iPod power adapters

Apple stopped including a power adapter with each iPod a while ago (though Apple includes an adapter with the iPhone), and as battery life shortens over time, it's handy to have a power adapter at work or in the car. In this roundup, I tested three third-party power adapters for your iPod or iPhone. Griffin's PowerBlock and Incase's 2-in-1 Wall & Car Charger both participate in Apple's Made for iPod and Made for iPhone licensing programs. PDO's PowerTwo doesn't participate in Apple's licensing programs; PDO says it's currently compatible with the iPod classic, older full-size dockable iPods, iPod nano models, and the iPod mini.

Griffin PowerBlock

If you need an iPod or iPhone USB Power Adapter, you can spend US$30 on another Apple USB Power Adapter. Or, if you're interested in giving your hard-earned cash to a company other than Apple, you can consider Griffin's $30 PowerBlock.

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Apple stopped including a power adapter with each iPod a while ago (though Apple includes an adapter with the iPhone), and as battery life shortens over time, it's handy to have a power adapter at work or in the car. In this roundup, I tested three third-party power adapters for your iPod or iPhone. Griffin's PowerBlock and Incase's 2-in-1 Wall & Car Charger both participate in Apple's Made for iPod and Made for iPhone licensing programs. PDO's PowerTwo doesn't participate in Apple's licensing programs; PDO says it's currently compatible with the iPod classic, older full-size dockable iPods, iPod nano models, and the iPod mini.

Griffin PowerBlock

If you need an iPod or iPhone USB Power Adapter, you can spend US$30 on another Apple USB Power Adapter. Or, if you're interested in giving your hard-earned cash to a company other than Apple, you can consider Griffin's $30 PowerBlock.

The PowerBlock is your basic power adapter that comes with a USB dock-connector cable (like the one included with your iPod). An LED indicator shines amber while your device charges, and turns green when charging is done. The PowerBlock measures 1.25-by-2.63-by-1.13 inches; you can flip it upside-down and plug it into a top wall outlet, leaving the bottom outlet unblocked.

The PowerBlock's prongs can fold away when not in use, a nice touch. One very good reason why you might opt for the Apple adapter instead of Griffin's: The PowerBlock lacks the removable prongs that the Apple adapter has for Apples World Travel Adapter Kit ($40) or, if you have a MacBook, the power extension cord that comes with the laptop.

If you're not a world traveler and just need a power adapter for home or work, the PowerBlock does the job adequately. Though at this price, there's no compelling reason why you should opt for the PowerBlock over Apple's adapter--or an adapter that offers more value for your money, such as PDO's PowerTwo.

Incase 2-in-1 Wall & Car Charger

Incase's $40 2-in-1 Wall & Car Charger works with both wall power outlets and car 12-volt outlets (a.k.a. the cigarette lighter). The base of the device has foldaway prongs for wall outlets, while the 12-volt plug extends away from the base. There's a white indicator light to tell you the 2-in-1 is plugged in, but it doesn't tell if you if your iPod is charged.

The 2-in-1 measures 2.19-by-5.00-by-.88 inches. When plugged into a vertical power strip, the 2-in-1 is long enough to block the two outlets below the one it's using, so you'll want to use the bottom outlet. When plugged into a power strip with a horizontal layout, the 2-in-1 encroaches on any adjacent outlets; if your power strip has outlets for wide power bricks, the 2-in-1 will need to use one of those.

Fortunately, the base of the 2-in-1 didn't get in the way of plugging into the 12-volt socket in my 1994 Ford Explorer, which has the 12-volt socket recessed inside the front dashboard's ash tray. This design can make it difficult to plug in 12-volt devices, and the 2-in-1 fit without a problem.

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