CSR proposes Apple use its chips for wireless iPod headphones
Katie MarsalWireless technology group Cambridge Silicon Radio (CSR) has approached Apple Computer with the idea of installing its Bluetooth wireless microchips into future generations of the iPod music player, according to a new report.
Following a bullish trading update on Thursday, which showed sales of CSR's Bluetooth chips rising faster than expected, the company confirmed to the The Independent that it had approached Apple with the idea. Its chips are already being installed in more than 60% of all new devices that are given official Bluetooth design accreditation, the report states.
Apple documents pertaining to iPods with similar wireless communication capabilities surfaced on the Internet last November. The documents depict iPods that can transmit information wirelessly to other media devices or a computer.
One patent filing made by Apple describes a handheld music player that includes a wireless transmitter which can "transmit a continuous music feed to one or more personal tuning devices that each include a receiver capable of receiving information from the transmitter over the wireless connection."
Analysts have also vouched their belief that "Apple is trying to figure out how to make a wireless iPod" be it via Bluetooth or WiFi. While such a device is "likely still on the drafting table," UBS Investment Research analyst Ben Reitzes said a wireless iPod could be ready for the market by the end of 2006.
Although a Bluetooh-enabled iPod would not allow users to directly tap into the company's iTunes Music Store, it would do away with the need to use a USB or FireWire cable when performing small synchronizations with iTunes on a Mac or PC.
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52 Comments
Yea the way foward. Me personly would love an ipod that could transmit
music to my Airport Express rather than transmit from my Mac that way I could see what music will be played next etc.
Well, announcing to the world that you are trying to do business with Apple and leaking what a possible product feature will be, is an absolute GUARANTEE that you either a) are not doing any business with Apple whatsoever, and b) you never will.
I suspect this is just some idiot CEO's attempt to drum up some business from Apple's competitors. Leak you tried to sell to Apple which gets Apple's competitors to call you.
This is just a sleazy sales technique. Nothing more.
I suspect we won't see this until bluetooth connections in cars are very common. Remember to keep the headphones charged every day would just be a pain in the rear end, and there really isn't a huge market of nice Bluetooth headphones yet, and many of the ones available are fairly heavy.
Steve is going to do his best to make sure the user experience doesn't suck (note he let Belkin manufacture the suctastic CF reader). Also, how many rivals offer this functionality in their players? one has to figure that Apple will follow on this rather than lead, simply because rival companies will likely try to jump ahead of the curve simply to have the feature line item, regardless of usability.
On a side note, I'm wondering if Apple won't release a "Nano Tubby edition" that is a bit thicker but incorporates a 8GB 1" drive to attract people who need a bit more space, but like the smaller form factor over the full size 20GB iPod.
I suspect we won't see this until bluetooth connections in cars are very common. Remember to keep the headphones charged every day would just be a pain in the rear end, and there really isn't a huge market of nice Bluetooth headphones yet, and many of the ones available are fairly heavy.
Also audio quality is a big factor, how good is wireless audio? anyone? It seems that good wireless audio would be quite pricey... the whole thing just seems highly unlikely.
Nothing wrong with wireless audio. The music I stream on my Airport Express is
superb. Seriously, really is excellent. Apple will design a device where the headphones will be charged via USB when charging the iPod I suspect.