I've Had iEnough

Apple's runaway success of the iPod has been a true success to the company. In the end, any iPod is a computer accessory. However, unlike a printer or a flash drive there is more going on than a device that simply plugs into a USB port and stores information. The iPod now is THE trendsetter in the electronics industry.

Standing alone in the electronics industry, the white encased music player has inspired a whole accessory industry. This is despite the Apple-only proprietary connection at its base, and the restrictive music format of iTunes (AAC). Many companies, some even outside of consumer electronics, have embraced the "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" theory, and now produce an endless myriad of accessories. Portable music lovers know that if you want the player with the coolest, or even the most accessories, it must be an iPod. Even BMW has jumped on board with a built in connector. This is further entrenching the iPod into the short list of “must have” electronics.

I can even understand the iShirt that has magnets to hold your iPod Shuffle to the shirt. It actually sounded quite a neat idea, although not too fashionable unless you want to look "sheik geek."

This week, over at TechNudge, I posted a story about iUnderwear. I couldn't believe at first that the folks were "for real," but the "order now" rollover convinced me they were quite serious. Why anyone would trade in their Fruit of the Loom's or BVD's for a pair of these is not quite clear. There was nothing wrong with keeping an iPod in the pocket of your dungarees. However, the current trend is to wrap everything, even the "family jewels," in signature iPod white.

Next week, rumors are that Apple will introduce their new iPod Boombox. The crowd will ooh and aah while clinging on Steve Jobs' every word. I can just hear it now “Listening to an iPod used to be a personal experience; now and forevermore, digital music with an iPod will be shared with your friends.” I’m sure it will be nothing more than a set of speakers with an iPod connection, encased in now signature iPod white. Everyone will forget for the moment that you can already plug any mp3 player’s headphone out jack into a set of computer audio speakers, or into a home stereo. Many of us, including me, do it all the time. Somehow this just doesn’t have the WOW factor, and of course lacks the white enclosure. In the end, I’m sure this iPod Boombox will only be an overpriced, mediocre set of speakers, without even a subwoofer.

For now, I’ve simply had enough of the list of products that are reengineered to be white, and somewhere connect to an iPod. Let’s not get caught up in the hype, and remember that quality in accessories should count a lot more than a white plastic case and logo. Oh, and I’ll stick to keeping my MP3 player in my Levi’s and pass on the iUnderwear. Some things just don't need to be reengineered.

--Jonas