2264 Product: Navipod
Manufacturer: Ten Technology
Available at: Think Different Store
Price: $49.95
Review by:Marc Zeedar


The iPod is undisputedly an awesome device, but only when it's in your hand. When it's across the room, connected to your stereo, or connected to your car's sound system, you need a remote control. Apple offers a wired remote, but who wants to be tethered by a cord?

Finally there's Ten Technology's Navipod. There are two models, one for the original iPod and one for the newer iPods with Dock connector. Both are the same price, but be sure you get the correct one for your iPod.

The Navipod includes a small infrared receiver that attaches to the top of the iPod. It's white and designed to seamlessly match the iPod's design. A wire stand connects to it, allowing you to stand your iPod on end if you'd like. That's good because infrared requires line-of-sight (which wouldn't work as well if your iPod was lying flat on a table, for instance).


Because the receiver blocks the headphone jack it includes one which you use instead of the regular port. This caused no problems in my experience.


The included wireless remote is about the size and shape of sand dollar. The small watch battery is included and fits inside a little drawer in the remote. There are five buttons on the remote: play/pause, reverse and forward, and volume up and down. Everything works just as you'd expect.


However, because there are no navigation controls on the remote, you can't navigate the iPod interface remotely (choose a playlist or browse albums, for example). If your iPod is already playing or paused on a song, the Navipod is great, allowing you to control everything about the current playlist. Otherwise pressing play starts the iPod's default playlist (all songs), which may not always be what you desire. Of course the wired remote suffers from the same drawbacks.


I have a couple other problems with the remote. It is small enough to be easily lost, but more severe is the fact that since it's round it's easy to accidentally turn the remote backwards and be shooting the infrared beam at yourself. The buttons are grouped near the "top" so if you remember that you can get used to pointing it the right way, but otherwise the icons and logos on the remote aren't distinctive enough to indicate the correct orientation without some studying.

It's too easy to flip the remote around and try to use it backwards.

Bottom Line
The Navipod works as advertised. The design and finish is excellent and of high quality, matching the iPod's standards. Other than a few minor gripes, it's a terrific product. My only real complaint is I find I don't need a remote very often (I usually keep my iPod nearby) making it an expensive toy. But if you've been longing for a wireless remote for your iPod, this is certainly it.
Applelinks Rating

Available at Think Different Store

Tags: Reviews ï iPod ï iPod Reviews ï

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