I will be getting my Prius very soon. I need to know whether or not to get the iPod interface from Toyota now. (if I can get it now, that is) I keep reading that it is being released in September, but I've also read that a few people on here already have it... as of a month or more ago. What I'm wondering is whether or not whatever's releasing in September is the same or different than what is available now, and what the price from Toyota is. I'd also like to see some pics of the different interface screens. (pics of the artist selection, main play screen, whatever else, etc.) I saw a pic or two a while back, but now I can't find it. I don't remember what it looked like exactly, but I remember it was kinda bland. I will dish out the money, even though I remember it being kinda bland looking, because I'd really like the functionality of controlling it through the stereo and also having it charge the iPod. The steering wheel controls work with the iPod, right? Also, whatever is releasing in September, will it still show up as "DVD" on the stereo or will this one actually say "iPod"? So, if anybody can answer these questions and/or take some good pics or link me to some, I would greatly appreciate it!:rockon:
from what I hear, you will be sorely disappointed with the iPod interface on the Prius.... I don't think you have much control over the iPod from the Prius other than STOP and PLAY or SKIP. We shall see.
I might be going crazy (crazier than I already am), but I seem to remember seeing pics of the interface, and it did in fact let you navigate through artists/albums/songs... but just the overall look of the interface was kinda ugly looking. (which DOES bother me, but I can deal with that for a while, as long as it DOES provide full iPod control) I'd just really like to see what it looks like again, and to know for sure now (since you now have me wondering) whether or not it does FULLY control the iPod, and whether the steering wheel controls work with it. I need to know ASAP because my car should be arriving at the port in a few days. I'm not gonna spend the money on it if it actually doesn't let you navigate freely through the iPod's contents. I'd rather just use the aux input and control the iPod directly. I just sold a very nice Kenwood touchscreen stereo that had a beautiful iPod interface, offered full control and all iPod functions, was customizable, and also displayed album artwork... so anything at this point will be a step down for me... but I will NOT settle for something that only has "stop, play, and skip" control. Somebody post or link to some pics please! And please clarify what's releasing in September and what is already available now. I need to know whether or not to order the interface from Toyota... and how much they charge for it.
This has been discussed quite a bit--have you tried a search? For example, this thread contains the upcoming USB & iPod interface owners manual: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...s/65848-usb-ipod-interface-kit-must-soon.html
Yes, I did search, and I also saw that thread, but I didn't view the pdf files. I quickly dismissed them. Thanks, I will check them out. What confuses is me is all this "available in September" talk. If it's available in September, how do people already have it??? Is the same thing releasing again in September, or is it something different? Do you know where I can see any pics? Does the pdf manual have any? Do you know what Toyota charges for it? Thanks again.
I found this: 2010 Prius Will Have USB & iPod Integration... In September | PriusChat It answers a couple questions, but I'm still wondering what the differences are between that and whatever has been available that people already have. Even the one pictured in the above article says "USB"... Saying "IPOD" would be cooler, since it's made for and advertised as an iPod accessory... oh well, I'm just nitpicking there... a little. If anybody has other pics or info to share, please do.
Nola, there's a 'bluetooth' interface that exists right now that lets you stream music/podcasts, etc from your iPhone to your sound system. It's basic, with only play and pause commands available. The sound is great though. What you are talking about is a true 'usb' connection that will be available in September and will connect through the glove compartment. It will have a full interface, including showing information stored with the music files on the iPod/iPhone. What people are talking about today is the Bluetooth interface, and NOT the USB interface (unless they're talking about a 3rd party solution and NOT the Toyota addon).
The existing iPod interface is not USB, is not designed to work with the NAV apparently, and causes you to lose the XM Radio functionality. It's a $300+ accessory that connects to the head unit and out through the upper glove box. It is not the bluetooth streaming. http://www.toyota.com/prius-hybrid/accessories.html
Since you seem so interested in this, why don't you invest a little of your own time, rather than asking everybody else to? Have you taken the time to review the owners manual I posted? And if you do a search, there are a bunch of threads where this has been discussed, in quite a bit of detail, since many--including me--were interested in it.
This is only the third time in three threads that he's asked about this. Cut him a break. http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-main-forum/66042-questions-about-nav-etc.html http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...6105-does-toyota-update-gen-iii-mid-year.html
Yes, I have reviewed that manual - it did NOT answer my questions. Yes, I searched other threads - they did NOT answer my questions. Yes, I quoted someone else's post and asked them to clarify what they referred to (http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...6105-does-toyota-update-gen-iii-mid-year.html) - another example of my questions NOT being answered. I know what bluetooth is, and I know what I read several people say a month or two back... That they got an iPod interface connection FROM THEIR DEALER that was NOT bluetooth (which is obviously out before it "releases in September") Thanks again for posting.
I'm also interested in this question and am confused. I've seen pictures of the iPod playlists, etc. displayed on the nav screen. So I'm assuming it exists already. Is this something that is available if you have the nav, or is it something you have to purchase extra?
Here's the post that includes the pics. http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...-no-standard-ipod-interface-2.html#post886471
I paid for the ipod interface to be put in my new Prius 2010 that I received 2 weeks ago. It is, obviously, available. Yes, it is the one that has the cable that goes into the glove compartment. It is sometimes a little finicky but works fine. It takes longer than normal before the ipod starts up sometimes and sometimes I have to connect and reconnect it to get it kick in (I have an Ipod touch 1st gen-32 gb model). The only manual I was given was a one page flyer after the dealer installed it. I saw some note previously that it interferes with the sattelite radio. I got the XM free for 90 days and it still works (I prefer the Ipod anyway)
I have NAV in mine. Just wait... it wont hurt, September is right around the corner. I regret spending $470 to install such a finicky interface from the dealership. I have 1,000 artists on my ipod, and if you want to play "Ratatat" for example, have fun using the tune knob on the right to scroll through artists A-Q while you're driving (it's just faster)! The wheel control function (on your steering wheel) only scrolls through artists individually. So you'll press the next button and wait a couple seconds, then next again, blah blah. It will take forever to get to the letter "R". Well... why don't I just use playlists?! I do, but the times you want a specific band, it kinda blows. Half the time the thing just doesn't work. Just an FYI.
I'll just point out in case anyone missed it that we have now confirmed the existing Toyota ipod interface can be installed in every model of the 2010 Prius, contrary to the information previously provided by Prius Team (thanks for trying any way guys!). Even though someone posted the manual and marketing version for the USB version (from European sources), I haven't seen anyone confirm where the USB version will mount, or if it will be compatible with XM.
And on those notes, I think I'll wait for whatever is coming in September. $470?! That's ridiculous. It's not a whole new stereo...it's a finicky, ugly, and mislabeled ("DVD") iPod interface. I really hope that whatever is coming in September doesn't cost $470, but if it does, I hope the iPod doesn't need the be unplugged and re-plugged just for it to show up. That's ridiculous. I LOVE my iPod and will never go back to using CDs. However, depending on the cost of whatever is coming in September, I might just say "screw it" and wait to put in a whole new stereo that will have a better everything with it. I still find it odd and sad that a working iPod interface wasn't included, not even as an option, with these cars upon initial launch. Thanks for the updated information, guys.
I posted install instructions and owner's manual here: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...s/65848-usb-ipod-interface-kit-must-soon.html Per the install instructions, it will be located in the center armrest console, replacing the aux input. I don't think it will conflict with sat radio--quote from owner's manual: Note: As the USB mass storage device is connected through the external CD changer integration kit, the radio will indicate the external CD Changer mode.