| The popularity of Apple's iPod has spawned a | | | | time in the car and listen to your iPod while |
| huge industry of iPod accessories. There is | | | | driving (through speakers or an iTrip, please |
| such a wide variety to choose from, it can be | | | | don't use headphones while driving), a car |
| hard to decide which ones are important to | | | | charger that plugs into the lighter jack will |
| look at and which ones are pointless fluff. | | | | ensure that you have music the whole way. |
| Here's a look at the five iPod classic | | | | |
| accessories that every iPod owner needs to | | | | Cables |
| consider. | | | | |
| | | | Cables are another necessary iPod classic |
| Case | | | | accessory. With just about every computer |
| | | | peripheral now using a USB connection, free |
| The first iPod classic accessory that every | | | | USB ports may be at a premium on your |
| owner should purchase is a protective case. A | | | | computer. Fear not, because you can get a |
| case is especially important if you travel | | | | cable that lets you connect your iPod to your |
| with your iPod, and if you shove it in your | | | | computer's FireWire port instead. Also, if |
| pocket or purse with your keys you're just | | | | you have iTunes installed on your computer at |
| asking for trouble without a case. The finish | | | | the office as well as your home computer, an |
| of the iPod classic is especially vulnerable | | | | extra sync cable will save you from having to |
| to the dings and dents of everyday life. A | | | | transport the cable back and forth. There are |
| protective case will keep your iPod looking | | | | also cables available that let you connect |
| pristine, and helps keep dust and dirt away | | | | your iPod to your home stereo. |
| from the vulnerable electronics inside. | | | | |
| | | | Speakers |
| Screen Protector | | | | |
| | | | Speakers are one of the most popular iPod |
| Almost as important as a case is a screen | | | | classic accessories, and therefore come in a |
| protector. Most cases do not cover the | | | | wide variety. Most speakers plug into the |
| screen, because users want to be able to see | | | | headphone jack, and are either battery |
| the screen without taking it out of the case. | | | | powered or plugged into a wall outlet. |
| A screen protector will protect the screen, | | | | |
| which is even more vulnerable to scratches | | | | There are also speakers that the iPod classic |
| than the metal body. And a scratch across the | | | | can dock with, which will have the added |
| screen is even more annoying than a scratch | | | | benefit of charging the unit while it's |
| across the body, because you'll be looking | | | | playing. Many of these docking station |
| right at it every time you look at the | | | | speakers come with a remote, so you can skip |
| screen. Like the case, if you move your iPod | | | | songs and adjust the volume without going |
| classic around a lot, a screen protector is a | | | | over to the unit. Speakers will generally |
| valuable iPod classic accessory that will | | | | give better sound than headphones, and will |
| keep your iPod looking good. | | | | allow you to share your music with everyone |
| | | | in the room. If you're looking for |
| Charger | | | | portability, go with the battery-powered |
| | | | speakers. Otherwise, AC-powered speakers will |
| An iPod with a dead battery is basically a | | | | sound better and can have the added |
| paperweight. An extra charger or two is an | | | | functionality of being a docking station. |
| iPod classic accessory worth having, both for | | | | |
| convenience and to reduce the chance of | | | | The wide variety of iPod classic accessories |
| running out of juice. Having an extra charger | | | | available can be overwhelming. Now, you've |
| means you can charge your iPod at home and in | | | | been given the information that should help |
| the office, and you won't run out of power in | | | | you to decide on what accessories you need, |
| the middle of the day. If you spend a lot of | | | | and what ones you can avoid. |