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For six years, the Internet Nexus served as my technology blog, but I've since started blogging at the SuperSite Blog instead. If you're looking for the blog, please head there. --Paul

Sunday, July 04, 2004

Alpine: iPod interface coming this fall

MacCentral: "Venerable car audio maker Alpine ... in January announced the development of its Interface Adapter for iPod. With Apple and BMW's recent announcement making the rounds, Alpine recently offered further information about its product, which it now says will ship in the fall. The Interface Adapter for iPod enables users of vehicles equipped with Alpine-made head units that sport an Ai-Net system bus to control their iPods directly from their stereo's front panel or remote control. Song information -- including artist, album and song name -- is displayed on the head unit, and a rotary knob enables users to quickly scroll through their music collection. The Interface Adapter for iPod consists of an interface box and cable that can be installed anywhere in the vehicle, according to Alpine -- under the seat, in the glove compartment, or behind the dash. A cable connects the Interface Adapter to the Alpine head unit, while another cable connects a Dock Connector-equipped iPod or iPod mini. The Interface Adapter also charges the iPod's battery when it's connected."

Joe and I have been wondering why this kind of thing isn't more widespread (and already available from a variety of places). So this is good news, but what's taking so long? And maybe these portable devices could settle on an external management standard so that the interface for doing this sort of thing from any device could be standardized.

[ Posted at 7:17 PM | Permalink ]