Plug-n-play, retro, and transparent are the three main design trends in product design for contemporary audio devices. With the iPod and iPhone being the new music storage devices of choice, auto manufacturers have to provide dock solutions to bring their products into the fold. Retro designs provide for a nostalgic look, transparent casings suggest scientific efforts.
Examples: Restoration Hardware Gramophone, Woo Audio WA7 Fireflies, People People Transparent Speaker, H/K SoundSticks III Wireless, Hercules XPS 101, Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air, Denon DP-A 100, In Unison MK2.