Why is the iPod such a phenomenon? Capacity, convenience and style. Home network integration is coming with AirTunes. The BMW announcement made a big splash and you know there is somebody out there who will buy a Bimmer as an accessory for their iPod. The next step is a true home entertainment device.
Why is the iPod such a phenomenon? Capacity, convenience and style.
What has propelled the iPod to such great heights? The small physical size and relatively large storage capacity of the 1.8″ drive was of primary importance. Everyone seemed unsure about the cost, but that did not prove to be much of an impediment. Second was a fast plug and play Firewire connection that initially limited the audience, but momentum has been building like a freight train. The move to bring the iPod and then iTunes to Windows kept things growing along with USB 2 support. The music store legitimized digital music. The iPod Mini is even smaller with a better overall design.
Home network integration is coming with AirTunes. I can’t wait until someone makes a remote control that looks just like an iPod Mini to control iTunes. I can use my Bluetooth phone in my music room and control iTunes in my office in the next room using Romeo, so I just need an Airport Express to connect to my stereo and I should be in business.
The car. This is VERY important. The BMW announcement made a big splash and you know there is somebody out there who will buy a Bimmer as an accessory for their iPod. I am waiting for the Alpine solution to hit the streets. Aside from providing more information and control at the head unit, this solution can be purchased directly as a retrofit for existing cars. Further, Alpine is an OEM supplier to many auto manufacturers and the success of this product could make the iPod the defacto digital solution for the automobile alongside satellite radio. If Apple can get car dealers selling iPods financed right along with a new car, that will be a big boost. Here is where a nice “Spiff” or direct payout to a salesman can work wonders.
The next step is a true home entertainment device that does not rely on music stored on a PC. Something that will throw the iTunes interface up on the TV screen with its own mass storage for a music collection as well as video recording capability.
