PEIKER BluetouchMusic links iPod, cellphone to car stereo

While it didn't bring it a massive posse or hundred foot banners, Germany's PEIKER did manage to deliver an "award-winning" in-car connection device during CES last week. The company's BluetouchMusic claims to be the "world's first" system to integrate handsfree calling and music into your car's stereo, but clearly it's missed quite a few other applications that have already graced American soil. Nevertheless, the device is meant to be "professionally installed" into your car's stereo system, and allows you to converse wirelessly on your Bluetooth-enabled phone, stream tunes from your A2DP-enabled device, listen to your iPod via an optional cable, or connect any music device via a 3.5-millimeter aux input. The diminutive device touts an intuitive-looking menu with oversized buttons to navigate from music to your address book and everywhere in between, but interestingly enough the "handsfree" aspect becomes somewhat laughable when many functions need a few button presses to get things in order. Regardless, PIEKER's first device to be sold and distributed here in America should start hitting "aftermarket channels" shortly for a currently undisclosed price.

iPhone ain't widescreen!

You know how Steve Jobs and Apple like to boast of the iPhone's ability to function as a "widescreen iPod?" Well, anyone who sat in Moscone Center to witness the holy unveiling surely noticed the screen cropping (letterboxing) that occurred when Steve played Pirates of the Carribean. That's because the iPhone isn't "widescreen" as the term is customarily understood outside of the reality distortion field -- it is not a 1.78:1 (16x9) aspect ratio. Rather, the display utilizes a 1.5:1 aspect ratio. That puts the iPhone somewhere in the proprietary zone between the NTSC or PAL television standard 1.33:1 (4x3) and a proper widescreen 1.78:1 (16x9) aspect ratio like that thrown off Apple's new Apple TV. As demonstrated during the Jobsnote, true widescreen videos can be zoomed to fill the iPhone's screen but only at the expense of cropping the left and right-hand side video. Will this, uh, clarification or other nits prevent the first batch from selling out? Oh hells no. But at least now you know the truth

A long-distance call on an Apple phone

my first post had too be cool so well here it goes....

A juicy Apple rumor is always sure to get bloggers salivating, and this one is no exception: reports began trickling out of Taiwan this week that contract manufacturer Hon Hai, also known as Foxconn, has received an order to produce 12 million Apple iPhones.

Hon Hai produces iPods for Apple and makes mobile phone components. Taiwan's Commercial Times first reported the rumor, citing unidentified industry sources, and both Apple and Hon Hai have refused to comment.

The iPhone has long been a dream of Apple fans, and the latest incarnation of the rumor has the devices being announced at MacWorld in January.

Despite the lack of any solid details about a phone, bloggers had no problems voicing their opinion about the product's technology, advertising and business strategy.

Blog community response:

"Apple will face difficulties. Carriers are the ultimate power-players in this game, and they will exert control over revenue splits and pricing. Apple may be viewed as a competitor, and that could affect its inclusion in subsidized hardware plans. Regardless, millions already pay hefty price tags for their iPods, and that willingness will likely extend into the mobile phone realm."
--Digital Music News

"One of the rather interesting marketing aspects I've read about is the idea that the iPhone won't be tied to any specific carrier. Instead, it will be sold 'unlocked,' requiring you to insert a GSM subscriber identity (SIM) card. The downside: Apple won't get any subsidies or special deals from working with the likes of Cingular or T-Mobile. The upside: such an approach opens up most of the world as the target market instead of just the US."
--Blackfriars Marketing

"Apple already knows computers. I've noticed more and more cell phones have computer-like functionality, like email, web browsing, playing music, and showing movies. Apple already knows how to do all of this stuff simply, and more."
--Webomatica

"The introduction of the unlocked iPhone will do two things - it would basically get US buyers savvy to the idea of buying full priced unlocked phones. Secondly, it is going to cause a behavior change - of buying phones instead of freebies. It won't be a mass-market phenomenon in the early stages, but eventually (as shown by iPod Nano and iPod Shuffle), Apple will bring the iPhone prices down to a mass-market price point."
--Om Malik

Steve Jobs ..The man Behind Apple

Steve Jobs the most elite man in the world of technology today , rude yet friendly he signifies to me a total business man, my role model and the perfect human ... he is frank and the best part he runs my favorite company Apple Computer Inc; The company in which I dream to work in. Steve Jobs has taken wrong decisions in life but doesn't regret them an excellent human and well, the cool guy on the block has too be Steve Jobs,. Steve just makes it possible. Thanks Steve ..Thanks for making computers as they are now.
For his biography go to
The Wikipedia entry on STEVE JOBS

Samsung SGH-X830: Nano Clone + Phone

Check out this swiveling MP3 phone from Samsung, the SGH-X830, which is so tiny it would be easy to lose in your pocket. It's about the size and shape of an iPod nano but thicker. You can swivel the screen around to reveal its phone keypad, whose keys are arranged in an unconventional two-by-two layout. And looky there, it's a hint of a scroll wheel. Again. Your move, Apple.

Of course, these phones are being released in Korea first, and it's up to those squabbling US cellphone providers to decide who offers it stateside first. Please, someone pick this up soon, because we likey. Anyone notice how the latest cellphone designs are looking more Apple-like as the release of the iPhone draws nearer? –