Concept: Integrated iPod Car Audio

iPod Car integration is cool and all... but I have an idea that takes it to a whole new level, one I beleive makes more sense and would be far more enjoyable to the rich folks that can afford most of the iPod-available cars anyway.

I'm publishing this idea because I don't think anyone else but Apple could patent an iPod-specific device, which is what I'm proposing and presenting here. If someone else likes this idea and patents it as something similar (i.e. an iPod-like device), so be it. The publication date of this blog entry will show when it was presented by moi. Yes, I may lose out on millions... but I've got a ton of other ideas I think Apple and other companies would love to hear.


On with it then...

One shouldn't need to bring their iPod every time they take a road trip or drive to work. An integrated-iPod car stereo with wireless access would be much smarter (and better). The car stereo-iPod should have:

• external wi-fi Internet access* via residential/public access points for iTunes Music Store access (with built-in one-click purchasing, of course)

• incoming wi-fi access to car-iPod node from wireless computers via Bonjour or any standard wifi router/access point
  

The car iPod acts just like any other Mac computer with wireless access. For example, when the car is at home in the driveway, a user can drop music files on the car-iPod node from another networked Mac computer (okay sure, PCs too) inside the house.


Wireless security
Incoming transfers are set with an option on the car stereo interface and enabled only to authenticated users for the next 30 minutes - 5 hours for example, after which the wi-fi transmitter turns off (so wireless radio is not always transmitting). Another cool option would be to have a pencil-push style button (or another design which prevents accidental toggling) on the back of the car's keyless remote transmitter to turn on the car's wi-fi radio from inside the house. Access to the car's iPod node is authenticated by encrypted login access over the wireless connection. Permissions can be set on the car stereo-iPod to to allow access only from certain MAC addresses.

Your driving down the highway and get that song in your head that you really like, the one that you don't have on CD or on your iPod; imagine the freedom of being able to listen to that song then and there in all its multi-speaker system glory -- with angel's trumpets and devil's trombones as Alex so eloquently put it. That sure beats the hell out of singing the song to your bored wife.

Benefits

• no need to bring iPod with every time you go for a drive

• ability to purchase music while in car via car stereo-iPod interface
  

• iPod can't be stolen; unless it's done the "old fashion" way (the whole car)

• security: incoming wifi access turned on only by car-stereo interface or button on car remote
  

• separate 'admin' login via https to change car-iPod default settings, allow a new MAC address to connect, etc.

* San Francisco offers city-wide wireless access to the Internet... and it's only a matter of time until other cities follow suit.

Macs are healthier for you

More people would be healthier if they used a Mac. I don't need to be a doctor with an extensive background in IT to qualify that statement (but I suppose it doesn't hurt). Really though, how can I make such a claim?

It's very simple. On a Mac, the premise is to do things easily. Because the operating system is so well constructed and blended with the Mac's included software, you get things done quickly. In essence, it is better...

"We have the technology. We have the capability to use the world's first intelligent personal computer. The Mac will be that computer. Better than it was before. Better, stronger, faster."

That's right, packed into a small box for < $1000 you get the Six Million Dollar Man! So then, why will a better, stronger, faster Six Million Dollar Man make you healthy?

Because the faster you get stuff done on your computer, the more time you have to be away from it... which means you have more time to be outside, plant a garden, ride your bike, walk, have sex, hang out with friends, drink water, play with your kids, ride your motorcycle*, call your mom, or cook a healthy meal (or call your mom and cook a healthy meal at the same time). In general you will have time to interact more with nature and people, and not a computer screen -- I fully endorse a technology which allows people to do that.


On the 'Macs are too expensive' argument...
What most people don't get is that they are actually paying a lot more to own a PC. Time is money and by using Windows on any given day you are wasting considerable amounts of time and energy trying to fix problems; problems already thought out by the designers and engineers of the Mac. You are wasting energy and time on an interface that was not built with you in mind at all, whereas on a Mac the human experience is the integral component; it was built from the ground up as a computer for people -- the main ingredient is you.

By using Windows you spend more time frowning, decreasing your productivity and therefore quality of life. All this leads to precious minutes, hours, and for those who will only ever use Windows, months (and possibly years) off your life. That's precious time wasted on inferior human interface technology when you could be spending that time on real human interface technology: hanging out with your friends, playing with your kids, hosting a barbeque, or going on a hot date with your wife/business associate/Physics lab partner/goat^**, etc. Are you getting the idea yet? Macs are for every human... even those of us who make mistakes⁺.

Hell, if that doesn't sell you, buy one because they use less power⁺⁺, are smaller and will de-clutter your home...

...because even your mom can post photos and make a web page
...because it's all you'll ever need (even if you need to use Windows)
...because you will be able to use it to your full potential
...because you won't have to fix it, or your parents', friend's, relative's, or neighbour's if they had one^~.

But most importantly, buy one because you will smile when you use it. It's true... an Apple a day keeps the doctor away. Get a Mac and be healthy.

Rx: Apple Mac, once daily, repeat until finished - IM


* preferably with a helmet, Pete (and anyone else reading this)
** shephards high up in the mountains of Greece have needs too you know!
⁺ those who continue to use Windows after reading (and understanding) this blog
⁺⁺ enough that you will notice a decrease in your electricity bill
^~ I will never get back all the time spent fixing parents', in-laws', relatives' and friends' PCs over the phone, while visiting or by remote networking. I don't exactly consider this quality time with family & friends.