Log in

View Full Version : Griffin Announces iTrip mini FM Transmitter For Apple iPod mini


Kent Pribbernow
06-05-2004, 03:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://griffintechnology.com/products/itrip_mini/' target='_blank'>http://griffintechnology.com/products/itrip_mini/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The new iTrip mini joins the iTrip line as one of the hottest iPod accessories in the world. The iTrip has received critical acclaim for its exclusive iPod-only features such as unlimited station frequencies tuned directly from the iPod and battery-free iPod mating design. The iTrip mini brings the entire list of award winning iTrip features to the iPod mini in a new, beautifully form-fitting mini design. Shipping in July, the iTrip mini is $39.99 with pre-orders being taken now."</i><br /><br />Very cool! The folks at Griffin are amazing, as is reflected in their product offerings. If you have longed to take your music collection with you and play it while driving in your car (sans headphones), iTrip is a <b>must have</b> accessory. In a nutshell iTrip broadcasts your music to a car stereo...or any stereo for that matter...right from your iPod. How cool is that? And at just $39, it is a <b>bargain</b>! Pre-order today at Griffin's online store. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/e1086168621.jpg" />

Jonathon Watkins
06-05-2004, 06:50 PM
Very nice, but I believe that FM transmitters like this are illegal in the UK. Shame. :?

Jason Dunn
06-05-2004, 06:54 PM
Very nice, but I believe that FM transmitters like this are illegal in the UK. Shame. :?

Really? Even though they only have a range of about 5 feet? 8O

Jonathon Watkins
06-05-2004, 07:01 PM
Very nice, but I believe that FM transmitters like this are illegal in the UK. Shame. :?

Really? Even though they only have a range of about 5 feet? 8O

Yup. See here (http://www.out-law.com/php/page.php?page_id=gadgettobroadcast1059991772&area=news). It talks about the iTrip itself last year, but the concept (and the law) is still the same.

Gadget to broadcast your iPod tunes illegal in UK

The iTrip, a popular attachment for Apple's iPod, cannot be used, sold or distributed within the UK. The device transmits songs over FM radio from the iPod to a radio receiver but under UK law, it constitutes a mini-pirate radio station.

The iTrip, according to its own advertising, is the “coolest iPod accessory in the world. The iTrip FM transmitter for the iPod can play your music through any FM radio in your car, at a party, wherever the mood strikes you - and you have a radio.”

The iPod has given a new lease of life to personal music players, with its high capacity - yet physically tiny - hard drive that can store thousands of songs downloaded from a PC. The iTrip adds to the attraction.

Unfortunately, in the UK, the FM radio frequencies are licensed, with license holders having total and unique rights to use the bandwidth that they have licensed. As there are no frequencies unlicensed at present then the iTrip cannot legally broadcast within the UK.

Griffin Technology, the iTrip’s manufacturer, and AM Micro Distribution, the distributor of the product, sought legal advice on how the iTrip could be brought into the UK. They have now announced that the product falls foul of the Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1949, which forbids the installation or use of radio equipment in the UK without licence.

Consequently, the sale or distribution of the iTrip within the UK is prohibited.

arebelspy
06-06-2004, 12:11 AM
There are plenty of things like this (wireless music transmitters) for half the cost (most ring in at about $20) AND work with all devices that have a 3.5mm headphone port..

Why would you pay twice as much for a device that you can only use with your iPOD mini?? :?:

-arebelspy

James Fee
06-06-2004, 01:17 AM
Well they don't work on either of my cars. The position of the antenna and the type of windows result in no reception by my radio of the signal. Make sure your car doesn't have any special defrost features built into the glass or the antenna in a location that might affect reception before buying one.

Jason Dunn
06-06-2004, 06:09 PM
Why would you pay twice as much for a device that you can only use with your iPOD mini?? :?:

Because of the design and tight integration. Some people pay for those things you know. ;-)

kagayaki1
06-10-2004, 01:35 AM
I agree with Jason. I've used a couple other FM transmitters, and some are not that great (iRock) and some are pretty good (Belkin). But the bottom line is this one works great, and its integration with the form factor is awesome. The one for the regular iPod is so cool, and my favorite part is how no extra batteries are required, and how it's easy to forget I even have it on there. Now that's convenience.

And it works every time, without fail, without interference. And I live in the fairly crowded spectrum market of Seattle!