http://www.concurringopinions.com/archives/2006/08/will_ipod_and_f_1.html The Law, the Universe, and Everything Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:44:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://www.concurringopinions.com/archives/2006/08/will_ipod_and_f_1.html/comment-page-1#comment-57540 Huh McHuh Tue, 08 Aug 2006 05:19:51 +0000 http://www.solove.org/archives/2006/08/will-ipod-and-ford-kill-the-radio-star.html#comment-57540 Well, if it's anything like the so-called iPod "connectivity" BMW promises with its cars, radio has nothing to worry about. BMW lets you get an option that offers direct hookup via the glove compartment -- but the result is nothing close to iPod's full functionality. Instead, you have to create 10 playlists ahead time (on your computer), which are the only selections you can choose from. You don't go through the iPod's interface, either -- it's completely shut off, and you have to go through the stereo interface. All in all, you get maybe 25% of the iPod's functionality. It's an embarrassment of an option. I hope these car makers offer something better, but the announcement wasn't inconsistent with what BMW "offers" now. Well, if it’s anything like the so-called iPod “connectivity” BMW promises with its cars, radio has nothing to worry about. BMW lets you get an option that offers direct hookup via the glove compartment — but the result is nothing close to iPod’s full functionality. Instead, you have to create 10 playlists ahead time (on your computer), which are the only selections you can choose from. You don’t go through the iPod’s interface, either — it’s completely shut off, and you have to go through the stereo interface. All in all, you get maybe 25% of the iPod’s functionality. It’s an embarrassment of an option. I hope these car makers offer something better, but the announcement wasn’t inconsistent with what BMW “offers” now.

]]> http://www.concurringopinions.com/archives/2006/08/will_ipod_and_f_1.html/comment-page-1#comment-57539 Paul Gowder Fri, 04 Aug 2006 18:17:35 +0000 http://www.solove.org/archives/2006/08/will-ipod-and-ford-kill-the-radio-star.html#comment-57539 Why exactly is it that someone can't just reverse engineer the ipod to produce a device that will work with itunes? Is there an intellectual property issue here? (If so, what would it be? A patent on the particular encoding? Someone who knows more patent law than me should chime in here...) Why exactly is it that someone can’t just reverse engineer the ipod to produce a device that will work with itunes? Is there an intellectual property issue here? (If so, what would it be? A patent on the particular encoding? Someone who knows more patent law than me should chime in here…)

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