Is there such a thing as a free iPod?

"You can't always get what you want," sing The Rolling Stones. But
sometimes you can, and for free, even New York's most popular toy for adults and teens--the Apple iPod. Although via a marketing website you may not have to pay for the hot gadget monetarily, but people are still paying for them with their time and energy.

At freeipods.com, an online site, you can get the latest iPod Photo, colorful iPod Minis and the new iPod Shuffle without spending the $250 it normally costs.

According to the rules, you must complete an offer from one of their sponsors and then refer three or five friends, depending on which iPod you choose. The more expensive models, like the iPod Photo and 40G require you to refer five friends, but if it is the small $99 Shuffle that you want, you only have to refer three friends. Once each of your referrals completes an online subscription offer, you will supposedly be mailed a free iPod.

Is this a gimmick? Not according to Manhattan resident and Part-Time Media Assistant, Tony Yan, 21, who gave the pink iPod Mini that he received through the program to a friend as a gift, since he already had an iPod of his own.