Freshome decided to survey one of the more interesting lines of iPod/MP3 player accessories out there: pillows. Seems like everyone's embedding speakers into the favored nighty-night companion. We've covered one of the seven devices they've surveyed, the Pillow Pod, but the other six turn out to be interesting in their own right.

There's the iPod Speaker Pillow set that comes in Rectangle and Neck - the Neck's gonna be useful for those long, long, long car trips. Options like the sports-themed iPod speaker pillows or the Cozy Tunes Speaker Pillow carry only the basic function of serving as a soft speaker. The Sound Pillow doubles as an MP3 player speaker and a tinnitus relaxer, actually designed by the UK Royal National Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

   

Most interesting perhaps are the iPod Pillow and the Music Cure Pillow (the two serve as this article's top images). The iPod pillow isn't just a speaker: it also has a built-in FM tuner and the buttons on the darn thing work! (For volume, switch-to-radio, scan for station, and power-off).

The Music Cure Pillow may be the priciest of the bunch, but it also ensures the best night's sleep. For it integrates speakers with ergonomic posture tech: "the pillow is made of viscoelastic foam... supports and relieves pressure on the heads and shoulders, thereby minimizing the risk of bedsores." That certainly sounds like a lullaby. Now, to find the bed that goes with this...

First of all, I just have to say...OH.MY.GOD. No wait, make that oh.my.effing.god! Can this be true? The Beatles are finally gonna have their songs on iTunes store after the whole Apple vs. Apple fiasco?

And not only that, Apple (as in the computer company) is allegedly in negotiation with Britain's EMI group. Apple wants to gain them rights to come out with a Beatles edition iPod, much like the U2-inspired edition that Apple currently has.

As we told you guys in an earlier article, The Beatles remains as one of the very few bands that haven't taken a bite of Steve Jobs' apple. Bob Seger and Metallica have already given in, and so has the Red Hot Chili Peppers. To date, iPod users have resorted to downloading their fave Beatles tunes off Limewire or other download services. Is all that about to change now?

Being a Beatlemaniac myself, I couldn't be more psyched about this but then again, these are all still mere speculation. And when Apple was contacted regarding the matter, the company's spokesman merely said that the company does not comment on "rumor and speculation."

But the latest buzz is that Apple is "close" to reaching an agreement with EMI to become The Beatles' exclusive online music store for a limited window of time. Oh, and that's not all, Apple is also said to be wooing EMI to let them use a a Beatles song for a company ad. Trivia: Nike was the only company to ever have used a Beatles song for an ad - "Revolution" - back in 1987, for which the company was sued by the Fab Four.

During that whole controversy, the Beatles was reported to have commented that they "don't sing jingles to peddle sneakers, beer, pantyhose, or anything else." Perhaps mp3 players then? Hahaha. I dunno 'bout the rest of you guys, but if Apple does come out with a Beatles-edition iPod, not even George and John's rise from the grave will stop me from getting one.

Holdout artists, come out, come out, wherever you are...

In this iPod day and age where CD sales are continually dropping and more and more people flock to the Internet to download and buy songs, analysts say that bands and artists (or what we call 'holdouts') would inevitably have to give in to Apple and allow their songs to be purchased on the company's download site if they don't want to be left behind in the industry.

Andrews, manager for Bob Seger and Kid Rock, is amazed at the popularity of Apple's iTunes in the music industry (about 70 percent of the legal downloading market) having sold over a million songs in the last three years. Bob Seger has decided to release his classic 1976 album "Night Moves" but is still in negotiation to have his entire album downloadable and not just some of his select songs.

Metallica, who ironically was one of the bands who petitioned for Napster to be shut down, has also given in to iTunes and released their songs for sale late last month. The Red Hot Chili Peppers did the same thing in April with "Stadium Arcadium," their first album in three years. The band, along with Bob Dylan, has also used the site to sell concert tickets.

Holdouts such as the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Garth Brooks, Radiohead and Kid Rock still avoid iTunes because of piracy and artistic integrity concerns (with their songs being sold for just 99 cents each). Also, online distribution leaves them with a very small profit.  Andrews similarly revealed that artists are now earning less than a dime for each song sold, as compared to the 30 cents that they used to get.

Other record labels won't release statements (just yet) about allowing their artists' songs to be downloadable in iTunes but admit they're working with their artists and bands to keep their options open about their music and album sales, especially online distribution.

Jason Bunch was merrily mowing the lawn while plugged to his iPod when a bolt of lightning put an end to his chores. Thankfully, he survived although we think the iPod had worse luck. Anyway, instead of blaming Zeus the dead iPod got the flak for the incident. Not a few thought it was merely an open casting call for lawyers. But now doctors in London issued a warning against listening to an iPod (or using a cell phone) during a thunderstorm.

The doctors didn't explain why iPods and other electronic devices could accidentally put its owner on deathrow. Must be the metal? Well, Jason was listening to heavy-metal rock group Metallica. Until somebody comes up with an iPod (or iPod Killer) that does not attract lightning, we'll follow doctor's orders for now.

A 17 year old dude from Colorado, truly rode the lightning and maybe even felt like he's strapped in an electric chair. Jason Bunch was listening to some Metallica in his iPod while mowing the lawn when Metallica's Ride the Lightning furiously came to life in the form of a lightning that hit him dangerously.

The teen vaguely remembers what happened, what he knew is that a storm was coming from the north and he has to go inside in a few minutes. The next thing he knew, he was lying in his bed, bleeding from his ears and vomiting his guts out. He has no idea how he managed to crawl back in the house.

Bunch was taken to Sky Ridge Medical Center and placed in intensive care and was sent home a few days later. Apparently, after the hospital stay, he called a girl he was supposed to hook up with and explained his absence -- "'I did not stand you up. I was struck by lightning". Nice manners.

His ears were burned on the inside, and he's lost some hearing, mostly on the right side. His hair was also toasted and his other wounds follow the line of his iPod, from his ears down his right side to his hip, where he was carrying the device. The iPod has a hole in the back, and the earbuds dissolved into green threads. Is it just me or do I smell another lawsuit coming at Apple's way?