Belkin's milking its
TuneBase product line for all it's worth, today introducing two new wares that are just marginally different than those we've seen before. The new TuneBase FM and TuneBase Direct both enable iPhone users pick up a call handsfree (via the built-in speakerphone) as well as channel tunes to one's stereo via an auxiliary input jack (that's the 'Direct') or FM transmitter (and that's the 'FM'). The TuneBase FM is set to hit shelves next month in the US for $89.99, while the TuneBase Direct should make its way out this month for $69.99.
Update: iLounge has a quick
hands-on with the TuneBase Direct if you're into that sort of thing. And we know you are.
posted Jun 1st 2009 at 11:41AM
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
C lawrence @ Jun 1st 2009 11:51AM
could this be hacked to make an iPod touch a phone?
John Doe @ Jun 1st 2009 11:57AM
Yeah...why not
For that you'll just have to crack open the iTouch, put a gazillion number of GSM/UMTS/3G radios into it, update the software to handle phone calls, contacts, voicemail, etc and you're done.
I wonder how big it would get with the DIY iTouch to iPhone work...Let me know when you're done.
puhsitch @ Jun 1st 2009 5:51PM
You mean like with Skype? It probably wouldn't be too useful unless you live in a city with ubiquitous wi-fi.
darkstar @ Jun 1st 2009 11:49AM
does the current Zune works with ipod's accessories?
i noticed my Sansa pmp's connections looks like the ipod's but not sure if it would work.
dan @ Jun 1st 2009 12:01PM
wouldn't the FM be noisy due to the fact that it'd be getting interference from cell internet signals coming and going?
In A World (XBL) @ Jun 1st 2009 11:01PM
Yes, but it's not hardly noticable with the 3G turned on.
If you have a first-gen iPhone, this accessory is pretty much unusable
mbentley @ Jun 1st 2009 12:07PM
fm transmitter... DO NOT WANT!
Paul Cummings @ Jun 1st 2009 12:07PM
I love how Belkin is showing this off in a car (BMW 3 series) that comes standard with AUX and Bluetooth, plus the option for an iPod dock. BTW: FM transmitters suck if you live in a city
slamEVIL @ Jun 1st 2009 2:11PM
and it's not even IN this car. this is one of the worst photoshop jobs i have ever seen.
Richard @ Jun 1st 2009 2:24PM
could be a 1
TexasComputerDude @ Jun 1st 2009 2:50PM
hate to break it to ya, but fm transmitters don't even work in the deep back woods of east texas anymore....
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII (BarCODE) @ Jun 1st 2009 11:21PM
The Blutooth and iPOD functionality are very expensive options, costing more than $500+ to get. The Belkin is a much cheaper alternative and some of the older E46 as shown in the picture did not have the Blutooth option.
mroach @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:47AM
It's an E90 (2005+ BMW 3 Series) and this is a bad photoshop The AUX input is inside the centre console, not under the climate control:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mroach/3333491616/in/set-72157611251220783/
They just photoshopped out the bar of buttons for seat warmers, park distance control, auto engine shutoff, etc and added an AUX port.
Having this accessory in an E90 would be pretty horrible since you'd have to run the cable into the armrest.
This is what you want for an E90 or any other car with both AUX and power inside the centre console: http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/autopilot
I just have the iPod connector wire coming out and use that for power + music and then I use integrated Bluetooth for phone calls. It works very well. No complaints at all.
Sharif @ Jun 1st 2009 12:16PM
Watch this not work with the new iPhone.
Viran @ Jun 1st 2009 12:22PM
Good work
http://viran.mobi
xlyesterdaylx @ Jun 1st 2009 12:43PM
Belkin FM transmitters are horrible. don't buy it. I bought one... from best buy for like 80$. returned it the next day.
Engadget @ Jun 2nd 2009 12:08PM
I've got the current iteration of the tunebase FM and it works well. I've got an AUX input so I don't use the transmitter much (most FM transmitters are crap these days anyway) but it would be really nice to be able to answer calls with it as well.
LongshotX @ Jun 1st 2009 1:21PM
Shit.
jinsei888 @ Jun 1st 2009 2:18PM
terrible computer render
tyler @ Jun 1st 2009 2:29PM
@ pics 2 and 5:
where are you getting wifi going down the 110 or 405?
chmod @ Jun 1st 2009 2:40PM
Please!
Jeffrey @ Jun 1st 2009 2:56PM
"BMW sold separately"
bdav @ Jun 1st 2009 4:24PM
Nice comparison of German and american interiors going on there.
zacheryjensen @ Jun 1st 2009 4:28PM
Too bad it has that worthless gooseneck that turns your whole dock apparatus into a sort of half-bola weapons as you take a turn. Seriously do these guys even use these things they design? IT's horrible, some stupid rubber padding in the cigarette lighter is not enough to maintain stability for more than a week, especially in hot weather.
I have a griffin version of this same basic product concept, minus the speakerphone and official iphone support, it works fine with my iPhone 3G including charging, and has AUX out, so I'm keeping it, but I've resorted to zip-tie-ing the whole thing directly to my stereo console, snaking the gooseneck around the dials because that's the only way this mess is worth using after a month or so of having my phone randomly go flying off the right and bending itself all the way down to the floor.
Actually now that it's all tied to the console I like it a lot, so the features these things offer are really great, now if they'd just offer them in some forms that are less sucktastic...
Darin @ Aug 16th 2009 11:22PM
Ha I thought I was the only one who did that. My zip ties did great but now it doesn't want to charge. It is extremely picky on how it sits in the lighter plug. Maybe this knew one will be different? Uhhg maybe I'll hold out for the Tom Tom cradle. Even the griffin window mount might do better!
Evan @ Jun 1st 2009 5:49PM
That car already includes handsfree BlueTooth phone support (it's the third button in the group of buttons under the right-most dial), making this product absolutely pointless in the photo.
bdav @ Jun 1st 2009 8:19PM
Nah the BMW's have the buttons anyway, even if the bluetooth kit isnt installed. I think the button you are referring to is air recirculation though.
FamilyGuy @ Jun 1st 2009 8:10PM
Neat
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wys0123 @ Jun 2nd 2009 2:00PM
case support!
Great!!!
but what's with that ugly button placement?
Can they add interchangable gooseneck for cars that require longer/higher setup.