| The iPod seems to have induced a certain | | | | iPod.The signal's range should be around 30 |
| trend in the consumer electronics industry as | | | | feet but it varies greatly depending on the |
| many companies on the market rushed to | | | | environment you are in, especially if doors |
| manufacture accessories for the little device | | | | or walls stand in the way. The headphones can |
| that allows you to take music with you | | | | provide up to eight hours of interrupted |
| wherever you go. Speakers and headphones were | | | | music depending on volume level and other |
| among the first choices as iPod accessories | | | | factors. They are also powered by two |
| for consumer electronics companies. The next | | | | non-rechargeable AAA batteries.With the |
| step was wireless speakers and headphones to | | | | BlueWave system you can also wirelessly |
| allow more freedom of movement. We'll try to | | | | stream music from your iPod by connecting the |
| discuss the pros and cons of wireless | | | | headphones to the home speaker system with a |
| peripherals for the iPod as well as the | | | | RCA patch cable that fits in the line-out |
| models that each wireless component works | | | | jack from the headphones.Oregon |
| with.LogitechLogitech began marketing in 2005 | | | | ScientificOregon Scientific released in 2005 |
| a wireless headphone unit that works with any | | | | a very interesting wireless speaker system |
| model of iPod that has a dock connector on | | | | designed for the iPod, the iBall. The speaker |
| the base. This feature is standard on all new | | | | is shaped like a bowling ball and it connects |
| models and is available on older models as | | | | to a transmitter dock, that holds the iPod, |
| well. The headphones use Bluetooth technology | | | | through 2.4 Ghz wireless technology, with |
| to connect to the iPod through an adapter | | | | adaptive frequency hopping spread spectrum. |
| that transmits the signal. They come with | | | | The signal range should be up to 100 feet and |
| rechargeable batteries that supposedly can | | | | the rechargeable batteries provide up to 8 |
| play up to eight hours of music per | | | | hours of music on a single charge. It is |
| charge.The wireless headset is very light and | | | | compatible with iPods, iPod photos, iPod |
| weighs only 3.2 ounces, with the adapter unit | | | | nanos, and iPod minis.The iBall has a |
| weighing less than an ounce. iPod controls | | | | built-in remote for the iPod which you can |
| are provided on one of the earpieces, so | | | | use even if the iPod is not in the room. The |
| there is no need to return to the iPod to | | | | speaker has a round LCD display that you can |
| adjust the volume or move through the play | | | | use to change volume and skip tracks, find |
| list. The iPod can be left sitting on a | | | | out the time, wireless signal strength, |
| counter or on a desk, and the headphones will | | | | battery power, play/pause status.Wi-GearThe |
| pick up the signal for up to 30 feet | | | | iMuffs from Wi-Gear are wireless headphones |
| away.Logitech also markets a wireless music | | | | made especially for the iPod but with a |
| receiver and transmitter that turns your | | | | twist. They use Bluetooth technology to |
| current stereo into a receiver and set of | | | | connect wirelessly to both your iPod and your |
| speakers for your iPod. It comes with its own | | | | Bluetooth enabled phone, so you can use them |
| rechargeable batteries so it doesn't drain | | | | as a wireless headset for the cell phone. |
| your iPod. The receiver unit simply plugs | | | | When you receive a call, the iMuffs pause the |
| into your stereo system and the transmitter | | | | music on the iPod, ring in the headphones and |
| onto your iPod. The system works with any | | | | allow you to speak in the integrated |
| iPod or MP3 player with a standard 3.5mm | | | | microphone.The iMuffs system has a small |
| headphone output.The benefit of this system | | | | receiver that hooks on top of the iPod and |
| is that you can use it to make your existing | | | | comes with a rechargeable battery that |
| speakers wireless without having to purchase | | | | provides up to 12 hours of interrupted music. |
| additional equipment. It is easy to plug in | | | | As expected with Bluetooth, the iMuffs |
| and use so you can easily move to other rooms | | | | headphones can pick up the signal in the 30 |
| in the house. The only drawback is the | | | | feet signal range. They also feature iPod |
| 30-feet distance restriction between the | | | | controls on each earpiece for pause, volume, |
| receiver and the transmitter.MacallyMacally | | | | skip and search.In the future, the market of |
| designed a Bluetooth based BlueWave iPod | | | | wireless headphones and speakers for the iPod |
| headset that connects to the iPod through a | | | | will become a bigger share of the overall |
| transmitter plugged into the iPod's headphone | | | | iPod accessories market, as the signal range |
| port. One issue with the BlueWave system is | | | | will increase, the audio output quality will |
| that the transmitter unit doesn't use the | | | | get better and the batteries the |
| iPod's connector for power but two | | | | manufacturers use for power will allow more |
| non-rechargeable AAA batteries. Another issue | | | | hours of playtime.Dale Ewans shows you how |
| would be the plastic notch situated by the | | | | wireless technology improved audio systems at |
| headphone jack that prevents the transmitter | | | | where you can learn how wireless speakers |
| from wobbling on the iPod's top and which you | | | | and headphones work, read product reviews and |
| will need to remove if you own an iPod | | | | find out shopping tips and tricks. |
| shuffle or a first or second generation | | | | |