The method of claim 1, wherein the different electronic device is an automobile sound system component.

An audio system comprising: an electronic device having a non-circular portable device interface that allows for communication of data and power; the non-circular portable device interface configured to provide at least a portion of a link between the electronic device and a portable electronic device that has a memory, a processor, a display, and software saved at the portable electronic device, the software configured to direct the portable electronic device to save an audio file in the memory, to save a name of the audio file in the memory, to associate the audio file with the name, to include the name in a menu of available content, and to communicate a collection of information comprising the name to the electronic device; and the electronic device configured to utilize the collection of information to present a soft button on a display associated with the electronic device and to allow a user: (1) to interact with a user interface device communicatively coupled to the electronic device to navigate through at least at least a portion of content saved in the memory of the portable electronic device; (2) to view at least a partial representation of the menu on the display associated with the electronic device; and (3) to choose the audio file for processing by using the user interface device to select a soft button representation of the name displayed on the associated display so that responsive to the selection the audio file can be played by the portable electronic device and to be output via the electronic device while the audio file remains stored on the portable electronic device. view more

The system of claim 22, further comprising a cable having multiple conductive elements, wherein the cable provides at least a portion of the link between the electronic device and the portable electronic device, further wherein a battery of the portable electronic device can be recharged via the cable, wherein the cable is to interface with a physical interface of the portable electronic device that is not circular and has a width dimension and a length dimension that is longer than the width dimension. view more

An audio system, comprising: an automobile having a sound system that includes an electronic device with an associated display and a user interface mechanism; a mount communicatively coupled to the electronic device and configured to engage a physical interface of a portable electronic device that has a display, a memory, a processor, and software saved at the portable electronic device and configured to direct the portable electronic device to save an audio file in the memory, to associate the audio file with a name, to include the name in a menu of available content, to present the name on the display of the portable electronic device, and to communicate a collection of information comprising the name to the electronic device such that a user can interact with the electronic device: (1) to navigate through a plurality of audio files; (2) to view at least a partial representation of the menu on the associated display; and (3) to select an available audio file for processing; and wherein the electronic device is configured to receive the collection of information and to present the partial representation of the menu on the associated display, further wherein the partial representation of the menu is presented on the associated display in a graphical user interface that includes a plurality of preprogrammed soft buttons that are linked to respective audio information sources. view more

The system of claim 34, wherein a portion of the mount that is configured to engage the physical interface of the portable electronic device is not integrated into the console, further comprising a cable at least partially couples the portion of the mount that is configured to engage the physical interface of the portable electronic device and an other portion of the mount that is communicatively coupled to the electronic device. view more