iPoders get new device for in car audio enjoyment

Monster Cable announced earlier this week they were teaming with after market car audio equipment manufacturer SoundGate to develop the iCruze, a device designed to give consumers easy access to their iPod stored music collections while they drive.

The iCruze "is an interface that enables the connection of an iPod to a factory or aftermarket radio through either the car's existing CD changer or satellite radio port. An optional display is available if the existing head unit is limited and cannot display text. The iCruze display is a multi-line, 20-character backlit LCD display that reproduces the same information as that on the iPod, such as song title and song artist."

The iPod or iPod mini will be controllable either through the CD player it is connected to or controls built into the steering wheel.

Monster said that since the iCruze provided a direct connect to an auto's sound system, the sound quality itself would be much higher than that of other transmission methods like FM broadcasting.

The iCruze is priced at $199.95 and expected to ship later this month.

[link via Engadget]