Alpine and ipod news

[Tom]

Alpine Launches World’s First Car Audio Head Units to Allow True Integration with iPod

Mobile multimedia specialist Alpine has developed a system that enables consumers to connect and control their Apple iPod portable music player from their in-vehicle sound system. Alpines iPod Ready strategy is part of the companys overarching mission to create innovative in-vehicle electronics that are easier to use and provide great sound in the mobile environment.

"The integration of iPod control into selected 2004 Alpine in-dash receivers addresses the growing market of portable digital audio device users who want a safe and easy-to-use solution for playback in the car," says Graham Johnson, Alpine’s UK Marketing Director.

With a simple one-cable connection, iPod users will be able to operate key playback features from the Alpine receivers buttons and have display of playlists, album, artist and songs on the head unit. The iPod can then be safely stored in the glove box or console because it acts like a portable hard drive connected to the head unit through Alpine’s powerful Ai-NET system bus. The Alpine connectivity solution also provides charging of the iPod’s internal battery.

"Alpine’s iPod Ready in-dash receivers will allow iPod users seamless control of up to 10,000 songs easily in their car," said Stan Ng, Apple’s Director of iPod Product Marketing. "Being able to display song information and browse the iPod’s entire music library right from the Alpine head unit makes this a superior way to enjoy non-stop music in the car."

Alpine has engineered a unique interface box that takes advantage of the iPod Accessory Protocol allowing audio, track information, and control signals to be communicated over the Ai-NET system bus to the in-dash receiver. This seamless integration provides emulation of the iPod’s controls through an Alpine head unit using both the front panel buttons and the wireless remote control.

Launched at the recent CES exhibition in Las Vegas, Alpine’s iPod Ready Interface kit will be available later this summer through Alpine authorised retailers.

http://erc.qmuc.ac.uk/cliosport/gallery/full/1076059525__050204alp-.jpghttp://erc.qmuc.ac.uk/cliosport/gallery/full/1076059525__050204alp-.jpg

 

[CocoPops]

Swhat Im waiting for before upgrading the headunit Read about it last month on a few of the american news sites.

 

[Kenbot]

Sounds good, looks expensive!

Does anyone know of a way to hook an ipod up to a CD headunit? All I can find online, is a sh*tty tape converter or a radio transmitter available in the states. Which in this country would battle for space on the radio frequencys with Radio 2!!!!!

Any cables etc that might do the job?

 

[Daz.]

oooo I like that...

 

[MaLicE]

would it not of been easier to implement bluetooth on to the alpine unit, then they could of allpwed the ipod to be connected wirelessly, and also allow for mobiles to be used .....



i think pioneer are bringing bluetooth in this year...

 

[Tom]

Bluetooth is not capable of doing that.

 

[Dave]

Disappointed. I want it to be easy. Was expecting just to be able to plug an iPod into the front of the h/u in a little socket. Would be much better. Dont like all these other boxes.

 

[James20VT]

feking sweet!

i just ordered a 20gig ipod today with the car audio cables etc!

hmm looks like thats my next purchase!

 

[James20VT]

Kenbot.... get a digital cable and plug it into input of an Amplifier.. should work?? or get RCA cables and plug into back of spare inputs on headunit? woulda worked id have thought!