The iPod Nation

The Android G1 from T-Mobile is gaining in popularity but one of the main complaints is its lack of a proper headphone jack. A few innovative do it yourselfers figured out a way to connect a G1 Android to an iPod dock. The hack is said to be very precise and delicate, doing such a hack is not for the faint of heart. The hackers took apart a HTC ExtUSB adapter for the Android phone and soldered it to the iPod dock’s female connector. Not only does the G1 play audio via the iPod dock, it charges the Android phone as well. It isn’t the cleanest hack in the world, but it works. Although this hack is pretty darn cool, why not use a universal speaker system with an AUX instead? Sure you can’t charge the G1 with it but you’ll still be able to play music. But hacking just sounds so much cooler I guess.

-Ray

[Source: gizmodo]

Ever get the urge to karaoke but you don’t have a karaoke machine? Don’t worry because thanks to Memorex you can turn your Apple iPod into a Karaoke machine! Memorex recently released their SingStand MKS-SS1 microphone and speaker system. It includes a powered speaker base, an auxiliary input for more microphones and audio controls. The Memorex SingStand goes for $70, but for much less you can get a real karaoke machine, or Rock Band. Head on over to the Memorex site for more info and availability of the SingStand for the Apple iPod.

-Ray

[Source: engadget]

Waterproof MP3 speakers have been available for quite some time, JVC’s SP-AW303 waterproof speakers are a little different however. They feature plastic wrap to keep your MP3 player nice and dry. The plastic barrier holds your iPod or other MP3 player in place so you can still its buttons to play your tunes. The battery powered JVC speakers will give about six and a half hours of play time. The JVC waterproof MP3 speakers go for $80 and are available in blue, pink and white.

-Ray

[Source: gizmodo]

Scoshe has released theor Passport FireWire-to-USB iPod adapter cable. Its purpose is to convert the energy from older FireWire-based iPod chargers into USB or newer iPhone and iPods. All the reviews and tests went well and it was shown to work with all the newer model iPods. The Scoshe Passport was designed to be used in the car but it works with dock-cradle accessories as well. The Scoshe Passport FireWire-to-USB cable goes for $30.

-Ray

[Source: engadget]

Noice-canceling headphones are awesome little devices, they work great on a plane trip, road trip or if you just don’t want to hear your woman’s nagging anymore. These iPod specific noise-canceling headphones from Hitachi Maxell are unlike any other iPod headphones. Not only do they do a great job at blocking outside noises, they don’t need batteries either. They make use of an iPod dock connector to power the headphones as well as transmit your tunes. They feature 20dB of noise canceling but work with the iPod and iPod touch, not the iPhones. The Hitachi noise-canceling headphones go for about $80 in Japan.

-Ray

[Source: gizmodo]

SpongeBob Squarepants has become one of the great Nickelodeon cartoons, right up there with Monsters and Doug. Who doesn’t love that cute little sponge that lives in a pineapple under the sea? Too bad execs at Nickelodeon took things a little too far. They created this creepy SpongBob Squarepants iPod dock that not only plays your music, but lets you rip out SpongeBob’s eyes only to watch them dance around on your table. What were they thinking?

-Ray

[Source: gizmodo]

Chris DeWolfe, chief executive of Myspace, dropped hints that they may be developing an MP3 player of their own to rival the Apple iPod and the Microsoft Zune. They said it was “possible” when asked if they were indeed working on the device at the Web 2.0 summit help in San Francisco. They didn’t give any more insight as to what they have planned and instead tried to push their new MySpace Music service. MySpace has tried to make itself the must be place for new and aspiring artists as well as established and popular artists. In such a competitive market it’s really surprising to see MySpace developing an MP3 player.

-Ray

[Source: nme]

Developer Pádraig created the software iPhone Backup Extractor which converts your iPhone and iPod touch backups that were created by iTunes into a readable Mac OS X files. You can then examine or browse them. However the program only works with Mac OS X Leopard. It allows you to extract app recourses so developers can investigate any bugs, explore files that are created by third party applications and decode SQLite database files on the iPhone and iPod touch like SMS messages and call history. The iPhone Backup Extractor is a must have for iPhone and iPod touch app developers.

-Ray

[Source: iphoneatlas]

iHome has released their iHM77 portable speakers for the iPod, iPhone and any other device that uses a 3.5mm headphone jack. The iHM77 are collapsible for easy storage in your car or backpack. They feature integrated amplifiers and are powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The iHM77 come with a USB charging cable as well as a carrying case. The iHome iHM77 go for $50 and are available in black, silver and red.

-Ray

[Source: ipodnn]

Custom iPod and iPhone enclosures and docks are pretty common with luxury cars. Ferrari has one upped it by including an 16GB iPod touch right in the dash of their Scuderia Spider 16M. Only 499 of the limited edition Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16Ms will be built. The custom iPod touch will have Ferrari themes, sounds and images already loaded onto it. No pricing on the uber rare Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M has been announced but the lower model is going for $277,000. But hey it comes with an iPod!

-Ray

[Source: engadget]