Earlier this year, Apple CEO Steven Jobs announced Apple has sold 42 million iPods since they were first launched in 2001. With iPod sales exceeding most sales projections, estimates are that twenty percent of Americans now own an iPod or other MP3 player. Whether you are new to the iPod world or been around for a while, one thing you’ve probably noticed is there are hundreds of accessories you can purchase for your iPod. The objective of this article is to review the different iPod accessories available and how to choose which ones are right for you.

Protecting Your Investment

The first thing I recommend buying is something to protect your iPod. There are pretty much two choices, you can buy a case to protect the entire iPod and you can buy screen protectors to protect your iPod’s LCD screen. Cases are made out of silicone, leather, metal, or plastic and there are a lot of choices available.
When my son first got his iPod, it only took a few days to get a scratch on the screen and within a few weeks the iPod was showing some wear. I bought him an iPod iSkin and some screen protectors soon after this but I learned a valuable lesson. The iPod iSkin is the original iPod carrying and protective case. The iSkin is made of silicone and they come in almost any color including glow in the dark versions.  What I like best about the iSkin is that they provide great protection while still providing access to the buttons and wheel.  If you are looking for the most protection, you’ll want to consider purchasing a metal or aluminum case.  Prices range for $10 for the more inexpensive cases to $100 for higher-quality cases.  Screen protectors are pretty inexpensive and are usually included when you buy an iSkin or other cases.

Listening to Your Music

One of the first things I noticed when I got my iPod was the earphones. The quality was awesome but I couldn’t get I couldn’t get used to how they fit. So I went and bought some noise-canceling headphones which I really like. All sorts of earphones and headphones are available for iPods and usually range in price from a few dollars to $110 for wireless headphones.
Another favorite accessory for iPods is external speakers. There are two choices, docking stations and speakers and manufacturers include Bose, JBL, Altec Lansing, Kensington, Apple and Logitech. The low-end speakers can be purchased for less than $20, but the high-end speakers can cost over $100. The ultimate in iPod speakers are Docking Stations and prices range from about $100 to $300 for the popular Bose SoundDock system.

iPod Accessories for Your Car

There are basically two kinds of iPod accessories for your car – something to charge your iPod in the car and the ability to listen to your iPod through your car’s audio system. Car chargers are available for $10-$30.  These car chargers plug into the cigarette socket and the iPod dock connector. Now to listen to the iPod through the car’s audio system, there are wired and wireless solutions. If you are looking for a wired solution, it depends on the kind of audio setup you have in your car. If you have an older car that has a cassette player, you can buy a cassette adapter for your iPod. Some of the newer stereos come with built-in plugs for your iPod so you can hook up your iPod and listen to your music through your car’s sound system

For wireless solutions, there are FM transmitters that broadcast your iPod music on a particular FM frequency and if your car stereo is tuned to that frequency, you can listen to your iPod. These typically range from $15-$50 depending on the quality and brand. 

A hot new iPod accessory is the iTrip. The iTrip is an FM transmitter made by Griffin Technology for iPods. The iTrip plugs into the headphone socket of the iPod and converts the audio output into an FM radio signal. This signal can then be picked up by appliances such as car radios and home stereos and then you can play your music through a radio.  Another advantage of the iTrip is that it doesn’t need batteries because it receives the little power it needs from the iPod.

Other iPod Accessories

Another favorite accessory is portable battery re-chargers so you can recharge your iPod battery on the run.  For those of you like to listen to music while you exercise, you’ll want to check out the iPod armbands.

There are many other iPod accessories including sound recorders, iPod camera connectors and remote controls. There are wireless and wired remote controls. The Griffin AirClick attaches to the top of the iPod and provides wireless, five-button remote control that works as far away as 60 feet.
The Bottom Line
Whether you own an iPod or you are considering purchasing one, don’t forget to deck out your iPod with the latest accessories.  One last tip we have to check that the accessory fits your specific model and make of your iPod.

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