ipod

10/13/2005, 5:35pm, EDT

Thursday, October 13th

Griffin debuts SmartDeck Adapter with dock connector

Griffin Technology today unveiled its latest SmartDeck Intelligent Cassette Adapter with a Dock Connector, providing control of an iPod using the built-in controls of a vehicle cassette player. The SmartDeck uses sensing technology to determine which commands the cassette player sends to the iPod, differentiating between forward, rewind, pause, and stop buttons. Upon hitting "eject", or switching from cassette to radio, the SmartPlay automatically pauses the iPod. Features include a high-quality cassette tape head, seamless integration between iPod and car stereo, and selectable Scan or Skip modes. The SmartDeck Intelligent Cassette Adapter with Dock Connector is expected to be available in late October for 5th generation video-capable iPods, iPod nanos, 4th generation iPods (with clickwheel), iPod minis, and iPod photos. The device is priced at $30.

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Sondjata

Charging

10/13, 11:03pm, EDT

so now I have to choose between a smart deck and charging the iPod. In the winter, not having a charger will kill my battery. What we need is one for the previous models to use the top connector and for the new video 'pods to use the dock. OOOR they will need to add a charger to the deck.
Oh well, I actually wanted to purchase this item.

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ajblack

Charging

10/14, 9:20am, EDT

Agree with Sondjata .... not much point if I can't charge my iPod. I realise that this approach makes it compatible with the nano and the new 5th Gen iPod, but they really should couple this with a charging solution as well ...

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testudo

Re: charging

10/14, 9:28am, EDT

Hey, guys, calm down! They still sell the smartdeck which connects to the remote connector. This is for those who want to connect through the dock (or don't have the remote connector).

So you get the best of both worlds, a cassette adapter and the ability to charge.

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Sondjata

found it

10/14, 10:30am, EDT

buried.

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ajblack

RE: Charging

10/16, 10:02pm, EDT

testudo,

Understand your point about the remote connector, but the nano and 5th Gen iPod do not have the Remote Connector. They only have the Dock Connector. So this solution (and the new FM with Dock Connector Solution from Griffin) do not address the charging issue.

If I am going on a Drive Camping Trip, I need the ability to charge my iPod as well as listen to it in my Car. If I have to disconnect the ipod from the SmartDeck (or FM Modulator) in order to charge it, this defets the purpose ... does it not?

Also, of note ... all (current / new) iPods no longer support FireWire - USB only. End of FireWire for accessories?

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