iPods Lead To Rise In Crime Rate?

So, is there anything to the idea that iPods have led to an increase in the crime rate? At least one study says the answer to that question is yes.

The Washington-based think-tank Urban Institute argues that the popularity of Apple's portable musical devices is at the heart of a rise in the violent crime rate in 2005 and 2006, after the rate had gone down every year since 1991.

The study suggests iPods are tempting targets for thieves, because they are valuable and easy to resell. The study also says iPod users tend to be easy targets because they often listen to their devices on the street, making themselves oblivious to their surroundings.

However, some critics say a close look at the findings suggests there are holes in the Urban Institute's hypothesis. Apple, which has looked into the idea of anti-theft locks for the devices, has had no comment on the study.