| It is natural for you to want to listen to | | | | connectivity? iPod enabled audio systems are |
| music, as a music lover, anywhere and | | | | commonly available, and all you need to do is |
| everywhere. One of your favorite places is | | | | venture out and get a new one installed. |
| likely to be your car, so you can relish the | | | | |
| drive while listening to your preferred rock | | | | Now let us look at the options available for |
| star. You can have the option to use the iPod | | | | those of us who have already invested their |
| you recently spent a small fortune on, to | | | | surplus cash in the iPod and cannot afford to |
| play your beloved music even in your car! In | | | | buy a new, compatible audio system. Make use |
| fact, I am going to talk about how to hook on | | | | of one of the several options enumerated |
| your iPod to your car audio itself, freeing | | | | here. |
| you from those pesky earphones (and the | | | | |
| chance to book a ticket - using those | | | | Making a direct connection between the car |
| earphones while driving may well be illegal | | | | audio and the iPod allows you to use the full |
| in your locale) and add the thumping power of | | | | functions of your iPod, and is the |
| your car audio speakers to your music. | | | | recommended solution. Some car connection |
| | | | kits use a simple cable to connect the iPod |
| Using your iPod thus frees you from the | | | | (either of the dock connector or the earphone |
| shackles of conventional CDs and tapes since | | | | out jack) to the auxiliary input jacks |
| it allows you to download music in unlimited | | | | provided. Others may utilize the CD changer |
| quantity from the internet. You can thus | | | | port found behind several car radios. Added |
| harness the explosive power of music software | | | | features with some of the kits are dock |
| to enhance your listening experience. The | | | | mounts, or auxiliary controllers and |
| free music software that comes bundled with | | | | displays. The best way out, of course, is to |
| the iPod would already allow you access to | | | | leave the decision of best compatibility, |
| the plethora of songs/music on your PC, and | | | | testing and installation to an expert. |
| get a fresh lot when you get bored with the | | | | |
| old ones. | | | | Coming to the car radios which include a |
| | | | cassette player, you need to invest in a |
| Some of you may be lucky and only need to | | | | cassette adapter. Typically, these adapters |
| pull out a cable to attach to the audio | | | | look like a tape with a cable attached, and |
| system - your car manufacturer may have been | | | | work by transferring the audio output signal |
| good to you and included iPod connectivity to | | | | from the iPod to the read head of the |
| your player. Go through the instruction | | | | cassette player. Switching to 'Cassette', and |
| booklet that came with the system. If you | | | | pressing play will allow the iPod music to |
| don't find the cable in the glove | | | | play over your car speakers. |
| compartment, chances are you may have been | | | | |
| provided with a dashboard jack. The iPod is | | | | The last but definitely less preferred method |
| controlled through the car's in-dash audio | | | | is to use an FM transmitter to transmit to |
| system, and even recharges while it plays! | | | | your car radio, which uses an unused FM |
| Alternatively, you may use the auxiliary | | | | frequency to do so. While it enjoys the |
| input jack to hook on. | | | | advantage of being wireless and easily |
| | | | portable, there is a definite loss in music |
| If you are buying a new car, make sure you | | | | quality. Another problem is finding a free FM |
| check for the availability of this feature, | | | | channel in a busy city environment, though |
| or you may well end up paying a couple of | | | | none of these deters this solution from being |
| hundred extra for the privilege of setting up | | | | the most popular one as of date. |
| the connectivity. Some car companies like | | | | |
| Acura, Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Ferrari, Ford, | | | | So go ahead and reap the benefits of |
| GM, Honda, Volvo etc have this feature | | | | technology by using any of the methods |
| pre-installed. | | | | outlined above. Spread the good word, and |
| | | | meanwhile, appreciate that melody when you go |
| Already own a car but don't have the | | | | out on the next long drive! |