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iPod Accesory Market Booming

The iPod-accessory world now is a multibillion-dollar industry from from iPod protectors to speakers to car accessories, the iPod has made millions for many companies other than Apple.    Richard Doherty of Envisioneering Group estimates $1 billion worth of accessories were sold during the 2005 holiday season. 

"It’s the iPod economy," Doherty said. "And Steve Jobs is the Alan Greenspan of that iPod economy."

Jobs introduced an iPod accessory as well at the recent MacWorld Expo, the iPod radio remote.  The attachment provides wireless remote control as well as an FM radio tuner for newer iPods. 

Chrysler has also leaped into the iPod accessory industry by recently announcing iPod-friendly equipment as an option in most of its 2006 models. Levi Strauss has announced Levi’s RedWire DLX Jeans containing a docking cradle for the music device in a pocket.

Belkin's iPod accessories account for a "sizable" piece of their company's sales.  The company makes a wide selection of iPod accessories, including an FM transmitter and its "Kick-Stand" case for the video iPod player that allows people to watch shows without holding the device.

via Dispatch.com

Apple Announces iPod Radio Remote

Apple has released the iPod Radio Remote today at Macworld Expo.  The iPod remote is a new wired remote control and FM tuner for the iPod.

The iPod Radio Remote adds FM radio capabilities as well as remote control operations to the iPod nano and iPod with video. With the remote users can skip tracks, adjust the volume, and listen to FM stations. No line-of-sight is required with the iPod Radio Remote, since it relies on radio frequency, so it can easily be used while the iPod is stored in a pocket or even a backpack.

The iPod Radio Remote, which plugs into the iPod's dock connector also includes a pair of Apple headphones with a shorter cable.

Order it at Apple.com for $49.

Eleksen Displays Portable Music Player Case for iPod at MacWorld

Eleksen, a fabric sensor company, has developed the only MP3 player case with external volume controls for both headphones and speakers.

“Our audio case with ElekTex Scroll volume controls is a must-have accessory for MP3 players, iPods and other types of audio players,” said Gemma Kilburn, product manager for the audio case. “We’ve designed this product for OEMs to make it easy for them to private label our standard solution for a quick retail hit or to incorporate our ElekTex smart fabric controls into their own consumer bag products for iPod and other audio devices.”

The audio case is available in two formats: one for controlling any MP3 player with a standard audio output jack and one with 5-button remote controls for iPod supporting Play/Pause, Track Forward, Track Back, Volume Up, Volume Down and iPod ON/OFF. The audio case can also be customized to manage any audio device with a standard remote control interface.

(via Eleksen.com)