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Pods Unite… The MINI Edition

Sections: Uncategorized Jul 23rd, 2003 8 Comments

So you have an iPod and are looking to integrate it with your MINI. You've got the AUX input or the Blitzsafe adapter and now you just need to figure out how to mount the iPod in the MINI. Then you turn the TV on and see the Pods Unite VW commercial. You get depressed. You begin to think that the marketing people at MINI were asleep at the wheel, missed a great opportunity and worst of all caused you to miss out on total iPod integration. Well think again – the MINI and the iPod are now able to unite in the same mutual bliss that was once soley reserved for the Beetle. Enter The Belkin TuneDok Car Holder for iPod:

Belkin has posted information about a new car holder called the TuneDok. This is the same iPod holder as being sold in the VW iPod connectivity kit for the 'Pods Unite' promotion. The TuneDok features 'AirGrip' technology (suction cup) for secure placement, a large and small rubber base plus adapter cup for exact fit in a cup holder, cable management system, and comes with a 3 year warranty. The TuneDok fits all iPod models and retails for $29.99, but is not yet available. No anticipated shipping date has been announced. (ipodlounge.com)

Best of all you can one-up the Beetle and it's lowly cassette tape adapter with the MINI AUX input! You can read more about it here According to the ipodlounge.com it should ship in the middle of September.

[update] for some reason it's been removed from Belkin's website entirely. Perhaps the release has been pushed back a bit?

Frank Jul 24th, 2003 Link

Pardon my ignorance, but what exactly can you do when you integrate Apple's I-Pod into the MINI?

(I am a Palm Tungsten C owner)

Gabe Jul 24th, 2003 Link

Nothing more than plugging it into the AUX port really. The big improvement is this new hardware from belkin makes the task of mounting the iPod much easier.

Of course you can listen to any mp3 player through the AUX port but the iPod is the most popular (and by far the best IMHO) hard drive based player out there so thats the one you hear mentioned more often than not.

So you can't see your contacts or your to do list but that's not too far away with bluetooth cell phones and PDAs.

James Jul 24th, 2003 Link

This holder looks pretty nice, the MINIs front cup holders (with rubber bits) make for half decent iPod holders anyhow, and the 3G pods are very easy to operate while driving (well, forward, back pause etc not playing Breakout ;) but I'll probably pick one of these holders up next time Im at an Apple store, cheers for the info

mike Jul 29th, 2003 Link

Its not on the belkin site anymore, I bookmarked it and it comes up as a bad page.. if you do a search it isnt anywhere on the site.

Jeremy Aug 2nd, 2003 Link

Jeez. I wouldn't exactly call a cheap 1980's cassette adapter “total integration”. That's truly shameful.

As horrifying as it is to think that cars are still being sold with cassette radios a full 20 years after cassettes were wiped from the planet, it's even more absurd that VW throws in a friggin' $3 cassette adapter and touts it as some sort of amazing synergy. What's next? A “fully integrated” mountain bike?

jeff Aug 24th, 2003 Link

I agree with your point but twenty years? Exaggerate much Jeremy?

Scott Sep 3rd, 2003 Link

Just called Belkin… Apple has told Belkin not to sell the TunDock. Apple has an exlusive on it. Belkin told me they have them, but cannot legally sell me one, per Apple's orders. The contract runs out at the end of Sept., so they can begin selling them then.

Scott.

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Pods Unite… The MINI Edition

Sections: Uncategorized Jul 23rd, 2003 8 Comments

Written By: MF Staff