After Hours

Photos: iPod in your car console

By // August 4, 2006, 12:09 AM PST // billdetwiler

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  • Carmakers in Detroit and abroad are rushing to build seamless MP3 player integration with stereo system consoles.

    The 2007 Chevrolet HHR 2LT sports utility vehicle is General Motors' first car retrofitted with Personal Audio Link, an add-on designed to enable an Apple Computer iPod to be charged and controlled through an XM Satellite Radio console.

    General Motors

  • The Personal Audio Link is installed in a GM car's glove compartment, where an iPod can be plugged in and charged. The music player can then be controlled through the car's built-in XM console. A subscription to XM's service is not necessary.

    General Motors

  • Toyota is among many carmakers bowing to consumer demand for digital music in the car. Its 2006 Scion includes an audio system that connects to the iPod.

    Toyota Motor

  • The Scion TC integrates track, artist and album information from the iPod onto a one-line display in the car.

    Toyota Motor

  • Car designers and auto accessory makers are no strangers to the iPod. Mitsubishi Motors got in the game with this car--unsurprisingly dubbed the "i." It offers a built-in dashboard slot for the iPod Nano.

    The minicar, somewhat bigger than the iPod Hi-Fi boom box, sells in Japan for about $14,000.

    Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP/Getty Images

Carmakers in Detroit and abroad are rushing to build seamless MP3 player integration with stereo system consoles.

The 2007 Chevrolet HHR 2LT sports utility vehicle is General Motors' first car retrofitted with Personal Audio Link, an add-on designed to enable an Apple Computer iPod to be charged and controlled through an XM Satellite Radio console.

General Motors

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By Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler is Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and Tech Pro Research and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, database administrator, and desktop supp...