Yeah, but will it play protected AAC files?! Damn Apple and their "FairPlay" format -- it's not FAIR if they don't let 3rd party manufacturers use it!!

You realize that this is only an interface for the iPod, right?

Does your iPod play protected AAC files? Yes.

Will this work with protected AAC files? Yes.

Yes, but it says that it "acts like a plug n' play hard drive", which is very misleading. If it's simply an interface for the iPod then great, it'll play AAC protected files. But if actually treats the iPod like a HARD DRIVE, then we'll probably be running into problems with protected AAC files.

"Alpine says the the iPod then acts like a plug n' play hard drive controlled by Alpine's rotary k*** control"

If the Alpine is the player and the iPod is just acting as a mounted hard drive, then Apple will have to authorize this device as an iTMS player (like 5 iTunes, or unlimited iPods.) For some reason I don't see that happening, that will open the floodgates...

The picture I've seen show the iPod connected as a hard drive, the Alpine head unit is the entire interface. This release also makes no mention of browsing through PLAYLISTS. Perhaps it just indexes the ID tags and lets you browse through your library via artist/album? No integration with iTunes or the iPod interface itself = bad thing.

"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."

In short, yes, it plays protected AAC. It uses the accessory protocol, which means the iPod does the playing, decoding, and track info, and transmits the audio and data to the receiver.

As outZider has pointed out, iPod is providing the audio.

However, what kind of feedback will the iPod provide to the head unit, I wonder? The BMW deal looks cheesy, hopefilly, more than "Track 1, Track 2..." are available.

did you miss this part:

"view song information (artist, album and/or song name) on the display"

Blitzsafe was the first to have the interface for the iPod and has a patent pending on it, they also have the interface for the Delphi Skyfi XM radio.

Alpine First NO WAY!

ferrariF1, are you on crack?!?

It is May 1st, 2005 and BlitzSafe STILL does NOT have an interface for the iPod. BlitzSafe has been perpetually saying it will release "in about a month" for the past two or three years! What a load of BS!! (funny how they have the same initials)

Dension had the first iPod interface: the iceLink. Today, everybody except BlitzSafe seems to have an iPod interface released: Dension, Apple/BMW, Alpine, P.I.E., and Monster Cable/Sound Gate. Maybe if BlitzSafe spent less time spamming forums with their vapourware, they could actually get a product out the door.