USB / iPod Adapter?

The recent review on Gearlog says a USB / iPod adapter will be a dealer installed option, available at a later date--but only for the base sound system. Anybody have other/better information?

Car Review: 2010 Toyota Prius Tops 50 mpg (Easily) - Gearlog

The real head-shaker is the lack of a meaningful iPod connection. Every Prius gets a line-in jack in the console and a second 12-volt adapter (photo). Later (no date set) Toyota will add a dealer-install option that gives you a USB jack for iPods and other music-containing devices; you can control the player from your Prius radio or steering wheel controls. That's for the Prius base audio system. Only. If you have a Prius with the JBL premium audio system or the navigation system, you're S.O.L. The best Toyota can point to is that if you get premium audio plus navigation plus Bluetooth, you can stream Bluetooth audio from some devices with rudimentary dashboard control (start, stop, volume).

I'm very curious about this as well. I'm not currently a Prius owner, but I'm seriously considering the 2010. In this day and time, the lack of an iPod connector seems like something out of the stone age. I recently installed an aftermarket radio on my current car that allows me to control my iPod Touch from the radio. Going backwards seems... backwards.

I've seen references to a kit by DICE Electronics that provides iPod integration. Anyone know anything about it, particularly if it's likely to work on the new 2010?

Thanks.

Also being discussed in another thread. Moderators may want to merge threads.

I tried a search before posting the question, but no luck--do you have a link?

http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-h...iew-2010-toyota-prius-tops-50-mpg-easily.html

I would keep this labeled as a seperate thread and topic, as it will most likely be an issue for a lot of us. Anyway, I have a basic question. I use an iphone 3G, so I assume that I can plug it into the "in line jack" and use the AUX button and control my ipod (in my phone) from my phone? But in order to control the ipod from my stereo, I will need the USB adaptor? Is this correct?

Kind of strange, I was thinking package III, but if the USB adaptor allows me to control my ipod from my stereo and if the USB is only available with package II, I will have to consider package II, which will probably save me some money anyway. Maybe the bluetooth stereo will be available with the JBL upgrade? I can live without Bluetooth for my phone.

Can someone with more knowledge let me know how this all works with the ipod? Also, is there a big difference from the base stereo with four speakers to the ugraded JBL stereo with additional speakers? I will probably go with the base if I can get the USB on the base and control my ipod from the stereo.

Yes. However, when the new iphone 3.0 operating system comes out, your iphone will be able to do wireless audio stereo streaming to the car stereo, with some limited ability to control the iphone's ipod features from the car's controls. Without the 3.0 op sys, you would need a bluetooth addon dongle. As indicated in the other thread, there may still be another wired option, even if the USB version is not available.

DICE and VAIS. What do these companies typically provide and at what cost? I know exact information isn't available, but based upon the past, what do you think we can we expect?
I am amazed that USB ports that function through the stereo aren't basic or cheap add ons. I know the Insight EX has the USB port.
This will be interesting to get info on.
Thanks.

I saw something reputable somewhere on this site or from Prius Team or Toyota that said it would include some degree of control. I keep looking for additional info on the 2010 Camry, but it's still not out even though the Detroit announcements indicated it would be available in March.

its very similar to Vais ipod adapter... its available for all sound packages. If you have nav, you get control from screen, just like on vais.

should be $250 accessory if I remember correctly...

Prius Team,
Can you shed any light on this?

We can, and we will. This is one of those final items that just needs some final review, and we'll have some news. In fact, I'm pretty sure you'll hear about it on PriusChat first!

Doug Coleman
Prius Product Manager
Toyota Motor Sales, USA

Thanks for the quick response. Looking forward to some good news!

Awesome Doug! You the MAN!

Thanks,
Dave

Any updates on this Doug/PriusTeam?

Thanks,
Dave

And Doug / Prius Team, while you are at it, is there any way to confirm if the XM Satellite tuner will also get Sirius Channels (as the two entities merged last year).

Or in order to get the full range of Satellite broadcasts, will we need to locate a tuner for a now defunct service? (As they have merged into one entity, hey are getting harder locate their individual tuners, now that they come together in one unit by all other makers).

Still working on it. Patience, young grasshopper.

Doug Coleman
Prius Product Manager
Toyota Motor Sales, USA

I'm sure you're just waiting to confirm we are getting the same HDD based Navigation, stereo, and USB interface as Europe and Japan!