More iPod integration news for MOST.

[laphil]

Just got off the phone with Dice Electronics regarding an ETA on the iPod integration for MOST systems. The rep said they are actually in production at the manufacturer and barring any strange delays should be out in about 45 days. Now I know we've heard this before (for about a year and a half,) but this is the first that I've heard that they are actually IN production.

Anyone have any idea how introducing a third-party add-on to the radio affects the warranty? According to the guy at Dice Electronics it shouldn't be an issue... just curious what everyone here thinks.

Lastly, I asked what the hold-up was. He informed my that it wasn't because of licensing (which would have been my guess) but rather these aren't off-the-shelf components and there was a serious development cycle behind the products.

Still... I'm much more encouraged today than I was the last time I spoke to them.

[SD987]

Thanks for the update LAPhil. I'm glad one of us got off his ass and followed up on this. Any word on price, or the price of the comparable existing non-MOST integration unit?

So then, what was all the hubbub about their latest product that was released about a month ago? I'm so damn confused...

[laphil]

Latest hubbub as far as I'm concerned was all vaporware.

As for the non-MOST goes... DON'T! I have a wired FM-modulator (top of the line) and it is NOT worth the money for the quality -- espescially if you are in an urban area.

[Jeph]

Ipod connectors. Man those lil' pods are popular. I think it's funny that manufacturers want to make cars with Ipod connectors in them. I guess that's what the masses want today. To me, it seems like a cupholder that only holds Pepsi. You can't hook up any other portable players to it.

A proper "line-out" would be an easy solution, and no one would wonder about adapter availabilty... but no, DRM comes first.

Also, the average car on the road is 9 years old. Are you gonna have your same iPod in 9 years? The iPods will change. Will their connectors? Technology certainly will change. Why aren't they wireless yet? Something like bluetooth* would really be good for iPods and other portable devices. Many cars already are toothin' it up by syncing with phones.

I know it's just an option, which makes it optional to use, but it's interesting to see how far a fad will go. (It kinda reminds me of those Bimmers in the late 90's that came with those Motorola SmartTac phones wired in.) Ah, the power of marketing. Debate it.

*Or any other up-and-coming wireless technology

[bhduxbury]

afaict, the dice solution has line out, too -- sorry if i'm mistaken -- also, once the link to most is established any rewiring of a "new" ipod connector would be, relatively, simple -- finally, the auto manufacturers' (besides porsche -- boo!) impetus to offer ipod connectivity is a bow down to marketshare, not drm (but drm is the means by which the ipod offers the greatest downloadable music store around with 90% plus marketshare) -- gotta love vertical integration upholding quality control . . . with a faint splash of marketing

[laphil]

Actually, I'm for open standards. But I wasn't trying to get into a "fad" or "DRM" thread. Frankly I want to be able to plug in a Sirius unit as well... I suspect a line-in to MOST converter will be on the way for those who still want to plug in their favorite 30 year old 8-track tape player... but alas, I suspect the market may dictate what gets development first. Hmmm... kinda' like wanting Tivo to Go on my Mac.... oh wait, Windows got that one... but that's a whole NEW argument, huh ???
:ah:

[eslai]

Originally Posted by Jeph

A proper "line-out" would be an easy solution, and no one would wonder about adapter availabilty... but no, DRM comes first.

I'd kill for a line-in on my Boxster. My girlfriend's new Civic has one and we ditched her old FM transmitter in favor of that. She was amazed at how much sound she had been missing.

*sigh* her key fob also has seperate LOCK and UNLOCK buttons.