Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
63,194
30,136



NewImage2.png
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
 

PhoenixMac

macrumors 65816
Mar 7, 2010
1,009
1
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.
 

Astroexe

macrumors member
Feb 19, 2012
57
0
Netherlands
Wow that's cool.

[Plus it beats the interface of all modern car systems, don't even get me started on the idea of using a scroll wheel to type an address instead of just having a touch screen in 2012]
 

jsw

Moderator emeritus
Mar 16, 2004
22,910
44
Andover, MA
As much as I've argued about the high cost of the iPad mini, were I to install a ~7" tablet in a car, I'd go with it, no doubt whatsoever. In that case, build quality trumps cost, and the (slightly) lower resolution would not remotely be noticeable, but the aspect ratio would be superior.
 

mankar4

macrumors 6502a
Aug 23, 2007
624
0
USA
Without retina and LTE the ipad mini is dated on day 1! But count me in when those are added.

Edit: I'm an idiot, the ipad mini does have LTE. I'm in after retina, I guess.
 
Last edited:

jayducharme

macrumors 601
Jun 22, 2006
4,513
5,925
The thick of it
If people used dash-mounted devices with a little common sense, it wouldn't be a problem. But I worry that there will be people people fiddling with their iPads in their cars, running red lights or swerving into oncoming traffic.
 

unlimitedx

macrumors 6502a
Jun 15, 2010
635
0
Yeah it's awesome! I always thought the car companies could ask apple to design their dashboard but this takes care of that
 

Jamie Clay

macrumors newbie
Mar 14, 2012
8
0
Nice - this should help to cull out the idiots doing Facebook on the freeway.

So in six months I'll need a new dashboard so the Turbo Digital iPad Mini can work with my car? :D

I'm sold!
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.