Now u can use iPod in flight

Slashdot It! Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United will integrate the iPod with in-flight entertainment systems beginning in mid-2007. Passengers will have iPod seat connections that power and charge their iPods during flight, and allow the video content on their iPods to be viewed on their seat-back displays. Apple wants more partnership Apple is working with Panasonic's Avionics to bring even more in-flight iPod connectivity to airlines in the future. Like its recent deal with automobile manufacturers, Apple's airline strategy intends to expand the uses for the iPod.

In August, Apple announced similar deals with Ford, General Motors and Mazda to offer iPod integration with their vehicle stereo systems. More than 70 percent of the 2007 model U.S. automobiles will offer such iPod integration.

In May, Apple teamed up with Nike to launch Nike+iPod products. The Nike+Air Zoom Moire was the first footwear designed to talk to an iPod. Wearers can get information on time, distance and calories burned straight from the iPod -- or listen to music.

Apple want to maintain it's lead

With nearly 70 million iPods sold, the player leads the digital music and portable video player market. Apple's iTunes Store is the number one online music store with over 1.5 billion songs purchased and downloaded worldwide.

In fact, Apple has built an entire ecosystem around the player, including more than 3,000 accessories made specifically for the iPod that range from cases to speaker systems.

"Once you've got the ecosystem you can continue to build it out and that makes it difficult for other competitors to come along. It raises the barrier of entry for folks like Microsoft and SanDisk," Avi Greengart, principal analyst of mobile devices for Current Analysis .