Make your iPod movie-friendly

It's great that Apple is selling movies on iTunes, and watching those on your computer is certainly no stretch (though piping them out to your big-screen TV is an even better idea). But viewing a feature-length film on the iPod's 2.5-inch screen is not ideal; it can cause eyestrain and lead to headaches. Even watching a 45-minute episode of Desperate Housewives is tough for me. Luckily, vendors are working to bring solutions to the market, and I've gotten my hands on two of them: the Memorex iFlip and the Sonic Impact Video 55. At $199 and $299, respectively, neither accessory is cheap, but both add ample wide screens to the iPod viewing experience. The cheaper iFlip offers a lower-quality 8.4-inch screen, which is passable, but the resolution and colors aren't great, and there's a noticeable screen-door effect. The pricier Video 55 has a smaller 7-inch screen but offers crisp image quality and good resolution with no artifacts or pixilation. Both have a folding clamshell design and built-in iPod beds that allow you to store the player inside for easy travel. They also both have rechargeable batteries and will recharge the iPod if they are plugged into wall power. A laptop is a more economical option (if you already own one), but these two iPod add-ons are smaller and lighter and therefore more portable. One thing's for certain--the kids'll love 'em.