Which iPod have I got?

Since Apple launched their original iPod back in October 2001, the range has grown and evolved. Although iPod’s look fairly similar, each one is individual, and has its own range of accessories. Here you can determine which iPod you have, and find out what accessories are available for it.

What does the “G” mean?
When Apple launched the early iPod’s, they weren’t given names like they are today. The original iPod was replaced by a newer model also called iPod. As the newer model had several advanced features over its predecessor, it was dubbed the new generation of iPod, this over time change to 2nd Generation, which in turn got shortened to 2G.

The number preceding the “G” just determines where that particular model sits in the range of iPods. Even now with the Nano iPod, we are seeing 2nd and 3rd Generation models. The original style of iPod is now called the iPod Classic, and no doubt as time goes on, more generations will follow. The only exception to this is the iPhone 3G, where the 3G refers to the technology within the phone, and not the generation of iPhone.

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Solar Powered Bluetooth Carkit

These days we’re all trying to reduce our carbon footprint. Turning things off when they’re not needed, getting more efficient cars, recycling waste, but what can you do to reduce the footprint of your mobile phone?

The one source of power that is all around us, completely free and has no damaging effects on the environment is the sun, and thanks to a new range of accessories, you can now harness the power of the sun to help reduce the power your mobile phone uses.

Solar Powered Bluetooth Car Kits
LG and Iqua have both released a Solar powered Bluetooth Car Kit.

The LG HFB-500 sits on the inside of your car windscreen and charges itself using energy from the sun. While its in sunlight it will charge constantly, and can provide upto 16 hours of talktime, and 1100 hours stand by time from a full charge! LG also provide a car charger, just in case the battery does run out, but as you’ll no doubt be leaving this in your windscreen all day, everyday you’ll probably never need it! If you have an LG handset, you can use the HFB-500 as an emergency charger and charge your phone from it.

The Iqua Vizor Sun is a slightly different concept and is designed to be mounted on your sunvisor. You’ll need to have your sunvisor down in order for it to charge, but its clear keypad makes answering calls easy. Talk time is even more impressive than the LG Handsfree, and it has unlimited standby times when in sunlight.

Solar Powered Bluetooth headset
Iqua are certainly leading the field with environmentally friendly mobile accessories – In addition to their Solar Powered Bluetooth Car Kit, they also offer the worlds first Solar Powered Bluetooth Headset – the Iqua Sun BH-603. Despite having a solar panel built in, the headset weighs just 14g and provides upto 9 hours of talktime in darkness, even more in daylight. As the Iqua Sun draws its energy directly from the sun, it gives you complete freedom from wires.

Solar Chargers:
These are a must have accessory for anyone with an MP3 player, Mobile Phone, Handheld games console, or any other gadget that can be charged using a USB Charging Cable. The Solar Chargers have an inbuilt battery that draws its power from the sun. A range of charging tips are included for most devices. Solar Chargers are ideal for trips away, days out or down on the beach!

Using the Sun to charge your mobile phone and accessories may not be the biggest change you can make, but its certainly a step in the right direction. To help you save more energy, read our post on How to extend your Mobile Phone’s battery life.

New Nintendo Wii Accessories Announced

Nintendo have this week announced the latest add ons to their Wii Console. The Wii Motion Plus improves the movement accuracy for more realistic gameplay. The Wii MotionPlus simply plugs into the bottom of your existing Wii-mote, using the same connection as the Nunchuck, this combined with the sensor bar and built in accelerometer gives better tracking of your movements. Every move you make is rendered in real time, so as you move, your character moves.

The Wii MotionPlus will include a replacement jacket for your Wii-mote and a sequel to the popular Wii Sports game that was originally bundled with the console. Wii Sports Resort will be the first game to take advantage of the new MotionPlus accessory, and includes new games such as Sword Play, Power Cruising on a water scooter and Disc Dog, which involves throwing a disc to a Wii dog.

Also announced was a WiiSpeak Microphone which will add online chat to the Wii Console. The microphone is designed to plug into one of the USB ports and then sit underneath your TV in a similar way to the sensor bar. With the controllers being wireless, it makes you wonder why they opted for a wired microphone. It will certainly be interesting to see how good the microphone is at picking your voice up when you have to stand a good couple of metres away from your TV to play the games.

With Nintendo making their consoles more and more interactive it will be interesting to see where they go with this, are we likely to see games that you have to talk to in the not too distant future?

The WiiSpeak Microphone is due to go on sale later this year. The Wii MotionPlus is due for release in Spring 2009.

Five must have accessories for the 1st gen iPhone

If you’ve got an iPhone (first gen) there are a few things you could do with to keep it at its best and to use it to its full potential. My 5 must have accessories are listed below, and are all available from mobile fun.

	InvisibleSHIELD Full Body Protector – Apple iPhone The last thing you’ll want to do to your new phone is scratch it. Not only does it look bad, but can spoil your enjoyment while looking at photo’s, movies and coverflow. InvisibleShield full Body Protectors provide exceptionally clear protection that helps prevent impact damage from keys, coins & pens to both the front and back of your iPhone.
	Jawbone 2 Bluetooth Headset If you have used Bluetooth Headsets in the past, I’m sure you will have experienced times where people can’t hear a word you’re saying because of what’s going on around you, whether you’re in a Pub or Club, cruising down the motorway or in a noisy environment at work. Jawbone Bluetooth headsets incorporate the latest technology in noise cancellation meaning you will be heard no matter what is going on around you.
	i-Power iPhone Mains Charger Charging your phone through the USB cable connected to your PC or Mac isn’t always possible – especially if you’re away on holiday, or frequently away with work. This Mains Charger allows you to charge your iPhone without the need to dock it.
	Apple iPhone Krusell Orbit Premium Leather Case The Apple iPhone is a stylish phone, it needs a stylish case to go with it. The Krusell Leather case is extremely stylish and practical. Krusell have a range of connectors available too, so you can mount it on your belt, in the car or even on your bike, without having to remove it from its case. The Orbit Premium Leather Case features a built in stand to make reading your emails and accessing the Internet even easier.
	Apple iPhone Stereo Handsfree Adapter Listen to your MP3 music in full stereo with your own headphones on your iPhone. This adapter allows you to connect any headset with a 3.5 mm jack plug fitting to your iPhone. Built in controls also let you answer and end calls, as well as adjust volume levels and play/pause your music.