More on Apple, BMW and Others?

[sinisterdesign]

I think if you are driving one of these cars, your ipod screaming "steal-me" should be the least of your concerns..

apart from someone slashing my top to steal something lying in the seat (i.e. my iPod), i feel pretty secure that no one is going to take my 330Ci. BMW goes to great lengths to insure their vehicles are difficult to steal. have you ever seen a BMW on a "top stolen" list? i haven't. i know that's due in PART to the fact that they're not as common as an Accord or Civic, therefore less of them to steal.

now that i've jinxed myself, my car isn't going to be in the parking deck when i leave...but my iPod is still here beside me!

 

[Trekkie]

I'd love to see audi do it, but I have XM radio & six disc in dash, so probably wouldn't work with mine

 

[Trekkie]

apart from someone slashing my top to steal something lying in the seat (i.e. my iPod),

Man just the thought of someone slashing the top on my A4 made me go look out the window into the parking lot to check

 

[Wonder Boy]

i hope the kit works with non brand new cars. if not, i wont have ipod intergration for another 6 years.

 

[iLife]

It appears that Apple has removed the reference to the BMW adapter working with MINI's (the car). I was sure it originally mentioned it.

From what i read the reason it's not mentioned on the ipodyourBMW.com is that it is planned to have a much later release, sometime in october whereas the actual BMW models are much sooner. I have a cooper and was quite interested when this came across the wires since the tunecast just wasn't a viable solution for me. It sort of is dis-heartning to see it's been taken off the apple website. Hopefully it's still in the works.

 

[frankly]

bull***t.



and i'm not even going to argue it, as anyone here who has ever driven a caddy knows it. again, bull***t.

and to list a few V8s that are EVERYWHERE and get just as crappy gas mileage as suvs... better yet just one: MUSTANG V8.

and what about fullsize trucks with oversize tires?

i've got this hippy friend who gave me crap about buying my V6 isuzu vehicross, and as she's griping at me about it she's sitting in a 80's model THUNDERBIRD and the rest of the time drives a late 70's VOLVO STATION WAGON. hipocrites.

oh well, no sense arguing. people do what they do.

Maybe anyone that has driven an old cadillac knows it but the new models with the Northstar engine.

EPA estimated 18 mpg city, 26 mpg highway (DHS)

Expedition: EPA estimated mpg: 15 city/19 highway**
Mustang GT Coupe: EPA estimated mpg: 17 city / 25 highway**
Mustang Mach 1: EPA estimated mpg: 17 city / 26 highway**

Ford won't even tell you the mpg for the Excursion. Sooooo.......

My vehicle has 43,000 miles. The computer says 10 mpg for all 43,000 miles. In town 10 to 11 mpg, on hiway 12 to 14 mpg, towing on the level 8 to 10, mountain towing 6 to 8.

I never said that trucks got good gas mileage. The bottom line is that I was responding to the quote saying that 6 and 8 cylinder cars get the same mpg as SUVs. That is crap. Even the one that you figured would be the worst (the Mustang) gets much better highway mileage.

Try responding with the facts instead of just conjecture.

Frank

 

[FightTheFuture]

is anyone besides myself worried that dell, samsung, or rio will combat this by bringing out a similar promotion? "integrate your dell digital jukebox to your ford focus for your tunes on the go... its just as cool and costs hundreds less!"

 

[yamabushi]

iPod docks are okay but a new device that incorporates the functionality of an iPod into a premium car stereo would be much better. Adding in wireless connectivity would make it a highly desirable item. Sales of such an item could easily approach or even surpass those of the iPod itself.

A normal height Apple car stereo could use the controls and screen of the iPod mini or a hybrid of iPod and typical stereo controls. Double height stereo models are also popular in some countries. A double height model could include a much larger color display with iTunes style visualizations. The display could even be a touchscreen. The stereos could be manufatured by whichever company Apple chose to partner with. Apple would handle the software and wireless networking. A wireless remote control could be used and car manufacturers could easily integrate their own controls via a port in the back of the stereo units.

The design and rollout of such a device could be very rapid since it builds on existing technology. If Apple started today they could offer it as an option in most new cars in 2005. The stereo manufacturing partner should be an existing major brand with the manufacturing capacity to meet explosive growth.

 

[Windowlicker]

although i'm not a car person (though i have a driving license and like using a car -- it's for transportation) I still think this is pretty damn cool. it brings good publicity and probably get's some more ipods sold too.

 

[parrothead]

Or, a different line of thinking... how about a car stereo with an iPod-sized 'cassette drive' and an iPod dock connector inside. You just slot the iPod in and then control it using steering wheel controls like the BMW, using the status display on the dashboard as the iPod display.

I really like this idea. iPods are the perfect size for this. The deck could have a flipdown face like some current CD models do. The deck would have a motorized mechanism to pull the ipod in and to eject it. All controls would then be on the face. Then when you get out of the car, if you dont want to take the ipod with you the face flips around and secures the ipod inside. I like it, hmm, Kenwood, Alpine, Sony, Blaupunkt, are you guys listening??

 

[technocoy]

and most people..

drive around town all day, in stop and go traffic. 14-18 mpg in town is not good at any rate. quoting hwy as the end-all be all doesn't make sense. my mean ass V6 vehicross gets 15-16 mpg in town depending on how i'm driving, it is an SUV hence my last post which you obviously ignored. and it is all-time 4WD.

again my point being that people are lumping SUV into a generic class, when really they need to refer to the mini-greyhound bus market i.e. excursions and the others like it.

 

[OldManJimbo]

I think Toyota has a Bluetooth enabled version of the Prius, and the little control screen is DVD compatible - so how about an iPod connection to the car stereo via Bluetooth?

 

[timmyOtool]

drive around town all day, in stop and go traffic. 14-18 mpg in town is not good at any rate. quoting hwy as the end-all be all doesn't make sense. my mean ass V6 vehicross gets 15-16 mpg in town depending on how i'm driving, it is an SUV hence my last post which you obviously ignored. and it is all-time 4WD.

again my point being that people are lumping SUV into a generic class, when really they need to refer to the mini-greyhound bus market i.e. excursions and the others like it.

I want to know just who these idiots that you know are who can't tell a chevy tracker from a suburban

 

[parrothead]

Ok people, this whole SUV's are bad, SUV's are good thing is getting old. That is WAY off topic for this thread. Can we keep it to iPods and car stereos? If I wanted to read a bunch of arguing about cars I would go to the political forums.

 

[timmyOtool]

**confirmed**installing an ipod in your SUV instantly improves gas mileage 40%. **confirmed**

 

[Mr_Ed]

okay to put it in perspective, how many mustangs/caddies/etc, are being driven as compared to escalades? many more (same goes for the hummer). a general mass market 4cylinder/6cylinder SUV gets just as good of gas mileage if not better than a lot of cars. my point being that the term SUV has become a catch-all for gas guzzling. there are gas guzzlers for every type of vehicle. the problem is LARGE SUV's, LARGE CARS, LARGE VANS, LARGE TRUCKS, period. mind you, if you drive one of these and actually use it to a good clip for what it intended for, i.e. hauling, off-roading, utility, i have no problem with it. but driving one of these just because it is percieved as a success emblem or "cool" is rediculous. it's wasteful and harmful to the planet, not to mentions more dangerous to other vehicles in a collision.

PEACE!

You are right about gas guzzlers (all types) being the problem. I still think the whole argument is silly, however. How many trips in a Civic would it take to transport 6 adults, a bunch of cargo, and haul a boat? The point is NO vehicle is suitable for EVERY situation. That's the reason there are many different types of vehicles, whether we like them or not. If it is larger and it weighs more, it will use more fuel. That's just physics. The rabid "anti-SUV" bunch needs to get over it.

 

[technocoy]

I want to know just who these idiots that you know are who can't tell a chevy tracker from a suburban

but you see my point though, right? I know you have heard those same people... "anyone who buys an SUV"

You are right about gas guzzlers (all types) being the problem. I still think the whole argument is silly, however. How many trips in a Civic would it take to transport 6 adults, a bunch of cargo, and haul a boat? The point is NO vehicle is suitable for EVERY situation. That's the reason there are many different types of vehicles, whether we like them or not. If it is larger and it weighs more, it will use more fuel. That's just physics. The rabid "anti-SUV" bunch needs to get over it.

We are in agreement then... that's exactly what i was saying in my post. Thank you for seeing the logic of my argument (non argument, discussion, whatever!) and again sorry to everyone for the off-topic posts we've been making!

**confirmed**installing an ipod in your SUV instantly improves gas mileage 40%. **confirmed**

LOL ROTFLMAO!

PEACE ALL.

 

[timmyOtool]

last post on SUV's

I never said that SUV's were the evil in of themselves. They have uses. I live on a farm and often need to drive a huge 4X4 truck to get were I need to be. My only point is, to say that all cars or trucks with v8's are anywhere close to the gas hogs that large SUV's are is flat out wrong. To go farther of topic (why not?) I hate people who drive these pimped out SUV's and Large truck because they have destroyed the market for the rest of us who have a real need for the large 4X4's. Go to a car lot and try to find one that cost less than $35,000, one that doesn't have leather seats, one that is just a basic ride, that you don't need to sell your house to buy and if you take it in the field you won't freak out if it gets dented. You CAN NOT find one like that anymore because of yuppie scum bags who have taken over the 4X4 market. God Bless America! Now if they would just make an ipod kit for 1976 Ford f-350.

 

[bertagert]

Ok, I'm the one that really got things going onthe suv thing so I'm sorry for going off topic.

1. Frankly - Yes I do get 26 mpg hwy with my grand cherokee. Even though it says 23 mpg in the owners manual. So no, you're wrong. I'm averaging 18 in the city.

2. I would like to see a study on how many miles these "suv" drivers are actually putting on their cars. I have a feeling that its not as much as people would think.

3. Frankly - why aren't you going around busting on all the sales people who drive a Ford Taurus? They get 20/27. Not far off of a "suv" grand cherokee. Yet, that sales person drives 5 times as many miles as i do a year. Shouldn't you be harping on these people to get a diesel or a privus?

Its amazing how fud gets spread.

 

[timmyOtool]

The jeep cherokee is a midsized SUV. And I really dont care about what you drive or anyone else for that matter. If you think that LARGE SUV's or any LARGE 4X4 gets the same mileage as a mid sized car you are flat out wrong. You are just trying to fool yourself. I have MUCH experience with heavy duty 4X4's which the jeep cherokee (although a pretty sweet ride) is not. If you think that thats just FUD buy one and fill it up!

 

[iMeowbot]

no, the smart cars aren't in the US because the US population, as a whole, consists of fat lazy people who would rather drive big suv's that get 14mpg than a small smart car which gets 60. they're out in canada, though. the smart website says that smart will come to the US in 2006, but it'll only be an SUV by smart instead of their other cars. i'd love to own one of the cars, but that doesn't look like a possibility anytime soon.

There is a lot of demand for the smart in the US, but its design doesn't conform to US safety regulations. That doesn't mean that the car isn't crashworthy, rather that the regulations as currently written demand certain types of frame and bumper elements that don't lend themselves to the smart's construction.

A modified four-passenger model is supposed to be in development that will meet the requirements, but the original style is unlikely to appear here. A few examples modified to use alternative power sources can be had, since they fall under a different set of regulations.

 

[bertagert]

The jeep cherokee is a midsized SUV... If you think that thats just FUD buy one and fill it up!

Tim,

I'm not going against you on this. I'm talking to the people that group all suv's as the same. There are only a few vechiles that actually suck down the petrol. Suburbans/Tahoe, Expetion/Excursions and any V8 small suv. But, trying to group and V6 or 4 cylinder suv into the gas guzzling group is wrong and the statements made by these people bother me as they state them as fact. Most people that drive "suv's" are getting the midsized vechiles and these aren't slurping down gas like Frankly would like you to believe.

I just wish these people would get their facts straight before shouting it out to the world.

 

[randyg]

This is good news, but I live in the UK and drive a Citoën car.

I really doubt the European brands like Citoën, Peugeot, Fiat etc. will be top of the list.

Maybe an Apple stereo for the car, or a collaboration with a stereo manufacturer would be better.

Neil

One thing to keep in mind, these connectors are really made for the head unit, and not specifically the car. For instance, the Mini and the BMW have the same radio which is why the connector will work for both. Even though there might be a lot of auto manufacturers out there, there's only a small number of stereo manufacturers, so your Citroen and Peugot might have the same stereo as a Ford or Mercedes. Just something to think about!

 

[timmyOtool]

Tim,

I'm not going against you on this. I'm talking to the people that group all suv's as the same. There are only a few vechiles that actually suck down the petrol. Suburbans/Tahoe, Expetion/Excursions and any V8 small suv. But, trying to group and V6 or 4 cylinder suv into the gas guzzling group is wrong and the statements made by these people bother me as they state them as fact. Most people that drive "suv's" are getting the midsized vechiles and these aren't slurping down gas like Frankly would like you to believe.

I just wish these people would get their facts straight before shouting it out to the world.

Sorry. I was being a little defensive. My apologies.

 

[aethier]

no, the smart cars aren't in the US because the US population, as a whole, consists of fat lazy people who would rather drive big suv's that get 14mpg than a small smart car which gets 60. they're out in canada, though. the smart website says that smart will come to the US in 2006, but it'll only be an SUV by smart instead of their other cars. i'd love to own one of the cars, but that doesn't look like a possibility anytime soon.

Are you sure, i have yet to see a single Smart here in canada, and its pretty much the same with us for the SUV thing... after all, we are called "America's little brother", or to quote Homer Simpson "America Junior"

aethier