Category > Car Gear
October 14, 2005
Griffin Technology announces SmartDeck with dock connector
Seems that Griffin Technology has revised their nifty little SmartDeck to include a dock connector. The advantage in using the dock connection on the iPod is that you can get higher quality sound output versus the headphone jack. Some people say you can't really hear a difference, but I can, especially when using a good quality sound system and speakers. Anyhoo, this new SmartDeck features really cool patent pending technology that translates commands from the tape deck (play/pause, FF, RW, etc) to control the iPod's playback. Yeah, I told you it was cool. Seems to work with any iPod with a dock connection, including the new nano. You can preorder it now for $30 and it'll ship sometime later this month.
Category: Car Gear | Comments (1)
October 13, 2005
Griffin Technology iTrip with dock connector
Man, these guys don't waste any time. I mean, Steve Jobs was practically still on stage yesterday when Griffin Technology sent out their press release talking about the iPod with video and their new product the iTrip with dock connector. This little puppy has selectable LX or DX broadcasting modes, US or International frequency bands, and a frequency tuning switch on the side of the unit. It's made for all full size iPods with a dock connector, you know - 3G, 4G, photo, U2, with video. (I wonder why iPod nano support wasn't specified for this product?) It'll be available in late October, bears the "Made for iPod" endorsement, and you can preorder now for $50.
Related:
- iPoditude Review: Digiana Audia X iTube-101 car FM transmitter for iPod shuffle
- XtremeMac’s AirPlay2 FM transmitter
- Griffin Technology announces the iFM - everything but the kitchen sink
Category: Car Gear | Comments (1)
October 11, 2005
XtremeMac’s AirPlay2 FM transmitter
Rock your world and everyone else's within the FCC-limited broadcasting distance with the new AirPlay2 from XtremeMac. It features three programmable station preset buttons recessed in its flat face, and a backlit LCD display. Although the AirPlay2 will work with any dock connector iPod, it's designed to fit the nano like a thong on a swimsuit model since it comes in black and white, it's the same 7mm width, and the dock connector is offset. It sells for $60, and for $80 XtremeMac will sell you a version with a car charger. Nice design!
Related:
- iPoditude Review: Digiana Audia X iTube-101 car FM transmitter for iPod shuffle
- DLO announces TransPod, FM transmitter for iPod shuffle
- Did You Know? FM transmitters - illegal?
Category: Car Gear, iPod nano | Comments (0)
August 26, 2005
SendStation smartCharge car charger for iPod shuffle
SendStation is one of my favorite iPod accessory manufacturers. Instead of flooding the market with a bunch of "me-too" accessories that may or may not work very well, they rely on quality and innovation with their insanely handy PocketDock line-out adapters.
They've just announced a new product called the smartCharge. This swiveling car charger features (can you guess?) a line-out audio jack for listening (why can't we get that feature in a shuffle dock?!) a hinge that angles up to 72 degrees for in-car adjustments, there is an invisible power indicator encased within its sleek grey housing, and it weighs only 1.1 oz. It'll be available in September and no price has been determined yet.
Related:
- iPoditude Review: SendStation PocketDock Line Out USB
- SendStation Does The Right Thing
- SendStation donates to charity, number two
Category: Car Gear | Comments (0)
AudiaX iTube FM transmitter/charger for iPod shuffle
If Dr. Seuss were to design an automotive FM transmitter/charger it would look a lot like the AudiaX iTube. Suspended by a flexible segmented stalk, this FM transmitter features 4 station memory (gotta love that), automatic on/off, full frequency band transmission, and a blue back lit LCD display. Preorders will be taken starting next week. I wonder if they have any Dr. Seuss audiobooks?
Update: Digiana tells me that the price will be $45 and it will bear the "Made For iPod" logo. Preorder will start on Monday, August 29th, with an expected ship date of September 19th.
Category: Car Gear | Comments (1)
July 25, 2005
Jeep Liberty iPod install at Fortworthless Blog
What do you get when you drill a hole in your car's dash and dissect a Belkin TuneDok? A really nice mobile iPod stand, of course. Reader Dave W was kind enough to write in and tell me about the iPod install he did in his Jeep Liberty. It's a simple, clean job that still looks really nice. He used a BlitzSafe interface to integrate it into the car's factory sound system. "...look at what I created while sitting in the car waiting for my laundry. Doesn't it look awesome?" Yes, yes it does.
The permanent page at the Fortworthless blog. Check out the gallery for more pics.
Category: Car Gear | Comments (1)
June 15, 2005
TMO: Road Trips with your iPod
In an article with the subtitle, "Taking it to the streets: How best to play your iPod in your car," author Ted Landau writes, "An iPod and a car are a gloriously perfect match." Hallelujah, brother! Ted discusses different methods of connecting your iPod to your car stereo (there are so many nowadays), but he keeps coming back to his love of the RoadTrip+ from Newer Technology. Anyway, it's an good enough read over at The Mac Observer.
Category: Car Gear | Comments (2)
February 09, 2005
Automotive Aux In Trickery
There is another means of playing your iPod through your car stereo that you don't see publicized very much. It takes some mechanical ability and you can't be afraid to dig into areas of your car, but with some time, determination, and a few beers, it is possible to get good sound quality (usually much better than FM tuners or modulators) in your car while at the same time not spending a lot of money.
Continue reading "Automotive Aux In Trickery"
Category: Car Gear, Resources | Comments (1)
February 02, 2005
Peripheral Electronics ipod2car Adapter
Along the lines of the Monster iCruze, Peripheral Electronics offers the ipod2car adapter. This adapter takes the place of your CD changer in your car and uses that input to connect the iPod instead. Be sure to view the compatibility list for available car applications. Available from autosoundgear.com for 200 bucks.
I've used one item made by Peripheral Electronics in my car, a remote turn-on signal amplifier. Seemed like a quality product and it does what I need it to do.
Category: Car Gear | Comments (3)
January 04, 2005
Pioneer Follows Alpine And Clarion With iPod Integration
In a humorous (although probably not intended to be so) press release, Pioneer has announced a new adapter that will integrate iPod with their existing head units. Dubbed the CD-IB100, it sounds more like a droid in Star Wars to me, but then maybe I've been watching too many of the DVDs recently. Anyway, the press release is scarce on technical details such as the number of head unit models it will work with, but it states that it will work with head units sold over the previous years so that is a good sign. Basic iPod functions can be controlled from the head unit, and if your head unit is capable of text display it can show album, artist, and song names (cool). The CD-IB100 will go on sale in March for $140.
This sounds a lot like the Alpine integration kit, which is not a bad thing. The plus to the Pioneer system though, is that it charges the iPod when connected, and it should be a little cheaper. If you've already got a compatible Pioneer head unit that doesn't have an AUX IN then this is a no-brainer.
Category: Car Gear | Comments (0)
