Factory iPod Integration on the '07 Prius?

[LoftyDirigible]

Hi All! This is my first post here at iPod chat. Yesterday we purchased a brand new '07 Prius package #6 straight off the truck. We don't get it until Monday because it was so new it hadn't even been processed/inspected yet.

I have a question about iPod integration (the most important thing to resolve quickly, of course!). My initial impression was that I could play my iPod through the auxiliary jack to get audio through the speaker system, but that there was not integration with the nav system or steering wheel. After reading through multiple posts in this forum and others, and reading about third party products (such as DICE and VIAS, etc) , this confirmed my impression.

Then I read this on http://www.wikihow.com/Hook-up-an-iPod-in-a-Prius:
"Note: If you have a 2007 or later model Prius, there is an iPod interface upgrade available for the car, that you can have dealer installed."

Interesting... first time I heard that, and I can't find any more info online about it. So we called our sales guy and asked him if this was available and if so, how much it would be to have installed. He said it was already installed in our car... that we just plug in the iPod and the nav screen will come up with "iPod ready" then give us the iPod controls.

This seems odd to me, because the only input jack I've seen is the auxiliary audio jack, which wouldn't be able to control input to and from the iPod -- just audio. Does anyone have anything like this factory-installed in their '07 Prius? If so, how does it work? Where does it plug in? What kind of cable do I need? (The guy mentioned a "cable from Apple" but that all he knew...).

I'm encouraged by the news that this might exists, but then I see that people are still buying DICE and VAIS for their '07 Prius, so I'm a little skeptical that it actual exists or works well. Any insight?

[OlsonBW]

My wife and I bought a 2007 Prius Touring #3 (bluetooth but no NAV) and it definitely does NOT have anything installed specifically for the iPod. Only an AUX port in the center arm rest (which is uncomfortable to access).

I bought a Dice unit which I'm trying to figure out how to install. Apparently my 2007 is just slightly but enough different than what people have posted instructions for so that I can't finish the job.

If there is such a thing as an iPod option for the 2007s I would be very interested myself.

[Bill Merchant]

Hi LoftyDirigible, welcome to PriusChat! As usual, the sales-droid had no idea what he was talking about. The only way to control an iPod from the screen/steering wheel is if the iPod can dock with the car. Just plugging a male-male mini-pin stereo cable into the iPod earphone jack and the car's AUX jack will let you listen, but you have to control the iPod directly and the sound quality is less than optimal.

DICE was having some trouble with their iPod adapter in the 2007 Prius, but they are working on resolving the issues. As far as I know, despite the wiki, Toyota does not have an iPod interface.

[NCPriusNoob]

I had found the same comment before we bought our 2007 Prius. Our salesman had no idea what I was talking about. They also thought I was referring to the line-in connection.

I have installed Dice in my car and it works "good-enough" for now, but If I found a unit that provided more control through the car interface I would jump all over it.

I used to have an Alpine head unit with ipod integration and while not perfect, the interface was much better than what Dice can do with the SAT or CD interface. Shoe-horning a solution on top of an existing UI will never provide a great interface.

I wish they would provide a manufacturer option specifically for the ipod.

[LoftyDirigible]

Bah. That's what I figured. I know there's no way to do it without a dock connector, but I was hoping there was actually one there that we just didn't see! The thing that gave me a smidgeon of hope was that Mr. Sales-Droid actually said that you plug in the iPod and "iPod Ready" comes up on the nav screen. I'm not sure where he got that one from...

Ah well. We'll see if we can deal with the quality and awkwardness of the aux-in jack for a while, but chances are I'll break down and get a DICE or VAIS (or Lockpick with iPod integration) eventually.


Great forum. I can tell this will be an invaluable resource in the future!

[Vagabond]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Mar 19 2007, 12:29 AM) [snapback]408264[/snapback]</div>

Hi LoftyDirigible, welcome to PriusChat! As usual, the sales-droid had no idea what he was talking about. The only way to control an iPod from the screen/steering wheel is if the iPod can dock with the car. Just plugging a male-male mini-pin stereo cable into the iPod earphone jack and the car's AUX jack will let you listen, but you have to control the iPod directly and the sound quality is less than optimal.

DICE was having some trouble with their iPod adapter in the 2007 Prius, but they are working on resolving the issues. As far as I know, despite the wiki, Toyota does not have an iPod interface.
[/b]

The iPod kit from DICE is working just fine, it was the HD kit that was having issues.

[priusFTW]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Mar 19 2007, 03:29 AM) [snapback]408264[/snapback]</div>

Hi LoftyDirigible, welcome to PriusChat! As usual, the sales-droid had no idea what he was talking about. The only way to control an iPod from the screen/steering wheel is if the iPod can dock with the car. Just plugging a male-male mini-pin stereo cable into the iPod earphone jack and the car's AUX jack will let you listen, but you have to control the iPod directly and the sound quality is less than optimal.

DICE was having some trouble with their iPod adapter in the 2007 Prius, but they are working on resolving the issues. As far as I know, despite the wiki, Toyota does not have an iPod interface.
[/b]

I have the Ipod Nano, i don't know what the differences are from the regular Ipod, but I simply plug a double male cable jack that i bought from BestBuy into my Ipod and the other end into the aux input located in the console between the driver and passager seat. I have an Ipod holder that sits in my cup holder. The sound I receive thru my system is amazing and I am completely satisfied. I think the sound is even better than when i play a CD.

[lhparkeriv]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Mar 19 2007, 12:29 AM) [snapback]408264[/snapback]</div>

Hi LoftyDirigible, welcome to PriusChat! As usual, the sales-droid had no idea what he was talking about. The only way to control an iPod from the screen/steering wheel is if the iPod can dock with the car. Just plugging a male-male mini-pin stereo cable into the iPod earphone jack and the car's AUX jack will let you listen, but you have to control the iPod directly and the sound quality is less than optimal.

DICE was having some trouble with their iPod adapter in the 2007 Prius, but they are working on resolving the issues. As far as I know, despite the wiki, Toyota does not have an iPod interface.
[/b]

How does the DICE product compare to the one from VAIS. I've seen a number of DICE reviews that suggest it's a bit "buggy", but I haven't seen much written about the VAIS Technologies interface.

I'm still trying to find a way to make my new 2007 Prius and my iPod Nano play nice together...

[longterm]

Originally Posted by lhparkeriv

How does the DICE product compare to the one from VAIS. I've seen a number of DICE reviews that suggest it's a bit "buggy", but I haven't seen much written about the VAIS Technologies interface.

I can't speak for the DICE device, but it sounds like it's had some issues.

I bought and installed the VAIS SLQi2 in my 07 Prius and it works flawlessly....

[morpheusx]

Originally Posted by priusFTW

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Mar 19 2007, 03:29 AM) [snapback]408264[/snapback]</div>

I have the Ipod Nano, i don't know what the differences are from the regular Ipod, but I simply plug a double male cable jack that i bought from BestBuy into my Ipod and the other end into the aux input located in the console between the driver and passager seat. I have an Ipod holder that sits in my cup holder. The sound I receive thru my system is amazing and I am completely satisfied. I think the sound is even better than when i play a CD.

I do the same exact thing and I agree the sound through the Aux cable is amazing, definitely sounds better then the CD player and Radio. But another benefit is a quality cable only costs approx. $5 if you don't already have a few lying around the house.