Macworld | iPod Product Guide: Fruitshop Bone iLink

Fruitshop Bone iLink

Basic Information

Price as Reviewed:	$14
Company:	Fruitshop
Rating:

Review

We've reviewed a number of adapters and short cables for connecting an iPod shuffle to a USB port; these compact accessories are great for laptop users who don't want to clutter their bags with tangled cables. We've even seen a tiny USB-to-dock-connector adapter from MacAlly that connects your dockable iPod to a USB port with no cable in between. However, Fruitshop's Bone iLink is the first "mini-cable" we've seen for dock-connector iPods. Featuring a dock-connector plug and one end and a standard USB plug at the other, with a 2.5-inch cable in between, the cable is long enough to connect your iPod to a bank of crowded USB ports without adding much cable clutter or weight to your bag.

The Bone iLink cable is also quite thick and sturdy; however, not sturdy enough to support a full-size iPod. This cable is more suited for use with a laptop or with a desktop USB hub -- situations in which your iPod can sit on a desk or other flat surface while charging and syncing.

The Bone iLink worked as well, in my testing, as Apple's own dock-connector cable; data-transfer speeds were similar, and iPods were charged as expected.

At $14, the Bone iLink is less expensive than buying an extra dock-connector cable from Apple for your laptop bag. And it won't take up nearly as much room.--Dan Frakes