If you were wanting to get your hands on the new FM transmitter for your car listening pleasure you might have been bummed it didn’t launch. The good news is that the TuneLink Auto for Android is now shipping. The device is available for $99.99 right now.

If you missed this gadget the first time around, it is an FM transmitter that works with an Android app to allow more than one Bluetooth enabled Android smartphone the car to play music over the cars speakers. That means that you can play your favorite tune, and then your buddy can play his as well.

Via Android Community

The device is a cool little DC adapter that fits almost all the way into your car DC power port. The adapter has Bluetooth tech integrated that syncs with your phone to wirelessly shoot tunes to the car audio system. The adapter also has a USB port on it for charging your Android device when needed.

A line in jack is integrated as well for playing music from devices that don’t support Bluetooth. The device will allow the pairing of more than one Bluetooth device at once. The FM transmitter portion of the device is controlled by a free app on the Android Market. The system will sell for $99.99 when it lands next month.

Via Android Community

The FM transmitter is called the AutoCon and it has a touchscreen that allows you to control the device. You can play/pause, control volume, change tracks, and control other aspects of your iPhone using the AutoCon touchscreen. The device also has a wireless hands free option for using your iPhone while driving.

The AutoCon comes with the iKit AutoCharge USB car charger to charge your iPhone or iPod while you use the FM transmitter. The AutoCon FM transmitter is available now for $44.95.

So, we’re basically looking at a Sirius XM radio that can squirt out audio either via an aux-out connection or via an FM transmitter.  No word on when it might launch, though Sirius XM has requested a 45 day confidentiality period on the user guide, test photos and the like, suggesting it’ll be here in less than two months.

[via Wireless Goodness]

If your car lacks an input for your iPhone or iPod and you want to hear your digital tracks on the road, Belkin has announced that it is now shipping the TuneCast Auto Live FM transmitter. The system is a hardware and software combo that takes advantage of GPS to find the clearest unused frequency in your area to broadcast your playlist over.

The applications installed on the iPhone or iPod touch and does all of the tuning via the iPhone. That means you don’t have to change your presets. The app is free, but will only work with the TuneCast device. The TuneCast has a LCD screen and works with the nano and classic iPods as well. The device is available in America now for $79.99 and will hit other areas starting in March.

Other possibilities include an HDMI port, hardware video acceleration and integrated 3G, all from VIA’s Surfboard platforms.  Positioned as an OEM solution (rather than being marketed directly to end-consumers), the NetNotes could also have an FM transmitter, digital TV receiver with extendable antenna, or even an externally-controlled MP3 player which wouldn’t require the NetNote to be booted up.

From our talks with VIA about the platform, it seems they’re not so much focussed on kick-starting a new niche with NetNotes – in fact it’s more of an internal name – but instead wanting to draw attention to netbooks with performance.  The VIA NetNote Turnkey Systems will have their formal debut at ShenZhen TechForum Autumn 2009 next week, where the company is promising 35 designs together with pricing and availability information.

Press Release:

VIA Unveils SurfBoard Platforms and Turnkey Systems for New NetNote Category

NetNote blends the portability and affordability of netbooks with the functionality and HD video capabilities of notebooks to define a new sweet spot in the mobile computing market

Taipei, Taiwan, 16 September 2009 – VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator of power efficient x86 processor platforms, today announced additions to its growing range of VIA Surfboard mainboards along with turnkey systems designed to enable a new category of NetNote mobile computing devices.

A mashup between the netbook and the traditional notebook, the NetNote combines the portability and affordability of a netbook with the functionality and HD entertainment capabilities of a notebook in a light, high performance clamshell mobile device with long battery life, screen sizes of between 10.2” – 12.1”, and support for flawless playback of high bit-rate 1080p HD video.

“NetNotes are illustrative of the type of device that is possible after artificial restrictions on screen size, resolution and connectivity are removed,” said Richard Brown, Vice President of Marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc. “Light, snappy ultra mobile devices with notebook-level functionality are what consumers want and what the NetNote category of device provides.”

Combining the highly-integrated VIA VX855 media system processor with a choice of VIA C7™-M ULV or VIA Nano™ processors, two new VIA Surfboard NetNote Edition Platforms provide high-quality, energy-efficient and feature-rich “ready to build” solutions for manufacturing NetNote devices.

Additionally, complete VIA NetNote Turnkey Systems offer customers a quick, low cost approach to entering the mobile computing market or expanding their current product portfolio.

Along with support for hardware acceleration of a broad variety of leading video standards including H.264, MPEG-2/4, VC-1 and WMV9, NetNotes come with a host of other advanced features including an optional HDMI port and a choice of integrated 3G connectivity modules.

VIA GMB Alliance – Harnessing the China Growth Engine
The new VIA Surfboard NetNote Edition platforms and VIA NetNote Turnkey Systems have initially been made available to members of the VIA Global Mobility Bazaar (GMB) Program – an alliance of leading China hi-tech manufacturers focused on harnessing the country’s emerging manufacturing base and rapid domestic growth to bring innovative mobile computing devices to China and other fast-emerging markets around the world.

Over 40 companies in the VIA GMB Alliance have developed more than sixty mobile systems based on VIA SurfBoard platforms since its establishment in October 2008. All have expressed support for the new NetNote category, and the first NetNote products are expected to be introduced into the market later this month.

Through the provision of high quality, high performance building blocks such as VIA platforms and turnkey systems, the VIA GMB Alliance aims to build up the mobile device ecosystem in China ultimately enabling manufacturers to offer innovative, affordable mobile solutions to global markets.

The new VIA NetNote platforms and systems will be on show at the next VIA Global Mobility Bazaar Alliance event to be held on Friday 25 September in Shenzhen, China. Further details can be found at: www.via.com.tw/en/company/events/2009gmb-techforum-autumn

About VIA NetNote Platforms and Systems
Designed for 10.2”-12.1” NetNote devices, the feature-rich yet highly power-efficient VIA Surfboard NetNote Edition Platforms feature a choice of VIA C7-M ULV or VIA Nano processors supporting an 800MHz FSB, combined with the VIA VX855 media system processor with its support for a wide range of digital media technologies and I/O.

The advanced graphics of the VIA Surfboard NetNote Edition Platforms is powered by the high performance VIA Chrome9 HCM IGP and allows for flawless playback of 1080p HD video at amazingly low processor utilization levels. The boards also feature HDMI ports that can be used to deliver HD content to external displays.

The latest high definition audio is supported through VIA Vinyl 8-channel HD audio, and a rich range of connection options includes support for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS and 3G for unparalleled flexibility.

More information about the VIA SurfBoard NetNote Edition Platforms may be found on the VIA website at: www.via.com.tw/en/initiatives/spearhead/netnote-edition-platforms

VIA NetNote Turnkey Systems not only boast the full functionality and larger keyboard and screen sizes more commonly found on standard notebook devices, but also incorporate innovative features such as an integrated, externally controlled MP3 player that doesn’t require the user to boot the OS, an extendable aerial used to receive digital video broadcast from both satellite and terrestrial transmitters, and the ability to act as an FM transmitter allowing users to tune in car radios or cell phones to pick up NetNote broadcasts.

More information on the VIA NetNote Turnkey Systems may be found on the VIA website at: www.via.com.tw/en/initiatives/spearhead/netnote-turnkey-system

About VIA Technologies, Inc.
VIA Technologies, Inc is the foremost fabless supplier of power efficient x86 processor platforms that are driving system innovation in the PC, client, ultra mobile and embedded markets. Combining energy-saving processors with digital media chipsets and advanced connectivity, multimedia and networking silicon enables a broad spectrum of computing and communication platforms, including its widely acclaimed ultra compact mainboards. Headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, VIA’s global network links the high tech centers of the US, Europe and Asia, and its customer base includes the world’s top OEMs and system integrators. www.via.com.tw

The touch has a 6 x 6 x 3 mm space in the upper middle portion of the board where a camera module could sit, and while iFixit say that there’s insufficient space for an iPhone 3GS-style autofocus CMOS there is, however, room for a nano-type video camera.  Rumors circulated ahead of the event this week that Apple were planning cameras for both PMPs, but in the end there was only an announcement for the smaller iPod; although there was talk that technical issues had prevented the touch from getting its optics, iFixit found no headers on the board for a camera cable.

As for networking, the iPod touch 3G uses Broadcom’s BCM4329 chip, which in fact supports not only WiFi b/g but draft-n wireless as well.  The firmware doesn’t yet support the higher-speed technology, but it’s entirely possible that a future update could change that.

Finally, the chip also supports – at least technically – FM transmission, along with an FM receiver and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR.  Right now there are no antennas for FM, but if Apple decided to fit them – and add software support – the iPod touch 3G could feasibly transmit audio via your car stereo without wires.

There’s also talk – in the user manual at least – of integrated 3G data connectivity, though the FCC do not mention it as part of their A5S testing.  It’s possible that 3G WWAN is reserved for the A5H 7502.  As for wired connectivity, there’s a microSD card slot and a microUSB port, together with some sort of docking connector.

Only one image of the Archos Android tablet powered on is shown, but that seems to indicate that the company have crafted their own custom UI on top of the Google OS.  Unfortunately the image isn’t clear enough to fully make out all the details, so we may have to wait until September 15th to find out exactly what Archos have in store.

[via Engadget]

More photos, plus a second version of the device, after the cut

Other specs include an FM transmitter, around 335MB of internal storage, and an LED light to go along with a 5-megapixel camera with Schneider-Kreuznach optics.  There’s also WiFi, and we’ve previously heard about a microSD card slot, HSDPA and accelerometer.

One of the images also shows the large touchscreen phone next to a smaller version, with the same design elements but a reduced display and a larger lower bezel (possibly with illuminated touchscreen controls, as LG has used before on previous Chocolate-series devices).  No word on what that companion handset is, but earlier rumors suggested LG would announce their new range in August.

[via Engadget Mobile]

Full list of rumored changes after the cut

Other changes said to be coming with the third-generation iPhone are an integrated compass and video recording/editing functionality, both features we’ve seen rumors regarding before now.  Most of the items on the list are purely evolutionary changes, suggesting either that Apple are focusing more on the iPhone OS 3.0 than they are superlative hardware, or that the source is compiling their predictions from existing rumors.

OLED, for instance, while boosting battery life (said to be 1.5x longer than the current iPhone 3G) may be a tricky component to bring in without changing the prices.  The current expectation is that Apple will announce the new iPhone at their WWDC 2009 keynote early next month. 

• 32GB and 16GB storage (up from the current 16GB and 8GB models)
• $199 and $299 price points to be maintained
• 3.2-megapixel camera (up from the current 2-megapixel camera)
• Video-recording and editing capabilities
• Ability to send a picture & video via MMS
• Discontinuation of the metal band surrounding the edge of the device
• OLED screen
• 1.5 times the battery life of the current models
• Double the RAM and processing power
• Built-in FM transmitter
• Apple logo on back will glow
• Rubber-tread backing
• Sleeker design
• Built-in compass
• The camera, GPS, compass and Google map combined will identify photo and inform about photo locations
• Turn-by-turn directions

[via Wired Gadget Lab; image via MacRumors]

The presence of an FM transmitter could mean that next-gen iPhone owners will be able to dump the third-party radio transmitters and stream music short-range directly to their car stereos.  As for the improved WiFi functionality, as well as draft-n support the BCM4329 also includes compatibility with MIMO multi-antenna signal technology, 5GHz network support and channel bonding, which can couple two channels so as to boost throughput.

The existing iPhone 3G and iPod touch use the Broadcom BCM4325, which supports WiFi b/g and has an FM receiver.  However Apple have locked down the latter so that it will only receive signals from the Nike+ exercise accessory.  It remains to be seen whether the company will do the same with the FM capabilities of the newer Broadcom chipset in their newest smartphone.

[via iPhone Buzz]

The FM transmitter has a 1.5-inch screen with a resolution only to be found on devices from long, long ago. If 4GB internal storage does not suit your needs, you may expand it via the SD card slot – yes a regular old SD card. Forget plugging in your iPod or other PMP, this FM transmitter has a remote! Seriously though this is a really bizarre way to listen to music.

Even though this is listed as an MP4 player it only supports MP3 and WMA for audio and AMV for video. Needless to say you can only use the Plug-in Car MP4 Player in a car because there is no alternate power source. If you are still interested in trying one of these out go ahead and pick one up for only $29.88.

GPS on the I7110 can be used both for navigation and photo geotagging, and the handset comes complete with pedestrian navigation for ten cities in Western Europe.  Alternatively it can be used in-car, with a built-in FM transmitter sending spoken directions – and music – through the car speakers with no cabling required.

Onboard storage amounts to 50MB with a microSDHC slot supporting up to 16GB cards.  The camera supports both still and video recording, and the onboard media player has, among others, DivX codecs for playback.  Control is via an 8-way optical mouse, similar to that we saw on the Samsung Omnia i900, and there’s also an accelerometer. 

The Samsung I7110 measures 118 x 52 x 12.9mm and comes with a 1200mAh battery rated for up to 11hrs EDGE talktime or 6hrs WCDMA talktime; standby times are quoted as up to 427hrs or 451hrs on EDGE or WCDMA respectively.  No pricing details as yet, but the I7110 will launch first in Russia in November 2008 with further availability following that.

Press Release:

Samsung announces the newest smartphone based on S60 and Symbian OS at the Symbian Smartphone Show

Samsung I7110 underlines its strong portfolio on S60 and Symbian OS

London, UK, October 20, 2008 – Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd today announced the I7110, the latest Samsung smartphone based on S60 and Symbian OS™. Samsung I7110 will be showcased for the first time at the Symbian Smartphone Show in London on Oct. 21st – 22nd. Samsung I7110, a slim and sleek bar type smartphone with only 12.9 mm thickness, comes fully-packed with high performance functionality.

Based on Symbian OS v9.3, the I7110 is optimized for convergence with performance and feature enhancements, bringing the highest level of power efficiency and platform security to a mobile phone. Also based on S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack 2, users can choose from thousands of applications from the S60 applications library and have access to their favorites by using dedicated hot keys.

The I7110 offers cutting-edge mobile phone features, including a 2.6” AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode) screen, to deliver outstanding experiences in navigation, multimedia, and connectivity.

The I7110 boasts geo-tagging and navigation capabilities in pedestrian and driving modes. The AMOLED screen makes it a perfect pedestrian navigator as it provides sharp images even under intense sunlight. Currently, the pedestrian navigator is available in 10 cities in Western Europeincluding Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Paris, and Rome. In addition, the FM transmitter enables drivers to receive the voice navigation guide via car speakers.

Samsung I7110 is a great multimedia companion. Users will be able to enjoy high resolution photos with its 5 megapixel camera featuring auto focus and LED flash. It also comes with the latest digital camera features including ‘smile shot’ and ‘blink shot’ functions. The I7110 offers advanced video recording and play features. It supports multi-codec formats including DivX, thereby saving users from the issues associated with converting video files. It also features 50MB of internal memory and a SDHC-supported micro SD slot, allowing users to store various digital contents up to 16GB. The smartphone’s 1,200 mAh battery can facilitate up to 11 hours of talk time and extended multimedia experience.

To offer seamless connectivity for multimedia experience, the I7110 comes equipped with HSDPA and Wi-Fi connectivity. The phone also offers an 8-way optical mouse to maximize the easiness of mobile browsing.

Geesung Choi, President of Samsung’s Telecommunications Network Business, said: “The introduction of I7110, Samsung’s new Symbian OS-based smartphone, is a testament of our strategic focus on the open OS phone portfolio. With a strong partnership with Symbian and the increased momentum in the smartphone market, Samsung will continue to offer a wide selection of mobile phones meeting the needs and lifestyles of today’s consumers.”

The Samsung I7110 will be available in Russia from November 2008 and will soon be introduced in other markets.

To offer seamless connectivity for multimedia experience, the I7110 comes equipped with HSDPA and Wi-Fi connectivity. The phone also offers an 8-way optical mouse to maximize the easiness of mobile browsing.

Geesung Choi, President of Samsung’s Telecommunications Network Business, said: “The introduction of I7110, Samsung’s new Symbian OS-based smartphone, is a testament of our strategic focus on the open OS phone portfolio. With a strong partnership with Symbian and the increased momentum in the smartphone market, Samsung will continue to offer a wide selection of mobile phones meeting the needs and lifestyles of today’s consumers.”

The Samsung I7110 will be available in Russia from November 2008 and will soon be introduced in other markets. 

 
Now, I realize that sounds weird, but it fits right in. The FM radio is waterproof, so you don’t have worry about splash and it has fairly intuitive controls. For instance, to turn the radio on, just turn the tap handle clockwise. To turn up the volume, continue turning the control clockwise. Do the exact opposite to turn it off or turn down the volume.

If you decide you want to change the station, just press the button. Simple stuff, really. And it actually kind of looks like a faucet, which is a plus. You can get your very own FM Tap radio for about $20.

[via Coolbuzz]

Check out the demo video of the nuvi 880 after the cut

There’s also an FM transmitter, so you can route audio prompts and media file playback through your car stereo without wires, picture navigation that will automatically set a destination from geotagged images, and “Last Position”, which remembers where the device was last turned off and helps you find your car again in a car-park.  Destinations and routes can be dragged & dropped from a PC over USB, and the 880 shows up as a mass-storage device for media. 

An SD slot lets you augment the storage, the battery – rated for 5hrs – is replaceable, and there’s a remote control included in case you’re too lazy to reach across the dashboard (or want to muck about from the back seat).  Thing is, $999 is a massive amount of money, and while I’m a Garmin fan (I own a nuvi 300, in fact) I can’t see how it warrants such a figure.  Especially when you consider that the nuvifone will be several hundred dollars cheaper and include high-speed 3G connectivity and a camera.

[via NaviGadget]

The end result weighs under 3.2lbs, although its creator, David, doesn’t specify exactly what sort of battery life you can expect after all the mods have taken their electricity tithe.  Still, the biggest stumbling block is the price; $3,200 is a huge amount to pay, and even David admits that he’s set his expectations high:

“Yes I think the price is a little high. But reasonably so, Parts cost was right around $1200 USD and the time invested into hardware hacking it, installing all the appropriate software and testing all functionality, was well over 30 hours. Around $50.00 per hour in labor” David

The build has been partially documented over at the EeeUser forums.  Personally, I don’t think any Eee is worth that much – unless it’s a charity auction, perhaps – but I’d be interested to try the ultraportable with a touchscreen mod. 

Full Specs:

• 8gb solid state drive
• 32gb Patriot XT drive
• 2gb RAM
• Intel Wi-Fi A/B/G/N upgraded card
• 7″ LCD with touchscreen
• Air Play installed so you can transmit all of your sound to an FM radio
• Custom copper heatsink installed because it’s overclocked
• Bluetooth adapter
• 2 USB hubs so all the USB devices can hook up to the Eee PC
• web cam
• speakers
• microphone
• 3 USB ports
• one external VGA port so you can hook up an external monitor
• Windows XP Professional SP3 with all the drivers installed and tested
• Screen resolution is set a 1024×768 with the hacked Video Driver

[via Gizmodo]

The 12V cigarette lighter plug is attached to the dashboard unit via a removable USB plug, meaning you can use it to recharge any other device which gets its juice from a USB connection.  Alternatively, the iCarPlay 250 can be powered from a laptop or desktop USB port, should you want to use it in your office instead.

I’d have to hear it in action to know whether the sound quality gets anywhere near a direct cable hookup to the car stereo, but a suggested price-tag of $99.95 seems reasonable. 

Monster

On top of that there is an FM radio, voice recorder, and an FM transmitter, so no extra hardware required when you use it in your car, well, maybe a car charger. It’ll work for 15 hours on sound alone or 4 hours for video playback.

Storage is handled via an SD card slot that can take up to a 4GB card. That is everything I know at this time, even I am kind of startled at the extreme lack of info on this seemingly impressive PMP.

Acelabs new DAP player the S3 [via gadgettastic]

The new FM transmitter can find the optimum stations (for example those without other stations broadcasting on them) automatically so you get the best audio playback through this device. There is also a grip pad so everything isn’t sliding around all willy nilly.

It will be available on the same day as the new Zunes, November 13th, for the still overpriced $79.99. That is one of my biggest complaints about the Zune is Microsoft’s lack of openness as far as letting 3rd parties manufacture Zune accessories, if I wanted an FM transmitter for an iPod I could probably go buy one that makes proper use of the dock connector for like $30, maybe $40-$50 for one that charges as well, not $80.

Car Pack FM Transmitter for the New Microsoft Zune Line [via pmptoday]

The LiquidFM transmitter also utilizes Kensington’s ClearFM technology so it can output high quality sound even over the FM radio. It also has QuickSeek and RDS which helps decrease the time it takes to find a clear station and the RDS tech displays track info on compatible head units.

The second product is the company’s Contour Active Cases for notebooks. The contour panel helps with the ergonomics of the case, making it easier to carry. The notebook case doesn’t have pricing available, but the LiquidFM did. The LiquidFM for iPod and LiquidFM Plus for MP3 Players are the different models, they are priced at $80 and $70 respectively, the iPod version loses the headphone jack and USB port in favor of the Dock Connector.

Kensington FM transmitters, notebook cases [via electronista]