Do you work for Microsoft or something?

Zune = Uneleased, Microsoft knockoff of the iPod. Last time I checked, you can buy iPods in stores right now, which gives them a bit of an upper hand.

Good luck finding a Zune interface for your RX8.

 

All he needs a head unti with WiFi! LOL

 

Yes, I also noticed that the Zune is heavier and larger (70% by volume vs 30GB iPod). Or is that not what you meant?

Out of the gate, supposedly the Zune's wifi can only be used to send songs to other Zune users, who can listen to them only up to 3 times over 3 days (after which they'll be deleted at next sync). Wake me up when you can use its wifi to:

• Connect to the internet
• Download songs directly from the Zune store
• Sync to your computer
• Playback music and video on other non-Zune devices

 

No specs yet on the official kit.

 

Just FYI, the zune cannot download songs from the internet via wifi.
Go check engadget

 

In addition, Zune adds it's own DRM to ANY songs you put on it. Even if they're your own recordings (i.e. your garage band), the songs will be irreversibly encrtyped with PlaysForSure, that is of course unless you're into hacking the DRM which I hear DVDJon just broke today, but I digress.

 

I think you misread my post:

 

has anyone got his yet? does it require a the newer firmware or will it work with the old ones? and also are the steering wheel controls retained?

 

It works with the old firmware. I just installed it on my '04 and it works fine. Steering wheel controls are retained. It will only look at 6 playlists (it treats each like a disc in an external changer).

Installation was a bigger pain in the *** than I was imagining, but it only took me an hour or so.

 

nice to hear it works with old firmware. and its true that there is no title/artist/album text? id imagine its just EX:1 thru 6 on the display?

for now this seems like the only fully backwards compatible ipod integration kit available correct? I really want the CD text because when u plug in the ipod im guessing the display on the ipod reads "ok to disconnect" so the ipod screen is unusable too.

Im just getting tired of waiting on updates for the auxmod advance.

 

It can take as little as 10 minutes. A couple tips for posterity from when I installed the audiolink:

I. FIND THE DRIVER SIDE BOLTII. USE TOWELS:III. YOU DON'T NEED TO ANGLE RADIO WHEN YOU REMOVE IT

 

Yeah, the bolt took me the most time. Probably half an hour looking for it, coming back to the forum, printing a picture of it, etc. Once I found it I was able to get the rest done.

 

Correct, there is no useful text display. I'm also noticing some issues with it recognizing the playlists on my ipod, but I could be using it wrong. I'll look into it.



As far as I know, it is the only backwards compatible integration kit. Taking out the radio and shipping it to CA for a firmware upgrade just wasn't appealing to me. And yes, the ipod display is unusable when it's plugged into the car.

That's why I bought this one. Once I get the playlist issue sorted out, I think I'll be very pleased with it for the price and effort I had to put in.

 

Dealer had a "special" to install mine. Thing doesn't work right.
Doesn't start playing from last song in play list as stated in manual.
Doesn't cycle though playlists as stated in manual.
Plays either 1 or 2 songs from playlist - no more.
Using the arrow keys on the steering wheel moves from 1st song on play list to first song on play list no matter which direction arrow is selected, if I'm lucky it will play the second song but no more.
Does not turn off Ipod when power off (Pain to dig it out of the glove box to turn it off each time I shut the car off. Dealer refused to install in console)
Does not show charging as stated in manual.
Dealer spent almost an hour trying to get it working, he had no clue (he never used an Ipod before). Follow up call a week later they said they had 3 cars like this and neither they nor Mazda knows why.

But hey, It didn't void the warranty having a "Factory" one installed. Whoopee.

 

It only came on the Mazda 3. RX-8 doesn't have the factory iPod integration.

 

You would think that if we could put a man on the Moon we could get an iPod adapter that works as advertised!!!! I am bitter today as far as the 8 goes, you can see by my signature....3rd time member of the "Flood Club" when the 8 got to the service shop the rep called and asked who worked on the 8 the last time.......they left one of the spark plugs out!!!!!!!!
$32k and unreliable.....its time to re-think the investment!

 

I am looking at buy one for my 2004 RX8 should i get one or save my money.
Does it work like it says does the steering wheel controls still work.

Thanks

 

Yes, the steering wheel controls work. You can use them to change tracks as well as the regular volume stuff.

Mine seems to work on my '04 as advertised, although it seems to find a playlist that doesn't exist on the iPod. Overall, I'm happy with it for the price.