kray17

http://macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/6811/

Apple today announced it has teamed up with Acura, Audi, Honda and Volkswagen to deliver iPod integration with their car stereos for 2006 model lines. Seamless integration of iPods in cars allows music lovers to enjoy high-quality sound through their car’s stereo system, easily access their entire music library and take their music with them everywhere they go. There are now 15 car companies around the world offering iPod integration, and more than 5 million cars will ship with iPod support in the US in 2006.

“We’re thrilled to team up with Acura, Audi, Honda and Volkswagen to provide drivers with a seamless iPod experience,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPod Product Marketing in the press release. “Car companies are embracing the iPod, and over 30 percent of the cars sold in the US in 2006 will offer iPod integration."

The Honda and Acura Music Link iPod integrations will be the first to include text-to-speech capabilities or VoiceID, which is used to search for playlists, artist and album names or genre information. Acura and Honda will feature iPod integration in the majority of their lineup beginning later this year.

Beginning in November, Audi will feature iPod integration in the A3, A4 and TT models and Volkswagen will offer iPod integration for the majority of their 2006 US lineup.

bluenoise

That's great news for future buyers. I'm guessing, though, that there won't be any kind of retrofit for the 04s and 05s.

VtecMW

This is great news. But, I cannot understand why auto makers and consumer electronics companies cannot come up with a standard protocol that allows you to put "any" compatible MP3 player into a vehicle with the available option.

But, I guess it's a marketing advantage to feature your XYZ car with iPod integration.

kray17

yeah i sure wish there was a way to retrofit it... i just bought my 2005 TL , and would love to have this.

i guess i'll have to wait for my next TL

kray17

this is the coolest part!

need4spd

Acura Unveils iPod Music Link Accessory

Acura today unveiled the Acura Music Link iPod(R) adaptor, which allows seamless integration between iPod and Acura audio systems. The new accessory developed by Acura enables drivers to listen to their iPod in digital sound directly through the audio system in the 2006 Acura RL, TL and TSX sedans and MDX SUV. Acura Music Link allows drivers to select their music by artist, album, genre and play list through the standard controls on the audio system head unit. Additionally, the Acura Music Link adaptor will be the first to include text-to-speech capabilities or VoiceID, when searching through the iPod music library with the audio system controls.

"We are very excited to partner with Apple and offer the Music Link accessory to our Acura customers," said Stony Furutani, manager of Acura accessory marketing. "Acura vehicles are equipped with the latest audio technology and we are pleased to expand the audio experience to iPod users."

"We're thrilled to team up with Acura, to provide drivers with a seamless iPod experience," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of iPod product marketing. "Car companies are embracing the iPod, and over 30% of the cars sold in the US in 2006 will offer iPod integration."

The Acura Music Link adaptor provides outstanding sound quality while charging the iPod battery at the same time by a cable conveniently located in the glove compartment. The adaptor will be available starting in mid-December exclusively for purchase and installation at Acura dealers. Suggested retail pricing for the Acura Music Link will be approximately $250 plus dealer installation charge. Acura Music Link is backed by a full Acura factory warranty. Consumers should check with Acura dealers for specific restrictions.

iPod's are available at in the U.S. through the Apple Store(R) at www.apple.com and at selected retail outlets.

RSA_Secure

Does that mean that we can fit it on 04, 05 TLs?

SonicDark

I'm sure you can

I thought it was a standard option, but $250 + install = Cost of another iPod

Not worth it unless you really want to use your iPod

I already have playlists

luniz97

has it come out at the dealership yet?

RSA_Secure

I would guess that it will be released along with '06 TL, which isnt out yet.

ChuckDu

Honda's press release is HERE . It states that it will be available at the dealers in mid-December.

w1n78

I just got back from a dealership to pick up my car and one of the district manager was there for a meeting. i was assured that there will be a kit that will retro fit to the 04 & 05 TL. he implied that it's a different kit than the December version which is only for 06 models. price was also unknown. the kit will be a dealer-only install/availability. i'm sure there will be generic versions of this in due time

Yakuza70

Awesome! If this is true, I hope it will have all the functions and features the '06 TL will have too.

tribalab

ditto

tribalab

vdob

Does anyone know if this will work with any mp3 player or just the ipod?

BUD001

i think its just the ipod...

By the way, i wonder how it would look. Is the plug on the centerstack? or in the glovebox? and i wonder how it looks on the nav screen too.

acuraTL44

It is in the glovebox. I believe that it will show the i-pod informaion on the screen, but i am not certain of that.

Kubrus

Will It Play Music?

ludachrisvt

iTrader: (2)

^

baltimoreacura

I spoke with Mike Spencer, +1-310-783-3165 from the press release this morning. I asked him if the propsed iPod Acura Link product would work on the the 2005 and he told me in factit would to the best of his knowledge. He told me the 2005 and the 2006 RL had the same radio part number which would make this item work on the 2005 as well as the 06.

Based on this, I am about to take possesion of a 05 RL. This will break a 9 year run of Audi's ending with trading in a 2000 S4.

Should I be thrilled to make the move to Acura?

Chita79

yeah... i REALLY hope this ipod integration feature is available for 05' TL's as well. I just put in a full JL Audio audio system in my car and im waiting to see what this adapter will let me do in my car with the ipod. I hope we can navigate thru the ipod with the navi screen... otherwise its gonna suck to drive and choose songs to play on that thing. "crossing fingers"

Grimnebulin

Thanks for the update. Anyword updated word as to when the iPod Acura Link product will be released, i.e. has it changed from the December release date?

Having learned to drive on BMWs and having owned Honda/Acuras for the last 14 years, I don't know that you'll be thrilled with your RL (depends which Audi car you're coming from - A4 or S4, A6 or A8, TT - and Japanese cars have a different feel) but you'll definitely know that an RL is a really fun to drive car at a great price (plus very reliable). Welcome aboard the SS Acura.

baltimoreacura

My last 5 Audi's have been:

87 4000 CS (I bet it is still running somewhere)
93 90 (pretty awesome car)
00 S4 (Hate to it go. Most fun car of all time, but about to hit 100K miles)
02 A6 Avant (wife totalled it so we had to get a new one)
03 A6 Avant (28 days out of service in 2 1/2 years, the reason I am leaving Audi)

I have enjoyed Audi until recently. BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Volvo all seem to suffer from the same problems regarding reliability recently. I looked at the Acura TL as a replacement and almosted settled there, but wanted the all wheel drive. Not sure why Acura doesn't make a 6 speed, manual, all wheel drive version of the TL. Would be a fun ride.

So I am going the RL route. I know it is less sporty, but good power and decent handling. I am guessing I will be in the shop less than my Audi's.

baltimoreacura

Also Mike Spencer told me the iPod Acura Link release date could slip a bit to the beginning of next year. The goals was to have them out by Christmas / end of year. , but not sure if that is still going to happen.

Grimnebulin

Thanks for the update.

Grimnebulin

I was soooooo close to getting a 2001.5/2002 S4. Reliability is probably the main thing that scared me away. That car plus a GIAC/Other ECU chip made me drool - 300hp+/300lb/ft tq+....but in the end I just couldn't pull the trigger and went with the (Honda) Acura TL again.

I think compared to your recent A6s you'll be satisfied with the RL performance-wise, and much happier with the reliability. Interior, I still think that Audis have great interiors and I actually prefer the TL interior to that of the RL (too busy for me).

My Cars ( I think the BMW years are correct):
'81 BMW 320i (fun beginner car)
'85 BMW 533i (super fun second car)
'85 Honda Accord LX (reliable college car)
'93 Acura Integra GS (most interesting)
'97 Acura 3.0 CL (needed a reliable auto for the wife)
'05 Acura TL (reliaiblity got me this over chipped S4)

navicaph

Just wondering if anybody has heard any updates on this?

vp911

Nothing new. Probably still december - jan.

jowaldo

I just got my 06 last friday.. and my dealer said they were still hearing end of dec.. I couldn't get them to throw it into the deal of the car, but got them to give it to me at cost.. which they said they didn't know what "cost" was yet. Which is kinda lame cuz i have the feeling they will screw me still..

I'll have to compare what other people pay before I pay them "cost"

vp911

As soon as it is available I am sure dealers will start selling them on ebay at slightly above cost - so you will be able to at least get some estimate as to what their cost is via the prices on ebay.

chusteveb

Ok well I know what I'm adding to my X-mas list along with a 30/60G Video Ipod (Black). Wonder if I could get this thing to play the video through my navi screen.

I can always dream!

... it would be so cool to have the ipod screen blown up onto the navi screen and use the navi touch screen to control the ipod! Someone invent that!

hurricane350

Any pictures of this around?

jowaldo

not really.. but on the tsx forum, someone posted a picture from a brochure for one.. and a install manual for putting it in a civic.. altho i'd bet its a lot like what it will be for a TL

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...078#post496078

DWeier

I just had our parts manager look up the part numbers on the 2005 and 2006 TL audio units. They do have a different part #, but it is just the last 2 digits that are
different which usually just designate a color change. This makes sense, since the 2006 TL has a Blue display vs. a Gray display on the 2005. We were not able to determine if there are any other changes to the audio unit.

Since he has not recieved any additional information, he is not able to confirm 2005 TL compatibility yet, but he has had several inquiries and is working to track it down.

ludachrisvt

iTrader: (2)

^ i love you

VtecMW

I'm not sure how much value this has. But, I took my car in for service at Fountain Acura (Orlando). I asked my service advisor if there would be a retrofit available. He said no that there would not, because the '06 TL has a different wiring harness.

In my opinion, I don't see it as a big deal if all that is required is the new wiring harness to retrofit. But, if the radio itself is a different version, then I'm sure '04 and '05 owners will be out of luck. I also imagine that there has to be some type of firmware update for the headunit to control the iPod, display its information and for voice commands.

I hope we'll know something soon.

mbwmn

this is ALMOST a good sign. at least there's a part # for 2205! we'll assume that will also fit 2004...

if they changed the last 2 of a series of 5 and they are letters (eg: -003za vs -003zb) it's a color change most likely interchangeable (and usually only applicable to interior parts, and pre-painted exterior body parts).

if they changed the last 2 of 3 (eg: -003 vs -013) it's a design (improvement) or (more likely) MANUFACTURER (eg: Alpine=-003, Matsushita/Panasonic =-013, Clarion=-023) change.

typically most parts w/ all but the last 3 digits of the part# are somewhat interchangeable. part #'s w/ different digits in the middle 3 series are NOT interchangeable. the middle sequence determines model application (eg: -abc-003za for TL vs -def-003za for TSX).

mbwmn

wow,
looks like most of the day to install-

VtecMW

Well, here's a bit of good news. The Honda Bus Cable 2-Port fits into the back of the TL's head unit (I have one in mine), see post https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...=08A31-0F1-000.

So, at the very least we will be able to install the iPod cable (bus cable 14-pin connector). So, what remains to be determined is if there are any differences between the '04 and '05 head units (hopefully not), and whether there will be firmware to enable the Music Link on '04 and '05 head units.