Posts filed under 'iPod'
If you’ve ever used your iPhone
in conjunction with something that includes speakers (e.g. car stereo, home stereo, alarm clock, powered speakers hooked up to the dock) then you know how annoying the sound of the GSM signal interfering with the music can be (yes, that’s what that is). Thanks to Altec Lansing’s T612 you can now enjoy your iPhone’s music as it was meant to be without all that darn interference.
What is the Altec Lansing T612?
Essentially, it’s a compact desktop stereo with an iPhone/iPod dock built-in to it. What’s special about the T612 is that Altec Lansing has included special shielding to prevent the iPhone’s GSM signal from invading the system’s audio. No more turning on Airplane mode and missing those ever so important text messages or calls. Oh ya, the T612 will stop the music when there’s an incoming call and slightly lower the volume for incoming texts insuring you don’t miss a beat when rocking out.
Can the T612 work without the iPhone or iPod?
Yes, but it’s primarily designed to be used with one of the two. Included on the rear of the device (see picture) is an AUX/HEADPHONE in. Altec also included a 6″ AUX cord for plugging in headphone-to-headphone.
How’s the sound quality?
Unfortunately, the sound quality is just mediocre at best. If you listen to country and soft rock you’ll be some what satisfied, but the T612 can’t handle low bass so hip-hop and rap are probably out. Furthermore, the T612 tends to distort when approaching max volume - usually an indicator of not enough ampage. Whilst listening to ‘classical’ at max volume there were noticeable audio vibrations. At low volume, though, the T612 performed satisfactorily and was a nice addition to my small kitchen - it’s not ideal for large rooms. Fortunately, you can manipulate the bass and treble settings, but I found it tough to find a setting to satisfy all music genres. The T612 includes four speakers: two tweeters for highs, and two drivers for mids and bass. The T612’s sound quality is probably on par with some of iHome’s larger alarm clocks, although it lacks the associated functionality. It should be interesting to see how the T612 stacks up against the yet to be released iHome iP99BR iPhone Alarm clock/stereo.
Any design flaws?
Actually, it’s quite well put together. It’s not too heavy - could be lugged from room-to-room - and since the only cord necessary is the power pack (the power pack is located mid cord making it compatible with older sockets and heavily populated power strips), it’s a pretty mobile device. Altec Lansing outfitted the back of the device with a rubber finish, which makes it easy to grab and less fragile when transporting. Volume, bass, and treble levels are indicated by 5 blue LEDs located behind its mesh face. The volume has 50 levels (5 increments per LED), while the bass and treble have 10 each (2 increments per LED). The LEDs illuminate for a few seconds after volume, bass, or treble have been adjusted.
Is there a remote?
Absolutely. You can skip songs ahead and back, adjust volume, pause music, and power on/off. The remote’s footprint is equal to that of a pack of gum, and no thicker then two sticks of gum. In other words, it’s small, takes one of those over sized watch-like batteries, and may be easy to lose if you’re of the forgetful type. A mount or dock for the remote would’ve been a welcome addition.
Anything else?
One more thing. The T612 is wall mountable as evidenced by the three holes on its back. Unfortunately, I can’t find (online) the necessary bracket(s) to do so, and it doesn’t appear to be included in the package.
Would you recommend buying it?
For me, it doesn’t meet my sound quality or versatility needs (I would want an alarm clock and radio for the price). But if you can’t wait for the iHome iP99BR, which may or may not sound better, and can’t stand switching to airplane mode then hop aboard the Altec Lansing T612.
Available here for $200.
April 25th, 2008
Most, if not all stereos with built-in iPod docks pick up the iPhone’s ever aggravating GSM signal noise. For Christ’s sakes, it sounds like good damn aliens are invading! Finally, iHome has announced the availability of their first iPhone compatible audio system: the iP99BR. iHome designed this clock radio/stereo with special shielding so you don’t have to go all ‘airplane mode’ on that ass. Even cooler, they’ve include a function that allows you to wake to custom playlists at different times and different days. I can imagine it now: Green Day on the weekdays and Yani on the weekend (I’m kidding about Yani).
Included is a remote and of course backwards compatibility with serial port iPods. Available June, 2008 for $150 here.
Related Articles:
Altec Lansing T612 Review
April 15th, 2008
I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve been waiting for a car stereo head unit with a cassette-like
iPod dock. No more wires, just slip it in and bam, music. Unfortunately, that has yet to come to fruition, but Thermaltake is on the right track. They’ve introduced the World’s first desktop computer chassis with an integrated iPod dock, the Mozart iP. The front of the unit pops open like a tape deck and snugly fits an iPod (not compatible with the Nano or Shuffle, though). Also includes a remote.
Complete specs and info here.
[Gadgetgrid]
March 7th, 2008
MP3 FM transmitters and Bluetooth speakerphones are nothing new. The combination of two, though, is something that seems to have alluded most manufactures. Gear4s newest offering, the Gear4 BluFM offers just that. Simply plug in your MP3 player and jam out to tunes via the FM transmitter. Pair it with your phone and when there’s an incoming call, it should cut the music and transmit the caller’s voice over the car’s speakers via the FM transmitter. One question remains: will this thing work with an
iPhone much like the
iSonTalk? The jack probably isn’t compatible with the iPhone’s recessed input so you’ll have to address that with an aftermarket adapter.
Available here for $98.
Via T3
February 26th, 2008
How so you ask? Start by purchasing an iSonTalk Microphone Headphone Adapter and a cassette-to-3.5mm adapter. Next, plug everything in into its respective receptacles. Crank your tunes and take a spin around town. When a call comes, simply click the mic’s answer button, the music stops, and the caller should be heard over the car’s stock speakers. I’m not sure on the feedback implications of the mic picking up the caller’s voice (it’s designed for headphone use), but if all goes right it’s a super cheap yet slick
iPhone integration into any car with a cassette deck, and it’s only $20 (plus whatever the cassette adapter costs you).
Available here for $20.
February 26th, 2008
Much like a Rhino’s skin, the Rhino case for the 3rd gen
iPod Nano protects the player from damage and perhaps even attacks. It features a hard back crafted from aluminum, and a clear scratch resistant and shatterproof front. Also included are rubber sides to insure a firm grip, and a lanyard for over the neck laxing.
Available here for $25.
Via Macworld
February 22nd, 2008
When the
iPod became the must have item, folks were getting robbed left and right for them. Well, maybe not left and right, but a few white ear bud adorning, and adoring folks were getting jumped for their 10GB MP3 players (seems so long ago, huh). If you want to deter, in fact have folks scoff in your direction, then just convert an old
Sony Walkman like Flickr user Sirljohn did. An ingenious idea, but you’ve gotta switch out the
headphones for the oldschool yellow sport ones. What’s next? A Zack Morris case for your
iPhone?
Via Gadget Venue via DVice
February 12th, 2008
It’s Friday, and contrary to the excitement of the weekend arriving I’m feeling a little bitter. So I figured why not tool on a product. The point of having an MP3 player, or portable audio player, is for the speed and ease of loading a massive amount of songs, right? RCA Rip and Go, which has been around for sometime, just introduced a new model that sports an
iPod dock built-in. What’s suppose to be cool is that you can rip CDs directly to your iPod without a computer. The problem: these days most
iPods are 30GBs or larger. Even with the 5 disc changer it’d take you all day to load. Did I mention it only Rips to 128kbps. Also, notice the old
iPod Nano featured in the pic. Is RCA gonna even bother to release this thing? Sorry RCA, but you’re Energy Efficient rating goes right out the window when you have to rip CDs for 24 hours. Why the hell do companies keep releasing this crap?!?
View the steaming *&#$ here. No price or relase date yet.
Via Chipchick
February 1st, 2008
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