iPod and MP3 player accessories

As a child of the '80s, I can distinctly remember a time when decorative electrostatic plasma lamps were very cool. They were also very expensive and--for the most part--useless. These days, though, I can't look at one without thinking of that creepy, evil, wizard crystal ball thing from Lord of the Rings. Whatever side of nerd nostalgia you fall on, the Einstein Sound Master Photon Ball iPod dock has you covered. You get an iPod dock, clock radio, USB port, and a bitchin' plasma lamp--all for $34.99. I'm not sure how they shield the speakers from interference, or protect your iPod from the constant static-electric charge, but I know wouldn't risk ... Read more

Apple's iTunes software makes it dead-simple to copy music onto your iPod, but when it comes to moving files in the opposite direction--from the iPod to your computer--there's no obvious solution. I get an e-mail on this topic at least once a week, usually from someone who's had his laptop stolen or watched helplessly as his hard drive crashed. After an incident like that, it can be a relief to know your music collection (or at least part of it) is backed up on an iPod. Of course, relief can quickly turn to frustration when you plug that iPod into a new computer and can't figure out how to grab those ... Read more