iSimple® today announced the availability of iPod® docking interfacing kits that give drivers of hundreds of popular 1995 to 2007 automobiles an affordable way to enjoy static-free iPod music directly through their vehicle’s factory stereo systems. In addition to crystal clear audio, these kits also allow the user to track forward and track back on his/her iPod directly from the factory radio, as well as providing battery charging for many iPod models.

Each kit features a “brain box” (called a PXDP) and a wiring harness that plugs directly into the CD changer port in the back of a compatible vehicle’s factory-installed stereo system. Once installed (professional installation is recommended) the unit delivers perfect CD quality sound directly through the sound system, as well as the option of selecting tracks through the car stereo using the FFWD / RRWD CD changer function. Additionally, the unit does not block out clickwheel or touch screen controls, so the user can browse and select tracks as normal. And, because the connection is “hardwired” to the vehicle, the docking connection offers battery charging for most iPod models, including the iPhone®.

These iSimple kits sell for approximately $119.95 and are compatible with hundreds of models, including: BMW and Mini) Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer, Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Saturn; Ford, Lincoln and Mercury; Acura, Honda, Isuzu, Scion and Toyota; Chrysler, Dodge, Eagle, Jeep and Plymouth, and Audi, Jaguar and Volkswagen.

All iSimple automotive docking solutions are made by Peripheral Electronics® – the industry leader in automotive OEM integration products – and distributed and marketed by AAMP of America™. iSimple kits are available at specialty car audio and electronics stores nationwide, as well as most Best Buy locations. iSimple products are also available online at Crutchfield.com, Autotoys.com, Amazon.com and more. For more information, please visit www.peripheralelectronics.com or www.iSimpleSolutions.com.

I bet there are a lot of you starting to get jealous of those other people that can listen to their tunes from their Bluetooth device, such as a smartphone, right on their car stereo without every plugging in a wire to anything. With rumors of the iPhone update supporting full Bluetooth stereo, the doors may just be blown open wide real soon with Bluetooth audio.

Now if you’re one that spent all their cash on such a device and can’t yet afford the upgrade to a nice slick Alpine or Pioneer that supports Bluetooth connectivity, then maybe you should take out that old mix tape and throw in the Flexii Bluetooth Cassette Adapter. With this sweet adapter, you’ll be able to do what those other cassette adapters for portable CD players did and play music from a really cool high tech gadget! Cheap. For $40, you’ll get to play jams from your PDA, smartphone, or laptop all without a single wire. In fact, the Bluetooth Cassette Adapter has a built-in rechargeable lithium battery that will give you up to 5 hours of play time. The included USB cable lets you charge that bad boy in not time!

So now enjoy your high tech gadget on your “low” tech radio. Bring your car into the future, baby!

Ever since I had my first iPod four years ago, I’ve been looking for that perfect stereo for my vehicle that would give me all the great features and control of my digital music player right from the radios controls. With a few bumps in the road, I think I may have found something pretty close.

The Alpine iAD-X001 is one of the best iPod controller units for your car that I’ve come across. After you read the review, I think you’ll probably agree.

Finding application replacements on my iPhone that I used on my Pocket PC running Windows Mobile has been somewhat difficult due to the nature of the required Web 2.0 interface. Not too many trusted password “apps” can be found for my iPhone and the same goes for a vehicle log. While many of the latter exist on the web for regular web browsers, those are not a good fit since EDGE is so slow and downloading a complete “large” web page is not ideal at the gas pump. After days of looking, I found one site that offered a mobile front end as well. So I went with the 30 free trail and tried it out.

I immediately noticed the mobile page was very dinky on my iPhone the first time I logged in. While the iPhone is smart mobileSafari isn’t smart enough to figure out when not to make the page dinky to “fit” the entire web page onto your screen. Apple documents how you can add a meta tag to your site to resolve this, but that’s silly for a site that’s already small. Anyway, I sent e-mail to support at Ownersite.com and within a few minutes, I received a reply requesting the meta tag information. ‘Wow, that was quick!’ I thought and sent that info right off. Shortly after, Steven Eppinger replied stating he had everything added and even made some “iPhone-feel” changes. He asked me to take a look. I did and there it was, perfectly fitted to my iPhones screen! Awesome. Man, if this is the kind of response I get for feature requests, how much better can the support be for other support questions at Ownersite.com?

So I’ve used the snazzy new interface this past weekend and have added a few pump stops. I can quickly add my information and drive off into the sunset…knowing I have all my information on Ownersite.com’s servers ready for some graphs, averages, reminders, and other important information I can get on a “big” browser or even on my iPhone for later use. For me, this is important for tax purposes and now having the ability to add the information right at the pump once more makes my life easier again. Having the added benefit of the data being online makes this even a better alternative than my Windows Mobile application as syncing and exporting are no longer needed. It’s all there in one place!

Thank you Ownersite.com and I will definitely be signing up for that subscription!

Rockford Fosgate tried it with the MP3.8 and Blaupunkt had one, too. Neither succeeded. I’m sure I am missing others that tried to bring gobs of music to vehicles easily that just could not pull off the great idea. None of these products had the hottest brand name etched into its back: iPod.

Apple should introduce a faceless iPod. Basically, just a hard drive unit that you can easily dock and sync with iTunes. All your movies, music, and photos would sync onto the unit just like any other iPod with a screen but you wouldn’t use this for portable enjoyment for your eyes. No, this would only be used in a car, friends home connected to a TV, or even a business for music or video display on external devices. Heck, there are tons of uses for this kind of headless device. I’m sure by removing the ClickWheel and screen, Apple could shave easily $100 if not more off the price of the iPod. Maybe even add a second drive and logically fuse them together as one large drive. It’s a market Apple hasn’t tried but one that exists already.

I rarely use my iPods screen as it sits in my trucks “glove” compartment 24/7. It only comes out for syncs and an occasional use on my belt or drop into an iPod boom-box. But for the most part, it’s in my truck always. I’m not the only one doing this and I would venture to say there is a lot of people using their iPod for the same thing I am: CD changer replacement in the car. With its high density, easy navigation with nearly every after-market and OEM car stereo, the screen on the iPod is no longer needed with this endless music source inside the dark cavern of many glove boxes. We just want our music - all of our music - with us where ever we go. The iPod does that for us.

To remove the expense not needed, a new venue of revenue could be created for Apple. I know many would buy the iPod Car just for the mere purpose of having one for their car. Keeping their 5G iPod for the gym or bike ride or what ever it might be is perfect for the screen version. For those smaller needed amounts of music play, the shuffle will still gladly fill the void. Top that off with the iPhone and now Apple has all bases covered. Home run.

So where Blaupunkt and Rockford failed, Apple would easily succeed. Hopefully its something that it’ll consider and maybe, just maybe, I’ll get that 200GB iPod for my truck after all.

Okay, now Altec Lansing has just released the inMotion iMV712, I’ve got to ask, “Where’s the car video version?” Alpine, Pioneer, Sony, they all have iPod connectors now. Most after-market radios do, period. Now with album art as the new big thing to show on the display, why can’t we just get the whole video on these screens? Altec Lansing has proven that it can be done no problem as have other brands with home docks that also produce video on TV screens from a cradled iPod. So what gives?

For the last few months, I’ve been wondering why this hasn’t happened. I know there isn’t any technical difficulties to work around especially since now Altec has shown us that it can be done. With the prevalence of LCD screens in cars and SUVs everywhere today, this just makes SO much sense to do. In fact, the first company to do it will probably sell tons of units. So where are they Alpine? Sony? Pioneer? Clarion? Eclipse? You all pioneered the LCD screen in cars so won’t one of you pioneer iPod video in the vehicle?

I saw Roadmaster USA’s scrolling message systems at CES in January. The license plate frame one was interesting, but this rear deck version is much more usable. With a larger display and an easier wire job, you’ll be sending drivers messages in no time. The Roadmaster Scrolling Digital License Plate Frame (Model RLPF100) and Scrolling Rear Deck Message System (Model RRDS100) both retail for $69 and both allow for personal messages to be entered. A great way to advertise a business on the go for sure. If you don’t have any insight (or you’re too lazy to key in the message), you can pick from one of 99 pre-set words and phrases such as, “Help me,” “Slow down,” “Turning left,” “Your lights aren’t working,” “Baby on Board”.

I can see this getting pretty rude and adding to road rage but at the same time, I do see a good value in this if you have a business. I could also be fun to see if people are paying attention by putting in your cell number and see if they call you.

CES has got it all and like any year since car audio has come to Vegas to take over CES’ North Hall, the industry wants to be heard with a bang, or in this case, a boom. With one manufacturer showing of sub-woofers that way over 300 pounds and vibrate the cloths on your body with each pump of Vanallia Ice (just kidding,) one has to wonder, who buys this stuff other than rappers? Looking at the over-the-top displays and sound equipment and asking the reps what the cost of all this stuff is makes you just smile and walk on. Too much, man, just too much.

It is nice to see that Batman had a bumpin’ system though the Monkies was just all engine. The endless display of various models from Porsche is very delicious and thankful the audio upgrades tasteful. The Turbo was gorgeous to admire. Mmm.