| Are you thinking of buying an Apple iPod? Or have | | | | and easily available. However, the mirrored back of the |
| you bought one?Almost everyone and anyone that I | | | | 3G and 4G ipod are easily scratched by theses |
| know seems to have bought an iPod or at least is | | | | sleeves as they run against the iPod. It is not |
| thinking of getting an ipod for themselves or their loved | | | | recommended unless you have a budget problem.iPod |
| ones. The iPod is just so alluring! However, do you | | | | screen and wheel sticky protectorsThere are |
| know what you should do after buying the iPod?Most | | | | transparent iPod screen and wheel sticky protector |
| people don't. Yet, market analysts estimate that the | | | | that are cut of the right size and stucked directly onto |
| average iPod owner spend as much as 30% of the | | | | the iPod screen and wheel. However, there are |
| original iPod price on additional accessories! That's a | | | | various models in the market and some of the |
| whopping US$60-US$90 on iPod accessories that | | | | cheaper ones tend to curl and peel off after some |
| each iPod owner will spend!Many people are simply | | | | use. If you are on a budget, a good quality screen and |
| spending their money on the wrong accessories! In | | | | wheel protector is the minimum you should have.iPod |
| fact, many are going for fancy accessories such as | | | | silicone skinThis is the most common iPod case |
| car transceiver kit, wireless remote kit, speaker kit | | | | around. It looks like a good casing choice but it is in fact |
| even without realizing what are the first accessories | | | | one of the worst, especially if you have bought a |
| they should get.Get the Basic iPod Accessory before | | | | cheap one.These cheap silicone cases are being |
| getting the Fancy Stuff!Do you, as a iPod user, faces | | | | mass-produced in China with doubtful materials and |
| these problems on a daily basis too?* iPod Screen | | | | design elements. Many of the cheap silicone skins in |
| scratches | | | | the market tear easily and pick up lint and dirt easily. |
| * Click wheel scratches | | | | They are also difficult to wash and maintain. I will not |
| * Mirrored back scratches | | | | advise a silicone case unless they are made by some |
| * Messy iPod earphone cables | | | | of the better and branded products from USA or |
| * iPod overheating when being charged while in a | | | | Japan. A good model is found at: Leather caseThe |
| silicone or leather caseDespite the technical and | | | | iPod leather case is one of the most popular case. |
| cosmetic superiority of the Apple iPod, there remain | | | | However, do not get the Apple branded one if possible |
| some teething issues. Weak batteries is one. Being | | | | as it tears to scratched the mirror back and it does not |
| easily scratched is another. These problems | | | | have a covering flap. Get one of the leather cases |
| immediately lower the resale or trade-in value of the | | | | from the many in the market. Check the stitching on |
| iPod, if any? This may not seem important but if you | | | | the leather case before buying one as some of the |
| are trading in your older iPod for a new one, this does | | | | mass-manufactured ones may have poor |
| matter. It also sucks to see scratches and marks on | | | | workmanship.Water and shock resistant casesThere |
| the beautiful iPod. In fact, microscopic scratches takes | | | | is an increasing demand for such cases as more and |
| place everytime you take the iPod in and out of | | | | more people bring their iPod for hiking, cycling, trekking, |
| pocket!Get a good-quality iPod case before | | | | fishing and beach trips. There are various good brands |
| ANYTHING ELSE!There are numerous iPod | | | | in the market. However, note that whatever the |
| accessories out there. Many accessories are fanciful, | | | | advertisement may say, at best, the case can only be |
| some are good but most do not fulfil the basic need of | | | | water resistant and not water proof which is two |
| the iPod. You need to protect the iPod from getting | | | | different things all together. A water resistant case can |
| scratches and accidental marks before anything | | | | only take splashes and short immersion in water and |
| else.Before the iPod can serve you well, it must be | | | | certainly not something you can bring for swimming or |
| able to take care of itself. So, before you even look | | | | diving trips!For recommeded iPod cases and more |
| further into getting your first iPod accessory or even if | | | | useful iPod advice, please visit tha author's |
| you have gotten numerous other accessories, make | | | | website.Katherine Xie is an avid iPod user. She owns |
| sure you first equip your iPod with either a good quality | | | | 4 iPods starting from the 2G model. She gives iPod |
| case or sleeve.The most common iPod cases in use | | | | advice and recommends quality iPod accessories on |
| are:Handphone sleeves converted to iPod sleevesThis | | | | her site at: Please feel free to distribute this article as |
| is the most common as handphone sleeves are cheap | | | | long as mention is made of her website. |