Having a portable is cool, but having a player that looks cool and does cool stuff is even better. So why not dress up and crank up your favorite accessory?
You can find all kinds of functional and fun gadgets and gizmos for your mp3 player; there are devices for sharing you music, charging your player, increasing your portability and many just for fun.
Onsies
For Sharing
Why keep your music to yourself, when you can share with friends? Why not detangle yourself of your headphones and play your tunes on other devices?
Speakers - There are many types of speakers available for portables; there are even portable, battery operated speakers. If you want to chat, don't feel like wearing your earbuds or just want to share your tunes this is an excellent alternative to isolating headphones.
Docking Stations - Many docking stations not only connect your portable to speakers but also charge your player at the same time.
Splitters - If you have ever wanted to share a song with someone who also has headphones, you could have used a splitter. A splitter will allow you to connect two or three sets of headphones to one player; some even have their own volume controls.
Projectors - Now you can enlarge your viewing area by shooting images onto a large surface with a small projector. If you are listening at home, you could just look up on the wall and see which track is playing, or you could share your video clips with friends.
FM Transmitters - Driving with headphones is always a bad idea, but with an FM transmitter you can play your audio files over your car stereo. You can drive safely and share your music.
Camera Connector - With a camera connector, you can bypass your computer and use this device to download pictures from your camera (or a friends camera) directly to your player.
Stereo Connector - With this type of connector, you can connect your portable to your stereo or even to a television. So you can listen to music for hours without having to change a single CD.
For Charging
Mp3 players are powered by batteries; some small players use replaceable AAA batteries but most use internal rechargeable batteries that last 10-30 hours.
Adapters - Many players recharge through a USB port and do not come with an AC adapter for charging, but you can purchase one or a universal adapter for travel. Or if you are on the road a lot, you can get a car charger for your player.
Solar Chargers - If you like to travel off the grid, you can use a solar charger.
Charging Station - Not currently available in the US but in some areas, you can find charging stations. They are similar to vending machines; you put in your money and lock in your portable (some also charge cell phones), come back 45 minutes later and take the juiced up player out.
For Portability
Portable players, especially flash mp3 players, are designed to be on the go. But what if you don't have pockets, are out in the rain or out after dark?
Straps - There are all kinds of ways to strap a player to your body for hands free listening. You can find compatible armbands, finger straps, belts and more.
Lanyards - This is just a fancy name for a necklace that can hold your player; some even have incorporated headphones.
Cord Winders - So you don't get knotted up in your earphone cords while you are on the go, you would use a cord winder that conveniently gets the cords out of your way. They come in many clever shapes and colors.
Protective Skins and Overlays - If you are out in the elements a lot or are just rough on your equipment, you may want to consider a protective skin or overlay. A protective skin covers the entire device, or an overlay is a thin film that protects the display.
Lights - Out after dark without a flash light? Avoid fumbling around in the dark by connecting an LCD light to the top of your player.
For Looks
Just having a cool portable is not enough, when everyone elses' look just like yours. Maybe you want to stand out in the electronic sea of devices, or perhaps you just want to mark it to make it harder to lose.
Sparkles and Dazzle - You've seen them on cell phones; well you can now get them for other mobile devices as well. With sparkles and dazzles, you can bejewel your device with sequins, rhinestones and other sparkly accessories. So maybe you won't be diamond laden, but your player will be.
Purses - These are as cute as a shih tzu in pigtails. They are tiny, fashionable purses with a place for holding your player. The player fits into a pocket in the side of the bag and the clickwheel and display faces out through a see-through panel.
Covers - You can protect and stylize your player in leather, plastic, easy-grip rubber, fur or even in a knitted sock. You could go business formal with a portfolio type leather cover that makes your player look like a PDA. Or go retro, with a case that makes your player look like an 80's Sony Walkman.
Clothing - Ever wished your kid had a clickwheel, well now they can. You can buy baby onsies with a handy clickwheel on the front (too bad the volume control isn't compatible). You can also buy clickwheel shirts for big people. Currently on the market you can find player belts, jackets, shoes, boxers and coming soon Levi will be releasing iPod jeans.
For Fun
Most accessories are functional, but many are for fun or to make you giggle.
Toys - Dancing dogs and iPod kitties, why not? You can find cute electronic toys for your player; with some, you hook them up and they light up or move to the music. Or with the kitty, you connect the kitty and scratch its belly to change tracks. You can even get adult toys, like little vibrators that connect to your player by wires, they really have thought of everything.
So what next? Perhaps wireless, waterproof earbuds, so you don't have to give up your tunes in the pool? oh, wait...they all ready have that. Well, what about maybe solar clothing that charges your devices during the day and lights up to your music at night?
Now that would be cool.
Got-to-Have Gadgets and Gizmos for Your Mp3 Player
Pamela Stevens
Pamela Stevens writes for TopTenREVIEWS.com, a review site that publishes technology and entertainment reviews.
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