70 percent of US autos to be iPod compatible

Stuart Corner
Friday, 04 August 2006 02:46

Business IT - Technology

Apple's iPod looks set to take an unassailable position in the US in-car entertainment market through new agreements that will see 70 percent of new US autos shipping with iPod integration by 2007.
Apple announced on 3 August agreements with Ford Motor Company, General Motors and Mazda to deliver "seamless iPod integration" across the majority of their brands and model.

According to Apple, this will mean "making it easy for iPod users to enjoy and control their iPod's high-quality sound through their car's stereo system." Apple claim that, as a result more than 70 percent of 2007-model US automobiles will offer iPod integration.

"Seamless integration" according to Apple means not only providing a connection that allows the iPod to be charged and play through the vehicle's audio system, but "enabling drivers to use their car's multifunction controls to select their music using artist, album, playlist or shuffle songs, as well as to easily skip between tracks and playlists."

Automakers, and the supplier of in-car audio, won't want to support this tight integration with a wide range of different MP3 players and for such a car-intensive culture as the US being able to play stored music in the car through the car music system using the conveniently located in-car controls (it is reported that in some models control of the iPod will be via buttons on the steering wheel) and a familiar interface will be a powerful argument in the choice of portable music player.

Microsoft with its soon to be launched Zune will have to play catch-up big time.