You've seen the boxes to integrate iPods with car stereos. Most car makers are trying to lure people with their better, more seamless versions.
As much as I've seen them hyped lately in local store flyers, I set out with my iPod in hand to see whether my Asian music information would show up properly on all those made-in-Asia car stereos that people sell.
I first went to Sound Advice, which is part of Tweeter, a moderate audio/video chain. Nearly every head unit had the "iPod ready" box checked. Still, there was no display of any kind and no salesperson/order taker in the area.
Circuit City had more of a display and I saw that by accident a few days earlier and didn't have my iPod.
I also tried Best Buy (don't go there, please) because they've had integration products in many of their flyers. You couldn't even tell for certain which head units were iPod ready but those with fixed alphanumeric displays certainly weren't going to handle Japanese any better than my current Alpine unit.
Of course, I live in the Orlando area and it's far from civilisation. Perhaps, if I was still in Philly, I wouldn't be having a problem. I suppose my next option is to try a store that isn't that well known. I'm feeling a little odd about the situation because someone will say "What the hell are you doing with all that furn music? Can't you just buy some nice Amurcan country music and listen to that?"
As much as I've seen them hyped lately in local store flyers, I set out with my iPod in hand to see whether my Asian music information would show up properly on all those made-in-Asia car stereos that people sell.
I first went to Sound Advice, which is part of Tweeter, a moderate audio/video chain. Nearly every head unit had the "iPod ready" box checked. Still, there was no display of any kind and no salesperson/order taker in the area.
Circuit City had more of a display and I saw that by accident a few days earlier and didn't have my iPod.
I also tried Best Buy (don't go there, please) because they've had integration products in many of their flyers. You couldn't even tell for certain which head units were iPod ready but those with fixed alphanumeric displays certainly weren't going to handle Japanese any better than my current Alpine unit.
Of course, I live in the Orlando area and it's far from civilisation. Perhaps, if I was still in Philly, I wouldn't be having a problem. I suppose my next option is to try a store that isn't that well known. I'm feeling a little odd about the situation because someone will say "What the hell are you doing with all that furn music? Can't you just buy some nice Amurcan country music and listen to that?"
