For the next 5 days we're giving away a bunch of stuff from our friends at Dr. Bott. Check back each day for a new chance to win a bundle of goodies, each with a theme.

Today the theme is "the active iPodder," or all those folks you see running with their iPods strapped to their arms. So we're including the Marware Sportsuit for a long-distance runner (holds up to 160 GB of music) and an EcoRunner 4th-gen nano strap for shorter distances. Plus, you'll want to hear your music while you drive around (perhaps to wherever you're going to run), so we're throwing a Griffin iTrip Auto SE in the mix.

I have tried the latest versions of these iTrip devices, and I have to say they are much better than previous models. Provided you have a clear channel, the signal is strong enough to provide a decent FM sound. My wife, a conisseur of nano wrist straps, was duly impressed with the EcoRunner -- it fits on your arm as well and is supposed to be more green by not using neoprene as the primary material. We didn't give it a long test, as giving away sweaty merchandise isn't cool, but our 1st-gen nano fit (thanks to the way the sleeve is made), which was cool.

Win a Marware 4th-gen nano wrist/arm strap, a Griffin iTrip, a Marware Sportsuit Convertible for iPod classic (80 and 160 GB versions) and the very last of our now old-skool TUAW t-shirt (only available in small). To enter, just tell us whether you are a runner, a cyclist or none of the above.

• Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.
• To enter leave a comment telling us whether you are a runner, a cyclist or none of the above.
  
• The comment must be left before December 31, 11:59PM Eastern Time.
• You may enter only once.
• One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
• Prize: TUAW t-shirt ($5), Marware Sportsuit Convertible for iPod classic ($34.99), Griffin iTrip Auto ($69.99), Marware Eco Runner ($34.99)
  
• Click Here for complete Official Rules.

Rejoice, British motorists! No longer will you need to cower when you spot police while listening to your iPod through an iTrip. The once illegal activity of using FM wavelengths to listen to your music on your car stereo is illegal no more, thanks to impending relaxation of a decades old law.

The iTrip and other low-power radio transmitters were verboten under the Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1949, which was this week amended to allow them after what the BBC calls "strong consumer demand". The transmitters will come off the black list on December 8th (also Wii launch day, if you're in the UK).

There is, however, still one small problem. You need to tune in the device to a spare FM channel, and these aren't so easy to come by in heavily populated areas such as London, where pirate radio thrives.

Of course, if you're driving around Congestion Charge-addled London in the first place, you're no stranger to constant struggle.

Those folks at Griffin Technology never sleep. This week, they announced the pending availability of the iTrip Auto Universal. Why "universal?" Because it will work with any portable music player that has a 3.5mm audio out port, and doesn't require a dock connector. Once you've connected the device to your vehicle's 12 volt accessory outlet (remember when we could just say "cigarette lighter?") on one end and your iPod's 3.5mm headphone port on the the other, you're set to select a free FM frequency and enjoy your own music. Sounds good to me.

No pricing or pending shipping date information was available as of this post.

[Via iLounge]

Legalize it! That's what a number of Irish iPod owners have been hoping would happen, and it just may come to pass by the end of the year, according to BreakingNews.ie. Up until now, the small FM transmitters by Griffin technology that allow for the wireless broadcast of music stored on an iPod over FM radios have been illegal in Ireland, as they essentially (it had been argued) create a short-range radio transmitter. Soon you will be able to listen to your iPods in the car without that annoying cassette adapter, Ireland!

Here's hoping it works out.

Thanks, Damien!

When I read this article at Podcasting News, I immediately saw myself. The very first iPod accessory I really fell in love with was my original iTrip FM transmitter, which I bought a couple of years ago. I have since replaced it with a RoadTrip, but one thing remains the same: It comes with me each and every time I get into the car. I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've listened to terrestrial radio in the past 2-3 years.

I don't know about your town, but where I live, radio programming stinks. Why should I sit through six or seven songs I don't like, not to mention all those extremely annoying ads, just to hear one I do? Plus, thanks to podcasting, I can get many of the great NPR shows that I enjoy.

Apparently, I'm not alone. According to Bridge Ratings, terrestrial radio's penetration could drop from 94% to 85% by 2010. Nearly 30% of respondents between the ages of 12 and 24 stated that Mp3 player use accounted for their abandoning radio. While I'm not in that demographic, I certainly share the sentiment. My iPod blows radio away.

So, what's your take? Do you still listen to radio when your iPod is around?

[Via Micro Persuasion]

Griffin Technology's iTrip FM transmitter for the iPod is now available in Switzerland. According to Griffin, "Recent changes in Swiss law have opened the door to broadcast in Switzerland over the FM radio spectrum (87.9 - 107.9)." Until recently, Swiss law has strictly regulated devices that broadcast over FM.

The iTrip costs $49.99 in the US (no pricing information for Switzerland was available as of this post).

[Via Playlist Mag]

No, you haven't missed a joint announcement from Apple and Griffin. However, you might have missed this post on Make which links to ZapWizard's Flickr set detailing how he put a Mac mini, with accompanying LCD screen and mouse/keyboard, into his car.

I know, there have been tons of stories like this, but this is the first one that includes a little product cross mating. Since he didn't have enough money to get a new car stereo the Wiz decided that he would just integrate an iTrip directly into the Mac mini.

That's talent.

[Via Make.]

Griffin Technology announced the new iTrip for the iPod nano a couple of months ago. The good news is that it's now shipping.

This baby is billed as the most advanced iTrip ever. The new design is sled-like to avoid bulking up the profile of your iPod nano. You just slide your iPod nano into the iTrip's slim body.

Station info is displayed directly on the iPod nano's LCD screen. This iTrip also has "Smart Sense" volume control that automatically adjusts volume for optimal quality. You can select stereo or mono (to get you through rough reception spots). And you can charge or sync your iPod nano while connected through the iTrip's built-in USB port.

Retail price from Griffin Technology is $49.99. How much do you want one?

Ok I realize innovation is great and all, but innovation with a purpose is even better. Unfortunately, this new "iPod-based payment system" that Engadget found doesn't quite seem to reach the "hey I'd use that!" mark.

Ingenico, a French company, has devised a way of embedding payment information in an MP3, and they're even working on boarding passes and biometric information. Now I don't know much about the inner workings of FM, but isn't it a broadcast technology? Meaning: wouldn't anyone be able to receive anything you transmit out through your iTrip?

Minor complications aside, at least Ingenico recognizes the pointlessness of this, as stated in a press release: "While this demonstration may not be a sign of what the future holds, it certainly proves Ingenico's ability to innovate for the benefit of its current and future customers." Translation: "This is completely useless but hey, aint we%uFFFD cool?" Hopefully, we won't hear anything like this out of Apple again anytime soon (*ahem*, ROKR).

The new iTrip Auto from Griffin Technologies is both an FM transmitter and charger that works with all iPods with a dock connector, from the nano to the new 5G iPod. It features a backlit LCD display for easy searching and status. From the website:

"iTrip Auto brings with it all the innovations of its iTrip lineage, including selectable LX and DX modes for best-quality audio under real-world conditions, US and International tuning modes, Griffin's RF technology, and the trademark Griffin world-class industrial design."

Sounds good to me. The iTrip Auto costs $59.99 and is shipping now.

The Griffin iTrip is an FM transmitter for the iPod. I've been using one for about a year now, and while I like it, I've felt that there's certainly room for improvement. Today's update looks like it makes some very nice changes, including the issues that have bothered me the most.

First of all, the new iTrip allows you to change transmission frequency by turning a dial on the iTrip itself, and a LED display lets you know just what frequency you've got selected at a glance. No more fumbling for the iTrip playlist while you're trying to drive your car!

What's most interesting, however, is the iTrip's use of LX and DX modes of broadcasting. From the website: "This allows the user to adjust for the absolute best possible audio under real-world conditions. Even in the toughest situations, such as large cities with lots of radio stations crowding the dial, iTrip's DX Mode delivers a noise level that's below that of a cassette tape adapter, allowing the music to punch through cleanly. The results are stunning." I know that a number of users have complained about the quality of the signal. I live in a rural area, so I typically get a good signal, but when I'm in Boston I do end up fumbling around to find a good frequency.

I'd love to try one of these out (hint, hint, Griffin). It looks like a nice update. The iTrip is currently being offered at a special introductory price of $39.99US, and works with iPod Photo, the iPod U2 Special Edition, 4th Generation iPods (with Click Wheel) and 3rd Generation iPods (with touch wheel and buttons).

[Via Macminute]

Update: I just discovered that Playlist Mag recently published a review.  Check it out.