I name my stuff. My car is Luna. My green iPod mini is Kermit. My laptop is Fergus MacBook (Fergus the Brave on the battle field). However, I never named the digital recorder I bought from Radio Shack because it was just too lame for words. I had to hold it really close to the interviewee’s face to get everything, it was static-y on playback and there was a “folder” system on it that was kind of hinky. The most irritating thing about that recorder was that I couldn’t get the audio files off the recorder and onto Fergus without some special cables, an adapter and one of those pagan witchdoctors we call “tech support”.
Since there was no mic attachment available for Kermit, I wound up getting a black video iPod (I named it Venom) and the Micro Memo attachment by XtremeMac to use for interviews at conventions.
The Micro Memo attachment is really easy to use, which for me is key, because I don’t have the patience for loading and installing stuff; just plug it into the bottom of the iPod and you’re ready to record. It also has an external mic that picks up everything, so I don’t have to shove it down anyone’s throat to get decent sound. On playback, the sound is really clear, static free and most background noise is filtered out.
The only real drawback is that Micro Memo draws battery power from Venom as long as its plugged in, whether its in use or not. While we were at the Alternative Press Expo, I worked around that by detaching the mic when I wasn’t using it and reattaching it when I was ready to interview someone. Doing that stretched the battery life to about eight hours before the battery icon turned red.
I highly recommend Micro Memo for audio recording (it would have made my life so much easier in grad school). Its also ideal for hopeful podcasters who want good sound quality without spending a ton of money on equipment. A video iPod isn’t neccessary; XtremeMac makes a Micro Memo for the iPod Nano, too.
The video iPod itself is pretty cool, too, but I’m paranoid that I’m going to break it. Its not like I’m using Venom as a throwing star (although that would be a groovy feature); it’s just a really slim piece and it doesn’t feel as sturdy in my ogre hands as Kermit.
I don’t see myself using the video feature very often because I’m a little freaked out by the idea of TV in my hand. Don’t I watch enough TV already? I don’t need to bring my shows with me everywhere I go. Unless I’m traveling, then it’s just great. I will, however, be using it to watch a few episodes of Babylon 5 until my DVDs are delivered. They’re on backorder at Best Buy and won’t ship for two weeks, but I can’t wait that long. I want my Babylon 5 NOW!
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Lisa Fary's earliest influences are Princess Leia, Rainbow Bright, Astronaut Barbie, and her 6th grade teacher, Ms. Palmer. She's angry that it's 2011 and she still doesn't have a hovercraft, but will accept a jetpack as consolation. That jetpack had better be pink with a rhinestone monogram. 
I love it : ) I name all of my stuff too. My Besty (iPod) is currently under the weather though : (
I'm gonna have to look into this Micro Memo seeing as a budding journalist needs such equipment.
And once again, the aliens who secretly run Apple have unleashed their technology on us. We will be assimilated, oh yes. (Bless those darling aliens. I love my iPod.)
Fergus MacBook. HA! I wonder, if I had named my last iPod, would it have died of exhaustion the way it did?
*Looks at new iPod and tries to think of a name.*
I named my vidieo ipod Pinky like Pinky and the Brain cause its a pink one. and i LOVE Pinky he is way cooler that the Brain.
Good review, what kinda of distance can you use this at. How good would it be in a pencil case to record a lecturer who maybe 30ft away at the top of the class?
Hope it works with some of the cool gear Apple released today.
I recorded some panel stuff at Comicon in July where I was easily 50 feet away from the participants. They came through pretty clear, but they were also using microphones.