Apple takes iPod to the Skies

The already dominating digital music player, iPod is going to get stronger, with its manufacturer, Apple Inc. striking a deal with six major carriers to have in-flight iPod connections.

With more than 75 per cent of the US market for digital music players, the iPod is already decisively encroached in the auto industry. Over 70 per cent of 2007-model US automobiles are presently offering iPod connectivity as an option.

In an announcement yesterday, Apple said it is joining hands with Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United to offer a perfectly consistent integration between in-flight entertainment systems and its digital revolution, iPod.

The six airlines will offer iPod seat connections that will enable passengers to charge their players during flight, as well as allow them to play iPod video content on the larger displays located in the backs of seats. The displays range from 7 inches to 23 inches, depending on the cabin class.

"There is no better traveling companion than an iPod, and now travelers can power their iPods during flight and even watch their iPod movies and TV shows on their seat back displays," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPod Product Marketing.

He further said that the computer company is excited to work with these airlines to offer “better in-flight experience” to iPod users. The service will begin in mid-2007. Other details of deals were not unveiled.

Apple made the announcement just after its major rival Microsoft rolled out its Zune digital music player in US on Tuesday, in a bid to challenge the iPod and quench Apple’s dominance in digital player market.

The company is also in talks with Panasonic Avionics Corporation, the world's leading supplier of in-flight entertainment equipment, to convince more airlines to offer in-flight iPod connectivity.

Apple is apparently not limiting itself to cars and planes as earlier this year it also made plans to sail its iPod. In February, some media reports stated that the British navy's new £605 million warship, HMS Daring, will make available "iPod charging points". The warship is due to come into being in 2009.

The Chicago-based United intends to launch iPod connectivity service next year in first and business class in the wide-body aircraft that fly internationally.

The Atlanta-based Delta will install iPod connections initially in its Boeing 757s that fly from New York and Atlanta to West Coast cities. The carrier expects to introduce the iPod connection service by 2008 to 767s and 737s that also fly long-haul domestic flights, Delta executive Joan Vincenz says. And, eventually, it hopes to install it on international flights, she says.

The Houston, Texas based Continental plans to introduce the service by the end of 2007. However, the airline has not determined its plans on how it will be introduced, but it will hopefully start with the 41 757s that fly internationally, spokesman Dave Messing says.

Apple has sold nearly 70 million iPods, since its launch in year 2001, and more than 1.5 billion songs through its iTunes music store. The iPod ecosystem has more than 3,000 accessories made especially for iPod that range from fashionable cases to speaker systems.

Apple has also made popular TV shows and movies available for download and purchase through its online store.