Carmakers in Detroit and abroad are rushing to build seamless MP3 player integration with stereo system consoles.\r\n
\r\nThe 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.
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.
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.
The Scion TC integrates track, artist and album information from the iPod onto a one-line display in the car.
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. \r\n
\r\nThe minicar, somewhat bigger than the
Bill Detwiler is the Editor for Technical Content and Ecosystem at Celonis. He is the former Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and previous host of TechRepublic's Dynamic Developer podcast and Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Previously, Bill was an IT manager in the social research and energy industries. He has bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Louisville, where he has also lectured on computer crime and crime prevention.
