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Amp Pack for iPod

Posted by pudge on from the yikes-indeed dept.

Anonymous Coward writes "iPodlounge is reporting that Burton/Apple will soon be introducing an Amp Pack backpack featuring the very cool SoftSwitch Technology to control your iPod via internal cabling. Like the Amp Jacket introduced at Macworld SF 2003, there is a pocket for iPod and it's controlled using a built in remote control. Here's the kicker, it will cost $200! Yikes."

6 of 78 comments (clear)

  1. Re:remote? by ElGanzoLoco · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Isnt that what the remote can do already? all you gotta do is clip it to your jacket and boom! dont need to spend 200$ for a jacket, when the remote does the same thing basically.

    This stuff sounds pretty useless indeed: I still have to see the iPod's screen to select my playlist/album... and with the iPod in the backpack, well, I'm not sure how I'm going to do that.

    Still it marks the -humble and overpriced- first steps of "wearable computing" everybody's been raving about.

    It's only about music for the moment, but this could be big. When wearable screens (luminescent textiles) hit the market, I sure would like to stick a PDA in my pocket and see its screen on my sleeve. (main reason why I don't use a PDA is that you actually need both your hands to use it, not even mentioning the lousy text input method which needs some serious refinements...)

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  2. If only they'd make a car unit by pauljlucas · · Score: 5, Interesting
    The only places I listen to music are my home and my car. I wish Apple would partner with somebody to make an in-dash unit into which you'd insert an iPod (almost like inserting a casette). The iPod would then be controlled via a panel on the in-dash unit and would receive power from the car's power system.

    In the mean-time, I bought one of these.

    Yes, I am aware of those things that allow you to broadcast iPod output on an FM frerquency, but (1) they're awkward and bring back bad memories of CD/cassette adapters with wires all over the place, and (2) they don't work very well from most accounts I've read.

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    1. Re:If only they'd make a car unit by Theaetetus · · Score: 4, Interesting
      Got another one for you - I use an AIWA in-dash CD player that has a line-level aux input jack on the front (1/8" stereo unbalanced).

      I run a simple 1/8" stereo to 1/8" stereo cable from my iPod's output to the input of the AIWA and presto, sound. Much better sounding than the car adapter, plus I now have an in-dash CD player (replaced my stock Toyota cassette/radio for $150 from Best Buy)

      -T

  3. ick by mrpuffypants · · Score: 2, Interesting

    that thing is really ugly. why couldn't they make one that looks like a regular damn backpack or messenger bag rather than that thing.

    It brings to mind the Ghostbuster's proton pack

  4. Not a US product sheet? by Duck_Taffy · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Why would the price be $199 US if the measurements are in cm? Perhaps this is a Canadian or Australian product sheet, in which case the US price would be considerably lower.

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    Karma: Ran over your dogma.
  5. Re:remote? by Oculus+Habent · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Here's a Real Wearable. The upside is it's free. The downside is that everything is an add-on.

    --
    That what was all this school was for... to teach us how to solve our own problems. -- janeowit