Toyota releases iPod integration kit
updated 04:05 pm EDT, Fri August 31, 2007
iPod integration kit
Toyota on Friday released an iPod Integration Kit that works in all current Toyota and Lexus models. The kit, first announced in early May, is installed in the vehicle's glove box: it connects Apple's iPod directly to the car's audio system and can recharge the iPod's battery, according to Leftlane News. Once connected, all of the iPod's functions can be controlled through the audio head unit or steering wheel mounted controls. The kit also uses the head unit's display for the iPod's text-readouts–such as track title, elapsed time, etc.
The kit takes about an hour to install and has earned Apple's Made for iPod certification of quality. The "Apple iPod Integration Kit" retails for about $300.



Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2007
I have a 2007 Yaris...
And the sound quality on the upgrade six-disc Toyota stereo is appalingly bad. The sound is muffled, and unreasonably biased toward the low end of the sound spectrum.
Before buying one of these Toyota upgrade kits, consider whether it's actually cheaper to buy an entirely new third-party stereo with an iPod connector than it is to buy an integration kit like this.
I actually bought an iPod integration kit from my Toyota dealership last month (obviously, it was a third-party kit, and not this one) but returned it because there was no way for my Toyota stereo to show any textual information (e.g. artist or track name) from the iPod.
What I'm trying to say here is this: unless you have a very, very good stereo in your car (such as you might get in a Lexus?) trying to plug in your iPod is a lost cause. Better to get a whole new stereo.