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Belkin shows first iPhone 3.0 accessory, mashes up GPS and FM data to pick the best TuneCast frequency

by Paul Miller, posted Jun 4th 2009 at 2:33PM

After your fourth or fifth time ending up in a ditch or a swimming pool or a tree while attempting to find a good FM frequency to push your iPod tunes to your car stereo, you're likely looking for a better way to live. Lucky for you, Belkin has been hard at work over-engineering the problem to death, and has finally emerged with the new TuneCast Auto Live FM Transmitter. The device is "specifically compatible" with iPhone OS 3.0, and pulls GPS data from the phone to figure out the clearest FM frequency to use based on "geographical" data and on the recommendations of other local users. It's all controllable from the iPhone interface with the free ClearScan Live app, which reduces device juggling, but the unit also works with the iPod touch, iPod classic and iPod nano. It'll be available early this fall for $80.

Belkin's new TuneBase FM and TuneBase Direct pack speakerphones

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 1st 2009 at 11:41AM

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.

Gallery: Belkin introduces new TuneBase FM and TuneBase Direct

Portable HD Radio prototype gets pictured, coming this summer for under $50

by Darren Murph, posted May 13th 2009 at 10:07PM

Details are rather scant on this little gem right now, but here's what we can tell you: you're looking at the world's first HD Radio portable device prototype, and it's slated to do just about exactly what you expect. In other words, it'll slip into your pocket, tune into HD Radio as well as standard analog FM broadcasts and connect with any set of cans that use a 3.5 millimeter headphone jack. Unfortunately, the manufacturer is being kept under wraps, and there's no Bluetooth headset support baked in. That said, you can expect it to land in an undisclosed "big box retailer" this summer for under $50.

Creative TravelSound i85 adds external speaker, FM tuner to iPod nano

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 23rd 2009 at 6:34PM

There's really no easy way to say it -- Creative's TravelSound i85 is bordering on unsightly, so devout fashionistas should probably look elsewhere. For those who always put design second and utility first, this here device adds a portable speaker and FM tuning abilities to Apple's fourth-generation iPod nano (the tall, thin one, for those unaware) and even includes a built-in rechargeable battery for pumping out up to 15 hours of house jams. Aside from operating as a gaudy wrist adornment, it can also double as a stand (horizontally or vertically), though there's no Dock Connector pass-through (just a miniUSB plug). Worth $99.99? That's between you and the monster underneath your bed.

[Via FarEastGizmos]

Broadcom's first Bluetooth 3.0 chip gets certified

by Nilay Patel, posted Apr 23rd 2009 at 6:48AM

Well, that fast -- just a day after the Bluetooth SIG officially announced the new Bluetooth 3.0 specification, Broadcom's announced that its BCM4325 chip has been certified and is ready to go. As you'd expect from a chip that uses the new high-speed multi-protocol standard, the 4325 does WiFi as well as Bluetooth, with a dash of FM thrown in for good measure. Handshakes all around -- now let's get this thing in some devices, shall we?

Sony Ericsson launches AB900 wireless car kit, convertible not included

by Sean Cooper, posted Feb 10th 2009 at 1:07PM

We've seen Bluetooth car kits come and go -- and Sony Ericsson has sold its fair share -- let's face it, they're often a huge hassle with very little return for your dollars. The SE AB900 may change that as this portable number offers up an RDS feature that finds an empty frequency to broadcast to your car's FM stereo, lets you get at your favorite five numbers and voicemail at the touch of a button, and will even let you stream your tunes from your mobile. But wait, there's more: 26 hour talk time, 40 day standby, no installation required -- we love this bit -- and it even comes in both black and silver. While the press pictures show a winsome couple giggling as they blast through the countryside in a convertible, the jury's still out on if this little number can deliver the kind of joy they're showing us it does. One more pic after the break.

Continue reading Sony Ericsson launches AB900 wireless car kit, convertible not included

New Broadcom chip for phones does 802.11n, lots of other stuff

by Chris Ziegler, posted Dec 9th 2008 at 12:18AM

Phones have lagged -- understandably, we suppose -- behind desktops and laptops in bringing 802.11n to market, but it was bound to happen eventually; to that end, Broadcom has announced its BCM4329, one of the first mobile 802.11n solutions on the block. On top of delivering up to 50Mbps of real-world WiFi throughput on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, the darned thing throws in Bluetooth, an FM receiver, and an FM transmitter, too -- in other words, everything but the kitchen sink, where the "kitchen sink" is the cellular radio itself. Sadly, the 4329 sticks with single-stream transmission to conserve battery life -- no MIMO here, folks -- but considering the 802.11g alternative, we'll take what we can get. The chip's already being sampled (and hopefully being integrated into future products) by Broadcom's customers with mass production following on sometime in 2009.

Sanyo introduces WiFi-enabled R227 tabletop radio

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 28th 2008 at 3:30PM

Internet radios aren't anything new, but Sanyo's putting its own spin on things with the WiFi-packin' R227. Aside from offering standard FM reception, this tabletop device also tunes into thousands of internet stations / podcasts, and it enables listeners to search by country or genre. You'll also find a pair of stereo speakers, one-button on / off, a bundled remote, an Ethernet jack, auxiliary input for DAPs and an audio output for connecting to larger, more robust sound systems. For now, it seems the unit will be exclusive to Canada where it will be offered in a black wood gloss finish for $219.99.

RCA trots out RIR205 tabletop internet radio

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 18th 2008 at 7:00PM

Among the other low-rate gear unveiled this evening by Audiovox comes the RCA RIR205, a tabletop internet radio that may have gotten away with that design in 1992. Instead, we have no option but to recommend this one only for rarely used spare bedrooms, though the built-in AM / FM tuner, WiFi radio streaming (complete with a Slacker song tagging feature) and the integrated support for WeatherBug forecasts are quite nice. Additionally, users can record up to 10 hours of music and other radio programming onto the unit's 512MB of inbuilt memory, and of course, you can set the alarm to wake you with online music or your favorite local sports talk host. Not too shabby for $149.99, but that exterior could use some work.

Radiopaq Rp5 does DAB, FM and internet radio

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 14th 2008 at 9:58AM

Look out, Pure Digital -- you've got a new rival in town. Radiopaq, best known for bringing thousands of internet radio stations and podcasts to listeners via the web, has decided to hop into the hardware game. The Rp5 tabletop radio features a five-way speaker system, digital / analog processors, a headphone jack, remote control and a rather stylish design. There's also an integrated WiFi module for tuning into the outfit's website and even sucking down news, weather and traffic information. Of course, the more traditional FM / DAB tuners are there as well, making this one quite the multifaceted box. Word on the British streets has this one pegged for a September launch at £250 ($468).

[Via Pocket-lint]

CSR crams Wibree, eGPS, and FM into BlueCore7 wireless chip

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jun 3rd 2008 at 7:20PM

UK's CSR has been making waves in the Bluetooth and eGPS waters, so it's only fitting that it's the first to cram Bluetooth, eGPS, and FM all on one chip. The BlueCore7 silicon combines Bluetooth v2.1+EDR, ULP Bluetooth (or Wibree), eGPS (which they say works better in indoor and other non-GPS-friendly locales), and FM Tx and Rx in what they say is a major step in reducing the size, cost, and power needs of wireless devices. CSR boasts that this chip integrates "more wireless technologies on a single chip than any other product on the market." Who are we to argue? They expect to have BlueCore 7 to be available in volume starting in Q4 2008, when you'll be able to listen to FM radio on your Bluetooth headset while finding your satellite position indoors.

[Via CustomPC]

Venturi Mini uses lots of RF to get music from phone to car stereo

by Chris Ziegler, posted Jan 18th 2008 at 12:52AM

We've seen more efficient ways of piping tunes from phones to stereos, but admittedly, they usually involve a wire or two. The Venturi Mini, now being offered by Verizon Wireless, performs the wondrous feat of receiving music streamed to it via stereo Bluetooth and relaying it on to your car's head unit by way of FM transmitter, making the whole process completely wire-free. "But wait," as they say in the industry, "that's not all." The cigarette lighter socket-powered device doubles as a handsfree that cleverly pauses your music when the time comes to take a call. Grab the multitalented wonder now for $129.99 -- and if you live in Washington or Oregon, the sooner, the better.

[Via MobileBurn]

The Barbie iPod dock: yes, it's pink and flowery

by Conrad Quilty-Harper, posted Oct 21st 2007 at 2:43AM

One man's idea of hell is another 10 year old girl's idea of heaven: in this case the difference of opinion is a Barbie iPod dock / FM radio / alarm clock so pink we could puke. We gotta say though, the flowery speaker enclosures are pretty well done, and the extremely out of place model number -- officially, this is the BAR710 -- is worth a few chuckles. Desperate parents everywhere will no doubt be shelling out for one of these very soon as the empty wallet season rapidly approaches: even if there was information about pricing, you wouldn't want to know, right?

MPIO shows off five new media players at IFA

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 4th 2007 at 9:51AM

Keepin' things fresh in Berlin is MPIO, which has apparently unveiled not one, but five new media players during IFA. Up first is the MG200, which looks to tout 2GB of flash storage, an SDHC expansion slot, 1.5-inch OLED display, an FM tuner, and support for MP3, WMA, and WMA-DRM. The MG300 steps it up by including a 2.4-inch QVGA screen, 4GB of capacity, and the ability to handle AVI, JPEG, and BMP files in addition to the aforementioned formats. The diminutive MD100 plays nice with MP3, WMA, and OGG files, boasts an FM tuner and lasts up to 60-hours with the LCD flipped off, while the 2GB OG21 rocks a 1.8-inch screen and also does video. Bringing up the rear is the OG23, which packs 8GB of space, a QVGA display, and SDHC support to boot. Per usual, mum's the word on pricing and availability, but click on through for a few more snapshots of the group.

[Via AnythingButiPod]

Continue reading MPIO shows off five new media players at IFA

iriver's first Siren DAP: the DP250

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 1st 2007 at 12:38PM

Merely four months after acquiring Siren, iriver has just unveiled its first DAP under the new brand: the DP250. This pocket-friendly (and admittedly stylish) player will be available in 1GB or 2GB flavors, black or white color schemes, and include an FM tuner / transmitter, a built-in speaker, voice recording functionality, and a minuscule display to keep track of what's spinning. Additionally, you can expect around 18-hours of playtime on a single charge, and those parked in Japan can pick the 1GB edition up next week for ¥9,980 ($86) or double their capacity for ¥5,000 ($43) more.

[Via AnythingButiPod]