Mary Beth Faller
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 1, 2005 12:00 AM

Apple iPods - the cute little audio devices that can store thousands of songs - were one of the hottest gifts this holiday season. Amazon and other top retailers sold out of the devices, which cost $249 to $599, depending on the model.

Apple hasn't released sales figures, but industry experts predicted it would ship nearly 5 million iPods in the December quarter.

Dennis Lloyd, founder and publisher of iPodLounge.com, says his site was swamped after Christmas.

"What's nice about it is that it's easy to use," he says. "So the main thing people were looking for is accessories. We have more than 400 items in our product guide," including cases, batteries, adapters, cleaners and remotes.

The site also hosts a forum for iPod lovers to exchange tips and solutions. And while Lloyd says the device's beauty is in its simplicity, there are a few cool functions that users might not know about. Look for them at www.iPodLounge.com:

• E-book reader: Download third-party software and read e-books on the go. Click on: "articles," then "iPod 101."

• Data transport: The iPod is basically a portable hard drive. Upload data from work to take home. Click on: "articles," "features," then "iPod 201."

• Personal data holder: Hold contacts, calendar and notes. Download software to connect your personal digital assistant to your iPod. Click on: "help," then "FAQs."

• Sleep inducer: Download 10-second samples of white noise until you have as many minutes as you want, then set to repeat. Click on: "help," then "tips and tricks."

• Games: There's a "hidden" Breakout game in some versions. Click on: "help," then "tips and tricks."

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