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Provides: Portable viewing of iPod video

Developer: Myvu Corporation

Minimum Requirements: 30/60/80GB iPod for video/photo viewing

Retail Price: $199.95

Availability: Out now

Here's one of those products where, when you got your 5G iPod, you thought, "Wouldn't it be cool if someone made an accessory that did this?" And then, someone comes along and gives you exactly what you wanted, and you realize that no matter how cool it is, you really have no use for it.

That's kind of how it is with Myvu Made for iPod, Solo Edition. People who have a need for such a device are going to love it, as it's mostly very well made. Many, though, will find it fun to show off to friends, but otherwise won't see the need.

Myvu Made for iPod is basically an iPod viewing screen that you wear like glasses. After you've plugged your iPod into the Myvu glasses and hit Play (making sure your iPod is set to video out, of course), the screen in the glasses displays the image. It's a very, very cool effect, really, as it appears to float a couple feet in front of you; I kept wanting to reach out and touch it. If you move your head, the video moves with you, obviously. It also appears to be framed in a sort of retro/future cabinet, but I can't tell if this is by design or if it's just the way the innards of the glasses appear as the screen image is reflected through them.

The glasses themselves are thin (wearing them, you'll look like you've either joined an 80s new wave band or are about to destroy the Earth), so you can see quite a bit over the top of and below them. In other words, when you're watching video on the Myvu, you're not blinded to everything going on around you. On top of that, the developers cleared areas to the left and right of the screen to behave like actual sunglasses, so you get a dimmed view of your surroundings. You may think it would be difficult to move about with what is therefore a video floating in front of your face, but it's not as awkward as you'd think. To try it out, hold a CD cover or something about a foot in front of you and walk around. When you focus on the case, you can still see peripherally what's going on around you. If that suddenly becomes more important, it's very easy to look past the screen, switching your focus to the surrounding area. Just beware of that blind spot where you've got the latest episode of Heroes playing.

Now, that's not to say walking around the city wearing your Myvu is an altogether safe thing to do. It's a distraction where you don't need distractions. But the only thing that separates the Myvu experience from, say, reading a flyer or checking your text messages while walking is that the Myvu videos will tend to go on longer and are harder to get out of the way (you have to physically remove the glasses, of course). Oh, and then there are the headphones.

Myvu calls the headphones "noise-reducing earbuds," which is accurate. They're the type you place in your ear canal, not outside of it, and they form somewhat to the shape of your ear. This blocks a lot of the outside noise. When you're relaxing on an airplane or a train, this is a good thing. You don't want roaring engines and squealing brakes ruining your viewing experience. But, again, you most of the time want to hear outside noise so you know what's going on around you, and these headphones muffle more than they probably should.

I'm not going to fault the Myvu because of where you should and shouldn't use it, of course, but I do have to critique the headphones themselves. They're fairly basic, with not much clarity and way too much bass. This isn't much of an issue when you're watching movies, and they do get a fuller sound than you get with your Apple earbuds. If you're watching music videos, however, or a live concert, the subtleties of the music will be completely lost. Better stick with metal, rap or house music, where subtlety's not important.

Different sizes of earphone pads are provided, so you should be able to get a comfortable fit. Even better, the nose piece that braces the Myvu can be replaced with the included different sizes. This is important, as the Myvu is obviously a bit heavier than your standard pair of glasses, and you can eventually feel it weighing down on your nose. The more comfortable the fit, the less annoying this will be.

The picture quality itself is pretty good. The screen's not as bright as you'd expect, but that's a good thing. If it were too bright, it'd be harder to ignore when you need to see past it. As it stands, it's also at a good level for viewing when your surroundings are dark; the contrast isn't headache inducing. That being said, you can adjust the brightness and contrast (and the volume, as well) using the pendant attached to the wire that connects the Myvu to your iPod. What you can't adjust is the focus. This wasn't a problem for me, as I don't wear/need corrective lenses. The Myvu can't be worn with thicker glasses, however (at least not comfortably), in which case you will have to opt for the $99 Myvu RX Clip.

So, what exactly is the point of the Myvu Made for iPod? If you're asking that question, you've never had to sit in an airplane, bus or the back seat of a car and hold up your iPod for a two hour movie. By letting you go hands-free, the Myvu allows you relax, lean back, and maybe even fall asleep if you want to. It also provides the illusion of a larger screen, and—more importantly—provides privacy. If, for some reason, you want to watch High School Musical, you can do so without fear of those around you pointing at you and laughing.

Which they should.

Is that worth $200? That's up to you. If you wanted to, you can even move up to the $300 Fully Loaded edition that also provides a battery pack with case for your 5G iPod, and a USB charger. Note that both editions come with a travel carrying case. For commuters, travelers, and kids in the back seat of the car on the way to Wisconsin Dells or something like that, Myvu Made for iPod provides a solid, solitary video viewing experience. So, yes, it's pretty cool and really fun to show off, just don't let that be your justification for buying one.