iPad Mini Already Installed in Car Dashboard

[MacRumors]

Just hours after the iPad mini went on sale, car audio specialists are already installing it in the dashboards of cars. This example, first noticed by 9to5Mac, was installed in a 2012 Toyota Corolla by Soundwaves of Tampa.

The install uses the iPad mini to play Pandora and iHeartRadio through a previously installed audio system. However, because the iPad mini with LTE isn't yet available, the car most likely has a MiFi hotspot installed inside somewhere for a mobile data connection.

Article Link: iPad Mini Already Installed in Car Dashboard

[GeekLawyer]

Now that's cool.

Especially once the LTE version (with GPS) is released.

[MonkeySee....]

Very nice. Would need some sort of cover up though (i haven't watched the vid yet)

[PhoenixMac]

Thats where these 7" tablets shine, who needs an expensive $1000 stereo when you can get the same functionality out of a $200-600 device that you can take with you.

[Hidesuru]

Originally Posted by PhoenixMac

Thats where these 7" tablets shine, who needs an expensive $1000 stereo when you can get the same functionality out of a $200-600 device that you can take with you.

Whoah whoah whoah. Lets not get carried away. He clearly states in the video that they are using an Audison sound system in that vehicle, with two amplifiers. A quick look on Amazon shows me the -cheapest- Audison amp is ~$250, going all the way up to > $1000. That's JUST the amps as well. Add in additional hardware, an iPad, and not even counting installation (if you could do it yourself lets say), and you are probably over 2 grand for what's in that car.

I'm not saying its not cool, but there is NO WAY you would beat the quality of a "$1000 stereo" with an iPad for less money. The iPad is just putting out a stereo line level signal, the rest is all being done by the expensive audio hardware...

I'm not an audiophile, but I wouldn't be surprised if one could tell the difference in audio quality compared to a device more specifically geared towards putting out high fidelity sound than an iPad, which is intended for use with -at best- some dock speakers.

Personally, I wouldn't want a setup like this, because in order to use your car's stereo you would have to have the iPad in place, and as mentioned by others if you don't remove it when you leave the car it begs to be stolen. The end result is you now have to always carry the thing with you (or sometimes not use your stereo). Maybe that works for some people (cool!), but would not for me. I personally would find it a burden to have to keep track of one more device at all times.

All just my $0.02 of course.

[Yr Blues]

Originally Posted by Hidesuru

Whoah whoah whoah. Lets not get carried away. He clearly states in the video that they are using an Audison sound system in that vehicle, with two amplifiers. A quick look on Amazon shows me the -cheapest- Audison amp is ~$250, going all the way up to > $1000. That's JUST the amps as well. Add in additional hardware, an iPad, and not even counting installation (if you could do it yourself lets say), and you are probably over 2 grand for what's in that car.

I'm not saying its not cool, but there is NO WAY you would beat the quality of a "$1000 stereo" with an iPad for less money. The iPad is just putting out a stereo line level signal, the rest is all being done by the expensive audio hardware...

I'm not an audiophile, but I wouldn't be surprised if one could tell the difference in audio quality compared to a device more specifically geared towards putting out high fidelity sound than an iPad, which is intended for use with -at best- some dock speakers.

Personally, I wouldn't want a setup like this, because in order to use your car's stereo you would have to have the iPad in place, and as mentioned by others if you don't remove it when you leave the car it begs to be stolen. The end result is you now have to always carry the thing with you (or sometimes not use your stereo). Maybe that works for some people (cool!), but would not for me. I personally would find it a burden to have to keep track of one more device at all times.

All just my $0.02 of course.

or cover it up when you leave

[everything-i]

Originally Posted by Hidesuru

Whoah whoah whoah. Lets not get carried away. He clearly states in the video that they are using an Audison sound system in that vehicle, with two amplifiers. A quick look on Amazon shows me the -cheapest- Audison amp is ~$250, going all the way up to > $1000. That's JUST the amps as well. Add in additional hardware, an iPad, and not even counting installation (if you could do it yourself lets say), and you are probably over 2 grand for what's in that car.

I'm not saying its not cool, but there is NO WAY you would beat the quality of a "$1000 stereo" with an iPad for less money. The iPad is just putting out a stereo line level signal, the rest is all being done by the expensive audio hardware...

I'm not an audiophile, but I wouldn't be surprised if one could tell the difference in audio quality compared to a device more specifically geared towards putting out high fidelity sound than an iPad, which is intended for use with -at best- some dock speakers.

Personally, I wouldn't want a setup like this, because in order to use your car's stereo you would have to have the iPad in place, and as mentioned by others if you don't remove it when you leave the car it begs to be stolen. The end result is you now have to always carry the thing with you (or sometimes not use your stereo). Maybe that works for some people (cool!), but would not for me. I personally would find it a burden to have to keep track of one more device at all times.

All just my $0.02 of course.

Significantly cheaper amps available though, its the iPad functionality that is a real bonus. True its not the most convenient but still potentially a fantastic system for the money.

[PhoenixMac]

Originally Posted by Hidesuru

Whoah whoah whoah. Lets not get carried away. He clearly states in the video that they are using an Audison sound system in that vehicle, with two amplifiers. A quick look on Amazon shows me the -cheapest- Audison amp is ~$250, going all the way up to > $1000. That's JUST the amps as well. Add in additional hardware, an iPad, and not even counting installation (if you could do it yourself lets say), and you are probably over 2 grand for what's in that car.

I'm not saying its not cool, but there is NO WAY you would beat the quality of a "$1000 stereo" with an iPad for less money. The iPad is just putting out a stereo line level signal, the rest is all being done by the expensive audio hardware...

I'm not an audiophile, but I wouldn't be surprised if one could tell the difference in audio quality compared to a device more specifically geared towards putting out high fidelity sound than an iPad, which is intended for use with -at best- some dock speakers.

Personally, I wouldn't want a setup like this, because in order to use your car's stereo you would have to have the iPad in place, and as mentioned by others if you don't remove it when you leave the car it begs to be stolen. The end result is you now have to always carry the thing with you (or sometimes not use your stereo). Maybe that works for some people (cool!), but would not for me. I personally would find it a burden to have to keep track of one more device at all times.

All just my $0.02 of course.

I do not need the top of the line stuff nor the audison stuff.

My current setup is a deck that has ipod controls through being connected through USB and I can control the volume and controls through the deck or steering wheel controls.

Instead I could push back the deck install a place to hold iPad temporarily and just rewire a volume control knob to a different place in the car.

I will post pictures of my current setup running through the stock stereo and for my ears it sounds great because thats what I care about, I am no audiophile.

[dponte]

Going to play the 'cons' game here...wondering what others think about this stuff:

- GPS seems far better with a satellite receiver, I would not trust 2G/3G/'4G'/LTE to be consistent, but I have never used the iPhone/iPad as a GPS...I used the iPhone 3GS for maps and traffic to compliment my car's GPS (which is not even built in, it's a Navman...getting a new lease, so maybe I'll get a built-in one then).

- Music...ok...but we can do this with a simple AUX line from the iPhone...or my new Samsung Galaxy Note 2...which provides a HUGE screen that I can actually see (ahem...iPhone5...I'm looking at YOU!) while driving.

- More of a distraction, up front? Most people who drive shouldnt be doing this...they are bad enough drivers as it is. Keep your foot over the brake whenever you even consider looking at this thing/any device. We need more HUD's in cars!

- Does one have to alter the car's functionality of it's info panel that was removed (if it's removed for this iPad mini, which seems the case for anyone wanting to do this)?? For instance, bluetooth? iPad is not a phone, obviously.
But, it looked like he just slid the iPad mini over the existing display and it plugs into a mounted charge/adapter on the left side. So, I don't know...

- Lots we don't see demoed here...or explained in full. The music was controlled by a remote via the amp installed in the car, which probably helps ease-of-use.

[Hidesuru]

Originally Posted by PhoenixMac

I do not need the top of the line stuff nor the audison stuff.

My current setup is a deck that has ipod controls through being connected through USB and I can control the volume and controls through the deck or steering wheel controls.

Instead I could push back the deck install a place to hold iPad temporarily and just rewire a volume control knob to a different place in the car.

I will post pictures of my current setup running through the stock stereo and for my ears it sounds great because thats what I care about, I am no audiophile.

Having re-read both of your posts I may have misunderstood you initially. You said that you would get the same "functionality" of the expensive system, and I took that to include sound quality.

Reading -this- post I get the impression it may be more the features you were talking about, in which case I will concede the point. To get a high-end stereo that can do half what the iPad can do (aside from playing music) would cost a large quantity of money. Granted the stereo might sound better, but if that's not a requirement then the iPad is a better choice.

[ghettochris]

Originally Posted by Hidesuru

Whoah whoah whoah. Lets not get carried away. He clearly states in the video that they are using an Audison sound system in that vehicle, with two amplifiers. A quick look on Amazon shows me the -cheapest- Audison amp is ~$250, going all the way up to > $1000. That's JUST the amps as well. Add in additional hardware, an iPad, and not even counting installation (if you could do it yourself lets say), and you are probably over 2 grand for what's in that car.

I'm not saying its not cool, but there is NO WAY you would beat the quality of a "$1000 stereo" with an iPad for less money. The iPad is just putting out a stereo line level signal, the rest is all being done by the expensive audio hardware...

I'm not an audiophile, but I wouldn't be surprised if one could tell the difference in audio quality compared to a device more specifically geared towards putting out high fidelity sound than an iPad, which is intended for use with -at best- some dock speakers.

Personally, I wouldn't want a setup like this, because in order to use your car's stereo you would have to have the iPad in place, and as mentioned by others if you don't remove it when you leave the car it begs to be stolen. The end result is you now have to always carry the thing with you (or sometimes not use your stereo). Maybe that works for some people (cool!), but would not for me. I personally would find it a burden to have to keep track of one more device at all times.

All just my $0.02 of course.

I took their video as saying they sent a digital signal straight to the amp skipping the stereo line out you are referring to. The degradation comes from the digital to analog conversion, and they skipped the iPhone part that does it by sending data oner Bluetooth, wifi, or through the dock for digital to analog conversion afterwards. I you ripped CDs lossless, or had a better quality than that and the iPad could play it, this setup may sound impressive.

[dannys1]

Originally Posted by Hidesuru

Whoah whoah whoah. Lets not get carried away. He clearly states in the video that they are using an Audison sound system in that vehicle, with two amplifiers. A quick look on Amazon shows me the -cheapest- Audison amp is ~$250, going all the way up to > $1000. That's JUST the amps as well. Add in additional hardware, an iPad, and not even counting installation (if you could do it yourself lets say), and you are probably over 2 grand for what's in that car.

I'm not saying its not cool, but there is NO WAY you would beat the quality of a "$1000 stereo" with an iPad for less money. The iPad is just putting out a stereo line level signal, the rest is all being done by the expensive audio hardware...

I'm not an audiophile, but I wouldn't be surprised if one could tell the difference in audio quality compared to a device more specifically geared towards putting out high fidelity sound than an iPad, which is intended for use with -at best- some dock speakers.

Personally, I wouldn't want a setup like this, because in order to use your car's stereo you would have to have the iPad in place, and as mentioned by others if you don't remove it when you leave the car it begs to be stolen. The end result is you now have to always carry the thing with you (or sometimes not use your stereo). Maybe that works for some people (cool!), but would not for me. I personally would find it a burden to have to keep track of one more device at all times.

All just my $0.02 of course.

Just to clear up a couple of untruths here. A standard head unit couldn't output this sound either, it is just a head unit, you still needs amps and speakers so its no more expensive than this. You're just replacing the head unit with an iPad instead.

Secondly if you listened he said they were taking the signal from the iPad digital, e.g. through the dock connector, which means nothing would sound any better, its all being decoded by the amp - the iPad is providing nothing but 1's and 0's to it so any car head unit wouldn't sound better - at best, the same if they also had a digital out. If they were using the headphone port on the iPad it would be a different mater, but they're not.

As for the security manner, you could say walking around with an iPhone 5 or an iPad mini in your hand is "begging for it to be stolen" so best not go anywhere with them. You could just slip it out and into the glovebox, or have an Audi TT style fold down cover just like a normal car setup - but I probably wouldn't bother…they'll look in and see a screen, thats all. Infact if I did the build id hide the home button and use multi-task gestures instead anyway build the surround to show a screen just like any other modern car has on display.

[x-evil-x]

Originally Posted by Hidesuru

Whoah whoah whoah. Lets not get carried away. He clearly states in the video that they are using an Audison sound system in that vehicle, with two amplifiers. A quick look on Amazon shows me the -cheapest- Audison amp is ~$250, going all the way up to > $1000. That's JUST the amps as well. Add in additional hardware, an iPad, and not even counting installation (if you could do it yourself lets say), and you are probably over 2 grand for what's in that car.

I'm not saying its not cool, but there is NO WAY you would beat the quality of a "$1000 stereo" with an iPad for less money. The iPad is just putting out a stereo line level signal, the rest is all being done by the expensive audio hardware...

I'm not an audiophile, but I wouldn't be surprised if one could tell the difference in audio quality compared to a device more specifically geared towards putting out high fidelity sound than an iPad, which is intended for use with -at best- some dock speakers.

Personally, I wouldn't want a setup like this, because in order to use your car's stereo you would have to have the iPad in place, and as mentioned by others if you don't remove it when you leave the car it begs to be stolen. The end result is you now have to always carry the thing with you (or sometimes not use your stereo). Maybe that works for some people (cool!), but would not for me. I personally would find it a burden to have to keep track of one more device at all times.

All just my $0.02 of course.

this is why you instal this. when you dont feel like using it you have a standard deck behind it.

[gotluck]

Originally Posted by x-evil-x

this is why you instal this. when you dont feel like using it you have a standard deck behind it.

Hey, that's Google maps!

You have a link to the bracket/holder you used?

[saud0488]

Originally Posted by PhoenixMac

Thats where these 7" tablets shine, who needs an expensive $1000 stereo when you can get the same functionality out of a $200-600 device that you can take with you.

Umm...you don't get the same functionality from an iPad than you would from a 1000 dollar stereo. Data costs would kill it. Not to mention the horrible Apple Maps, which happens to be made by Tom Tom. Anyone who's used Tom Tom GPS is not surprised with how horrible it is.

To some this might look "cool" but seems like a terrible idea

[ratsg]

I know Apple is getting something from Tomtom, but it isn't the whole ball of wax. My wife has the Tomtom app on her iPad 2, and it rocks. OTOH, we have significantly less impressed with the new Apple Maps, either on her iPad or her iPhone.

Originally Posted by saud0488

Umm...you don't get the same functionality from an iPad than you would from a 1000 dollar stereo. Data costs would kill it. Not to mention the horrible Apple Maps, which happens to be made by Tom Tom. Anyone who's used Tom Tom GPS is not surprised with how horrible it is.

To some this might look "cool" but seems like a terrible idea

[ratsg]

Who knows what the story is, and the details are on the controller from the video?

Please see attached image. This was a screen capture from the video.

[PhoenixMac]

Originally Posted by saud0488

Umm...you don't get the same functionality from an iPad than you would from a 1000 dollar stereo. Data costs would kill it. Not to mention the horrible Apple Maps, which happens to be made by Tom Tom. Anyone who's used Tom Tom GPS is not surprised with how horrible it is.

To some this might look "cool" but seems like a terrible idea

I have unlimited data with tethering so I am good on that front, and Apple Maps has been good for everywhere I had to go, that I did not know the directions to in the U.S.

And I know you do not get the same functionality, the only functionally I need is spotify/pandora, maps and yelp. So in essence only paying for the functions I need. Plus it is portable so when I am not in my car it doubles as a regular iPad!

[bretm]

Originally Posted by PhoenixMac

I have unlimited data with tethering so I am good on that front, and Apple Maps has been good for everywhere I had to go, that I did not know the directions to in the U.S.

And I know you do not get the same functionality, the only functionally I need is spotify/pandora, maps and yelp. So in essence only paying for the functions I need. Plus it is portable so when I am not in my car it doubles as a regular iPad!

How did you manage unlimited data and tethering? The minute you sign up for tethering, your unlimited data is null and void and you have to pick a new plan.

[saud0488]

Originally Posted by PhoenixMac

I have unlimited data with tethering so I am good on that front, and Apple Maps has been good for everywhere I had to go, that I did not know the directions to in the U.S.

And I know you do not get the same functionality, the only functionally I need is spotify/pandora, maps and yelp. So in essence only paying for the functions I need. Plus it is portable so when I am not in my car it doubles as a regular iPad!

Of course, when you get throttled and it takes 15 seconds to reroute you, then you'll wish you had a real GPS.

----------

Originally Posted by sazivad

I wish car companies would make cars that came with, I don't know, a built-in landscape dock for your iPad mini.

So, y'know, you wouldn't have to rip out the existing (and really bad) "smart" interfaces the manufacturers seem so keen on shoving in our faces.

Where would you put it exactly? Seems useless. A car is for getting you from point A to point B in the least distracted way possible. Why are you worried about interfaces in your car anyways? If you really are then spend the extra cash and get something like a Camry or Accord rather than Fusion. Those are fantastic.

[troy14]

Originally Posted by PhoenixMac

Thats where these 7" tablets shine, who needs an expensive $1000 stereo when you can get the same functionality out of a $200-600 device that you can take with you.

I'm very curious as to what the price of the custom work was. It has to be at least $500, probably a lot more. (Unless they already had the Toyota Camry dash kit made for sale, maybe just resizing it for the Mini)

[Dagless]

Originally Posted by PhoenixMac

Thats where these 7" tablets shine, who needs an expensive $1000 stereo when you can get the same functionality out of a $200-600 device that you can take with you.

There are $1000 car stereos?
I've seen plenty of expensive cars in my time, never one with a stereo at that price!

[chris7777]

Originally Posted by Dagless

There are $1000 car stereos?
I've seen plenty of expensive cars in my time, never one with a stereo at that price!

Haven't priced things myself in a while, but you can spend any amount you want to on car audio.

shoot most factory head units are easily half that (inflated I know but many are custom units, honda comes to mind for example)

[725032]

Nice ipad mini... Horrible car!

[Jibbajabba]

Originally Posted by chris7777

Haven't priced things myself in a while, but you can spend any amount you want to on car audio.

shoot most factory head units are easily half that (inflated I know but many are custom units, honda comes to mind for example)

Indeed - a mate works for a shop who modify cars - they build a sound system into a Lambo and the guys wanted to have all bells and whistles with nothing shown on the outside - cost : £45k / $72k ... labour cost is always a big part in projects like that ...