Mr Jobs announced this week, for instance, that Mercedes, Nissan, Volvo, Scion, Alfa Romeo and Ferrari will join BMW and offer iPod controls in their steering wheels.

ECONOMIST: The halo effect

While we're fairly certain you already own at least one piece of apparel with electrostatic iPod controls on them, they'll eventually end up in the wash (we hope), leaving you liaison-less for the day.

ENGADGET: Nike unveils iPod-controlling C.O.R.E. Backpack iD

Nike allows you to fully customize the backpack, and aside from choosing your alma mater's colors, the "Nike Flow" backpanel, or the sweet "security zippers, " you can opt to have the iPod controls built straight into the strap.

ENGADGET: Nike unveils iPod-controlling C.O.R.E. Backpack iD

The on-board monitor in BMW and MINI provides users with the simplicity and familiarity they have come to trust in their iPhone and iPod touch and the intuitive and integrated iPod navigation menu can be safely operated through the vehicle's interface controls.

ENGADGET: BMW supports iPod Out, fills your 2011 auto with 2001's finest user interface

The ability to use your iPhone or iPod touch to control your U-verse TV with a full-featured, intuitive U-verse remote control with channel, guide, DVR, interactive app and on-demand controls, now available on the U-verse App for iPhone and iPod touch.

ENGADGET: AT&T U-Verse iPad app adds more streaming video, new sports and sharing features

The changes that we've seen since the debut of the iPod have mostly been refinements - thinner designs, color screens, smaller form factors, shuffled controls, and tweaked interfaces.

ENGADGET: Switched On: The "i" behind iPod -- innovation, integration, or inertia?