KEY WORDS:  Christmas, Holidays, iPod, Gift, Stocking Stuffer, NewerTech 

CHICAGO  (December 21, 2005) – As reported by the San Antonio Express News, for the second straight year in a row the hottest holiday gifts come from the Apple iPod mobile entertainment family. iPod digital music players are available with music, photo, and video capacities.

MacWorld UK reports that Apple should sell over 11 million iPods by the end of the December quarter.

According to the MacObserver, Piper Jafray analysts expect iPod sales growth to be up 79 percent compared to the same quarter last year, and 124 percent, year over year.

As a direct result of the huge popularity of the iPod, consumers are streaming to embrace auxiliary iPod-related products including battery upgrades for longer use time, travel adapters that allow iPod use through the car stereo, and battery chargers to replenish power supplies.

Larry O’Connor, president of Newer Technology Inc. (NewerTech), a leading United States based technology solutions corporation, states that the portability and high storage capacity of the iPod have resulted in the digital music device’s almost immediate entrenchment in modern popular culture. 

“Everyone wants an iPod, and everyone who has an iPod wishes they could have more battery power and wishes they could use their iPod in the car. Simple, inexpensive products make those easy holiday wishes to grant,” explains O’Connor.

Low price and increased performance are credited with the popularity of consumers adding iPod battery and travel enhancement products to their holiday shopping gift list.

NewerTech offers multiple iPod enhancement products including the hugely poplar RoadTrip!+ which allows users to listen to their iPod through their car stereo while simultaneously charging the unit’s internal battery.  Retailing for only $27.95 at macsales.com, the RoadTrip!+ fits in most budgets as either a present or a stocking stuffer.

Although there are different iPod travel accessories available, NewerTech’s RoadTrip!+ stands out from other devices because it works with all iPod devices, even the newest generation iPod and nano iPod devices released on the market in the last few months.

“Making sure of the compatibility of an accessory to the newest iPods is very important,” advises O’Connor. 

A December 21st report in the Australian Mercury News by Heather Low Chow advises that while iPods are popular gifts, getting maximum use and enjoyment out of them may require a battery replacement or upgrade.

“People love the portability of their iPods so they don’t want to be grounded by insufficient battery power, upgrading to a more powerful battery and picking up a quality charger are two options that easily change your iPods something really dynamic,” adds O’Connor.

Battery upgrade packages for iPods are relatively inexpensive, again classifying in most budgets as either presents or stocking stuffer. NewerTech.com retails battery replacement options for as little as $24.95 that can boost capacity up to 50%; for under $35 capacity can be increased up to 78%.

Scotland’s first minister Jack McConnell’s wife recently let it slip that she plans to give her husband an iPod for Christmas.  Previously, U.S. President George Bush revealed that he listens to the Beach Boys, Beatles, and Aretha Franklin on his personal iPod.

Mark Keller of the Washington Times cites iPod accessories as being among the choice gifts for 2005.   The sentiment is being echoed across the globe by news and media ranging from The State newspaper in South Carolina, The Age in Australia, and CTV in Canada to TechWorldNews and Inc.com on the Internet.

The Arkansas Democrat even goes so far as to emblaze their recommendation of iPod accessories as ideal last minute gifts in headline form.

Newer Technology, Inc., contacts: 
For more than 16 years, Newer Technology, Inc. (NewerTech) has been recognized as the leading developer of performance upgrades for PowerBooks, desktop Macintosh computers, iMacs and MacOS compatibles. NewerTech is a division of New Concepts Development Corporation, headquartered in Woodstock, Illinois. Dealer inquiries are welcome by calling (815) 338-8685 or by emailing sales@newertech.com.