Though a next generation empeg sure would be nice, I doubt that it will be as hackable as the 'original' Empeg is now.
I doubt this even more if some third party ICE manufacturer is going to produce it.

Maybe this is a good time to say what _for me_ would be the ultimate Empeg :

For me, the ultimate empeg would consist out of two units : an in-dash unit and a harddisk unit mountable in the trunk.
The in-dash unit would contain :
* a tuner
*a CD-player (yeah, yeah, I know) : to play that odd mixed CD, or maybe even to rip the tracks of Cd's and to put them on the HD of the trunk mounted unit. (though I would still prefer to do this via PC)
*a hi-res diplay like that new sony unit
*a removable faceplate (with illuminated buttons)
This unit would be of no use without the trunk-mounted unit.

The trunk-mounted harddisk unit would be the actual empeg. It would contain all the logic and the storage. It would interface with the in-dash unit, BUT could also interface with any other car-stereo as a cd-changer emulator (kinda like the Phatbox). This would be for people that don't need such an in-dash unit or who simply can't install one because their car stereo is built into their dashboard and they don't want to rip their dashboard apart. Of course, to get the "full Empeg experience" you'd have to use the two units combined.

The trunk mounted unit should be removable from a tray, and combined with the detachable faceplate of the in-dash unit (that can be clicked onto it), the unit can be taken indoors the be connected to a PC. Do do this it should have the option of 100Base-T ethernet (cabled or wireless), Firewire or USB 2.0. Is should also have cinch, SpDif and Toslink connectors on the back so the unit can be connected to a home stereo system. (analog or digital). To top it all off it should have voice recognition.

Of course it would still use laptop harddisks, use the great Empeg OS and feature the great Empeg hackability.

That's about it. Now, I know such a unit will probably never exist, but I can dream can't I ?