Targus' iPod Mobile "Security Lock"

Whether urban legend or fact, the fear of iPod theft has created a vast market for this iPod Mobile Security Lock from Targus. As you can see, the chubby end attaches to your wo/man-sack while the end sporting the combination lock somehow "secures" your iPod's dock connector at a retractable cable length of up to 30.7-inches away. We might be wrong, but this device should make you feel about as secure as a shot of cheap whiskey. On sale now in Japan for ¥4,000 or about $35 green.

[Via Impress]

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2006 9:11AM]

Hardly the most stylish thing, but I guess it could prevent your iPod being nicked. Wouldn't the dock connector get damaged if someone pulled really hard on the cord?

[oshean Posted Jul 11th 2006 9:16AM]

Does Thomas Ricker have whiskey on the brain today?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2006 9:21AM]

looks like a good pair of scissors could cut right thru that cable.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2006 9:23AM]

"man-sack"?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2006 9:29AM]

This thing goes on the sack ???? Must be painful if some1 tries to steal it.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2006 9:39AM]

Surely thats just as bad as waving a big flag with "I HAVE AN IPOD!!" isnt it??

[DTJ Posted Jul 11th 2006 9:40AM]

Definitely needs to be Bluetooth. Look at that ugly cable!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2006 9:43AM]

I was more worried about the "woman-sack". is there something i haven't been told?

[DTJ Posted Jul 11th 2006 9:46AM]

Oh, and it's TargUs, not TargAs...for a minute I thought this was another installment of "Keeping It Fake", but the link goes to Targus Japan's site.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2006 9:47AM]

So they'll rob your bag too?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2006 9:59AM]

Somehow I don't think the dock connector is the strongest point on the iPod. It looks like one good yank would disconnect it.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2006 10:02AM]

yeah so this is for sale in japan but they demo it with what appears to be a western woman?

I bet this product will be selling here in the US if it does well abroad.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2006 10:03AM]

"So they'll rob your bag too?"

No, they'll garrote you with the cord _then_ take your bag.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2006 10:05AM]

It may stop them from stealing your ipod, but it also turns your ipod into a handy garotte should anyone take the notion of robbing and killing you.

[Village Posted Jul 11th 2006 10:07AM]

You want a good security device? Just hide your iPod inside the shell of an old cassette Walkman. No thief will snatch that.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2006 10:09AM]

Great, so now you can be strangled to death and have you ipod stolen, although I guess that IS better than having to endure shelling out another couple of c-notes for a new one.

[DTJ Posted Jul 11th 2006 10:35AM]

The point of devices like this is not necessarily make your iPod theftproof, but to make you a less attractive target for theft. If some guy wants to grab an iPod and run, who's he going to choose? The person with the iPod physically cabled to his body, or some schmoe holding it out in the open? If it looks like too much trouble, the thief will just wait for the next guy to come along.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2006 10:45AM]

Exactly...devices like these don't deter crimes, they just defer them.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2006 11:00AM]

best bet is to change the earphones and stick the iPod in your pocket

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2006 11:19AM]

"Exactly...devices like these don't deter crimes, they just defer them."

Like the spiked female condom that turns a rape into a murder.

http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2006/06/antirape_device_delayed.html

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2006 12:20PM]

This device works best if attached to the collar of a really big dog.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2006 1:26PM]

Hardly an urban legend. My ipod video got ripped out of my hands on the subway last week. Wish i had this thing.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2006 5:24PM]

Now i've had an iPod for a year and a half, and nobodys ever tryed to steal it. Maybe if you werent flashing it arround and kept it in you pocket, you wouldn't get it stolen.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2006 6:18PM]

I agree with DT. This is more of a deterrent than an all-out crime prevention device. I know that if I were looking for an iPod to jack, I wouldn't go for the one with cables and locks hanging off it.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2006 6:26PM]

fluke

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2006 9:11PM]

Because it's so hard to grab a backpack also?
Loved the line about the garotte though.
I thought the black Ipods came with black earbuds? Sorta strange to see all that black then white buds.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 20th 2006 10:48PM]

I think its an ok idea but it would hurt to spend an extra couple hundred dollars to make sure it is safe and you aren't killed bye a garott

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 21st 2006 7:20PM]

I agree with Robin, a good pair of scissors can cut right trough the wire.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 22nd 2006 10:58PM]

I think it's a terrific idea! 35 bucks aint that bad

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 23rd 2006 3:10PM]

So if someone tries to steal it it rips your sack off? What's the safty mechanism? When they see your sack hanging off the iPod they get scared and give it back?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 24th 2006 5:49PM]

haha. mansack. =]

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 26th 2006 8:43PM]

$35 RIPOFF i pod in pants is best bet only a gay theif would reach into ur pants

[keyman Posted Nov 29th 2009 3:12PM]

Here is a similar item i found search Master Lock 5410D iCage Locking Skin for Apple iPod Nano it is availible at http://www.a1qualitysafesonline.com/
on sale for about 10 bucks

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 15th 2007 10:15AM]

so i just picked one of these up...not really sure why....i figure if i wanted to leave my ipod hanging around at work or in the car locked up to the steering wheel it may be a bit more safe....then i got to reading the sticker where it says forced removal would most likely damage your ipod...yeah i am sure it would but some crook probably wouldn't care....in fact if i was trying to steal an ipod and someone had this thing i would probably just rip the ipod off the lock and leave it sitting busted in the persons car...or just smash it up real nice and leave it locked up....anyway it was on clearance at staples for $1.50 american so i picked it up...anyone else use this?