Monday, June 21, 2004

iPod solution for my MINI?

This just in:
http://www.apple.com/ipod/BMW/

Apple/BMW have announced an adapter that can be added to any BMW/MINIs 2002 or newer. It goes into the glove compartment, and can be controlled by the Multifunction Steering Wheel. It's pretty cool, although I'm not certain that it can read individual albums, or if it only reads your library as a HUGE list of song titles. You can set up to 5 playlists that I know it can read, but again, I'd want to make sure it can read individual albums.

cost: $150 plus installation - (supposedly under 1 hour)

I've been looking to get the Dension IceLink - they just came out with the newest model that I've been waiting for. I KNOW that this adapter will allow you to play individual albums (controlled via the iPod directly) then you can scroll through the album, or your playlists with the Steering Wheel.

However...

cost: $229.00 plus installation
(I think Dick is handy enough to install one though)

Neither of the two adapters show you the title of the song on the stereo - instead, it will show "Track 1" "Track 2" etc.,

My understanding is that Dension's IceLink is working on that feature for a new version.

Both adapters are connected at the base of the new iPods, which also will continuously power the iPods when the car is running.

I'll have to find out more about the BMW adapter - could save some $$ with this one. It will be available for BMWs on July 1st, but won't be available for MINIs until the end of the summer (whatever that means).

Anyone out there using the iceLink? I'd really like to integrate my iPod with my MINI, as I feel that I'm not utilizing it yet...

thoughts? Comments?

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