You could be forgiven for assuming that it'd be easy to add an FM radio to the iPod. After all, it's basically a matter of powering a little FM doohickey with the iPod's internal battery, and then routing that signal to the same headphones. So why did it take until September 26, 2005, for someone to send us one to review--in this case, the Griffin Technology iFM?

Strike One

The first major obstacle between FM radio and our iPods was Apple's introduction of a new remote control interface on the second-generation iPod, which stymied Griffin's first attempt. Since the company used that port to connect the original iFM to the iPod, the change rendered Griffin's first round of units obsolete right off the bat. Griffin had to pull them from store shelves.

You have to hand it to Griffin for stepping up to the plate again, and it's because Apple has standardized the remote connector on all of its newer hard drive-based MP3 players. (The iFM works with 3G-5G iPods, iPod Photo, iPod Mini, but not the iPod Shuffle or iPod Nano, which lack the remote control interface.)

Strike Two

The other problem with adding an FM tuner to the iPod is more existential in nature. Since all an FM tuner accessory uses the iPod for is its power source, it's hard to sell FM as an accessory. Why shouldn't an iPod owner just buy a little FM radio and use that alongside the iPod? In other words, why does the iFM exist? A separate tuner would be about the same size as the iFM accessory anyway, and it would cost less.

iPod Integration and Extra Features Justify the iFM's Existence

Griffin's iFM is more than just an FM tuner tacked onto an iPod. It also includes a microphone for recording voice memos to your iPod, as well as an FM radio recorder feature that saves FM programming as voice recordings. Our testing revealed good sound quality, although there was occasional static (a given, since it receives FM and not satellite radio). The volume was loud enough for us, although those who like to listen to FM at ear-shattering volumes might be disappointed.

The following inclusions also help justify spending $50 on the Griffin iFM to add FM to your iPod:

The iFM doubles as an inline remote. Apple charges $39 for its inline remote, which doesn't include half of what the iFM gets you.

When you click the Record button during an FM broadcast, your iPod fires up and starts recording to a new voice file automatically--even in Hold mode.

When you're listening to digital music on your iPod and flip the switch over to FM, your iPod shuts down to save power--even in Hold mode.

The iFM defaults to American radio stations (87.5, 87.9, 91.1, and so on) but can be switched to European or Japanese bands. This saves you from skipping through extraneous stations, no matter which continent you're on.

It includes six FM presets, and accessing them is easy.

Although using the iFM does mean another cord, Griffin was smart about its design. If you clip the iFM to your belt or a bag strap, the wire won't get in your way.

Product Information

Before you correct us about this being the first FM tuner for new iPods on the MP3 tech forums, realize that we're talking about the first FM tuner for the iPod, as opposed to the FM transmitters, which people commonly use to play their iPods over a car stereo.