Doesn't your iPod HI-Fi deserve a leather case, too?

As you may recall, when Apple launched the iPod HI-Fi a few months ago, the company also rolled out a couple of spiffy leather cases for the iPod nano and iPod with video. However, despite the momentous importance of the iPod Hi-Fi, the company neglected to provide it with a leather case of its own. That oversight has, fortunately, now been remedied by Japan's Focal Point Computer Corp. The company's iPod Hi-Fi case is made of Italian leather, has openings for the Hi-Fi's speakers and ports, and includes a shoulder strap so that the Hi-Fi can more easily achieve its destiny as a portable speaker system. The price: a mere ¥34,800 (about $300), which is surely a bargain, since this will protect your "audiophile" sound system from the vagaries of the elements. What's more, that price includes a matching leather case for your iPod remote, something for which Apple would easily charge an extra $99. We suspect that just about everyone who owns an iPod Hi-Fi will be rushing to Focal Point's web site to order one of these when they roll out in June. All five of you, that is.

Update: This case will also be available from Tunewear in the US for $295 as the "Concerto Bianco." No ship date has been announced. [Via iLounge]

[marshall @ May 16th 2006 2:58PM]

This has got to be the dumbest crap ever since Apple's $99 leather case for the pod, which I hear loves scratching 99 into your pod.

[mac owns @ May 16th 2006 2:59PM]

apple makes some great products, but i thought that leather nano case was the stupidest thing ever.

i stand corrected: this "italian leather" hifi cover is now, officially, the stupidest fucking thing ever.

[Curt Chambers @ May 16th 2006 3:09PM]

Accessories for accessories...this has gotten completely out of control now. I am officially announcing today that my business partner and I are introducing a "bling kit" for your HI-Fi leather case. Top that...

[Tommy Mang @ May 16th 2006 3:15PM]

one word: idecadance ;-)

[Brett @ May 16th 2006 3:23PM]

This just added to Focal Points' website:

NEW! Free with each iPod Hi-Fi case, a forehead sticker reading: iMDumb

[SpankBob @ May 16th 2006 3:24PM]

*spank*

[BobbyW @ May 16th 2006 3:33PM]

I'd like to know how many HiFi units have been sold.

[Q. Tarantino @ May 16th 2006 3:50PM]

Apparently Steve Jobs is personally signing any leather iPod HiFi case sold in a personal ceremony, wearing only a shiny, white, Pulp Fiction inspired iGimp suit. Then he gets medieval on your ass...

[krome @ May 16th 2006 3:55PM]

ok, the leather case is crap, but the hi-fi ain't that bad. I "rented" one from a local best buy a while ago, and was happy with it ... uh, nut not happy enough to actually fork over all that cash for it.

none the less, it worked great as a simple, one-cable speaker setup for my nano at a dinner party where there was no sound system. (was much more discrete than rentin a pair of JL2s or Elites)

[Germ @ May 16th 2006 4:06PM]

Why would I want a leather case for something that is going to stay on a table? Does Apple need a leather case for everything that comes out? Maybe they will make a Mac Mini leather case, right?

[Eric @ May 16th 2006 4:09PM]

Germ, you almost made it, but nah.
the next great thing that apple is going to announce is a leather protector for powermac g5, plus a free liquid cinema display cleaner.

[deadmonkey @ May 16th 2006 4:26PM]

Curt, easy, $5,000 Swarovski crystal encrusted case for the exclusive $3,000 virgin mink oil iCleaner solution exclusively designed to clean the rich Italian leather of the Hi Fi case.
There is no end.

[Torontoguy @ May 16th 2006 4:48PM]

It will take more than a leather case to cover up something so BUTT UGLY...How about a paper bag that the buyers can put over their heads in shame?

[Leo @ May 16th 2006 4:50PM]

you know, this isn't actually made by apple :D

[Chadwick @ May 16th 2006 4:51PM]

I love my iPod Hi-Fi, but this is iStupid.

[Dave Zatz @ May 16th 2006 6:06PM]

That'll be one heavy purse!

[Chris Robinson @ May 16th 2006 7:00PM]

The really shocking thing is, Apple's leather case is cheaper!

[Donal Trump @ May 16th 2006 7:07PM]

I guess only four people bought, since I have two Hi-Fis.

[Michael Nelson @ May 16th 2006 7:25PM]

Wait, it lets me see my iPod's screen. That'll never do.

[Frank McInally @ May 16th 2006 7:33PM]

If it was black leather it would be like dressing up your iPod HiFi up as The Gimp from Pulp Fiction

[Intrepid @ May 16th 2006 8:36PM]

I work in a retail store that sells tons of iPods. Apple audio accessories sell 1 for every 10 of their competitors products. Expect this crap. It doesn't sell... at all.

[brad @ May 17th 2006 12:34AM]

I didnt know anyone even bought the ipod hi-fi now whos going to buy a case for almost the same price as an overpriced speaker?

[Domitidus @ May 17th 2006 3:32AM]

C'mon think about it ! $300 for iPod Hi-Fi + $295 for this leather case = $595 !!! Save ur money for PS3 ^_^

[Newton's Apple @ May 17th 2006 3:46AM]

You know, I am sure that this leathery pricey thingy is some kind of performance enhancer that actually let's music sound $300 more richer! Hey, come to think of it, they could've made it with carbon fiber? Why not? Hi-tech, light, protective, and $$$ more than the leather one. Oooh. I can see it coming. Apple, you are reallllllly getting weird. Or have money made you crazy? Tsk tsk... Blind marketers.

[Domitidus @ May 17th 2006 3:49AM]

C'mon think about it ! $300 for iPod Hi-Fi + $295 for this leather case = $595 !!! Save ur money for PS3 ^_^

[jon @ May 17th 2006 4:03AM]

If someone covered a quarter stick of dynamite in shiny white plastic and called it a mac accessory...half of mac users would stick it up their butts and gladly light it.

[coprock @ May 17th 2006 1:28PM]

Er...what about rich corinthian leather?

[mya @ Dec 24th 2006 8:46AM]

When you consider leather, there's just one direction that the world heads.. Towards poertocucci,, Go with the flow

[MYA @ Feb 28th 2007 10:24AM]

Act now have some fun and make real money from now on. An exciting product to make real money.