Im sure there has already been released information from the Mazda side, but here is some info from the Apple side...

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/060803/apple...tors.html?.v=1

 

Here is a better article

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2006/aug/03ipod.html

 

Sounds like a great idea. Much better than loading 6 cd's in there.

I wonder what kind of controls they'll implement. Obviously using the little Ipod scroll wheel would be way to distracting.

Imagine trying to change tracks while going over a bump! lol. The controls on my nano are so sensative I'd probably end up skipping through the entire cd 3 times over. haha.

 

I think they will most liekly integrate it through the 6 preset buttons, and you would be able tyo control the ipod using the stereo controls. I've been thinking of hooking up an ipod interface kit, and I read that when connected you are able to go to the first 6 playlists using the 6 preset buttons, and control like "next track" and "volume" and normal controls. So this will be interesting tho

 

That's a cool feature I wish I had. Oh well.

 

with the D.I.C.E. kit I think you can toggle through all of your playlists. Each "disc" has a seperate feature.

DISC 1 - You can toggle through the songs in a given playlist or whatever mode you are in

DISC 2 - you can toggle through all of your playlists

DISC 3 - You can toggle through your different Albums

DISC 4 - you can toggle through your different Chapters

DISC 5 - you can switch from the IPOD connector to the AUX connector

So for instance, lets see you had 3 playlists (Rap, Reggea, Rock) The ipod orders them alphabetically so Rap would be first, Reggea would be second, and Rock would be third. Lets say each playlist has like 50 songs. If you were in the rap playlist and you were switching through songs (In DISC 1) and then you wanted to switch to the ROCK playlist you would click on your radio and go to DISC 2. Then click the seek button and switch the number to "3". Then you would switch the DISC back to DISC 1, and then use the Seek button to change what songs you are listening to in that playlist. The same goes for if you want to toggle through different albums or chapters, except you would use DISC 3 or DISC 4 to switch that. IT is pretty confusing at first but once you get the hang of it, it allows you to navigate your IPOD pretty well without having to actually pick up the ipod.

http://www.diceelectronics.com/suppo...al_rev_a02.pdf

that is for more info. I assume the ones that will be in the new Mazdas might have a whole new radio all together that has buttons to switch through different albums and songs and what not.

 

Before I got my Rx8, I kept wondering how I was going to be able to mount my ipod in the car... I was very happy to discover the outlet in the center console.

 

Currently I use an iTrip FM transmitter which is sketchy at best.

I don't like the idea of only being able to do playlists though, and even if it was fully integrated you have to take your eyes off the road to look at the red-display in the center of the dash.

One thing I have considered is getting a remote-control dock, mounting it on the dash within line-of-sight so I can see the the iPod's own display without taking my eyes off the road. Then attach the remote to the steering wheel with velcro or something similar, so you can control it like the existing stereo.

 

Mazda Motor Corporation will introduce an iPod®1 connection adapter with which the owner can connect an Apple's iPod digital music player to Mazda's factory-installed audio system, allowing the occupants to enjoy music stored in the iPod.

Starting from the initial launch in Japan, on August 22, 2006, the company will put the device on sale as a dealer option through Mazda dealers in countries throughout the world.

Mazda is the first to offer iPod adapters for almost all of the brand's models to be launched in the future.

The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) is JPY 23,100 (including installation fee and consumption tax) in Japan.

Product features of Mazda's iPod connection adaptor accessory
- Connected by a special adaptor to the car audio system, music can be played without compromising the iPod's clear sound quality.
- Owners can switch to the music menu, play songs at random and control the volume with the switches on the car's original, factory-installed Mazda audio system.
- If the steering wheel has audio control switches, the driver can control the volume and select tunes without taking his or her hands off the wheel.
- Once connected, the iPod is stowed securely in the glove compartment where it is charged.
- Operation must be done through the audio system, not using the iPod. Track information, such as the artist or album name is not displayed on the audio system.
- The adapter is compatible with the iPod models with a Dock connector including the third-generation iPod or later, iPod mini and iPod nano. It is not compatible with iPod shuffle.


1 iPod is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. registered in the United States and other countries.
2 For some models, the iPod adaptor cannot be installed, even if the vehicle has a factory-installed audio system. Vehicles with a navigation system integrated with an audio system, vehicles with no audio system, mini cars and commercial vehicles are not included.

NOTE: 'IPOD' is NOT included in Adapter Kit Shown below.

 

outlet?

 

The 12v accessory outlet I'm assuming

 

Don't have an RX-8 yet, so don't know. When I do get one I am seriously considering getting NAV with it, but don't know if the RX-8 NAV is integrated with the Audio. If so, according to the above, I wouldn't be able to integrate an iPod, which would suck.

Anyone know?

 

Well, the Navigation talks through the car speakers, so it must be somehow.

 

Maybe if we could get the "NAV lady" to sing to us it will make up for the lack of the iPod?