Apple & BMW unveil integrated iPod and Car Audio System

Apple and BMW Group today announced the BMW iPod Adapter, the first seamless integration between iPod and a car audio system, confirming an AppleInsider report from last week.

The new system developed by Apple and BMW enables drivers to seamlessly use their iPod in BMW's 3 Series, Z4 Roadster, X3 and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and MINI Cooper by simply plugging their iPod into a cable located in the car's glove compartment. With the iPod safely located in the glove compartment and powered by the car's battery, drivers can now enjoy high fidelity sound through their car's stereo system and control their iPod using the standard buttons on their BMW or MINI steering wheel.

"One of the next frontiers for a seamless digital music experience is the car," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "We all spend a lot of time driving, and now this elegant solution lets iPod users enjoy their entire music collection in their BMW or MINI."

"With Apple, we're bringing the ultimate digital music experience to our customers," said Tom Purves, Chairman and CEO, BMW of North America. "The BMW iPod Adapter provides our drivers with virtually endless miles of music without their hands ever leaving the steering wheel."

The company's say that the seamless integration of iPod makes it effortless for drivers to control their music through their existing audio system and the multifunction steering wheel. The BMW iPod Adapter enables drivers to easily access their entire music library, shuffle songs, skip between tracks and adjust volume — all of this with no loss of sound quality or driving control. Drivers can also create up to five unique "BMW playlists" to listen to while on the road enabling them to enjoy their favorite songs at the touch of a button. The BMW iPod Adapter integrates Apple's iPod and iPod mini through a direct connection in the glovebox, providing outstanding sound quality and constant power to the iPod.

The rollout is being supported with a dedicated website www.ipodyourbmw.com, for customers to learn more about this groundbreaking marriage of music and car, as well as a marketing campaign that includes print, outdoor, online and television advertising.