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