Go, go gadgets
I admit I’m a geek. I love gadgets. I’m also cheap, so I don’t necessarily own the latest, greatest. But I read about them and yearn.
I had a ray-of-light-shining-down-on-my-car moment when I first drove away from the electronics store, and managed to change the display on my new stereo system.
It was displaying the the band name. Another click of the remote. Track name. Another click. Album.
I had seen the light!
I’d been frustrated for a long time by the poor quality of the FM transmitter adapter for my iPod. There are so many radio stations out here that it’s hard to get a clear, nonstaticky station.
And one day, I just had enough. I had some extra money come to me, I saw an ad for a reasonably priced stereo with iPod adapter included, and I thought, I’m in.
Of course, it’s never as simple as pay the price listed in the ad. Of course it’s not. And because I’ve told the long long story of my irritation to at least three people (two of them read this blog), I’ll stop here. I get sidetracked easily. Let’s just say I spent about double than what I expected, including money for so-called “free installation” that doesn’t apparently include tons of parts.
Anyway, I was grumpy about paying all that money but it was already done. And then it all got better. Here was my new stereo, my iPod hooked up, and Faith No More blasting through my speakers.
I think I blew dust out of my speakers and out of my brain. I haven’t played the stereo so loud in years, partly because I’m getting too old and also because the really loud static from the damned adapter was annoying.
The navigation of the iPod stuff leaves a bit to be desired, and it’s more easily done by remote. I wish I hadn’t spent so much money. And the iPod has to be placed in an awkward place.
But overall, I feel great about having a new toy. One that allows me to take control of my music again.
I haven’t used a CD in months, and I haven’t programmed the radio stations in yet. Music for me is mostly what I bring with me, in my favorite device of all time: the iPod.
I don’t know how I lived without my iPod two years ago, and now I think that I won’t know how I lived without a direct hookup to my stereo, either.
For my dad and brother: I played Alice In Chain’s Would LOUD, just for you.
The true test for me would be REO Speedwagon, “Riding the Storm Out”.
My iPod will remain undefiled by REO Speedwagon.
I really want something like this. The FM transmitters just suck. Really, they do. As you say, it’s tough to find a clear channel. And when you do, the volume has to be cranked in order to hear anything over engine and road noise. I think at some point more new cars are going to have to come with some sort of built-in solution. Hving a CD player in the car these days is sort of like having an eight-track in your car in the year 1988.
I drove a fancy-pants car the other week with a stereo that was satellite ready and, more pertinent to the conversation, had apparently an mp3 auxiliary jack.
Of course, it was a $40K car…
Well, as I said, the navigation of the iPod seems to clunky, but I suppose it’s better than the unsafe way I did it before, which was just scrolling through as I was driving.
The disadvantage is though you can see titles of stuff (which is still AWESOME), it’s slow and it doesn’t display playlist names. So I kinda have to navigate blind. Or start a playlist that begins with A.
What I’m looking forward to is the day when you can just take something like your iPod of the future, or even the iTouch of the future since it has wireless, point it at the car stereo, and have it download all your songs. Or at least a playlist of songs you want with you in the car.
I’m worried that I’ll leave the iPod in the car right now; it’s hidden away in the glove compartment and that’s not a good place.
Matt, you’re totally right about a CD player. I usually only have CDs in my hands long enough to put them on my computer.
That’s a good idea about Bluetooth syncing with your car stereo. I don’t know why this hasn’t become an option yet. It seems to me it would hardly add significant cost to the car if the stereo included AM/FM, satellite, and a a flash-based hard drive with iTunes and bluetooth. Cars are so expensive anyway one hardly notices the cost of the options.
Mel,
Don’t you have a little something you want/need to say about REO Speedwagon?
Geezus, Dad, keep your pants on.