the ipod mini can only be charged by plugging it into the usb port of a computer. this takes 4 hours. this means the computer must be on all that time and without a computer, the ipod mini cannot be charged. so how to travel? I feel this is big terrible mistake of apple not to supply a better way of charging the battery, which only lasts 6 hours not 12 as they advertise. Also, the controls don't really work that smoothy especially the volume control. I do not recommend to buy this product until apple rectifies this problem