Finally, a real reason to detach that detachable faceplate.

This car radio faceplate unclips and folds to become a tiny cell phone. When clipped in, it also powers the car's hands-free phone.

Many car audio systems now feature detachable faceplates as a security feature. Also, many places are about to mandate hands-free cell-phones for cars.

As if we needed any more distractions on the road... But anyway...
-- land, Jul 21 2000

With cellphones getting MP3 player capability, there's another reason to do this: a faceplate phone with MP3 would be far better than one of those horrible adapters to plug your MP3 player into your car tape deck.
-- pottedstu, Nov 28 2001


With LCD readout and nav buttons, I don't see why this isn't bakeable. Where's that patent office when you need it?
-- barnzenen, Dec 07 2001


this is looking more and more like a great idea (+).
-- neilp, Dec 20 2004


It's not really another distraction - it would be easy to set the system up so that it works like a hands-free kit when a call is received - the music would cut, and the incoming caller would be played through the stereo speakers.

Most stereo faceplates look like phones now anyway, they have buttons and screens - they're about the right size too.

You could also have more than one faceplate coded to a stereo (done by dealers on production of proof of ownership only) so that you don't lose the phone if your wife borrows the car...
-- kmlabs, Dec 29 2004


Hmm. I've not ever read this idea before. 'Tis a good one, too. +
-- bristolz, Dec 29 2004


This is entirely bakeable in the form of an in-dash PDA/phone dock, appropriate software and cabling, and a completely concealed (MP3HD based?) stereo.
-- BunsenHoneydew, Sep 04 2005


I was looking through an auto parts cataloug a few days ago, and I saw a stereo with a detatchable mp3 player as the faceplate.

I thought that was pretty nifty.
-- andrew1, Sep 09 2005



random, halfbakery