Popular iPod Accessories

Friday, September 30, 2005

Are you thinking of buying an Apple iPod? Or have you bought one?

Almost everyone and anyone that I know seems to have bought an Apple iPod or at least is thinking of getting an ipod for themselves or their loved ones. The iPod is just so alluring! However, do you know what you should do after buying the iPod?

Most people don't. Yet, market analysts estimate that the average iPod owner spend as much as 30% of the original iPod price on additional iPod accessories! That's a whopping US$60-US$90 on iPod accessories that each iPod owner will spend!

Many people spend their money on the wrong accessories! Many are going for fancy iPod accessories such as car transceiver kit, wireless remote kit, iPod speaker kit - even without realizing the first iPod accessories they should get.

Get the Basic iPod Accessories before getting the Fancy Stuff!

Do you, as a iPod owner, face these problems?

* iPod Screen scratches
* Click wheel scratches
* Mirrored back scratches
* Messy iPod earphone cables
* iPod overheating when being charged while in a silicone or leather case

Despite the technical and cosmetic superiority of the Apple iPod, there remain some issues. Weak batteries is one. Being easily scratched is another. This may not seem important but if you are trading in your older iPod for a new one, this does matter. It also sucks to see scratches and marks on the beautiful iPod. In fact, microscopic scratches takes place everytime you take the iPod in and out of pocket!

Get a good-quality iPod case before ANYTHING ELSE!

There are numerous iPod accessories out there. Many iPod accessories are fanciful, but many do not fulfil the basic need of your iPod. You need to protect your iPod from getting scratches and accidental marks before anything else!

Before your iPod can serve you well, it must be able to take care of itself. So, before you get your first iPod accessories or even if you have numerous other accessories, make sure to equip your iPod with either a good quality iPod case or sleeve.

The most common iPod cases are:

iPod Handphone sleeves converted to iPod sleeves

This is the most common as handphone sleeves are cheap and easily available. However, the mirrored back of the 3G and 4G ipod are easily scratched by theses sleeves as they rub against your iPod. It is not recommended unless you have a low budget.

iPod screen and wheel sticky protectors

There are transparent iPod screen and wheel sticky protector that are cut of the right size and stuck directly onto the iPod screen and wheel. There are various models in the market and some of the cheaper ones tend to curl and peel off. If you are on a budget, a good quality screen and wheel protector is the minimum you should have.

iPod silicone skin

This is the most common iPod case around. It looks like a good casing choice but it is in fact one of the worst, especially cheap silicone iPod skins. These cheap silicone iPod cases are being mass-produced in China with poor materials and design. Many of the cheaper silicone skins in the market tear easily and pick up lint and dirt. I would not advise a silicone case unless they are branded products from USA or Japan. A good model can be found at: http://www.smart-ipod-ideas.com

Leather iPod Cases

The leather iPod case is one of the most popular iPod cases. However, do not get the Apple-branded one, as it tends to scratch the mirror back and it does not have a covering flap. Check the stitching on the leather case before buying one, as some of the mass-manufactured ones may have poor workmanship.

Water and shock resistant iPod cases

There is an increased demand for such cases as more people bring their iPod hiking, cycling, fishing and to the beach. There are various good brands in the market. However, note that the case can only be water resistant and not water proof - two different things all together! A water resistant iPod case can only take splashes and short immersion in water and certainly not something you can bring for swimming or diving trips!

Katherine Xie is an avid iPod user. She owns 4 iPods starting from the 2G model. She gives iPod advice and recommends quality iPod accessories on her site at: http://www.smart-ipod-ideas.com.