USB Car Audio

Always on the cutting edge of last year, car stereo makers have announced they will be producing decks with USB ports that can play audio files stored on flash drives. Prices start at $199, or $149 for an adapter. For a fraction of that price, you can buy an FM transmitter with a USB port and a plug-in for an iPod or other MP3 player. Obviously not CD-quality, but neither are MP3s. Great for podcasts (which I listen to in the car) and oldies, like the "portable oldies station" I assembled for my dad, consisting of a USB FM transmitter and flash drive loaded with music.