Griffin pitches iPod Nano clear case, bendy car dock

Another day, another iPod accessory from Griffin Technology. Today's is the iClear a transparent polycarbonate shell developed to keep your iPod Nano safe from scratches.

The two-part case has strategically cut holes to provide easy access to the MP3 player's

controls, dock connector, Hold slider and earphone socket. Griffin claims the shell doesn't

add "bulk or weight".

Griffin has also unveiled the TuneFlex, a second Nano accessory, this time pitched at

drivers. The bendy dock slots into a car's cigarette lighter and allows you to orientate the

player to suit. There's an integrated earphone socket through which you can hook the player

up to a cassette deck adaptor - the Nano's own socket, placed next to the dock connector, is

presumably obscured by the TuneFlex - and a second, pass-through dock connector to take other

accessories. An audio output-level switch lets you cut back the output volume should you get

distortion.

TuneFlex costs $40 and is available direct from Griffin or from iPod accessory retailers. For

UK availability, contact local distributor AM Micro. The iClear is set to ship next month for

$20.

Finally, Griffin also announced this week SmartShare a earphone splitter with a difference:

each of the two earphone sockets fed by the cable's own jack have their own volume slider

controls. Again, the company will want $20 for the product when it ships next month.