But the iPod, at least in some cities, is a different matter. New York Police reported a 20 percent spike in subway robberies so far this year, primarily driven by an increase in iPod thefts.

The iPod is a natural street target too. A 25-year-old out jogging in New York's Central Park was recently mugged by a group of teens that took off with his iPod. A man in Washington, out walking near the National Zoo, was stabbed and robbed of his digital music player.

So far, Chicago Police and the CTA report no noticeable trend of stolen iPods here. Theft records aren't broken down to that level of detail, but officials say there's no anecdotal evidence to indicate a problem, either.

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What to do?

Consider swapping out the white, telltale earbuds for something less recognizable. Also, keep it in a zipped inside pocket. If someone tugs at the earphones, that's all they'll get.

Tom Firestine doesn't listen to his iPod when he goes for a jog, but that's pretty much his only concession to safety. Fire-stine, 21, said he thinks the concern about iPod thefts is overblown.

"I don't see why it would be stolen any more than a watch or a wallet or anything else," he said

Perhaps not, but iPods seem to possess more personal value than a watch or a wallet. Credit cards can be replaced, but what about the hours spent compiling perfect playlists that may never have been backed up?

The number of reported stolen iPods is slight compared to other stolen items--and not even on record in Chicago--but the media's disproportionate interest in the story plays off fear more than anything else.