Environmental activists urge iPod to go green

The environmental crusaders at The Green Guide have started a campaign (and a Web site) encouraging Apple to clean up its iPod act. In an open letter to company CEO Steve Jobs the activists claim that Apple lags behind companies such as Dell and HP in offering programs to take back broken or obsolete products from consumers -- especially in regards to the iPod. With already 10 million iPods in circulation, the group says within 1-3 years landfills will begin filling up with discarded iPod batteries that contain toxins like lead and mercury. In order for Apple to live up to its self-proclaimed commitments to the environment, The Green Guide says the company should: offer direct, affordable take back policies for the iPod and other electronics; design iPods so that batteries can be easily and affordably replaced with rechargeables; and support legislation that requires responsible manufacturing and recycling. A copy of the letter to Jobs, as well as an applicable phone number, are accessible from the FixItApple.com site.

iPod devotees rocked by thefts

Thefts of digital music players are rising, according to police in the Washington D.C. area. Earlier this month a man was critically wounded when he was stabbed and robbed of his digital music player as he walked near the National Zoo, the Washington Post is reporting. "Fences," who traffic in stolen property, are putting out the word that they are in the market for the players, said Detective David Swinson. "Burglars are taking things they can carry with them, and iPods fall into that category. They are not going to take something they don't have a market for or they don't think they have a market for." But victims of iPod theft aren't taking the loss of their players lightly, as they often form strong emotional bonds with their music libraries, and hence, players. "Everybody has a lot of memories they associate with music, and musical taste is usually very important to people," said Anita Boss, a forensic psychologist in Alexandria, Va., who has counseled crime victims. "You actually have a piece of identity theft here."

PodGear debuts JumpSuit Shuffle for iPod shuffle

UK-based iPod accessory maker PodGear today announced the launch of the JumpSuit Shuffle for the iPod shuffle. The Shuffle case allows users to protect their miniature device from daily wear and tear; it is made from high-quality "super thin" silicon, which offers protection without diminishing the Shuffle's original styling. The protective case securely holds the iPod shuffle and is available in a variety of color combinations. Function keys are embossed on the JumpSuit Shuffle allowing it to be easily operated through the casing. They are available in packs of two for £10 (including VAT).