FmTransmitter
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Nokia 701 'Helen' gets a lookover from the FCC, likely includes pentaband support
If you like to play FCC bingo, pull your cards out for the next round; another Nokia phone has made it through the good graces of the US government. This time it's the Helen -- or, going by the new number scheme, the Nokia 701 -- which bears the identification tag "RM-774." This successor to the C7 is rumored to have a 1GHz CPU and come with Symbian Belle preloaded. While the veil that hides the Helen's secrets remains tightly draped over it, the filing indicates that it includes quadband GSM / EDGE and a pentaband 3G radio, a feature Nokia's opted to include in many of its recent smartphones. Of the four new devices on Espoo's leaked roadmap, we've already checked the Nokia 500 "Fate" and 700 "Zeta" off our FCC watch lists, leaving the 600 "Cindy" to bring up the rear at a future date. It's evident that the phonemaker is continuing to push forward with its Symbian plans at an impressive pace; after all, there's still five more years before the company's ready to wave goodbye to the platform, so why not milk it?
iKit debuts touchscreen-equipped AutoCon FM transmitter
FM transmitters may not usually be much to look at, but iKit has bucked that trend somewhat with its new AutoCon unit, which packs some illuminated touchscreen controls into a sleek, glossy black enclosure. You'll also naturally get a 3.5mm cable to accommodate the phone or MP3 player of your choice, along with a handsfree function, and a USB car charger to keep the device itself (or your other USB devices) powered at all times. Head on past the break for the complete press release, and look for this one to set you back $45.
New Potato reveals TuneLink Auto Bluetooth-to-FM transmitter for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad
We've never been on the volunteer cheerleading squad for FM transmitters; in our experience, they're downright useless in cities or other areas that actually have a large amount of radio stations nearby. But we'll hand it to New Potato Technologies -- this may be the slickest implementation yet. The newly announced TuneLink Auto looks like a typical cigarette adapter charger at first glance, but within, there's technology that accepts audio over Bluetooth and then sends it out over FM. This prevents users from having to connect a dongle of any kind to their iPad, iPod touch or iPhone, but the built-in USB port is actually capable of charging all three should you choose. There's even a 3.5mm output jack for channeling the tunes to a 3.5mm input on your head unit, and the (necessary) accompanying iDevice app should hit the App Store soon for absolutely nothing. The hardware itself is available now from New Potato for $99.99, and it'll hit "select retail locations" in a fortnight or so for the same amount. %Gallery-108024%
Sirius XM unveils $60 XM Snap, brings sat radio to any FM-capable car stereo
It looks an awful lot like the XM SkyDock that launched right around this time last year, but a SkyDock it's not. Sirius XM has just unleashed its first new piece of hardware in a few decades, and the XM Snap! might just end up being the must-have gizmo this holiday season. Uneducated guesses aside, the Snap is actually a fairly simplistic device; so long as you have a Sirius XM subscription, you simply plug this into your vehicle's cigarette adapter, tune into an open FM station (we're assuming, anyway), and enjoy the muddled, static-filled mess that always ends up coming out when an FM transmitter is involved. The company has done a fairly astounding job keeping the details to a minimum here, but we are told that it'll be Ridin' Solo in October for a reasonable $59.99. %Gallery-103845%
Scosche MotorMouth II brings handsfree calling to any aux input-equipped vehicle
Nah, it's not the second coming of the Jupiter Jack. In fact, it's not a lackluster FM transmitter at all. Instead of pumping yet another one of those, Scosche has decided to take the high road here with the MotorMouth II, a Bluetooth streaming device that's designed for use in any vehicle with a 3.5mm auxiliary input. The idea here is to pair your Bluetooth handset with the adapter, then plug the adapter into your head unit; once you start a handsfree conversation on your mobile, the caller's voice can be heard loud and clear over your car's stereo. Of course, you may want to avoid this critter if you're planning on taking to your part-time lover while your full-time partner in life is riding shotgun, but for the faithful ones out there, it's available now for $79.99.
Ask Engadget: best FM transmitter out there?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Wes, who is actually brave enough to even consider an FM transmitter. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "I'm in the market for a new car, and that has me thinking towards multimedia connectivity. I don't want to rule out direct iPhone integration, but since the car is almost certainly going to be used, I'd like to think more along the lines of AUX-in and FM transmitter capability. I've also read that many of the new products can enable hands-free cellphone use, so this would be great to include. Any recommendations for a good in-car charging unit with these features?" We'll go ahead and be straight with you -- if you're in the city or the suburbs, be prepared for long, frustrating fights to find a clear channel. We've never had much luck with 'em outside of the middle of nowhere, but maybe our dear readership will chime in with a few pointers below. Godspeed.
Belkin releases FM transmitter with iPhone app for finding clear stations
Belkin has announced the release of their latest FM transmitter for the iPhone and iPod touch, the TuneCast Auto Live. You know these things -- they plug into your iPhone or iPod touch's dock connector, and then send a local FM signal out to your car's radio, enabling wireless transmission of your music or podcasts. I've got a Belkin transmitter already (the TuneCast Auto -- more on that in a second), but I'm interested in this new one, because it can be used with a free iPhone app [iTunes link] that will actually use your iPhone's GPS information to find a good station for you right away. That seems helpful -- my current issue with my Belkin is that here in Los Angeles, where the radio stations are almost as thick as the fast food joints, I can't seem to find a solid station to keep it on that's clear enough to actually listen to. If you're in a busy urban area, there's so many signals flying around that these transmitters are more or less useless. I don't know if the GPS app would help me (seems like I'd have to keep changing the car's station while I move even if I could find a clear signal here in the city), but if you're in the market for an FM transmitter and are in a place with a little more room on the radio dial, the $79.99 TuneCast is as good a choice as any. As for me, I'll probably go for an aux hookup straight into my dash the next time I have some car audio upgrade money.
Belkin finally ships $80 TuneCast Auto Live iPhone FM transmitter
It may have taken Belkin a season or two longer than it would've liked, but the TuneCast Auto Live FM transmitter has finally received its shipping papers. Hailed as the first iPhone 3.0 accessory way back in June of last year, this here device is designed to tap into your iPhone 3G / 3GS GPS module and quickly find the best FM station for transmission. Put simply, it takes the guesswork out of selecting the most optimal frequency for use in your vehicle, and it also allows you to switch stations right on your iPhone's display. It's up for purchase right now in North America for $79.99, while Europe and Asia / Australia is expected to see it in March and April, respectively.
Sirius XM Onyx radio, PowerConnect accessories hit the FCC
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?
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?
Belkin shows first iPhone 3.0 accessory, mashes up GPS and FM data to pick the best TuneCast frequency
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
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.
New Broadcom chip for phones does 802.11n, lots of other stuff
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
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.
Hack your VW's budvase for the iPhone
Perhaps you've seen a Volkswagen Beetle driving around with a flower in its dashboard bud vase. People put all sorts of things in there, but we say ditch the gerbera daisies and go for something more useful. Bug owner Nathan Barry has hacked his bud vase to accommodate his iPhone. By sawing away one slot for his USB car charger's cable and another to steady the iPhone, he made a clever stand that's easy to see from the driver's seat.Good job, Nathan! My iPhone can be found bouncing around the passenger seat when I'm in my wife's car. The audio jack in my car is hidden inside the arm rest, which is even less convenient. Yes, I've tried FM transmitters but decided that they're manufactured by Satan himself.So, how do you listen to your iPhone (or iPod) in your car?
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]
Griffin iTrip AutoPilot FM transmitter for iPhone
The iTrip AutoPilot from Griffin is one of the first FM transmitter/chargers compatible with the iPhone. It features Griffin's SmartScan to automatically find and save three FM stations with the least interference and supports RDS allowing compatible radios to display track information on the head unit. The control dongle includes a display showing the frequency it's broadcasting, as well as three buttons that allow you to control playback. Personally I've never been a fan of FM transmitters, but at the very least this one looks slick!The iTrip AutoPilot will sell for $99.99 and is listed as "Coming Soon." In addition to the iPhone it is compatible with all iPods with a dock connector.[via iPhone Alley]
Alpine eX-10 makes in-car handsfree calling, iPod integration a sinch
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.
Pure Digital intros Highway in-car DAB radio
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
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]
