The iPod’s popularity certainly has a major say in the Car audio industry today, not directly from apple but from the millions of iPod users. Due to the massive amounts of people who regularly use iPod’s on a daily if not hourly basis Car Audio Brands and Vehicle Manufacturers have had to redefine how car audio and entertainment works and what is expected from each component within the system.

Vehicle manufacturers are more aware of the demands of the public and use additional add-ons as a selling point in an aid to promote new ranges and vehicles. However the majority of factory iPod car kits are simply an AUX input into the audio system. This allows music to be played through the speaker system, which for some users is enough. However this option does not offer any of the more advanced features that aftermarket kits do.

So the big question is do vehicle manufacturers see a future with iPod car kits or are they waiting for the next big invention?

The investments from Car Audio Brands suggest that the iPod is going to be here for a minimum of several years. The larger brands such as Dension, Alpine & Kenwood have taken iPod integration to the next level, although in separate directions. Alpine & Kenwood have built fully iPod compatible aftermarket stereos, with new features such as imprint technology & HD screens that allow users to configure the components depending music quality and type. Combined with Made for iPod & iPhone you can get the most out of your iPod by finding and playing music and videos much easier than ever before.

Dension however has made larger strides by combining iPod technology with factory fitted equipment. The Dension Gateway range provides an iPod connection into your factory fitted stereo, ensuring that the original look is maintained. The Dension Kits also provide Steering wheel control for the iPod and music, Text display on a lot of vehicles including the new CAN cluster display vehicles within the VW & Audi Group and the retention of your CD Changer via a CD Retention Kit at additional cost.

However it’s the new components that Dension are developing that offer the greater indication of where iPod integration may be heading?

The soon to be released AVR is designed to work with the gateway 500 fibre optic kit allows different sources of entertainment to be played simultaneously, So for example the adults might want to listen to their favourite music in the front of the vehicle while the kids enjoy their favourite DVD in the back. This step is a major advance in the car entertainment world and will open up several avenues for further development in the future.

Another one of Dension’s products nearing completion is the Wi-Drive, this device when complete will allow you to integrate your vehicle into the wireless home network, and this has many advantages at first glance. Such as instant file transfer from computer to vehicle and vice versa. However this device holds many more possibilities than first anticipated. A wireless internet network connection can be made with the use of mobile USB dongle currently available from various mobile networks providing internet access to all of the users in your vehicle.

The possibilities of car audio and entertainment & iPod integration in the future are endless, devices such as the AVR and the Wi-Drive will open up many avenues for the next stage of development. For example;

Security devices could be invented that provide live streaming from the vehicle to your own computer monitoring your vehicles safety combined with “web cams” installed in your vehicle you could see exactly what happening to your car live.

Live streaming or the download of music and videos from iTunes could be played on TV screens installed in the vehicle through the use of the Wi-drive and AVR while you’re on your journey, simply select and go through your iPod to choose all the latest Apple iTunes has to offer.

Television channels broadcasting live online could be watch instantly allowing new entertainment channels to be integrated into future vehicles, controllable at various points in the car. Maybe the kids want to watch different TV channels? No Problem now.

One thing is clear, the Car audio and entertainment business is moving on. New and improved technology being created continually and the iPod certainly can be at the centre of it all.

The Apple iPod has changed the way we listen to music forever. We can have our entire music collection on one small device that comfortably fits into your pocket, handbag or anywhere else you choose to keep it. The battery life is ever improving and you can now listen to music for longer and leave the device on standby for longer than ever before.

Apple have generated a new business boom for digital media, so many inventions have been made on the back of the iPod and iPhone. New app’s are being invented daily that allow the users to customise their iPod as suits making the iPod device and application truly unique and individual to the user.

The new Genius system creates playlists and suggests music that you may like on the back of your favourite choices in your collection, so you can discover new bands and music you may never have heard before, opening your mind to new ideas and creative influences along the way.

The New iPhone 3G and iPod Touch are more of a multimedia system that a simple MP3/MP4 player, both come with WIFI (wireless) connect-ability, Internet browsing access & 1000’s of new app’s that range from checking on the weather reports for where you live to accessing payment & delivery networks for Business operations, but it doesn’t end there.

Apple systems have been incorporated into a lot of home technology too. New docking stations into TV’s provide a new form of digital TV & Digital video reproduction. Wireless media stations can be set up from as part of the home network transferring all of your audio & video files in iTunes to your TV and or Music systems around the house, giving you access to you entire collection.
 
However one of the more useful inventions that has been developed specifically for the iPod is the iPod Car Kit, this allows the ipod to be connected through the vehicles stereo to play your favourite music and videos (where compatible) while you drive. These kits take your iPod to the next level of music integration and allow you to listen to what ever you want, when ever you want, where ever your going, basically exactly what the iPod was invented for.

iPod car kits car extend the iPod usability further by providing a range of features from steering wheel controls & iPod charging through to text & artwork display and video integration, all from the comfort of your vehicle, you can create your own mini multimedia system at the touch of a button.

Dension have been at the fore-front of OEM integration for some time now. They push the boundries for others to follow. They were among the first to create an integrated iPod kit for your car. The first to link iPod with Bluetooth. The first to create a device that allow retention of your CD Changer when adding an In Car iPod… They are simply the market leaders.

New on the list of products from Dension is the Wi Drive.

The Wi Drive turns your car into a portable discoverable device on your wireless wifi network. You can transfer files from any wi-fi device, including your PC – onto any storage device plugged into your car via USB. You can plug in a USB 3G Dongle to make your car a Wi-Fi hotspot to get you internet wherever you go. And most importantly, you can copy the access data of any internet radio station onto a USB drive and you can access the live radio ANYWHERE you go!

The Wi drive fits into any car with a USB slot or the Dension Gateway 300 or Gateway 500. and turns it into a discoverable wifi device on your home or office network. Passengers can check their email, kids can surf the net; the world is literally at your fingertips.

The device is due soon to iPod Car Kit Direct… Be on the lookout!