Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO) on Thursday announced they're now shipping black and silver versions of their TransPod Direct, a device that lets you charge your Apple iPod or iPod mini while driving and listen to the device's music using a line-out signal instead of FM transmission or a headphone jack connector. The TransPod Direct costs US$69.95 and is available through Everything iPod.

The Transpod Direct connects using the 30-pin Dock Connector on the bottom of the iPod and iPod mini, which is where its audio output connector draws its signal from. That connector can be used to attach to a vehicle's head unit through an auxiliary mini cable -- if the sound system supports one -- or through a cassette adapter. Both are included with the TransPod Direct. DLO said the audio through the dock connector is better quality than what comes out of the iPod's headphone jack. A rotating base, charger arm and extension arm let users position their iPod or iPod mini however they'd like.