Comments on: Why Apple Needs a Faceless iPod

By: Shane

Shane — Tue, 15 May 2007 23:24:24 +0000

I have an idea that I have wanted to ask Apple to do. Kind of what you said here but not really.

If Apple paired up with Pioneer or some higher end audio person and turned the iPhone into a head unit face then that would be awesome. Image just sliding your iphone into you head unit like you do your removable face plate now. When the phone power up in the head unit it goes to horizontal display and does GPS, video and iTunes in your car.

I think that is the next step. I was telling a buddy about this just a few weeks ago.

By: Sven Rafferty

Sven Rafferty — Thu, 10 May 2007 18:22:47 +0000

You may both want to look at Clarion’s line of iPod full-screen controls. Identical to the iPod ClickWheel layout (without the wheel aspect support) as well as complete replication of the iPod screen layout. I’ve used Pioneer’s and Alpine’s iPod interface and while not as good as Apple’s, it ain’t bad either.

With an option to save a hundred or more dollars on a head-unit people are already using, I don’t think the lack-luster interface issue would prevent people from buying a faceless iPod.

By: Shin

Shin — Thu, 10 May 2007 11:55:33 +0000

Leland is right.
I recently bought a GPS navigation system with built-in hard disk with on-screen iPod control, and everything with it like radio, DVD player, TV receivers. Big mistake! The GUI for iPod control is slow, and just impossible to use. And the worst thing is that it disables iPod controls.
I should have known and should have bought just a straight cablle with simple audio out, and power lines for chaging. That would have been cheaper as well.

I will not buy any devices that claims to control iPod, unlesss Apple-licensed software and patented GUI technogies are used.

By: Leland

Leland — Thu, 10 May 2007 01:06:48 +0000

No, it doesn’t make sense — not unless Apple produces (or engineers & licenses) an interface for the stereo head unit that is truly as easy to use as the iPod itself.

Where the other guys have failed wasn’t in storage density, it was in how you’re supposed to select & play tracks from the face of the stereo. Nobody got that right until the iPod came along, and it’s still easier to navigate the iPod directly than it is to use the stereo’s controls. Some systems even require separate car-only playlists or have a limit on how many tracks can be accessed.

There is still no better “iPod interface” than the iPod. Other manufacturers can mess around with portable hard drives to plug into their car stereos if they want.