New Alpine head unit only for 3rd gen iPods

[HardSpike]

Question about the new Alpine head units coming out this summer that will control your iPod: is it only going to work with the 3rd generation iPods?

The descriptions talk about accessory control protocol or something.

I've got a first gen iPod.

[jpel85]

i dont know... him that rocks though... maybe ill pick one up haha

[Cincojoe]

Anyone have a link or any info on this new Alpine head?

[elsanto]

google it, Looks like it is an addon from AI-net. SWEET, makes me wish i had gotten the alpine i wanted :(

[Mr. Music]

Hope it works with the Alpine unit I just bought... :)

[drags]

so its not going to be a deck but rather an add on to work with newer alpine decks?

[HardSpike]

From http://www.alpine-usa.com/company_info/press_release/010804_ipad.html

ALPINE DEBUTS WORLD'S FIRST CAR AUDIO HEAD UNITS THAT ALLOW TRUE INTEGRATION WITH iPod
TORRANCE, Calif, January 6, 2004 -- Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., the industry-leading manufacturer of high performance mobile electronics, will demonstrate at CES the world's first solution that enables consumers to connect and control their iPod from their in-vehicle sound system. Alpine's iPod Ready strategy is part of the company's overarching mission to create innovative in-vehicle electronics that are easier to use and provide great sound in the mobile environment.
"The integration of iPod control into selected 2004 Alpine in-dash receivers addresses the growing market of portable digital audio device users who want a safe and easy-to-use solution for playback in the car." said Stephen Witt, Alpine's vice president of Brand Marketing.
With a simple one-cable connection, iPod users will be able to operate key playback features from the Alpine receiver's buttons and have display of playlists, album, artist and songs on the head unit. The iPod can then be safely stored in the glove box or console because it acts like a portable hard drive connected to the head unit through Alpine's powerful Ai-Net system bus. The Alpine connectivity solution also provides charging of the iPod's internal battery.
"Alpine's iPod Ready in-dash receivers will allow iPod users seamless control of up to 10,000 songs easily in their car," said Stan Ng, Apple's Director of iPod Product Marketing. "Being able to display song information and browse the iPod's entire music library right from the Alpine head unit makes this a superior way to enjoy non-stop music in the car."
Alpine has engineered a unique interface box that takes advantage of the iPod Accessory Protocol allowing audio, track information, and control signals to be communicated over the Ai-NET system bus to the in-dash receiver. This seamless integration provides emulation of the iPod's controls through an Alpine head unit using both the front panel buttons and the wireless remote control.
Alpine's iPod Ready Interface kit will be available later this summer through Alpine authorized retailers. To receive more information on the Alpine iPod Ready receivers, consumers may send an e-mail to ipodready@alpine-usa.com


Alpine Electronics
Amplifier -- 900W max power* 14.4V RMS Power
Alpine Electronics is the world's leading automotive consumer electronics system supplier and an ISO certified corporation. Alpine specializes in an integrated platform concept for mobile multimedia with premium components for digital audio/video media playback, digital broadcast reception, and satellite linked navigation. With research and development facilities in Asia, Europe and the U.S., Alpine is the global leader for mobile sound systems and in-vehicle navigation for both after-market and OEM factory installations. Alpine Electronics is a consolidated subsidiary of Alps Electric Co., Ltd., one of the world's premier manufacturers of electronic components for computer, communications and car electronics equipment. Visit www.alpine-usa.com to learn more about Alpine products or to find an authorized retailer.

# # #
Alpine Contacts
Heidi Davis/Andrea Sausedo
WONGDOODY Communications
(207) 363-8575/ (310) 285-0181
heidi.davis@wongdoody.com / andrea.sausedo@wongdoody.com

Apple Contact
Pamela Bennett
Apple Computer
(408) 974-7608
pamb@apple.com

[Mr94Supra]

Oh my, I feel faint....ok not really. Oh my, time to start saving up for some more toys for me Supra!!!!! Fiberglassed spare tire well )2 tens or one 12 incher), new head unit, sub amp...man I gotta get a part timer.

[Suprabeach]

Mt94Supra- You on Supraforums at all?

[HardSpike]

Works with the new 9830 and up. It's a small box that interfaces to the AI net port. Complete control of iPod from head unit. It actually runs the iPod like iTunes does when attached to your computer. Pretty cool. That means one cable charges it too.

I've heard pricing of $80 - $120 for the adapter. Call Crutchfield for more info. They know about them now.

[skicrave]

It will only work with dock compatible iPods (3G and Mini).

[macdaddie0]

Does anyone actually know when this Alpine thing will be available?

I tried Dension but have to wait like two weeks.
:(

[bhb399mm]

alpine claims they will have it out by mid summer (late july/mid aug.)

not sure if they can keep their promise tho...lol

[jwc110869]

I also heard that Alpine will have an Ipod ready in dash deck............has anyone else heard this too?

[skicrave]

It should be shipping by Sept.

No, that's incorrect. The above Ai-NET interface makes any compatible Ai-NET headunit iPod ready. Having that technology built into the headunit would be redundanct. I think what you heard is probably due to a lot of confusion surrounding iPod-ready, lot's of people think it's a headunit that's compatible with the iPod, which it isn't.

[Suprabeach]

Are you sure? What about the user interface portion? Right now, Alpine displays "AUX" and not "iPod" or whatever they choose. Currently, the CD changer controls double as iPod operations and the nomenclature is generic to CD changers only. I heard that the HU itself will contain software that will address iPod controls specifically. It will look like it's made specifically for an iPod. The outboard box is just the hardware interface. Is this correct?

[devastor]

IS Alpine the only company coming out with a Ipod-ready car stereo. I wouldn't be surprise if Sony or Aiwa would think something up?

[Mr94Supra]

Originally posted by Suprabeach
Mt94Supra- You on Supraforums at all?

Yep, I'm on there with the same name. Been a while since I posted since money has been tight since me marriage and had a lil accident and messed up me drivers side door. But me Supra is back in action and sloooooowly getting back into shape.:D

[skicrave]

Originally posted by Suprabeach
Are you sure? What about the user interface portion? Right now, Alpine displays "AUX" and not "iPod" or whatever they choose.

Are you sure? :)

You'd be amazed at the options that are available in the current software on Ai-NET headunits. It currently shows AUX, because that's what you're using (KCA121B). It's all software based.

As for navigation, the current crop of MP3 compatible Ai-NET headunits have all the controls required to mimick the iPod's controls, so you won't see any difference there.

There is a small chance that on some models the headunit will still read CD Changer for the source selection, but that should be easily changed by sending your headunit in to Alpine for a reflash (I really wish they would make this part of the i-Personalize options).

It takes a lot of work to reverse engineer something like this, so I would be surprised if the other manufactures copy Alpine's lead. That's not to say it won't happen, but with the ICE-Link already available for Sony and Kenwood, it probably doesn't make much sense for them.

[devastor]

Guys, if you haven't seen it already, on ipodlounge front page there is a new article on Alpine's showing off their Ipod-ready head units. Here is a link to the pics,
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20040528/alps.htm
sorry the page is in Japanese.