iPod cases with built-in speakers have amazingly been around the block a time or two before. We're guessing the reason shelves aren't flooded with 'em today has quite a bit to do with the presumably lackluster sound quality / output potential. Nevertheless, those hoping to find just a case for their precious new iPod classic need look no further, as the rotating speakers case for iPod is here to make your dreams come true. Reportedly, the $60.72 enclosure works just fine with 80/160GB iPod classic models as well as 30/60/80GB 5G iPods, but considering that each of the stereo drivers pumps out under 1-watt per, you should probably plan on tossing this bad boy over your right shoulder like we did back in 1985 in order to hear anything.

[Via popgadget]

Practical? No. Still, there's something about this Shimura full metal iPod jacket which makes us want to love it long time. It ships direct from Japan for something like ¥17,900 (about $165). Yeah, that's bit fubar.

[Via Akihabara News]

Sure, we've seen an iPod Shuffle go mano a mano with a knife-wielding owner, but the first product from Morphie's Illuminator project takes on bumps, drops, and bottle tops with the best of 'em. The aptly-titled Bevy wears a number of hats, the most obvious of which is a dashing 2G Shuffle protective case, but other built-in functions include acting as a key ring, earbud wrap, and bottle opener for when times are desperate. The Illuminator project was unveiled at this year's Macworld, and while hundreds of entries found their way in, this is the first of three winning designs chosen to be produced and sold to the public. The Bevy is currently available for pre-ordering in green, pink, blue, orange, and silver for $15.

Continuing the hot streak of industry madness going down on this eventful Friday the 13th is Philips, as it has announced plans to acquire Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO) in an attempt to compliment the firm's headphone / DAP offerings with a smorgasbord of other peripherals and accessories for mobile devices. Essentially, Philips is hoping that the deal will allow it to "become a leading player in peripherals and accessories market for the mobility domain," and considering the vast amount of DAP / PMP toting individuals out there eying such niceties as the HomeDock, iBoom Travel, and the obligatory colored carrying case, it's probably not a bad move. Interestingly, Philips is actually taking over a firm who pumps out products for two competing music players, but a spokesperson for the company played the rivalry down by suggesting that DLO's products were "designed for all of the players on the market." Although pricing details weren't readily available, Philips is planning to complete the acquisition by Q2's end, and hopes to make DLO more predominant "outside of the US while broadening its product portfolio."

[Via Reuters]

You can add Japan's prolific Elecom to the growing number of companies providing varying levels of protection for the countless theft-attracting iPods being toted about, with the company bringing some familiar security measures to bear on the problem. Available for both 5G iPods and 1st and 2nd gen iPod nanos, and in your choice of black or white, the locks will add a bit of heft to your otherwise portable device but should keep any would-be thieves from running off with it, not to mention yourself when you forget the combination. Those of you with better memories than us, however, can sang either model now for 5,040 Yen, or just over forty bucks.

[Via Crave]

An NES controller-enhanced iPod is one thing, but to really put that tried-and-true old school Nintendo industrial design to some blasphemous new uses you'll have to do what Flickr user "sirljohns" did, gutting an original Game Boy to make quite possibly the most badass iPod case ever. Sadly, the only Tetris you'll be playing on the Game Boy once you're done with it is the iPod's own pale imitation, but at least you'll still be able to make use of the Game Boy's well-worn buttons, as they're wired up to an internal dock connector to allow for full control without requiring you to slice open the iPod itself. The less technically proficient among us may want to click down a bit further in sirljohns Flickr photostream, where you'll find details on modifying a vintage Sony WM-F10 Walkman for a less functional but only slightly less stylin' iPod case.

[Via MAKE:Blog]