the_ez_rhino

Hey guys,

Question for those who know, or have seen the car in person.

So my brothers got a new 5 series. He was tellin me that his ipod is completely integrated with his car (I believe it's through the I-drive technology?). Anyways, when he plugs his ipod in, he can actually navigate through the ipods different folders and control the ipod on the nav screen. (Apparently his car has a trackball near where the center console is to navigate the nav screen, sounds pretty rad.) So, I am wondering is the IS going to have a similar, on screen navigation integration, or is it just going to be like having an aux cable plugged into your ipod from your deck. (Which I have now in my SC, hooked up to my alpine screen. It makes for some serious near death situations trying to navigate through that thing while I'm driving)

And don't tell me to do a search, I already tried :P

knihc2008

iTrader: (1)

as for now, the IS can only link up with the ipod through an AUX input which means that you'll have to navigate through ipod itself.

flipside909

At this time, iPod and any other mp3 player and etc will still need to be controlled from that unit. Unfortunately, there is no interface on the ML system to control the iPod remotely. It only features a universal AUX input. The only Toyota vehicle capable of controlling iPod from the factory unit would be in the Scion vehicles currently.

TheRupp

I'm not exactly sure how that would work. It would have to be a manufacturer-specific connector, since an aux mini jack is audio-only.

umpalumpa

The bimmer definitely is sweet in its ipod integration and i was hoping lexus would do the same thing - but its just a stereo plug - and from what i can tell, its in the glove box. so basically, you have to keep the ipod in the glove box, where i doubt you can see it and im sure its not all that convenient to access. better make sure that you have a lot of good playlists made for the drive! its better than nothing though, no more goofy tape player plug!!! i'm sure eventually they will make a harness that you can have installed that links up with the back of your stock stereo that will allow you to control the ipod through the stereo. there are some out there now from a couple of different makers. i would think it would be even easier to make one for the new is since it has an open aux channel dedicated to a device such as this. i don't think i'll spend the dough to get the upgrade - we'll just have to see if the is configuration annoys me or not!

MR LEX

Actually, the auxillary jack in the Lexus is in the arm rest.

flipside909

You must not be reading alot of the info we're giving out. Please see the last link on my signature below...

biker

At this point it seems like Acura will soon have the best integration - to include voice recognition - your hands don't even have to leave the wheel.
It's mostly a software issue - probably something that will be available in IS v2.0.

spwolf

how can it be an software issue where there isnt any hardware for it? :-).

pissout

when u connect ipod through AUX...how does it sound?? is it same as CD player or...worse???

XeroK00L

iPod supports only formats with lossful data compression, so it is impossible for it to sound as good as a CD player, but unless you have really good ears you most likely won't be able to tell at all.

umpalumpa

i meant center console, not glovebox....hands typing faster than thinking!

umpalumpa

trust me, doing plenty of reading, just made a mistake...was thinking center console, typed glove box....either way, its not accessible easily imo and definitely not as good as bmw's integration. i understant that lexus may have not wanted to put all the eggs in one basket by committing to ONLY ipod, but I HAVE AN IPOD and its all about me! i'll be making more playlists...no problemo, better than nothing.

Xanadu350

Well thank goodness Lexus was thinking of me. I don't own an iPod and never will. I have a Creative Zen Micro Mp3 Player and love it, had it for 9 months, works & looks better than an ipod, I used it for recording & has a built in FM tuner.

So I for one am glad Lexus didn't bow only to the iPod, it's about me too.

flipside909

Yeah I agree with you on that sentiment. There are times I would want to plug in my laptop in or other audio accessories. It's nice to have the flexibility.