Integrated Mobile Electronics launches universal iMe Dock for your car

If you're genuinely frustrated with fuzzy (and "dangerous") FM transmitter results, and aren't exactly keen on wiring up a separate connection for each DAP you own, Integrated Mobile Electronics has your solution. In a presumed attempt to alleviate the frustration of priopritary DAP-to-automobile liaisons (and grab the entire market's attention), the startup has unveiled the iMe in-car docking station. The device, like most other hardwired options, will require a good bit of DIY handiwork (and Excedrin Migraine pills), but will apparently channel audio to your sound system and even video to your LCD-equipped whip. The package will reportedly support the Apple iPod / nano, Microsoft Zune (including the unannounced "80GB" version), Creative Zen Vision:M, SanDisk Sansa, and iRiver Clix right out-of-the-box, and even touts the ability to charge your device while docked. While it's being marketed as an end-all solution to your in-car docking station needs, these all-in-one contraptions should certainly be approached with caution -- and while there's no info on pricing or availability, you can see its potential for yourself at the SEMA expo this month.

[Gil @ Nov 2nd 2006 7:25AM]

-Brought to you by the "How come I didn't think of that?" organisation

[CoolKidd @ Nov 2nd 2006 7:42AM]

Now, thats cool... How much do you think will it be?

[Chris @ Nov 2nd 2006 8:19AM]

wow does that zune look alot nicer than the other 2 lol... nice dock... but im drawn to the zune screen size hehe

[Revels @ Nov 2nd 2006 8:29AM]

You do realise that Zune lol screen is the same res as the iPod hehe

[DM @ Nov 2nd 2006 8:36AM]

Finally! a neutral product.

[DM @ Nov 2nd 2006 8:37AM]

i think creatives zen vision has the best resolution amongst all daps presented.

[Revels @ Nov 2nd 2006 8:48AM]

Nah the Vision:M's res is the same as the iPod, but it has a better colour depth (65,000 vs 262,144)

[4x4van @ Nov 2nd 2006 9:17AM]

Sooooooo I guess this thing reads your mind and knows you "REALLY" want the sound to go through your soundsystem and does so totally magically? Or your head unit has to have a auxilary input? which would make it pretty much a waste of money the same as if it used a FM setup?

[Matt Turner @ Nov 2nd 2006 10:47AM]

There's another company (that I happen to have co-founded) who has been doing this for over a year now and has patent pending status on this concept. Our product has been featured in national publications and all around the internet. For those of you who haven't seen a truly integrated complete iPod docking solution for your car, check out www.2point5.com. Full pricing and availability info is on the site, and we answer all emails and phone calls personally. We hope to hear from a few of you soon.

[LPD @ Nov 2nd 2006 10:51AM]

Perfect, just load a wallpaper of a plastic Jesus and mount it over the air bag.

[Danny Cooper @ Nov 2nd 2006 1:26PM]

I'm about 90% certain that this product will use the CD Changer port on most/all factory radio systems to create an integrated solution with the head-unit, steering wheel controls, lcd, etc.

DICE currently has a great iPod integration system for most manufacturers, but this iMe will be awesome for people looking for an audio AND video solution AND for those of us who aren't iPod users.

[Bigwong @ Nov 14th 2006 5:21PM]

It look like the dock from www.2point5.com are all for ASH TRAYS and not really for dashboard placement.

[Pete Shimkus @ Nov 2nd 2006 2:09PM]

Matt-

Does your product work on a 2007 H3 Hummer? If not doe any one know of a product that does?

[Matt Turner @ Nov 2nd 2006 3:20PM]

Pete - I'm checking into that now. Please feel free to email me directly ([e-mail]) and I'll get the interface info for you. There is definitely an interface for '06 H3, but I'm verifying '07 status.

[JS @ Nov 2nd 2006 4:14PM]

Hey! Thats my dash!!!!! Or...one that looks very similar as it is the dash of a Volvo S40/V50. Maybe that means this works for my car....oh please say yes.....pllleeeeeeeeeeease!

[glacia00 @ Nov 2nd 2006 4:33PM]

Matt from what I can see your product is significantly different in that it only works with the ipod. Or at least the website you posted strongly implies that.

The ime (god-awful name) seems to be one of the very few devices trying to call a truce in the DAP pi__ing contest.

[Matt Turner @ Nov 2nd 2006 2:02PM]

I agree with your point that the iMe covers other players, while our product only covers iPod. We have tentative plans to cover other players in the future, and our pending patent application covers this possibility as well, but it seems to make sense for us at this particular moment in time to focus directly on the player with the highest market share, OEM and aftermarket support. That is not to say that there aren't other players with more features or better pricing - we're just supporting the one that is currently the most accepted and purchased. Thanks for your comment, and if you'd like to talk more about this, please feel free to email us directly, and I'd be glad to discuss.

[3rdsun @ Nov 2nd 2006 5:21PM]

what a waste of time. my Sandisk Sansa plugs into my Logic cd deck via usb port. I can control all songs on the deck. it recognizes any usb drive or Dap. point is why waste money on this novelty, get a real car deck with for the same price

[lt.milo @ Nov 2nd 2006 9:21PM]

did u realize that it says the 30 and 80 gig zune!

[Tim Anderson @ Nov 3rd 2006 1:53PM]

I can't find anywhere on how it actually connects to your car? Anyone know?

[Benjamin @ Nov 7th 2006 2:21PM]

Why dont they make one for dell dj 20s?