Who Needs an iPod? Toyota Launches a “Car-shaped Music Player”

By Michael Santo
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews

Toyota announced on Tuesday, December 26th, the redesigned bB, which it calls a “car-shaped music player.” The second generation model aims to keep the strengths of the original model, while aiming itself squarely at people who want to be surrounded by music while driving.

Nine speakers are optimally located around the interior—a subwoofer in the center console, and speakers and tweeters in the left and right front doors, instrument panel and front pillars—creating powerful bass tones and the feeling of being surrounded 360 degrees by music in a high-quality sound space.

Four different audio modes, using surround DSP (digital signal processing) technology, accommodate listener preferences and the situation at hand.

An input jack facilitates a direct connection with portable music players to input music from a variety of sources.

Illumination is installed in 11 locations, including around the speakers, and in the cup holders and door trim, and it flashes in rhythm to the music, creating an atmosphere akin to a nightclub or live music concert.
Source: gizmag

We Say: The bB reverses the trend of smaller and smaller MP3 players. I don’t know where I’m going to be able to find a case for it, though. Definitely a nice marketing ploy, and it dwarfs some of the other car audio-tech articles (1, 2) we’ve reported on.

On the other hand, I have enough trouble coping with people in the “regular” car next to me booming music out of their windows. Don’t know how I’ll feel if one of these is next to me. By the way, I’ve seen this car referred to in a few places as the “dB“, which would actually make more sense to me (decibel).