A vending machine selling Apple iPods has sold $55,000, worth of the mp3 playersin one month.
The machine based at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, retails the iPods for $349 before tax, a sophisticated robot arm guides the iPod to the customers hands (rather then dunking it in a dispence tray).
“We’ve done about $55,000 in a month in gross sales just for the one on Concourse A,” said Leopold, executive vice-president and owner Business Traveler Services. “This is becoming the future for some high-end products in places like airports where space is at a premium.”
“We put in some iPods and found we couldn’t keep them in stock,” he said, “We found no customer resistance to swiping a card and buying a $300 item from a machine. We’re selling thousands (of iPods), and the machines at the Atlanta airport are major contributors to that.”
The vending machines are user-friendly, providing easy-to-access product information through a video touch screen. And, unlike traditional retailers, they never close.
The Apple Ipod has topped Amazons “Best of 2006″for the consumer electronics category. According to Amazon the iPod outsold all otherConsumer electronic items by unit volume. The most popular was the 5th gen ipod video 30gb in black, appearing in most peoples “wish List”.
Meanwhile the most positively reviewed item was the Sony Cyber shot DSCF707.
At the last the iPhone is here… But not from who we suspected.Cisco is branding its entire range of Linksys VoIP devices with the much-touted ‘iPhone’ tag. It appears that Cisco has held the trademark since 2000, which could cause some problems for Apple as the domain www.iphone.org redirects to Apple’s main page.
The company has announced the new iPhone family of VoIP handsets, including its first hot-spot ready Wireless-G Phone for Skype (WIP320). No PC is required. Users simply sidle up to the nearest Wi-Fi hotspot and the 802.11g phone will use its embedded Skype software to let them make free VoIP calls.
Griffin has launched a new version of the iTrip Auto. The new version will have a 3.5mm plug allowing it to transmit from any mp3 player, portable cd player, and iPods.
“iTrip Auto Universal gets its juice by means of a 12 Volt accessory outlet in your dashboard. Its large, clear LCD makes setup a snap, and innovative features like switchable LX/DX Modes ensure great sound even in large cities with lots of radio stations crowding the dial.”
“Using iTrip is as simple as tuning your radio. Pick a frequency on your FM dial at which you hear silence or static, then tune iTrip to broadcast to that same frequency. Before you know it, you’re sharing your tunes with the entire car. Say good-bye to headphones and earbuds, and hello to audio freedom.”
The new addition to the iTrip Family allows Griffin to produce Fm transmitters for other MP3 players including the new Zune.
Apple Computer Inc.’s iTunes music store suffered a 65 percent slump in sales during the first six months of the year, according to a Forrester Research Inc. report.
The decline is a reversal of almost two years of increases from April 2004 through January 2006, the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based market-research firm said today. Between January and June of this year, transactions declined 58 percent, while transaction size fell 17 percent, Forrester said.
Surrey, UK, December 11th , 2006 – Micro Heaven Ltd, trading online as www.easyishop.co.uk, today announced a new range of FM transmitters to start selling immediately.
James Nicholson, Managing Director of Micro Heaven, stated with Ofcom making FM transmitters legal last Friday we wanted to increase our range of FM transmitters so we can offer our customers the largest range of FM transmitters in one place.
Today we have launched two new FM transmitters one from Pulse Technology and one from Griffin. The Pulse Technology FM transmitter attaches via the Dock connector on the iPod and can be used with nearly all iPod models including the new 2nd Gen iPod Nano and the iPod Video
Pulse Technology FM Transmitter features
High fidelity and stereo digital PLL.
LCD display with blue background lighting.
200 selectable channels (88.0-108.0Mhz).
Multi-memory channels
easyishop.co.uk has also released details of the Griffin itrip Nano 2nd Gen which they are now taking pre orders for. The 2nd Gen iTrip Nano is due for release early January.
The Manchester evening news is reporting that in car gadgets are distracting motorists with dangerous results. One gadget raised was the new Griffin iTrip Fm transmitter, which was passed laegal to us in the UK last Friday. Insurance company Privelage said 45% of drivers loose concentration after being distracted by accessories.
A fifth of drivers have been so distracted when fiddling with gadgets that they have veered out of lane, with 3% actually having accidents.
Privilege Insurance marketing and commercial director Kate Syred said: “Having the latest in-car gadgets can sometimes make long drives more bearable, but we are urging drivers to make sure they are fully prepared before setting off on a journey and ensure all of their in-car gadgets are set up beforehand in order to avoid distractions while driving.
“Motorists should set up a playlist on their MP3 player that will last the full length of their journey - or at least until their next planned journey break.
“Drivers should also avoid the temptation to re-tune their iTrip to a new frequency if the transmission is lost while on the move.”
ION Audio has designed a new projector for your iPod. The devise will project the video from your iPod via the iPod dock onto a screen of 30 x 90 inches. The iProjector will also allow DVD players and games Consoles to be plugged in and played.
Using Apple’s latest iPod accessory could leave you vulnerable to stalkers, researchers have warned.
The Nike + iPod Sport Kit was designed for use by joggers. It consists of a sensor placed in the sole of a specially-designed Nike shoe, and a receiver which plugs into the bottom of the iPod Nano.
The sensor tracks the distance and pace of your jog, and transmits this data to the receiver, enabling users to keep track of their run from the iPod and receive audio feedback.
But researchers at the University of Washington have found that this data can be “easily” intercepted by a simple home-made receiver from up to 18 metres away, revealing your location.
“The wireless capabilities in this new gadget can negatively impact a consumer’s personal privacy and safety,” the report reads.
“Someone could use the sensor’s broadcast messages to track which locations you visit, and when you visit them.”
To test their theory, the researchers built a number of surveillance tools that stalkers could potentially use to track Nike+iPod Sport Kit owners.
“When someone wearing an active Nike+iPod sensor walks near one of our laptops, the laptop’s attached Nike+iPod receiver will detect the sensor’s broadcast messages and will relay information about those messages to the laptop.”
Come Friday the 8th Fm transmitters will be legal to use within the UK, Ofcom will implement the Law on December 8th, which will exempt FM Transmitter users from requiring a Wireless Telegraphy Act License. This will bring an estimated 100,000 UK users over to the right side of the law. Easyishop has many Fm transmitters, including The Griffin Itrip, The Xtrememac Airplay 2, The Pulse technology FM Transmitter, and the Belkin Tunecast II.
Spring 2006 saw the iTrip gain its CE Mark in Germany, making it legal to sell anywhere in the European Union. So while it has been legal to sell, it was still illegal to use. This has made many retailers reluctant to promote the iTrip, though many were selling them.
