14 DAY TRIAL // I have some news for those that have an iPod and like to listen to music in their car (who doesn't?). But first, let's see what is a docking station and what can it do, shall we?
A docking station is a device that allows portable devices to be connected to it and control their basic functions, recharge them or perform data transfers. Since we're talking about Apple, I'll take the iPod Universal Dock as an example. This docking station can charge an iPod's battery, sync it with a PC or Mac and, of course, connect to a home audio system or television. Well... there would be one more thing to do - get a docking station in your car, to recharge and listen to your iPod's music. This was the deal so far, but what about getting your new car with iPod integration capabilities built in?
Telematics Research Group, a market research company has found out that almost half of 2007 automobile models sold in the United States will give their owners the chance to use their iPods on the road without having to spend time and money on any additional devices. TRG said that the iPod integration seems to be "the most sought after feature" by new car shoppers.
As expected, this feature is on its way up, just like the iPod sales. While only 12 percent of 2006's vehicles had true iPod integration, nearly half of next year's models have it, according to the study. Almost 60 percent of 2007 models have a kind of auxiliary input that allows iPods and other portable devices to connect to the car's sound system.
With 75 percent of next year's vehicles having support for MP3 and WMA-encoded audio, I must say that the iPod is the king of the road too. Now, what next? Docking stations for iPods on the International Space Station? ;)