iPodPowerMate Unveiled -- Extending its successful line of well-designed computing accessories, Griffin Technologies today announced the iPodPowerMate, a hardware multimedia controller specially created for the iPod (see "Unleashing the Power of the PowerMate" in TidBITS-653). It shares the same smooth chrome finish as the company's original PowerMate, but in a smaller size that's more appropriate to accentuate the iPod. Now you can have two round controllers to control your music. "We love Apple's fantastic design for the iPod, but didn't think the scroll wheel was dynamic enough," said Griffin's Andrew Green. "If your iPod is going to pump out some rockin' music, you need a big shiny knob to do it right!"

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The iPodPowerMate can rest on any flat surface, and connects to the iPod via a FireWire cable. What separates it from the PowerMate, though, is an ingenious mounting kit that lets you attach the iPodPowerMate directly to the iPod's scroll wheel. Another quirky addition is the use of its built-in LED, which boasts five different colors: red, white, blue, green, and amber. While the PowerMate can brighten or dim based on the Mac's volume level, or even throb at a constant rate, the iPodPowerMate, thanks to the FireWire interface, can dynamically pulse and cycle through colors according to the beat of the music, much like an iTunes visualizer. Power up your iPod, turn off the lights, and let the party begin! [JLC]