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