Apple teams with BMW for Ipod integration
 

Any chance they partner with other car manufacturers?

http://www.macminute.com/2004/06/15/bmw

Apple teams up with BMW on iPod adapter

June 15, 2004 - 23:39 EDT__ by Larry Angell - Following up on our story earlier today regarding upcoming auto solutions for the iPod, MacMinute has obtained a two-page joint advertisement from Apple and BMW for a new iPod car adapter. The ad reads: "The first seamless integration of iPod and automobile. Connect with your music like never before. With the installation of an integrated adapter developed by BMW and Apple -- now available for the BMW 3 Series, X3 and Z4 -- you can control your iPod through the existing audio system and multi-function steering wheel. Which means no loss of power. No loss of sound quality. And no loss of control." The ad also directs consumers to iPodYourBMW.com, which as of this posting, is not yet live.

More from another site:

Gizmodo Exclusive: iPod Your BMW Secrets Revealed

Gizmodo has been given the details of Apple and BMW's new 'iPod Your BMW' campaign by one of our favorite kinds of tipsters, the kind that likes to remain anonymous. Here are the details.


First of all, most BMWs on the road won't be able to use the BMW iPod connection kit. Not only does the kit only work with 2002 or later 3 Series, X3 SAVs, or Z4 Roadsters, any car with optional built-in Navigation system, cassette deck, satellite radio, or CD change won't be able to use it, presumably because of the lack of dash space for the digital readout and because the auxiliary audio wiring is already taken up. So unless you've got the stock Standard or Premium sound (and the right car), you're pretty much out of luck -- unless you're buying new, then knock yourself out.


Get the rest of the details after the jump.


Our source has a lack of info on exact price, although dealership installation charges are being quoted at around $235. Hopefully that includes the hardware, as well, but then again, we are talking BMW, the company that requires you to use their own magic oil (no hate mail unless it's delivered in the new BMW you're giving me, thanks).


The iPod slips inside a dock in the glove box and controls are on the steering wheel, and they look to be pretty basic, with only an track up/track down selection and what looks to be a mute button. BMW asks that you create five selectable BMW-specific playlists (probably something like the ones I made in my iTunes picture to the right) on your iPod which are controlled by the 1 through 5 button on the dash, while selecting 6 will play through your entire iPod library. This implies you won't have as much control over your iPod as you would with its native interface. If that's the case, that will be a serious ding against the usefulness of the kit.


So there you have it, an expensive kit that lets you tie your iPod directly into your BMW's existing hardware, while severely limiting the usefulness of it at the same time. If you're going to hide away your iPod in the glove compartment, it would be nice to not hide away the interface that makes it unique, as well.

The BMW thing sounds nice. You probably shouldn't be fumbling around with the scroll wheel and little screen while driving. It's not safe. Besides, 5 playlists is capable of giving a ton of flexibility, plus you get the full library on 6 if you REALLY need to hear that one song...

Now, we need one for the 8.

This is promising also:

Apple working on iPod gear for 'in-car listening'
June 15, 2004 - 17:02 EDT__ At the iTunes Music Store launch event in London today, Apple CEO Steve Jobs mentioned that Apple is currently working on automobile solutions for its iPod. "Later this year we are hoping to make some announcements for in-car listening," he said.

That was the iPod / BMW thing. Apparently, he flashed a pic of a BMW interior with an Apple logo photoshopped onto it.

Hopefully, though, "automobile solutions" is on several fronts, not just BMW. I figure the modular audio system Mazda is using in the 3/6/8/? will make us a bit of a shoe in. Hope, hope hope.