iPhone question - need help!

[Disneybridein2k3]

I have a question about the iPhone (2nd gen) - I want to get a docking station for the car that is also a charger but can't seem to find one from Apple or At&t that does both and still allows it to act as a phone (not that I'm loyal to Apple or At&t mind you, I just thought I'd have better luck there). Am I asking for too much? When I had just a regular iPod, my docking station let me listen to my mp3s and charged simutaniously. Now that the extra component of the phone has been added, it seems too much for the devices to handle. Has anyone had any luck with a docking station that does it all??? Also, keeping a docking station in mind, what do you use to cover your phone to protect it? I hate to keep taking it out of a cover to put it in a docking station (assuming the docking station I have in mind exists). TIA!

 

[DisneyKevin]

John just found this Belkin charger / adapter for iPod / iPhone in BJ's. It wasn;t cheap.

Here is link: http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=404646

We have two other charger / adapters for our iPods and they do not work on the iPhone.

So far I've been pretty happy with this device.

I found a great hard plastic cover at the Apple store. Between that and the non-glare film...it's pretty well protected.

Hope this helps.

 

[Disneybridein2k3]

Thanks Kevin (and John, of course!)! I don't mind paying more for a product that does what it says it will do. Do you have the Belkin and like it? The only thing it doesn't say is if it will allow the phone to accept calls while it is being used as a mp3 player. That was the only thing the salesman at the at&t store was iffy with - he wasn't certain there was a product that "did it all". I told him if there was such a product out there, I knew people who would know all about it

 

[noladave]

I'm curious as to why it wouldn't accept calls will using it as a MP3 player.

I walk everyday while playing music (or listening to the DIS Podcast), and get calls all the time.

My guess is that these "devices" are the playing mechanism, so it shouldn't interfere with the cell phone portion. It's a good idea to verify that, but it would really decrease the usefulness, if it can't recieve phone calls.

 

[DisneyKevin]

It accepts calls while listening to music.....or podcasts

It pauses the music, the phone rings and once the call is disconnected....it starts the music again with no additional buttons needing to be pushed.

It's kinda cool actually.

It also works with a bluetooth headset. I usually wear one while driving.

Thats the only negative thing I have to say about the iPhone. It's tough to use while driving. With a regula phone, you could flip it open and dial without really even looking at the phone. I find that not to be the case with the iPhone.

The other great thing about the Belkin is that it finds the best station for you with just the push of a button. You stll have to amnually set the radio. There are two pre-sets for stations and there is a button that allows you to also pick the best setting for listening to loud or soft music, singing or spoken words.

Hope that helps.

 

[Disneybridein2k3]

I'm curious as to why it wouldn't accept calls will using it as a MP3 player.

I walk everyday while playing music (or listening to the DIS Podcast), and get calls all the time.

My guess is that these "devices" are the playing mechanism, so it shouldn't interfere with the cell phone portion. It's a good idea to verify that, but it would really decrease the usefulness, if it can't recieve phone calls.

I think the salesman said it changes to airplane mode (?) when used as an mp3 player.

It accepts calls while listening to music.....or podcasts

It pauses the music, the phone rings and once the call is disconnected....it starts the music again with no additional buttons needing to be pushed.

It's kinda cool actually.

It also works with a bluetooth headset. I usually wear one while driving.

Thats the only negative thing I have to say about the iPhone. It's tough to use while driving. With a regula phone, you could flip it open and dial without really even looking at the phone. I find that not to be the case with the iPhone.

The other great thing about the Belkin is that it finds the best station for you with just the push of a button. You stll have to amnually set the radio. There are two pre-sets for stations and there is a button that allows you to also pick the best setting for listening to loud or soft music, singing or spoken words.

Hope that helps.

That is EXACTLY what I was looking for - off to buy it now! Thanks!!

 

[lorax123]

yes, all the docks i found not specifically for the iPhone put it into airplane mode. You can play music and charge, but you aren't able to make calls or receive cell data while it's plugged in.

It think it's just going to take awhile for more accessories and adapters to get on the market. Until more show up, the ones that are out will probably be pricey.

 

[Disneybridein2k3]

Actually, the one John found and Kevin told me about (giving credit where it is due) I found online for less than $20. I found it at an online store for that price (with a 14 return policy) but it is also all over eBay as well for just over $20 with free shipping. It didn't get the best reviews but like I said before, I truly cannot find a product that does it all and the salesman at the at&t/apple stores certainly weren't helping so I am going to try my luck. Ya never know, right?

Now if I can only figure out how to get all of my contacts back from after I "synced" it.... They are MIA and I didn't back them up anywhere....

 

[Bell30012]

I found that same model Belkin at Target for $59!!! I use it for my iPod Touch since I'm not one of the fortunate few to have an iPhone yet.

 

[cyberbox2]

I'll try to answer your question about which case to use with your iPhone. I work at my local Apple store and out of over 90 employees, those of us that have the iPhone use the (incase) 'Slider' case.

http://goincase.com/products/detail/slider-case-cl59068

This case is great because it separates at the lower 3rd of the phone so you can dock it but don't have to take the whole case off every time.

Also this is a nice car audio solution we sell at the Apple store that we have heard good things about.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/TU372LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA0Mw&mco=MjUxNjMwMg

 

[Demosthenes]

I have had good luck with the "Belkin Tunebase FM Transmiter."

What I like best about this is that is serves as a dock in addition to a charger. I always know where my phone is. Since I use a Garmin navigation unit that links with my iPhone, phone calls automatically pause the music so I can have conversations, and then automatically restarts when I hang up. I can see the display (and use it when needed) while sitting in the dock. It works great for me. I don't use the FM transmitter unless I take it on business trips, but it does have an audio jack on it as well that I use. When I do use the transmitter, I like the fact that it automatically seeks the best radio station in the area, so you don't have to search forever to find decent reception. It can be used for any model of iPod or iPhone. I have a 1st gen iPhone, and it works fine. I have found that with some chargers, even those made by Apple for the iPhone, you get the message about "This device is not compatible blah, blah, Airplane Mode." Just decline the option to turn it on to airplane mode. I've never had my phone not function when I do that.

 

[noladave]

how about this Iphone question - found this extended battery / charger for the iphone 3g. Anyone use it, or know someone that has?

http://richardsolo.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=326

Looks like a good deal for $69.

I'm tired of charging my Iphone all day long - either via laptop of wall. It would be nice to walk around all day, and not have to worry about it going dead in the middle of the day.

 

[wendyinoc]

I have had good luck with the "Belkin Tunebase FM Transmiter."

What I like best about this is that is serves as a dock in addition to a charger. I always know where my phone is. Since I use a Garmin navigation unit that links with my iPhone, phone calls automatically pause the music so I can have conversations, and then automatically restarts when I hang up. I can see the display (and use it when needed) while sitting in the dock. It works great for me. I don't use the FM transmitter unless I take it on business trips, but it does have an audio jack on it as well that I use. When I do use the transmitter, I like the fact that it automatically seeks the best radio station in the area, so you don't have to search forever to find decent reception. It can be used for any model of iPod or iPhone. I have a 1st gen iPhone, and it works fine. I have found that with some chargers, even those made by Apple for the iPhone, you get the message about "This device is not compatible blah, blah, Airplane Mode." Just decline the option to turn it on to airplane mode. I've never had my phone not function when I do that.

I was shopping for this one today and two stores were $89.99 for this model. So I went on ebay and just won a refurb for $19.50 and that included the shipping!!!. If it works I will post the company on the board. It looks like they sell a lot of them.