Griffin Technology has been around since the early nineties as a hardware and software developer for the Macintosh Market. Griffin would be most recognized by the slew of top quality products they have produced for the Apple iPod which include mini-radios for the iPod Nano. Griffin is now expanding with its starting line of products for Sony's Playstation Portable. Griffen has sent us the iTrip Fm Transmitter for a hands on review, unfortunality we didn't recieve the other two products, but what the heck I'll give you a quick overview on those new PSP gadgets as well. If you see any of these products in your local electronics store check them out, they are worth a few moments of your time.

Griffin iFM PSP
Radio and Remote For PSP

This little gadget is a radio tuner that plugs directly into your PSP. It's a small unit that is brightly lit up with red led lights for easy viewing. Also the radio has playback features build on for controlling music on the PSP or login in your favorite radio stations. The iFM PSP is available for $49.99 USD, or roughly $60 CAN.

SmartShare PSP
Splitter Headphones

The SmartShare two way split headphones is perfect for sharing the PSP experience with someone else. Either watching a movie, or just listing to music it's a handy device to have. The splitter also has separate volume controls so both parties using the PSP can set it there preference. It's small and easy to carry along, and parents, this is a little cheaper then buying the kids there own PSP unit. Retail $14.99 USD, $17.50 CAN.

iTrip PSP
Fm Transmitter

The iTrip was first developed for the iPod, and now Griffin has ported the idea over to the PSP unit. The iTrip FM Transmitter lets you send the audio signal from your PSP to any radio device. This means you'll be able to listen to your UMDs, or media off a memory stick in the car, at a friends house, or even at work. It's a great idea if you have a few songs you want to share with a friend, or if you just want a louder bang when playing a game or watching a movie on the system.

I had a chance to fool around with the iTrip and I was happy with it's overall performance although, I have a few nitpicks. First the design is great. The iTrip fits securely onto the bottom of your PSP and extends the size only by a inch and half. The iTrip also has that PSP glossy look which makes it look as if it was meant to be part of the system. Again like the iFM the radio station is displayed with bright red led lights. No confusing instructions, just tune to the same station and you are off. The iTrip is easy to use and it really looks cool on your PSP, like a cool add-on mod. The design is great on the iTrip, also you'll be glad to know that it doesn't look like a cheap knock off product.

The iTrip is a great... if you need it. It's defiantly not something you might us "one day". This is a specific product made for people on the go, who want to have information access able at almost any junction. The range of the iTrip was a little wonky depending on your receivers antennas strength. I found it worked better in the car then at home, but it was only tested on two systems. I'm sure like anything results are going to be different in every situation. Once you get a strong signal the iTrip kicks in and sounds great, and the effect is pretty wild hearing your PSP through a 5.1 surround sound system.

My biggest problem with the iTrip is that it didn't have the a radio tuner built into it. This must be so you purchase both the Griffin iTrip and the iFM. I would of enjoyed this product more if it combined them both. It's nice to have the radio transmitter, but why no radio to go along with it. If the radio function was included with the iTrip, then it would definitely more appealing. Even so, as a transmitter it works fine and its perfect solution without wires. Griffin even throws in a new soft carring pouch so you can fit both the PSP and iTrip.

For the average price of $55 - $60 Canadian the iTrip could be your solution to connecting sound with PSP wirelessly. Its not a unreasonable price, if you will get enough use out of the product. In the end I'm recommending the iTrip, although the iTrip/FM would of been a better deal.

Lowdown: Recommended

In the future I hope to see more innovative products from Griffin they are built with quality in mind, and look great along side the PSP. I'm sure more of their inventive iPod gadgets will start to roll over and hopefully we will have some more toys to expand the use of our PSP handheld's. If you're in the market you can't go wrong with Griffin, they are a hardware manaufacture you should have a look at.