One of the biggest problem I have with integrating portable media players into the car audio system is either having appropriate cabling-something that can be expensive to do, or is wholly proprietary-or janky FM tuners. The FM tuner devices I've tried suck. They always want to use an extreme end of the FM spectrum. It's always painful to try and find an FM channel at either end that actually works.

While the Belkin TuneBase is specific to the Apple iPod, at least they seem to have solved the "can't find an FM channel" problem. It automatically finds the best FM channel to use. It also has a clear, easy-to-read display so you can tell where to tune your FM radio in. Not only that, it uses the entire FM spectrum, not just the extreme ends. It also includes an audio out jack for direct input into the car stereo. Oh yeah, and it will charge your compatible iPod too.

Sweet. It'd be nice, though, if they made a version of this that'd work with something other than an iPod. How about an audio in jack?

US availability is scheduled for mid-October, "late-fall" for Europe, Asia, and Australia. Expected list price is $89.99 USD.

Belkin Press Release