NYU warns students against wearing iPod Earbuds

[Placebo]

New York University has begun a campaign to warn its students against sporting iPod earbud headphones while venturing on and off campus, according to tipsters. The tiny, white earbud headphones, which ship with Apple's iPod digital music players, have become a telltale sign for thieves looking to hijack iPods in the fast-paced streets of Manhattan. This week members of the campus community began plastering NYU dorms with posters warning students not to wear the standard iPod headphones. According tipsters enrolled in the college, there have been an increasing number reports from students who've been held up by city crooks demanding that they hand over their iPod. They suggest it's time Apple begins offering a less recognizable alternative.

from AppleInsider

I don't know about the rest of you iPod owners, but I stopped wearing the white Apple earbuds long ago partly for this reason! Nothing like advertising to everyone on the street that I've got a $300+ gadget in my pocket.

[amber dog democrat]

1. Some one broke into my locked car to get mine.

But it only works with Macs. Go figure. The next one will be etched.

[Deja Q]

2. Don't the thieves know that the ipod battery will wear out quickly?

Why steal junk? That's dumb.

[Placebo]

3. You never cease to amaze me HypnoToad...

your constant bashing of anything Apple-related shows no signs of ceasing, so I'll refrain from correcting the inaccuracy of your post, since there's no point is there? ;)

[Mend]

4. Fortunately we live near electricity...

and are able to rejolt our battery whenever.... but that's us.

[swimmernsecretsea]

5. It's going to be a while before that comes about

The white earbut image is part of the branding strategy. It's so identifiable, that one cand tell someone has an iPod from a distance. Here in San Francisco, if you visit the financial district during lunchtime, you'll see anywhere from 1 in 4 to 1 in 6 people with the white wires leading into their jackets.