MP3 Car Audio

Just about everyone who listens to MP3s wants a car MP3 player. CDs are hard to deal with, and changers can only hold a limited number of discs. With radio you have to deal with advertisements, annoying DJs, and possibly reception problems. Who wouldn't want to keep a gig or two of MP3s in the car?

EMPEG

Ah, the empeg. This is one product we're sure many of you have already heard about. The word-of-mouth hype on the empeg has been impressive to say the least. Having a decent website helps immensely when you have an intriguing product. The URL for this baby has been flying around the internet like crazy. In case you haven't heard of the empeg, we'll give you the details on this car digital audio MP3 player.

empeg

A view of the back

The empeg player offers much more than a gig or two of storage, more like 4GB to 36GB. It uses a 220MHz Intel StrongARM processor, runs Linux, and has a remote control. The empeg player is removable (the player has a "docking sled that stays in your car, permanently wired to power and amplifier"). When you want to add or remove MP3 files, you just bring the empeg to your computer and connect it via USB or serial cables (one model has 10BaseT Ethernet support). While the empeg is outside of your car, you can connect the empeg to a home stereo system. Prices start from $1100, and will be available in March 2000. EMPEG is currently asking potential customers to register their interest.

Delphi

Tired of hearing about all these hard disk and flash memory based MP3 players? How would you like a car CD audio player that could also play MP3s off a CD? Delphi Automotive Systems has something new for you.

Delphi MP3

Player operation is simple enough. Just insert a CD-R or CD-RW filled with MP3 files into the player, and it'll be able to read and play the disc without a problem. Now you can keep countless gigabytes of MP3 files on a handful of CD-R/Ws. If you want more MP3s, you can just burn another CD. Delphi also has an MP3 car stereo that uses flash memory.