Filed under: Audio, iPod Family, Apple
Apple wants more iPod ready cars
Bob Borchers, who is the senior director of iPod worldwide product marketing, told CNET that Apple is interested in making the use of iPods in cars much easier. Apple thinks that the mess of cables and such that accompany current solutions can be done better with factory installed iPod option in cars. He did make clear that Apple has no interest in entering the market of iPod car accessories but that Apple is working with third party vendors to make the experience better.Also of note is Borchers' statement that Apple is very happy that people are turning their Mac minis into carputers.
No word if the Aero 8 will have an iPod dock or built in Mac mini anytime soon.
[via iLounge]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
RaVeNouS said 11:20PM on 7-17-2006
Yeah, I'd like to have more integration of iPod in my mustang...VROOM!
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Allan Leedy said 11:30PM on 7-17-2006
Shouldn't we just be able to dock the iPod in the car, and run it through the car's controls and displays using the car's electric power? Does anybody offer that? My Toyota adapter comes close to that, but hardware and installation ran more than $400.
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kungfumaniac said 1:51AM on 7-18-2006
I'm a big fan of the Alpine KCA-120i hook up. Access playlists and songs right on your alpine head unit, the iPod goes in the glove compartment out of site. Even 'premium' car audio options pale in comparison to aftermarket products.
Don't go out and buy one just yet, though. Apparent'y they'll be introducing a video interface soon so you can watch your U2 videos. I mean, that's what everyone has on their iPods, right?
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Tony said 1:57AM on 7-18-2006
I have the Alpine iPod interface that kungfumaniac is talking about. I've had it for a couple years now. It works great if you make good use of playlists, or keep the iPod in shuffle (like I do), but scrolling threw artist/album/song lists is too slow.
It amazes people, though, when they see the artist info scrolling across the screen as each song plays, or watch me switch playlists by browing through them by name...and realize it's all coming from the iPod in my glovebox.
And it charges my iPod while it plays!
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Jeff said 9:22AM on 7-18-2006
Its called an auxiliary input. Thats all thats needed. Unless you want to be able to view the song and artist information on your radio's display. I'd just like to have an aux in jack. My wireless fm transmitter just sucks for sound quality.
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Steve Vigneau said 10:47AM on 7-18-2006
If Apple wants car manufacturers to have better iPod integration, they should also hold manufacturers to having good iPod integration. Honda has completely failed to do this with their Honda Music Link. If you would like, read my review of the Honda / Acura Music Link at http://www.nuxx.net/wiki/Honda_Music_Link_iPod_Adapter_Review and you can see just how horrible Honda's integration is. Google around for a while and you'll see that I'm not the only one who feels this way about the Honda Music Link.
-Steve
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madmac66 said 11:28AM on 7-18-2006
This would be great. The crap hanging off my cigarette lighters is ridiculous. I want one universal mount that can clip over the ashtray/drinks holder or something, or the option of mounting to the dash. One cable to provide power, audio signal and control....aaagh.
mm66
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poke smot 420 said 11:31AM on 7-18-2006
yeah i have a honda element and love that car bc it has an auxillary port right in the front for me to plug my mp3 player into. not just an ipod but any device really. besides from all the other cool options it really make my car the best!
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SubGenius said 11:42AM on 7-18-2006
Apple should create the perfect car stereo/ipod and then sell them directly to car manufacturers as an option in new cars.
Personally, I think the best solution would be an Apple Tablet that is 2DINs high. This would give you a 6.5" touchscreen interface with which to control the music that is in the Tablet.
Instead of "Front Row" it has "Front Seat" which gives you a simple interface to access Music, Videos, GPS, etc... When you put the Tablet into the built in dock it automatically goes into "Front Seat" Mode.
When you get out of the car you pop it out of the dash and into your pocket. When not in the dash it runs a slimmed down version of Mac OS X.
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Brad MacDonald said 11:55AM on 7-18-2006
I also have the Alpine interface. I have had it since it first came out and it by far the best solution out there.
I do recommend gettinf one, but get one of the larger display head units, they display more information.
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Pepe said 12:20PM on 7-18-2006
I just wanted to add that the newer Alpine head units are even better since they do not require a separate $99 iPod adapter component which I had to purchase last August. The price point is around $199, sometimes with free installation depending on which big box store is offering the deal. I have the same gripes about my iPod car interface though- while it's great to have it's really only acceptable if you use playlists or don't have very many artists/albums to scroll through. I will be even less happy when I want to use my own iPod with a vastly larger music collection than my wife's 4GB mini...
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Nobody said 1:07PM on 7-18-2006
"Yeah, I'd like to have more integration of iPod in my mustang...VROOM!"
I have a raven black 66 GT convertible with red pony interior connected to my old silver iPod mini 4 GB... Click the iPod, VROOM the 289.
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Tony said 1:09PM on 7-18-2006
Not just an AUX input but an digital connection. No A/D convertion.
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