Before the advent of Cassette, CD, DVD, MP3, and iPod^* Players, cars were simply equipped with a standard or optional AM/FM Radio Set. If and when you did want to listen to your favorite stations, just tune in.

The technology has evolved, and the Cassette Deck/Player has made its apparition on the audio scene. The car companies wasted no time in adding a cassette player to the list of amenities. The motorist could record 30 to 120 minutes of his/her favorite tunes, or, for that matter, anything audio, and listen to them in the car.

Green with envy by all the attention the Cassette Player was getting, the CD Player made its move to eclipse it. It succeeded big time. The story is far from over. What goes around comes around.

Necessity the mother of invention. How to take advantage of the portable CD Player when a car is not so equipped? Short of replacing the Radio/Cassette Deck Set, the CD/MP3/MD-To-Cassette Adapter seems to be an intelligent and frugal compromise! By inserting the Cassette Adapter into the Cassette Deck and plugging it directly into the portable player, one can listen to CD, MP3, and MD through the car's speakers.

The car manufacturers, determined not to be outdone by the latest multimedia fad, upgraded to a 3-in-1 unit (AM/FM Radio, Cassette Deck, and CD Player). As time went by, the Cassette Deck fell out of favor, and is finally phased out of the entertainment unit.

What goes around comes around. No sooner did the CD Player/Console eclipse the Cassette Deck/Player, the former (CD Player/Console) is being supplanted by the very sexy, stylish and compact MP3 and iPod, with awesome audio/video/data compressing and storing power. The CD has finally met its match, and, frankly, the CD is no match. It's working on a comeback. Good luck CD!

The predominance of free over-the-air AM/FM Radio broadcasts is being challenged by webcasts and/or paid (advertisement-free) satellite radio broadcasts. My crystal ball predicts free (paid for by advertisers) satellite radio broadcasts in a not-too-distant future.

If you are an avid radio listener while surfing the net, you would be remiss if you fail to check out aboutus.org's best sites radio.

• www.aboutus.org/best-sites/radio

If you are a multitasker, you'll enjoy doing both (listen to radio and watch TV) while net surfing (No TV Viewing While Driving). To that end, download the following free software:

1- Watch TV - Digital TV 2050 and Listen to Radio.

• www.endicosoft.com, and/or
  

2- Watch over 2200 live TV channels (Not While Behind the Wheel) and listen to over 5000 online radio stations.

• www.ahusoft.com

If your car comes with a CD Player and AM/FM Radio Set only, and you wish to play your MP3, don't panic. There is a technological solution to your technological dilemma: The FM Transmitter. Just connect to the portable player's headphone jack and plug into your car's 12V DC socket. Tune in a dedicated, favorite or programmable FM Frequency, and start enjoying your MP3 or iPod. To save money, get a FM Transmitter compatible with iPod, portable MP3, CD/DVD players and Laptops. Read and follow instructions.^**

Today's Car Media Systems are loaded with functional and entertaining features: CD/DVD Player, MP3, MP4, WMA, Bluetooth, GPS Navigation, etc., to name just a few. Enjoy!

Thanks to the ever evolving multimedia technology, the car becomes a University On Wheels.

If you can't afford a dedicated MP3 Player Unit, upgrade (if you are due for a free upgrade) to the latest Cell Phone with MP3 Player and FM Tuner features. Download music and videos, start having fun listening to music and watching videos (Not While Driving) off your Cell Phone.

Listening to your phone's MP3 in the car can be tricky if you don't have the proper headset adapter. Most phones come with a 2.5mm jack, incompatible with the CD Player to Car Cassette Adapter's 3.5mm headphone. To overcome this technological obstacle, use a 2.5mm to 3.5mm Cell to Stereo Adapter. Just plug the 2.5mm adapter into the phone's jack, and plug the CD Player to Car Cassette Adapter's 3.5mm headphone (male) into the other end (female 3.5mm) of the 2.5 mm to 3.5mm Cell to Stereo Adapter. Some phones use a dual purpose port for either USB charging or USB headset listening, in which case, a USB to 3.5mm Adapter is needed to take advantage of the Cell Phone's MP3 feature. (Note it's an either or proposition, not both. The port cannot be used to charge and headset listen to the phone at the same time. It's an ill-conceived technology in my view. If the port is out of order, you can't charge or use the phone's headset. If you're on the market for a Cell Phone, make sure it features two separate and distinct ports/jacks: one for charging; one for headset/headphone.)

If you and your better (or worse [LOL!]) half would like to listen simultaneously to the same music from a common MP3 Player with a single Headphone/Headset, a bone of contention might arise. A Y-Splitter Adapter Headphone Cable and an additional Headset/Headphone will settle the issue. An amicable agreement may be reached. The music lovers will live happily never after!

Just plug the Y-Splitter Adapter Headphone Cable (male) into the MP3's jack (female), insert one headset/headphone (male) into one end (female) of Y-Adapter, and the other Headset/Headphone (male) into the other end (female) of Y-Adapter. No more arguments, only joy and happiness on the train and on the bus!

No MP3, iPod, or Cell Phone are complete without the charging accessory accoutrement. No self -respecting owners of those gadgets would forgo the use of these indispensable accessories. In order to charge the preceding devices off your car, the followings are needed and necessary:

• USB Car Charger for Cell Phones and MP3 Players
  
• Car Charger for iPods and iPhones
• Inverters with AC outlet, DC receptacle, and USB port(s)
• Solar Charger
• AC/DC Power Converter
  

Warning: Inverters produce household current or AC (Alternative Current) from DC (Direct Current). Failure to comply with safety and precautionary measures could result in electrocution (killing by electric shock). They should and must be kept out of reach of children. Read and follow instructions.

As long the human (though inhumane at times) mind and spirit remain curious, imaginative, inventive, creative, and resourceful; technological progress, prowess and breakthroughs seem to be driven by one constant: Change.

As if Audio was not enough, most cars feature nowadays a DVD console. Most gadgetophiles (technophiles) use their car's headrests to install a set of DVD Players/TV Tuners. Commute time is optimized and used productively.The car becomes a Mobile Entertainment Center On Wheels, or a Mobile Edutainment Center On Wheels, much to the delight and pleasure of all the occupants.

Use your car for entertainment and edutainment, along with the featured gadgets, without losing sight of, or compromising on SAFETY and SECURITY (Do not watch TV or DVD or, for that matter, multitask while driving).

Please note that the featured products are for illustrative purposes only. Buy only products compatible with, and suitable to your gadget/device needs, budget, requirements and specifications.

Have fun!

P.S. Words of wisdom: In an insane world, melodious and harmonious music keeps one's mind and spirit sane, safe and sound, and one's soul soothed.

Join Hupages now to start monetizing your ideas, thoughts, knowledge and expertise. Sign up right here, right now!

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^{* iPOD is a registered trademark of Apple.}

^{** Every effort has been made to convey accurate information. Author is not responsible or liable for inaccuracies, if any. Please read and follow instructions.}

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