Thank you for this useful post.
In my car, I had the "cup holders get hot" issue and had to take this same console off to fix the seperated heater ducts. (The ducts in the pics in this post are mated properly--but in some of our cars they are seperated.)
Anyway, to remove the shifter console in an automatic transmistion car, put the car in drive-D-to center the shifter over the metalic-looking, plastic trim ring you'll be removing: You can pop off that metal-looking, plastic trim ring around the AT shifter by getting your fingernails under its edges and lifting straight up. Then, again with your fingernails, start at the back of the black, plastic console and lift straight up, working from the back, towards the dashboard/stereo. Work it off slowly and soon you'll see the aux. plug (and heater ducts).
Regards,
Glenn in CT