The iPod shuffle accessories continue to roll in and Dan Frakes has them covered. This week he looks at four shuffle add-ons—a waterproof shuffle case from OtterBox, DLO’s Flexible Dock for iPod shuffle, Belkin’s Power Pack for iPod shuffle, and an update to his KeychainPod review. Additionally, Dan cocks a keen eye at Nyko’s Universal Car Mount and Marware’s TrailVue case for full-sized iPods.
Like its larger sibling, OtterBox for iPod the $30 OtterBox for iPod shuffle is a waterproof case (submersible to 1 meter) that offers a ton of protection. Dan says it’s the most protective iPod shuffle case he’s seen, and the one we use when venturing into unforgiving (to electronics) environments.
DLO’s $20 Flexible Dock for iPod shuffle lets you plug your iPod shuffle into a USB port that’s out of reach or in a tight space. It does so with the help of its 8” flexible metal arm. Essentially an extension for the shuffle’s USB connector, this dock, like other shuffle docks, isn’t for everyone. If you need that kind of extension, the Flexible Dock is a handy way to better position your shuffle during syncing/charging.
Belkin’s $30 Power Pack for iPod shuffle is a package of AC, car, and USB chargers for the iPod shuffle and USB-chargeable iPod models (meaning the iPod shuffle plus all dock-connector iPods save the 3G iPod, which won’t charge over USB). In Dan’s testing, all three worked as expected. But more significantly, if you’re considering Apple’s $29 AC adapter for the iPod shuffle, the $30 Belkin package is a no-brainer for the additional functionality it provides.
KeychainPod.com shipped us an updated version of its $30 KeychainPod, an aluminum case for the iPod shuffle. Unlike the previous model, this very cool case offers a slightly larger hole for the headphone jack, allowing you to use a wider variety of third-party headphones. Dan advises, however, that some L-shaped headphone plugs still don’t fit.
Breaking away from the shuffle scuffle, Dan looks at Nyko’s $20 Universal Car Mount, a mounting kit that attaches to either your dashboard (via an adhesive-backed base) or your car’s air vents. Dan suggests that if you don’t mind a few scratches on your air vents, or if you’re OK using an adhesive patch on your dash, the Universal Car Mount is a versatile mounting solution.
And finally, Dan gets down to cases with a peek at Marware’s $30 TrailVue. This fortified ballistic nylon case for full-sized iPods protects your iPod from bumps and bruises and is available in five color schemes—one color for the main body and another for a stylish “racing stripe.” Like some other Marware cases, the TrailVue ships with the beloved Multiadapt clip, a clip that allows you to connect a number of different accessories, from the included belt clip to dashboard mounts to bicycle handlebar mounts to lanyard attachments.