Alpine integrates iPod connector into car audio
updated 04:15 pm EST, Tue January 6, 2004
Alpine integrates iPods
will demo at CES the world's first solution that enables consumers to connect and control their iPod from their in-vehicle sound system. With a simple one-cable connection, iPod users will be able to operate key playback features from the Alpine receiver's buttons and have display of playlists, album, artist and songs on the head unit. It will be available later this summer (email ipodready@alpine-usa.com for more info).
The iPod can be safely stored in the glove box or console because the iPod acts as a portable hard drive connected to the head unit through Alpine's Ai-NET system bus, which simultaneously charges the iPod's internal battery.
"Alpine's iPod Ready in-dash receivers will allow iPod users seamless
control of up to 10,000 songs easily in their car," said Stan Ng, Apple's
Director of iPod Product Marketing. "Being able to display song information
and browse the iPod's entire music library right from the Alpine head unit
makes this a superior way to enjoy non-stop music in the car."
Alpine says it has engineered a unique interface box that takes advantage of the iPod Accessory Protocol allowing audio, track information, and control signals to be communicated over the Ai-NET system bus to the in-dash receiver. This seamless integration provides emulation of the iPod's controls through an Alpine head unit using both the front panel buttons and the wireless remote control.
a hope
01/06, 04:38pm reply
i hope Alpine s**** on Griffin's iTrip.
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..
01/06, 04:39pm reply
also Belkin's thing
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iPod controlling headunit
01/06, 04:52pm reply
I love this idea. To have iPod controls on a car stereo, fantastic!
I'll be first in line to buy one!
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eh?
01/06, 04:55pm reply
The itrip and similar are completely different products from the alpine. Why would you hope it "s**** on" the iTrip?
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no lemon
01/06, 04:58pm reply
seriously -- washed out sound over FM does the iPod no justice. bring it on. make a road friendly dock while you're at it.
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Not quite the first
01/06, 05:06pm reply
Dension's ice-link works great for controlling the iPod from my Mini's steering wheel buttons. However, it's one-way; it doesn't display track info on the stereo.
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again
01/06, 05:50pm reply
I welcome the alpine, especially since I have a 9815 in my dash right now. But comparing it to an iTrip is just silly. The alpine will probably cost near $100 and will only be compatible with alpine head units with AInet. The iTrip is a cheap lofi solution available to anyone with an FM radio.
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insanely great
01/06, 06:58pm reply
This is EXACTLY the solution I had been waiting for. I never purchased an iPod because it just didn't make sense to: 1) keep a cassette player in the car just to connect an iPod, 2) listen to high quality LAME encoded MP3's over FM, and 3) run RCA cables throught the transmission tunnel to a head unit's auxillary input requiring that one use the iPod's (although excellent) interface while driving. It's too bad it's not Nakamichi doing this, but Alpine's acceptable. =)
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Nakamichi
01/06, 09:20pm reply
is overrated. Eclipse is better for the money.
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summer?
01/08, 01:56am reply
"Later this summer"? It's 3 degrees in Chicago right now. It's going to be a long summer.
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