Works with
Second-generation iPod nano
The Good
Solid FM broadcast
Can charge iPod while in use
The Bad
No holder or cable means it’s loose in car
Static in some areas
The Price
US$49.95
When visiting or traveling with an iPod, it’s not always easy to play your music through a stereo. Unless you’re near a speaker dock or a stereo with an iPod jack, you’re usually out of luck — sometimes even in the car. After all, cassette adapters aren’t much help when tape players are increasingly disappearing from cars. So, what’s an iPod owner to do?
XtremeMac has one answer, in the form of its Airplay Boost FM Transmitter.
The Airplay Boost is a small add-on that clips into the dock connector of the second-generation iPod nano (it fits the third-generation as well, but isn’t quite designed for it) and allows you to broadcast your iPod’s music to a home or car stereo over FM radio.
Generally, sound quality from the Airplay Boost is good. Every iPod FM transmitter faces the prospect of static and interference from other radio broadcasts. Tuning to unused frequencies is generally the best way to deal with this challenge. The Airplay Boost shows on the iPod screen the frequency you’re using and lets you adjust it with two buttons. It offers thee pre-sets for repeat use, which is a little skimpy, but useful.
The device offers a pass-though port that allows you to plug the iPod in for charging while it’s in use, which is a nice touch, since the extra power needed would drain the iPod’s battery quicker without it.
The one serious drawback to the device is that it doesn’t have anything to secure it in place. While this isn’t a concern for home use (except, maybe that you could lose it; it’s small), in the car it can easily move around during driving, something that could be dangerous or distracting.
Though it does neatly fit in most cup holders, it would be nice to see XtremeMac include some way to secure the Airplay Boost in place.
That’s just a small issue, though. Overall, the XtremeMac Airplay Boost is a solid-performing, affordable FM transmitter to play your iPod over a stereo. If you need to be able to play your iPod on home stereos or in the car, you should check it out.
