CES: Motorola Music Duo - Bluetooth for iPod

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif

Motorola has posted information on a new product called the Music Duo.

The Music Duo provides Bluetooth capabilities to the iPod for use with Bluetooth headphones. The Music Duo also provides simultaneous connectivity to your Bluetooth capable phone... passing through a telephone call and pausing the music while you take the call.

This product or similar ones may be what was hinted at by Motorola Car Product Manager in Feb 2005 when he said that "consumers will soon be able to listen to music wirelessly from their iPod through their car speakers." At the time, people assumed that Apple would be incorporating Bluetooth technology into the iPod itself.

Features of the Music Duo listed include:

- Provides seamless connections to both your iPod and compatible Bluetooth-enabled phone
- Music pauses for incoming calls and resumes when calls are complete
- Compatible with Generation 3 or newer iPod players that have a Dock Connector (i.e. iPod, iPod mini, iPod nano)
- Compatible with any brand of Bluetooth 1.1 or 1.2 –enabled phone that supports “headset” and “hands-free” profiles
- Compatible with Bluetooth Stereo Accessories

[WildCowboy]

Looks great to me...BT built-in to the iPod is best, but I'll take third-party stuff, too.

[iMeowbot]

This is not really a new product. It's a rebadged TEN naviPlay.

Actually, looking at the large Moto press photo, it's not even rebadged. nothing to see here, move along.

[corywoolf]

This is lame, no digg. Who wants battery powered head phones at this point? And Motorola makes crap products.

[LimeiBook86]

I wonder if this has anything to do with that recent Bluetooth firmware update...

[hob]

I'd love one Just so long as it's not too big.

[rockthecasbah]

i dunno it looks like a neat product but, like most iPod products, will be rediculously over priced and thus i won't waste my money on...

[p0intblank]

I thought the only reason we haven't gotten any official Bluetooth support from Apple is because the sound quality would be too poor. And not only that, rechargeable headphones = no fun. Is the sound quality really good enough to actually use? Just curious.

[RBilRamZ]

This sure should open the door for tons of additional products. It kind of seams to eliminate the need for an MP3 capable phone. Who cares about the ROKR, when you can play your whole iPod through your phone

[WildCowboy]

Originally Posted by RBilRamZ

This sure should open the door for tons of additional products. It kind of seams to eliminate the need for an MP3 capable phone. Who cares about the ROKR, when you can play your whole iPod through your phone

There's still the issue of carrying around two devices. I know people disagree on the value of convergence, but I for one would still like to see an iPod and phone in one unit. Of course, it has to be implemented well and be essentially the same size as a current iPod. The fewer pockets I have to fill up, the better. Some people prefer to have them separate so that they don't have to carry "both items" if they only want one, but if you can make a single dual-purpose item that isn't significantly larger than either one of the component items, then I see convergence as a good thing. Wow...sorry for the long-winded explanation of a simple concept.

[1macker1]

I agree, I hate carrying around two devices. I didn't think it was a big deal, but it's a hassle. My phone can play Mp3's, but alas, I bought 70% of my music through iTunes, so I am stuck with my mini. Bring on the iPod phone!

Originally Posted by WildCowboy

There's still the issue of carrying around two devices. I know people disagree on the value of convergence, but I for one would still like to see an iPod and phone in one unit. Of course, it has to be implemented well and be essentially the same size as a current iPod. The fewer pockets I have to fill up, the better. Some people prefer to have them separate so that they don't have to carry "both items" if they only want one, but if you can make a single dual-purpose item that isn't significantly larger than either one of the component items, then I see convergence as a good thing. Wow...sorry for the long-winded explanation of a simple concept.

[brett_x]

Oh how I would love to have a bluetooth enabled iPod that I could leave in my car (connected through my iPod connector in my Scion XB) and have my podcasts update automatically. I wouldn't want to upload music that way because I usually do an album at a time, but a podcast or two per week would be great. That is usually the only reason I bring my iPod inside.

[corywoolf]

Originally Posted by brett_x

Oh how I would love to have a bluetooth enabled iPod that I could leave in my car (connected through my iPod connector in my Scion XB) and have my podcasts update automatically. I wouldn't want to upload music that way because I usually do an album at a time, but a podcast or two per week would be great. That is usually the only reason I bring my iPod inside.

Not going to happen, not enough demand/speed for bluetooth syncing.

[amateurmacfreak]

Correct me if I'm wrong, I'm really not trying to act annoyed or anything, but is this really worthy of the first page? Especially in the week leading up to MWSF?? It seems like there has been an explosion of front page articles, some which seem of relatively low importance.

[Stella]

Originally Posted by amateurmacfreak

Correct me if I'm wrong, I'm really not trying to act annoyed or anything, but is this really worthy of the first page? Especially in the week leading up to MWSF?? It seems like there has been an explosion of front page articles, some which seem of relatively low importance.

if there are no MWSF rumours then what do you expect to be published regarding MWSF?

You could always start posting your rumours ( read: your hopes )! :-D