Apple Unveils Adapter to Link iPod to Some BMWs

Well, it was about time Apple did something like this. I have had an iPod for over 6 months now and I love it. Where I use it most though is in the car. I rarely use the ear phones, definitely not in the car. There are choices on how to hook up an iPod to a car stereo, such as a cassette adapter or radio transmitters like iTrip and I do have both. I don't like either of them. I don't like the cassette adapter cable sticking out of the car stereo and I don't like the sound of the rollers' noise rubbing against the adapter, especially when the car is quiet. iTrip is an improvement, no additional cables and it taps into the iPod battery. However, the sound quality drops, there is background hissing noise and when you get an overlapping radio station in the neighborhood, it is not that easy to switch to a different station and continue playing where you left off, especially not while driving a car.

I always wondered how long will it take Apple to team with car manufacturers so that the car stereo would have an iPod dock on them. You get in the car, you insert your iPod into the iPod slot on the stereo, just like you'd insert a cassette. The car stereo takes over all the iPod controls and display output; if you have controls on the steering wheel, all the better. So, Apple linking iPods to some BMWs is a great first step, though a little costly solution to upgrade your iPod's capabilities.

Another annoyance about playing iPod in the car is you need to remember to turn it off.
Why doesn't Apple come up with an iPod setting that says "car mode" and the iPod shuts off when the external power is disconnected. When the power is connected again, the iPod continues to play where it was left off, just like a CD or tape would continue. I don't think it takes rocket science to add that feature. If you are running errands and have multiple stops lack of this feature becomes really annoying.

Enough bashing about iPod, I think it is a technological marvel and absolutely beatiful design. I am sure these features will be common place for iPod in a matter of time. At least the "car mode" should be just a software upgrade.