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Toyota released iPod integration kit
I guess this is the weekend of Apple car news. Leftlanenews is reporting that Toyota is finally shipping the iPod integration kit they announced earlier this year for current Toyota and Lexus cars. Much like the kits from VW, BMW, and others, it allows you to plug your iPod into your car via a Dock connector cable in the glovebox. Naturally you can control your tunes from the head unit (or steering wheel) and track information is displayed on the head unit display. It runs $300, presumably from dealers, and it takes about an hour for it to be installed.
Parrot intros PMK5800 plug and play car kit
We love anything that comes a-packin' no muss, no fuss technology -- even more so when you can install it in a few seconds and don't need a toolkit to get the job done. Parrot's newest Bluetooth carkit, the PMK5800 consists of a single part which plugs directly into your car's 12V accessory socket or cigarette lighter. Using a built in FM transmitter (a la iTrip), the set will stream tunes via A2DP from your handset or your voice calls to your car's stereo deck to give you that auto-filling sound you love. When the phone rings, just hitting the FM preset you configure for the PMK5800 will automatically answer it and mute your music. While not an embedded kit, it packs all the goodies you would expect like DSP, echo and noise cancellation, full duplex sound, and voice recognition all in something that can go from car to car without effort. Look for these to land sometime this summer for about $120.[Via PR Newswire]
Parrot intros A2DP-enabled MK6100 handsfree Bluetooth car kit
Our favorite Bluetooth gurus are readying yet another in-car handsfree kit, but unlike the run-of-the-mill offerings already crowding store shelves, the Parrot MK6100 adds a bit of musical delight as well. Aside from giving users the opportunity to hear conversations through their stereo system, this two-piece system boasts a built-in microphone in the horizontal display (which just so happens to be a svelte OLED), and also plays on the emotions of audio lovers everywhere. The A2DP-enabled kit features a separate wireless remote that can be used to cycle through the tracks on your handset, play and pause the tunes, and easily fit into your glovebox when you exit the vehicle. Additionally, users will be graced with DPS, automatic phonebook synchronization, text-to-speech capabilities, and voice dialing, and while we're not quite sure of the pricing deets just yet, you can probably expect to find out for yourself in Q2 of this year.
BlueTraks intros Bluetooth / iPod-friendly BT-211 handsfree car kit
While there's certainly no shortage of handsfree liaisons made for your whip, we're not going to complain with a bit more competition, and BlueTraks is trying to make a name for itself by hitting us up with the nicely-spec'd BT-211 series. The 5.45- x 2.9- x 2-inch design most definitely avoids any hints of a curve, but the 4.3-inch WQVGA touchscreen display, miniSD card slot, and iPod connectivity help to alleviate the questionable styling. Aside from touting Bluetooth, voice recognition, and a front-mounted USB 2.0 port, this nifty conglomerate also boasts a few inputs / outputs (pictured after the jump) not typically found on a run-of-the-mill handsfree kit. On the unit's rear you'll find ports for your iPod (along with a tailored control interface), any other DAP, a hardwired hookup to your factory amplifiers / speakers, audio in, and in a forthcoming rendition, satellite radio and even a navigation interface for those thinking about installing this in their dash. Sadly, we've no hard dates regarding availability, nor any indication of a price range, but we definitely dig where this handsfree car kit is going.[Via NaviGadget]
foneGEAR unveils Mini Blu II Bluetooth headset / MK20 handsfree kit
If you're interested in one of the bazillion new handsets getting some showtime here in Vegas, you just might be scouting out a new headset as well. foneGEAR is busting on the scene by releasing a Mini Blu II headset and MK20 in-car handsfree kit, both of which are Bluetooth enabled. The Mini Blu II weighs just nine grams, supports Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, and offers up a reported four hours of talk time and 75 hours while in standby. For talking it up in your whip, the MK20 features a car charger / AC adaptor, built-in speaker and microphone, LCD display, phone book, "hotline" button to call your boss, SO, or any other programmed number, and offers eight hours of talk time and 200 hours in standby. Although pricing wasn't available for either, both Bluetooth gizmos will hit stores in the first quarter of this year.[Via Slashphone]
NOVOMAX BT S200 car kit does dualin' handsets
If there's one thing better than a Bluetooth car kit that supports a single handset connection, it's a car kit that supports two. Enter NOVOMAX's BT S200, which re-ups the earlier BT S110 model by adding an OLED display and the ability to pair two phones (we're guessing you can't use them at the same time, since that'd be a logistical nightmare for all participants in the conversation). The pod-shaped device, which looks like it should clip nicely to a variety of surfaces to do its thing, also alleges to feature "Silent Design" -- which, with all due respect to NOVOMAX, is exactly what we don't want in a speakerphone; we'll just go ahead and assume something's being lost in translation there.[Via SCI FI Tech]
Accessorize your Zune!
There's really no point in launching a major new portable audio device without a ton of accessories, so Microsoft's got you Zuneheads covered with a trio of packs to maximize your listening experience at home, in the car, or when you're getting your travel on. The Zune Home A/V Pack is centered around a dock (obviously), which you connect to your home theater gear through the bundled AV cable, and control with the included wireless remote; this pack also includes a sync cable and AC adapter. When you're rocking the Zune in your ride, the Car Pack will deliver power from your DC socket and transmit songs with the obligatory FM transmitter. Finally, for jamming to tunes while holed up in a sleazy motel, you can enhance the experience somewhat with the Zune Travel Pack, which includes premium earbuds (hopefully magnetic -- fingers crossed), a so-called dual connect remote, snazzy gear bag, and the same sync cable and AC adapter found in the home kit. Also noteworthy are the number of third-party manufacturers on-board to help you pimp out your Zune, including Altec Lansing, DLO, Griffin, Klipsch, Logitech, Harman Kardan, and several more -- basically the same folks who have been accessorizing your iPod for all these years. Okay, enough with the peripherals -- go read about the hardware and software, 'cause like, that's what's actually influencing your purchasing decision, no?
Samsung's neXus XM DAP reviewed
We've always been a bit skeptical of portable DAPs like the Sirius S50 and Samsung neXus that promise to let you listen to sat radio content on-the-go, because since neither device includes a built-in satellite receiver, you're stuck with the programming you've recorded while the player was docked at home. PC Mag seems to agree that this class of gadgets offers rather limited functionality, and their review of the neXus isn't very promising for potential customers: unless you buy the $70 car kit for listening to live feeds in your ride, you're basically spending either $219 or $269, respectively, for either a 512MB or 1GB MP3 player that delivers neither great sound quality nor an acceptable battery life. What's more, you have to make sure that you keep the unit docked for at least eight hours a month so that XM can properly authenticate your subscription to keep your recorded tunes from disappearing. Ultimately, unless you're a on a tight budget and absolutely need some XM swag in your pocket at all times, PC Mag suggests -- and we tend to agree -- that you're better off shelling out a few more bucks for the Pioneer Inno or Samsung Helix, which both allow you to pick up and record live feeds right out of the box, no dock necessary.
Nokia CK-20W Car Kit promises to bundle talk, tunes, and nav
In what seems to be a brilliant marketing maneuver, Nokia is hyping its new CK-20W Car Kit as the "first integrated hands-free solution to combine high-quality communication, music, navigation and push-to-talk in the car," when all you're really getting is a dash-mounted dock and a remote. According to Nokia, you need to supply your own GPS Bluetooth receiver if you want navigation functionality (they suggest the forthcoming Nokia LD-2 Navigation Pack), although music streaming and hands-free chatting are achievable right out of the box. The kit is compatible with most Nokia phones and even standalone MP3 players if all you want are some tunes, but adding the nav pack requires you to own a S60-powered device to run the Route 66 mapping software. Prices have not been announced yet, but both the car kit and GPS receiver are expected to be available next quarter.[Via Wired Blogs]
Mitsubishi offers in-dash iPod dock
Now this is cool. Mitsubishi's iCar features an in-dashboard iPod nano dock. Just slide the iPod all the way into the slot where the dock connectors are and control it from the car's navigation display. No adapter, no transmitter, no clutter. For now, the iCar is only available in Japan. Here's hoping the technology (if not the car itself) makes its way elsewhere (and that Mitsubishi makes slots that can accommodate other iPod models).Wouldn't it be cool if Macs had slots like this?[Via MacDailyNews]
BMW updates its iPod car kit
Looks like I have to trade in my BMW M5 already (and by "BMW M5," I mean "Saturn VUE"). Earlier this week at the 2006 New York Auto Show, BMW revealed an update to their iPod integration kit. According to Left Lane News, you will be able to access your iPods' playlists, artists, albums, podcasts, and browse genres all from the car's built-in display. The kit will work with all iPods with a dock connector and will be available with the 3 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series and the M5, starting with the 2007 model year. This is really good news because, you know, owning a BMW isn't nice enough.[Via MacNN]
Volkswagen to enhance iPod connectivity
Let's face it, people want computing power in their cars. We've seen people cram their Mac minis into their vehicles, and many manufacturers now offer factory-installed iPod connectivity as an option. Volkswagen must have been paying attention to both trends, as their new prototype interface demonstrates. It's called "Gypsy," and really is a PC in the car's dashboard. There's a slot into which an iPod can be inserted (not in the glove box, but right on the dashboard), and a screen from which the iPod can be completely controlled. Browse any playlist, genre, artist...just as if you were using the iPod itself.It's still under development, but it looks pretty cool. CNET has a video of Gypsy interacting with an iPod.
DLO iPod solution coming to Volvo cars
I've been wanting a Volvo for quite a long time, though I must admit that my first choice would be a P1800. But, I guess the new ones are OK, too. Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO) have announced that their in-car iPod kit will be available as a dealer-installed option (in the US) on several Volvo models, including the S40, V50, and XC90. The kit will work with both the iPod and iPod nano, and run you US$139 (not including installation).That's nice, but I'd still rather have my classic coupe.
Chrysler announces iPod integration
Earlier this week at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show, The Chrysler Group announced that iPod integration will be made available in several of their vehicles in 2006. The optional $175US kit will be availabe for most Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler models (more than 3 million vehicles in total) later this year. Like other car kits we've seen, Chrysler's set up will allow you to control your iPod via the car's stereo or steering wheel controls, with the stereo displaying the name of the song and artist. That thing got a hemi? Who cares? I want an iPod car kit.[Via MacNN]
