In what the company says is a world first, Alpine Electronics will release a car stereo unit that allows you to connect your iPod to your car stereo and control it from there. They’re calling it the iPod Ready Interface kit, and they’re building it into selected 2004 Alpine in-dash receivers.
Once you connect your iPod to the stereo with a single cable, you can operate it with the receiver’s buttons and view playlists, album, artist, and songs on the unit’s display. The solution simultaneously charges the iPod’s battery so that it’s ready to go when you reach your destination.
Alpine expects to have the iPod Ready Interface kit available later this summer through authorized dealers. You can email ipodready@alpine-usa.com to get on their mailing list and receive more information.