Trend: iPod-Mania

Many companies tried to copy the iPod. Although some designers were quite successful, Apple’s iPod is still the coolest device on the market. And companies started to think of other ways to jump onto the iPod train. With Sega’s iDog for example a toy-manufacturer got its foot into the niche. The music loving robot dog, which was introduced in Japan earlier this year, can compose, play and dance to music.

By interacting with iDog’s sensors you can play stored music sequences and melodies. Equipped with colorful LED lights on its head, a rotating – iPod-shaped - head and moving ears, the iDog is also capable of changing its feelings. For example it gets happy when you touch its ears and pad on its head. But be careful touching its tail. That will make the iDog very angry.

Owners can program the iDog with an audio input jack at the base of its left hind leg. It has a mono-speaker built in and a microphone. Of course iDog and iPod (or another MP3 Player) like to play together. There is room for about 70 children’s songs.

Over the iPod’s lifespan, accessories have already evolved Apple’s digital music player into a mini-PDA, voice recorder, photo box, laser pointer, and walking iGuy, the cute and bendable screen protector with docking capability. That might be another reason why Apple’s MP3 player is still on top of the hip consumer’s wish-list.

With the upcoming Movie Player accessory for the iPod you soon will be able to have up to seventy-five movies in the palm of your hand. Nyko will release the movie player add-on for Apple iPods in September 2005. The device works like a docking station for the iPod with a 3.6 inch, 4:3 LCD screen. It is supposed to work with 3G, 4G, mini or photo iPods. It apparently supports recordings from a video source and has a TV-Outlet as well. If Apple is not coming out with a portable video player, the Nyko Movie Player could generate nice revenues.

iPod

iDog

iPod Movie Player

Japantrends

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