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Have iPod Will Travel

by Erik Olsen (RSS feed) on Apr 13th 2006 at 9:03AM

Man, we're so ahead of the times here. I mean, it was like years ago that we were extolling the virtues of the iPod as a carry-along travel companion, a device that can help uplift your spirits as you plug into the new Pearl Jam album, or, perhaps better yet, provide you with audio walking tours of places you visit. I've sampled many different audio products since I got my fourth generation iPod about a year ago (this, after handing over my bulky first generation iPod to my wife). And I have to say, the results are mixed. First of all, as a subscriber to audible.com since the early days, I still download my monthly book and keep up my subscription to the audio version of Charlie Rose. But I have also tried products like Soundwalk, who sells audio tours of neighborhoods in Manhattan as well as other cities like Paris and, if you can believe it, Varanasi, India. So I'm a big fan of these audio tours, and as I mentioned yesterday, looks like Rick Steves is getting into the game as well.

Everyone is dong it. In fact, you should take a look at our podcasts, and download a few for your listening pleasure. And if you want to learn even more than we just told you, go and check out this article over at National Geographic Traveler that Neil mentioned a while back, and that provides a quick rundown of ways travelers can use their iPods or other MP3 players while on the road.

Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Learning, Business, Blogs, Podcasts, Stories

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Randy Apr 13th 2006 5:12PM

If you have the 5G iPod with video, here's the perfect thing to fill it with while you're traveling:

http://www.mariposaHD.tv

Iesha Apr 18th 2006 10:14AM

Got iPod?????

Sharon Farr Apr 18th 2006 10:24AM

I love to travel with my Ipod Video even though it is kinda big & bulky compared to the Nano or Shuffle but hey, no comparison for what you get. The video is great! At first I thought with such a small screen it would be hard to watch but it's not bad. I purchase my videos from I-Tunes which lets me keep caught up with my fav TV series, The Office, Desperate Housewives and Law & Order. It's a great companion when flying and I take my portable speaker system along and can listen to my favorite tunes when I am staying in a hotel. If I drive I can use the auto converter and either watch video or listen (through the car speakers) to my tunes also and on the rare occasion when I want, I can listen to an audio book, which is how I made it through the Davinci Code. Once you take up with this travel companion, you can't give it up!

Rose A Ortosky and Paula J. Ortosky Apr 18th 2006 11:12AM

KINGISLAND

SweetTorts Apr 18th 2006 11:55AM

First, nice Pearl Jam reference! my iPod has made it so easy to take all of their bootlegs with me. It's great because I can leave those cd's and others at home, and have a myriad of options in my pocket...
i've had every ipod since the 3rd gen. currently, i have the nano and the video. each has their place, but i would never want to give up the video. you can do so much more with it, and when you think about what you're holding in the palm of your hand - it's tiny.
I'm looking forward to may 2, to add my next Pearl Jam cd to it.

Tracee Newell Apr 18th 2006 12:59PM

I haven't been able to put my video ipod down ever since I downloaded the second season of Lost. I travel alot so I take it with me wherever I go. I download yoga classes from Yogi2Go.com so I can practice yoga on the road, they even have a practice for the airplane! very cool. I can't wait until they make movies available on itunes, but for now I'm listening to autobiography of a Yogi by Parahamsa Yogananda when I'm driving.

Kathy Jirau Apr 18th 2006 1:08PM

I just received my very first IPod, and it's the video as an anniversary present and I love it. I'm discovering everything I can do with it. My only regret is that I didn't have it last year when my husband and I went to Paris to do a walking tour... Oh well, I guess we'll have to go back so I can try it out... LOL! I'm thinking of downloading the DaVinci Code audio book (although I have read it) as a refresher before the movie next month. Can't wait to continue to discover everything else I can do with my new toy!

Tracee Newell Apr 18th 2006 1:33PM

I haven't been able to put my video ipod down ever since I downloaded the second season of Lost. Since then it's been an amazing love affair. I travel alot so I download lots of yoga classes from http://Yogi2Go.com so I can practice on the road. They also have a great practice that you can do in the airplane seat! I can't wait until movies are available on itunes. Audiobooks are a great way to pass the time on long drives. Right now I'm listening to Autobiography of a Yogi by Parahamsa Yogananda.

joe bb Apr 18th 2006 1:42PM

I used my Ipod while overseas in iraq, everytime we convoyed (no radios in humvee's). Then I used flying back from Iraq it really made time fly by on long trips.

Michael Apr 18th 2006 1:46PM

how does it work?

Jorsan Apr 20th 2006 9:52AM

That was pointless and said nothing other than use an ipod

Erik Olsen Apr 20th 2006 10:03AM

Great comments, folks. I really enjoy heraing how people travel with their ipods. Esp. Joe from Iraq. man, imagine being in Iraq in a convoy with tunes playing in your head. that must be downright intense.

Eli White Apr 20th 2006 10:31AM

While attending a conference recently, I used the attachable mic to record the entire session and then download to CD's for distribution to colleague's who did not get to attend. Sound quality was excellent.

meghan Apr 20th 2006 11:06AM

what ever you do DO NOT DROP THE IPOD NANO without the covering on it because the screen inside cracks and the ink splatters so you wont be able to see the screen. Try to get the cover that also has the thick like gel material over the screen.
thank you

Leonard Ives Apr 20th 2006 1:28PM

I do enjoy the IPOD while traveling, but the battery didn't last for more then two months. First problem is I don't travel with a Laptop. I did use the wall outlet to charge. The problem; does not have a device as to prevent the battery from overcharging. Now I have to order a new battery. Don't you think I would have been better off using a removable battery.