The 12-volt industry is constantly evolving and looking for new ways to enhance the drivers experience in the car. One of the popular styles of car audio installations included integration and OEM integration. This means that the installer is taking aftermarket components and making them look as though the car came that way. OEM integration will typically leave the stock car stereo and use other components to enhance the audio in the car. Other types of integration include adjusting aftermarket items to look as though the manufacturer meant for them to be there. Recently, a video on YouTube showed SoundMan Car Audio install and integrate an Apple iPad into a Toyota Tacoma. At their shop in Santa Clarita, California, the installers at SoundMan used an Audison Bit One processor to play the audio from the iPad. A special dock is used to convert the audio signal from the iPad to a digital optical signal, which is needed to connect to the Bit One. After a lot of custom work and integration of aftermarket components, the iPad was successfully installed into the Tacoma. The Bit One controller was installed to the left of the steering wheel and seamlessly integrated into the vehicles interior. The controller allowed the audio of the iPad to be controlled, as well as the switching of audio sources. Bluetooth was also connected so that the driver can talk hands free with a push of a button. The final installation featured a custom dash kit with a suede back panel, which the iPad rests on to keep the back scratch-free and protected.
The video became an instant YouTube hit once people found out that an iPad could be installed in a car. Both of the videos below show the installation process and some of the troubles that they encountered throughout the procedure. Projects like this are what car audio installers dream of. It encourages us all to think outside the box and do something that the world has never seen before.
