Lynch, 31, is one of a handful of iPod owners using the device to transmit FM radio stations from their car. He uses a bumper sticker on the back of his fender that reads "iPod @ 89.1 FM" to let passers-by know how to tune in.

"Every now and then I get someone who flashes their lights or I get a wave as I turn away," said Lynch. "It's just fun."

. . .

Once a friend suggested using a bumper sticker to advertise the frequency on which he was transmitting, Lynch was off and running. He became his own mini-pirate radio station.

"For four car-lengths around me was this little bubble of — me! Whatever I wanted to listen to! So I could be listening to Chris Rock talking about dating and meeting women in a club and then the next song go straight to Neil Sadaka."

With more than 3.5 million iPods and iPod minis sold, Apple's pocket-sized marvel is still in charge of the digital music player market. But they may also be the victim of their own success as other electronics manufacturers, such as Sony, Rio and Creative, rush to get their piece of the digital music pie.

But don't bother telling Lynch about the next generation of players.

"We all should have iPods," Lynch said. "As an American, you should have an iPod."

Lynch says that due to the iPod's simplicity, portability and accessibility, Apple has found that perfect niche between doing too much and doing too little. Rival devices may win praise, but not from him.

"Every month CNET.com releases a new news story for the new 'iPod killer.' It's like, OK, it weighs more than the iPod, it's bigger than the iPod, the screen is bigger than the iPod, you know, everything is bigger. It'll drive your car and record your television — but nobody's buying them, because nobody's doing that," he said. "You have to get into their life, you can't add to it."

He also believes that iPod tweakers and accessory manufacturers have just scratched the surface when it comes to innovation.

Lynch says iPod fans should "hang in there — because next month, there'll be a way to make a margarita with the thing!"