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Amp Pack for iPod
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."
Thats a lot of money, but when you consider that an Ipod might store upto 4,000 dongs, you'll be owing the RIAA $600 million dollars if you fill it up. After that, the $200 doesnt seem too bad
Which wouldn't be out of hand, except that despite Burton's involvement, this isn't a snowboarding pack, it's a carry-your-books-to-high-school pack. Don't try strapping an avy shovel to this thing.
Naturally, when you merge the hype machines of Apple and Burton you get stuff like "Double Polyurethane (PU2)" coated fabric.
What I'm listening to now on Pandora...
Isnt that what the remote can do already? all you gotta do is clip it to your jacket and boom! dont need to spend 200$ 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...)
Hello! I'm a disaster waiting to happen!
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.
If you reply, do so only to what I explicitly wrote. If I didn't write it, don't assume or infer it.
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
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.
Karma: Ran over your dogma.
Look, if they really are gouging their customers so badly, and it really is possible to make any money selling it cheaper, then bring a product just like it to market yourself and become rich by selling it cheaper than them. Otherwise, would all the price whiners, including the one who submitted the article, kindly STFU.
Personally, I wouldn't be that interested in an iPod amp in a backpack. Now, a guitar amp in a backpack, that would get my attention!
Information wants to be anthropomorphized.
Not only does this back pack have a pretty slick shoulder strap oriented set of controls for your iPod, with the pocket for the iPod between you and the back pack (which I find comforting, no way to lose it or have it stolen), but it also has a side entry compartment for your laptop. It's a back pack, laptop case, and iPod companion/remote. I know people who have spent $200 plus on a laptop case alone and that's a case that screams "hey look at me, I have a laptop!" I'm pretty sure they didn't skimp out on the padding and protection for the laptop either.
Something this cool (did you SEE the remote buttons on the should strap?) is worth $200 IMHO.
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
"Here, let me mount this $400 piece of highly-desirable electronics behind my back, in an open mesh pocket, behind sturdy feeling-insulation."
I'm actually looking forward to this. By the time the next guy on the street turns around... I'll finally have an iPod!
I don't see what the big deal is about this bag, especially since it isn't even for snowboarding. There's nothing it offers that the remote that comes with the iPod couldn't provide. This bag made by Osiris is pretty cool and runs $109 and at least comes with speakers built into it.
And now, this...thing, while the 5 GB iPod is still advertised (starting at just $299!) and yet still "temporarily unavailable" ... it adds insult to injury. Except that I no longer have the capacity to feel either insult or injury.
*shakes fist at Cupertino*
Damn you, Apple! You've devoured my soul! Are you happy now???
Ask me about LOOM(TM).
And you get to look like a Borg!
While MIT-style pie-in-the-sky prototypes are cool, I've always felt that wearables will start with basic needs, like the Amp jacket and now the backpack. They seem simple, sure, but the fact that these have cable-runs in them, and permanent (washable!) controls, are definitely a step towards smart clothes and apparal.
If there was a jacket that had a basic, durable, waterproof microphone in the collar, and a cable run to a headphone jack, I'd be all over that. Of course, the real way to go would be Blootoof, but still...
Apple is just the kind of company to do these things, especially partnered with Burton. Not really being serious, but imagine...
Dell Jacket - very cheap, comes in beige, performs well but looks like ass
Gateway jacket - cow spots, say no more
Microsoft jacket - automagically transforms into straightjacket when you play an illegal MP3, calls the police
If Jesus wants me it knows where to find me.