A British software firm called StarBrite is selling pPod, a virtual iPod for Pocket PCs. It runs on any Pocket PC with Microsoft's handheld OS.

On the market just two weeks, it's virtually identical to a real iPod.

The application fills the Pocket PC's screen with a faithful facsimile of a real iPod, including the player's distinctive scroll wheel and four buttons for playing, pausing, etc.

Like the iPod, the pPod is controlled by its virtual scroll wheel. Most Pocket PCs have touch-sensitive screens, which allow users to navigate the pPod's menus with their fingers, just like the iPod.

The UI (I just learned that cool people use the abbreviation UI for user interface, and you know how important it is to me to be thought cool) is also just like the iPod's. Songs are arranged by a series of nested menus, which can be browsed by artist, album, genre, etc.

"It works exactly the same way, except it's software and it costs $20," said a StarBrite spokesman, who wished to remain anonymous.

One important difference from the iPod: the pPod plays only MP3 files, and won't work with the AAC format used at Apple's iTunes Music Store.

Also, the limited storage capacity of most Pocket PCs, which typically have up to 64 MB of internal memory, limits you to about a dozen songs. However, the pPod software works with (n.b. - I refuse to use the word "supports" as a synonym for "works with" - it's stupid, jargon-laden, and brain-dead. But I digress) memory cards, which can be swapped in and out, offering potentially unlimited storage.

You can get a free demo that functions for three days from the company's website.

Apple declines to comment. You can bet, though, that a restraining order and cease-and-desist sanction is being sought this very moment in the courtroom out at Cupertino. Better buy it fast, before it disappears under the threat of heavy litigation and potential damages.

Addendum: the above was written Tuesday morning; Wednesday morning I checked the link out of curiosity and found, to my amazement, that Apple's lawyers had, in the previous 24 hours, beaten Starbrite into submission.

The product has been renamed "pBop." R.I.P., pPod, which was so much better a name, but hey, what can you do when Steve Jobs suddenly channels Bill Gates?