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BMW Integrates iPod with Car Stereo

By Nate Mook, BetaNews

June 21, 2004, 8:48 PM

Clive Owen will be pleased; BMW and Apple today unveiled the first adapter that directly interfaces the iPod with a car stereo system. By simply attaching an iPod inside the glove compartment, BMW drivers can control their music libraries through the car's audio system and steering wheel. The BMW iPod Adapter can be installed in 2002 or later models, including the Mini Cooper. It supports up to five unique BMW playlists, which simulate the car's CD changer.

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By irdepesca572

posted Jun 21, 2004 - 10:42 PM

Looks kool, wish I had enough money to buy a BMW :P

Score: 0

By iDMan

posted Jun 22, 2004 - 12:27 AM

Call me crazy. But, wouldn't it make more sense to just add bluetooth that works only while the unit is plugged in? I would rather not have a cradle for my PDA, my Cell Phone, and my iPod. Bluetooth is the answer, not cradles.

Score: 1

By veejay

posted Jun 22, 2004 - 6:45 AM

Bluetooth is a very good solution where you cannot integrate the same during manufacturing. With Bluetooth you cannot expect the iDrive display to integrate, the Multi-function steering wheel to integrate with the iPod functions. The entire device will be powered internally, where as you are aware that bluetooth drains your battery much faster. In other normal mid-range cars, yes, BLUETOOTH is THE Solution, when you delve deeper into the BMW, you will realise that although it might not seem to make sense, it does.

?:)

Score: 0

By iDMan

edited Jun 22, 2004 - 3:51 PM

Actually, you can. With my brother-in-law's Acura, he can actually scroll his name list on his phone and get signal strength from his radio and scroll through all using his on-steering-wheel controls. Power is another concern that I am sure is easy enoguh to figure out. Bluetooth uses minimal power, and again I said Bluetooth would only be active while the iPod has power.

Score: 0

By asnpcwiz

posted Jun 25, 2004 - 1:39 PM

This is a great idea. Plus I agree that BT would seem the most obvious way to do this; however, Apple is a little smarter than that. They are only launching this with BMW right now, but I'm sure this will become available with most automobile manufacturer's pretty soon. I'm sure they thought about it, and realized that the number of people with actual bluetooth built into their cars are minimal. Even when it comes to BMW's, they don't all come with it. This is the cheapest way for them, the car manufacturer's and the public to do it. Plus they can get a much wider audience. Tons of cars have radio controls on their steering wheels...but not many have BT built in.

I am looking to get this for my wife's X5, but will wait a couple of weeks to see what everyone's response to it is. It's still pretty new.

Score: 0

By madgiggle

posted Jun 25, 2004 - 12:19 AM

i don't care what anybody says. i have an appointment with my dealership on Monday morning to get it installed. money well spent in mine eyes :)

Score: 0

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