Posted by: cushman
Concept In-Car PC from VW - 22/03/2006 17:44
One interesting thing they have in this video is an iPod dock (complete in-dash) that interfaces with the car's main nav-like screen. Cool video, still a lab concept, but it shows that some car makers are actually thinking about how to provide a good in-car experience for music and other devices.
Link to Video on C|Net
Posted by: wfaulk
Re: Concept In-Car PC from VW - 22/03/2006 17:47
I don't see a good way around it, but I hate that it's proprietary. How many cars were sold that had a connection for a cell phone that only allowed a small handful of models all from the same manufacturer, and how useful are they today?
Posted by: Dignan
Re: Concept In-Car PC from VW - 22/03/2006 17:53
Well, one could argue that a single generation of the iPod probably sells better than most of the other MP3 players combined, but I'm also not a fan of the proprietary connection.
I wonder if there'll ever be a better solution than the empeg...
Posted by: wfaulk
Re: Concept In-Car PC from VW - 22/03/2006 17:55
Well, back then, the Motorolas probably outsold everything else. But now even the Motorolas have a different connector. Heck, I have a 1G iPod and it doesn't have a docking connector at all.
Posted by: tfabris
Re: Concept In-Car PC from VW - 22/03/2006 18:09
What's specifically proprietary about the Apple dock? Does apple prevent (or extort money from) others from creating MP3 players with the same dock and messaging protocol?
I'm just wondering if perhaps it could become a de facto standard for MP3 player docks, thus opening the door for a universal portable player docking and control system.
Posted by: JBjorgen
Re: Concept In-Car PC from VW - 22/03/2006 18:17
even still, you have form factor issues unless everyone uses the same form factor.
Posted by: msaeger
Re: Concept In-Car PC from VW - 27/03/2006 01:32
How about just have a USB connector and support MSC devices.
Posted by: altman
Re: Concept In-Car PC from VW - 04/04/2006 19:26
Obviously though, plenty of people make compatible connectors - pretty much every connector has a second or third source, whether authorised or otherwise. That'd be the best option if someone wanted to make a dock-compatible player.
I just don't think anyone has been brave enough to try it yet (outside of China - I'm sure some of the cheaper accessories that don't escape the far east aren't using the real-deal JAE connector) ... Apple have a lot of lawyers!
Hugo