Toyota iPod integration coming to US?

[mondelicious]

I came across this a little while ago:

http://www.ipodnn.com/articles/07/05/18/to...od.kit.to.ship/

Toyota iPod Integration Kit due this summer

Toyota has teamed up with a marketing firm to launch a new campaign that will push its iPod Integration Kit, which is slated for availability this summer. The campaign will back Toyata's kit across 35 European countries, according to howdo, with the strapline of "Coming soon to a glove box near you." Toyota's iPod Integration Kit enables users to plug an iPod into a vehicle's glove box and use the steering wheel or standard audio system to control Apple's portable player.[/b]

It links to a news item which focuses on the agency that landed the ad campaign, offering little additional info. There is a comment, though, under that item which states the price will be over 200 Euro.

I have come close to pulling the trigger on Vais or Dice, but I may wait to scope out the capabilities of a Toyota-branded integration kit.

Has anyone heard any news about the availability of this kit in the US? Pricing?

My FM adapter is really getting on my last nerve, lately.

[Tom6850]

Could not open your site, but found it on internet. This will be what I am looking for. Sounds great and is going to be a Toyota accessory. I can't find a availably date.

[Vagabond]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tom 6850 @ Jun 27 2007, 03:30 AM) [snapback]468696[/snapback]</div>

Could not open your site, but found it on internet. This will be what I am looking for. Sounds great and is going to be a Toyota accessory. I can't find a availably date.
[/b]

That's because it's not going to be made available in the US.

[Swanny1172]

Apple's licensing of iPod specific integration is very expensive for the OEM's. I think Toyota was smart by going to agnostic route and just providing an auxillary input plug. That way, you can use any device and they don't have to pay Apple any licensing fees.

[Tideland Prius]

It's available in Canada for a cool Cdn$300 ish. The Dice was half the price and had AUX Input.

[snaproll]

The Toyota unit for $355 looks the same as a USA Spec unit that is available for around $170. Perhaps Toyota had USA Spec write special software for the OEM unit, but I doubt it.

Toyota model:

http://www.toyota.ca/NWS/media/custo...dconnector.jpg


USA Spec model:

http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/...1PA12TOY-F.jpeg

[Elephanthead]

Looks the same to me too, I would guess that the same manufacturer built both, or at least the housing, question is if installed by a dealer is it covered under your bumper to bumper warrenty? I personally will never own an ipod but since its 50% of all audio questions I feel the need to pipe up, hehe.

[mondelicious]

Thanks for the additional info, snaproll.

I don't have an aux in on my Prius, so I figured if I am going to have to install something I might as well make it as useful as possible.

I had high hopes for the Coastal solution, but the technical requirements leave me out. I have a 3G iPod (pre-click wheel) and it's not Windows formatted. Oh well.

Do any of the other available solutions provide MFD browsing by genre/album/artist?

There seems to be a lot of discussion of installation but not much about the actual user experience with Dice and Vais.

[Vagabond]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mondelicious @ Jul 1 2007, 04:03 PM) [snapback]471176[/snapback]</div>

Thanks for the additional info, snaproll.

I don't have an aux in on my Prius, so I figured if I am going to have to install something I might as well make it as useful as possible.

I had high hopes for the Coastal solution, but the technical requirements leave me out. I have a 3G iPod (pre-click wheel) and it's not Windows formatted. Oh well.

Do any of the other available solutions provide MFD browsing by genre/album/artist?

There seems to be a lot of discussion of installation but not much about the actual user experience with Dice and Vais.
[/b]

The DICE will work with your 3rd gen, but you won't have the ability to fast-forward or rewind from the headunit, and when you stop the car it won't stop itself, you'll have to stop it manually or risk draining the battery on the iPod. The DICE will allow you to browse by playlist, song, and album.

[christob]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(snaproll @ Jun 28 2007, 08:22 AM) [snapback]469300[/snapback]</div>

Toyota model:
http://www.toyota.ca/NWS/media/custo...dconnector.jpg
USA Spec model:
http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/...1PA12TOY-F.jpeg
[/b]

When I pulled up that USA Spec model at Crutchfield, and tried to run it through their "what car do you have?" wizard, it came up that the USA Spec would not work on the Prius...?