Our Ford Focus has been praised quite rightly for its Sync system. I too, enjoy the easy connections made with my iPod and cell phone.
However, despite this advanced electronics system, Ford was nice enough to include a traditional auxiliary audio jack in addition to the fancier USB port. This allows me to plug in my Samsung Helix portable XM radio and MP3 player. Yes, the Focus has Sirius, however, I own my XM player solely for the MLB play-by-play channels -- the only feature that didn't transfer over to Sirius in the satellite radio merger. And in case you're wondering, Sync is capable of controlling my Helix's MP3 files, but its XM stream is beyond Sync's comprehension.
Many cars with USB ports and iPod interfaces leave out the traditional auxiliary audio jack (Mercedes for example). But some provide both (Hyundai), or leave the regular aux jack behind to boost sound quality and iPod control via a dedicated double iPod cord. BMW, Ford Sync and the Cadillac CTS would be examples of this.
Either way, this baseball fan is thankful.
James Riswick, Automotive Editor @ 18,511 miles
carguy622 says:
11:02 AM, 04/23/09
I thought sound quality would be better if you went solely through USB. Wouldn't it stay digital to digital? I never understood the BMW set-up.
dougtheeng says:
11:22 AM, 04/23/09
Mercedes is trying to help improve society by reducing the popularity of baseball. I applaud them.
cwalton1 says:
01:35 PM, 04/23/09
Un-syncable items?
altimadude00 says:
04:46 PM, 04/23/09
That is just titanic!
billt9 says:
11:11 AM, 04/25/09
those ports could have been more discrete. It's too vulgar just two holes hanging there.
surfwagon56 says:
06:30 PM, 04/27/09
My new CC has an aux jack in the center console, and a jack in the glove compartment that is iPod compatible, along with other choices that just require different cables. Nice to have both, but there is no charger outlet in the console to plug in a phone or your mp3 player.