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I see I'm not the only one to think of this idea. At any rate, my iPod IS my head unit right now. I have the monster cable that plugs into my iPod and then directly into my amp. It works well and I use my remote to skip to different songs/adjust volume. However I would absolutely LOVE to have a head unit that I could just slide my iPod into...tre chic!

Yes, yes, YES!!! Where do I send my money?

I bet they are working on this right now. If not, a third party should be well along shortly.

As described above, I would buy instantly. It would make my time in the car so much better.

I'd rather Apple did it, so I could be assured of quality components (tuner, CD player, ergonomic and intuitive controls, etc.)

The only real limit to this idea is whether or not the controls can go through the docking pins. My guess is yes, but methinks it would require a simple firmware update from Apple. Still, I would PREORDER just to get one of these puppies ASAP. Sony, JVC, Kenwood...ARE YOU LISTENING?

It is indeed an honor to have prompted such detailed attention from the great SteveJack. However, the following needs to be addressed:

1. iPods now come in different SIZES. Pesumably, the slot would be made to fit the present 30gb model. Would there have to be an add-on sleeve to fatten the 10 and 15? What happens when Apple has to make "the next" 60gb model 1/8" thicker than the 30?

2. Not that I really care, but what about the millions(?) who are happy with the capacity of their original model?

3. The OEM Stereos in most new cars (at least higher end new cars) are now quite good. Often they are integrated with the LCD Screens of Nav Systems, etc, and have controls on the steering wheel, etc. Would owners really choose to deface the console of their new $45,000 Lexus, with filler panels? And what if it's a LEASE?

Having thought further since submitting my Opinion, and reading SteveJacks, I am now most in favor of the "CD Changer Replacement" concept. Either an actual unit with a HD, or simply a ROBUST dock. This would work with the typically trunk-mounted units at the OEM high-end, be compatibile with MOST person's existing headunits, and with new ones installed at Best Buy. The new ones would indeed have the potential for INTEGRATED faceplate controls, via some licensing deal with AAPL. The rest of us would get buy with a wireless remote, similar to what one does with XM, etc.

I'd buy this head unit.
Are there any Photoshop adepts out there who could put together a hypothetical mock-up?

i have to know if who ever wrote this page has Bang And Olufsen Stuff cause i have never heard any one else use the term brushed aluminum please let me know thanks

I think the pod will fit into the 8-track player in my truck...

Yo Scotty - how did you accomplish this? My power amp is turned on/off via the Eclipse CD head unit. Do you not have a head unit and have just the Monster Cables for your iPod attached to the amp? What cables did you use? Is the iPod's signal clean/powerful enough to drive the amp?

TimT

There is a mock-up of a iPod Car Stereo on SpyMac from July 23rd, 2003.

Have a look

Maybe that's where SteveJack found his inspiration!

In any case, it is a great idea!

All a car stereo needs is a line in, just like your stereo at home. Then, you just use a modified dock that holds an ipod like the simple mounts at everythingipod.com.

That is the easiest idea - then you could use the line in for a CD player or anything else.

How about it had it's own drive built into it, and just had a firewire/USB2 port connector in front instead of that big slot to insert a ipod.
It would auto sync just as my7 new ipod to my laptop.
This way you can use either a ipod or even bring a laptop utilizing the full screen. This would also save you space at the front panel.
Perhaps utilize this extra space for a bigger (color) display.
Just a thought.

I don't know about this... it should not be an Apple product.
The reason the iPod rocks so much is the BIG screen and the scroll wheel. You can smoothly and quickly navigate a HUGE music library.
Imagine trying to navigate a 30 gig library from the display on a car stereo.
I agree that this product should come, but at least the first ones won't properly address this problem and they will be wack and Apple simply won't do that.
But somebody else should definitely release a hard drive-based car mp3 player with a disc burner. I still don't know how you sync it regularly with iTunes to keep the playlists updated... Firewire jack and iPod auto-sync I guess...

Another idea...forgo the iPod "doc in the dash" and simply use the guts of an iPod add a 802.11g transmitter, tuner, cd drive, screen and create an indash iMusic System for your car. The iMusic System syncs when you pull into the driveway with your wireless computer network and your home computer's iTunes files directly! No iPod, no cables! Make your playlists etc. at home, get in your car, and drive away with all of your music!


have your car

I've been thinking about the idea as well, only in my version, the iPod head unit would have bluetooth or some other wireless tech. allowing me to sync w/ my computer's iTunes just by parking in my driveway and pressing a button...

My prediction.. It's not ever going to happen, especially not at the price points you present. I use my iPod in my car every day but would rather stick with my cable than pay $500-600 to replace my CD player. Before one thinks I'm cheap, I own an 2nd gen iPod, G4 iMac, and Al Book, among other several other Macs.

I think the idea is interesting but if you follow Apple's product releases it seems the fact that they haven't expanded further consumer products in the home (not computers) says to me that they won't yet move into the car. This just may be on the path in the future but it seems unlikely until they have a larger presence in the house.

The lifely thing to see first would be the 'front end' of consumer audio. There has been a lot written about some 'super dock' for the iPod but I think they'd shoot further.

Apple will develop a "smart" component appliance that will interface with a home entertainment system to serve up media of all flavors for your home.

This is not as sexy as having some cool car stereo but to me, it makes more sense.

Once they have this in the marketplace...this will generate a bigger argument to take a further step into the car audio and other markets that focus away from the home.

Think of it, if they'll put an Apple product in the car, they'll want it to do more than play music. It may sync wirelessly to a laptop, too, via rendevouz provide GPS assistance, etc...

A car product that Apple produces will not just play music, it will enhance the experience of being in a car. It really won't be an expensive car stereo.

Hasn't anyone seen the VW - Pods Unite ad!

it's only a matter of time before every mfg gets in on the act of making an indash mp3 jukebox (and most probably a bad one)....
I'd love to see iTunes running in my car... but that's probably too much to ask. Maybe the next gen iPod is formed so it can hitch into the form of an Apple in dash unit much like a detachable face stereo.

Count me in as another dreamer who thought of this idea (and the MILLIONS it would make me).

As far as navigating through your iPod library being a problem, I say the pod is the solution. It would be no more difficult that the idiots trying to find the right station or reach the CD that fell between the seats. Use common sense...YOU'RE IN A CAR!!!

Plus the added benefit of making playlists (on the fly with the latest models) and you've got a never-ending orgy of sound in that little box.

I have an iTrip and it's great for what it is. However I long for better sound quality and a slicker way to mount the 'pod (currently I'm using a little rubber pad called a Handstand on my dash).

I agree that some sort of sleeve adapter would solve the old-pod-new-pod dilemma. But I wholly disagree about the price point being in the $500 range. Half that sounds more realistic.

Whether Apple makes it or some one else does (hell...where's my soldering iron)...it would be a great idea. It would sell tens of thousands of units...along with more 'pods. And no...the Lexus/Mercedes driver probably isn't going to go for something like that. But a solution for that market is probably a couple years and a couple thousand dollars away. In the meantime...I WANT MY cPod!!!

Why not just have a head unit that connects to the existing radio system and software that integrates it into the iPod? That way you do not have to give up anything.

(P.S. The Mini-Cooper will soon have software integrating the iPod into the factory radio and the radio controls on the steering wheel will control the iPod also.)

just have a cassete adapter that holds and charges and interfaces with the ipod for 99 cheap and doable

Ugh, fellas, I think Volkswagon has already accomplished a form of what you guys are talking about. Have'nt ya'll seen the commercials? I've seen it a dozen times now. Pods Unite It's not an Apple commercial, it seems to be a Volkswagon commercial...maybe a merge of some sorts as far as the cost. Pretty cool. It should simply be a line in and some sort of holder for the iPod

Pioneer makes a hard drive based, memory stick compatible, burning mp3 player.. All they need is a firewire port and your ready to rock...http://pioneerelectronics.com/pe/product/detail/0,,2076_4039_37868,00.html

Oh and a smaller price tag would be nice too

The VW iPod thing is nothing more than a cup holder attachement that holds the iPod. It connects to the car via a cassette adapter, so please don't get your hopes up, I did and was shot down.......
There was a company who made a car MP3 player, Empeg, who was purchased by Rio, then sold at auction. They are currently developing another product but have very little info at empeg.com
FYI...
here is a link to a 3rd party faceplate company
http://www.by-photos.de/AluFace.html

Can anyone tell me if Apple added bluetooth to an ipod (4th generation?) would it be able to stream music to a car stereo that has bluetooth? I know that this would require that the car stereo could play mp3s and aac files. Then you could have a simple doc that would provide power to the iPod. This is what I was thinking about as I was being driven home from work tonight!

At the Paris Expo, there was a display by a group that have an option for the Smart cars that does a very nice job integrating an iPod (dockable models only) into a car stereo. Basically, the iPod snaps into a mounting system just ahead of the gearshift, and is held firmly in place by rubber mounts around it. It's a snug fit and the iPod's not going anywhere. The slick part is that the dock connection is integrated with the car stereo so the next/previous buttons on the steering wheel talk directly to the iPod when it's the selected stereo source.

Now if only there was a display relay to a HUD projected on the windshield...

Ha, I knew the idea existed in someone's mind. I see Apple coming out with a completely different product other than plugging in ur ipod into ur car. I see Apple coming out with a cd player in conjunction with Pioneer (since my flat screen imac with a dvd burner is a Pioneer, and they make some of the best products). This new cd player will have a hard drive similar to the ipod internally in the cd player. And in the end, the apple/pioneer cd player with a hard drive will have an apple extreme wi-fi (g) card so you can download and upload mp3s or aau songs onto the hard drive from ur home computer. Fact or fiction? or just a great idea!