iPods in the Air

Many iPod users and airline passengers will no longer have to worry about re-charging their iPod before they board the plane, or worry about having enough battery power to last the duration of their trip.

Earlier this week, Apple announced a deal with six major carriers that would outfit airlines with iPod seat connections.

The iPod seat connections will be available to passengers by mid-2007 on Air France, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, KLM, and United Airlines planes. (Source: news.com)

The seat connections will enable passengers to power and charge their iPods while in flight, and also allow the video content saved on passenger iPods to be viewed on the airliner's seatbacks.

Apple Expanding iPod's Reach

This announcement coincides with the release of rival Microsoft's Zune, and provides proof that Apple wants to continue to dominate the digital music player market.

Currently, Apple has hold of 75 percent of the U.S. digital music player market, and is consistently diversifying and expanding the uses of it's iPod products. (Source: reuters.com)

In August, Apple "announced deals with Ford, General Motors and Mazda to make many of the auto manufacturers' 2007 models iPod-compatible." (Source: news.com)

Demand for Technologically-Innovative In-Flight Entertainment

The demand for better in-flight entertainment options is increasing, and this deal exemplifies the efforts of airline companies to enhance services to passengers.

Ray Neidl, Senior Airline Analyst at Calyon Securties notes that all airlines are "looking to upgrade their entertainment systems, especially for longer distance flights." Neidl adds that introducing the iPod seat connections "is just one way of doing it." (Source: reuters.com)

While many passengers still pick up airport novels before taking off, other, more technologically innovative in-flight entertainment options are on the rise.

To watch videos in-flight -- especially helpful in keeping young ones entertained -- many passengers have been bringing laptops and portable DVD players on board. The drawback to these options is that they have limited battery life: an issue that will not be a problem with the iPod seat connections.

In Apple's official press release, Greg Joswiak, the company's VP of Worldwide iPod Product Marketing said, "there is no better traveling companion than an iPod." (Source: yahoo.com)