Well you finally broke down and purchased an iPod. It's hip and you just adore how user friendly it is, how good its sound quality is, all the room on it for music and audio books, and the added option of using it as a flash drive. What? Are you saying you didn't realize it was made for storing things other than music? Hey, pretend it's a data CD, open it in your computer, and then do the famous drag and drop move, dude.

Using iPod accessories, you can do even more with your iPod. However, with all of the choices that come up when you search the internet for "iPod accessories,"how do you find the right ones? How can you find the iPod add ons and replacement parts that you want, and how do you determine whether an item is compatible with the device you own? The best test is to try including your iPod's specific model name and generation in your search.

What can be purchased? Only certain parts are truly replaceable, the battery, the screen and the headphones. You will only care to replace the battery or the screen (during the warranty period be sure to send the iPod to the maker for adjustments or repairs) on these. The quality of your iPod can be greatly enhanced by buying new headphones, especially if you are careful to pay at least a modest sum (not too cheap). But, be cautious about sites that promise mystical capabilities of their sound equipment.

There is wide variety of iPod accessories on the market today. Look for things like armband holders to make keeping your tunes with you while you work out easier, to rubber or leather skins that protect the iPod from bumping or dropping, to plastic films that keep it from getting scratched. Another item that has been around for a long time is an iPod docking station. These portable systems with speakers let you turn your iPod into a stereo system. Even automobile manufacturers are making it easy to hook up your device directly to the car with a built-in connection.

Remember, there are so many choices of pre-designed electronic add ons available, ranging from mileage trackers for runners to DJ mixing tables. So far, however, there does not seem to be an available GPS receiver. You might often find the best items in the store on the manufacturer's website, but you might want to check around and compare prices before you make your purchase. In your search, you might find something cool that you hadn't thought about before.

If you really want to immerse yourself in a strange world of electronic culture, search for "iPod hacking." You'll learn weird stuff like how to replace the basic operating system of the iPod with something more geek friendly, and how to replace parts of the innards to make dramatic changes in sound quality. It's not for everyone, and it's all guaranteed to void your warrantee. Have fun, but be careful.