Apple integrates iPod/automotive functionality in Japan...

[Eddie Eddie Eddie 1]

Hey this looked neat...

It mentioned a few companies, smart, notably integrating iPod with factory stereos for the 2006 model year...

Now this states in Japan though... It would be nice if it were to come here as well...

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2005/aug/04cars.html

Eddie

[spinner 0]

Nothing there but some name-dropping. And you know many automakers won't allow allow do-it-yourself adaptations of their factory stereos (I'm looking at you, Mazda Protege/3) so that they can gouge the heck out of you for their own solutions. I think the Mercedes-Benz M-Class takes the cake, though, for outlay. The iPod integration is several hundred dollars, factory installed.

[ARTZ 0]

The smart fortwo with the intergrated ipod package, which is called the fortwo i-move edition, actually has the smart logo engraved on the back of the 20GB ipod.

[Xax 0]

For those who may be interested (and I haven't seen this posted anywhere else), I test-drove a Fortwo today, and the salesperson told me that an iPod setup could be installed for approximately $500 (no iPod included). But I've read that it's possible to buy a cable online (not sure if it's a customized cable or not), hook it up to the back of the smart's stereo, and bring the other end of the cable into the drawer underneathe it. Not a particularly elegant setup, but one HECK of a lot cheaper, and reasonably convenient.

[Illusive 4-2 0]

That cable is an AUX IN cable so you can hook up anything such as an MD player or CD player. Instead of investing $500 to hook up an iPod to the stock deck (which is totally not worth it) I would go and spend that money on a new set of speakers for the rear, a new Pioneer deck, and the Pioneer iPod adaptor. Same price, more functionality, sounds better, and less intrusive.

[DangerDan 9]

And the Aux-in cable is going to set you back all of $35.