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fm transmitter posts

Sirius XM Onyx radio, PowerConnect accessories hit the FCC

by Donald Melanson posted Sep 2nd 2009 at 8:07AM

Sirius XM's Onyx radio may have gotten a little lost in the shuffle when it was announced alongside the company's SkyDock iPhone / iPod touch dock, but it looks like none other than the FCC has now stepped in to offer a bit of a reminder, with the radio and a slew of accessories for it turning up for some approval. While the radio itself is pretty standard fare, the various accessories for it are anything but, as they make use of the company's new PowerConnect technology (also found in the SkyDock) that essentially takes advantage of your car's wiring to offer a better FM transmitter and ease installations in the process. Hit up the link below for a closer look at some of the accessory options available, including a cassette adapter for those looking to bring a bit of the 21st century to their old car stereo.

Archos' Android-based A5S and A5H Internet Tablets outed by FCC?

by Thomas Ricker posted Aug 26th 2009 at 7:15AM

You know those confidentiality agreements companies sign with the FCC to keep our prying eyes away? Well, Archos didn't sign one. The result is a treasure trove of information about its new A5S (model 7501) Internet Media Tablet and a whisper of the A5H (model 7502) to come. The A5S looks very much like the 4.8-inch Archos 5 we already know and uh, know. However, there is a slight redesign resulting in a new location for the speaker and headphone jack as well as the inclusion of a microSD slot and what looks to be microUSB. Given the emergence of this new model so close to Archos' Android launch event and the repeated mention of the 5-inch "Archos 5 Internet Tablet" in Archos' own Android AppsLib store, we're guessing this is the new Android device set for a September 15th announce. True, the single UI shot (pictured after the break) isn't vanilla Android (it's likely skinned a la HTC's SenseUI) but it marks a radical departure from Archos' current offering. The FCC tested 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, and an FM transmitter and receiver on the A5S while a user manual briefly mentions 3G data, although the FCC didn't test it. Perhaps that's the secret sauce inside of the A5H model 7502?

Gallery: Archos' Android-based A5S and A5H Internet Tablets outed by FCC?

Continue reading Archos' Android-based A5S and A5H Internet Tablets outed by FCC?

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

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.

Pasen is dead, long live Pasen's new REI-16 PMP

by Tim Stevens posted Nov 23rd 2008 at 1:58AM

To say that we've been underwhelmed by Pasen's offerings thus far would be like calling the Meizu M8 slightly delayed, but supposedly we're in for a pleasant surprise when next we meet a player from the company. The brand has been bought out by Italian Kiwii LTD and is pledging that those awful interfaces and stolen icons are things of the past. The proof will be in the REI-16 PMP, pictured above serving as a precarious looking wheel chock. It should make for a better media player, and while details are few it's said to offer a "gorgeous" 3-inch touchscreen, "sexy" user interface, and support "tons" of audio and video formats (including ogg). An integrated FM transmitter will pipe tunes to your car, plus there's video output for your TV and even emulation for 8-bit console games. It certainly sounds promising, but we'll have wait for the full specs and some hands-on impressions before we can call Pasen reborn or just rebranded.

Belkin adds iPhone 3G compatibility to latest TuneCast Auto

by Darren Murph posted Aug 2nd 2008 at 4:22PM

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]

Alpine eX-10 makes in-car handsfree calling, iPod integration a sinch

by Darren Murph posted Nov 14th 2007 at 4:44AM

Alpine's already shown us (however briefly) one of its newfangled in-car audio accessories, and now it's time for numero dos. The eX-10 is a stylish iPod controller / Bluetooth adapter that includes a dash-mountable, full-color 2.4-inch display unit to clearly show what's spinnin' on your iPod. It also comes bundled with a remote to keep you marginally less distracted when flipping through playlists, and it saves you the trouble of hard wiring anything by operating on a spare FM slot. Granted, FM transmitters are always hit 'n (mostly) miss, but this unit allows users to hook things up via a 3.5-millimeter auxiliary jack if their head unit accepts such an input. Look for this one to start shipping at any moment for $199.99, and be sure to check out a closeup of the LCD after the jump.

Continue reading Alpine eX-10 makes in-car handsfree calling, iPod integration a sinch

Pure Digital intros Highway in-car DAB radio

by Darren Murph posted Nov 3rd 2007 at 7:02AM

Pure Digital is probably already bringing that DAB goodness to your dwelling, but we know how bad the withdrawals can be once you head out to the car. No worries, though, as the firm is cranking out "the world's first in-car DAB digital radio that doesn't require complicated installation," which is a fancy way of explaining that this unit relies on FM transmission to get DAB signals into your vehicle's stereo. As expected, the Highway gets its juice from a cigarette lighter adapter, and users simply affix a small DAB antenna on their windshield, find an open FM slot and tune their in-dash radio to match the station. Furthermore, the unit can even be used on-the-go, as it includes a built-in headphone jack and can go for six hours on a pair of AA cells. It even sports an auxiliary input along with Pure's ReVu technology to pause / rewind live content, and if any new features crop up in the future, owners can update their device via USB. Thrill someone you love (yeah, that can be you) this holiday season when it lands for £69.99 ($146).

[Via Gadgeteer]

Latest MP4 wristwatch sports an FM transmitter, too

by Darren Murph posted Nov 2nd 2007 at 7:30AM

We're all but convinced that nobody actually wears these video-playing watches out in public, but just in case there's some otherworldly group out there that takes pride in adorning their wrists with timepieces that are utterly heinous, you're in luck. This iteration sports a 1.8-inch 160 x 128 resolution OLED display, integrated media player that handles MP3, WMA and MP4 files, a built-in Li-ion, 4GB of internal memory, voice recording capability, USB 2.0 connectivity and an FM transmitter for good measure. All this can be yours for the above average price of $126, but if you have any respect for yourself whatsoever, you'll glide right on past this one.

[Via The Red Ferret Journal]

Zune gets a "Car Pack" for FM transmitting

by Joshua Topolsky posted Oct 8th 2007 at 3:41PM

Zune boys and Zune girls, it's time to get your collective underwear in a bunch over some hot new accessory action -- namely, the Zune Car Pack. The automotive add-on features an FM transmitter, plus a grip-pad and charger, so you can crank your lossless WMAs of Countdown to Extinction without having to take your eyes off the road... or suffer the embarrassment and danger of driving with earphones in. The transmitter stores your two favorite (read: least static-filled) stations, so you won't have to remember any complicated digits, and can be all yours on November 13th for $79.99.

[Via PMPToday]

Kensington rolls out accessories aplenty

by Donald Melanson posted Sep 17th 2007 at 12:32PM

In addition to those hyperbole-laden mice and keyboards Kensington introduced the other day, the company also busted out a whole range of other accessories, including everything from FM transmitters to power adapters to notebook cases. On that first front, the company has introduced no less than four of its LiquidFM Transmitters, including two designed specifically for iPods and two that'll work with any old MP3 player. All four boast features like QuickSeek to automatically find the clearest frequency and RDS functionality to display song information on compatible car stereos. In other forms of accessorizing, Kensington's introduced a slew of "Connect it" and "Power it" devices, the former of which includes a variety of laptop docks and stands replete with USB ports, while the later consists of adapters of various sorts to let you use and charge your USB-powered devices in your car, on a plane, or at home using a regular power outlet. As if that wasn't enough, the company also has a pair of new laptop cases, which will neither charge your devices nor transmit audio, but which should keep both your laptop and your wrists safe, thanks to Kensington's trademark Contour ergonomic support panel. According to Kensington, the whole lot should be available in time for the holiday season, with everything available for pre-order now.

Macally busts out cup holder-compatible BTCUP iPod FM transmitter

by Donald Melanson posted Sep 13th 2007 at 2:30PM

It's far from the first cup holder-compatible iPod dock, but Macally's new BTCUP boasts a few more tricks than the usual fare, including not only an FM transmitter, but Bluetooth hands-free functionality as well. To make the former task a tad easier, the device includes up and down buttons and a backlit LCD display to let you tune in to any FM frequency between 88.1 and 107.9, with the hands-free calling option also accessible at the touch of a button. For some added privacy, the BTCUP comes equipped with an earphone, and it'll of course charge your iPod as it pumps out the tunes (the device itself is powered by the cigarette lighter outlet). Look for this one to set you back $120, with a BTCUP specially designed for the iPhone set to follow sometime in the fourth quarter of this year.

[Via PC World]

Venzero announces FM transmitter-equipped FREQ PMP

by Donald Melanson posted Aug 21st 2007 at 12:18PM

Venzero has already amassed a fairly sizable stable of portable media players, but it's apparently not ready to rest on its laurels just yet, with the company now announcing its new FREQ PMP. The big selling point here is the player's integrated FM transmitter, which leaves you with one less dongle to tote around (and lose). Unfortunately, doesn't appear to be much word on other specs, although Venzero has announced that it'll sport a 2.4-inch display and, like other Venzero players, it'll come equipped with the MusicMarker music recognition system. With a $99 list price, however, we're guessing that it won't come with a great deal of storage. We should know for sure soon enough though, as it's apparently set to be released at the end of September.

Eleksen intros FM Radio, iPod, and Bluetooth smart fabric modules

by Darren Murph posted Jun 11th 2007 at 6:42PM

Eleksen's newest "Common Interface" technology doesn't do you much good without modules to interact with it, so the company has introduced a bevy of accessories that play nice with the next-generation embeddable ElekTex sensor. Up first is an FM radio add-on, which offers consumers access to FM broadcasts either from a commercial radio station or FM transmitter, and is fully controlled by an ElekTex fabric sensor integrated into any garment or knapsack. Next up, we've got "updated electronics modules for iPod and iPod+Bluetooth devices," and while details are certainly slimmer on this one, we do know that the sensor is "programmable and compatible with a range of electronics including iPods, smartphones and other personal digital devices." Now, let's see some end products with this stuff in it, capiche?

Read - Eleksen's FM Radio module
Read - Eleksen's iPod, Bluetooth modules