How can I use my iPod as a voice recorder?

Belkin and Griffin, among others, first offered attachments that utilize the voice recorder software provided by iPods with dock connectors and wired remote jacks -- iPod 3rd Gen, iPod 4th Gen, and iPod photo/Color models. These simple microphone attachments simply plug into the headphone and wired remote jacks and allow you to record literally hours of notes, lectures, meetings, or anything else you desire.

Between the Belkin Voice Recorder and the Griffin iTalk, the always excellent MacWorld found the Griffin iTalk to be superior. The equally excellent iLounge also has reviewed a number of iPod voice recorder attachments.

Starting with the iPod 5th Gen (with Video), Apple substantially improved audio recording capabilities (22.05 kHz monaural and 44.1 kHz stereo, compared to 8 kHz for previous models), but removed the wired remote jack, so the previously available voice recorder attachments were not compatible. Consequently, companies were forced to release new products that use the bottom dock connector instead of the headphone and wired remote jack. One such product is the Belkin TuneTalk Stereo (now discontinued), which has been reviewed in-depth by iLounge.

The first iPod nano was not capable of recording audio, but the second generation models are compatible with the Belkin TuneTalk Stereo. The iPod classic (6th Gen/Original) and iPod nano (3rd Gen/Fat) are compatible with any voice recording accessories that are compatible with the "5th Gen" models.

As noted in-depth in great reviews from iLounge, the iPod nano (4th Gen) and iPod classic (6th Gen/Late 2008-2009) were changed to "add support for new microphone and remote control accessories". Specifically, these models work "with both Dock Connector recording accessories and headphone port-based microphones such as the one included with the iPhone and iPhone 3G". The iPod nano (5th Gen) goes a step further and includes an integrated microphone so no accessories are needed to record voice memos, although it still is compatible with microphones that worked with its predecessor. The iPod nano 6th Gen, likewise, is compatible with microphones that work with the iPod nano 4th Gen and 5th Gen.

The original iPod touch does not support voice recording. The iPod touch 2nd Gen and iPod touch 3rd Gen work with some external microphones including the Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic (provided standard with the 32 GB and 64 GB configurations of the iPod touch 3rd Gen). The iPod touch 4th Gen and iPod touch "4.5" Gen have both an integrated microphone which makes it easy to use as a voice recorder and it is compatible with the Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic as well (but ships with standard earbuds).

With so many compatibility issues, please make sure to verify that a particular microphone will work with your iPod prior to purchase.

Can I add a remote control to my iPod?

Yes. A number of companies sell receivers that plug into the iPod wired remote jack provided by the iPod 3rd Gen, iPod 4th Gen, and iPod photo/Color models and corresponding removes that communicate via RF or IR to allow you to control your iPod's music and slideshows from across the room.

Starting with the iPod 5th Gen (with Video) and iPod nano, the iPod lacks the remote jack, so companies were required to release new products that use the bottom dock connector. Products designed for the "5G" models generally are compatible with the iPod classic (Original/6th Gen) and iPod nano (3rd Gen/Fat) as well, but do not work with the iPod touch (Original).

As noted in depth in a series of excellent reviews from iLounge, the iPod nano (4th Gen), iPod classic (6th Gen/Late 2008), and iPod touch (2th Gen) were changed to "add support for new microphone and remote control accessories". Specifically, these models -- and subsequently released models -- work "with both Dock Connector recording accessories and headphone port-based" remotes.

iLounge also has provided a number of reviews of iPod remotes that may be of interest. With so many compatibility issues, please make sure to verify that a particular remote will work with your iPod prior to purchase.

How can I transfer contacts from Palm Desktop to my iPod?

Open the Address Book portion of the Palm Desktop application, select the address book entries that you wish to transfer to the iPod and select "Export vCard" from the File menu. Select the "Contacts" folder on the iPod and save the "VCF" file.