Personal Audio Link

[crundell]

The PAL (Personal Audio Link to connect, charge and control your ipod from the factory radio) was supposed to be available in October. None of the dealers I have contacted seem to know what it is. Any dealers here on the forum know the status? Peripheral sells a iPod2Car Car Connection Kit for $189.99 that does this, but I thought it would be great to the PAL from the dealer for $160.

[russsims]

Already posted a note on this issue after the SEMA show where I was told by one of the accessory development managers at GM that this dealer installed item will be available around January or early Feb. Hold up is GM being supplied with the connector that plugs into the bottom of the iPod. Apple is the supplier and that is the hold up. The Solstice Black Tie radio is already programmed to accept this accessory so we are in the first group of GM vehicles that this accessory will work with.

From the demonstation I saw at SEMA it will be worth the wait instead of jumping the gun and going with some after market company solution. The beauty of the GM solution is it is coming from the folks who developed the head unit, it is a simple plug in solution, and will work.

See photo below of the display at SEMA

http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=3894337

[russsims]

Off topic but Crundel I see from your personal info that you are a woodworker. I share that hobby, and have been replacing all the furniture in my home with Arts & Craft style furniture since the woodworking bug bit me a few years ago. Attached is an array of some of the pieces I have made. Lucky to have an outstanding Junior College close by with a shop that would make Norm envious. This hobby is the thing that keeps me sane after work--actually create something instead of constant e-mails, phone calls, meetings, and corporate nonsense. Expanded my skills by taking a solid surfacing class and now incorporate some of this material in projects.

http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=4046516

[brentil]

I've found another company that makes a product that hooks into any radio that uses the iPod control cable to let it work with other MP3 players like the Microsoft Zune, Creative Zen, Sandisk Sansa, iPod, and Iriver Clix. It provides control via the steering wheel controls and output to the screen like the iPod cable does along with charging. I'd personally prefer this since I'm an iPod hater.

[crundell]

russsims, nice work on the workbench and thanks for the info. I missed the other thread... should have searched. I do not have the tools or skills to do fine furniture yet. I designed (I have an engineering background, but own a graphic design studio) and built my cedar deck and have done a lot of work with the router and scroll saw to customize it. You won't find many square edges, I rounded over almost any edge the hand (or butt) might come in contact with to make it more comfortable. Eventually as I have more time, I'll get into more adventurous work.

brentil, also thanks for the info. We are a Mac and Windows friendly household. Whatever tool works best for the task. We have pods and zunes in this house so the universal solution would be great. I'll PM you for the other company info.

Thanks again to both!

[PAO]

http://cgi.ebay.com/2006-PONTIAC-SOL...em150059627065

found this on ebay..however..doesnt work with XM equipped headunits....FYI....looks like it meets all the features.....controlled thru the headunit...with wheel controls..etc....

[Small Dealer]

GM has released the first Personal Audio Link (PAL) application. As promised it is for the 2007 HHR with the US8 or US9 radios. Has a MSRP of $159 for the unit. Installation time is estimated to be 1 hour.

GM ACCESSORIES - TO CHEVROLET DEALERS: Subject: ACC06-056 - Dealer-Installed Personal Audio Link - New Accessory for Chevy HHR DESCRIPTION: Chevrolet Accessories is excited to announce the Personal Audio Link (PAL) for HHR. The PAL is a seamlessly integrated interface device that allows HHR owners to join the content and functionality* of their Apple® iPod® with their HHR factory radio system providing true audio personalization. The PAL allows HHR owners to navigate their personal iPod audio library (music, audiobooks, podcasts) using the vehicle radio controls while their iPod is neatly tucked away. PAL provides full "read" functionality* of the iPod such as sorting by category (genre, playlist, artist, album, song, podcast or audiobook) and shuffling songs/titles within a selected category. The iPod-PAL connection is concealed inside the auxiliary glove compartment so there are no messy extraneous wires. The iPod also charges while connected to the PAL with the vehicle on. *iPod settings and content cannot be changed using the PAL. PAL is designed for 2007 Chevrolet HHR models with either of the following radios: US8 (AM/FM Stereo w/CD & MP3, RDS & Auxiliary Input Jack) or US9 (AM/FM 6 CD Changer with MP3, RDS & Auxiliary Input Jack) - PAL is not compatible with U1C base radio on the LS model. GENERAL INFORMATION: -iPod sold separately. PAL is not compatible with iPod Shuffle; may not be compatible with some older iPod models.* Before using the Personal Audio Link, customers should ensure their iPod is updated with the latest software and synchronized with iTunes® version 7.0 or higher. -To select "iPod mode" on the vehicle radio, press the BAND button to cycle through available bands: AM, FM, and XM. The XM band alternates between iPod and XM mode; i.e., every other cycle through the XM band is actually iPod mode. When in iPod mode, the radio will display "iPod Selected" or "No iPod" depending on the connection status of the iPod. Although the PAL is accessed through the radio's XM band, XM service is in no way related to the PAL. -*For customers wanting to listen to a Shuffle or other non-compatible iPod in their HHR, dealers can offer the Audio Interface Cable (part number 88965274) which plugs into the AUX jack on the vehicle radio faceplate which allows the iPod (and other MP3 players) to play through the vehicle's audio system. Unlike the Personal Audio Link, the Audio Interface Cable does not provide complete integration or allow command of the iPod through the radio controls. -Apple, iPod and Shuffle are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. -GM Accessories permanently installed at the time of new-vehicle delivery are covered under the New-Vehicle Limited Warranty. If installed after delivery, coverage (parts and labor) is for the balance of the new-vehicle warranty or a minimum of 12 months/12,000 miles (whichever comes first). GM Accessories not requiring installation or purchased over the counter carry a 12 month limited warranty (parts only).

[Devoking]

SD, will this work in the Sol?

[Small Dealer]

Originally Posted by Devoking SD, will this work in the Sol?

From one of the other threads, here was the release schedule that GM put out at SEMA the begining of November.

I have added to GM's list, russsims' posted estimate after his talk on site with some of the GM people in the both.

Personal Audio Link $159 MSRP, plus dealer installation ........Q1........ Cadillac Escalade (all models) Chevrolet Silverado Chevrolet Tahoe Chevrolet Suburban Chevrolet Avalanche GMC Sierra GMC Yukon ...By end of June 2007.... Buick Enclave Cadillac XLR Chevrolet Corvette GMC Acadia HUMMER H2 HUMMER H3 Pontiac Solstice ( Possible early 1st Qtr '07-Jan to early Feb*) Saturn Aura Saturn Sky Saturn Outlook. *As posted by russsims' on site reporting.

[AeroDave]

Originally Posted by PAO http://cgi.ebay.com/2006-PONTIAC-SOL...em150059627065 found this on ebay..however..doesnt work with XM equipped headunits....FYI....looks like it meets all the features.....controlled thru the headunit...with wheel controls..etc....

Has anybody here installed this unit? Does it work well?

[MAKsys]

Do I understand correctly that this (the GM PAL) will only work with later-model (2007) radios?

[brentil]

Originally Posted by MAKsys Do I understand correctly that this (the GM PAL) will only work with later-model (2007) radios?

It'll work with the 2006 Solstice radio too, it's just not being released until 2007 for our car.

[vtail]

Bump...

Any word on the release of PAL?

[Small Dealer]

Originally Posted by vtail Bump... Any word on the release of PAL?

GM ran into issues with the first release for the Chevrolet HHR PAL package.

Here is the message from Janaury 29th:

Effective immediately, GM Accessories has issued a stop sell for the HHR Accessories Personal Audio Link (P/N 17803007). An issue has been identified with the microprocessor chip, resulting in an operating issue with this product. Engineering is currently validating a change to the microprocessor and a new kit is expected to be available in early-to-mid February 2007. Communications will be issued once the revised product (under a new P/N) becomes ready for sale.

No other information about how this will effect the relace cadence that was planned.

[vtail]

Many thanks SD!