It’s been a bit since I’ve written about my dream car, so here we go. This picture on the left shows the beautiful dashboard of the Infiniti G35. As you can see, there are a ton of things on the dash and on the steering wheel as well. These include:

The Infiniti Navigation System
The Trademark Infiniti analog clock
A built in 9 Gig Hard Drive
Built in Satellite radio
and more

There is something that many people considered missing, and have waited for, and that is a built in Ipod integration system. This has been fixed in the new 2008 Infiniti G35. (If you didn’t know, I’m still planning on getting the 2007 model if possible). The built in integration system is a great idea. I’m sure that people will love it! With the built in system, people will no longer have to rely on FM modulation systems, which can be spotty at times, and those hard to manage tape system (don’t think the latter would work on the G35 anyway). On a different tangent, just read this article and might spring for the 2008 if I can get a good deal, looks like its only $150 more!

Anyway, back to the interface. How does it work? It’s been really difficult to find a lot of information about it online! But I think I may have found something(from Edmunds Forums)

Tons of technology. I have a feeling it will take me a while to figure it all out. Still getting used to keyless entry and pushbutton starter, but it does make sense. No more fumbling in your pockets for keys. Audio system integrates well with ipod, although some of the menus could be better organized. You can scroll through by artists or by album, but it’s merely a table of contents, and you have to click down through the options to get to the songs (or search for the song directly, sorted by song name). Would be nicer you could see the artist, album and song all at once. I guess just take the time to make some playlists, or leave it on shuffle (my favorite option). Of course, you can also loan your songs on the car hard drive, but I feel like I’ve already done all that with the ipod. Overall, not a perfect interface, but certainly better than connecting via the av cable (it charges while it plays with the integrated cable). Sound quality is very good. I have a feeling it might be better with a few more adjustments. There are only the basic adjustments: bass, treble, fade, balance, and a function that supposedly adjusts the speakers such that they are ideal for the driver. My wife’s Volvo V50, with the upgraded audio, has tons more adjustments, and seems put out a little higher quality sound as a result, when it’s adjusted properly. Not a huge difference, but it’s noticeable to me

Anyway, it looks like there is still a cable involved. It does charge the iPod while you play it, but my main concern is that it won’t work with the iPod Touch or future incarnations of the iPod. Now I’m sure that there will be an aftermarket solution for it, and if I’m wrong, then I apologize. However, I would’ve loved to see an integration system where the iPod could be hidden away in the center console or near the shifter somewhere. That way you could control the iPod with the awesome screen that is on the center console instead! Part of the reason to get the car is for the luxury, and if you have to have your iPod dangling somewhere off a cord, that just detracts a bit.

I do hear that the iPhone pairs well with Bluetooth, so that’s a plus!

Anyway, that’s my little rant on the integration system of the iPod. If you don’t have a 2008 G35, it’s still possible to get other interface systems for the iPod. You can even use A/V cables to hook up the iPod video and play videos on the center screen. I wonder if that works with the iPod interface. That would be excellent, to be able to watch TV shows from my iPod while in my awesome new car! I’ll be sure to let you know how it goes, when I finally get my new baby.

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