Crave Talk: Robberies rise, escape with your iPod

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 12:50pm

I recommend the "Creative zen" method. Buy a Zen, strip out all the innards, retain front, back and sides, sticking together to form a sleeve into which you can slide your ipod. Works with any deeply uncool and undesirable MP3 player. Retro fanatics might like to try this with a Walkman or even an old transistor radio. a.k.a "Trojan horse method"

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 1:20pm

Or ditch the white headphones, leave the ipod in your pocket, listen to death metal and be aware of what's going on.

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 1:42pm

check your math

98,204 - 90,747 = 7,457 More

7,457 / 90,747 = 8.2% Rise from the original level

22%? WTF?

AnonymousFri 21 July, 2006 1:44am

check your math! the equation is 90,747/98,204= x/ 100then you get the rate of increase. 1.082 x 90747 - 98,188 so the 8.2 is approx imate not wtf? or 22%

BobThu 20 July, 2006 1:43pm

The White Earbuds are always a dead giveaway, as soon as these are noticed, any would-be-mugger will know that you are carrying somewhere between £60 - £300 worth of kit.
On an average day I have seen people with nearly £1000 worth of gadgets, including laptops, ipods, mobile phones, Blackberry's and the such.

The solutions:
1. Get personal insurance and give your mugger what he wants, it is only stuff and if you go to a decent Insurance broker, get new for old.

2. Learn to defend yourself, and maybe get shot in the process.

3. Go retro, carry some change for the phone and hum to yourself.

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 1:57pm

How about a LONGER term solution. Vote in a government that actually locks up criminals, and then start locking them up?

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 1:57pm

Im sorry, you want to hold an iPod in place with a magnet?! Do you not know what that would do to the hard disk?! Jesus guys, this is meant to be a tech savvy site!!!

JeremyThu 20 July, 2006 4:10pm

Anonymous wrote: "Im sorry, you want to hold an iPod in place with a magnet?! Do you not know what that would do to the hard disk?! Jesus guys, this is meant to be a tech savvy site!!!"

Ummm. Anonymous, have you ever tried it? Did you know that the disk drive (such as is in an iPod) actually contains very strong magnet? At the distance that an externally attached magnet would be from the disk drive, it's very unlikely that it would have any deleterious effect whatsoever. In fact, I just placed very strong magnets all around my very own iPod, and it had no effect. P.S. Please control your language, sir, especially when you are talking out of the other end of your body.

LukeThu 31 May, 2007 2:58pm

On "Im sorry, you want to hold an iPod in place with a magnet?!":

Dude, you know NOTHING about hard-disks, huh? The MOST POWERFUL MAGNET I've ever seen is inside of EVERY hard disk. DOH!

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 1:58pm

Don't go to London

spiderThu 20 July, 2006 1:58pm

Disguise yourself as an old person with an around the ear hearing aid, which is actually a Bluetooth receiver listening to the transmitter listening to the iPod in the pocket of your shabby overcoat as you shuffle unsteadily.

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 2:03pm

The white earphones attract too much attention. Change these to black ones.

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 2:05pm

Coke can method does not work if you use a cider can.

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 2:07pm

depending on the ipod you can have a magnet with it so it looks like this is a tech savy sight.

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 2:09pm

So what does a semi-automatic weapon feel like when placed against the back of a journalist's head ? And how does the feeling differ compared with a fully-automatic weapon or one which entirely lacks automation ?

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 2:11pm

This Chris Walken method interests. But Apple would have to come up with a (much) smaller and rounder iPod (aPod?).

And as for the white earbuds, I don't think they would reach... So perhaps a set of Bluetooth headphones, or even in-the-ear hearing aid type earbuds would eliminate that teletale white cord coming from your rectum.

I guess any mugger, seeing where the white cord was coming from, would likely make a face and just leave in disgust.

If your cell phone was small enough, you could store that in there too, but again, you would need a hands-free headset, right? I imagine, with a bit of practice, you could learn to manipulate your colon to do the dialing as well.

But I am sure you would still walk funny, going down the street, regardless.

Me? I would instead, employ two hulking, armed bodyguards to walk with me. Or stay out of England altogther.

Cheers,
Roger Born
"These are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others."

MarcThu 20 July, 2006 2:11pm

First, aluminum is not magnetic, so that suggestion won't work.

Second: Why not mention the two most important steps you can take to prevent this kind of thing:
<ul>
<li>Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Your music is great, but it should never make you oblivious, and it should never be high enough in volume that you can't hear people (or traffic) around you in a potentially unsafe situation. (i.e., not at home/office)

<li>Don't look like a victim. It's amazing how many would-be criminals are put off by the simple fact that someone's head is up and their eyes are alert. There are many easier-looking targets for them.
</ul>
<p>Those two simple things are the first things you will learn in any self-defense class.

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 2:41pm

Carry a semi-automatic weapon so you can protect yourself and others.

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 5:52pm

Summary of the best ideas so far:

Legal in the UK: Be aware, hide your ipod inside your clothing, use non-white-earbuds. These will save you 99 of 100 times. Stop and listen, look behind you. Make eye contact with anyone who is making eye contact with you. Pay attention to "safe" places near where you are. In London, be prepared to defend yourself at each alley you pass. Cross the street randomly and continue. Choose the busier streets, not the alleys. Sit in a seat with a view of all doors, and close to at least two escape routes. Be aware of people who are moving unnecessarily close to you. Engage people in conversation when they seem nervous.

As some of my compatriots have pointed out, in the US, we choose to allow each other (law abiding citizens) to carry weapons. However, choosing to carry a gun brings many responsibilities, among them to be aware of your surroundings. When you decide to carry a weapon, you'd be amazed at how aware you become. It also means deciding beforehand what is and isn't fair to fight over, and where one should and shouldn't walk. It is very comforting to know that when and if the unfortunate circumstances present themselves, I will be ready, willing, and able to appropriately defend myself, my family, and my fellow citizens against criminals.

When all else fails, just carry a bit of cash, and no valuables. Cheers.

adrianFri 21 July, 2006 2:55pm

"In London, be prepared to defend yourself at each alley you pass. Cross the street randomly and continue. Choose the busier streets, not the alleys. Sit in a seat with a view of all doors, and close to at least two escape routes. Be aware of people who are moving unnecessarily close to you. Engage people in conversation when they seem nervous."

For christ's sake, we're talking about London, not some sort of post-meltdown Bladerunner world!

Stuff gets nicked in major capital cities... it always has done. Just take the same sensible precautions as you'd take anywhere. Keep tight hold of your things when in crowds, and avoid being ostentatious in rough areas. Aim for train carriages where there's already a mix of people in there. Oh, and ditch the white Apple earbuds... not just because they're obvious mugger-bait, but also because they're useless for listening to music properly.

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 2:48pm

Cake can method...

"Superglue a small magnet to the inside of the upper lip of the can"

Hmmm... Magnets and hard disks do not usually make the best of partnerships. Might be best to avoid this with disk based models.

Okay with a Nano though (solid state flash memory, not HD)

WillThu 20 July, 2006 2:48pm

Are you friggin serious... I hope you realize that people will try this and get hurt. Suburbanite yokel. Tourist. It's all fun and games isn't it. Look nothing, repeat nothing is worth dying over. It's an item that is 100% replaceable, you are not... Give up the stuff, you can always buy more. Bullets are not like in shows, they tear through flesh, crush and shatter bone and generally leave the target dead, dying or seriously injured, that's why we use them in wars. You are not fast enough, crap I would call it a tie between Jet Li and a mugger. If they are desperate enough to pull out a piece and point it then they have resolved themselves to using it as well. Please keep your underwear on the inside of your pants and don't try and be a hero.

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 2:53pm

I'm surprised that a site claiming to be tech-knowledgeable is willing to repeat the ignorant cries of the government and middle-england media. Just so that everyone who's not from the UK, the Metro and ITV are not reputable sources for discussion of such topics. Don't let the emotionally unbalanced state of the author whip you up into some frenzy that London's streets are unsafe. As tech enthusiasts, they should be aware the violent crime has not and cannot increase as a result of the increased popularity of a particular MP3 player. First of all, crime across the spectrum has increased since the last measured period, not just violent crime, it's just that violent crime has been singled out because they've found someway of attaching the word "iPod" to it. Secondly, the entire thing is suggesting that iPod's themselves have caused an increase in violent crime, which is stupid to suggest. Much more likely, violent crime has increased and it's iPod's that are being specifically targetted. They stand out as people are often stupid enough to wear Nano's round their necks in full view, and white earbuds are obviously a trademark of somebody listening to an iPod. People who previously have never mugged didn't suddenly decide "oh, that person's got an iPod, I'll mug them then", it's just because iPod's are recognisable what would have been more random (but still increased) attacks have become more targetted towards people who muggers can recognise are carrying something of relative worth.

Rather than over-reacting then giving joke solutions that serve no real purpose, the article should have mentioned that the best defense is hiding as much of your iPod as possible, keeping it in your pocket and having the earbud wire under your clothes, and to be aware of your surroundings at all time - making sure you stay in well lit areas, in a crowd, and staying off back streets.

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 2:57pm

"The Christopher Walken method" - is actually from True Romance, not Pulp Fiction. Probably pretty effective, but you gotta hope you own a Shuffle!

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 3:00pm

How about defending yourself. Carry a gun. An armed citizenry is a muggers worst nightmare (rapist as well).

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 3:01pm

It's not from True Romance it's from Pulp fiction (It's Butch's watch - Butch being a character from Pulp Fiction)

steveThu 20 July, 2006 3:01pm

#1 rule use common sense. walking thru a dicey neighborhood? put your fancy kit away, turn down the volume, keep alert, and know where you're going. it also helps if you don't look like your carrying expensive gear...

ipod - ditch the white headphones. not only are they a dead giveaway from a distance, but the white cabling get's dirty faster. go with a standard black, it's also less noticable from further away.

cell phone - keep it in your pocket and use a bluetooth earpiece. try not to talk so loudly(lot's of people tend to talk extra loud on cell phones in public). need to be a little more inconspicuous? turn down the ring volume/switch to vibrate, and put the ear piece in your pocket.

laptop - nothing screams LAPTOP louder than a standard black leather/ballistic nylon laptop case, move to a backpack or a messenger back with a sleeve. preferably a bag that doesn't have an expensive moniker(swiss army) or a unique look(bolbee)... think "i'm just a poor student" easkpak backpack.

in general you make yourself a mark if your too showy about your gear and appear too engrossed in what your doing and not enough about your surroundings. tone down the garish colors, the fancy ringtones and carrying cases, and appear to be paying attention.

EliaSun 15 October, 2006 6:48pm

Wear a Kimono and a black belt from house to work and viceversa, no muggers will approach you even if you have the stupid thing in your lap.

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 3:11pm

The Pulp Fiction reference is Vietnam, not WWII

Dr. SnugglesworthThu 20 July, 2006 3:18pm

My history might be fuzzy…. Did we fight the Vietnamese in WWII?

AlanThu 20 July, 2006 3:33pm

"When confronted by an iPod that has been taped to your chest by 15 loops of tightly wound gaffer tape he is likely to abandon you". Or slice you, and it, up with a knife.

A "man killed in World War II. His father had asked Walken's character to look after his watch when the two were captured and held in a Vietnamese prison camp". WWII was 20 years before the Vietnam War.

Coke can: "the magnet should hold the lid tightly shut." No it won't. Coke cans have been made of aluminum for about 40 years. Aluminium is non-magnetic.

You get paid for writing this crap?

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 3:41pm

Initially reading this on /. I thought the Chris Walken reference was to his movie the King of New York, but was sadly mistaken. I say wear your iPod, turn down the music, and if someone does give you some shit quote a line from the King of New York. (those who have not seen it do so!) Here is one of my favorites...

Frank White: From now on, nothing goes down unless I'm involved. No blackjack no dope deals, no nothing. A nickel bag gets sold in the park, I want in. You guys got fat while everybody starved on the street. Now it's my turn.

You could proceed to kick their arsses or ask them their names. It will completely throw them off. They are not expecting you to do anything but piss your pants and follow directions.

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 3:43pm

You guys can't read he said the CHILD of a man killed in world war II - quite possible, even if not correct....

YenyenThu 20 July, 2006 3:43pm

My mom's method to keeping her money saf from robbers and pick pockets is put it in a Bra with a pocket in the middle.
For ladies, it is the best method it can only fit cofortably an ipod nano. I've seen a craftser make a zippered pouch and put it on her legs. Remember Mrs Smith in the movie Mr & Mrs Smith. Instead of a knife it will hold an Ipod.

A funny one would be to make ipod carrying knickers.... will post here when I find one.

Chris Stevens (CNET)Thu 20 July, 2006 3:51pm

Thanks to everyone who noted that the watch Christopher Walken handed over in Pulp Fiction was in fact given to his character in Vietnam, not WWII. Butch's grandfather had, however, worn the watch in WWII and his father in WWI. That watch got around, and we've cleared up the error in the story now. As for the Coke can fiasco, as many posters have pointed out, Coke cans are not magnetic. We regret this error. We advise using a tin can instead, perhaps a Heinz Baked Bean tin. On second thought, perhaps you shouldn't be trying these suggestions at all! It's interesting that there is so much concern over the Coke can method, but so little controversy over the Walken method... Thank you for all your comments. Chris.

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Texas GlockThu 20 July, 2006 3:55pm

When I carry my expensive electronics in an urban area, I always pack another useful tool -- my 10mm Glock pistol. This fine example of Austrian craftsmanship it goes for about $600US. I've had a couple of gun-point conversations with muggers, but they have never taken my stuff.

Perhaps the Brits will remember their proud history and go back to allowing the law abiding to protect themselves once again. One can only hope.

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 4:33pm

Firstly, lose the white earphones. A pair of black earbuds work just as well as the white ones and look like you might be listening to an old walkman. You could encase the ipod in an old walkman case or in a pocket out of sight.

Flashing any toy around attracts attention, so keep it hidden at all times. My mp3 player fits in the pocket of my jeans so nobody can see it.

Trapping the ipod in an object with sharp edges such as a coke can would be a bad move, as you may cut fingers or the cord. Also, if you desired a drink in hot weather, wouldn't you look conspicuous carrying two cans of coke around?

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 5:17pm

Just what I want to do, live in a place where people can't help but steal shit from other people. Sounds like a wonderful place to live. Jeesh.

Chris SThu 20 July, 2006 5:20pm

Rather than gaffer tape, get one of the silicone iPod sleeves that includes a loop. Then get a neckstrap so that you can simply hang the iPod around your neck but under your shirt. Depending on the material, you can actually run the iPod through the shirt! However, you might want to put a piece of opaque material over the display, because if the shirt is thin enough to operate the iPod through, then the display will likely glow through your shirt.

Change the white headphones - they're a dead giveaway.

Finally, for the truly paranoid -- get a small FM transmitter for your iPod. Then get a cheap FM radio, maybe even one of those with only Reset and Scan buttons. Or you can just use an FM radio in a cell phone. Now you can listen to the FM radio signal transmitted from the iPod. Then if you get mugged, they can grab your headphones and cheap FM radio -- and they should think that is all there is. Of course, if you're doing this, be sure to carry your iPod out of sight!

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 5:21pm

"Disguise yourself as an old person with an around the ear hearing aid, which is actually a Bluetooth receiver listening to the transmitter"
Funny you should mention this, my brother wears hearing aids and just recently purchased a wireless transmitter for them (it's a wire you wear around your neck with a headphone jack at the end that plugs into your music device) he can walk around all day listening to whatever he wants and nobody can tell the difference.

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 5:26pm

Felt like a semi-automatic weapon?

What on earth does that feel like? How does it feel different from a single-shot weapon, a pipe or a ski pole?

Sorry, that makes no sense.

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 5:36pm

I don't know how popular it is over there, but in new york one popular technique, at least in crowded subway stations, is to simply yank the ipod out of your pocket by the headphone lead and run. so one simple solution to that problem is to run the headphone wire under your shirt. or wear tight pants. or use my solution, use a creative zen, it's waaaay too heavy to be pulled out by a measly headphone jack.

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 5:59pm

Get a really really cheap small $30 mp3 player, hook it to your headphones wire about an inch up the line from your ipod (which is buried in a bulky pocket). If you do this right, it should resemble how some MP3 players hook to the line in order to hold onto the player if the stereo jack comes free. If there's trouble pull on the headphone wire which will free from the ipod and be dangling the cheap MP3 player - as though the jack had been unhooked..

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 6:23pm

How about just superglue it to yourself. Face it, some of you don't put them down anyway. Or how about having it surgically implated under your skin, you could make a fassion statement and be really cool. You could just leave it at home and pay attention to what you are doing.

JoeThu 20 July, 2006 6:28pm

one -use a mountain dew or pesi can rather than a coke can (they might want the coke to drink)
two -the Ipod has some heft to it, chuck it at the muggers head or lower regions
three - I wouldn't want to have a ipod carved from my chest so taping it might be a bad Idea
four -same movie different idea carry a chainsaw and start calling the mugger "Gimp"

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 6:32pm

Bernard Getz has not had his ipod stolen!

www.animal-army.comThu 20 July, 2006 6:53pm

one night while on a trip to the liquor store in Puerto Limon, Costa Rica a street vagrant began following me asking for money. When i stopped to tell him to get a job (or at least play an instrument on the side of the road) and informed him i didnt have any money he demanded my "thing" (refering to my ipod) i promptly told him no way and began walking back to my hotel, telling him i was going to the bank to get money out to give him. despite his threats that his friends, or whoever, were going to jump me, i made it back safely to my hotel and laughed and pointed at him from the security of the inside.

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 7:05pm

I don't know what kind of coke you boyz be getting over there...
but stateside (or back in the world as it is often referred to from elsewhere) soda cans are made from non-ferrous metal. A magnet wouldn't seem to be a viable solution for holding the top on, securely or otherwise.

take my advice, I'm not using it

LeioThu 20 July, 2006 7:17pm

The math in the article is still wrong, the increase of 22% leads to 311,000? How is this possible when an increase of 8% the original number is 98,204? Also, does anyone find it strange that Crocker though he was getting mugged with a semi-automatic pistol, and then proceeded to chase the robbers after they left? The LAST thing I would do is follow someone with a handgun who just robbed me.

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 7:22pm

Or... if everyone that carried expensive electronic devices also carried a 9mm, the amount of robberies would plummet. Just make sure if you do decide to own a firearm, learn how to use it and visit the range every few months at the least.

Oh wait, this is about the UK; guess you guys are screwed.

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 7:57pm

Do like the Apple ads.... Have a friend wear all black and have them wear the ipod outside of their clothes. Herd theory... most likely they will be mugged before you do!

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 8:01pm

Etymotic could make you flesh colored custom Bluetooth headphones for your player. Everyone will just think you have hearing aids in. While the iPod sits safely in your pocket or bag.

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 8:05pm

I'm confused, why are white earphones a "dead giveaway"? I know lots of people who have white earphones, and they aren't from iPod. I have some white headphones I use on the plane, from Sony. I have another set of white headphones that came with my PSP.
(Granted, they robbers might like PSP even better than iPod...). Also, I know several people with iPods, who have better, more expensive earphones (like Shure) that aren't white. I guess the robbers would be disappointed in those? Anyway the UK government could try making sure criminals can't get guns if normal people can't. In the US it's easy to get a gun, but at least everyone can have them. In other places where guns are illegal, like Japan, criminals don't generally have them either, since they don't want to spend many, many years in jain just for having one.

SteveThu 20 July, 2006 8:28pm

How's this for an idea. You kick the muggers asses! I'd relesh the though of a mugger trying to jack anything that I'm carrying. Being a war veteran myself, an attempted mugging would be the last mistake they'd ever make. Whether or not they're armed wouldn't make a bit of difference.

On a side note about the UK Home Office fantasy about what leads to an increase in crime; You deny the populace the means to effectively defend themselves against assualt upon their persons, their property, and their dignity; while similtaneously failing to protect them via law enforcement. Gee, the result appears to be pretty predictable to me.

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 9:01pm

My favorite method is still the Sneakmove urban camo option http://www.sneakmove.com/2005/09/diy-ipod-nano-case-with-urban-camo.html

voidThu 20 July, 2006 9:06pm

It could not have been an automatic pistol. Pistols are illegal in England. Only the police are allowed to have them.

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 9:08pm

Take the guts out of an old, beat up cd player. Coat liberally in duct tape to make it look like it's being held together by a whim and a prayer. Maybe even consider having a small child run over it with his bike a few times, to give it that rustic, ghetto look. Then when you're sure that you would be embarrassed to be seen with this thing in public, place your ipod inside and ditch the white earbuds that come with your ipod for some cheap black ones. White headphone cables are a dead giveaway that you have an expensive mp3 player on your person.

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 9:19pm

What's wrong with a 300,000 volt 20 dollar stun gun? :D

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 9:53pm

"It could not have been an automatic pistol. Pistols are illegal in England. Only the police are allowed to have them."

Many things are illegal but it doesn't meanpeople don't have them.
If someones willing to mug someone they're hardly going to be worried about owning an illegal weapon are they.

DanielThu 20 July, 2006 10:28pm

I like the Glock method mentioned previously. Tape the Ipod to the handle of the glock so you don't misplace it :)

On the other hand, the Christopher Walken method does have it's advantages too. Now I'm not a mugger, but if I saw a guy with a pair of headphones apparantly plugged into his rectum, I would STILL think twice about mugging him. Even if it does end up that the guy's not a whacko actually getting messages from his anus and there's an ipod at the end of the wire, I would have to consider whether I wanted it THAT much!

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 10:53pm

Doesn't London have like 1 billion video cameras watching the city? Where the hell is Big Brother when you need to ID the guy who nicked your iPod?

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 10:53pm

Carry a fake iPod in addition to your real iPod. The fake iPod being packed full of explosives, and the remote being in your pocket. If you are a nice guy, maybe fill the iPod with cat pee instead.

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 10:55pm

Hire Chuck Norris as a body gaurd.

AnonymousThu 20 July, 2006 10:58pm

The Brits are a bunch of knackers. This is the final proof. Don't go there, go to Germany instead.

HunterFri 21 July, 2006 12:14am

Promptly drop your wallet on the ground. When the mugger is retreiving him, remove
your firearm and fire 1 9mm full metal jacket into the muggers head. He will immediately
die and his splattered brains will deter any nearby would-be muggers. Promptly wipe
down the weapon, and when police arrive explain that you disarmed his first weapon and
executed him with it. This is of course, highly unlikely, but very entertaining. A dead
mugger is an entertaining mugger.

StimpyCatFri 21 July, 2006 12:48am

How about getting an old walkman from the 80's gut the inside and pop your ipod in there, change to something other than the tell-tail while ear buds and your sorted. There isn't a street savy mugger around that would want an old cassette playing walkman! (yo man whats that thing?) Mind you in Hackney they would still probably shoot you because they couldn't take something from you.

AnonymousFri 21 July, 2006 12:52am

you people have too much free time

AnonymousFri 21 July, 2006 3:44am

Just get a walkman and keep it in the same pocket as the ipod (get some better earbuds too), and when they try to take your ipod just give them the walkman.

AnonymousFri 21 July, 2006 10:19am

Congratulations! You have now completed a circular comment list (see first comment posted).

Mike PaulusFri 21 July, 2006 11:27am

As an American my suggestion would be taboo in UK. Pressure lawmakers to allow law abiding private citizens to carry firearms.

The many who choose not to carry get a benefit from the few who do, because criminals never know.

absFri 21 July, 2006 1:32pm

use black head phones and use something to control your ipod remotely so that you dont need to pull it out when changing tracks. something like a igriffin airclick.

AnonymousFri 21 July, 2006 1:36pm

Walken method all the way! I've always said Ipod were a shit device and I prove it every day with this piece of metal stuck in a painful place.

MyselfFri 21 July, 2006 1:37pm

Hunter, Full metal jacket is fun to say but is not a great slug for killing, a hollow point or plain lead are bot better for that. Full metal jackets are used by people that put alot of rounds through their firearm and want it easy to clean.

A hand grenade is a much mor effective weapon in this situation anyway. If you think you can pull a concealed gun and fire faster then someone who already has their gun out and a finger on the triger can "bust a cap" in you, you are mistaken. If you are intent on killing yourself you might at least try to damage the robber.

BenFri 21 July, 2006 2:54pm

"As an American my suggestion would be taboo in UK. Pressure lawmakers to allow law abiding private citizens to carry firearms. The many who choose not to carry get a benefit from the few who do, because criminals never know."

Yeah, that's sensible. Take a minor crime like mugging, and then magnify it beyond belief by encouraging your citizens to carry deadly firearms around. Real sensible. And of course, this approach works so well in the US .**

(** - where of course comparatively few people are actually licensed to carry guns around all day every day, in any case)

SimonLFri 21 July, 2006 3:29pm

How about attaching the Apple Earbuds to a cheap mp3 player from Aldi... I'm sure the muggers will be so chuffed with their new toy...

AnonymousFri 21 July, 2006 5:41pm

How about learn Karate or something. It's not that hard. If you really give this much of a shit about your Ipod, then you best get your head checked.

Secondly, I don't know why the hell you would travel through an alley way where you know there are some sketchy people hanging around with lots of gadgets. There is nothing you can do to a mugger unless the mugger is a pussy. If you have a gun, then he will give you the Ipod back, or you should arbitrarily have the right to shoot them in my mind.

ChrisSun 23 July, 2006 5:31pm

Move to Texas, where the criminals aren't the only one carrying guns. I always travel with my two best friends, Smith and Wessen. God bless Texas.

AnonymousMon 24 July, 2006 1:07am

The gaffer tape with a twist. Attach your ipod, cell phone and any other gadget you might own wrapped around with gaffer tape on the outside of your body, where it's fully visible at all times. You may find that muggers, as well as everybody else, will run away from someone carrying their gadgets in aforementioned fashion. Downside is you are likely to be gunned down by the British police (or some friendly visiting Texan). Do not attempt this in turkish airports, as they will midnight express your ass.

AnonymousMon 24 July, 2006 12:33pm

You can stop this problem by use of the concealed carry law.

A simple permit allows anyone to walk around armed to the teeth,
usually a .45 cal, a 9mm, or a small .38 ladies gun.

Those who feel the need to be extra ready can carry two or three guns,
or perhaps go with the variety of stun guns that say 'don't rob me' effectively,
without causing serious injury (most of the time).

Muggings stop when criminals know they will get a fight.

Crime rates in USA cities drop dramatically when concealed weapons permits
are readily available to lawful citizens.

AnonymousWed 26 July, 2006 6:40pm

Christopher Walken wasn't in Pulp Fiction. That incident you describe with the watch was in True Romance. Good thing you geeks write about tech and not movies.

BlackfeatherWed 26 July, 2006 7:15pm

Yes he was! Before you start insulting the Cnet staff, either WATCH the film in question, or check the IMDB. Here's a link to the Christopher Walken quote from Pulp Fiction:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110912/quotes#qt0189946

AnonymousWed 26 July, 2006 8:16pm

I would hate to go to the UK...if I lived there I would just move so my ipod would be safe. In america we don't put ipod up our butts so no one will steal them!!!

EmmaWed 26 July, 2006 8:27pm

can the 0.0001% of American, concealed weapon packing psychos shush about carrying loaded, or otherwise, weapons to protect your stupid iPod.

Get a grip, get a life.

The best way to get back at a mugger is carry two Pods, one is loaded with Mariah Carey songs so the git gets all he deserves, this is the one you give upon being mugged!!

AnonymousWed 26 July, 2006 9:52pm

y dont u people just get clone ipods and use them....there actually pretty cool

AnonymousWed 26 July, 2006 11:04pm

I'm so glad England went through all that trouble to ban handguns. It must have been an off-duty bobby. I'm sure of it. It had to be.

What would a common criminal be doing with an illegal firearm?

LachlanWed 26 July, 2006 11:32pm

Emma wrote "0.0001% of American, concealed weapon packing psychos"

I'm sorry what?

You have to be kiddin mate. You americans have no idea about what goes on around you.
1. This is a UK site. Mugging is alot worse there than in most places in America.
2. You americans have some states where the law is that you MUST carry a gun. 0.0001% my ass.
3. STFU.

These methods are all good ways to prevent theft. I see that the black earphones thing has been suggested. That is the easiest way.

To all the idiots who complained about the Pulp fiction method; If you think the guys at CNET.co.uk were serious about this then you oviosly deserve to have your ipod/gadget stolen.

AnonymousThu 27 July, 2006 3:31am

The CNET ideas are great to transport an iPod, but don't really let you listen to it. How about getting an old broken iPod, strip out the innards and place a note in there that reads 'the police are now watching you'. Next, put the good iPod down your pants and the mock iPod in your jacket pocket. Run your earphones down into your jacket into the good iPod making sure no one 'really' knows where the leads are going. If you get mugged, pass them the mock iPod. Downside - you'll need a mock iPod every second day of the week.

lolaThu 27 July, 2006 10:58am

why do muggers steal ipods besides geting one for them? they steal ipods to sell them! if you want to reduce this kind of crime DO NOT buy "used" ipods from questionable sources. do not go shopping to places were you know they sell stolen stuff!!! this will help reduce all kinds of robbery from ipods to car stereos.

zoaraThu 27 July, 2006 12:25pm

Two things that scare me:

1. The number of people who are taking these suggestions seriously.

2. The number of people who think carrying guns around is a good way to reduce violence

Roger BornThu 27 July, 2006 3:36pm

This Chris Walken method interests. But Apple would have to come up with a (much) smaller and rounder iPod (aPod?).

And as for the white earbuds, I don't think they would reach... So perhaps a set of Bluetooth headphones, or even in-the-ear hearing aid type earbuds would eliminate that teletale white cord coming from your rectum.

I guess any mugger, seeing where the white cord was coming from, would likely make a face and just leave in disgust.

If your cell phone was small enough, you could store that in there too, but again, you would need a hands-free headset, right? I imagine, with a bit of practice, you could learn to manipulate your colon to do the dialing as well.

But I am sure I would still walk funny, going down the street, regardless, let alone dance . . . sorry. Perhaps Chris has a hardened rectum, to be able to dance so well with that equipment stowed away...

I guess if you wished to employ your aPod in another configuration, you should probably be wise and store it up your rectum inside a baggie first. I doubt that even an aPod would be washable.

Me? I would employ two hulking, armed bodyguards to walk with me. Or stay out of England altogther, where the police are unarmed, and say "HALT, or I will be forced to say HALT again!"

Cheers,
Roger Born
"These are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others."

AnonymousFri 28 July, 2006 8:40pm

Give the guy a break. It actually is possible to tell a semi-automatic from a revolver based upon the size of the surface contact you get. (A revolver would only have a round barrel against your skull, the semi would have a much larger square contact patch - due to the slide rod). It's ok, Brits don't know much about guns anymore...

It would be difficult to tell a semi from a full automatic, but as rare as the full auto pistols are (have you even seen them in a movie besides the one Morphius used?) it's a reasonable assumption.

Oh, and in the States, some soda can lids are make of steel. The magnet idea actually would work. Oh, and a stable magnetic field doesn't wipe hard drives either...there are a ton of magnets inside your computer. It's the rapidly moving magnets that are a problem.

Finally, my one complaint about the article. The Walken method offers up way too many mental images of rectum-based iPod control contests. I can see it now... a stage full of half-naked people competing to be the first one to play the latest Brittany Spears song. (I'm not sure what part of that image is the most disturbing)

AnonymousFri 28 July, 2006 8:46pm

Lola, that is the best idea I've heard all day - and it bears repeating...

If you did not buy your iPod from a store, you bought it from a mugger. You are just as big of a jerk as he was (and in my opinion should be prosecuted the same).

Oh, and guns do reduce certain kinds of violence. The city I live in requires by law that every household owns a gun. There hasn't been a single home invasion since the law was passed. I don't think the UK can claim that...

AnonymousFri 28 July, 2006 8:57pm

Lola, that is the best idea I've heard all day - and it bears repeating...

If you did not buy your iPod from a store, you bought it from a mugger. You are just as big of a jerk as he was (and in my opinion should be prosecuted the same).

Oh, and guns do reduce certain kinds of violence. The city I live in requires by law that every household owns a gun. There hasn't been a single home invasion since the law was passed. I don't think the UK can claim that...

AnonymousSat 29 July, 2006 9:03pm

i think muggers know that people have i-pods for the white head phones so if they see people with white headphones in their ears it would b really obvious that they have one but if someone uses black head phones muggers would think that it's just a normal cheap mp3 player and they wouldnt bother. or you could cover the white headphones with a scarf or sum clothing or your hair...

AnonymousTue 1 August, 2006 7:31am

Or maybe crime is increasing because you fookin' idiots have stopped punishing it.

When someone threatens your life and steals your property, you have to do more than warn him not to do it again. You have to kill the bastard. Then he CAN'T do it again.

BryanSun 13 August, 2006 5:44pm

Combine a young population that isnt allowed to arm itself properly, but does like its expensive toys with a set of criminals who dont care about the law in the first place and you get what you see.

AnonymousThu 18 January, 2007 2:59pm

I can't tell if the author is stupid or just not funny. Are all the responses jokes or just the butt one?

1. a magnet won't stick to an aluminum can.
2. putting magnets next to electronic devices is usually a bad thing, yes, even with flash memory.

StretchThu 18 January, 2007 6:41pm

Ok.. Alot of crazy comments on this one. Not to mention too many US gun nuts.. Alot of whom seem to be forgeting that 99% of English muggers don't carry a weapon at all. They're brazen enough to just beat you down for your goods.
The most sensible comment was the fellow who suggested keeping your chin up and making eye contact. But as I'm just under 7 foot tall i rarely have any trouble.. So my advice is grow a bit :)

GusFri 19 January, 2007 10:02pm

The best way to avoid iMugging is:

1. Replace the all-white "Hey I Have An iPod" headphones
2. Set the iPod password (at least the mugger can't use it)
3. Register with http://www.stolenipods.com

AnonymousMon 3 December, 2007 11:43pm

1. Black earphones - get some Sennheisers since they're better than apple earspuds anyway
2. iPod in pocket. Cable under shirt, pops out only by ears, hardly noticeable
3. Walk fast
4. Carry a bow and arrow, like in The Weatherman