It's not the iPod that's stupid - the Zune is the darkhorse. Perhaps if it would have worked properly when it came out, and had the same features for the same price of the iPod, it would be better supported.

You should be able to pick up a big jump-drive and use that will full control from the deck.

 

It's just that the Alpine customer support representatives said that they have an agreement with Apple, and only iPods are supported via a USB cable. He said that he purchased the Zune also, only to find out that it wouldn't work with his deck.