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Smartwrap
($5; www.sumajin.com)
Your earbuds can get tangled easily, especially if you frequently toss your iPod in your purse or
bookbag. Even if you wind the cord around your iPod, it’s sure to slip loose and become tangled with a stray pen or your sunglasses. Solve this frustrating problem with the Smartwrap from Samujin. Simply snap the cord into one end of the flexible, silicon body, wrap it around the middle, and snap it into the slot on the other end. The cord won’t slip from the firm material, and the device is soft and small enough to put in your pocket. And we love that it’s available in a rainbow of vibrant colors.
Griffin iBeams ($19.99; www.griffintechnology.com)
Your iPod is small, lightweight, and portable—perfect to take with you wherever you go. Because it’s also handy to have a laser pointer or flashlight nearby (for instance, when you need help finding the keyhole in your front door on a dark winter’s night), we like the iBeams package from iPod. Simply snap the iBeam onto the top of your 3G iPod, 4G iPod, iPod photo, or iPod mini and you’ll have a handy laser tool for professional presentations or a flashlight for locating that quarter that rolled under the car seat. The package includes one attachment for a flashlight and one for a laser pointer.
Skullcandy Smokin Buds ($24.95; www.skullcandy.com)
The white earbuds that came with your iPod are as distinctive as the iPod itself; however, the sound quality isn’t the greatest. You can upgrade, relatively inexpensively, with the Skullcandy Smokin Buds. These earbuds have a flexible, noise`eliminating sleeve that fits into your ear, which lets you hear more music and less outside noise. The earbuds come with three thin-rubber sleeves in two sizes (one small pair and two larger pairs of sleeves). Although we’ve become accustomed to the original earbuds, after using these for a few days, it would be hard to go back.
Belkin Backup Battery Pack ($22.99; www.bestbuy.com)
Running out of battery power when using your iPod is frustrating, especially when you don’t have access to an outlet or USB port. Keep some extra power on hand for those long plane rides with the Backup Battery Pack from Belkin. The pack holds four standard AA batteries, connects via the USB port, and attaches to your iPod with suction cups. The batteries provide an extra 15 to 20 hours of playback time. The pack even has a set of lights indicating how much power is left, so you’ll know if you need to replace the batteries before a long trip. It is compatible with 5G iPod, 4G iPod, 3G iPod, and iPod photo.
Sports Sleeve ($14.99 for iPod nano; $19.99 for video iPod, 30GB iPod, 60GB iPod, and iPod mini; www.belkin.com)
Many people use their iPods while exercising. We found a sturdy case from Belkin that will keep your iPod strapped firmly to your arm while you jog. The Sports Sleeve stays true to the sleek look and feel of your iPod with its high-grade silicon construction and form-fitting shape. The armband keeps the iPod in place on either your wrist or upper arm. When you’re not exercising, you can remove the strap and use the case alone. It allows full access to the screen, Click wheel, and all ports and is available in frosted black or white.
Bracketron Dash Mounting Kit ($22.99; www.bestbuy.com)
Music from an iPod can do a lot to help pass the time spent in a car, whether you’re in for a long road trip or a short commute to work. If you have—or plan to purchase—an adapter that will route the music from your iPod to the speaker system in your car, the Bracketron Dash Mounting Kit will make it even easier to enjoy your tunes. The heavy-duty metal mount keeps any iPod (the plastic holder on the mount can be adjusted to fit any size iPod) within reach and visible. The mount is both sturdy and durable, and it attaches securely to your dashboard with screws. Best Buy recommends that you have the mount installed by one of its professionals.
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