In This Chapter
Connecting headphones and using portable speakers
Using adapters and mounts to play your iPod or iPhone in a car
Using an integrated iPod/iPhone car stereo interface
Playing your iPod or iPhone on FM radios by using wireless adapters
Protecting your iPod or iPhone with carrying cases
Using power accessories on the road
Put on "Eight Miles High" by the Byrds while cruising in a plane at 40,000 feet. Watch the "Lust for Life" music video by Iggy Pop on a bus heading out of Detroit. Ride the rails listening to "All Aboard" by Muddy Waters, followed by "Peavine" by John Lee Hooker. Or cruise on the autobahn in Germany with Kraftwerk. When you go mobile with your iPod or iPhone, it provides high-quality sound and excellent picture quality no matter how turbulent the environment.
If you can't plug your iPod or iPhone into a power source while it's playing, you can use the battery for quite a while before having to recharge. You can find all the accessories that you need to travel with an iPod or iPhone in the Apple Store at www.apple.com. This chapter is all about using your iPod or iPhone on the road with accessories.
Apple designed the iPod and iPhone to provide excellent sound through headphones. From the headphone/line-out connection, though, the iPod or iPhone can also play music through portable speaker systems. The speaker systems must be self-powered or able to work with very little power (just like headphones do) and allow audio to be input via a 3.5mm, stereo mini-plug connection.
Looking at specs, you'll notice that iPod and iPhone models include a small amplifier that's plenty powerful enough to deliver audio through the headphone/line-out connection. All current models, including the iPod shuffle, have a frequency response of 20 to 20,000 Hz (hertz), which provides distortion-free music at the lowest or highest pitches. (In this case, hertz has nothing to do with rental cars. A hertz is a unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second.) At pitches that produce frequencies of 20 cycles per second or 20,000 cycles per second (and everything in between), the iPod or iPhone responds with distortion-free sound.
Tip
If headphones aren't your thing, you can even wear an iPod shuffle inside a headband (and keep it relatively dry no matter how much you, um, create your own moisture). Thanko (http://thanko.jp/voniasports) offers the Vonia sports headband that uses bone conduction — a hearing aid technology that conducts "Good Vibrations" through the bones of your skull, directly into your inner ear. The sound can be surprisingly clear and crisp, although it won't be in stereo because the sound seems to come from inside your head.
Portable speaker systems typically include built-in amplifiers and a volume control, and they usually offer a stereo mini-plug that you can attach directly to the iPod or iPhone headphone/line-out connection or to a dock headphone/line-out connection. Some portable speaker systems, such as the DLO Portable Speakers from DLO (www.dlo.com), or the Bose SoundDock Portable digital music system (www.bose.com, see Figure 5-1), provide a convenient dock connection for playing audio. To place the external speakers farther away from the iPod or iPhone, use a stereo mini-plug extension cable, which is available at most consumer electronics stores. These cables have a stereo mini-plug on one end and a stereo mini-socket on the other.
Tip
When using a portable speaker system equipped with volume controls, set your iPod or iPhone volume to about half or three-quarters and then raise or lower the volume of your speaker system.
When you travel, take an extra pair of headphones (or earbuds) and a splitter cable, which are available in any consumer electronics store. The Monster iSplitter is available in the Apple Store. That way, you can share music with someone on the road.
Tip
For a portable stereo system that offers big sound on a rechargeable battery and is perfect for environments like the beach or a boat, check out the i-P23 speaker systems from Sonic Impact (www.si5.com). It includes universal adapters for all dockable iPod and iPhone models, and an audio input connection for connecting your computer or an audio player. The double-duty case is a durable cover that acts as a speaker cabinet for both speakers, to give the speakers better bass response.
I always wanted to be able to fill up a car with music just as easily as filling it up with fuel, without having to carry dozens of cassettes or CDs. With an iPod or iPhone, an auto-charger to save on battery power, and a way to connect the iPod or iPhone to your car's stereo system, you're ready to pump music. (Start your engine and queue up "Getting in Tune" and then "Going Mobile" by The Who.) You can even go one step further and get a new BMW, Toyota, or similarly equipped car that offers an iPod or iPhone dock cable installed and integrated into the car's stereo system so that you can control the iPod or iPhone from your car stereo — including handy controls on the steering wheel.
Here are your options when it comes to linking your iPod or iPhone to a car stereo:
Use your cassette player. Use a standard cassette adapter and an iPod power adapter for your car's lighter socket. This method works even with rental cars (as long as they're supplied with cassette players). For a semipermanent installation, you can add a car mount to keep your iPod or iPhone secure. Cassette adapters offer medium quality that's usually better than wireless adapters.
Buy or lease a car that offers an iPod-ready stereo or AUX input. BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Honda, and many other auto companies offer models that are iPod-ready, and you can use your iPhone with them and control the iPod or iPhone from your car stereo's head unit. This method offers the best sound quality. Some offer a connector for the iPod or iPhone that uses the dock connection, whereas others offer AUX (auxiliary) line-in audio input — you can connect a mini-plug cable directly to the iPod or iPhone headphone connection and then to the AUX input. You can then get a power adapter for your car's lighter socket, or plug directly into a 110-volt socket if your vehicle offers one.
Use your radio and a wireless adapter. Use a wireless adapter that plays your iPod or iPhone as if it were a station on your FM radio dial. Some car mounts offer built-in wireless adapters. This might be your only inexpensive choice if you don't have a cassette deck. Note: Wireless adapters might not work well in cities where FM stations crowd the radio dial.
Install an iPod/iPhone interface. Install an iPod or iPhone interface for your car stereo that offers high-quality, line-in audio input and power. After you install this interface, thread the iPod/iPhone dock cable into the glove box so that you can plug the cable into your iPod or iPhone, hide the iPod or iPhone in the glove box, and control the iPod or iPhone from your car stereo's head unit. Toyota offers an integration kit for plugging an iPod into the car glove box and using either the steering wheel or usual audio system controls.
Until you get an iPod-ready car, a car stereo with a mini-socket for AUX (auxiliary) line-in audio input (also called a stereo-in connection), or an iPod connection — or get one installed — you can use a cassette-player adapter to connect with your car stereo. (I describe wireless connectivity later, in the section "Connecting by Wireless Radio.") These wireless connectivity solutions provide lower sound quality than iPod interface installations or stereo-in connections but are inexpensive and work with most cars.
Many car stereos have a cassette player, and you can buy a cassette adapter — the Sony CPA-9C Car Cassette Adapter, for example — from most consumer electronics stores. The cassette-player adapter looks like a tape cassette with a mini-plug cable (which sticks out through the slot when you're using the adapter). Adapters work with most front-loading and side-loading cassette decks — it's the same shape as a cassette — as long as the cable doesn't prevent its loading.
First connect the mini-plug cable directly to the iPod or iPhone headphone connection. Then insert the adapter into the cassette player, being careful not to get the cable tangled inside the player.
One inherent problem with this approach is that the cable that dangles from your cassette player looks unsightly. You also might have some trouble ejecting the adapter if the cable gets wedged in the cassette-player door. Overall, though, this method is the best for most cars because it provides better sound quality than most wireless methods.
Although some new vehicles (particularly SUVs and cars such as the Toyota Matrix mini–station wagon) offer 110-volt power outlets you can use with your Apple-supplied battery charger, most cars offer only a lighter/power socket that requires a power adapter to use with your iPod or iPhone. Be careful to pick the right type of power adapter for your car's lighter/power socket.
Belkin (www.belkin.com) offers the Auto Kit for $39.99, and it includes a car power adapter with a convenient socket for a stereo mini-plug cable (which can connect directly to a car stereo if the stereo has a mini-socket for audio input). The adapter includes a volume-adjustable amplifier to boost the sound coming from the iPod or iPhone before it goes into the cassette adapter or car stereo. If you don't need the extra volume control, you can get a less expensive car power adapter, the Mobile Power Cord for iPod, for $19.99 from Belkin.
Even with a cassette adapter and power adapter, you have at best a clumsy solution that uses one cable (power) from a power adapter to the iPod or iPhone, and another cable (audio) to your car stereo cassette adapter. Attached to these wires, your iPod or iPhone needs a secure place to sit while your car moves because you don't want it bouncing around.
You can fit your iPod or iPhone securely in position in a car without getting a custom installation. The TuneDok ($29.99) from Belkin (www.belkin.com) holds your iPod or iPhone securely and fits into your car's cup holder. The TuneDok ratcheting neck and height-adjustment feature lets you reposition the iPod or iPhone to your liking. The cable-management clip eliminates loose and tangled cables, and the large and small rubber base and cup fit most cup holders.
MARWARE (www.marware.com) offers an inexpensive solution for both car use and personal use. The $6 Car Holder attaches to the dashboard of your car and lets you attach an iPod or iPhone that's wearing one of the MARWARE Sportsuit covering cases. (See the section "Dressing Up Your iPod and iPhone for Travel," later in this chapter.) The clip on the back attaches to the Car Holder.
ProClip (www.proclipusa.com) offers mounting brackets for clip-on devices. The brackets attach to the dashboard, and you can install them in seconds. After you install the bracket, you can use different custom holders for the iPod or iPhone models or for cell phones and other portable devices.
Premium car manufacturers are introducing cars that are iPod-ready, including an iPod interface for the car stereo system that uses the dock connector cable that's compatible with all iPod and iPhone models. For example, BMW offers such a model with audio controls on the steering wheel. Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, MINI Cooper, Nissan, Alfa Romeo, and Ferrari all also offer iPod-ready models. In addition, car stereo manufacturers (such as Alpine and Clarion) offer car audio systems with integrated iPod interfaces; see Figure 5-2.
If you can't afford an iPod-ready car, you can opt for a custom installation of an iPod interface for your existing car stereo and car power (such as using a custom cable interface for a CD changer, which a skilled car audio specialist can install in your dashboard). For example, Dension (www.dension.com) offers the Gateway series of products for controlling iPod and iPhone models and auxiliary devices in a car.
A wireless music adapter lets you play music from your iPod or iPhone on an FM radio with no connection or cable. However, the sound quality might suffer a bit from radio interference. I always take a wireless adapter with me whenever I rent a car because even if a rental car has no cassette player (ruling out the use of my cassette adapter), it probably has an FM radio.
Tip
You can use a wireless adapter in a car, on a boat, or even on the beach with a portable radio. I even use it in hotel rooms with a clock radio.
To use a wireless adapter, follow these steps:
Set the wireless adapter to an unused FM radio frequency.
Some adapters offer only one frequency (typically 87.9 MHz). Others offer you a choice of several frequencies: typically 88.1, 88.3, 88.5, and 88.7 MHz. Some even let you pick any FM frequency. If given a choice, choose the frequency and set the adapter according to its instructions. Be sure to pick an unused frequency — a frequency that's being used by an FM station in range of your radio is sure to interfere with your iPod signal.
Connect the wireless adapter to the iPod or iPhone headphone/line-out connector or to the line-out connector on an iPod car dock.
The wireless adapter acts like a miniature radio station, broadcasting to a nearby FM radio. (Sorry, you can't go much farther than a few feet, so no one else can hear your Wolfman Jack impersonation.)
Tune to the appropriate frequency on the FM dial.
Tune any nearby radio to the same FM frequency that you chose in Step 1.
Tip
You need to set the adapter close enough to the radio's antenna to work, making it impractical for home stereos. You can get better-quality sound by connecting to a home stereo with a cable.
Note
Don't be surprised if the wireless adapter doesn't work as well in cities — other radio stations might cause too much interference.
Here are a few wireless adapters I have no trouble recommending:
TRAFFICJamz ($19.99) from Newer Technology (
www.newertech.com) is both a charger and a transmitter that works with all model iPods.iTrip family of FM transmitters, including iTrip Auto SmartScan ($59.99) from Griffin Technology (
www.griffintechnology.com), which automatically finds the three clearest frequencies wherever you are and saves them for you as presets.TuneCast Auto with ClearScan for iPhone and iPod ($79.99) from Belkin (
www.belkin.com) quickly scans and finds the best FM frequency with one push of a button.Monster iCarPlay Wireless ($79.95) from Monster Cable (
www.monstercable.com) offers a power adapter as well as excellent-quality playback for a wireless radio unit. You can select radio frequencies of 88.1, 88.3, 88.5, 88.7, 88.9, 89.1, 89.3, or 89.5 MHz. Although a bit more expensive, I prefer it for its sound quality.TransDock micro with IntelliTune ($69.99) from Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (
www.dlo.com) scans for open FM frequencies automatically and sports a cool dial for adjusting your settings and manually tuning the frequency.
The simple protective carrying cases supplied with some iPod and iPhone models just aren't as stylin' as the myriad accessories that you can get for dressing up your iPods and iPhones for travel. You can find different types of protective gear — from leather jackets to aluminum cases — in many different styles and colors. Apple offers access to hundreds of products from other suppliers on its Accessories page (www.apple.com/ipod/accessories.html) — follow the "Shop" links to go directly to Apple's online store to view product details and make purchases. Some are designed primarily for protecting your iPod or iPhone from harm; others are designed to provide some measure of protection while also providing access to controls.
On the extreme end of the spectrum are hardened cases that are ready for battlefields in deserts or jungles — the Humvees of iPod protective gear, if you will. Matias Corporation (http://matias.ca/armor) offers versions of the sturdy Matias Armor case ($29.95) for each iPod and iPhone model, which offers possibly the best protection against physical trauma on the market. Your iPod or iPhone rests within a hard, resilient metal exoskeleton that can withstand the abuse of bouncing down a flight of metal stairs without letting your iPod or iPhone pop out.
Business travelers can combine personal items into one carrying case. The Leather Folio ($29.99) cases from Belkin (www.belkin.com) for iPod classic and iPod touch models are made from fine-grain leather that even Ricardo Montalban would rave about. The cases can also hold personal essentials, such as business and credit cards. The HipCase cases ($29.99) from DLO (www.dlo.com) let you stash credit cards and other essentials along with your iPod, and the HipCase includes a sturdy, leather-covered belt clip.
On the sporty side, MARWARE (www.marware.com) offers the Sportsuit Convertible cases ($12.99) for iPod and iPhone models, with a patented belt-clip system, offering interchangeable clip options for use with the MARWARE Car Holder or with an armband or belt. The neoprene case has vulcanized rubber grips on each side and bottom for a no-slip grip as well as plastic inserts for impact protection, offering full access to all the device's controls and connections while it's in the case.
If you want to charge your iPod or iPhone battery when you travel abroad, you can't count on finding the same voltage that exists in your home country. However, you still need to use your Apple power adapter, or your computer, to recharge your iPod or iPhone — basically, you need to plug something into some outlet somewhere. Fortunately, power converters for different voltages and plugs for different outlets are available in most airport gift shops, but the worldly traveler might want to consider saving time and money by getting a travel kit of power accessories from the Apple Store or from a consumer electronics store.
I found several varieties of power converter kits for world travel in my local international airport, but they were pricey — check your local Radio Shack or consumer electronics store first, or try Amazon.com. Most kits include a set of AC plugs with prongs that fit different electrical outlets around the world. You can connect the Apple power adapter for iPod and iPhone to these adapters. The AC plugs typically support outlets in North America, Japan, China, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Korea, Australia, and Hong Kong. You should also include at least one power accessory for use with a standard car lighter, such as car chargers from Belkin (www.belkin.com), Kensington (www.kensington.com), or Newer Technology (www.newertech.com).
One way to mitigate the battery blues is to get an accessory that lets you use replaceable alkaline batteries — the kind that you can find in any convenience store — in a pinch. The TunePower Rechargeable Battery Pack for iPod ($79.99) from Belkin (www.belkin.com) lets you power an iPod Classic or older-model iPod with standard AA alkaline replaceable batteries even when your internal iPod battery is drained.
The mophie Juice Pack Air Case and Rechargeable Battery for iPhone 3G ($79.95, available in the Apple Store) is a unique power accessory that doubles as an iPhone hard-shell case. With its rechargeable external battery concealed inside the protective form-fitting case, it drains its own battery before it moves on to the one in your iPhone, conserving your iPhone battery power.