Bluetooth iPod Adapter Coming (Again)?

[MacRumors]

Carsguide.com.au reports that Pioneer spokesman Michael Broadhurst has claimed that Apple will be introducing a bluetooth iPod adapter that will allow music to be streamed to their new line of bluetooth-equipped car stereos (and presumably other bluetooth equipped devices supporting audio profiles as well).

This is not the first time a 3rd party manufacturer has claimed Apple is working on such capability, as a Motorola spokesman made similar claims in February 2005. However, with Apple expected to re-focus its attention on its consumer product line (including the iPod) in the coming month(s), resonable speculation would suggest that Apple may introduce the adapter with updated iPods (if the rumor pans out this time, that is).

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[fenixx]

For some reason, I just can't see this happening.

And it looks like the price of these Bluetooth-enabled in-cars are quite the opposite of consumer level.

 

[Ktulu]

If the quality ia anything like my BT headset for my phone. I'd be happy to just plug it in to my stereo. My headset cuts out sometimes and the range can be very finicky.

 

[Object-X]

Why

Why don't car audio makers or even Apple come out with a head unit that will allow the transfer of music from the iPod into the head unit? Certainly having wires, transmitters, holders, and all that crap is a hassel, not to mention dangerous. Just hop in your car, hook up your iPod, sync it with your car stereo and enjoy! It would only let you sync one iPod at a time and it wouldn't step on the DRM issues. All the car audio companies would have to do is negotiate with Apple. Everybody wins, you have to have an iPod for it to work, you can't steal music, it would work with all your iTunes music, it's easy, it's safe, it's perfect!

In fact, the head unit could also be a glorified and simple version of a mac mini that can only run iTunes. Better yet, with a double din, you could have a touch screen and it actually uses the iTunes interface. That would be wicked.

Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, why not make an aMini, (auto) with a small touch screen? GPS, iChat, iTunes, iPhoto, DVD, the whole package. They could sell it with special hard drive based sync device that would let you transfer all your files and settings from your computer to the device.

Think about it, if car makers are all lining up to add iPod integration, wouldn't they do the same to have the aMini as an option with a new car too?

 

[amac4me]

This sounds like a real possibility. We'll have to wait and see if it comes to fruition. It would be cool.

 

[macshark]

Everyone knows Apple is developing a cell phone
Apple cell phones will have iPod functionality
All high-end cell phones have bluetooth functionality these days
--> Mystery solved...

 

[Squonk]

Why don't car audio makers or even Apple come out with a head unit that will allow the transfer of music from the iPod into the head unit? Certainly having wires, transmitters, holders, and all that crap is a hassel, not to mention dangerous. Just hop in your car, hook up your iPod, sync it with your car stereo and enjoy! It would only let you sync one iPod at a time and it wouldn't step on the DRM issues. All the car audio companies would have to do is negotiate with Apple. Everybody wins, you have to have an iPod for it to work, you can't steal music, it would work with all your iTunes music, it's easy, it's safe, it's perfect!

In fact, the head unit could also be a glorified and simple version of a mac mini that can only run iTunes. Better yet, with a double din, you could have a touch screen and it actually uses the iTunes interface. That would be wicked.

Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, why not make an aMini, (auto) with a small touch screen? GPS, iChat, iTunes, iPhoto, DVD, the whole package. They could sell it with special hard drive based sync device that would let you transfer all your files and settings from your computer to the device.

Snazzy!! I'm not sure that I'd pop for the cost though...

 

[Chef Medeski]

This sounds like a real possibility. We'll have to wait and see if it comes to fruition. It would be cool.

Hah.... have u heard of DRM.... bah... never.

Just buy a stereo with auxilary input, lineout ----> stereo.... bam

or if u don't want a new headunit pick up an amp with RCA inputs.... much better sounding

yeah.. I don't know what consumer is classified as.... ... i would assume anybody who buys is a consumer... so its not a price class... but this would probably cost money... sorry for those consumers

 

[ready2switch]

If the quality ia anything like my BT headset for my phone. I'd be happy to just plug it in to my stereo. My headset cuts out sometimes and the range can be very finicky.

Agreed. The BT quality isn't good enough at this point to really warrant this kind of accessory. All I need is a car dock (and not one of those hidden in the glove compartment).

 

[nagromme]

Sounds like a fine feature--just not one I'd want to add bulk for: I'd rather snap on accessory (like already exist) that adds bulk only WHEN I want to transmit.

Assuming it can be made non-bulky, that's great. I wouldn't use it much for the sake of battery life, but I wouldn't complain about having the ability.

 

[bigandy]

look mum *kid points out window*, the pigs are flying again!

 

[Starflyer]

Why don't car audio makers or even Apple come out with a head unit that will allow the transfer of music from the iPod into the head unit? Certainly having wires, transmitters, holders, and all that crap is a hassel, not to mention dangerous. Just hop in your car, hook up your iPod, sync it with your car stereo and enjoy! It would only let you sync one iPod at a time and it wouldn't step on the DRM issues. All the car audio companies would have to do is negotiate with Apple. Everybody wins, you have to have an iPod for it to work, you can't steal music, it would work with all your iTunes music, it's easy, it's safe, it's perfect!

In fact, the head unit could also be a glorified and simple version of a mac mini that can only run iTunes. Better yet, with a double din, you could have a touch screen and it actually uses the iTunes interface. That would be wicked.

Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, why not make an aMini, (auto) with a small touch screen? GPS, iChat, iTunes, iPhoto, DVD, the whole package. They could sell it with special hard drive based sync device that would let you transfer all your files and settings from your computer to the device.

Think about it, if car makers are all lining up to add iPod integration, wouldn't they do the same to have the aMini as an option with a new car too?

I would love this. I have been thinking about a Mac Mini Carputer. The only thing that is lacking is a great user interface. My friend spent $1500 on a pioneer dvd player for his car. With $1500 I could by a

Mac Mini, 7" touch screen usb gps adapter and still have money to spare. The mini would have airport extreme and I would have it sync wirelessly when I park at my house. With bluetooth it could easily sync with my phone.

I would love a frontrow style interface but the black would probably be too hard to see in the daytime.

Apple take all the hard work out of this and give us an easy solution. A true MobileMe

 

[Cygnus311]

For some reason, I just can't see this happening.

And it looks like the price of these Bluetooth-enabled in-cars are quite the opposite of consumer level.

Yes, the cars are not consumer level...but plenty of people with nice cars are still consumers for Apple's iPods and consumer-line Macs. Just because they buy nice cars doesn't mean they only buy MacPros and the like.

 

[nExt step]

Huhhh my battery life...........

Well, the rumors has been around for a while, but seriously it would not do magic to my ipods battery life... not that it is a bad idea... no thanx!

 

[SuperSnake2012]

It would be a lot easier if more cars just had AUX inputs

 

[Dr.Gargoyle]

The battery wouldn't last long with a BT connection, so you would have the iPod connected to an outlet. Hmmm, wasnt the idea about BT to be wireless??

 

[freeny]

I still dont understand the appeal of wireless ipods?

Too lazy bend forward and plug the damn thing in so you need a $75 piece of hardware to do it I suppose

With $1500 I could by a Mac Mini, 7" touch screen usb gps adapter and still have money to spare. The mini would have airport extreme and I would have it sync wirelessly when I park at my house. With bluetooth it could easily sync with my phone.

I would love a frontrow style interface but the black would probably be too hard to see in the daytime.

Freak

 

[macintel4me]

It would be a lot easier if more cars just had AUX inputs

Not true. AUX inputs do not provide playlists, album and song information. Bluetooth can provide this information. Also, don't forget AUX input cannot provide 'next, previous, pause, play' functionality through the steering wheel.

 

[Stridder44]

It would be a lot easier if more cars just had AUX inputs

No kidding! It seems like only now are some companies finally realizing they should have an aux-in.

 

[macintel4me]

I still dont understand the appeal of wireless ipods?

Too lazy bend forward and plug the damn thing in so you need a $75 piece of hardware to do it I suppose

I want a wireless ipod so when I run, I don't have wires bouncing all over the place and pulling on my ears when I turn my head.

 

[freeny]

Not true. AUX inputs do not provide playlists, album and song information. Bluetooth can provide this information.

not true, the right av cable could certainly do this.

 

[freeny]

I want a wireless ipod so when I run, I don't have wires bouncing all over the place and pulling on my ears when I turn my head.

I was assuming we were talking about an in car model.

 

[macintel4me]

not true, the right av cable could certainly do this.

lol. No....not even close.

 

[freeny]

lol. No....not even close.

What would stop someone from doing this? This info transfers to my tv and computer, why not my car stereo?

Are you saying this technology doesnt exist?
its just a bunch of zero's and one's for petes sake!
are you saying this is only possible wirelessly? Makes NO sense

 

[macintel4me]

What would stop someone from doing this? This info transfers to my tv and computer, why not my car stereo?

Are you saying this technology doesnt exist?

I'm simply saying the AUX inputs do not have the technology to support this extended functionality. AUX inputs are only good for streaming audio and nothing else.