The Launch of a new range of iPods always brings an air of excitement to all iPod fans. The New nano 4

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Gen dubbed “the thinnest iPod ever” has been the worst kept secret with in Apple’s recent history, images of the Nano were posted on and around many internet forums several days before the iPod was supposed to be released.

The new Nano has been totally redesigned from the previous shorter fatter shape of the Nano 3^rd Gen it now stands tall and thin resembling the first & second generation versions. Although styled on the first generation’s of the Nano the 4^th gen has been thoroughly modernised creating a much easier on the eye style. The Case is now curved oval shape, with the glass screen matching the aluminium housing.

The newest feature of the iPod Nano 4^th is the inclusion of the accelerometer, previously seen in the iPhone. This device allows you to shuffle tracks by simply shaking the iPod, the tracks will then automatically randomise. Another cool Nano feature is Cover Flow technology which allows you to browse album covers when the iPod is turned onto its side.

The good news for Dension owners is that the new iPod Nano 4^th gen and revised iPod Touch will work with the Dension Gateway systems if the newer firmware has been installed. Problems were caused earlier in the year when Apple changed the way the iPhone 3G charges to a newer 5V system, that the previous Gateway could not support. The Nano 4^th gen also has the 5v charging system so will work perfectly with the Dension Gateway. However due to the new shape of the Nano the Active cradle inserts may not accept the Nano 100% correctly so for the mean time its best to connect via the Dock Cable that will accept all iPods.

Dension has updated the firmware to allow the Dension gateway units to fully support the iPhone 3G. Previously the units accepted the iPhone and iPhone 3G and allowed the same functions through the gateway system but did not charge the iPod 3G, draining the battery whilst listening to the music, obviously causing an inconvenience to the user that needed sorting.

The problem was originally caused by Apple when they changed the way the iPhone 3G charged to allow better battery life, as there are so many more applications on the 3G than any other iPod’s (except the newest ones, available soon) The new firmware is also expected to support the new iPod Nano 4^th gen and future versions.

The new iPhone 3G has now got an insert to allow the phone to sit correctly into the active cradle, making it much more stable when docked.

Dension firmware can usually be requested from the dension support site and is downloaded onto the iPod then when the ipod is next connected into the gateway system the firmware will update.

The dension iPod car kits are now fully equipped to handle all of the new iPod’s and with the Dension Add-ons (CD Retention kits, Bluetooth adapter and AV Extender) soon to be released Dension have created a unique multimedia system that you are in total control off, giving you access to all of your music, providing a Bluetooth handsfree connection for your phone and an Audio Video connection to allow videos to be played on external screens. All this wasn’t previously possible with factory fitted headunits.

There are a variety of iPod car kits available on the market today, some good, some bad and some extremely poor. What are the best kits available and what features do they offer?