You guys are right but...

[snoop]

www.ssiamerica.com

I've had a Neo35 (an early version thereof) and it has done all I spoke of and a ton more for at least 4-5 years now. The bar has long since been raised. And Apple raised it so much higher than any other portable out there. I've owned many. In the car though I just think it's time to move forward. If this is your first car mp3 player, great. Just know, Alpine's not the first one to think of this but as about the 10th--and a big name company--they ought to improve on existing technology, not take something really sweet like an iPod and relegate it to 1999-level technology in the car. What are the BMW and VW systems like in terms of usability? I don't know but I have to assume such big names don't mess around with flimsy usability-challenged "technology".

2 cents. I'll shut up now.

[ChewyRights]

The reason I go iPod:

It looks cool.

Mine was free.

I can literally take it anywhere, school, work, in-car.

It hold everything and all I ever needed.

It has endless accessory capabilites.

There's always a better, new, fantastic, cool way to do something with it. (i.e. the new iBeam).

Also, Alpines move, was the smartest thing any company could do. Plus, it is definately NOT the only way to hook up an iPod, for that matter any mp3 player, to your car. There are lots, and lots, and lots of ways.

iPods are portable. They supply portability, which is why an iPod owner hooks it up to their car. I can literally put my headphones on and pull it off my home stereo dock, walk to the car, dock it there, take the headphonbes off, and not miss a single beat of the song I want to hear.

Now that, is why i love the iPod.