The Abe BT 80C Bluetooth Stereo Cassette

OH. MY. GOD. Three words for you: Bluetooth Stereo Cassette. What we're talking about is the Abe BT 80C, an audio cassette adapter that you can pop into your car's tape deck and stream music to from your Bluetooth-enabled MP3 player, handheld, or PC. Obviously not as simple as that, since not every Bluetooth gadget supports the A2DP, or Advanced Audio Distribution Profile, that this thing uses to stream in stereo, but we so like where this is all going.

[Thanks, chuckkay]

[Joaquim @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

So you have a super-mp3-bluetoth-handheld and can't afford a CD-Player for your car?

[Julien @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

Joaquim: a lot of people already plug their iPod in using a cassette adapter. Why? Because it's the easiest way. You don't WANT a CD Player in your car with a "super-mp3-bluetooth-handheld". Many (most?) high quality radios don't have easily reachable auxiliary inputs, so using a cassette adapter is a quick and easy way. With a CD Player car radio you drop that possibility.

[Joaquim @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

You have a point there...I have a 1988 car w/ AM/FM Radio only... :D

[Guttrhead @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

This thing has an internal battery, right? Does it recarge from the tape deck somehow, or do you have to plug it in to charge it?

[Joaquim @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

You have a point there...I have a 1988 car w/ AM/FM Radio only... :D

[derek @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

how about stop worrying about a stereo one and just make it mono so it could be used for handsfree with a cellphone. then all i would need is a tape deck.

[Seth @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

What a SLICK idea!!

> "This thing has an internal battery, right?"

Yes, it has a battery. But very odd... it doesn't seem to say anything about recharging, and no recharger is listed in the package contents. I doubt it can get any power out of the tape player.

Heh... what it needs is a solar panel on the back so you can leave it on your car dashboard to recharge!

So how do I get one of these toys??
-Seth

[J @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

Perhaps it uses the turning wheels of the tape drive mechanism to charge the battery with a dyanamo?

Now, my problem is that my car stereo doesn't have a tape deck, just a 6 CD changer. Who's going to come up with a Bluetooth CD adaptor? ;-)

[Seth @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

> Perhaps it uses the turning wheels of the
> tape drive mechanism to charge the battery
> with a dyanamo?

FANTASTIC idea! But then, would it still need the internal battery?

If it could use the turning wheels of the tape drive to make enough electricity, then it would have no need for the battery. However, if it couldn't make enough, it might still be useful in extending the play-hours of the battery. (But would still require an external charger then.)

[Justin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

I was just talking about this two days ago. Damn it!!! I could have been a billionaire!!!!

[Guttrhead @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

And why does this have USB in its name. The title under the picture on the site was "Abe USB Bluetooth Stereo Cassette BT 80C"

[Rookie @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

The only good idea on this device is the A2DP protocol, this enable to use a PDA as a super iPod, I see more future on the A2DP protocol than the cassette adapter, if you have an PDA-Phone with A2DP enabled an a GPS, this is like to have an R2D2 following you.

[Mart @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

Does anybody have an idea on where to buy one? I live in the Netherlands and this would be perfect for my all-in-one-climatecontrol-tapedeck-control-unit!

[Carmi @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

Smart idea. There's recognition in the market that the owners of millions of older vehicles also want access to newer media player technologies while driving. This nicely opens up the market and gives people additional choice.

Carmi
http://writteninc.blogspot.com

[Mr ds hater @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

umm i have a crappy dodge ram cargo van and i even have a cd player

[Marcos @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

The new Powerbooks have Bluetooth 2.0 (presumably so they can support A2DP)... anyone know if they can stream to this thing?

[Scott @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

In response to those people criticizing the usefulness of this product, I have a 2002 BMW M3 that cost $59,000. It has a 6-disc CD changer in the back and a tape deck behind the navigation screen in the front.

Prior to 2003, you could not get a CD player in the dash if you opted for the navigation system. Also prior to 2003, you could not add a "line-in" or auxillary input for mp3 players or other devices. And trying to put your own audio system in is about as simple as doing open heart surgery on yourself (aside from looking relatively unprofessional and out of place). You simply can't just switch out the CD or nav deck for whatever you may find at Best Buy or Crutchfield without significant research and technical skill.

So, how do I listen to my brand new Samsung YP-T7 mp3 player when I'm in my car? I have it plugged into a cassette adapter. I would pay good money for this Bluetooth cassette if I had a Bluetooth capable mp3 player.

[r3m0 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

---> I was just talking about this two days ago. Damn it!!! I could have been a billionaire!!!!

same happened to me with Windows, freakin gates gggrrr ^_-

[Frank @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

18 comments and not a single one about the terrible Engrish on the device???

[Cliff @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

I already saw this one and e-mailed abe. Unfortunately, they don't have anything that will just give you a headphone jack as I have no cassette player in my car. :( Only CD. I would like to hook my bluetooth enabled mp3 player up to my car stereo wirelessly though :(

Soon I guess.

[Scott @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

What "terrible Engrish?" Everything seems spelled and constructed properly (unless I'm missing something big). If you're talking about the small print language on the bottom of the cassette, you have to read all the way from left to right:

"Do not adjust the adaptation screw more than 2 turns in any direction if necessary."

[Alex M @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

Do you guys know where to buy this item? I emailed the manufacturer, no responce.

[jochu @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

Does anybody know if it could be used as a car hands free for a bluetooth mobile phone?

[Rick @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

Does anyone know where i can find some info on this? It seems the product has dissapeared from the products page (or the link isnt working anymore). Thanks!

[Nesse @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

This product is exactly what I need, but I can't find where to buy it.
Please if someone knows - post it here.

[Mart @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

I spoke to the guys (or woman actually) from ABE at the CeBIT last month. Turns out that they have a prototype and nothing more. Whenever a reseller feels like they want to have this in their productline, the production will start... It could be a while before this gadget hits the streets :(

[Jon @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

I hope someone steps up to the plate and produces this. The stock Audi cassette players are useless to me and ugly to see in the dashboard. This BT adapter would actually make having one kind of nice.

[Sapan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

Anyone seen this?

"Announcement

The development of the Abe BT 80C Bluetooth Cassette has been suspended until further notice. Since we announced our intention to develop this product, we have received quite a few enquires. We thank you for your interest and your support of our products. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. Thank you. "

If they've had so many enquiries why aren't they going to make it?!

[Dave @ Dec 19th 2005 12:10AM]

r3m0,

It's not too late, you can have my idea and be a billionaire:

Power the unit by the tape deck. As the deck tries to 'turn', generate!