The Observer, September 22, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 4
Griffin's latest iPod accessories ignore older generations
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With Apple's release of the new 5½ generation iPod and 2nd generation Nano, many companies have been working nonstop to release accompanying accessories. Griffin Technology recently debuted several new cases, FM transmitters, and headphones perfect for college students who depend on their mp3 players for survival. Here are some of the best (and worst).
Griffin iPod iTrip (Dock) – Before this dock iTrip, I had an older, less expensive iTrip, one that plugged into the top instead of encasing the iPod. While both versions get the job done, this one is far superior in many ways.
I didn't have to put any new files or extra software on my computer or my iPod, which means no song files to change the frequency. Instead, there's a convenient LCD display that shows what station the iTrip is currently set to. To switch the station, there's a switch on the side that moves up and down. It's very easy and intuitive to use. The only drawback is you can't charge the iPod with the dock iTrip connected; there is a mini-USB port that allows you to charge your iPod from there, but who has a mini-USB cable? Not me. Maybe I'm a loser.
Griffin EarThumps – These headphones are small earbud style headphones that are actually designed to go inside your ear, like an earplug. They come in three sizes, to fit differently sized ears. (I personally liked the medium, while others testing the EarThumps preferred the small size.)
For in-ear headphones, they were fairly standard; compared to the standard white headphones that come with the iPod, they are a lot better. A lot of their pros and cons actually stem from the fact that they are in-ear headphones. These headphones naturally deliver clearer sound and bigger bass, and these were no exception; the sound was much improved over standard iPod headphones, even removing much outside noise. To test this, I wore them to class for a few days. I still heard really loud stuff outside, like the construction on Bellflower, but sounds I'd hear with the normal iPod headphones were canceled out entirely, like loud footsteps or conversations farther off.
Their biggest drawback came from the fact that they were in-ear. No matter how well I cleaned out my ears before I used them (something I do every day, thank you very much), they always seemed to get a little gross after I used them. Having the headphone actually inside of my ear was a little weird and uncomfortable; for others, this might be a bigger issue.
Griffin iPod iClear – The iClear is a clear plastic shell in two parts that encases the iPod kind of like a walnut shell does a walnut. I own an old, pre-iPod photo 20 GB iPod. So despite the fact that the iClear came with two different backs (for newer 30 GB and 60 GB iPods), it would not quite fit my iPod. This is a pretty large drawback; though a healthy number of iPod owners do have newer iPods, and it does make the most sense for Griffin to make cases for the newest generation of iPod, there still probably is a large, underserved community of old iPod owners such as myself. Some observations: the iClear opens when dropped, nullifying the point of a protective case; dirt also becomes trapped on the inside, besmirching otherwise pristine iPods.
Griffin iPod Vizor – my iPod was also too large to use for this case. There's a belt clip for convenience, and there's also a flap that comes down over the front, sealing itself magnetically. Despite this, though, the flap could be annoying when trying to press buttons through a pocket. Also, the 30 GB iPod slides slightly in the case, and dirt or fingerprints caught under the plastic screen cover can be annoying to remove. The case was also quite hefty, which could easily irk those used to only carrying around their naked iPods.
All in all, Griffin's latest round of products for iPod are clearly meant for 5½ generation users, which means the rest of us will have to hit up ebay in the hopes of finding a good fit.
