Is the iPod cult spawning out of control or is it merely a creative
celebration of the most practical and people friendly invention this
side of the millennium? A veritable feast of sexy iPods and
accessories and a critical look at the near-fetishist attitudes some
have towards the iPod.
Apple is the new Orange: sleek, sexy and innovative. In the last year
alone, Apple shifted 4.4 million iPods, released the iPod mini to an
eagerly anticipating public and made over half a billion pounds in
sales on iPods and iPod accessories. From aloof über hip London
fashionistas to tired suburban commuters, the iPod was the ultimate
status symbol of 2004.
However, this is 2005. These days merely owning an iPod is far
from enough. As more people are spotted around town with the
telltale white cord, the ante is up in the world of the trendy,
tech-savvy old school and newbie podsters.
The latest in iPod ownership is the beautification process resulting in
the iPod ‘being tricked out’. Following in a similar vein to the now
cult hit show ‘MTV Cribs and Rides’, it is all about having the
most-outrageous-in-your-face-can’t-miss-it kind of iPod. Imagine
an iPod very creatively and so uniquely adorned that it pushes even the
most style aware and jaded of the podster glitterati into total envy
mode.
Enter Sean ‘P Diddy’ Combs diamond encrusted iPod. Valued at a
cool £9000, the phrase ‘Don’t hate – appreciate’ must surely be the
words going through his mind when using the gifted iPod he received at
the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) in Miami last year. The IPod was
commissioned by Apple and HP and took two weeks to cover with 120
diamonds and the Sean John logo in white gold. Definitely not so
much Bling as it is ‘Twinkle, twinkle’ a la De Beers.
Though this type of customisation may be out of the reach of the
masses, there is one avenue opened to those who wish to spend less and
shine more in the truest Bling Bling sense. The Crystal Mini is
an iPod mini encrusted in 1000 Swarovski crystals; one crystal for each
song it can hold – “to represent every song you love”.
Taking over five hours to cover with 1000 crystals by hand, these
limited edition iPods take the words
‘See me – Adore me!’ to another stratosphere.
For those who (truthfully) can not afford and (officially) are not down
with shiny and sparkling iPods, there is plenty of scope to capture
some of the elusive cool factor with the most exclusive of iPod
accessories – the Jukebox by Karl Lagerfeld for Fendi. This is
the ultimate in iPod storage and definitely not for mere mortals as it
holds up to 12 iPods simultaneously.
Nevertheless, there is hope for mere morals content with one
iPod. Ranging from the most exclusive in Haute Couture to the
average and mundane, the most popular of accessories are the protective
iPod cases. From butter soft leather cases, multi coloured
stripes, anodised aluminium. Silicone, plastic, vinyl, neoprene,
fabric, meta, wool and rubber to Gucci, Dior and Burberry; it seems
impossible to find an online electronics or fashion retailer who
doesn’t at least produce some sort of own brand iPod accessories.
If a designer case is not enough attention seeking, then how about the
Groove Purse Triplet bag by Felicidade. It is without doubt, the most
gorgeous iPod bag with a delicious retro boom-box vibe and is an
absolute must-have that oozes Gucci at affordable cost.
As the creative and innovative spirit of Apple forms a solid bond with
its buyers, it seems some people simply cannot resist pushing their
love for all things Apple to the core and displaying their own dreams
for the future of the Apple brand. Even corporate powerhouses
such as BMW and Mercedes Benz have signed up to the hype, offering
in-car stereo systems integrated with an IPod operated remotely from
the steering wheel. Another clever invention for the die-hard
fans is the world’s first portable solar powered battery charger that
is iPod compatible. Say goodbye to stressing over limited battery
life!
The iPod with its super-sleek and stylish look endorsed by a very
trendy ad campaign appeals to fashion conscious and gadget loving
A-list celebrities, their entourage, groupies, wannabe’s, fans and
haters alike. From the paparazzi shots of Nelly and Ashanti on
the beach, carrying their iPods, that confirmed their ‘secret’
relationship to Snoop Dogg’s ‘Drop It Like It’s Hot’ video to the O.C
to star-struck gossip rags asking ‘So…What is on your iPod’; the iPod –
much like Bentley’s and 24 carat gold plated 22 inch rims – has the
alluring mass appeal factor that propels a gadget to stratospheric
popularity.
Though some may view the iPod infatuation as bordering on the extreme,
2005 will be the year the true followers of the ‘I love my iPod’ cult
will show their dedication to the motto “ Any colour as long as
it is white’. With no new version of the IPod due in this year,
total dedication to this ethos through accessories and add-ons in will
be expressed in monetary terms – preferable four digits or above,
darling.
