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The article presents information on keeping the iPod digital music player in good condition as well as tips on what it can do besides playing music. The IPod can suffer from a number of problems, such as failure to synchronize, the screen staying dark or the power draining much faster than it used to. There are many solutions to the basic problems of the iPod, including the use of different cables or performing a full restore command. There are also a number of tools and peripherals which can be used to aid the iPod.

This article features iPod accessories for various lifestyles. The iPod shuffle's size and penchant to never ski make it ideal for jogging or snowboarding. The Action Jacket from DLO keeps the iPod shuffle secure and safe from the whims of weather. The Airclick remote from Griffin comes in handy while biking; just attach it to your handlebars with its Velcro strap. Myko's button relocator keeps you from pulling your iPod from your pocket every time you want to skip a song. iPal is not the loudest speaker you can plug an iPod into, but it is the smartest. Thanks to its rechargeable, replaceable NiMH battery, the iPal plays longer than some of other iPods.

This article features several software and hardware devices which can give an iPod extra features. Pod2Go from Kanjow Software gives iPod the power to retrieve Really Simple Syndication news headlines; manage and display contacts, schedules, email, and notes from Apple's applications, among others. The software iLingo from Talking Panda transforms any dockable iPod into a compact language translator that'll help one communicate with the locals, as long as they resided in a country that speaks one of the four included tongues. Talking Panda offers four language modules--French, German, Spanish and Italian. Meanwhile, the iPod It software from ZappTek allows one to sync the Entourage contacts, email, events, notes and tasks between the Mac and the iPod. It can also sync data from Apple applications, including Address Book, Mail, iCal, and Stickies. The iBeam from Griffin Technology can transform the iPod into a laser pointer or flashlight. It is actually a set of two small devices that attach to a 'Pod's minijack. With Belkin's Voice Recorder for iPod or Griffin's iTalk, an iPod can play and capture sound. Both devices transform an iPod into a voice recorder and save audio as a WAV file without requiring any additional software.

This article features several equipment and accessories for the iPod digital music player. Henry Kloss designed the iPAL or Portable Audio Laboratory as a companion amplifier and speaker for the iPod. It is equipped with a precision AM/FM tuner dial and a rechargeable NiMH battery. Ten Technology's NaviPod works as a remote control for when the iPod is connected to the stereo or powered speakers. Monster launched the following accessories for iPod: the iSpeaker Portable is a mini battery-powered speaker, iCarPlay is line-out-to-cassette adapter, and the iCarPlay Wireless is an FM transmitter with eight preset frequencies. Contour Designs' Showcases are tough rubberized plastic cases for the full-sized iPod. A strong latch on the side holds the iPod in place. MacMice offers two different ways to protect iPod's finish: the inexpensive PodPerch and the DVBase. Also known for its ProTouch keyboard guards, iSkin has some little cases for standard and mini iPods. The minis come in creatively named colors such as wasabi, vamp, carbon, lava, ghost and ebony. The close-fitting leather Pod Protector includes a swiveling quick-release belt clip and a clear plastic protective window for first-generation iPod's display.

The article reports on the new offering of Apple for the holiday shopping season. According to Apple, iPod owns 75.6 percent of the U.S. MP3-player market, and over 60 million iPods have been sold. However, sales decreased due to unlikely issues such as the alleged extreme scratchability of the iPod nano case and the controversy about iPod manufacturing conditions in China. The new iPod has a larger memory, brighter LCD and longer battery life. Improvements were made as well with a redesigned earbuds.

The article discusses how to use a utility software named alterPod to hack an iPod firmware file and personalize an iPod with custom interface icons and text. First, install alterPod from Disc keeping in mind that alterPod is free alphaware, which means it is not even an unfinished beta yet. Grab an official iPod Software Updater from Apple and use its firmware file as the basis for this hack. Launch alterPod and click Firmware tab. After extracting the iPod's firmware, you need to extract resources from the firmware. Click alterPod's Resources tab and click the Choose button under read resources. Before you start customizing, owners of the clickwheel iPod must note that it is essentially impossible to change the image that appears when you boot this models. A newer version of alterPod might change that situation. Before you write your hacks back to the firmware file, you might as well tweak some text. Now, you'll transform your new graphics and text strings into a firmware-friendly resource format.

The article presents questions and answers about computers. One reader asks how to add a music video purchased from iTunes onto iWeb site. Another readers seeks help on how to remove duplicate items that appeared in his Apple Menu. The possible effect of Linux on iPod, specifically on tunes being played on the iPod is discussed. Information on how to turn off the sound that play as the Mac boots up is explained.

The article presents questions and answers about computers. One reader asks how to burn songs from iTunes. Another inquiry asks how to stop iTunes 7 from opening automatically when charging an iPod. Details of how to stop slides from changing automatically is discussed. Instructions on returning screen display back to Black on White to prevent a film negative-like appearance is explained.

The article offers information on accessories for the iPod such as Banshee Audio's listening station, Case-mate's leather case, and ProClip mounting solutions.

The article presents a comparison of iPod docks including the Kensington Stereo Dock, Atech Flash Technology iDuo and Marware iPod Dock with Remote.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues of "MacAddict," including predictions for the future of Macintosh computer, "Podcast Like a Pro," by Niko Coucouvanis, and comments on a review of the iChant digital music player.

Several letters to the editor in response to the articles in previous issues are presented including "Clean Up Your Mac," in the October 5, 2005 issue, "Pod People," in the December 5, 2005 issue and "Make Your Mac a GarageBand Singer," in the November 5, 2005 issue.

The article offers suggestions on how to add television (TV) shows to the iTunes Library and move it onto video-capable iPod. Elgato's EyeTV systems includes the hardware and software the users need to watch and record TV shows on Macintosh. Connect the EyeTV hardware to a TV-signal source such as cable or antenna and then connect it to Mac using USB or FireWire. After that, install the EyeTV software and configure it using its Setup Assistant. The steps in configuring the EyeTV's encoder are mentioned.

The article discusses issues surrounding the release of video-capable iPod. In November 2005, TiVoToGo announced that it would soon allow users to transfer recorded shows onto a video iPod or PSP. The service will be available only to direct TiVo subscribers with a Series2 box. Some television networks in the U.S. threatened legal action against TiVo. Many critics agree that the video iPod's biggest weakness is the lack of support for ripping commercial DVD. The software iPod Media Studio from Makayama Interactive to break the encryption scheme on commercial DVD so that the users can import them into their iPod.

Several letters to the editor in response to articles in previous issues including "Customize Your Mac!," in the November 2005 issue, "Frazzled by Fonts," in the October 2005 issue, and "Power Your iPod With a Car Battery," in the Nov 2005 issue.

The article introduces a series of articles on the new product line of Apple Computer Inc. as of January 2006. The products include iPods, the iMac G5, PowerBooks and Power Mac G5.

This article looks at the changes made by Apple on its iPod lineup in 2005. The wee white 0.78-ounce iPod shuffle still comes in two flavors: the 512 megabyte base model and the twice-as-capacious one gigabyte model--no price changes, no changes in features of functions. If the new iPod mini marketing materials are any gauge of their targeted buyers--the web site of Apple touts the mini's vastly improved 18-hour battery life as being sufficient for a transatlantic flight, the limo ride to a hotel, and a few solid hours of boutique shopping, coos that it goes with everything: Macs, personal computers, sequens and tees, and refers to its aluminum matte-finish case as sturdy enough to survive the jostle of overzealous paparazzi. The mini now comes in four colors: silver, and punched-up versions of the original pink, blue, and green--if one own an original gold mini, one now have a collector's item. A new mini lanyard is also available for $19. Not all the news is good. Although both minis ship with--and sync and charge over--a Universal Serial Bus 2.0 cable, a FireWire cable is now a $19 option, so is a $39 iPod mini dock. The 40 gigabyte iPod photo has been sent packing, its replacement is a slim 30 gigabyte model that comes in at a cool $349.

This article presents information on several alternatives to Apple's iPod photo. Archos Gmini400 has a slightly bigger screen and built-in media reader. It has a MPEG-4 video playback and better games. But based on vanity quotient, it lacks the iPod's elegance and doesn't have a large selection of nifty cases, but it's a sturdy, sophisticated, compact package. Considered iPod's toughest competitor, it is thinner and smaller than iPod. iRiver H320 has an FM tuner and voice recorder line-in for recording audio. It had been a contender, button the American version, iRiver decided to leave out USB On-The-Go, which allows direct connection to a camera for offloading photos--a feature that's also sorely missing on the iPod photo. Epson P-200 has huge screen, stunning image quality, built-in media reader, MPEG-4 video playback and direct print with Epson printers. But the technology has no games and lacks iTunes support. PalmOne Tungsten T5 on the other hand has PDA functionality and large screen. It has a built-in media reader and bluetooth connectivity. RCA Lyra RD27680 has a big screen, built-in media reader, video recording and playback as well. But it lacks iTunes support. CreativeZen Media Center is Windows-compatible only that makes it the weakest contender of the iPod photo. INSET: NEW STUFF.

Evaluates the iPod Photo device from Apple Computer, which adds photograph-viewing capability into an existing iPod digital player. Features of the device; Pros and cons of the device; Price.

This article evaluates Roland's V-Pro Series TD-20S-BK snazzy digital drum set. This electronic drum set feels and sounds like the real thing using samples of acoustic drum tracks. The V-Pro's three 12-inch drums, two 10-inch drums, and kick drum use mesh skins called V Pads to promote the feel of acoustic drums. The mesh heads felt nice and made playing soft and loud pieces equally easy. One should learn V-Pads' thresholds for not knowing the thresholds can cause unnatural shifts in volume. The brain of the operation is the MIDI-based TD-20 Percussion Sound Module, which offers a nice dynamic range and alternative sounds. Drummers can create realistic crescendos, play rim shots, and even reproduce the sound of a cross-stick click sound on the snare drum. The TD-20 also features sound editing, where one can select from different drumhead types. The depth of the TD-20's sound palette is unparalleled. The drum set's useful play-along feature allows one to perform using song presets of different styles. The V-Pro comes with four V-Cymbals. The crashes sounded good for sampled audio. The drum rack is made of hollow black metal. Quick-release levers make rack adjustments easy, but the rack and levers don't seem durable enough for transport to gigs.

This article discusses issues concerning the iPod digital music player from Apple Computer. Over the years since its introduction to the market, the iPod has slimmed down in size, bulked up in capacity, became colorful, and sold asw many as its top four competitors combined. Competitors seem resigned to the fact that they cannot match the elegance, grace and attitude of the iPod, so they are responding with lower prices on their own players while injecting them with unusual features. The iPod's patented interface gives it a clear advantage over its competitors. Improving on the iPod's interface seemed unimaginable until Apple Computer put the control buttons on the scroll wheel itself. A possible upgrade for the iPod is in its storage capacity. It is speculated that iPod minis may be using Toshiba's 0.85-inch 2 gigabyte drive, and Seagate's new 1-inch 5 gigabyte drive may be a potential choice to replace the mini's current 4 gigabyte Hitachi drive. In any case, hard drive capacities will increase, power requirements will decrease, and prices for hard drives will remain below that of flash memory. There are also rumors that iPod is giving way to a video-capable unit. INSET: THE WALKMAN STRIDES AGAIN.

The article features the Apple iPod nano RED Special Edition and offers information on price.

The section presents a photograph of the future digital music jewelry which evolves from the iPod.

The article offers information on fashion accessories for the iPod. Ready-to-apply full-color skins gives the iPod a new look and protection. The skins are covered with a clear protective layer for ultimate durability and use a patented repositionable and removable adhesive backing for fast, easy and accurate installation and removal. iStyles Silicone are silicone cases for the iPod, made from special silicone material. iStyles Leather Cases comes in three different models, Leather Clip Cases, Leather Slim Cases and Leather Wallet Cases.

This article features some computer hardware and software available in the U.S. in 2006. A transporter from Slim Devices is a digital-music player that can play Apple Lossless, MP3, Ogg Vorbis, and other audio formats. The notebook application Memoir 1.0 can be used for note keeping, journals, and more. It can export files to formats including Word, RTF, and text, and it also features file encryption. The HWRGM1A Hi-Gain Wireless-108G MIMO Router from Hawking Technology uses an AMP Technology to extend its Wi-Fi range.

The article presents a comparison of traveling iPod boom boxes including products from jWIN Electronics and MTX Audio.

The article features Canvas Sport, a case designed by Speck for the iPod digital music player. The case resembles the Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars shoes.

The article features various electronics and other products. The PowerLite S4 portable projector from Epson uses three liquid crystal displays to project color images. The OmniDazzle software from Omni Group adds visual effects to the screen to add life to demonstrations and presentations. The iCarta from AtechFlash holds an iPod digital music player.

The article introduces the iPod accessory Nike + iPod Sport Kit from Apple. It includes a receiver for an iPod nano and a wireless/transmitter that is inserted into a pair of Nike+ running shoes. Details of how the accessory works are provided.

The article introduces new products including the Power Box Dock iPod dock accessory for Bosch's Power Box power center and radio/CD player, and Aluma Design's Art Framing Systems.

The article features DryPod, a case for 4G and 5G iPods from SKB. It covers the clickwheel while still allowing it to be used. The headphone jack has a watertight seal.

The article evaluates the On Time iPod alarm clock and music player from JBL and offers information on its features and price.

The article evaluates the Symphony digital music server from Olive Media Products and offers information on its features and price.

The article evaluates several tin cases for the iPod digital music player from Tinpod, including the L'Orange Lune and the ChangeAttitude and offers information on their features and prices.

The article focuses on the decision of the Assemblée nationale on the French lower house in 2006 to pass a bill forcing computer software companies like Apple and Microsoft that sell digital music protected by digital rights management (DRM) to open up their DRM technology so that any digital music player can play the music bought from Internet store. According to Apple Computer spokeswoman Natalie Kerris, the implementation of the European Union Copyright Directive will result in a state-sponsored piracy.

The article evaluates several loudspeaker systems for the iPod digital music player including the BoomTube H2O1 portable speaker system from Think Outside and the Model L combination loudspeaker and music player from Geneva Lab and offers information on their features and prices.

The article evaluates The Versa iPod case from Das Blau, available in the U.S. market in May 2006, and offers information on its features and cost.

The article presents the iPod costumes from iAttire. The costumes are not cases but outfits for every iPod.

The article evaluates the semiportable iPod companion iSongBook from Tivoli Audio and offers information on its key features, advantages, and cost.

The article offers tips on how to create videos using a video-capable iPod. The Quicktime (QT) Pro software contains a handy method to export movies to iPod right in its menu. If the user do not have QT Pro, they can use the QT 7.0.3 and iMovie HD. Launch iMovie HD and Click Create A New Project. Leave the Video Format at its default. Save the empty project and import the movie file by dragging it into the iMovie HD window. Insert a DVD into a Mac's DVD drive, wait for it to mount on the desktop and then fire up Handbrake.

The article evaluates the inMotion iM7 iPod speaker stand from Altec Lansing Inc. and offers information the external and internal features.

The article evaluates the W800i Walkman, a mobile phone with music player from Sony Ericsson, and offers information on internal features and the 2-megapixel camera.

The article describes the iSkin Duo, a case that offer two layers of different-colored silicone to protect the iPod nano. The two silicone layers absorb most of the shock when it falls. It also has a polycarbonate screen protector, RevoClip2 belt clip and iSkin Wheel Cap to cover the nano's clickwheel.

This section features computer products. Slim Devices' Squeezebox allows you to play songs from a Mac on a home entertainment center by using 802.11g or a wired Ethernet network. It supports MP3, unprotected AAC, Apple Lossless and other audio formats except music from the iTunes Music Store. It comes with a remote control. The Cracked Belt Leather Wrap from Das Blau covers the iPod nano in leather, protecting it from scratches.

The article evaluates the iH5 iPod alarm clock from iHome and provides information on features, pros and cons, and price.

The article presents a comparison of armbands for the iPod shuffle including products from Digital Lifestyle Outfitters and XtremeMac.

The article evaluates the iCruze iPod-to-car-stereo interface from Monster Cable and provides information on features, pros and cons, and price.

This article features the newest version of the iPod from Apple Computer Inc. as of January 2006. The new iPod has a 2.5-inch display and a 320-by-240-resolution. After reports of the easily scratched screen of the iPod nano, Apple has added a slippery sleeve to the accessory kit. Video playback for both the 30GB and 60GB iPods meet their claimed specification of two and three hours, respectively. In terms of audio playback, the units also meet their claimed specifications of 14 and 20, respectively.

This article features the FunSkin Grass and FunSkin Cloud cases for the iPod nano. Both cases are made of rubber and have clear plastic screen overlays to protect the display of the iPod nano. Each case also has a removable belt clip.

This article recommends video-conversion utilities to convert videos to a format the iPod can handle. The list includes Digigami MoviesForMyPod, Splasm Software Podner and QuickTime Pro 7. Splasm Software Podner converts to H.264 and MPEG-4. It also features a slider to set video quality. QuickTime Pro 7 gives total control over A/V settings. It is also suitable for encoding video for other outlets like the Web.