TGIF Everybody!  I don’t have much to say today, so I’m just going to let the news speak for itself!

• Diamond Audio is pumping out new product for 2008 and the Hex Pro components are some of the sexiest I’ve seen in a long while. I’ve always been a huge fan of the sticky honeycomb Hex woofers, and the configurable external crossover DA includes with the new Hex Pro’s is hot top-to-bottom. The nice brushed aluminum top cover and smoked plexi on the bottom showing off the impressive gadget guts are pretty much a work of art.
• Talk about the latest and greatest technology! SoundDomain scooped a new steering wheel with a built-in LCD and LEDs that can communicate with Navigon’s new 7100 portable nav. The steering wheel displays route instructions and other information right to the steering wheel! We also figured out that BMW will be using this technology for their awesome new 1-series compact sports coupe.
• Scosche has a new universal Bluetooth handsfree kit that plugs into your 12-volt outlet and has a built-in mic for handsfree calls. This CES Innovations Award-winning little gem can also stream audio into your OEM or aftermarket radio and features USB charging capability. Easy, inexpensive, and universal… Does it get any better?

It’s Friday, and it’s still sunny up here in PacNW. Maybe Al Gore is on to something with that whole global warming thing. But I know we’re on to something with these stories:

• We covered the new teeny-tiny JL Audio amplifiers a little while ago, but here’s a great comparison to show you just how small they actually are.
• Check out JL Audio’s "JL-350" Ford Mustang GT demo car. The completely custom interior and audio install is something Ford should study VERY closely… It’s HOT!
• What do you do when a customer wants a billet grille for their 2006 Navigator, but nothing is available? Well, if you’re the guys at HzEmall, you fabricate one!
• Don’t you hate it when you hear a killer song on the radio, then forget the artist or title? Well, Alpine and HD Radio have figured out a really cool solution, and it involves your iPod…

Another exciting day in the mobile electronics world! We’re still adding info on all the cool gear we spotted at CES, but we’re also keeping our ears to the wire for other hot news. Here’s what you missed yesterday:

• We have quite a few shots of MTX’s matte black Escalade, which features 12" woofers—in the door!—and a stack of the new MTX square woofers.
• Alpine has a new universal iPod controller which features built-in Bluetooth technology. This thing is like the Swiss Army knife of iPod controllers!
• WebRidesTV did a feature on Competition Soundworks with world famous installer, Chris Yato. For a pro’s insight, check out these videos.

That’s right folks… I’m heading to Vegas this weekend. I’ll be there all week bringing you the latest and greatest in the car and portable audio world. Of course, CarDomain will feature some the hottest cars at CES right here in the blog, but for complete coverage make sure to keep your browser peeled to our recently redesigned sister site SoundDomain.com. DVD players? Yep. Navigation? You-betcha. Bluetooth? Count on it. iPod adapters? Satellite radio? In-car computers? LCD’s? Alarms and remote starts? Yes, uh-huh, yes, yeah, and you know it! We’ll be meeting with Directed Electronics, Alpine, Clarion, Pioneer, JBL, Infinity, Rockford Fosgate, MTX, Kicker, Eclipse, and Maxxsonics, just to name a few, and we’re going to have the most comprehensive coverage on the net for all things car. But in case you think we might miss something, speak up and let us know what you want to see!

Working at CarDomain is awesome. Rob only throws stuff at my dome a few times a week, Jen doesn’t hold the fact that she beat me in a stein-holding contest over my head, and Sean points out even my stupidest typos in a diplomatic way. And there are other perks! Like today, we randomly got a Scion wristband in the mail. Now I don’t really wear wristbands, because it’s not the ’80s and I’m not Olivia Newton John, but it turns out this little puppy is a perfect iPod protector! My job rules!

While I was surfing around Subaru’s website building my dream 2008 WRX, I noticed an iPod interface was available for the Impreza. Now, a lot of manufacturers—including Subaru—offer a headphone-style jack input on their stereos, but this option goes a step further. Via the head unit, it offers text readout, charging and the capability to control your iPod from the wheel. Subie is still testing with the iPhone/Touch, but the system is compatible with the nano, mini, fourth and fifth gen iPods. Currently, it doesn’t work with nav-equipped units or factory satellite radio—but it still looks pretty cool.