You probably already know that you can go directly to the iPod touch January Upgrade purchase page by following this link. What you might not know is that in order to purchase the iPod touch January upgrade you must be logged into your iTunes account and you must be running iTunes 7.6. You cannot make this purchase using earlier versions of the software.

If you ever restore your iPod and need to get back those upgrades, once again you need to use the magic of 7.6 plus be signed into the account with which you purchased it. I found out the hard way that your Mac doesn’t automatically “remember” that you purchased it and that it belongs on your iPod touch.

I was one of the many people affected by the week-long “Error -2″ outages at the iTunes store and had bought it with my secondary account. After restoring, my iPod just wouldn’t reload the upgrade. I knew I had bought it and I knew it was available in my home folder in Library/iTunes/Mobile Applications. The problem was that I needed to sign into my secondary account (rarely used–except for doing posts like these) and then synchronize while signed in.

A few calls to Apple and a lot of annoyance later, I hope these tips may save you some grief. You can tell if your iPod touch has been “blessed” by checking its Summary tab in iTunes. Next to the Software Version, you should see the magic phrase “(with Software Upgrade)”.

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If you live outside the US and simply can’t get enough of music, Amazon’s latest release would probably make you smile. On January 27, 2008, the Amazon MP3 was launched to begin rolling to foreign shores this year.

With over 3.3 million songs to choose from, it’s enough music to last a whole lifetime. The songs found in their collection are compatible with most digital music-capable device, the PC, MAC, iPod, Zune, Zen, iPhone, RAZR, and even BlackBerry.

Don’t worry about the cost when getting your music. Majority of the songs are priced from 89 cents to 99 cents. Most albums are price from US 5.99 to US$9.99. The top 100 albums are worth US 8.99 or less, unless marked otherwise.

Regarding this latest offer, Bill Carr, Amazon.com Vice President of Digital music said:

We have received thousands of e-mails from Amazon customers around the world asking us when we will make Amazon MP3 available outside of the U.S. They can’t wait to choose from the biggest selection of high-quality, low-priced DRM-free MP3 music downloads which play on virtually any music device they own today or will own in the future

We are excited to tell those customers today that Amazon MP3 is going international this year.

Amazon MP3, the world’s biggest collection of online songs, is now ready to take on the world with it services. If you want, feel free to check it out yourself.

Jeremy Horwitz at iLounge has written a comprehensive guide for integrating the iPhone with you car, from a budget-friendly rig to the ultimate set-up.

The problem, of course, is that there’s no single device, cable or solution that will manage calls, music, and charge your iPhone’s battery simultaneously (Yet). I’m using a set-up similar to Jeremy’s budget solution — a cheap mount holds the iPhone in place, an audio cable connects it to my stereo’s audio in port and a Belkin charger keeps the battery going.

Of course, I’ve still got to pick the thing up and disconnect the audio cable to place or receive a call. I know that a Bluetooth headset would eliminate that issue, but I don’t want to have to buy one more thing to accessorize my iPhone.

Jeremy’s “Optimal Solution” eliminates a lot of the stuff with a Contour Design / Bluetrek SurfaceSound Compact, which is a nifty hands-free solution for mobile phones (though quite pricey). If price is not a concern, check it out. As for the rest of us, have you got your iPhone set up in your car? Share your solutions below.

Amongst a general re-shuffling of contract pricing, O2 has announced that iPhone customers are going to be getting a better deal on their contracts. The UK contracts were, at launch, notably slim on both calls and texts when compared to other O2 packages. Whilst the higher price was due in part to the inclusion of the Cloud WiFi and unlimited data, there was speculation that the prices were higher to pay for Apple’s take of the monthly revenue on the service plans.

Thankfully, that’s all about to change in February, as O2 has brought its iPhone tariffs in line with regular O2 deals. For those on the cheapest £35-per-month package (such as yours truly), minutes get tripled to 600 and texts to 500 per month, and the £45-per-month package gets bumped to 1200 minutes and 500 texts (previously costing £55). O2 has decided to remove the £55 option of the past, and will reduce their future bills to £45, or allow them to move to the £75, 3,000 minute / 500 SMS package. If you have your iPhone on O2, you’ll want to check out this page for the complete low-down.

In Car iPod are now supplying a range of radio removal tools to make installing your DICE, Dension or ICD iPod Car Adapter a much simpler process. Keys are available for most vehicles including Audi, Clarion, Ford, Kenwood, Mercedes, Peugeot, Renault, Rover Sony, Vauxhall and VW and allow you to remove your car stereo with no damage at all.

Radio Keys are quick and simple to use and take away the headache of wondering how to release your radio from the dashboard. They are made of robust materials so it is near impossible to break them. Most radios require a set of two keys that slide into the holes on the front of your radio then allow you to gently pull the radio forward. Look for round holes or vertical / horizontal slots on the front of your radio. Some Audi radios require 4 keys (2 sets).

Not all radios are held in place with mechanisms that require radio keys. Most Japanese vehicles actually have the radio bolted in to place and require parts of the dashboard trim surrounding the radio to be removed. Don’t let this scare you as a quick call to your local dealership should result in them giving you the details on how to do it yourself.

Over the years we have worked on a wide variety of vehicles and if you are unsure about any aspect of installing your iPod Car Adapter then please contact us.

As the worlds 2 Leading iPod Car Adapter brands, Dice and Dension go toe-to-toe to earn the title as the UK’s, Europe’s and the World’s best iPod Car Adapter manufacturer, some clarity is needed to cut through the hype, enabling you to make the right decision, if parting with your hard earned cash. 

It’s so important choosing the right option for your specific car make and model as compatiblity, functionality, reliability and sound performance quality all have an important role to play, get the wrong product and this could mean big headaches and a lot of frustration. So you’ve seen the products, you’ve seen the adverts and product the reviews, and you’ve probably even handled the product in store, now its time to hand over your credit card.

So which will it be, DICE or Dension? Lets take a look at both brands head to head…

Dension: Dension bring to the table a great range of products including the Gateway range including the 300, 400 & 500, the very flexible ice Link FM Modulator and the AUX input ice Link Lite with a range or neat Dension add-on accessories.

Dension Gateway 100: The Dension range starts with a bang with the very popular Gateway 100 vehicle specific iPod Car Adapter, giving you digital quality sound output and safe-control of your Apple iPod from your factory fitted or aftermarket car radio and steering wheels controls (if fitted). Available for many vehicles including Audi, BMW, Ford, VW plus many more manufacturers from A-Z.

Dension Gateway 300: Next in the range for Dension is the Gateway 300, feature-rich iPod adapter, with USB and Auxiliary input control this is 1-step up from the Gateway 100. Robust in design yet discrete and lightweight, enabling easy installation in all vehicles, the GW300 provides you with a multimedia in-car experience when on the move. Taking connectivity to the next level and available for most vehicles from A-Z including Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Chrylser, etc.

Dension Gateway 500: Last but no means least in the Dension Gateway portfolio is the Gateway 500, the ultimate warrior in the Dension range, it really is the muscle bound power house of the in car iPod adapter market. Its a Gateway 100 on steroids, with its revolutionary technology, feature rich functionality and clean visual lines, it has been designed solely for use with the latest fibre-optic vehicles including Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Mini, Porsche and Saab.

Dension ice Link ONE FM Modulator: For a flexible solution look no further than the Dension ice Link ONE FM Modulator. This Universal iPod adapter is compatible with all vehicles that have an ISO, DIN or FAKRA FM aerial connection on the radio. Typically used as an alternative to the Gateway 100 or 300 kits and for vehicles that don’t have a CD Changer port on the rear of the radio. Fast, flexible and seamless to install giving you hours of endless music. Not to be mistaken for the inferior FM Transmitter type kits.

Dension Add-On Accessories: To further enhance the Dension range and your in-car experience, you can take advantage of the useful add-on accessories such as AV Extender, Bluetooth Adapter, and CD Changer Retention Kit enabling you to keep the use of your changer, if you have one fitted.

DICE Electronics: DICE meet Dension head on with their DICE Electronics iPod Integration Kit range of high performance products, delivering quality, reliabity and robust design with a knockout blow.

DICE Electronics iPod Integration Kit: With the DICE iPod Integration Kit Car Adapter range they come out fighting offering superb compatibility, funactionality and high performance sound quality for a large range of family, prestige and sports cars including Audi, Bentley, BMW, Lamborghini, Lexus, Mazda, Mini, Seat, Skoda, Toyota and VW. The DICE kits lets you connect your Apple iPod to your car radio seamlessley giving you optimum access to your entire digital music library.

DICE Electronics RDS FM iPod Kit: The DICE RDS FM Modulator iPod kit throws blow for blow againt the Dension ice Link FM Modulator adapter and giving it an advantage it the functionality stakes is the ability to display track and artist information right on the radios display. Not to be mistaken for the inferior FM Transmitter type kits.

A quick Recap: To summarise DICE and Dension are the heavy weights in the world of iPod adapters for cars, with the 2 offering a huge range of vehicles they cover, from Alfa Romeo, Audi all the way up to Volvo and VW. Whatever car you drive from A-Z there will more than likely be an option for you and more cars are being added to the list on a weekly basis.  If the decision is down to budget then the FM Modulator products are fantastic value, don’t forget these are compatible with all vehicles as they are universal and with the option of seeing artist and track on the DICE option this would be my choice.

Looking for the Ultimate iPod in car solution, maybe the Dension Gateway is for you. So your iPod is loaded with your favourite tunes, movies and downloads. Maybe you have an MP3 player other than the popular iPod, a USB flashdrive or other USB device, audio devices that use AUX.

The Dension Gateway comes in 3 different popular models, badged as the Gateway 100, Gateway 300 & Gateway 500. And with a range of useful add-ons such as the Bluetooth Adapter, CD Retention module and AV Extender, every scenario is catered for.

The Gateway range is a favourite world wide, now used by millions for its Optimum Compatibility, Functionality, Reliability and High Performance Sound Quailty and is available for a wide range of Family, 4×4, Prestige or Sports vehicles. Whatever you drive car, bike, scooter, motorhome or commercial vehicle, your iPod can now come with you providing entertainment on the go.

Dension Gateway 100:

Lets start with the Gateway 100 as its the more popular option due to its affordablility to all. The Dension Gateway 100 is a vehicle-specific iPod Car adapter that gives you Digital-quality audio and full control of your Apple iPod from your standard factory fitted car radio/stereo. Simply connect the Gateway 100 to the CD changer socket connection at the rear of your radio and you have crystal clear music wherever you are!

As well as offering iPod integration, The Dension ice Link Gateway 100 will keep your iPod fully charged while connected and offers auxiliary audio input via a 3.5mm jack socket. This means that you can pass the audio from any audio device (e.g. Creative Zen, iRiver, iPod Shuffle) through your car stereo.

The Dension Gateway 100 gives you simple operation, by way of simply navigating playlists, albums & songs from the accessible buttons on your iPod or the buttons on the front of your radio or even steering wheel controls (if fitted). 2 options: 1) Your iPod is within easy reach when you choose the Dension Active Cradle application or 2) hide it away with the Dension Dock Cable option.

Your connection options are:

Dock Cable - The Dension dock cable is compatible with all iPods that have the dock connector socket at the rear. This iPod connection method is ideal for discrete installation of your iPod in the glove box, arm rest or similar hidden location. The Dension dock cable will charge your iPod.

Active Cradle - The Dension active cradle is compatible with all iPods that have the dock connector socket at the bottom. This option is ideal if you want your iPod accessible and within easy reach on your dashboard. The iPod is held securely in place and can be removed when you exit the vehicle with maximum charge as the Dension active cradle will charge your iPod when docked. All iPods are suitable as inserts are supplied that reduce the cradle to suit the smaller iPod products.

Dension Gateway 300:

Taking the Gateway range up a level the unique features of the 300 model is its ability to connect USB, storage devices, AUX to your car radio with seamless ease. As the above 100 car adapter, the Denison Gateway 300 gives you simple operation, as you can navigate playlists, albums & songs from the buttons on your iPod or the buttons on the front of your car radio/stereo or steering wheel controls (if fitted).

Your iPod is easily accessible as you 2 options, 1) the Dension Active Cradle application or discretely hide it away with 2) the Dension Dock Cable application. The Dension ice Link Gateway 300 is a vehicle-specific iPod Car adapter meaning whatever car you have there is an option for your particular car make and model. These adapters give you crystal clear CD-quality audio and safe control of your Apple iPod from your factory fitted car stereo. Simply connect up the Gateway 300 to your CD changer port at the rear of your radio/stereo and so you can take your entire music library with you on the move!

The Dension ice Link Gateway 300 takes connectivity to the next level with iPod integration, USB input (for flash drives and USB Mass Storage Devices) and auxiliary audio input via a 3.5mm jack socket. This enables you to pass audio from any audio device (e.g. Creative Zen, iRiver, iPod Shuffle) through your car radio/stereo. And rest assured as the Dension ice Link Gateway 300 will charge your iPod as you drive.

Your connection options are:

Dock Cable - The Dension dock cable is compatible with all iPods that have the dock connector socket at the rear. This iPod connection method is ideal for discrete installation of your iPod in the glove box, arm rest or similar hidden location. The Dension dock cable will charge your iPod.

Active Cradle - The Dension active cradle is compatible with all iPods that have the dock connector socket at the bottom. This option is ideal if you want your iPod accessible and within easy reach on your dashboard. The iPod is held securely in place and can be removed when you exit the vehicle with maximum charge as the Dension active cradle will charge your iPod when docked. All iPods are suitable as inserts are supplied that reduce the cradle to suit the smaller iPod products.

Dension Gateway 500:

Taking the Gateway family to the highest level, the Dension Gateway 500 is the ultimate in iPod to car connectivity. This model is for prestige and exclusive vehicles that have fibre-optic audio systems fitted as standard and delivers pure sound excellence by delivering your complete iPod library, MP3 player tunes, USB Storage device content and AUX data to you when on the move.

The Dension ice Link Gateway 500 is specifically designed for vehicles with audio systems that use fibre optic connections, including the MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) system and the D2B system. Fibre optic audio systems in car, for multimedia applications is becoming more popular with manufacturers especially with high end and luxury vehicles. You’ll find it in Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Porsche vehicles and other manufacturers are now starting to use this optimly reliable, MOST and D2B system high end technology .

The Dension Gateway 500 is the perfect device to use with this technology and systems, allowing you to further expand the functionality and creativity by integrating your Apple iPod, flash drives, USB Mass Storage Devices (via the USB input) and auxiliary audio input (via the Aux input). This means that you can pass the audio from any audio device (e.g. Creative Zen, iRiver, iPod Shuffle) through your car stereo. With selected vehicles you have the ability to keep the use of an existing CD Changer and simply switch between using your iPod / USB / Aux and the CD changer with the provided change over switch.

The Dension Gateway 500 gives you simple operation, enabling you to navigate playlists, albums & songs through your existing audio system and steering wheel controls (if fitted). The dock cable comes as standard, but you can add-on the additional Dension Active Cradle if you want your iPod within easy reach on the dashboard.

Your connection options are:

Dock Cable - The Dension dock cable is compatible with all iPods that have the dock connector socket at the rear. This iPod connection method is ideal for discrete installation of your iPod in the glove box, arm rest or similar hidden location. The Dension dock cable will charge your iPod.

Active Cradle - The Dension active cradle is compatible with all iPods that have the dock connector socket at the bottom. This option is ideal if you want your iPod accessible and within easy reach on your dashboard. The iPod is held securely in place and can be removed when you exit the vehicle with maximum charge as the Dension active cradle will charge your iPod when docked. All iPods are suitable as inserts are supplied that reduce the cradle to suit the smaller iPod products.

Add-on Accessories: To add flexibility to your iPod, car adapter and motoring Dension have released various add-on yet essential accessories for the optimum driving experience. If you currently have a CD Changer, use bluetooth or if you have screens in your car, read on…

Dension CD Changer Retention Kit - If you already have a CD changer installed in your vehicle and do not want to lose the functionality it offers, then this module is for you! It enables you to connect the Dension Gateway 100 as well as your CD changer and you can switch between the two as and when you need. The Dension CD Changer Retention module is only available on selected vehicles/radios.

Dension AV Extender - Do you have an iPod that supports video output and want to connect it to an external screen or monitor? To do this you will require the Dension Gateway AV extender module (IVE1000) that provides RCA AV Output that you can connect directly to your selected video display.

Dension Bluetooth Adapter - The Dension Gateway Bluetooth adapter enables connection of your mobile phone, PDA, Navigation or other Bluetooth device to your car stereo via the Dension Gateway. This lets you stream music, audio, or make hands-free calls all from your factory radio.