iPod Car Integration Reality Check at Apple Expo

An anonymous reader writes "At the last Apple special event, Steve Jobs was almost bragging about the fact that 70% of new cars sold in the U.S. this year had (optional!) iPod 'integration' available ... Obviously, he didn't talk about the rest of the world. But most of all, what Steve didn't tell us is how crappy the existing "integration" solutions actually are! Here is a review of actual iPod car integration solutions showcased Apple Expo 2006 Paris. Some of the nicest cars (like the Audi TT for example) don't necessarily have the best iPod interfaces."

Steve Jobs Distorts Reality

[QuantumFTL]

This is shocking - simply shocking, I must say!

Click/steering wheel?

[Apocalypse111]

At least none of the control schemes have tried to introduce the dangerous fusion of the click and steering wheels...

"Honey, why are we driving in circles?"
"I wanted to listen to some Frank Zappa, but we're still in the L's"

Or, worse yet...

"Dammit, I can't change songs because there's a semi along side me!"

Re:VW +iPod = Lackluster Integration

[ruiner13]

I know it's an entry level car, but c'mon - it's supposed to be German engineering! I guess the Germans don't like music?

You're talking about a country that worships Hasselhoff's music, so they are clearly tone deaf. I hope it was a rhetorical question...

Theme Music

[Apocalypse111]

We need some intelligent control mechanisms for song selection with the iPod/car integration. For example, if the control scheme detects rapid acceleration and braking, along with heavy steering, it starts playing something from Crazy Taxi. If we just get left hand turns, then start playing music from, I dunno, Days of Thunder maybe? If the traction control system detects lots of skidding, then music from The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. Also, we'll need some microphones in the car to listen for gunfire, in which case we have a much wider selection of music to chose from.

Remember, the point of this technology is to let you keep your hands on the wheel at all times - safer driving, you know.

Re:VW +iPod = Lackluster Integration

[Anonymous Coward]

They should have just connected the steering wheel directly to the clickwheel, with the indicators, windscreen wipers and horn for play/pause/forward/rewind and menu. They might have had to overcome some technical difficulties but I don't see any major problems with the idea.

Re:VW +iPod = Lackluster Integration

[tbone1]

I guess the Germans don't like music?

Dear natural1,

In spite of your Folk Implosion-inspired name, bite us royally.

Sincerely,
Johann Sebastian Bach
Richard Wagner
Johannes Brahms
Ludwig van Beethoven
Joseph Haydn
The entire Strauss family
Klaus Meine and the rest of the guys from Scorpions

(Okay, some of those are Austrian, but still, ...)