Belkin TuneBase Direct, FM take iPhone hands-free
updated 09:15 am EDT, Mon June 1, 2009
Belkin TuneBase Direct FM
Belkin today unveiled a pair of updated TuneBases built with the iPhone in mind. Both the TuneBase Direct and TuneBase FM route audio from Apple devices to the car stereo while simultaneously charging them over the 12-volt port and cradling them on a flexible neck that puts the iPhone at a more viewable position. Users only have to tap a button on the TuneBase itself to take or end the call in speakerphone mode and can use either model for listening to music.
A special design should support using most iPhone cases with exposed Dock Connector and headphone ports.
The two differ only in their choice of audio transmission. The lower-cost TuneBase Direct at $70 uses a 3.5mm port to provide a wired connection to the aux-in jack on those cars that have the feature. The TuneBase FM at $80 routes through a free FM channel and auto-scans to find the frequency with the least interference.
In the US, Belkin anticipates the TuneBase Direct shipping first with an in-store window of early June. TuneBase FM models ship in mid-July.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2007
$80 ? Original is $30
This is a nice redesign of the chinese models that are available for $30. In this case, someone made an expensive copy of a chinese cheap electronics; BUT the chinese one works perfectly, also, doing exactly everything this one does. Identical in Function to the TuneBase FM, at 63% cheaper: Just Google: "Hands-Free Car Kit & FM Transmitter for Apple iPhone 3G"