One iPod, multiple listeners: i2i streams your music across the room

i2i Stream is one of those weird little technologies that is difficult to explain but, once you "get it," it's pretty impressively useful and easy to use. Bear with me while I explain, then you'll see what I mean.

i2i Stream is a small, Zippo-sized device that sits between your iPod (or other MP3 player) and your headphones. Punch the channel button to cycle through the selections and pick your favorite color, then hit send. You are now streaming your music over the air. Whatever you play on your music player, that's what gets streamed, in real time.

Now the fun part: Anyone else nearby with an i2i Stream device can plug their own headphones into their i2i and listen to your stream. They don't need a music player at all, just a charged up i2i and a pair of 'phones. To listen, you just select the same color channel as your friend and click the receive button. That's all there is to it. (All i2i units can either stream or receive, so you can take turns sharing playlists.)

Range is about 30 feet and any number of listeners can pick up a broadcasted stream: One person in the middle of a classroom could provide music for the entire class. Up to four different channels can stream in the same area at the same time.

Audio quality is surprisingly good if you're in range (the company says it's beaming an uncompressed audio stream), and battery life of roughly five or six hours is decent. The device recharges via USB, which is convenient, too. Overall, i2i Stream is simple and works well; my only complaint of course is that it means carrying one more gadget (and one extra cable) in your pocket... and you'll have to get your friends to buy in to the concept, too, if you really want to put i2i to use. For the young target market, that might be tough: A pair of i2i Streams costs $120 (singles are $70 each), which may price it out of reach of cash-strapped teens.

Still, if you've got tons of friends desperate to listen in on what you're spinning at every spare moment, i2i is easily the best solution out there for sharing your stuff.