No More Wires For iPod Fans PLUS IFE APPLICATION?
KAVITHA ALEXIS
BANGALORE: Apple iPod (digital music player) customers across the world will soon have a bluetooth wireless adaptor and headset for listening to music without the hassles of a cable hanging overhead.
Developed in India by Bangalore-based Impulsesoft Technologies, iWisa (wireless adaptor) and iWish (wireless headset adaptor) have been licensed to US-based TEN Technology to be used in naviPlay, one of the first bluetooth wireless stereo adaptors with remote control, which is attached to an iPod. naviPlay will be launched in the market in the next 2-3 months.
Speaking to eFE, Impulsesoft Technologies Pvt Ltd chairman M Chandrasekaran said, “We are providing the software and hardware for the naviPlay wireless adaptor and headset.” The Impulsesoft iWisa adaptor can be attached to the iPod dock while the iWish headset adaptor allows the use of any stereo headphones or speakers with a standard 3.5 mm stereo plug. naviPlay also has an LCD display and buttons for remote audio functions, playlist and menu navigation.
According to Mr Chandrasekaran, the two products — iWisa and iWish — have a range of potential applications, from a car entertainment system, a PC, a regular audio system to a CD player. Currently, the company is working closely with a Japanese automaker for a multi-zone car entertainment system on which each passenger can listen to the music of his/her own choice using an iPod and wireless headsets. This system is expected to be launched in 2005.
Yet another product in the exploration stage is a wireless headset for a bluetooth enabled phone on which seamless switch between listening to MP3 music and a phone conversation.
This work is being conducted in collaboration with a major cell manufacturer. This product too, should be in the market by 2005, estimates Mr Chandrasekaran. The inflight entertainment segment has been idenfied as another potential area. For each of this applications, the core technology used is the same but customisation of 20-30 per cent is required depending on the customer requirements, said Impulsesoft sales director KA Srinivasan. With quite a few products being readied for commercial launch, the company is expecting 2004-05 to be a watershed year. “At least 20 per cent of the revenue would come from royalty on these technologies,” he said.
Impulsesoft customers include leading global OEMs in Japan, Korea and Europe and they have alliances with technology partners such as Intel, Philips, Panasonic, Samsung, Acer and Sony.
