Video: iPod integration in a Toyota Prius
Not all iPod integrations are equal. Here's an example of a very simple interface installed in a Toyota Prius. Although the Prius does come with a factory fitted AUX input, this 2008 model doesn't come with factory-fitted iPod integration. The owner of the car had therefore selected the € 300,- iPod integration option when ordering the car but wasn't told exactly what she would be getting.
The Toyota dealer told the buyer this was an iPod integration kit developed by Toyota but I have my doubts about this. It very much looks like an after-market iPod interface kit but I wasn't able to get more information on whether the kit is effectively made by Toyota or by an after-market car electronics manufacturer. The kit was not installed by the Toyota dealer in this case but by the Toyota importer for the country.
And the buyer was disappointed... The only thing you can do with this kit is select one of maximum six playlists on the iPod. And not even by playlist name, but by number! This iPod interface kit emulates a CD changer and "sees" the iPod as a CD changer with six discs. So you can select a playlist and select a track in that playlist...but that's it. No display of artist and song name, no searching through artist, album, genre. No navigation through the iPod menu...
This is the type of iPod integration I would definitely not recommend. There are better solutions. So if you're going to order iPod integration with your dealer when you buy your car make sure he explains exactly what you'll be getting so you can consider alternatives. Otherwise you might be very disappointed with your expensive but very limited iPod integration in your car...
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you failed to mention what those better solutions are… I’ve had an integrated iPod in my vehicle since 2005 and have to assume they’ve gotten better since then.
Now that I’ve purchased a Prius I see a number of options that all plug directly into the stock system ( a huge bonus) but I can’t find any reviews on what is suggested and though this post tells me what not to do it doesn’t lead me to any options.
Thanks for any guidance,
-P