Filed under: Accessories, iPod Family
Fifty percent of 2007 cars offer iPod integration
Playlist magazine reports that about half of all new 2007 automobiles support iPod integration. Telematics Research Group calls it "the most sought after feature" for customers. This number is way up from the 12% iPod support in 2006 model year cars. You can only imagine how our Internet-addicted lifestyle (aka our "crackberry-style living") will continue to grow and develop over the next few model years. I fully expect standard in-seat video integration and wireless Internet consoles to join iPod support as standard options.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kevin Vahlbusch said 2:24PM on 12-20-2006
I think that video and all that jazz is a little bit off yet, at least for Mid-level models. I'm thinking like the '10 or '11 model years.
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Trevor said 3:32PM on 12-20-2006
Other technologies are making their way into vehicles that 'I think' will make integration look different in the coming years and probably support the Zune, etc.. Too bad it's microsoft.
http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/64165909/
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42 said 3:33PM on 12-20-2006
well, many car companies offer some sort of adapter or other hack to control and play an iPod but I wouldn't quite call it "integration." I spent most of November car-shopping and none of the cars I looked at had any kind of built-in dock like the one in the picture. instead they offered a dongle-thingie that usually lives in the glovebox. I ended up with an Audi A4, but use an FM transmitter which works fine. The VW/Audi iPod adapter is expensive and the installation cost is twice the cost of the adapter. In addition it will only allow you to play the first five playlists on your iPod. Um, no thanks.
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JP said 4:15PM on 12-20-2006
I recently bought a 2007 VW Jetta with the el-cheapo iPod jack built in, as opposed to the more expensive "integration" option. The aux jack is in the glove compartment (stupid, stupid, stupid placement), but it's perfectly simple & works much better than any FM transmitter I've ever tried. I can plug my iPod into the aux jack by means of a retractable audio cable. Once driving, I control my music directly on the iPod, which rests in one of the beverage holders right next to my side.
Aside from the painfully idiotic placement of the input jack in the f&@#ing glove compartment (the far right corner, no less!), it's an awesome zero-cost solution to adding pristine iPod music to a car.
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raleigh said 4:15PM on 12-20-2006
'standard options'??
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Tony said 5:27PM on 12-20-2006
I have full iPod integration through 3rd party: Alpine. The dock connector is in the glove box (perfect place, as I can lock it when I go into the store), and I have full control from the Alpine head unit.
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Math Pedant said 11:55PM on 12-20-2006
I don't think I'd call it "integration" unless it involved a dock and full control of all functions and all ipod displays through the car's stereo system. By that standard, I think the percentage figure is pretty close to zero.
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