Lets invent a phrase -- MWAN -- and Jobs Goes 'Mini' with Flash-Based iPod

Jobs Goes 'Mini' with Mac, Flash-Based iPod:




"SAN FRANCISCO - Apple CEO Steve Jobs is taking the concept of 'mini' to the Mac computer and a flash-based iPod.

During his keynote Tuesday at the Macworld conference and expo here, Jobs introduced a Mac computer that almost fit into the palms of his hands and that is Apple Computer Inc.'s latest answer for Windows users wanting to switch platforms. "



This sounds cool to me -- I like having more songs with me than can easily fit on my PPC. But I also like having my home base with permanent storage on my "real" system. Wonder if a Windows-oriented variant is coming. Or a $99 kit that I could add to my Dell Axim (most of the cost for the flash memory card).

In addition, I do wonder about the amount of "real world" battery time on the Flash IPod. The Axim gets fussy after a day or so out of its base station.


Also, on the base station front, adding iPod adapters to cars sounds like a start. Get them to use Bluetooth in the car and you've really got something -- an "MWAN" (mobile wireless area network). A car based MWAN would:

  • reroute your cell phone to the cars own audio speakers and microphone

  • connect your iPod etc. to car audio

  • allow a laptop/portable to scan for engine system status

  • provide gaming connections to the back seat

  • wireless connectivity for headphone audio with multiple channels

  • scan for available Internet access -- WiMax, WiFi, GPRS, etc -- and make
    that connection shareable to others in the vehicle.


Might not be cost effective for the average car, but higher end SUV,
corporate transit, luxury motorcoaches (like the Hampton Jitney/Sunrise Express in New York) should be doable.


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