This (http://www.apple.com/ipod/bmw/ad/480.html) might be of interest to Apple fans and owners of iPods (or BMW's).

SWEET. I bought my first Mac last November after "driving" a PC since about 1988. It ROCKS. Feels like I traded up to a BMW actually. More than my G5, I love OS X. It blows Windows away...

Very nice!

I've been waiting for the Dension Ice (http://www.dension.com/main.php?pageid=50&topid=42) to materialize for my Audi for a while, it seems to be permanently not-quite-in-stock. It does a fair amount of what the BMW setup does (less displaying the tracks visibly).

And I hear Alpine is coming out with a truly iPod-compatible head unit that does all of the goodies also.

Fabulous way to drive.

Only Apple.

That's two great things in one. Wow. Im impressed.

I'm wondering why everyone is giving credit to Apple for this.
I'd give the credit to BMW. They are the ones who made their
system work with an iPod. Apple might have given support on
it, but the connector was always there, right?

Im totally lost, I clicked on the link and it comes up to a personal page. Where should i go?

<<<-- Originally posted by Rob Lohman : I'm wondering why everyone is giving credit to Apple for this.
I'd give the credit to BMW. They are the ones who made their system work with an iPod. Apple might have given support on it, but the connector was always there, right? -->>>

Agreed. If Apple would have done this the iPod wouldn't have ended up in the glove compartment :P I'm sure that Apple had something to do with this deal though...

Greg: I'm not sure what you are doing. But if you click on the
word THIS in the first post it opens an iPod page at apple with
a movie (ad) in the middle of the screen. I just checked and
still works okay here.

Dave: that's what I'm saying. Ofcourse Apple had something to
do with it. But it looks to me like BMW did all the work....

<<<-- Originally posted by Rob Lohman : Dave: that's what I'm saying. Ofcourse Apple had something to do with it. But it looks to me like BMW did all the work.... -->>>

I knew that's what you meant :) I just wish I could get that in my Ford Focus! Let's see, I would also dig Bluetooth for my cell phone and GPS to get me around, but that's another subject :P

ok well, how many people here really have a BMW. I just got a NEW jeep grand cherokee, so what am i suppose to do.? This feature wouldn't only be offered to BMW owners would it?????

Greg: as someone else noted it would be quite likely that car
entertainment manufacturers will incorporate it into more
products. That should be very likely. Then again there are plenty
of MP3 playing car systems already out that can play a lot of
MP3's directly from CD. That's a pretty long list as numbers as
well...

But an iPod is much more than an Mp3 player. Not to mention the number of Mp3's that even the 10Gb (smallest) iPod holds. I use mine to store data and it has a copy of my OS and several disk recovery utilities to work on other Mac systems.

Yeah I have the 10g and i love it, but I can't play it in my new jeep because it only has a cd player, and i dont want to hook up that device that you tune your radio to because i heard the quality sucks. I use to just hook it up to my tape player. But something that hooks up directly to my stereo and can be controlled by the buttons on my head unity/stearing wheel would be GREATTTTT!!!!!

Is this only going to be in BMW's

Bah! Who needs an iPod? I have a Kenwood Excellon in-dash cd player/tuner that plays MP3s. I can fit 12 albums on one CDR. Use the +/- keys to change tracks, and the AM/FM keys too change folders (albums).

just a few thoughts on this...

the wire cable costs 149 bucks plus 1 hour of installation

it only works with third gen ipods

it only works with bmw that have the regualar radio with no cd changer

it does not show folder names or song names....WHA

i think bmw could have done a much better job, this seems like a hatchet job to get publicity...

Why go through the problem of getting this thing installed if it ONLY works on the "stock" radio. UGH..... I don't care what kind of car you have- an 85k BMW M5's stock audio system pales in comparison to a properly assembled high-end aftermarket system.

People *can* be suckers for marketing hype.

I'm sure future implementations will provide more features. No one is claiming that this combination is the ultimate car stereo system, Glen. but it is one more integration of the iPod into ones lifestyle. This can be a nice feature for some iPod users, especially for those that utilize it's many unique features (system backup, repair, RRS, mail, calendar, voice recorder, Mp3 player, digital picture storage, etc.). It allows me to dispense with several extra devices. Is it for everyone, no.

I'm just saying- if someone is serious about car audio it's a bit disconcerting to know this setup works only with the BMW's stock radio. If I owned a BMW this setup would be very appealing to me and might actually prompt a purchase of an iPod. The fact that it doesn't work if you have upgraded your system from stock is the killer.
I don't see why someone who is serious about their music wouldn't simply go with an MP3 deck. Even for those who already own a 3rd gen iPod... an MP3 deck can be purchased for close to the price of the installation of the iPod and it will provide much better fidelity than a stock BMW headunit.

I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade with negativity- I re-read my post and it sounded harsh. Didn't mean to come across that way- I just feel, in my humble opinion, this is a fairly useless peice primarily because of it's limitations only working with the stock non-disc changer head unit.

Any who...if I did, indeed, own a BMW I'd ditch the iPod AND the MP3 deck idea....my dash would be proudly sporting a Pioneer AVICN1 with navigation system, DVD player, realtime vehicle performance feedback, touch screen, satelite radio, and optional rear mounted camera which can be monitored via the 7" fold out LCD widescreen...ALL in one unit! Heck if I had the money for a BMW I could most definitly afford a 2k headunit...right! Regards.

My iriver ihp120 plugs right into the aux in port in my Honda Element, Ipods or any device with a stereo line out work too.
Nothing new here.

Joe, is your ihp120 controlled from the steering wheel and display info on the dash?

Glen, when I was younger, I had lots of custom car stereos installed. However, as I got older the fascination has worn off and when I buy cars, the stock radio suites my needs just fine. Your needs may vary and that's fine.

Even at 26 I've outgrown doing huge systems- I do, however, enjoy upgrading the headunit and front speakers. I'm looking for more clarity and fidelity rather than overwhealming bass.