My take is, it would be *rude* to take an Ipod. You are there to listen. Take a book for when they aren't talking to you, but don't block out the judge. They won't like it one little bit, and it is up to them to make the rules, not a rule-book. Take your cell phone and leave it on vibrate, and accept no calls that aren't from a bleeding youngster, not even to say "can I call you back" as I know you aren't allowed to *talk* on it in the courtroom, that is universal. But I would think you could play games and stuff, with no sound.