iPod your Auto

We weren't exactly impressed with iPod BMW option announced last week-ish…but there is an option from Denison called the "ICE-LINK" which seems to be a version ahead compared to Apple and BMW's solution. Like the "iPod your BMW" the ICE-Link takes the place of your external CD Changer and it operates like one. The iPod starts when CD changer is selected on a supported factory or aftermarket radio, and paused when other source is selected. Track control from radio and steering wheel controls are provided. We like that you can mount it in places besides plugging it in to the glove box and that you can have other audio already in the car. The major issue we have with the BMW solution is you can't have any existing audio or navigation system.

So if you have one of these cars…it might be worth checking out (AUDI, BMW / Mini, Chrysler cars, Ford cars, GM cars, Honda / Accura, Jaguar, Landrover, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes, Nissan / Infiniti, Porsche, Saab, Scion, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo).

[W. Shawn OSBORNE @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

You forgot to mantion Toyota / Lexus like in Nissan / Infiniti.

[CaliberX @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

You can also get it for many european cars like peugeot, renault, smart, fiat, seat, citroen.
See http://www.dension.com and http://www.ihavetohave.it/acatalog/ICE-Link.html

Hopefully my dealer can put one in my next car.

[Bruce McKenzie @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

If you have a smart car you can using your existing head units CD changer port, an auto charger, and a customised mobile phone holder for less than half the price of the Dension kit. See here:

http://homepage.mac.com/bruce.mckenzie/iblog/C1146693724/E308369470/index.html

[Oliver Ochs @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

IceLink product looks great, but you do need an auxillary input to make it work, so it won't work on many vehicles that have satellite radio, for example, since they have no input. I believe the problem with the BMW vehicles with satellite radio and navigation is that the head units don't have a spare audio input.

I'd like to see a way to make use of the iPod's ability to output ID3 information to the head unit. Some head units can take text input (mostly for use with satellite data, but could be used for the iPod).

[Dithermaster @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

I just don't get it. Why do people think the ICELink does MORE than the BMW interface? The BMW interface allows selection of playlists from the head unit, ICELink does not. Either allows functions from the iPod UI itself. Is it because the ICELink comes with a cradle and the BMW unit (due to it's increased functionality) let's you stow the iPod in the glovebox? So, get the BMW interface and the mount for the ICELink, and you'll have the best of both worlds.

///d@

[Laszlo @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

BMW connection kit disables the iPod UI completely - there is nothing you can do on it ! You stuck with the play lists you made at home. Dension solution leaves the UI running, so you are free to use the iPod the way you used to - and control it from the steering wheel !

[Dithermaster @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Have you seen it? There is no reason for it to disable the iPod UI, just like yours doesn't.

When will the ICELink allow changing playlist via the headunit?

[Inka Dinka @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Unfortunately the folks at Dennison didn't bother with any sense of design aesthetics when they created this eyesore. I don't think they even looked at the iPod before putting this together. It looks like it was created by a third grader.

[Dithermaster @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Laszlo, you are right. The iPod UI is not usable when connected to the BMW. Not acceptable to me. I'm getting an ICELink instead.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93879

///d@

[Aaron @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Get the ugly Ice-link cradle thing out of here...especially if you own an Alpine AI-Net head unit. IPod users will soon be able to operate key playback features from Alpine AI-Net receiver's buttons and have display of playlists, album, artist and songs on the head unit. Alpine's add-on box will even charge the IPod.

http://news.designtechnica.com/article4542.html

[smokeonit @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

yes, the design sucks. they should redesign the ICE-LINK...

the belkin suction cup holder solution looks better, but is not supported w/ the ICE-LINK, dension should develop a connector, so u can use other cradles, and use ICE-LINK only as the interface... ipod buyers want design and function, not just function....

my 2 cents

[gadgetboy @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

The iceLink is available to order without the cradle. Just order it from Dension:
http://densionusa.com/merchant/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=DU&Product_Code=I11_BMW_T&Category_Code=IA_BMW

[Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

There must be someone working on a hack that will allow you to use the UI on the iPOD when connected via the BMW connection kit. I have one installed in my 3-series and it sounds great but I miss the ease of use of the iPOD interface. Even if it means disabling the headunit and steering wheel-based controls.

A hack should be developed that makes the iPOD think its connected to one of the million other "dock" solution (IE: the bose dockable speaker system), then you could still have a digital audio interface and power supply along with the flexibility of the UI. Someone please HACK THIS. I'll pay you!

[Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

There must be someone working on a hack that will allow you to use the UI on the iPOD when connected via the BMW connection kit. I have one installed in my 3-series and it sounds great but I miss the ease of use of the iPOD interface. Even if it means disabling the headunit and steering wheel-based controls.

A hack should be developed that makes the iPOD think its connected to one of the million other "dock" solution (IE: the bose dockable speaker system), then you could still have a digital audio interface and power supply along with the flexibility of the UI. Someone please HACK THIS. I'll pay you!