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Friday, June 16, 2006
By Christina VanGinkel
My son has asked for an Apple iPod player. This is not really a new request, just a renewed request. He has an MP3 player, a slim little tube that is smaller than a lipstick, which he hates it when I refer to in that manner. When I asked him why he would want an iPod, when he already has the MP3 player, a PSP, and a Palm Tungsten E, his answers were simple and direct. He would like an iPod so that he cannot only listen to music, but also movies, such as some of his favorite television shows, with ease. He also pointed out that his PSP or his Tungsten E would in no way be compatible with wearing while he was snowboarding, his main activity that he would wear the iPod during. Both are somewhat flexible and large, which would mean that breaking them would be almost a given.
So let me clarify right here, that what he really wants is to own a 30 GB or 60 GB iPod, capable of storing and playing up to 15,000 songs, 25,000 pictures, and 150 hours of video. With a suggested retail price of between $299.00 and $399.00 depending ion which size iPod you are considering.
The advantage to myself would mean that there would no longer be a mad dash each Friday night, (Before a weekend at the terrain park with his snowboard during the winter or on his motorbike during the summer) to exchange his current play list of songs on his MP3 player for a new play list. There would be enough room to store all of his songs and then some on an iPod, a whole lot more of then some in actuality. My one issue with the iPod that he wants is whether I believe it would hold up under the rigors of snowboarding and riding motor cross. Well, the rigors of when he wipes out during one or the other activity actually! He did say that he would gladly donate his MP3 player to me if he is fortunate enough to become the owner of an iPod, which is tempting, as I love using it now when I walk or jog.
What I have concluded is that there are protective cases available for both models of iPod that he is interested in. Some are available directly from Apple, made to fit the iPod, and made for the iPod. One that is of interest is the Extreme Mac SportWrap that attaches to the user's upper arm, forearm, or wrist. It Velcro's on, and comes with two separate Velcro straps to make sure that you are going to be able to secure it with a good fit, whether you choose to wear it on the arm itself, or on the wrist. While the case itself offers play through design and full access to the controls, I am not sure if it would work to protect the iPod under any rigorous wipeouts.
The other case that I found was an aluminum case, made from the same Rhino-Skin that the cover on my Dell Axim is constructed of. While this would seem like the more logical case at first, as it is sure to protect it under extreme bumps, etc., the Rhino-Skin case does not cover the most easily damaged part of the iPod, the screen. Also, the more I think about it, while this would be a great case to keep your iPod safe and protected, say in your suitcase, purse, or briefcase, I do not think it would be safe for my son to wear against his body. If he did wipe out with it somehow attached, it would probably cause more harm than good to his own physical self, not to mention that there would be no convenient way to carry it in the first place.
When I brought up this issue with my son, he pointed out that he rarely if ever wipes out on either his snowboard or his bike, though I beg to differ. What he does not know is that for his birthday this fall, he will be getting an iPod, along with a case. And at this point in time, it will most likely be the Extreme Mac SportWrap case, unless I come across a case that I feel will work better for the conditions that I know the iPod will be used under.
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