General Motors Announces iPod Integration - Bringing Music to Drivers' Ears
Press release courtesy of General Motors
Fully integrated system debuts on Chevy HHR in October GM plans to include device on its entire 56-model lineup
DETROIT, Mich.
Because great cars and great tunes should travel together, General Motors has developed an affordable, all-new iPod adaptor; allowing music lovers to use their iPod with the factory-installed audio system in GM vehicles, beginning this fall.
The device, called “Personal Audio Link,” will sell at GM dealerships for less than $160 at MSRP, plus installation. It will be introduced in October on 2006 and 2007 model year Chevrolet HHRs, already one of the industry’s most personalized vehicles, with more GM vehicles scheduled to be added by the end of this year. Designed specifically for the iPod, GM expects to make the device available on all of its 56 vehicle models – mostly by the end of 2007 – meaning GM will offer the widest range of vehicle applications for iPod integration in the industry.
“We understand that people want to use their iPod whenever and wherever they want,” said Mike Jackson, GM North America vice president, Marketing & Advertising. “We’re thrilled to offer an awesome, seamless digital music experience to our customers across our entire portfolio of great cars and trucks.”
Vehicle personalization is embedded in today’s vehicle purchase and ownership experience. Nancy Philippart, executive director, GM Accessories, believes that iPod and GM vehicle personalization are a perfect fit.
“With our simple, affordable system, our customers can plug their iPod into their vehicle audio system and get what they want – clear, quality sound as well as access to playlists and artists’ names,” said Philippart. “Because the Personal Audio Link was designed specifically for GM vehicles, the level of integration our system offers is unmatched in the market.”
The Personal Audio Link iPod adapter, about the size of a deck of cards and not visible to the customer once installed, uses existing radio software, and is integrated through the radio’s digital XM Satellite Radio band. (XM does not need to be activated for the system to work.) This provides improved sound over FM modulated systems, and better control and display over FM modulated and CD changer interface units.
The system displays song artist, title and genre on the radio display, and allows song selection by genre, playlist, artist and album. In addition, Podcasts and audio books are no problem. Personal Audio Link enables the user to store, sort and select their favorite Podcast or audio book by title. In vehicles equipped with steering wheel audio controls, those controls will also control volume.
Once the device is installed, the customer plugs the iPod into an interface cable in the glove box, where the player can be safely secured and stowed. The device also charges the iPod while the vehicle is operating.
“We know our music-loving customers have been clamoring for a system like this, but we were determined not to go into the market with one unless it was truly integrated, easy to use and affordable,” said Philippart. “I think this system will be music to our customers’ ears.”
Personal Audio Link Key Features – At a Glance
- Seamlessly connects an iPod to the vehicle’s factory installed audio system
- Charges iPod when ignition is on
- Choose from English, Spanish or French language for function displays
- Search and display music by genre, playlist, album, artist
- Use seek function to move forward or reverse within a song for up to 15 seconds
- Select “shuffle” function to mix music
- Sort music using “alphabetical jump” from A-Z list
- Sort and select Podcasts and audio books by title
- Control volume from steering wheel controls
- Personalize text display in dynamic mode (radio display scrolls through artist, album, title, song, time remaining, etc.) or static mode (fixed on one display element such as artist)
- Perform fast music searches using high-speed text display technology
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Ford Speeds IPod Connectivity to More Vehicles as Audio-Player Demand Doubles in Next 5 Years
Press release courtesy of Ford Motor Company
- Ford responds to the explosive growth of iPod and MP3 audio players by offering auxiliary audio input jacks in half of its 2007-model Ford and Lincoln and Mercury products, beginning this summer.
- New Ford TripTunes™ Advanced system will be added early next year – for even more seamless iPod integration, including full charging and control through the radio controls.
- Ford predicts iPod and other MP3 player sales will more than double in next five years.
DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 3- Drivers can now easily plug their iPod into the car thanks to new audio features being introduced in new 2007-model Ford and Lincoln Mercury vehicles.
Ford is responding to the skyrocketing customer demand to bring electronic devices into cars and trucks by offering the new features. The company predicts that iPod and other MP3 player sales will reach 132 million units in 2009 – more than double the 57.7 million sold in 2005.
“We at Ford have pledged to listen more closely to our customers, and that includes knowing how they want to use their personal audio devices while driving,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of the Americas. “We see the booming trend in the audio marketplace, and we are responding quickly in our vehicles.”
For the 2007-model year, built-in auxiliary audio-input jacks will be offered on the Ford Edge, Explorer, Expedition, Mustang, Fusion, Sport Trac, Ranger, F-150, Mercury Milan, Mountaineer, Lincoln MKX, Lincoln MKZ, Navigator and Lincoln Mark LT. The jacks allow customers to bring any iPod or other MP3 player with a standard 3.5 millimeter audio output into their vehicle and play it through the audio system.
In addition, early next year, Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers throughout the U.S. will begin offering Ford’s TripTunes Advanced audio system – an iPod integration feature that provides drivers with top sound quality and recharging at the same time. TripTunes Advanced allows the driver to store the iPod in the vehicle’s glove box and select music using the steering wheel or radio controls – including shuffling songs and skipping between tracks and playlists.
“The iPod has been a huge hit, and we at Ford wanted to develop a way for people to bring the device into their Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle without having to fuss with the device while driving,” said Doug VanDagens, director of Ford’s product and business development for electronics. “What we’ve accomplished with the integration of the iPod into our vehicles is just one piece of a much broader effort at Ford Motor Company to respond to customer trends more quickly.”
Satellite Navigation, SIRIUS Radio Also Growing Fast
Responding to another consumer trend, Ford is dramatically increasing the number of its vehicles with DVD-based navigation systems and SIRIUS satellite radio.
“In 2005, fewer than half of our vehicles were available with a navigation system, satellite radio or auxiliary audio inputs. For 2007, we’re doubling the models available with a navigation system and quadrupling the number with SIRIUS satellite radio,” says Fields.
Ford’s intuitive, DVD-based navigation system is new for 2007 on the Ford Fusion, F-150, Mustang, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Mark LT.
Also for 2007, Ford is broadening its relationship with SIRIUS satellite radio, adding the feature on the Ford Edge, Ford Shelby GT500, Five Hundred, Fusion, Mustang, Expedition, Ranger, Sport Trac, Mercury Montego, Milan and Lincoln MKX and Navigator.
By the 2008-model year, Ford expects to offer available SIRIUS satellite radio in 90 percent of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles.
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