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iPad finds a home in the dashboard

The freshly minted Apple iPad has found its way into the dashboard.

Antuan Goodwin Reviews Editor / Cars
Antuan Goodwin gained his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. From drivetrain tech and electrification to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
Expertise Reviewing cars and car technology since 2008 focusing on electrification, driver assistance and infotainment Credentials
  • North American Car, Truck and SUV of the Year (NACTOY) Awards Juror
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Antuan Goodwin
YouTube/Sound Man Car Audio

The guys at Sound Man Car Audio have installed an iPad into their dashboard.
The guys at Sound Man Car Audio have installed an iPad into their dashboard. YouTube/Sound Man Car Audio

I'm not saying that this is a good idea, but I am saying that I saw this coming. The freshly minted Apple iPad has found its way into the dashboard. Installers at Sound Man Car Audio have modified the dashboard of a Toyota Tacoma to accommodate Apple's tablet, which will serve as the brains for a much more extensive installation.

It appears that the iPad will still be removable, which is good for security. Also, because until the Apple iPad 3G goes on sale, there isn't any GPS functionality for nav and Pandora Radio streaming will only work when they're near an open Wi-Fi hotspot, so the option to upgrade is nice. Future additions to the installation include an Onkyo ND-S1 which will send the digital signal from the iPad directly into an Audison Bit One D/A converter, which will also give the user control of the volume and audio settings. From there the audio signal will be amplified by a McIntosh MCC406M. We think the McIntosh amp is a nice, cheeky touch.

Check out the video below to see the installation process and get a peek at what a dashboard mounted iPad looks like.