New iPod Adapters Shipping

By Amy Gilroy On Jun 6 2005 - 6:00am

BlitzSafe said it is shipping one of the only iPod adapters designed to work with most OEM or after-market radios. The product is also one of the least expensive adapters at a suggested retail price of $76, the company said.

The new Universal mLink interface works with any radio with an auxiliary input, or it can also work with an add-on auxiliary interface. The unit does not display the iPod's song titles on the radio screen, so the user controls his music through the iPod itself.

“We found that most people really don't care about the steering wheel controls or the display on the radio. What they do care about is using the iPod itself,” said president/CEO Ira Marlow, claiming that better than 85 percent of iPod users say they prefer to control their iPod connection through the iPod, even while driving.

The Universal mLink charges the iPod and can automatically stop charging after 20 minutes to avoid car battery drain.

Separately, Monster said it is now shipping its iCruze iPod adapter that will be sold to retailers including Best Buy, CompUSA, Good Guys, Ultimate Electronics and Tweeter.

The Monster iCruze uses SoundGate's technology to connect the iPod through the CD changer port in either a factory radio or Alpine M-Bus compatible after-market unit. The user can control the iPod through the radio controls, and song title and artist information may appear on an optional display. The iCruze also charges the iPod. Suggested retail price is $249, and the optional display is $99.95. Additional interface connecting cables for specific car models may be required at prices from $30 to $160, said the company.