Maintaining compatibility with iPod integrated cars has been one of the big reasons to stick with the dock connector. It's very expensive to upgrade cars with fancy new head units especially if you want things like steering wheel controls to continue working. Conservatively I'd say anywhere between $1-2k with a professional installation. Plus what's the alternative? I don't know of any standardized control system for micro-USB based players. I think Bluetooth will ultimately solve the integration problem.
The funny thing is over the same time period that the iPod has used one connector devices like cell phones have gone from proprietary connectors, to mini-USB, now to micro-USB. It hasn't exactly been a smooth ride. micro-USB was only announced in 2007 and wasn't widely deployed until 2009. Are we going to have nano-USB in 2 years and repeat the whole process yet again? I'm not arguing against standardized connectors but the mini/micro debacle certainly didn't help consumers much did it?
I always thought so too, but it was surprisingly much less than this at my local Fry's. I didn't opt to buy, but these services ran in the $200-400 range there, IIRC.
The funny thing is over the same time period that the iPod has used one connector devices like cell phones have gone from proprietary connectors, to mini-USB, now to micro-USB. It hasn't exactly been a smooth ride. micro-USB was only announced in 2007 and wasn't widely deployed until 2009. Are we going to have nano-USB in 2 years and repeat the whole process yet again? I'm not arguing against standardized connectors but the mini/micro debacle certainly didn't help consumers much did it?