It doesn't get much more epic than this. The Apple iPod Classic is the undisputed (until now) titan of high-capacity MP3 players, with a rich legacy dating back to 2001. Its rival, the Microsoft Zune, stepped on the scene only a year ago and was promptly cast as an ugly duckling. In its latest incarnation, the Zune 80, Microsoft has finally presented a worthy challenger to the iPod dynasty. Unlike the original 30GB Zune, which had the aesthetic charm of a bar of soap, the Zune 80 is capable of competing not just on features, but design as well.

A few weeks ago I wrote a column declaring that it was the wrong time to buy an iPod--particularly for those of us who already own iPods--and it managed to provoke a few hostile responses from readers. One reader wrote, "How can you sit there and write such a pathetic article? If you call this 'reporting' then so help us all. You are clearly not a fan of Apple products seeing as you try to slant them as much as possible. This is an absolute disgrace, for a company such as CNET, I expected a better article and unbiased review."

So you've managed to get your hands on one of the world's most sought-after MP3 players, the Apple iPod Touch. This sleek and innovative device will keep you plenty entertained for sure, but you'll soon realize that a little extra investment can help you get the most out of your player. For one thing, those stock Apple earbuds aren't the best-sounding--or most comfortable--headphones to be had. The first step is to upgrade, and our top headphones list is an excellent place to start. Next, consider protecting your investment or even dressing it up a bit. GelaSkins are a great way to add personal style, while XtremeMac's TuffShield will help to keep that large and lovely screen in good condition. Or try out Griffin's Reflect Mirrored Chrome Finish Case to add a touch of shine while keeping the entire Touch out of harm's way.

Physically, the only difference is the HP branding on the so-called hPod's backside. There are three more main differences:

The iPod has come a long way since the introduction of the original 5GB model more than five years ago. In 2002, Apple doubled the iPod's capacity and added the signature solid-state scrollwheel. A year later, the capacity had increased to as much as 40GB. And 2004 saw the introduction of several new iPods, including the mighty Mini, the pricey Photo, and the black U2 iPod. In early 2005, we witnessed the splashy arrival of the flash-based Shuffle, the 30GB iPod Photo, and the updated Mini, which added a 6GB version to the series as well as improved battery life. Then came the 20GB photo-friendly iPod (Apple dropped "Photo" from the name of this and the 60GB versions) and the colorized iPod U2 Special Edition.

This isn't the first time we've seen the iPod's innards hosed down and replaced with an alternative operating system. Last year, fellow CNET editor Tim Moynihan installed the iPodLinux OS on an old iPod (actually, my old iPod) to showcase its video-playing capabilities. In fact, it was the efforts of the software's developers, the iPodLinux Project, that paved the way for further iPod exploration, including the Rockbox project, whose firmware builds are coded from the ground up.

I may choose not to use an iPod in my personal life, but I'm constantly toying with the reigning king of MP3 players at work in order to keep our ultimate iPod accessories story up and running. It's exactly this task that simultaneously tempts me into switching to an iPod and makes me loathe the player for bogarting all the third-party accessories. And then there's the fact that I own an iBook, with which the Creative Zen V Plus refuses to communicate. Thus, I longingly eye iPod accessories.

With the Apple iPod continuing to turn heads and win consumers' hearts, we figured it was the perfect time to recommend a few sidekicks for the most popular MP3 player in the world. In fact, the market for iPod accessories is so huge that our offices can barely handle the periodic influx of new products (which coincide with new iPod announcements) that hope to enhance your iPod experience.

The iTop is the answer for those who complain about the iPod's lack of a dedicated volume control. It feels slightly flimsy when mounted on the iPod, but for $29, this is a nice addition to the iPod accessories category.

If you need a portable speaker solution, there are plenty of choices. Among our favorites: the Logitech mm50 and (for Nano owners) the Altec Lansing iM500. And while it lacks a dock, the Tivoli Audio iPAL is one of the best quick-and-easy iPod speaker solutions we've seen. It also has a top-notch AM/FM radio--great for getting live programming (weather, news, ball games) that's just not available on the iPod.