iPhone anti-interference shield puts an end to buzzing speakers

As anyone with an iPhone and some unshielded speakers is likely well aware, the two don't exactly get along all that well together when they're in close proximity, with the fight for your desk's air space often resulting in an annoying buzzing sound. Now, one enterprising individual has thankfully come up with a solution in the form of the iPhone anti-interference shield, which consists of nothing more than a carefully cut Red Bull can and some always-handy double stick tape. The shield's creator does warn that there could possibly be some hindrance to your reception, however, although that apparently hasn't been noticeable so far. Of course, the shield would no doubt be just as effective with another 2G GSM phone, and you can probably find a suitable substitute for the Red Bull can if its not to your taste either.

[IT-Accountant @ Jun 25th 2008 5:29PM]

wow... so simple.

That's pretty cool.

[srw985 @ Jun 25th 2008 5:30PM]

drinking sugarfree red bull is like going to mcdonalds, having large fries, big mac, chicken sandwich, and a mcflurry, then taking it with a DIET coke

[Brad @ Jun 25th 2008 5:50PM]

No, it's like drinking JUST a Diet Coke. It has no fat, cholesterol, or any of the other things in that big list of McDonalds products you gave has.

Sugar Free Red Bull (8.3oz):
http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/beverages/9222/2

Diet Coke (12oz):
http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/foods-from-mcdonalds/6300/2

I don't get your argument. Are you saying people shouldn't even try to cut down on things where they can? All or nothing, huh? Good policy. You'll do well in life.

[Jamma @ Jun 25th 2008 5:52PM]

Brad:

What he's trying to say is if your going to have something like red bull, have proper red bull.

the diet stuff may be sugar free, but sweeteners aren't exactly healthy either, and have been linked with causing cancers

[Blackstar @ Jun 25th 2008 6:52PM]

So the best answer is to drink spring water, don't buy an iPhone and keep that money in the bank accruing interest.

[Justin B @ Jun 25th 2008 7:15PM]

Not to start a war, but Jamma, show me those studies linking artificial sweeteners to cancer.

[brian @ Jun 25th 2008 7:22PM]

Actually sugar free Red Bull has caffeine. The reason for drinking it. Don't need extra sugar calories.

[AshR @ Jun 25th 2008 7:25PM]

@Justin

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/02/060213093019.htm

amazing what you find when you type stuff into google.

But the amount of calories the sugar in redbull has, would have little effect on your body compared to the rest of the ingredients imo

[Rocketboy @ Jun 25th 2008 7:39PM]

New Study Suggests Artificial Sweetener Causes Cancer In Rats At Levels Currently Approved For Humans

ScienceDaily (Feb. 13, 2006)

It's amazing what you find when you actually read it. So, in just over 2 years, nobody still cares.

[Ben @ Jun 25th 2008 7:57PM]

Its also helpful if you're mixing with alcohol--Less sugars usually means less hangover.

[hiko36 @ Jun 25th 2008 8:32PM]

@ Ben

Jager Bomb FTW!

[tekdroid @ Jun 26th 2008 1:13AM]

Sugar-free products have been linked to cancer for many many years. Not only that, but a whole range of neurological and physical symptoms. Look up Aspartame, NutraSweet, Splenda, Saccharin, etc.

Not to mention the fact that your body compensates for the calories you don't' get. Sugar is by far the better alternative, brown sugar preferably. But really both are highly refined product you'd do best avoiding in most meals or drinks anyway.

Of course the real insight comes from eating foods that are less processed to start with, as your forefathers and their forefathers did. The stuff that you evolved on, like wholegrain bread, whole wheat pasta, and plenty of fruit and vegetables.

On-topic:
aluminium foil would work too, I bet.

[CBrowne @ Jun 26th 2008 5:06AM]

How infuriating that what is fundamentally an article about radioactivity turned into a debate about what causes cancer! Oh, wait... never mind.

My point is that whoever is using this device is probably not concerned about any of the things the meda seems to enjoy blaming cancer for - since phones have been top of the list for quite some time in terms of causing cancer.

As for dieting, I know nutritionists who say that there is nothing "bad" for you. So quit whining and just take everything in moderation.

[Rocketboy @ Jun 26th 2008 2:50PM]

@ Tekdroid... "Of course the real insight comes from eating foods that are less processed to start with, as your forefathers and their forefathers did. The stuff that you evolved on, like wholegrain bread, whole wheat pasta, and plenty of fruit and vegetables. "

Yes, because our quality of life, and life expectancy has been on the decline ever since...

Insight my arse...

[Richard Lai @ Jun 25th 2008 5:36PM]

Brilliant idea! But I think I'll use Coca-cola instead.

I don't care about reception; I just want to get rid of the annoying beeping noises from the speakers.

[gabe @ Jun 25th 2008 5:39PM]

Computer speakers not shielded? Invest $30 into a new pair and clear the desk of trash like this mod.

Sometimes I feel like I'm on ilounge.com with all these rediculous iPhone I!

[ThePengwin @ Jun 25th 2008 6:49PM]

But my speakers cost me $100!

[brian @ Jun 25th 2008 7:28PM]

Even some "Shielded" speakers don't stop the interference. Also, most speakerphones, telephones, alarm clocks, and many other consumer devices don't have them either. Think larger that your computer desk.

On top of that even IF the speakers are shielded the AMPs are NOT. Which is how the Buzzing gets... well... amplified!

[Lucasz @ Jun 25th 2008 8:29PM]

A shielded speaker just means the speaker magnet is shielded to prevent it from messing with crt monitors/tvs. It doesn't necessarily mean the speaker is shielded from other things.

[Ben Kunz @ Jun 25th 2008 5:36PM]

Ever wonder about the deeper story? I had an iPhone that knocked out my Tom-Tom GPS system. How much radiation comes out of these devices, anyway, vs. other cell phones?

Just wondering.

[Will @ Jun 25th 2008 5:50PM]

The SAR rating for the original iPhone is 0.974, which is well below the 1.6 maximum set by the Feds (which is even lower than what Europe allows).

But lets avoid the cancer discussion, as this sort of buzzing behavior is completely normal with any GSM (and some CDMA) phones.

[EdZ @ Jun 25th 2008 5:56PM]

Normal amounts comapared to other mobile phones. TDMA just happens to lie in the frequency range that plays merry hell with a lot of small-scale circuitry. Probably as a side effect of it being easier to create a resonant antenna.

[Benson @ Jun 25th 2008 8:58PM]

@Edz:

TDMA is multiplexed in 4615 us frames, for a frequency of 217 Hz. That's the frequency at which RF transmission is switched on and off.

Your antenna wants to resonate at the RF carrier; resonating at the multiplex frequency does no good. Resonating at 217 Hz would also require an antenna on the order of 100 miles long...

[weg @ Jun 25th 2008 5:37PM]

Austria - proudly exporting high-tech solutions since 1987.

[Lowest Ranked @ Jun 25th 2008 6:04PM]

I had no idea that Red Bull was from Austria.

I guess you really do learn something everyday, even if it is useless.

[Brad @ Jun 25th 2008 5:43PM]

All AT&T (and T-Mobile) cellphones in the US broadcast on a frequency that can cause interference with analog, non-shielded amplifiers. This has nothing to do with the iPhone (my girlfriend's Pantech Duo does it, too).

The can should work just fine, and result in only a very moderate decrease in signal, especially in urban and suburban settings where you've got multiple towers around you.

Or you could wrap your speaker's amp housing in similar material.

[Eric @ Jun 25th 2008 10:00PM]

I love how you ever so subtly dropped the fact that you have a girlfriend into your comment.

Oh, and yea, real men use their first names as their usernames.

[CBrowne @ Jun 26th 2008 5:20AM]

@ Eric:

Just because you spend too much time on the internet reading engadget articles about nonsense solutions to petty problems doesn't mean -everybody- does.

It is highly likely that ~90% [speculative figure, I would look up the actual statistics but I can't be bothered] of the userbase of engadget are in a mid-term relationship with a member of the opposite sex. Do not assume that your personal experience gives you social observation skills.

Anyway, to the original comment - yes, almost all cells do it because they all work in a similar way (if they didn't, you wouldn't be able to call each other on them). Surrounding in a rudimentary Faraday cage should work for any device that is causing problems. Note that totally surrounding the device will interrupt signal reception, so the kind of cage that is pictured would be ideal (red bull can).

[Brad @ Jun 27th 2008 4:17AM]

@Eric I mentioned it was hers to maintain my distance from AT&T. I don't particularly care what carrier she uses (or you, for that matter), but as a consumer my only vote is with my dollar, and AT&T will never see another.

Nor Verizon, for that matter. Hang in there Sprint!

[Speeddemon2008 @ Jun 25th 2008 5:50PM]

And i have verizon which gives no distortion to speakers, go CDMA! But I suppose gsm is nice at times like being able to go to other countries with it. I remember when my friend was over, he got a text message and my speakers which were a good ten feet away started to sound all distorted.

[Andrew @ Jun 26th 2008 12:53AM]

Haha that definitely looks good. I'd rather have a coke one or something but if I ever have that problem i'll definitely try that.

http://pixblix.com

[haX0r @ Jun 25th 2008 6:01PM]

classic!

[fred @ Jun 25th 2008 6:07PM]

For as much as a Red Bull costs, it had better have some extra uses.

[weg @ Jun 25th 2008 6:28PM]

Well, I guess people who can afford an iPhone (1st Gen) can also afford a tin of Red Bull ($1).

[hiko36 @ Jun 25th 2008 9:10PM]

Where are you buying Red Bull for a dollar??

[w00t @ Jun 25th 2008 6:08PM]

The iPhone dock line out is supposed to reduce the interference, seems to work great for me - I still get the noise if I use just the headphone port.

Of course the best solution will be an iPhone 3G, since UTMS doesn't seem to have the same problem at all*!

(*At least on UK frequencies)

[Charles Lee @ Jun 25th 2008 6:40PM]

The line-out still will catch interference... at least it does in my car system (car cassette adapter connected to the line-out).

I'm guessing that this shield will work only if the line from the connector stays behind the shield... if it wraps around the front (no shield), then the noise may get induced again.

[JCA @ Jun 25th 2008 8:34PM]

As long as any 3G phone supports GSM too, you will always have the buzz. Its inherent by design. Designers try to choke it as much as is reasonable (from a design cost standpoint) but it cant really be eliminated.

[Beddoes @ Jun 25th 2008 6:24PM]

Imagine docking that on a long term basis, goodbye fingers!

[brian @ Jun 25th 2008 7:28PM]

Add some clear tape to the edges. Solved.

[Towncivilian @ Jun 25th 2008 6:24PM]

Pfft, you guys think you have it bad when your computer speakers buzz? My old SLVR has an unshielded speaker. It buzzes during a call. It's horribly annoying.

Psst, Engadget, there are two typos. "noticealbe", and in the last sentence, "its" should be "it's".

[Doogie Fullhouser @ Jun 26th 2008 12:23PM]

I got a warranty replacement iPhone that did that too. It was pretty irritating. Apple took it back and gave me another.

[Gfxlonghorn @ Jun 25th 2008 6:26PM]

Dang, I am much too lazy to shield my speakers so I guess I will have to live with the annoyance any time my friends come over, and get a text message through their iphone. Although, for people who had never been over, they thought it was freaky when i would be able to say that they got a text message before they even had a clue.

[luis @ Jun 25th 2008 6:38PM]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=pRG1iB8NF14

[Hoag @ Jun 25th 2008 6:45PM]

I've been blocking my iPhone's radio noise by standing a battery charger on its side right behind the phone.

[Prokanda @ Jun 25th 2008 6:47PM]

sugar free? he's really worried about a couple extra grams of sugar while he's pushing that heart attack?

well.. he did buy an iphone........ and then spent 10 bucks on some unshielded speakers at walmart.

mmmm... energy drink addiction is fun. you should subscribe to it.

[Rusty @ Jun 25th 2008 6:51PM]

My at&t Tilt use to do this, until the 3G then the H icon started showing up.
Once at&t "switched on" the 3G network in my area, the buzz went away.
Sad kind of. The buzz use to warn me of a phone call, and if I had my
BT out, I could put it back in before the phone rang.

[m @ Jun 25th 2008 6:56PM]

Red Bull gives your iphone wings

[stickybit @ Jun 25th 2008 6:59PM]

Neat idea but I am sick of reading poorly written articles on the net...

[grant @ Jun 25th 2008 7:02PM]

I've found a Monster can works better.