Oct. 12--Just over the divider from the iPod and MP3-player aisle, the accessory aisles lurk.

Headphones? Dozens of styles. Cases? Pick a color, material and size.

And it doesn't get any better in the mobile phone section.

Buying the latest gadget isn't as simple as taking it off the shelf and swiping your card. It probably needs to be protected somehow, and it might need a spare battery.

A sales associate at Best Buy's Village Pointe store, who declined to be named, said accessory sales are very healthy.

"We sell a lot of cases and chargers," he said.

There's no end to the accessories available for today's small electronics. Many devices are somewhat delicate, making protection a priority. Some users like a customized gadget in whatever color they choose.

"We have a little phone bag that literally looks like a mini Gucci purse," said Andy Fillingsness, a sales representative at Phones Plus in Omaha. "It looks like something you'd see on a lady who has a little dog in her purse."

Sometimes accessories can add significantly to a new device's cost. But some are actually low-tech, low-cost solutions to common complaints.

Take a product called BudFits, for example. The soft, C-shaped rubber pieces attach to iPod earbuds to provide a secure fit while exercising.

BudFits are a good choice for those who like stock iPod headphones but don't like how they tend to fall out while running. Best of all, a pair of BudFits is only $9 on Amazon.com. Those with larger ears should be warned, though -- you might feel pressure on the back of your ears due to BudFits' shape.

And for those who don't like Apple's stock iPod earbuds in any configuration, there are plenty of good options for under $20 from Sony, Panasonic, Philips and Koss.

Having an armband for your iPod or Zune is ideal when running. Though the options are numerous, those with a wider strap are better. They'll provide more support and security while eliminating any bouncing.

It could be argued that the boom in available accessories for all media players has everything to do with the iPod. The standard model, now called "Classic," has always had a polished metal back. While aesthetically pleasing, the surface was a fingerprint -- and scratch -- magnet.

"If you've got a full-size iPod, chances are you've got a full-size iPod with scratches," wrote Dan Frakes in a MacWorld article from 2005.

Enter the iPod case industry. The current-generation iPod Touch, released in September, also has a scratch-prone back, as did the original and third-generation Nano models.