Methods for escaping robbery with your iPod

It should already be fairly obvious that your iPod is a hot commodity, and the last thing you need is a crazed individual taking a stab at you, or worse, swiping your portable. You've already been warned by the NYPD that rocking the token white headphones is a big no-no, and Thomas Pink even designed a shirt and tie to keep iPod-jackers at bay, but the folks over at CNET UK have a few tricks of their own to keep you from becoming a statistic. As you may or may not be aware, gadget theft in Britain is out of control, and the methods were devised after a CNET UK editor was mugged, not too dissimilar from a situation of our own. The gaffer tape method consists of taping the iPod to your body -- using 15 rounds of tape -- so that your assailant gets frustrated with the challenge and hopefully gives up pursuit, while the paperback method throws back to secrecy of old by suggesting you remove an inner chunk of a novel to let your iPod reside, and since most thieves don't care about bestsellers, you'll likely avoid a tragic conclusion. For owners living in really sketch areas, the Christopher Walken method is nearly foolproof: for Pulp Fiction fans, the iPod's hiding location comes as no surprise. For more clever disguising options to keep you and your Apple tagalong safe, be sure to hit the read link for CNET UK's suggestions, complete with "Anti-mugger" ratings and all.

[John M @ Jul 26th 2006 1:15PM]

How about bringing and old mp3 player with headphone cable and all. When they ask for the Ipod you hand them the old Rio 32 megger. Not sure how you would do the dual headset thing.

[Big Sam @ Jul 26th 2006 1:15PM]

Very few things make me cringe at work. But the Walken method has definitely achieved that goal.

[WamBam @ Jul 26th 2006 1:19PM]

I have a Zen. Luckily, muggers never rob me because they find itunes so easy to use.

[ixalon @ Jul 26th 2006 1:34PM]

Looks like Sony's new NW-S205F and NW-S203F are perfectly designed for CNET's Christopher Walken method!

http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/21/sony-packs-pedometers-into-upcoming-network-walkmen/

[John @ Jul 26th 2006 1:50PM]

I think I would rather get my ipod stolen then I would have my attacker decide to "Cut" it off my body.......Is it just me or is that just begging to get stabbed instead of just robbed?

[Chris @ Jul 26th 2006 2:25PM]

i agree with John... i think i would rather keep living than keep my iPod and get killed

[TheWakeUpCall @ Jul 26th 2006 2:37PM]

I would say that it isn't a very big problem atall in the UK. Maybe only in the biggest cities like London.

[ipodman715 @ Jul 26th 2006 2:44PM]

Dang, I'm going to London next month; I better be careful.

[Steve Austin @ Jul 26th 2006 2:45PM]

Just one more reason to have gadgets hard-wired into our brains. As cyborgs, these type of entertainment heists will become a thing of the past.

[legs mcgrith @ Jul 26th 2006 2:52PM]

This is a conspiracy, with Steve Jobs and Apple behind these alleged "muggings".

These aren't muggings, they're apple's way of making sure you "buy a new iPod at least once a year".

;)

[Vincent @ Jul 26th 2006 2:54PM]

shirt link broken )=

iPod stealing is a big thing here in NY..

[Wtf @ Jul 26th 2006 3:15PM]

notice i eat too much toatal cereal

[Jason @ Jul 26th 2006 3:20PM]

well the only way robbers will know its an ipod is if youre dumb enough to flash it around or through the white headphones. so why not just get some other colored headphones. might as well, they sound alot better than what apple gives you.

[BP @ Jul 26th 2006 3:28PM]

other ways:

1. carry an arsenal of weapons

2. go to china and buy 20 'real' ipods for a dollar each and drop those and run when your are being held up

3. get ipod insurance (google it)

4. only use your ipod when you are in the safety of your panic room.

5. hide it in your ass.. oh wait that was one above. umm replace your kidney with your ipod??....

man i need some sleep

[David Lazarus @ Jul 26th 2006 3:31PM]

Has anyone not noticed the obvious answer? Change head phones!!! Though if you have the new $500 shure earbuds then losing an iPod might not be so bad if you keep the expensive headphones.

[Bob the Builder @ Jul 26th 2006 3:39PM]

I have the perfect solution (unless you are a felon) get a concealed handgun permit (unless you live in D.C.).

It will make them think twice about taking that iPod when they see that Glock on you hip.

Bob

[J. Neutron @ Jul 26th 2006 3:58PM]

There are plenty of DIY modifications to make your ipod look like a tin of mints, or a pack of gum....



with white headphones.

[everette powell @ Jul 26th 2006 4:09PM]

Christopher Walken method! if i have to hide my ipod up my butt so i could detour criminals, thats when its not worth having

[aws910 @ Jul 26th 2006 4:21PM]

wtf, It would be funny to see you try to change the song if you taped it there! I suppose it would further kill any shred of "game" you might have had!

[some guy. @ Jul 26th 2006 4:42PM]

Is that an iPod in your pants, or are you just happy to see me?

[js5981 @ Jul 26th 2006 4:49PM]

One trick I do is to run the cord of the headphones, (always use something other than apple white earbuds, dead giveaway if you don't), along the inside of your shirt and place the ipod in your front pocket. I also use the iGrip as my ipod cover when doing so. It's a rubber cover that will stay securely in your pocket and is a little more difficult to remove from your pocket that those leather cases.

[Mike10010100 @ Jul 26th 2006 10:07PM]

Wouldn't the magnet thing not work? i thought that soda cans were made of tin or aluminum, which isn't magnetic.

[x23 @ Jul 26th 2006 10:34PM]

pretty sure a knife could cut right through 15 layers of gaffer if one wasn't too concerned about the skin/body underneath. i doubt many muggers are in the "concerned" category.

[Mr Rofls @ Jul 26th 2006 10:46PM]

Unlike the poor sods in the UK, people in much of the US can carry concealed handguns, which happen to be a pretty effective deterrent in a robbery.

*Offer not valid in DC, IL, WI, or NYC.

[noname989 @ Jul 26th 2006 11:08PM]

"I have the perfect solution (unless you are a felon) get a concealed handgun permit (unless you live in D.C.)."

I'd rather not spill some thugs brains on my shoes over an iPod. IMO tasers are a safer and cleaner solution to personal defense.

[Z @ Jul 26th 2006 11:23PM]

This would work, too:

http://www.1stlinesecurity.com/smfry90vomis.html

[Pat Kessock @ Jul 27th 2006 12:29AM]

haha christopher walken method.

[Jimbo @ Jul 27th 2006 4:17AM]

You could always spend more time in the gym (or take steroids). Muggers tend not bother you if you've got 250lbs of muscle...

[GingerBoy @ Jul 27th 2006 4:45AM]

The Christopher Walken Method? Now that's what I call "Plug 'n Play".

[Robbie @ Jul 27th 2006 4:53AM]

"gadget theft in Britain is out of control" = complete tosh. I've had an iPod for years and have never been given a sideways glance, and I live in the centre of London (Camden), and travel into the City everyday on bus and tube. No one I know that has an iPod has had it stolen either... One mugging of a reporter does not translate into "out of control'...

[Phil @ Jul 27th 2006 5:13AM]

Wow, I really think most of you are totally missing the fact that this article is very much tongue-in-cheek :)

[superv @ Jul 27th 2006 6:44AM]

Just buy different headphones. Cant believe no-one thought of that one.

[Dwayne @ Jul 27th 2006 12:34PM]

1. Open Ipod and remove electronics
2. Pack Ipod with C4 and remote detonator
3. Walk around NY with Ibang and get mugged.
4. Wait till thief gets 10 yards away, then push detonator button in pocket.
5. Watch thief explode.

[E71 @ Jul 27th 2006 7:38PM]

Dwayne, that sounds very GTA-like for some reason
but I'll still to my Mark23.

Pity for those limeys though since they can't carry any firearms.