http://www.macnn.com/articles/05/09/09/ipod.car.dock/
Apple patents car dock for iPod
updated 03:05 pm EDT, Fri September 9, 2005
iPod car dock
Apple has applied for a patent on a device that would enable drivers to easily equip their cars with an iPod. U.S. patent number "20050147951," titled "," describes a gadget that can be inserted into a standard cup holder to house an iPod. "One embodiment of the invention includes a spool about which connecting cable can be wound. Adapting sleeves that fit around the base of the apparatus can be used to adapt electronic device holder to cup holders of different sizes and shapes," Apple said in its filing. Nine sketches of the device are posted on the U.S. PTO website.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2001
Go AAPL go!
up $1.50 today! woo hoo
about the "electronic device holder" - I guess that's a convenient way to hold your iTrip equipped iPod but it still doesn't jack it (easily) into your car stereo.
Why oh why don't car makers equip their cars with a mini 1/8" jack line in? And for that matter why don't most cars come with a 110 volt AC plug as standard equipment? It's the 21st century, Detroit/Tokyo...