iPod, therefore I accessorize

Christmas may be the season for gift-giving, but the whole of 2005 is the definitely the season of the Apple iPod, what with the Shuffle, the Nano, and the fifth-gen iPod with video making their worldwide and wildly successful debuts this year. Not surprisingly, a whole crop of iPod accessories seems to be coming out of the woodwork. So if you’re thinking of what present to give your iPod-crazy friends, look no more. Here, in no particular order, are some notable "peripherals" for the musical icon of the 21st century.

Altec Lansing inMotion iM3

Compact (8 x 1.1 x 5.5 ins.), lightweight (15 oz.), and battery-powered, Altec Lansing’s inMotion iM3 is a highly traveled music collector’s dream come true. A highly efficient Class D amplifier powers four full-range custom-designed neodymium 28mm micro drivers to deliver a full spectrum of sound, while Altec’s MaxxBass technology provides the all-important bass. Connecting your iPod allows you to synchronize, transfer data and recharge your player. The iM3 also has a convenient secondary input jack for connecting other audio devices, laptops, older iPods and other MP3 players. The iM3 can deliver 24 hours of continuous playback with four AA batteries and features an auto-shutdown to conserve battery power. It comes with a protective carry bag.

Bose SoundDock

The SoundDock is Bose’s initial foray into iPod-based audio equipment. It features a credit card-sized remote control unit for the command of the system volume and basic iPod functions from almost anywhere in the room. The system recharges the iPod’s battery and allows full control of your iPod while it’s docked. It works with any iPod with a docking connector at the bottom and comes with five dock inserts to fit any iPod. The 6.65 x 11.91 x 6.48-inch SoundDock is designed for room use and, at 2.1 kilograms, is not exactly a lightweight. But once you power it up, you get the heavyweight, deep bass and full, rich sound that Bose has made a hallmark in all these years.

iPod Socks

Unlike the sometimes-tacky cellphone socks, Apple iPod Socks – in eye-catching hues of pink, green, blue, purple, gray, and orange – are gaining almost as much cool factor as the iPod itself, even if realistically, they are mere accessories that simply help protect your music player.

Apple iPod Nano Armband

Put some muscle – or at least some sex appeal – into your puny biceps with the Apple iPod Nano armband. Coming in various colors to color-coordinate with the rest of your outfit, the Nano armband allows you to work out, run, or bike in music-filled bliss with no distracting weight hanging around your neck or on your waistband. And since it’s flexible and lightweight, you’ll barely feel it’s there.

iDog Musical Companion

Following the paw prints of the popular Japan-made Sony Aibo and other robot dogs is this canine speaker system called iDog. Multi-colored blinking LEDs on the iDog’s face allow it to express its moods depending on what music you play: "agitated" with rock, "pleased" with classical, "delighted" with pop or "excited" with dance music. And it can yip and growl, too! The toilet-trained iDog weighs a mere four ounces and is powered by two AA batteries. The dog with the bobbing head near the windshield has come a long way.

Sumajin Funky Earpads

Another new must-have accessory is the color-coded earphone. Sumajin Funky Earpads, which come in orange, pink and yellow, add that head-turning appeal to the otherwise now-common iPod white. If you’re a bit more on the standard RBG-color side, however, fret not; a three-pack set in red, blue and green is also available.

JBL On Stage

The coolest thing about the transportable JBL On Stage is its ability to interface with all iPod types and generations – whether it’s a Shuffle, Mini, Nano or of the 20-, 40- or 60-gig variety. It also features a memory system that remembers your last volume setting even after the system shuts down. The On Stage’s touch volume control requires just a light touch on the pads to increase or decrease the volume while touching both pads mutes or un-mutes the system. Four aluminum domed Odyssey transducers are driven by neodymium magnets to provide a full range of frequencies. Its One Point iPod connectors provide the connection to your computer and connecting the standard iPod cable to the On Stage allows you to synchronize and charge your iPod. It also has an Evercharge Topology to charge your iPod even when it isn’t connected to your computer. A stereo mini-jack connection allows connectivity to MP3 and CD players as well as desktop and notebook PCs.

Incase Travel Kit

The Incase Travel Kit is heaven-sent for the globe-trotting iPod fanatic. It’s a complete travel case with enough space for an iPod, an incase charger (for conventional iPods only, not Shuffles), business cards, credit cads, plane tickets, a passport and a pen. It’s a carrying solution that keeps your important documents (and music) easily accessible even on long flights or drives.