) and you've filled your hard drive faster then you can download your favorite song off of Kazaa.

Pair it with the Radioshark and a bunch of podcast streams and you'll be wishing you had the 60gb iPod photo!

Right?

• FM modulator such as the iTrip (http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/itrip/)
• A line-in on the car stereo
• An alpine car stereo that connects through the docking port and the KCA-420i (http://www.alpine-usa.com/products/leading_techno logy/leading_tech_kca-420i.htm)

May I humbly suggest connecting your iPod either directly to the car player (if it has mp3 support, it might have also line-in jack) or indirectly beaming music via devices such as Griffin iTrip and similar? That's what I do.

...is someone going to pre-record some radio talk shows and put it into iPod pretending that it's doing radio too?

I thought that was the point of the Radio Shark.

http://griffintechnology.com/products/earjams/

Don't Forget me

And to think the radio shark was hot shit not even a month ago.

Check out the Griffin Powermate ("the coolest volume knob your computer has ever seen")

I have one, and I must concur - it is pretty damn cool.

You want the Griffin RadioShark.

Wouldn't you prefer to be able to pause and resume that feed? I know I would.

You can either download broadcasts and listen to them later, or...

RadioShark!

I've seen some pretty good reviews, I think I might pick one up soon to cherrypick stuff like NPR and Car Guys and so forth.

It would entail using your laptop (and be a bit bulky), but have you considered using the RadioSHARK that was featured on Slashdot recently?

It seems too me that the main gripe about the thing is the software. The actual radio and hardware interface works well.

Instead of griping about it on /., would it be so hard to send a courteous email to Griffin offering useful suggestions for updating the software, as well as asking them to open up the API so that others can improve the user functionality?

Actually, this product isn't being marketed as an accessory to the iPod, but simply as a product to timeshift radio broadcasts. There IS a line on their product page that talks about transferring to an iPod or other such device, but the RadioShark itself is in no way listed as a direct accessory to the iPod.

I mean, c'mon, you're pairing something with the sexiest, sleekest portable music player on the market. Any clunkiness or loose ends would stand out like an albino at the Apollo.

Then again, the RadioSHARK probably would have only met--not exceeded--my expectations, as given Griffin Tech's batting record with Cool New Things(tm) like the PowerMate [http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/powerma te/], I wouldn't expect anything less than a well-executed product.

The RadioShark is Vaporware No More.

Product info.

~Philly

Umm I guess you didn't search that far because this gem is the first paragraph on the page linked from the /. article.

"The radio airwaves will never be safe again. The RadioSHARK adds an AM/FM radio to any Mac or PC -- but that's just the beginning."

I bought one recently, in fact I'm using it now. Accept no substitutes as an iTunes control (volume, scrolling through lists, pausing etc.) or movie editor. And it's great for Tempest under MAME.

Cheers,
Ian

Check this out:
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/powermat e/

Not sure if it's quite what you're after, but it looks interesting. I almost bought one recently.

You mean, something like the Powermate?

Not to mention you can record a whole semester's worth of lectures with one of these.

Network space at my university was limited (at the time) to 20mb per user; not really useful for huge media files. And even if the space were higher, transferring stuff is going to be time consuming if you live off campus (assuming they even offer FTP/WebDAV access).

If you're working with video, audio, or just don't feel like deleting your files all the time (512mb isn't very much) then the iPod is a good solution. Not to mention, USB takes a lot longer to transfer files.

It's not for XM (yet), but I wonder how the RIAA feels about the Griffin Radio Shark?

They'll probably ignore it until there's a PC version.

Like this one ?

I have a preproduction Griffin RadioShark, they only a few days from shipping.

The unit I have works PERFECTLY and is the FASTEST way to switch from AM to FM that I know of. You can have AM and FM mixed in with each other in your presets and you can timeshift record.

I too usually listen to AM - I have been wanting such a product for a very long time.

Griffin will finally deliver VERY soon. They've had a number of problems with manufacturer getting the internals right.

In a related situation, I've often wanted to record AM radio shows here in the U.S. While there's plenty of software out there [mostly commercial stuff] that can handle automated recording and it's simple enough to run a line from the radio to the line-in, I've found that I get interferance from the computer, which results in a low buzz in all my recordings. This product seems to offer the radio and software in one package. Does anyone know what type of cable is used in this? Is this the single time when I need to listen to the guys at RadioShack and buy the expensive cord?

... wouldn't you prefer something like this?

There's a voice recorder attachment being sold by Griffin that will do what you want on any iPod. As far as I know, there has never been built in recording in the iPod.

I'd expect Apple has plans to do something neat to tie in this wireless-music-broadcast idea to an upcoming generation of the iPod. (broadcasting to your stereo from the iPod in your pocket might be kind of neat, right?)

. . . if they bundled the iPods with one of these. Even the smallest capacity iPod currently sold could probably hold an entire semester's worth of lectures.

I don't agree that an AM/FM radio is a requirement.

In fact, I wouldn't want a device that included a radio tuner, or for that matter, voice recording and image viewing capabilities. That is the road that cell phone manufacturers went down with the camera phone, MP3 playback, SMS messaging and all that. To some it is a necessity, but not for me.

The iPod is a tool for transporting and listening to high quality music of your choosing, on demand. The ability to listen to AM/FM radio runs counter to this purpose.

I understand some people *really* need a radio, or the ability to record their own voice, or some other feature. Luckily, there is a huge 3rd party industry with high quality products from comapnies like Griffin Technologies that address these concerns wth add-ons.

I doubt it. When you have your stereo set up you're likely to have a computer to control your stereo. The computer doesn't run on batteries (well, laptops can, but I think you understand my intent) and doesn't have fetch delays from spinning up the hard drive. Sure, it would be nifty if the iPod could run your stereo, but it already can with add-ons like the iTrip.

I think we're more likely to see a Bluetooth or 802.11g purpose-built remote (to control your Mac or PC) for that need. That, or there will be a third-party add-on for the iPod. I don't see this being integrated into the iPod.

I am glad to see Apple is getting the Mini into the hands of the Europeans and Asians (not to the excludusion of other continents). I believe that as popular as the Mini is in the States, the demand in the more electronic-fashion concious Western Europe and Japan, will be higher than in the "bigger-is-best-super-size-my-Hummer" US. (Witness cellular phones, MiniDisc.)

I have had my Mini (green) since May (month and a half) and am very pleased. I prefer the new navigation wheel to the nav+4 button system in the larger models and the space wasn't an issue. I have a collection ten times the mini's volume, but was not interested in the larger (even though small) device costing twice as much. To me, if I couldn't have ALL the music, then 1,000 songs was plenty.

I can honestly report that I have only updated the playlist once, as I have found that if you use iTunes smart playlists to generate your most played, highest rated songs, you end up with a list of your favorite 1,000 songs. Makes wanting for #1,001 on the list a rare event.

And the battery is great. I haven't bought the iTrip Mini but I borrowed a friend's iTrip (which works on the Mini but isn't as physically integrated) and it lasted a four hour drive to the beach and still had juice.

The gPort and g4Port adapters provide standard Mac serial ports that are compatible with all Mac serial devices. They support all Apple and third party serial and localtalk printers(Mac OS 9), midi devices, as well as any other serial device that works on a Mac.

The gPort, g4Port, and CubePort use the modem slot on the G3, G4, or G4 Cube so they provide "board level" compatibility, even supporting Localtalk file sharing and printing to your existing Localtalk printers in Mac OS 9.

Get a pair of rather nice, open-back, full ear headphones. The set I use with my iPod are Sennheiser HD 590's (purchased at The Great Indoors for ~$30, down from ~$70). They sound absolutely amazing, but because they aren't sealed you can still hear the phone, people talking directly to you, etc.

Earbuds are nice and cheap, but they block out too much sound. You need to ensure that the headphones are really comfortable and have a nice long cord, though, since you'll probably want to move around your desk a bit and be wearing them for hours on end. Also, if you are running the sound out of your desktop or notebook and it's kinda crappy (bad S/N ratio, interferance, etc) look into a Griffin Technologies iMic. As they are just a standard USB audio device, they work without drivers on Macs or PCs and sound excellent.

I personally find it extremely rude when coworkers insist on playing music out loud (headphones solve this) or having conference calls on speakerphone (that's what headsets are for). Hopefully if more people start using a more personal listening device, the workplace will be calmer for everyone.

... is a dial for playing Tempest.

Perhaps this could do the job?

Much agreed. When I have mod points I actually tend to mod posts like that down. Particularly when "keyboard-equipped" is requested.

Would someone Ask Slashdot if they wanted pens and paper? No, they'd go to Walgreens and get some paper.

Now for the actual advice. iPod. iTalk. Your mouth. Need I "say" more? Something that isn't a PDA or a laptop but has a keyboard and is good for notes won't be happening soon, so a dictaphone of some sort (iPod with iTalk having the advantage of also being an AAC/MP3 player makes the investment worthwhile) requires no writing, works well, et cetera. Digital is probably better than tape-based because you can get it onto your computer faster and needn't worry about running out of tapes. If you want to type, though, get a 12" laptop -- Apple and Sony have nice ones, though the Apples are cheaper. I think there might be a 12" Dell as well.

If you're taking along an iPod (and I have no idea if you are or not), how about getting an iTalk to go with it and dictate your notes?

Yes. I'm using one now. My only other 2-button USB mouse wore out. The joke was that the OS would be ridiculously easy to use, execpt that you'd need to go through some sort of arbirtrary sequence to click on anything. But the mouse would look REALLY slick. Some might call it 'lickable'.

Honestly.... how many people actually USE the Apple Pro mouse? It's optical recognition's not nearly as good as it could be, it's not incredibly ergonomic (though better than most), and lacks the ever-important right button.

Of course, I've learned to begin control-clicking, though it's incredibly annoying. And I scroll with my PowerMate. But seriously, what did the right button ever do to Jobs?

On the other hand, on my PC (which I use less and less each week), I've got an old logitech trackball which is quite possibly the best pointing device in the world. The one i've got is different from the one on the site now, though it's mainly the same (sans USB). It's lasted me 6 years, showing no signs of wear whatsoever. I know of no mice which could stand up to that kind of use and abuse. I'd get one for my Mac, but I'm just too cheap

Maybe I'll spring for the wireless one someday.......

The PowerPod is actually an accessory for the iPod that is sold by Griffin Technologies. The so called "PowerPod" mentioned in the article appears to be an April fools hoax. Not to mention, there is no sign of this on Apple's front page

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/powerpod /

And best of it all - you can have a real PowerPod for just USD 24.99. Yeah, Griffin has already taken the name for their iPod car charger. This is one of the lamest April Fool Days I can remember, they don't even try.

I've got a Powermate right here, and though it's a very cool and quite useful gadget, the SpaceTraveler seems to be in a different league.

I think it's a spinoff of the old SGI SpaceBall pointer devices, which allowed for multiple axis input - you can push, pull, and move it left and right. The powermate just turns left and right on a vertical axis and can be pressed as a button. Looking further at their other products, the SpaceBall 5000 looks a lot like the old SGI unit. The SpaceTraveler's just a smaller portable version.

Of course, they don't seem to mention how many axes of input the thing provides on the website, so I dunno.

this. Which clearly is designed to just look cool (and is successful, I'd say).

It looks it is only being developed for the Macintosh but it still looks nice. Griffin RadioSHARK

Griffin Radio Shark

I definitely want one of these for the same reason, but also because the majority of USB radios (and regular plugin/battery radios) are FM only.

This unit promises AM and FM and is powered from the USB port, plus it looks cool - but *sigh* vaporware.

I had done a story on my website about this product back in January.

Mac users have a new timeshift option (if Griffin ever ships it); check out RadioShark. It records AM, FM, and Internet broadcasts into AIFF format. Upload to your MP3 player and away you go!

(Now just SHIP the darned thing, Griffin.)

Mac users have a new timeshift option (if Griffin ever ships it); check out RadioShark. It records AM, FM, and Internet broadcasts into AIFF format. Upload to your MP3 player and away you go!

(Now just SHIP the darned thing, Griffin.)

Radio Shark

Don't know if this has been released yet. It's been in development for quite a while.

I'm waiting for a Tivo unit with a DVD/R built-in.

While that would be cool in principle, there's no need to stream iPod via Bluetooth (assuming there were a Bluetooth iPod add-on), there's really no need as you can either use an iTrip to broadcast via FM (technically illegal in the UK, but eBay is your friend ;-) ), or as your Prius has a tape player, one of those simple stereo out->cassette doodads will give you an even better sound.