[mishakim]

Can someone clarify for me what determines whether a dock connector-based accessory works with a given iPod model? Specifically, why some current ones aren't listed as supporting the iPod w/ Video (5G), and some newer ones don't list the 3G?

For example, on the Apple Store site, it says the Bose SoundDock works with 3G and 4G, but doesn't list 5G. For the Kensington FM transmitter, it lists all models with a dock connector. Some of Griffin's just-revised devices, like the AirClick, say 4G and 5G, while others, like iTrip, include 3G. I'd chalk some of it up to a failure to update pages, but since others have been updated, that seems unlikely (esp. considering the SoundDock is getting top billing at the moment)

I'm not ready to replace my 3G iPod, but I don't want to buy accessories that won't work when I do upgrade.

Is this related to USB vs. FireWire? I could see how that would make 3G and 5G support mututally exclusive, but then there's devices that do support both.

[icruise]

Good question. I think at least some of the examples you list probably are just failures to update the web pages, but it is true that dock connector accessories aren't universally compatible. The Apple digital camera connector thingie and the nano come to mind.