Belkin adds iPhone 3G compatibility to latest TuneCast Auto

Surely you feel like buying an all new TuneCast Auto just months after picking up the original, right? Trust us, we can hear the groans from here. For the scads of iPhone 3G owners who are downright perturbed by the inability to charge the thing with some older accessories, you'll be none too pleased when handing over $79.99 for this. But unless you flex your DIY muscle and come up with some other solution (please share, will you?), buying an iPhone 3G-friendly alternative looks to be the only solution. This FM transmitter boasts ClearScan technology in order to hunt down and lock into the best FM frequency (good luck with that), but as we've already pointed out, the biggest boon is the iPhone 3G charging ability. Hey Apple, Belkin says "thanks." Whatever that means.

[Via I4U News]

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 2nd 2008 6:18PM]

Guru's,

For all you frustrated guys having an incar ipod kit check out the Kensington 4-in-1 iPod Charger and especially notice the passthrough-connector... ;O

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 2nd 2008 6:50PM]

I just picked up the Griffin AutoPilot, with aux input. It's built for iPods, but works fine with the iPhone. The iPhone will say the product is not built for it, and give you an option to turn the phone into Airline mode (read: iPod), just click no and be on your way.

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/autopilot

http://www.griffintechnology.com/support/products/autopilot

[weirdo557 Posted Aug 2nd 2008 6:54PM]

i choose to not have an iphone because all i need my phone to do is make phone calls. i have an ipod for music, and a ds for games. and im not stuck with windows, i alternate between linux and windows depending on my needs.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 2nd 2008 7:13PM]

has anyone else noticed how huge this chicks calves and legs are? thats a BIIIIIIIIG bitch

[weirdo557 Posted Aug 2nd 2008 7:20PM]

i believe you need your eyes checked good sir.

[psyclotron Posted Aug 2nd 2008 9:10PM]

that's ok i'll take her

[Musketeer Posted Aug 4th 2008 12:26AM]

Hmmmm, I thought you were just being a smart-ass, but...........

http://www.belkin.com/pressroom/releases/uploads/assets/media/hi-res/F8Z182_LFSTYL.jpg

[Geqxon Posted Aug 2nd 2008 7:04PM]

Noticing the fact that this BMW has the iDrive system, and a 50% change he forked up the 200 dollar for the optional Bluetooth system, why doesn't he connect his iPhone that way?

You'll get voice-dialing through your car system (i.e. when pressing the call button on your steering-wheel), you can use the big screen to scroll through all your contacts, you can locate a nearby restaurant on the BMW iDrive system, use the GPS system to drive to it, and simultaneously call the restaurant on the very same system, all using the big widescreen and a easy to use dial-button.

This way, you don't have to use an ugly FM-transmitter, and you also don't need to have a passenger to hold the transmitter.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 2nd 2008 7:18PM]

"you don't have to use an ugly FM-transmitter, and you also don't need to have a passenger to hold the transmitter."

I'd have that passenger hold onto something else!

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 4th 2008 8:15AM]

thats my sister and she's only 95lbs...a bitch? come on

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 2nd 2008 8:00PM]

i cant find this on UK sites?
if i import it will it work fine in UK cars... i dont know about voltages and if radios are different in UK??
thanks

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 15th 2009 2:06PM]

thats an old iphone in the picture
http://www.belkin.com/pressroom/releases/uploads/assets/media/hi-res/F8Z182_LFSTYL.jpg

[BLKMGK Posted Aug 2nd 2008 9:22PM]

I actually bought this at COSTCO the other day. Came with a wall charger too! I agree it doesn't do a great job of finding a clear FM channel but it does work for me fairly well. Funny though, at least once when I've plugged it in in the car I've gotten the pop-up that says that the accessory isn't made for the iPod and do I want to go into Airplane mode! I've seen that same pop up on a TON of docks but I always say NO and the phone works fine - and charges. Only one dock I've tested so far refused to charge the phone - and yes it is a 3G. Still looking for a dock I like..

[bimmerboi223 Posted Aug 2nd 2008 9:49PM]

Because EVERY BMW owner who just payed $45,000 for a new convertible is gonna go half-assed and buy an FM Transmitter when the iPhone works with their iDrive NAV or Factory Head Unit... Yeah that's it...


*The BMW wont charge the iPhone 3G w/o an adapter yet, but if you can afford the aforementioned BMW, you can afford the $30 adapter...

[bimmerboi223 Posted Aug 2nd 2008 9:49PM]

my mistake... It absolutely can't be a BMW, seeing as they photoshopped out the roundel logo on the steering wheel... that changes everything!

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 2nd 2008 9:56PM]

I have the iTrip model listed here: http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/itripse

Now, when I plug it into my iPhone 3G, it gives a scary message about possible interference, and asks me if I want to turn on Airplane Mode. If you just hit NO, then you're good to go. I just used it today in fact on a 350mi trip that lasted 6 hours. It retains full phone, GPS, and bluetooth functionality while in use. I wasn't able to test it with WiFi, but I have no reason to think it wont work as well.

[bimmerboi223 Posted Aug 2nd 2008 10:55PM]

* the 2007+ BMW USB/ iPod interface installed at the factory will charge and play all iPods/ iPhones because it uses the iPod's/ iPhone's own USB cable... (It will also auto pause music on the iPhone and pickup any calls via bluetooth if you have the BMW Assist/ Bluetooth option)

BMW + iPhone = Ultimate Driving Experience!

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 2nd 2008 11:54PM]

the harmon/kardon drive+play system works for both 3g and original iphone. both iphone's ask if you would like to enter airplane mode but i simply ignore it and the system works fine.

[Mic2000 Posted Aug 3rd 2008 4:45AM]

She is holding an first version iPhone

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 3rd 2008 7:03AM]

Can we argue more about which BMW this is please...I was enjoying that

[fourthletter Posted Aug 3rd 2008 8:36AM]

and lock into the best FM frequency (good luck with that)


? Has the author ever used a belkin tune cast ? I have a tune cast 2 and it is brilliant , easy to tune in and great sound quality.
What is the point of this post ? it now charges iphones..... and ?

[quazi Posted Aug 3rd 2008 10:20AM]

Even if an FM transmitter works with the iPhone 3G, it's still an FM transmitter.

[Canucker Posted Aug 3rd 2008 12:47PM]

Yup, it's a red 3 series auto (probably a coupe cabriolet given the
lighting) but the engine is just idling and the handbrake is on
(perhaps why they aren't wearing seat belts) - so why does the driver
look as if he's, er, driving?. Looks like the TuneCast is plugged
into the cigarette lighter.

[Ignatius Posted Aug 3rd 2008 9:18PM]

It's kind of funny that the iPod/iPhone lack so many capabilities that the higher-end and even most lower-end mp3 players offer.

That said, the official "radio" (FM receiver) for the iPod is $50 from Apple...

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 4th 2008 7:03AM]

you gotta love the way they masked the bmw logo from the steering wheel :)

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 5th 2008 10:44PM]

http://home.swipnet.se/ridax/
"iPod standard accessories, iPhone charge converter"

I plan to purchase one of these adapters to resurrect my ipod accessory collection for my iphone 3G. I do not have (and will probably not purchase a TuneCast for many reasons) but this device appears to work with pretty much any ipod accessory at least related to the charge incompatibility.