iLounge

1

What kind of iPod is that in the picture.  look at it magnified on the webpage.  I think it is a rapid prototyped model/mockup.

Very sleek product I might get one for traveling.

Posted by Scooter on August 25, 2009 at 1:22 PM (PDT)

2

Seems like a fairly random accessory… Wonder if this has anything to do with Apple’s recent signing up to the “universal miniUSB charger” scheme?  They said they were still committed to the dock connector and this adaptor would satisfy the pledge.

Posted by milo on August 25, 2009 at 1:26 PM (PDT)

3

#1- That appears to be an iPhone in a case.

#2- The reason for this product is to serve as a replacement to the iPod cable when you don’t have one handy. It’s easy to find a USB cable, not so easy to find an iPod cable when you’re out and about. This adapter also provides line-out audio level, which is convenient for stereo hookups.

have one of the originals (with USB-B) and it works well, so it’s great to see they (finally) have a mini-USB model ... though I’m curious why they didn’t go with micro USB since it seems to becoming more common than mini.

Posted by rockmyplimsoul on August 25, 2009 at 4:22 PM (PDT)

4

@#3

Provided you remember to bring this doohickey along with you in the FIRST place, and if you did, you may as well bring the cable.

As for providing audio for stereo hookups, couldn’t the headphone jack serve the same purpose?

It seems as if they are finding a solution to a problem that doesn’t even exist. PASS!

Posted by ahMEmon on August 25, 2009 at 6:58 PM (PDT)

5

I’ve been using one of these in my car for about a month (they’ve actually been available on the SendStation website for a few weeks now), and it works pretty well. The aux input for my car stereo is located between the front seats, so having this dock allows me to use a short, 12-inch audio cable—thereby eliminating cable clutter.

Posted by John on August 25, 2009 at 7:11 PM (PDT)

6

@#4

“As for providing audio for stereo hookups, couldn’t the headphone jack serve the same purpose?”

Well, by going through the dock connector, you get proper audio line out. The audio signal from the headphone jack fluctuates depending on your volume setting, so it’s usually too low or too loud.

Posted by John on August 25, 2009 at 7:17 PM (PDT)

7

Didn’t realise this is brand new, ordered last week and mine arrived yesterday.

Its small, really small compared to the old one (i have 2006 version USB line out), charges my 5G and a colleagues iPod touch, but not another colleagues 160GB classic for some reason. Sound quality much better through line out with this adapter than headphones.

A worth addition to any laptop bag for your travels!

Posted by Paul on August 26, 2009 at 1:20 AM (PDT)

8

@#5
“As for providing audio for stereo hookups, couldn’t the headphone jack serve the same purpose?”

Yes, but here in the EU the maximum volume is limited through the headphone jack, whereas there’s no limit through the dock. This device is good if using inefficient head/ear phones or ones which allow a lot of background noise in - you can actually hear the music. The maximum sound level seems very low on my Sennheiser IE8 through the limited headphone jack.

Posted by David on August 26, 2009 at 11:33 AM (PDT)

9

This is a good product for car applications—keep your iPhone charged while supplying a line out to your audio system. 

Try using the Apple Cable for the same thing and see how well it works.  First, you won’t get any video from your iPhone since it drives the video out the cable instead.

Then of course there’s the giant length of cable you’ll have spooled on the floor.

Posted by Fanfoot on August 29, 2009 at 6:40 PM (PDT)