Editorial Review:

Product Description:
Travelling with the iPod nano has just gotten better. Creative brings the i80 portable speaker system designed for your 3G nano. The TravelSound i80 for iPod nano is a slim, hand-held speaker that comes in a design which complements the iPod nano 3rd generation (video) perfectly. With its powerful high quality music output, you'll always be eager to share music out loud with all your friends, making it a great tool for social interaction. Bring the TravelSound along with you anywhere and start enjoying music, unrestricted by the need for earphones or headphones!

Compact, lightweight and foldable, Creative TravelSound speakers are so convenient to bring along on your travels. It features slim Titanium Micro Drivers for enhanced audio. Couple that with the digital amplifier that gives you power without zapping your battery life, and you are all set for extended music playback with fantastic audio quality. And to elevate your audio experience, simply apply the Wide Effect feature to enjoy an expanded soundstage. The Creative i80 also features a built-in stand so you can sit back and view the movies playing on your nano from the comfort of anywhere. That's the philosophy behind Travelsound. What a creative product for you and your iPod nano? Sleek speaker stand - The included intuitive speaker stand tilts your speaker, allowing you to view your photos or movies at a comfortable angle Frequency Response - 180Hz - 20kHz

Amazon.com Product Description -- Posted May 22, 2008:
The TravelSound i80 for iPod nano is a slim, hand-held speaker that comes in a design that perfectly complements the iPod nano 3rd generation. With its powerful high-quality music output, you'll always be eager to share music out loud with all of your friends, making it a great tool for social interaction. Bring the TravelSound along with you anywhere and start enjoying music, unrestricted by the need for earphones or headphones.

The TravelSound i80 is a slim, hand-held speaker for the iPod nano 3G.

Big Sound, Small Package
Powered by four micro drivers and a Class D digital amplifier, the TravelSound plays your music out loud in high quality. Go easy on your ears after long hours on your earphones, and let the speaker soothe you with easy music listening.

Built-in Rechargeable Battery
Enjoy up to 15 hours of music on the move, thanks to the built-in high-performance Lithium-Polymer rechargeable battery.

The TravelSound's tri-colored LED indicator tells you when your speaker is powered on, charging, or when the battery power is low.

Charge both your TravelSound and iPod nano (when docked) in a simple one-step process using the USB connection port. You can also sync with iTunes the same way.

For added convenience, a USB wall charger is also included, letting you charge both your speaker and iPod nano (when docked) easily.

Bring the TravelSound along with you anywhere and start enjoying music.

The included intuitive speaker stand tilts your speaker, allowing you to view your photos or movies at a comfortable angle.

Sleek Speaker Stand
The included intuitive speaker stand tilts your speaker, allowing you to view your photos or movies at a comfortable angle.

What's in the Box
One-piece docking speaker, USB wall charger, Quick Start Guide, warranty and technical support booklet, speaker stand, pouch











Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

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Rating: - Not My Absolute Ideal, But Still Good
I like this speaker. It's much easier to use this than to use computer speakers, which is what I used to have to use if I wanted to share my iPod music with others. It's also great for watching videos -- not only is it easier for me to hold onto this device than to grip a tiny 3rd-Gen iPod Nano, but I can also place this speaker in its (included) plastic stand and be totally hands-free while watching videos.

The sound quality isn't phenomenal, but neither is an iPod's... and you can't expect awesome sound quality out of a single speaker, anyway. Still, you can adjust the volume on both the speaker and the iPod, allowing for quite a range of volumes.

Cons: The included informational materials warn that one must always carefully, delicately remove the iPod from the speaker base, or risk damaging the iPod. It isn't easy to remove the iPod -- I have to pull on it in just the right way. It'd be nice if there was some sort of release button to make things easier for the user and safer for the iPod. Also, the iPod must be removed from the speaker base before it can be synced -- no big surprise there. But what I don't like is that I also have to remove the iPod from the speaker if I suddenly want to listen to the iPod with headphones. I wish there was a headphone jack on the speaker somewhere. Aside from that, though, I really like this speaker, especially how it makes the iPod easier to hold when watching videos.

There may be better products of similar nature on the market for a lower price, but for what it's worth, this product works well and would be one to definitely consider.

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Rating: - A Nice Alternative
First off, there's no way this product takes the place of a higher end set of portable speakers.

But it's perfect as an alternative.

For example, if I'm lounging on the patio, I'll plug my iPod into my Bose SoundDock. But if I'm working in the garden, this little speaker system from Creative fits into my shirt pocket or on my belt and provides good enough sound to make weeding and digging a little more enjoyable.

Why don't I just put in my earbuds? Because I have to keep an ear out for the kids.

This device gives me the freedom to hear my music in places where I might not otherwise be able to.

The sound is good, not great. But, again, this is an alternative to those devices that aren't as easily portable.

My family took this on a recent camping trip, and I enjoyed having it around the campfire and along the beach during those times when everyone wanted to hear the music. Sometimes you just don't want to shut yourself off from the group with the earbuds.

All in all, a sound alternative. It doesn't beat the higher end portable speakers, but it does a few things that those can't. If you want the portability and smaller size, the Creative TravelSound is just about perfect.

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Rating: - Promote Perfect Portability

I love my iPod nano 3G, and now I am able to provide perfect portability for a great sound with the Creative Travel Sound i80 Speaker Dock. I had a portable Creative dock with another MP3, and this dock compares favorably. It is slim and sleek and easy to use. The sound to my ears is fine for my use. Sometimes the bass is difficult to hear, but the music comes through loud and clear. \

Portability is the major use for me. I carry it throughout the house and on trips it is wonderful to have in my room. Accessories for iPods are the 'in' thing my daughter tells me. And, to have this dock before anyone else is a plus!

Recommended. prisrob 08-19-08

Apple iPod nano 8 GB Black (3rd Generation)

Apple iPod Nano 3rd Generation Crystal Hard Case - for Apple iPod Nano 3G MP3 Player - Clear

Belkin Leather Folio Case for iPod nano 3G (Black)

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Rating: - Sitting on the Dock of the Day
That's right: We didn't expect to give this baby the "sit on" test, but unfortunately it happened. The bad news is my son sat on the dock loaded with iPod (could've been double-trouble). The good news is that it was my son and not I who sat on it, and the fact that it was on a cushy, cushiony couch that gave way. However, I have to tell you: DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!

Now for the skinny (not me) on the dock: I love iPod docks. From the first time I saw (I think it was a Belkin) an iPod dock at MacWorld in San Francisco closer to the turn of the century, I thought it was the coolest idea. Everyone in our family has at least one iPod, and only my wife is still on her first one. So we've had plenty of experience with iPods of all sizes and generations. A dock-to-fit is the first thing we buy, even before getting a cover/holder for the unit.

Unless you buy one of the high-priced docks, multifeatured or not (probably anywhere in three figures), you're buying the dock not for wonderful sound but rather for portability of listening and convenience of charging. One of the great things about this unit is that the entire rig is shirt-pocket small--even with the iPod in it! It's almost like having a speaker built into the iPod itself.

Having the controls on the side is a little awkward, but you have to give something to get something. Though the name "TravelSound" doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, the name says what it is: a little guy who lets you watch or listen to the nano while you're on the go. Given the convenience, I can live with the small, thin controls.

One little thing really makes this product work for me over all its other features: the ability to charge both the dock and the iPod at the same time. It just makes sense, and that's something not all manufacturers adhere to--especially when deciding which features to pack into a small item.

Bottom line: It's a tiny bit pricey but worth it for the features you get to complement your cute little nano. And if you want GREAT sound, get another, more expensive dock to keep at home.

Oh, and one more thing: DON'T SIT ON IT.

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Rating: - Needs a lower price to match its quality
In the box: Docking station, adjustable stand, rechargeable adapter. It does not come with a USB cable.

Size test: When you put the latest iPod Nano (third generation -- short one with rounded corners) with the TravelSound i80 and you get a speaker about the size of a classic iPod. It passes the portability test -- lightweight and not bulky.

Sound test: I don't proclaim to be a pro when it comes to sound, bass, and synthesizers. So I couldn't evaluate the product at that level of detail. From what my family and I hear -- we think the speaker provides good sound quality for its size. The kids notice the bass doesn't come through as strongly as it does through headphones or the full-sized speaker we have. We still enjoy the music -- just not at its full bassy effect.

The other problem is that the speaker is on the back of the device. So if you're looked at the iPod (photos, lyrics, whatever) -- the speaker turns away from you.

Control test: Sometimes we have trouble adjusting the volume because of the plastic in front of the wheel. Annoying. Otherwise, the controls work fine.

Compatibility: It's frustrating that many iPod accessories only work with one generation or one type of iPod. We've owned three different types of iPod and don't bother buying anything other than headphones because we know accessories often don't work with older or newer iPods.

Cost: While Creative Labs has a long history of producing quality speakers, I'm disappointed the price is as high as a BOSE speaker. We can usually count on Creative Labs to provide good to great quality sound at a lower cost. Here, we lose on cost. I wouldn't pay this much for the quality we get from the speaker.

Lower the price and maybe more people will overlook its issues and buy it -- It's worth about $40 or less.