The great thing about the iPod is its portability — but take that one step further and take it on the road with you! By installing your iPod in your car, it will change the way you listen to your music collection.
Forget fooling around with your CD changer (whether its installed in the trunk or in the dash) and bringing along your CD library to find that perfect song.
To iPod your ride, you can use these methods:
Easy & Cheap
Macsimumnews reports the following:
On June 22, the US Patent & Trademark Office revealed a patent application titled “Incorporating a portable digital music player into a vehicle audio system.”
The patent inventor is noted as Jesse Ellenbogen. The Apple HI Alumni directory web page lists alumni (present and future) of the Apple HI (Human Interface) Community.
Jesse Ellenbogen is listed as working with Apple on “ATG HIG intern ‘92, Newton & PowerBook usability testing ‘93, eWorld ‘94-’95. It also lists Jesse Ellenbogen as now leading DashJack – an iPod/car integration startup.
EzGear is offering the ezTrip Shuffle FM Transmitter for iPod Shuffle. The ezTrip Shuffle uses the power from your car to provide a clear strong signal to your stereo.
The LCD display and control buttons give you instant access to all frequencies (from 87/7 to 107.9).
The ezTrip Shuffle is compatible with the ezCharge Shuffle for charging your iPod Shuffle.
We found a cool application at the Crutchfield web site. Called, digital drive-thru, it assists iPod users with the way to connect your iPod with your model car.
Step 1: Select Your iPod
- iPod Classic 1st/2nd generation (no dock connector)
- iPod Classic 3rd/4th generation (with dock connector)
- iPod mini
- iPod photo
- iPod video
- iPod shuffle
- iPod nano
ZDNet recently published an article called: "iPod your car, the right way" by Jason D. O'Grady.
They indicated discussed the several ways to connect your iPod to your car's stereo, ranging from simple and poor sounding to complex and high fidelity.
The article mentions FM transmitters, cassette adapters, auxilary inputs, direct integration, and in-car audio solutions. It's a good read, so go check it out here!
PC Magazine's Bill Howard offered 6 Ways to Link iPods and Car Radios as part of their TechnoRide.com feature.
Their run-down, from worst to best (along with the pros and cons of each method), ways to link your iPod to your car's "head unit" or stereo.
- FM modulator
- Cassette adapter
- FM modulator
- Line-in connection
- Line-in connection via CD changer
- iPod smart-cable connection
The XtremeMac Airplay² for Dock Connector iPod, 4th Generation and later and cut the cord.
Upgrade to the wireless convenience of the AirPlay² FM Transmitter and never mess with the clutter of cords again!
Simply plug AirPlay² into any Dock Connector iPod, 4th Generation and later, tune to the same frequency as your FM radio, and push play to hear your tunes through your stereo.
AirPlay² has sleek looks to match its superior performance. It's as thin and narrow as the iPod nano and features three programmable station presets that allow you to conveniently recall your clearest transmission frequencies.
Direct connect works by integrating your iPod directly into your car sound system. With this method, you are tricking your stereo into thinking your iPod is the CD changer.
The cool thing about this is that your standard stereo and /or steering wheel controls will manage the iPod. It will also keep your iPod fully charged and ready when you leave the car.
Play List Adapters
These play 6 to 12 different play lists, depending on your car, by representing CDs in the CD changer. Don't panic, each play list can have an unlimited number of tracks. This connection method, however, puts your iPod in a docked state, which disables the iPod buttons and displays a docked message on the LCD. But your stereo controls are fully functional and the iPod can be tucked safely out of sight. The disadvantage is that for the most part you'll have to navigate your play lists blindly if your playlist adapter doesn't send the CD-text to the stereo.
What is an auxilary input? It's a simple way to connect your iPod's headphone output directly to 1/8" mini-jacks or standard red and white RCA jacks (found on that back of your TV or home stereos).
Connecting by auxilary input allows your iPod to send CD quality audio directly to your speakers though your car system.
Front Auxilary Inputs
Some factory-installed and aftermarket CD/stereos offer a front auxilary input, which makes things easier, usually the mini jack similar to your iPods headphone jack. If your car has a front-mounted auxilary jack, simply plug in a 1/8" male to male cable and use your iPod. Better would be to add a holder or clip mount to cradle or anchor your iPod in your car.
What do FM transmitters do? They send audio wirelessly to your car stereo and broadcasts it to your FM stereo, producing quality sound.
Transmitters Controlled by Your iPod
These simple devices plug into your iPod's headphone output jack. After loading the transmitter software onto your iPod, you can select the broadcast frequency with the iPod interface. A good example of this type of transmitter is Griffin's iTrip.
Universal FM Transmitters
These are standalone devices that can work with any device that has a headphone output jack. This transmitter uses its own batteries, connects to your iPod's headphone jack, and broadcasts audio via a frequency that you select. A good example of this type of transmitter is Belkin's Tunecast II.
