New industry surrounds Apple's iPod

With the success of Apple's iPod, an industry of accessories for the digital media player has sprung up around it. Now there are lines of clothing being announced. Levi Strauss expects to debut the RedWire DLX jeans this fall, priced at $200. There are jackets with iPod-sized pockets inside and control pads built into sleeves, and gloves (pictured at right) with special material at the thumb and forefinger tip for controlling the iPod's clickwheel-- entire companies are being formed to create accessories for the digital lifestyle. Apple has embraced this market, with its "Made for iPod" initiative, in which companies are encouraged to develop merchandise that works with the music player, and are given the marketing label in exchange. Apple announced that there are more than 700 products bearing the "Made for iPod" logo on the market or in development, assuring customers that an electronic accessory has been designed specifically to connect to iPod and has been certified by the developer to meet Apple performance standards.

Filed under: iPod, industry