Apple wants you to Socks up your iPod

With over 250 third party accessories available for the iPod, it was only a matter of time before Apple got involved. The Cupertino company is now taking orders for its first official offering - the iPod Sock.

The iPod Socks are pretty much as they sound - small, woollen covers for iPods. The iPod covers are sold in a pack of six, each sock in a different colour, for $29 a set. Sock wearers can choose from blue, purple, grey, pink, orange and green, to keep up with your mood, apparently.

The Socks fit all models of iPod. Apple even offers instructions to the uninitiated for using the Socks: " Forgive us if we're stating the obvious, but here's how it works: Just slide your iPod into the sock to keep it safe and warm. Slide it out to dock or change playlists. It's as easy as... putting on a pair of socks."

Although the Socks made their first appearance at the event where Apple unveiled its Photo iPod and U2 iPod but its subsequent no-show had prompted speculation the Socks were a joke.

The socks will be ready to ship in early December, according to Apple's website.