It's June 2007, and Apple is on the verge of selling its very first cell phone. The industry is buzzing about the cool features that include a revolutionary non-pen touch screen that recognizes finger gestures. Fortunately my 2 year contact obligation with Verizon for my trusty Palm Treo 700P is ending July 1st.
But wait, the expected retail price for the iPhone model including tax is over $600. That is almost the price of a stripped down lap-top. Not to mention that the cell phone carriers are listing Samsung, Motorola, Palm, and Sony Ericsson phones as "free" or selling them for $49 with a two-year contract. Even Microsoft's Steve Ballmer is railing against the upcoming iPhone for its astronomical price tag and proclaiming that for his money a smartphone running Windows Mobile is a much better value.
I begin to reconsider my decision to purchase a new iPhone on the first sale day at the $599 price tag. Then I start analyzing my decision process; let's see I need a new Internet capable smartphone with a large screen like the Blackberry and that costs $200. I am also in the market for a new video iPod at $299. So now I'm within $100 of the new iPhone. I decide that I'm going to go for it because $100 is a small price to pay for integrating a video iPod, cell phone and mobile web surfing terminal into just one device.
Three months later Apple drops the price to $399. Even with Steve Jobs' subsequent merchandise rebate for original iPhone purchasers of $100 had I really made the right decision?
Two years later just as I place my pre-order for a new iPhone 3GS at the AT&T store the answer to that question is still a resounding yes!
If you're like me and have saved some of your old cell phones in a box you probably have models from manufacturers like Motorola, Palm, Nokia, and Nextel just to name a few. One thing they all have in common is that they are pretty much useless after they are deactivated. Although you could stash one of these older phones in your trunk in case of emergency since 911 will still work even if the phone is not activated. But other than that there's not much more you can do with any of these older phones except donate them.
That's where the iPhone, even the oldest model, is different. With its built-in iPod functions, Wi-Fi, and cool design an old iPhone can live on long after it doesn't take or make cell phone calls.
How to Integrate iPods/iPhones Into Your Home Stereo System
If you are ready to breath new life into your old iPod or iPhone then you'll probably first need to upgrade your home audio receiver.
You will need a new Hi-Fi receiver like the Sony STR-DH700 that supports an add-on digital media port. The model DH700 also supports wireless speakers. There are a competing models available from Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo, and other manufactures with similar capabilities. If you decide on the Sony receiver and digital media port it will set you back about $450.
Digital Media Port next to my big screen TV is plugged into my Sony receiver down below. I can play the music on any of the iPods or watch video from my iPhone through my big screen TV and home stereo. The Sony receiver’s remote can be used to skip tracks and pause/play the iPods.
Sony STR-DH700 Receiver
The latest and greatest: Sirius XM Radio streaming via home Wi-Fi to my iPhone and into my stereo by docking with the digital media port.
S-AIR™ Speaker System
This plug-and-play S-AIR™ speaker system, when wirelessly connected to the Sony STR-DH700 or a compatible home theater system, easily allows for multi-room listening. The Sony wireless S-Air speaker system shown above is $149 and can wirelessy control the Sony Receiver's source selection and iPod pause/play and track skipping from top mounted buttons.
Your Music is Reborn
If you've invested many hours importing music into your iPod or iPhone why leave it lying around collecting dust? Now they can sound better than ever connected to your home stereo through a digital media port.
Copyright: F.A. Daniels, June 21, 2009, all rights reserved.
Thank you for all the great posts from last year! I look forward to reading your blog, because they are always full of information that I can put to use. Thank you again, and God bless you in 2010.
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