Mac, iPod fans hang on to product packaging

Wired News talks to a number of Mac fanatics about Apple's sleek product packaging. Gary Ian Reich is "one of the legions of Macintosh and iPod users for whom the elegance of the user interface begins with the bold graphics and sleek texture of the box the new machine comes in." Reich's Apple box collection began with his G3 iMac, he said. "I save 'em, much to the dismay of my significant other," Reich said. "My storage closet is jam-packed with basically everything I've got." Ryan Harne, a 20-year-old engineering student at Virginia Tech University, has gone so far as to display his boxes in his bedroom, backlit with lamps from Ikea.

SuntekStore rolls out necklace style iPod earphones

SuntekStore has unveiled the Necklace style earphone/headphone, its light-weight earphones designed for added comfort while listening to Apple's iPod shuffle, as well as other music players. Features include high quality stereo sound, a combined original neck strip and ear phone, and two USB caps for the iPod shuffle. The necklace style earphones for iPod shuffle are available for $10 and usually ship the next business day.

NYPD to publish podcasts for the public

In the department's latest effort to reach the public, the NYPD plans to publish its own podcast. In a report on Newsday, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said he uses his iPod to listen to music, audio books and language lessons. Kelly said he believes the podcasting initiative is the first by a law enforcement agency. "It gives us the ability to get information out quickly in another medium," Kelly said. The first podcast, narrated by retired Insp. Jesse Peterman, includes information on street closings during the UN General Assembly meeting and interviews with a captain about identity theft, as well as with a chief sent to New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

RadTech offers Portectorz for dockable iPods, more

RadTech today released Portectorz for dockable iPods and Apple AirPort Express. RadTech Portectorz provide protection for data, video and audio ports for all dockable iPods, AirPort Express mobile WiFi base stations, PowerBooks, and iBooks. "Ports stay clean, dry and positively protected from foreign objects and debris when fitted with custom-molded Portectorz." Constructed from the finest high-polymer Silicone to eliminate any tackiness, Portectorz are Uni-die molded and lightly frosted for a smooth and elegant appearance, according to RadTech. Portectorz pricing starts at $6 and are available for all dockable iPods, AirPort Express WiFi base stations, 12-/14-inch iBooks, and 12-/15-inch PowerBooks. The company says that Portectorz for 17 inch PowerBooks are "coming soon."

Tunewear announces TuneTag leather Nano case

Tunewear has announced TuneTag, a luggage-tag style leather case for Apple's iPod nano. It is made from smooth ultra high quality genuine nappa leather. A transparent vinyl sheet covers and protects both the iPod screen and click wheel from dirt and scratching, giving the face of the iPod nano complete protection from outside elements, yet still allows for control of the click wheel and full view of the screen. TuneTag will be be available in October.