iO-BTAPOD iPhone and iPod Stereo Bluetooth Adaptor review

MikeB

At the Gadget Show Live in Birmingham this year one of the main things on display were iPhones and iPods along with all the accessories that go with them. On one of the stands was the iO-Play BT Handsfree system, and showing alongside it was the iO-BTAPOD Bluetooth audio adapter.

This little gadget plugs into the iPhone or iPod and transmits your music using the AVRCP and A2DP Bluetooth protocols. Mike Alder managed to get his hands on one and has reviewed it...

With the recent release of OS3 for the iPhone this accessory isn’t quite as handy as it used to be. Whilst it might be slightly depreciated it still offers additional capability as even the latest iPhone from Apple doesn’t sport Bluetooth AVRCP protocol.

Lets take a quick look at what these fancy abbreviations actually mean:

AVRCP = Audio/ Video Remote Control Profile. So if your car stereo/ headphones or any other audio device offers Bluetooth with controls for next/ previous track, volume up/ down etc this gadget adds this capability to the iPhone/ iPod Touch.

A2DP = Advanced Audio Distribution Profile. This lets you stream music/ audio from the phone to your Bluetooth equipped car stereo/ headphones etc – No interference and offers great sound quality.

Simply plug the accessory in to the dock connector on the phone and the blue LED will start to flash indicating it is looking for a connection. The particular unit I have draws power from the phone and provides no method to charge the hardware while its in use. A better approach is the sister product iO-BTAPODC which is supplied with a car charger cable and can accept power via its own mini-USB socket thus charging the phone while in use.

A downside to this accessory is that once fitted to the phone it wont fit in to a Brodit active car holder, the lack of a method to connect an external power lead also lets it down. If you are considering one of these units pay the small extra amount for the one with the car charger as this would be more viable on a long trip. With OS3 now offering Turn By Turn Navigation software support AVRCP is actually something that (to me) is clearly missing from the iPhone. Once you start a navigation application you cannot skip/ select audio tracks, with this accessory fitted you can still control the music while navigating.

It also works with iPod Touch units where it again adds A2DP/ AVRCP, as users of the iPod Touch have to pay for OS3 this provides an alternate solution for those wanting Bluetooth audio support without updating their device. Whilst this unit is intended to be used in conjunction with the iO-Play Bluetooth car kit see Here it will also work with A2DP car head units and Bluetooth earphones etc

Manufacturers web site www.My_iO.com
Cost £32:00 without charge capability
Cost £36:50 with car charger capability

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Mike Barrett

gajet · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 01, 2006 Posts: 29

Poor performance when used with an iPhone. Prone to frequent music drop outs. The iphone works far better not using this adapter, but then you loose the AVRCP controls.
However excelent with an iPod.

IO Play claimed the problem was a clash between the adapter bluetooth and the iPhones built in bluetooth, even from before version 3.0 software, but the never did anything about it.

MaFt

gajet · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 01, 2006 Posts: 29

mrg2003

[quote="MaFt"][quote="News Team"]With OS3 now offering Turn By Turn Navigation software support AVRCP is actually something that (to me) is clearly missing from the iPhone. Once you start a navigation application you cannot skip/ select audio tracks, with this accessory fitted you can still control the music while navigating. [/quote]

can't you just press the home button twice to bring up the ipod controls?

MaFt[/quote]

My iphone already has a2dp built in.
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Mr.G

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