Dension’s latest dive into the integration market has brought about a product that’s designed to partially integrate music and handsfree features into all vehicles. The Dension iphone Car Dock offers basic handsfree functions played through the cars audio system as well as music from the iPhone.

The Idea was brought about from the development of the Gateway five and Gateway Blue, which offer a more integrated solution than the car dock. However it was clear that a universal product which fits into all cars (Aerial adapters may be required) would be much more beneficial to the majority of the market. The Kit still offers the great music quality of previous Dension products but now includes handsfree for incoming and out going calls.

The iPhone Car Dock connects to the stereo via the aerial connection (like the Ice Link One) offering the same music integration, however the Car dock also provides additional handsfree functionality using the same connection through the car speakers. Offering excellent quality audio for during the conversation for both parties. The external microphone picks up your voice and makes your voice much clearer on the other end of the line.

The device is controlled via the iphone interface or the specific app found on itunes, which actually makes the functions easier to use. Simple touch buttons allow you to navigate to your music or through your phone book to make a call. When a call comes in the device automatically mutes the music ready for the conversation (played through the cars speakers).

One of the big benefit of the iPhone Car Dock is the removable cradle which can be mounted semi-permanently to the dash or to the windscreen via the suction mount. This system allows the cradle to be easily moved, rotated & positioned into the most comfortable place that suits your driving position & kept vertically or positioned horizontally when requried, if for example your have a map app open.

Overall the quality of the product is very good. Its build is sturdy but usable and the quality of the handsfree functions are second to only the very best kits on the market. Music integration is a big plus, but this is what we come to expect from Dension products. From out tests we’re very happy with the product and would score it 4.5/5 unlike the tomtom kit which has some poorer reviews from customers.

The concept has been attacked in three different ways, the fully integrated system, partially integrated system and the universal system. Although producing more than one product can often confuse customers, Densions method is born more out of necessity than a desire to do so. The problem being compatibility with vehicles & their systems. Some cars are capable of displaying text info and some just aren’t. Dension (or Dension users) found it too difficult to use a fully integrated system with out text display. It made navigating through menus and phonebook’s impossible. Thus the need for the partially integrated product.

The Gateway five is the fully integrated offering, connecting your Phone and iPod or iPhone into the cars system, pretty much control your whole phone from the menu structure & control music in the same way. In fact its a very easy system to use when you spend a little time learning it. For those of us without text compatible cars the gateway blue will be available. Offering a similar style integration (or quality) the Gateway Blue is still controlled via the phone / iPhone or iPod. Music selection and phone book control is done through the device, however partial controls are retained through the steering wheel making the system much easier than navigating “blind”

The third method however is a fully universal option. The Dension Car Dock will connect to the vast majority of cars (some cars may need an aerial adapter), The device gets its charge from the cigarette lighter and can be connected into the aerial or AUX input if you have one. Keeping the quality as close to digital as possible. The other advantage of the Car Dock is that the controls are entirely through the iPhone, music selection, phonebook, messages etc however this actually serves as an advantage in our opinion. Why change the intuitive layout of the iPhone for partially integrated mash up with which ever car you have control systems.

We actually found the device very easy to use & was a little surprised by the handsfree quality. Each conversation we held via the system gave very positive feedback. Needless to say the music functionality was to the usual high standard. Dension have even developed an App to use with the system. However the best part of the system is that the iPhone still operates as an iPhone when in use. So you can still use google Navigation rather than your sat nav, cycle through your music library or play the latest videos & TV programs If you choose to (Although its more than likely illegal to watch tv when your driving where you live)

All in all we can see the Dension iPhone Dock becoming the iPhone car kit to beat in the coming months and years & sets a new standard for universal iPhone input.

But honestly, I just hated the installation process.
I was never good at mathematics, and God, I was a technophobe. I just hate those hi-tech stuffs that have wires coming out from every side of them. I just get so confused on where the red wire is going or the black wire connects. And I am pretty sure I have many friends, readers here who think the same. They are good with affiliate marketing business, they like being the financial analyst but figuring the wires and chips are never their cup of tea.

Here, let me tell you something. My brother helped me a lot when it came to installing the Dension iPod Car kit, but most helpful was that short simple manual guide that we got from the supplier. It was real quality. It told you in step-by-step process, how to dissemble it and then assemble it, all in an simple way a newbie can understand.

Well then again, I just love my Dension iPod car kit now. It is sleek and fashionable, and I just boast about it to my friends. It just suits my personality. Style meets style! But apart from that, how can I deny the legal rules that I have to abide by, in US or most countries. You cannot use a mobile phone while driving. No, let me rephrase that. You can use a phone. But you cannot with a phone with your ‘hands’. No, you are not supposed to use them with your legs. Okay that was a bad joke.

But it sure is dangerous. But after getting that cool Dension iPod Car kit, I not only added some character to my style (that’s what I think anyway!), it just made it so easy for me to receive phone calls while driving via the BTA1500 bluetooth module. It has some cool features. I just have to cycle through the options using the vehicle controls and it will load all of my contacts for me.

Recently, I saw there has been some updated products. Perhaps, I will get myself the newest Dension iPod car kit very soon…lol.

iPod car accessories are useful for long journeys, car accessories for the iPod and iphone can range from protective cases, to protect against scratches and more serious damage, Through to fully integrated iPhone car kits which provide a digital connection combined with iPod and music control through the stereo / steering wheel adapters and charging facilities.

One of the reasons the apple iPhone is so successful is because it brings all types of new digital media to the table. In fact some would say its responsible for a large part of the development of new media. For instance, Would sites like Facebook and Twitter be so popular if they weren’t accessible on your mobile phone?

Harnessing this new media is a challenge for all companies wanting involvement in the iPhone revolution, making an add-on that actually improves the features of an iPhone is somewhat difficult. Apps can be created relatively easily depending on the subject and performance targets, and of-course the skill of the development team behind it. However the devices that physically connect to the iPhone face entirely different obstacles. A good example was the power chance from 12v to 9v and 5v charging.

One of the problems when trying to integrate the iPhone with external hardware (None computers) is that the software on the phone is complex, computers can obviously install compatible software to integrate well, however when trying to integrate into something more simple in design i.e a car stereo more problems are encountered. Software is obviously not available to install on car stereos so certain features on the iPhone are not transferable.

The major problem when connecting an iPhone to a device without software is that the iPhone locks out and goes into flight mode. In the case of iPhone car kits, If you wanted to control the iPhone through the stereo or steering wheel controls the kit will lockout the iPhone, basically turning it into an iPod. Which isn’t a problem when navigating through your music collection, however you will not be able to make or receive calls or texts.

Dension have created a new iPhone car kit which allows the connection of the iPhone without it going into flight mode, you control the iPhone’s music from the phone its self so you still have full phone features combined with the music integration into your car. The iPhone is charged while connected and the stereo retains all of its usual controls, I.e volume controls.

The Gateway Lite is the next generation of iPhone car kits specifically designed for such purpose, have you mobile jukebox in full operation in your car and you phone if required. The Gateway lite is not a phone kit and does not offer any handsfree functions, but is the best solution for integrating your iPhone into your vehicle.

iPod car accessories are useful for long journeys, car accessories for the iPod and iphone can range from protective cases, to protect against scratches and more serious damage, Through to fully integrated iPhone car kits which provide a digital connection combined with iPod and music control through the stereo / steering wheel adapters and charging facilities.