The General is taking the low-tech approach to give anyone with an iPod or any other audio source a direct link in the front of the radio. The iPod will still need to be controlled by the unit, unlike other more expensive interfaces that allow the head unit to do the work. This will allow the new radios to be standard on GM's 2006 cars like the Chevy HHR, Impala and Monte Carlo; Saturn Vue and Ion; Pontiac Solstice; Buick Lucerne; and Cadillac DTS.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Tim @ Dec 18th 2005 10:31PM
This will also eliminate the need to purchase the XM radio option. My Roady2 would plug right into the AUX port.
CJ @ Dec 18th 2005 10:31PM
I actually prefer this to all the iPod and XM radio doo-dads. It let me choose the gadget I want to plug in. Heck this would let me plug in my laptop or even my old walkman cassette player if I wanted to!
Alex Lau @ Dec 18th 2005 10:31PM
I agree. On both of my Toyotas, I have added an AUX in to connect my Creative Nomad Zen Xtra and I love it.
Alan Bedenko @ Dec 18th 2005 10:31PM
Good idea. This is how I plug the ipod into my Saab - except the input is located in the armrest.
I'd like to see a larger picture of that cluster. It looks like yet another step up for GM.
Scott @ Dec 18th 2005 10:31PM
Can someone post a link to a similar aftermarket product. Thanks
KD @ Dec 18th 2005 10:31PM
I used a similar low tech way to hook up my ipod mini to my JVC headunit in my Jaguar. It sounds great.
More importantly most people will be able to hook this up themselves.
Tim @ Dec 18th 2005 10:31PM
I am using a AIWA CDC-X504MP which has a AUX input on the front face of the unit. I don't have a IPOD but it works great with my Roady2.
rip @ Dec 18th 2005 10:31PM
What a surprise, GM takes the cheapass route. I'm guessing they would have done a cassette adapter thing, but found out it cost more...
Mort @ Dec 18th 2005 10:31PM
re:Rip - I'd call it the smart route. Even though it seems like everybody has an iPod not everyone does. I'd like to be able to use not just my iPod but also any other audio source in my next car. There's no way I'm going to pay a few hundred more just so I can control it from the stereo. Way to go GM
John @ Dec 18th 2005 10:31PM
I hope that the industry is paying attention. It is beyond insane that every new car does not have this little feature as standard. (Yes, Ford, I'm looking at you.)
kztim @ Dec 18th 2005 10:31PM
Why would you say it is a "Cheapass route" Rip?
Tell me a better way of hooking up any audio device you choose with an audio out jack?
Example: Say HP could have gone the expensive route and only put Bluetooth in all of their IPAQ's. Now I am limited to a few Bluetooth headphones. But since there is an audio jack I can use my Sony ear buds, my Bose Noise Canceling headphones, and shockingly a 2006 or newer GM vehicle.
Chris K @ Dec 18th 2005 10:31PM
Cheapass? Geez.
This allows you to hook up any device to your GM car. Not just an iPod. Sure, I'd love it to control my iPod directly, but this is good enough. and MUCH better than the tape adapter I'm currently using.
Zlivruquok @ Dec 18th 2005 10:31PM
I'm no fan of GM, but in this case I side with those who say "brilliantly simple" in lieu of "cheap-ass." How tough would it be for other automakers do to something similar?
rip @ Dec 18th 2005 10:31PM
To respond:
Its not the best solution for a number of reasons.
1) While far superior to the weak cassette adapter and fm transmitter solutions, its still inferior to a direct line-in solution in terms of sound quality.
2) The iPod does not charge while connected. As far as I know, every dock connector solution charges the iPod.
3) No radio control of functions or display. This forces you to somehow position the iPod so it is accessible and viewable. And makes you look away from the road and move your hands in order to use it. Can you say unsafe, considering the skills of a typical driver? Think of it this way, how good would a nav system(or even just the radio) be with a 2x2 display, text only, and the screen was located somewhere near the center armrest between the seats?
4) Because of #2 and #3, you must disconnect your iPod every time you park your car in a public place. Why? So you can hide it, or take it with you. A center console, high mounted iPod(which is probably where it would have to be if you wanted to actually see and use it while driving) is just asking to be stolen.
To be fair, maybe cheapass was the wrong term. Half-assed is more appropriate, and typical of GM. Instead of offering the best solution(a direct dock connector connection), they offer an in-between solution, to save a few bucks. Actually, the best solution would be to offer both the aux-in and an iPod connection(either standard or optional). If the dock connector solution were optional, it wouldn't even be an unnecessary cost. Only the people that wanted and needed it would have to pay for it. Sort of like what BMW does...
This is typical of GM for some time now. They get about 75% of it right. They do a nice car mechanically, but cheap out on the interior. Or they get most of their exterior styling right, but throw in a cheap light cluster or spoiler or plastic cladding. Or they get the interior basically right, but put in cheap looking seats or cheap faux wood or vents or door latches. Why is this? Because GM is now run by the finance department and GMAC. The engineers send over a car that'll cost 20k and finance comes back and says do it for 18k. Probably because of the incentives they have to allow for. Which of course, is due to the perceived low quality of their cars... vicious cycle there.
Roy @ Dec 18th 2005 10:31PM
You don't get it. The reason this is good is because it will encourage other manufacturers to include an aux-in port that should have been there YEARS ago. GM is just the last mfr that I expected to finally do it. I hacked my factory headunit to aux-in for the ipod but it was a struggle. Many people get by on the FM modulators and cassette adapters that sound like crap. See what it took to pull off on Mazda headunits for example: http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17396&perpage=15&pagenumber=1
Tom @ Dec 18th 2005 10:31PM
I think it's fantastic. The only improvements I can think of would be to locate the aux input in the center console armrest/storage, along with a 12 volt jack for charging while in use. It would be nice to have it all out of the sight of thieves.
Paul Allen @ Dec 18th 2005 10:31PM
I agree, this is great, providing a connection not just for us ipoders, but for ANYBODY with ANY audio device. (Other MP3 plaers, DVD player for the kids, ham radio, XM or sirius, etc.)
Inspired by Roy and another Rx-8 install hack, I spent a couple days hacking my 2005 Subaru Legacy radio, see http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2936
And "rip," I don't get why you say the GM solution is "inferior to a direct line-in solution." It IS a direct line-in solution!
Tom's idea to put the connection and a 12 volt outlet in the console would make GM's idea perfect.
CJ @ Dec 18th 2005 10:31PM
Rip doesn't get the point... not all of us have iPods. An to be honest I think it's pretty odd for a car company to invest to much time and money into one product with the iPod adapters. Anyways, why are you fiddling around with your iPod while driving anyways, just set you playlist and go man!
Shawn Grecian @ Dec 18th 2005 10:31PM
The Cadillac DTS? Isn't the demographic a little unusual to be owning iPods? Maybe I'm completely mistaken. I do realize that this may be a fleet car, so there you go. But even then, whoever rents, buys, or leases one of these, do they even own an iPod?
starlightmica @ Dec 18th 2005 10:31PM
Cheapass, yes. Let's not forget the MSRP of an IceLink or similar "full" iPod connector - about $200 and up, labor/sweat/tears not included.
Buying an iPod the charger, stand, and cradle (some are all-in-one) combo is far cheaper for almost as much functionality.
Maybe Autoblog should have an entry listing all vehicles currently with standard AUX-in, starting with the Honda Element (I think).