Cupertino, Calif. – Apple Computer Inc., maker of the top-selling iPod, has teamed up with six airlines so passengers can watch videos stored on the devices from seat-back monitors.
United, Continental, Delta, Air France, Emirates and KLM will offer iPod connections on flights starting in mid-2007, Apple said in a statement Tuesday. The company also said it is working with Panasonic Avionics Corp. to bring the technology to more airlines.
The plan, announced on 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 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.
