CES: Motorola Music Duo - Bluetooth for iPod

[MacRumors]

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.

 

[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

 

[brett_x]

Podcast from my driveway?

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.

 

[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.

 

[WildCowboy]

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.

 

[corywoolf]

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.

 

[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...

 

[ssj300]

phone needs a good battery =/

 

[maya]

BlueTooth remote, and maybe OLED display along with data sync.

I can dream, however it doesn't look too far off.

 

[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.

 

[iMeowbot]

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...

They're $199 at the Apple store. This thing has been on the market for a year and hasn't really attracted very much attention so far, though.

 

[bellis1]

Overpriced...

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...

$239 retail for naviplay. That's just crazy.

 

[brepublican]

$239 retail for naviplay. That's just crazy.

True. It is a cool product though...

 

[nagromme]

Weird that they show an iPod next to it instead of IN it... but it looks pretty good actually.

What I'd like is the tiniest possible full-quality transmitter that attached to iPod nano. Then the iPod nano is the ultimate remote control for music on my home stereo. I already use my iPod + iTrip that way, and FM or no it's still really convenient.

 

[hob]

I really dunno how they can justify that high price!!

 

[mulze22]

I think I will get one, but then again it depends on the price.

 

[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!

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.

 

[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]

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