Quite often you would see people wearing earphones, carrying their music everywhere in their portable music players. Chances are that they are carrying an iPod – the revolutionary music player from Apple. While iPod is a huge commercial success, iPod accessories seem to have taken a separate business themselves.

Most accessories are innovative and appealing but some designers have taken it to the point of craziness. Here is what the result is if creativity meets craziness:

TunebuckleTM – The iPod Nano Belt

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Wearing your iPod always seems to be fashionable. Quite often joggers are seen with an armband that is carrying their iPod. But someone out there thought this culture should not be limited to joggers. So they created a belt, appropriately named Tunebuckle^TM that has a buckle perfectly designed to hold an iPod Nano.

Made with high quality aluminum and genuine leather, this belt offers a secure way of carrying your iPod around. It is available in three different designs: The original – that shows the whole front of the iPod, the full moon – everything except the clickwheel is covered and the full metal jacket that completely covers the iPod front.

iPod Gloves

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You are out in the cold and are fully protected, including your hands of course. And then you fancy the idea of listening to a song. So you pull out your iPod, switch it on and when you try to use the clickwheel – no it does not work! This is because the clickwheel is responsive to the static electricity of your fingertips, which is not possible if you are wearing gloves. Tavo and Marmot companies have exactly thought out this situation.

iPod gloves from Tavo and iGlove Multi from Marmot (not sure why multi) are gloves that protect your hands from cold. What is different in these is the presence of conductive rectangular patches at the tips of thumb and index fingers that allow you to maneuver the clickwheel. They also have silicone grip which lessens the chancing of dropping your iPod in the snow.

Marware CEO Billfold Wallet for iPod Nano

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Considering its dimensions, the iPod Nano can almost go anywhere and into anything. Marware has exploited this fact and made a wallet that has a special slot for your Nano so that next time you are at the bank or an ATM you can show off your iPod.

Made of genuine leather, this wallet in addition to having credit card slots, ID card slot, full cash compartment and all the features of a normal wallet also has an iPod slot that allow you to access all the controls of your iPod without having to take it out. It even allows you to charge your iPod from directly the wallet.

DesignMobel Pause – the iPod Bed

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Research shows that listening to soft music is the best way to fall asleep. Designers at DesignMobel have taken this fact to the heart, no mind, oh whatever! That is why they came up with Pause – the iPod compatible bed.

Technically speaking, it is nothing but a very large iPod dock: So large that you can sleep on it! While sleeping on it you can enjoy your favorite music playing from a couple of Bose® speakers. The iPod Universal dock it has also allows you to charge your iPod while you are sleeping.

Moftware iPod Nano Thong

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The most useful accessory (according to me) is a case for your iPod. There are many cases out there, from flashy to furry and the designs are also quite innovative. But none can be as innovative as this one. Presenting you dear friends the iPod Nano thong – a thong shaped case for your iPod.

While the question why an iPod needs underwear is very interesting, this is not a particularly useful accessory too. It covers half of the screen and most of the clickwheel is inaccessible. You will have to take out the iPod every time you have to change a song or even adjust the volume. So unless you are looking for a silly joke, don’t bother about this one.

Bullet-proof case for iPod

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Imagine you are stuck in a gunfight, and one bullet passes right through your denim pocket to where your iPod is sitting. CRASH! The bullet has gone through your iPod turning it into an uncountable number of pieces. Chances are that the bullet has made it to your leg, but let the leg be damned! That’s least of your concerns right now, because your precious music player is destroyed! Now stop your imagination. A Japanese designer who has exactly foreseen such a situation has made a flashy bullet-proof case for his iPod.

Well, let me be fair. He has not made this for bullets (although it can stop a .22 caliber bullet), but for protecting the iPod from crashing hard onto the pavement. This case is made of aluminum and weighs a pound, which is almost thrice the weight of the iPod itself.

iBox – the iPod Boxer

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As I said earlier, wearing an iPod is fashionable. But what if a person wants be in his boxers and still take his iPod somewhere? He will have to carry it in his hand, which is not very practical – atleast according to the designers of Play iBox Solid Boxer.

For people who like to keep their iPods really close, these cotton/spandex boxers offer a special pocket in the front to carry their iPods. So guys out there, next time you fancy a walk in your boxers with your iPod you know what to do right?

iPod Bra

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Can only men keep their iPods so close? The answer is no. Gracie’s Gear, the company that makes athletic wear for women, have introduced Power Pouch, a sports bra that securely holds all the essentials like keys, an iPod and even money while still giving the support that women expect from a traditional sports bra.

I have read somewhere that someone called this “the single most important accessory ever made for an iPod”. So next time there is a boxy lump near someone’s breast we know what it is. And what it looks like to others while you are changing a song is something I would leave to the readers’ imagination.

iCarta Toilet Paper Dispenser

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You are listening to one of your favorites when you suddenly have to attend a nature call. You don’t want to stop the song in between and you don’t want to go through the pain of carrying the iPod in your toilet. Then here is the option for you.

Atech Flash Technology (AFT) introduced iCarta Toilet Paper Dispenser/iPod Dock. It is exactly what it claims: a toilet paper dispenser with a dock to fit your iPod so that you don’t miss out on music when you are in the bathroom. It has four high performance moisture-free speakers and it also allows you to charge the iPod.

OhMiBod – the iPod Vibrator

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You have so far seen the crazy accessory designs that allow you to take and wear your iPod everywhere. But none of them is as crazy as this. Introducing OhMiBod, the iPod Vibrator!

According to its website, “listening to your favorite music and actually feeling the corresponding vibes quickly transports you to a place where music, mind and body truly “come” together.” This vibrator has an adapter that allows you to connect both earphones and the vibrator jock. It translates the sound vibrations from iPod to mechanical vibrations.

I have come across many other accessories but these ones caught my attention. Surely they are all innovative, but are they really required?