Thanks to the iPod, our days of schlepping around cumbersome boom boxes, Discmans and countless cds are over! iPods were introduced to the US market in 2001 and their popularity continues to grow. Today, more than 22 million Americans own a portable digital audio player. For the second time in history, beer was not the number one need of college students, according to the Ridgewood, NJ based Student Monitory; iPod is the #1 need.

The portable digital audio player remains a mystery to some of us. It is about 4 x 3. Music is downloaded from the internet or ripped from personal cds and stored on the built in hard drive. Sales conclude that the most popular version is the iPod shuffle; it accounts for about 58% of the sales.

Video iPods are the latest addition to the family. It is the most expensive; however, the most versatile personal listening device yet.

In addition to all of the personal listening devices available, there are countless accessories available on the market. They range from armbands (to protect the machine) to docking stations (allows the machine to stand up and re-charge) to gift cards (for music downloads) to protection plans to remote controls and cords. These accessories allow your iPod to go from just a personal digital audio device to a lean, mean multi-tasking machine.

The latest in the craze is an introduction from Adesso. The iLamp (patent pending) is compatible with all portable music players, the iPod, MP3, CD players, radios, anything with a headphone jack. The idea combines speakers with a lamp. iLamp shipments from Adesso will be available in early September, six models ranging from a boom box to desktop lamps.

The key is, it sounds good amazingly good for how small it is, says Lee Shaakk, Adessos music maven. The ilamps will combine sound, style, size and cost into one economical device. Retail prices will vary from $75-$100.