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Product: Battery back-up and remote control for iPod mini

Developer: Griffin Technology

Minimum Requirements: 3G/4G iPod or iPod mini

Retail Price: TuneJuice - $19.99; AirClick - $34.95

Availability: Out now

Griffin Technology is one of those companies that's been around for quite some time now, and you may own one or two of their products without even knowing it. Running from the exceptionally useful to the exceptionally cool, Griffin has a knack for finding the shortcomings in your computer experience and fixing the problem before you even knew it was there. For instance, who but Griffin realized that what computer users really need is a blue, glowing knob?

Although their mainstay was Mac and PC accessories, they've wisely branched out into the world of the iPod. Indeed, five out of seven products currently featured on their home page are iPod products, and why not? As great as the iPod is in most of its incarnations, it certainly does leave plenty of room for expansion features. With the TuneJuice and AirClick devices, Griffin addresses a couple issues that we've heard numerous iPod owners raise, and which now have fairly inexpensive solutions.

TuneJuice battery back-up for iPod and iPod mini

The top complaint we hear about the iPod is the battery life. Apple has taken some decent steps in prolonging the amount of power you get between charges, but users may still find themselves with a dead iPod battery and no power source in sight. Say, for instance, you're trapped on a desert island with not so much as a potato to generate electricity. With the TuneJuice, you're in luck...provided you're trapped on a desert island with boxes of 9-volt batteries.

The TuneJuice is not a replacement for your iPod's built-in battery, it's simply an external device you plug into the iPod's dock port. Having previously placed a 9-volt battery into the TuneJuice, you can get up to eight hours of additional play time. If your iPod is completely drained when plugging in the TuneJuice, drop that time to four hours. This is also dependent upon the quality of the battery you're using, of course. In other words, to get the most out of your TuneJuice (battery-type not withstanding), you'll need to anticipate a shortage of iPod battery life and plug the TuneJuice in early. Take a few 9-volt batteries, though, and you're good for quite some time.

There's no doubt that the TuneJuice does what it claims to do, but you may find its uses scarce. I've been around the country with my 3G iPod, and it's been rare that I couldn't use the iPod because of a dead battery and no available power source. When it has happened, I didn't really care. There are books to read and things to look at, after all. On the other hand, at only $19.99, the TuneJuice is not a bad investment because it's built to accommodate most iPods. The dock connector works with all 3G and 4G iPods, the iPod Photo and the iPod mini. So, you can buy just one and swap it amongst your friends and family members who have a different iPod than you. Plus, provided Apple sticks with the current dock connector, it should work with the iPods to come. If not, no big deal. It'll be a good time for you to finally realize that Coldplay's just not that great after all, but a good Kurt Vonnegut book is.

AirClick remote control iPod, iPod mini or USB

Like the TuneJuice, the AirClick remote control works with any iPod or iPod mini, as well as Mac and PC computers. Unlike the TuneJuice, the receiver will work only with a specific device: iPod, iPod mini or USB. The remote control and the receiver ship together in one package, so you need to make sure you're picking up the right one.

We tested the AirClick for iPod mini, and found it to be a great device that had more uses than we initially thought. This is mainly because of the included cradle for the remote control that can be attached to just about anything with Velcro straps (also included). The back of the case illustrates where it can be attached to bicycle handlebars and the steering wheel of your car, which I'm sure would have my Safety Town instructors bouncing off the walls. I can't imagine it's safe to listen to headphones while riding a bike, but judging from the number of "No Fear" stickers I see on the back windows of pick-up trucks or from the popularity of TV shows composed solely of clips of skateboarders smashing their head into concrete steps, safety isn't so much an issue anymore. Why should it be, when there's so much money to be won from lawsuits? Safety doesn't pay.

But I digress. If you've got your iPod hooked up to the stereo system in your house and you want to skip songs or adjust the volume, the AirClick will allow you to do so from up to 60 feet away. I tested it from about 25 feet and it worked just fine. The AirClick is exceptionally useful in the car where it may not always be easy to get to your iPod. However, because the AirClick receiver hooks into the top of your iPod, it may be incompatible with the devices you use to send your iPod signal to the car stereo, devices such as Griffin's own iTrip and SmartDeck. If your FM transmitter connects via the dock port, however, then you're good to go.

As with the TuneJuice, the AirClick will not create an audience. You either need remote access to your iPod, or you don't. As far as remote controls go, the cradle and Velcro strap of the AirClick make it a handy one. It does its job well, and the 60 foot reach can make it quite fun to crank up the music on your friend's headphones when he's not expecting it. For more practical use, the AirClick allows you to easily control your iPod while it's in a protective case that may not provide access to the controls (such as with the carrying case that used to come standard with the 3G iPod). Plus, it's tremendously helpful to not have to get up to shut off the music when someone in the next room turns on Coldplay.