iPod, iPhone info needed!

When I bought my Mac a couple of weeks ago, I also got an iPod Touch, 8GB. I love it, but I would like to listen to it in the car without using the headphones. I am also planning on getting an iPhone sometime in the next few months. So I'd like to have something that would charge both or either device and play music through the car speakers. I'd like to be able to use it in both my vehicles, but I'm in the Infinity more and it has a tape deck. The BMW only has a CD player - no tape. I also don't want to pay a bloody fortune!

I'm open to suggestions. I know that there are some devices that will work with both the iPhone and iPod. I just didn't want to have to purchase a separate car charger for the phone when I get it.

Also, since I'm not a huge techie, is the 4G phone worth the extra $$, or will the 3G work as well and costs less?

well, i have the 3G, & i'm not looking to upgrade any time soon! but my car is a '99, so haven't looked into getting an adapter - don't think it would work! i listen to CDs in the car.

Here's what I bought in order to listen to mine in the truck without using the earphones. It also charges up the Ipod.

Ipod touch transmitter

just get an fm transmitter! You just find a station not in used locally and it transmits your ipod. They have them pretty cheap online. I wouldnt get the one that the ipod attaches to though. It seems like a great idea, but on some cars (like mine) it would make your cupholders useless, get in the way, or put the ipod out of comfortable reach. Most just have a long cable with a headphones jack on it that way you can have the ipod where ever is more comfortable for you! http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4927 (but warning that site has great prices, but shipping can be pretty slow!)

Originally Posted by mrblanche

Here's what I bought in order to listen to mine in the truck without using the earphones. It also charges up the Ipod.

Ipod touch transmitter

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This looks really good, but it doesn't say it is compatible with 3rd gen, 8 GB, though it is compatible with 32 and 64 GB. That doesn't make sense. I wrote to them, but haven't heard back yet.

Originally Posted by Dusty's Mom

This looks really good, but it doesn't say it is compatible with 3rd gen, 8 GB, though it is compatible with 32 and 64 GB. That doesn't make sense. I wrote to them, but haven't heard back yet.

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I have a 2nd gen 8 gb.

I use a generic brand FM transmitter, works with my Iphone and several different branded MP3 players I owned previous to the iphone.

Originally Posted by Dusty's Mom

This looks really good, but it doesn't say it is compatible with 3rd gen, 8 GB, though it is compatible with 32 and 64 GB. That doesn't make sense. I wrote to them, but haven't heard back yet.

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An iPod Touch 3G 8GB is basically the same as a 2G iPod Touch. It should work with a 3G if it works with a 2G. I am not sure what I use, I will try to find it.

Jackz, Jazzy & Ginga.

If your willing to shell out about $100 you can just purchase a new stereo from Wal-Mart that has an IPod mounting dooberwally thingermabobber on it. Some stereos are even cheaper where they dont have CD players just the USB ports and Ipod stand deal on them. BF and I were going to get one for my car but I have an IPod shuffle and it doesnt have the same connecter piece thing as the bigger Ipods like the Ipod touch.

I was going to get an Ipod touch but BF and recently just upgraded our phones to new LG Ally's so no need for an Ipod now.

Originally Posted by Dusty's Mom

This looks really good, but it doesn't say it is compatible with 3rd gen, 8 GB, though it is compatible with 32 and 64 GB. That doesn't make sense. I wrote to them, but haven't heard back yet.

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Make sure to inspect on your cars where the cig lighter is and that the mount for the ipod wont block anything you need! Or wont put the ipod out of reach

Originally Posted by 3CatsN1Dog

If your willing to shell out about $100 you can just purchase a new stereo from Wal-Mart that has an IPod mounting dooberwally thingermabobber on it. Some stereos are even cheaper where they dont have CD players just the USB ports and Ipod stand deal on them. BF and I were going to get one for my car but I have an IPod shuffle and it doesnt have the same connecter piece thing as the bigger Ipods like the Ipod touch.

I was going to get an Ipod touch but BF and recently just upgraded our phones to new LG Ally's so no need for an Ipod now.

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I agree- I've never been able to get good quality out of FM transmitters And since the car is moving the frequency keeps changing, if I get a good frequency with no interference at my house, two blocks away it gets interference...
Maybe I'm doing something wrong

Originally Posted by ut0pia

I agree- I've never been able to get good quality out of FM transmitters

And since the car is moving the frequency keeps changing, if I get a good frequency with no interference at my house, two blocks away it gets interference...
Maybe I'm doing something wrong

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It depends on your location! I had one when I lived a little bit away and it worked great, but when I moved to the bigger city it doenst work so well anymore.

The only thing I want to caution ya'll about when it comes to compatibility, at some point in the Touch line, they removed the firewire capability that allowed older iPods to charge using the firewire wall-plug adapter, and in my experience, this change also affects charging with FM transmitters.

For example, my DHs older iPod classic will charge with our FM transmitter, but because of the firmware update (i.e., the removal of firewire support, I assume) my 64BG iPod Touch will not charge.

There are other options, if you don't like the idea of an FM transmitter, one of those being portable speakers. A lot of them now have batteries. The one I purchased recently has a rechargable battery, but only charges the iPod when it's plugged into the wall (saving battery life of the speakers).

I have yet to test the speakers in my car as I'm driving, but there is a remote, so if they'd last long enough to get to my parent's house, it's well worth it. They're large, but I don't see why they can't sit on the seat.

The other option, for a later generation Touch, is the built-in speaker in the device. OP, since you just received yours with your Mac, I'm certain it has the speaker. It's not ideal, but it does work.