Apple Computer Inc., maker of the top-selling iPod, teamed up with six airlines so passengers can watch videos stored on their devices from in-flight monitors.
United, Continental, Delta, Air France, Emirates and KLM will offer iPod connections on flights starting in mid-2007, Cupertino, California-based Apple said in a statement today.
The company also said it is working with Panasonic Avionics Corp. to bring the technology to more airlines.
The plan, announced the same day Microsoft Corp. released its rival Zune player, builds on Apple’s push to extend the iPod’s lead in the digital entertainment market. More than 70 percent of 2007 model U.S. automobiles offer iPod connections, and there are more than 3,000 accessories made for the players that range from carrying cases to underwear.
Apple began selling updated versions of the video iPod in September while adding full-length movies to the content sold on its iTunes store. The company now offers more than 5,000 music videos, 250 television shows and 100 movies for download, and sells more than 1 million videos a week. ITunes also offers more than 3.5 million songs.
Airline passengers will also be able to charge their iPods in flight as they watch videos on their seat back displays.
Financial terms of the deals weren’t disclosed, said Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr.
Shares of Apple, also the maker of Macintosh personal computers, rose 24 cents to $84.59 at 1:03 p.m. New York time in Nasdaq Stock Market composite trading. They had gained 17 percent this year before today.
Market Leader Apple controls 75 percent of the $4 billion U.S. market for portable music players, according to market researcher NPD Group Inc. in Port Washington, New York.
Apple’s closest rival is SanDisk Corp., which has a 10 percent share.
The company has sold more than 67.6 million iPods since Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs introduced the device in 2001, with 39.4 million players shipped in the past year alone. The iPod and sales of music and videos through iTunes accounted for 42 percent of sales in the quarter ended Sept. 30.
Microsoft’s Zune will sell for $249.99 in the U.S., the same price as an iPod with comparable storage space. Both can hold as many as 7,500 songs.
