Much like smartphones have displaced the consumer point-and-shoot market, I think the same devices have the potential to displace the consumer audio device market. The potential here being any interest in the manufacturers in delivering a reasonably good audio experience. There has been some competition over the past five years that has raised the floor for camera lenses and image resolutions, but I am less certain that there has been, or ever will be, a concomitant concern for audio recording. The market, from what I can tell, just isn’t large enough. Better audio playback, sure. Better audio capture, I am not so sure.

That noted, one of the things that popped into my head about six months to a year ago and has refused to pop back out again is the idea of a field recording application for my iPhone that would allow me to have the same kind of flexibility as

Software:

• FiRe 2 – Field Recorder ($6)
• Pro Audio To Go ($30)

In terms of hardware devices:

• Tascam IXZ Mic and Guitar Interface ixz
• Tascam iM2 Channel Portable Digital Recorder

Microphones:

• TASCAM TMST1 Condenser Microphone (mini-stereo)
• Blue Microphones Mikey 2.0 iPod Recording Microphone (30-pin)