The Icewear is made of high density ribbed silicone which provides a sticky tactile feel, and is designed to absorb shocks and bumps from accidental drops. The case offers complete access to the iPod's controls and ports, and features the company's clear Tunefilm to protect the screen and scrollwheel. Tuneware says that the Icewear for the iPod touch and Nano are currently available from the company's web site, with the Icewear for the iPod classic shipping during the first week of December. Prices for the Icewear range from $20 to $30, depending on which model is purchased.

Contour Design recently unveiled the iSee for the third generation iPod nano and the iPod touch, a clear plastic case that offers additional dock connector protection.

GEAR4 has unveiled its LeatherJacket Flip case (site not updated) for Apple's latest generation iPod nano, and simultaneously announced that its BlueEye Bluetooth phone accessory is compatible with the latest iPod models. The LeatherJacket Flip is a premium leather case for Apple's new iPod nano featuring a brushed suede interior with "debossed" patterning. A 'Flip-Clip' closure covers the click-wheel when not in use, and provides full easy access when playing tracks. The case is available in black and pink for $32, and is due to ship at November's end.

OtterBox today rolled out two new series of cases for Apple's iPhone, iPod touch, iPod classic, and iPod nano. The company's Defender series includes slim, rugged cases designed to keep Apple gadgets out of harms way without compromising style. The cases provide complete interaction via polycarbonate shells that snap together to safeguard the device within, while membranes protect the screen of every device as well as the iPod's click-wheel. A silicone skin encompasses the entire case as well, providing additional protection from drops and bumps. Defender cases are priced at for Apple's iPods, while Armor cases are priced at $50 for iPod touch and iPod classic vs. $40 for third-generation iPod nano (pricing for iPhone cases was unavailable).

Apple today released a minor update to its software for the iPod video. The company only said that the update brought "bug fixes" in its documentation, but some users report the ability to sync iPhoto Events (limited to recent events).

The Mirage is a hard case with a built-in two-way mirror that provides a shiny finish by default, but allows the screen to shine through when powered up. Macally says the case has a non-slip rubber paint that repels scuffs, while a polyurethane film protects the scrollwheel. A belt clip is included with the case, and it is selling for $30.

One shopper at a Target store in Montgomery, Alabama says he was cheated yesterday after purchasing what he believed to be an 80GB iPod classic for his daughter. Upon returning home and opening the box, however, his daughter discovered a used and scratched 30GB iPod video in place of the shiny new 80GB iPod classic pictured on the box. "How could this happen?" asked George Mardre, a confused and frustrated customer. "Target will not refund our money. They will not allow us to exchange it." After speaking to several customer service representatives, Mardre was told Target would review a surveillance tape and get back to him. "Meanwhile, my daughter is out $275," Mardre told MacNN.

When I bought my iPod I read all the directions and nowhere did it tell you that you should leave the headset UNPLUGGED in order for the thing to go off.

Now here's a trick. The iM600's volume is not affected by your iPod's internal volume. Because the iM600 plugs in directly to your iPod's system connection, it captures the signal before it hits the iPod's headphone amplifier, making it less prone to the distortion it would face by being amplified twice. This also means that you can listen to your docked iPod over headphones using the internal volume control even if the iM600's volume is set to zero.

The simplest and most direct route is to get a cable that plugs into the iPod and the TV. You use the iPod's controls to start and stop play and use the iPod's screen to navigate the menus and set up the video. The iPod's menus don't appear on the TV screen, but as you're holding the iPod, this isn't a problem.