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In-Depth Review
Griffin iBeam for iPod, iPod mini
Friday, October 7th, 2005 at 8:35 AM - by Misha Sakellaropoulo
It almost doesn't seem right to review Griffin Technology's iBeams; not because they're so perfect or so awful that words can't describe them, but because they're so basic that words really aren't necessary. But here we go...
For just under 20 bucks iBeams convert your iPod to an LED flashlight or a laser pointer (but not both at the same time). "Convert" is not an overstatement, either, because they occupy the iPod's headphone jack while in use, preventing you from listening to music (unless you are doing so through a dock-connected solution, but that would make for one funky and not very portable flashlight).
 Griffin iBeam - Two lights in one package |
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Plug either iBeam into the iPod and it immediately fires up. There is no on-off switch, so you'll want to be careful where your aim your iPod next time you're using it as a laser pointer and can't be bothered to remove the iBeam each time you're done pointing out whatever needed to be pointed out. The iBeams are durably enough constructed and include caps for protecting their plugs and attaching them to keychains. Because of their size, though, they're incompatible with most iPod cases that cover the top of your iPod.
While tiny LED flashlights and mini laser pointers can be had today for less than the cost of the iBeams, neither one will garner you as much attention as the iBeams will... and isn't that part of the point of owning an iPod?
 With the included caps |
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Just The Facts
Pros:Simple, slick solutions
Cons:No on-off switch, can't (easily) listen to music concurrently
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