That's how Apple and BMW today announced what they say is the next big thing in car audio.
You buy a $149 adapter cable for your iPod, and put your iPod in the glove compartment.
Then you can use your "fully integrated" BMW iPod adapter through the multi-function steering wheel.
"Shift between tracks and up to five BMW playlists and adjust volume without taking your eyes off the road."
May I point out that "fully integrated" seems a bit excessive, considering the iPod is plugged into a wire in an inaccessible-to-the-driver place.
Steve Jobs said Apple chose to work with BMW first among all the car companies because BMW is the most advanced electronically, and because so many Apple employees drive BMWs.
Perhaps these techies are smart enough to figure out BMW's roundly panned iDrive centralized command-and-control unit in its flagship 7 series cars.
Most civilians however, find it very difficult to use, even after BMW tried to dumb it down a bit this year.
Not to worry, though: the adapter just announced only works in BMW's newer model 3 Series, Z4 roadster, X3 and X5 utility vehicles and the Mini Cooper.
I find it odd, no matter what Steve Jobs says, that Apple, which is known for fabulous human factors engineering, should team up with a company which made a total hash of such considerations.
Unless, perhaps, BMW's secretly begun to collaborate with Apple to redesign and reengineer its computer-related systems.
Wouldn't that be interesting?
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