Katie Marsal
The alleged acquisition reportedly took place about two months ago. Wi-Gear, maker of products like iMuffs, recently announced on its website it has "ceased operations and is no longer in business."
The company's co-founder, Michael Kim, has since become an Apple employee, taking the role of iOS Bluetooth Engineer, according to his Linkedin profile. Previously, he worked as a project manager and lead electrical engineer at Wi-Gear Inc.
However, the profile for Wi-Gear President and CEO Mark Pundsack has not been updated, and still states that he is with the now-defunct company.
Wi-Gear's products included Bluetooth wireless headphones, and adapters for iPods and iPhones that do not come with integrated Bluetooth 2.0 support. The company specialized in making hardware for iOS devices.
Apple's rumored acquisition has led to speculation that Apple could create its own line of wireless headphones that would work with future iPhones and iPods.
Apple introduced its own Bluetooth headset alongside the original iPhone in 2007. The device cost $129 and was bundled with a Bluetooth travel cable and dual dock that could charge both the iPhone and headset.
A year later, Apple dropped the price of the headset to $99, but also stopped including the dual dock. The product was eventually discontinued in March of 2009.
Of course, the company still bundles its own wired headphones with iPods and iPhones, and also sells a set of $79 premium In-Ear Headphones for users looking to upgrade. But those products are not wireless Bluetooth, like the products Wi-Gear made.
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41 Comments
Good! I really miss my little original Apple bluetooth earpiece. Yes it didn't have a lot of controls, low battery life (lasted about half a day) and I couldn't listen to podcasts with it. But compared to the other bluetooth devices available, Apple's was elegant. The others look like you a big beetle attached to you ear.
I used to have the "dual dock" with my iPhone and the earpiece attached in my car to charge it while driving and not on the phone.
I'm really tired of the Apple wired head phones. They are ok to wear but a pain to carry in your pocket or back pack, then untangle them every time you want to use them. Plus they catch on everything if you wear them in the car.
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I wonder how this impacts the $51 billion plus cash pile Apple has. They said they were keeping it for one or more strategic moves.
Hey folks, this could be it!
Plus they catch on everything if you wear them in the car.
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Don't say that too loud. Wearing headphones in the car may be illegal - it is in Virginia.
The picture of their product in the article doesn't looks like anything Apple would be interested in. I'm guessing that the company actually went out of business and then Apple hired one of their lead engineers.
Apple is rumored to have bought Wi-Gear, a third-party accessory maker that has sold wireless Bluetooth headphones and adapters for iPhones and iPods.
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Of course, the company still bundles its own wired headphones with iPods and iPhones, and also sells a set of $79 premium In-Ear Headphones for users looking to upgrade. But those products are not wireless Bluetooth, like the products Wi-Gear made.
Good. Maybe Apple will start taking Bluetooth seriously. And maybe they will start to produce some high quality headsets.