The Launch of a new range of iPods always brings an air of excitement to all iPod fans. The New nano 4^th Gen dubbed “the thinnest iPod ever” has been the worst kept secret with in Apple’s recent history, images of the Nano were posted on and around many internet forums several days before the iPod was supposed to be released.

The new Nano has been totally redesigned from the previous shorter fatter shape of the Nano 3^rd Gen it now stands tall and thin resembling the first & second generation versions. Although styled on the first generation’s of the Nano the 4^th gen has been thoroughly modernised creating a much easier on the eye style. The Case is now curved oval shape, with the glass screen matching the aluminium housing.

The newest feature of the iPod Nano 4^th is the inclusion of the accelerometer, previously seen in the iPhone. This device allows you to shuffle tracks by simply shaking the iPod, the tracks will then automatically randomise. Another cool Nano feature is Cover Flow technology which allows you to browse album covers when the iPod is turned onto its side.

The good news for Dension owners is that the new iPod Nano 4^th gen and revised iPod Touch will work with the Dension Gateway systems if the newer firmware has been installed. Problems were caused earlier in the year when Apple changed the way the iPhone 3G charges to a newer 5V system, that the previous Gateway could not support. The Nano 4^th gen also has the 5v charging system so will work perfectly with the Dension Gateway. However due to the new shape of the Nano the Active cradle inserts may not accept the Nano 100% correctly so for the mean time its best to connect via the Dock Cable that will accept all iPods.

Dension has updated the firmware to allow the Dension gateway units to fully support the iPhone 3G. Previously the units accepted the iPhone and iPhone 3G and allowed the same functions through the gateway system but did not charge the iPod 3G, draining the battery whilst listening to the music, obviously causing an inconvenience to the user that needed sorting.

The problem was originally caused by Apple when they changed the way the iPhone 3G charged to allow better battery life, as there are so many more applications on the 3G than any other iPod’s (except the newest ones, available soon) The new firmware is also expected to support the new iPod Nano 4^th gen and future versions.

The new iPhone 3G has now got an insert to allow the phone to sit correctly into the active cradle, making it much more stable when docked.

Dension firmware can usually be requested from the dension support site and is downloaded onto the iPod then when the ipod is next connected into the gateway system the firmware will update.

The dension iPod car kits are now fully equipped to handle all of the new iPod’s and with the Dension Add-ons (CD Retention kits, Bluetooth adapter and AV Extender) soon to be released Dension have created a unique multimedia system that you are in total control off, giving you access to all of your music, providing a Bluetooth handsfree connection for your phone and an Audio Video connection to allow videos to be played on external screens. All this wasn’t previously possible with factory fitted headunits.

There are a variety of iPod car kits available on the market today, some good, some bad and some extremely poor. What are the best kits available and what features do they offer?

The Dension brand is a market leader when it comes to iPod Car interfaces. They have a range that has consistently out-performed its competitors for a while, and with the addition of continually updated downloadable firmware and additional devices that can improve the system, the Gateway range really is the best option when installing your iPod car solution.

Dension currently has three Gateway ranges: the Gateway 100, Gateway 300 and the Gateway 500, the Gateway 100 & 300 have the same compatibility and the gateway 500 is for fibre optic systems.

The Dension gateway 100 – Is the most popular Dension Kit by far. The Gateway 100 is an entry level kit that is compatible with most car manufactures (different units are required for each car manufacture). The gateway 100 is simply a iPod connection that allows the AAC file type to be converted to a readable signal that can be played through your stereo. It is a fully digital connection that is hardwired to the back of the headunit and replaces the CD Changer connection (the CD changer can be retained using the CD Retention kit).  The remaining kit is then routed to the front of the console and can either be installed with a Dock cable or an active cradle. The tracks can be controlled through the cars steering wheel controls.

The Dension Gateway 300 – Is virtually the same as the Gateway 100, however the 300 has additional USB functionality. This allows you access to an additional audio media source & potentially 1000’s of additional tracks. The USB function will only be compatible with Flash drives, so USB sticks that do not require any software to run (example when you connect to your pc, does it ask to install software?). The gateway 300 installs in exactly the same way as the gateway 100 and the additional USB Function can be found in the gateway menu.

The Dension Gateway 500 – Is more of a multimedia system, this enables a connection and control of media players (e.g. iPod), USB flash drives and other USB mass storage devices (e.g. Hard Drives) with FAT file system by emulating an external CD changer and connects directly to the car’s entertainment system . The Gateway 500 is only compatible with MOST or D2B Fibre optic systems

The beat 100 stereo is the latest to arrive from Beat (Connect 2, MES) car audio outfit. The unit is aimed towards the entry level car audio market, however this doesn’t mean that the unit provides a below par performance. In actual fact the unit works as well as any other entry level units whether it be sony, alpine or kenwood.

The Beat 100’s main function is still primarily based on the CD function, which can ply MP3. However the unit also supports USB via a flip down plug with access on the front of the headunit, this allows any USB Flash-drive to be connected, and you have access to 1000’s of your favourite tracks and control them via your headunit, cool ay..

The Unit its self is also pretty cool looking, taking advantage of the “OLD SKOOL” style that seems to be popular at the minute, Its Orange display & highlights on the features make the Beat 100 different to pretty much everything else on the market at the minute (certainly in this price bracket anyway….) With two raised dials to the left of the unit that control other features that the 100 offers the Stereo resembles many other stereos layouts but retains its own style….

The built in Amp (4 x 25w) will allow the novice to build a relatively good system around this unit, and utilise the USB functionality to store thousands of you favourite tracks to listen to. This is a must have stereo if you cant afford to run with the big boys….