The IPhone is totally awesome oh my gawd thread

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 5:45 pm

Mine seems to have corrected itself overnight.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 4:51 am

I'm looking for some advice.

I'm trying to find a good desktop stereo system that works well with the iPhone. I have to two requirements sound and design and cost though I'll bump that up if I need to.

Here's what I'm looking to do. First it will have your typical iPhone docking set-up. But the second is to hock up an AirPort to the system so I can stream music wirelessly. For that I will need an aux-in, which most systems have but not all.

So there's Bose which get good reviews but it appears there's better sounding systems out there. With the iPhone, there's some concern of getting the "cellphone" static and some system avoid that. Outside of Bose I'm stumped. There's a few options by Altec Lansing, JBL and a few others but they look really cheap.

Anyway, I'd really like to find a great sounding system.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 11:10 am

Well the high-end for one-piece speaker docks are the B&W units, which are $400 or $600.

You can check iLounge for specific units which are shielded for iPhone. It does limit the selection, to look for iPhone-shielded units.

However, you will get better sound with separate left and right speakers. Obviously, that gives up portability.

You say to hook up Airport to the system, meaning Airtunes or streaming your iTunes library through Airport Express?

In that case, you don't need to have a speaker dock for iPhone. In fact, it would be better just to use Remote app. on the iPhone to control which content to play over Airtunes from your computer running iTunes in another room.

For that setup, you can use a mini-jack to RCA adapter (a couple of bucks at Monoprice) to connect the Airport Express to RCA jacks on the speaker (typically the subwoofer unit on powered satellites) so you don't have to be limited to units with just aux-in jacks.

There are some Home Theater speaker sets which come with a separate docks but those aren't guaranteed to have shielding for the iPhone. Those will have powered speakers or in some cases come with receivers.

Or you can get good-quality regular speakers and a good receiver. Denon and other manufacturers offer iPod docks for their speakers and micro shelf systems but again, those may not be updated for iPhone.

So the complexity, cost and sound quality range from speaker docks to powered speakers with Airport Express for streaming your iTunes library (but not necessarily playing or charging your iPhone directly) to standard audio setups with speakers, receiver and a separate dock. You can obviously use Airtunes with any receiver as well.

Whatever you do, stay away from that overrated, overpriced Bose garbage.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 1:57 pm

Can you recommend some speakers. I did my research and the reviews say the same thing as you did. I know I can just get a system and connect it to the AirPort but I want the dock as well to listen to Pandora, mostly.

I'm really looking at a all-in-one box. I don't want a piece system at this point. I don't want to mess with all the wires and set-up. So it's really trying to find a system that can fill the room and won't empty my pocket.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 4:21 pm

I think the B&W Zepplin has gotten good reviews. They're known for high-end speakers, used in recording studios, which can go into the 6-figures.

But they're not as loud as say Klipsch, which have a couple of iPod speaker docks but haven't updated them in several years.

Yamaha is another audio brand which have put out a one-piece speaker dock recently.

iHome has a "Studio" line which is suppose to offer better audio and styling. The existing model is iP1 but they also announced a couple of other models at CES this year.

I would think Apple stores would have the B&W and the Yamahas on hand for demo. Probably the iHome as well.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 3:42 pm

Just get this JRod...Boy Genius did a little review on his site as well. Just stream all your music...screw getting it off of your iPhone.

http://www.amazon.com/Sonos-ZonePlayer- ... B002S53LJ2

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 5:48 pm

Wow did not know about this product. Has everything I want. Thanks DB.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 5:55 pm

JRod wrote:Wow did not know about this product. Has everything I want. Thanks DB.

Keep in mind, the Speaker system is 400 bucks and then they want another 100 for the adapter to make the entire thing wireless. So it really is a 500 dollar system, but holy crap it's functional as hell. Just bring that speaker wherever you want. It's a genius idea and the reviews are almost all glowing.

Being able to control the thing from your iphone or ipod touch with their App is outstanding too...keeps you from having to buy the remote. Just an awesome product.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 6:20 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
JRod wrote:Wow did not know about this product. Has everything I want. Thanks DB.
Keep in mind, the Speaker system is 400 bucks and then they want another 100 for the adapter to make the entire thing wireless. So it really is a 500 dollar system, but holy crap it's functional as hell. Just bring that speaker wherever you want. It's a genius idea and the reviews are almost all glowing.

Being able to control the thing from your iphone or ipod touch with their App is outstanding too...keeps you from having to buy the remote. Just an awesome product.

It says I can just hook it up to my router. Since this will be seated next to my Apple Time Capsule I'll just do that. Unless I read that wrong.

The iPhone functionality is just sweet. The iPhone is less about being a phone and more about being the total remote. Good thing too because if we had to really on it being a phone...

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 6:26 pm

JRod wrote:It says I can just hook it up to my router. Since this will be seated next to my Apple Time Capsule I'll just do that. Unless I read that wrong.

The iPhone functionality is just sweet. The iPhone is less about being a phone and more about being the total remote. Good thing too because if we had to really on it being a phone...

Oh, if it's just gonna sit in the same room as the router/time capsule then you're fine. I was just saying if you want to move the speaker around to different rooms, or outside, you need the 100 dollar add-on. That just expands its functionality if you do that.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 6:36 pm

DB -

I'm confused if I want one of these and want it to work off my wireless router I need something else as well?

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 6:43 pm

Danimal wrote:DB -

I'm confused if I want one of these and want it to work off my wireless router I need something else as well?

You need the main speaker module:

http://www.amazon.com/Sonos-ZonePlayer- ... B002S53LJ2

And the wireless bridge:

http://www.amazon.com/product/dp/B000X1TS54

If you just plan to stick the speaker by your router, no problem, you don't need the bridge. However, if you want to move your speaker around to different rooms, you have to get the bridge.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 8:02 pm

If you have iTunes songs in your library, Sonos can't stream those, or at least they didn't used to be able to.

Don't know about the sound quality though.

Someone is working on a IR transmitter to connect to the dock connector, to make it the ultimate remote control.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 8:38 pm

My iPhone 3G is still in decent shape but I am "jonesing" to update. Today is the day I am allowed to update with the discount. I want to hold out until the next gen iPhone comes out this summer. Anyone have any clue on what some new features could be? Just wondering. My 3G should last until then.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 10:34 pm

Lot of speculation about limited multitasking with the next OS.

Steve Jobs was reported quoted as saying the next iPhone would be an "A+" update.

Of course, what else would he say.

I think the past couple of years, they would unveil new OS features in March and release the new model and OS in June/July.

RallyMonkey · Post by **RallyMonkey** » Thu Feb 18, 2010 6:04 pm

Just a note that SlingMobile App is now streaming over 3G as of last week. Currently am working on my laptop while watching the USA v Norway game on my iPhone. The quality is actually quite good as well. I had waited on purchasing the SlingMobile app until they added 3G streaming...it is now well worth the price.

And yes, for all iPhone haters, i realize it's been available on Blackberry's for months, as i have one for work.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Feb 18, 2010 6:50 pm

wco81 wrote:If you have iTunes songs in your library, Sonos can't stream those, or at least they didn't used to be able to.

According to this statement on the product description, I'd say it's possible now:

Instant Access to Endless Music

Sonos liberates the music on your computer and the Internet so you can play it all over the house. Wherever there’s an S5 (or any other ZonePlayer), you can listen to your entire collection of iTunes music, plus thousands of free Internet radio stations. And Sonos works seamlessly with the most popular music services so you can stream millions of songs and stations from the Internet to the rooms of your choice. You can even connect the S5 to your favorite audio source such as an iPod or CD player and listen on all the ZonePlayers throughout your house.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 6:59 pm

Anyone have any experience replacing the glasstop screen of an iPhone? I dropped and cracked my iPhone screen this weekend. The phone is fine the screen is just "spiderwebbed". The phone is almost 2 years old so there is no warranty. Also, I am eligible for a new iPhone at a discounted price but I am trying to ride this 3G out until the newest gen iPhone arrives (allegedly) this summer. I wouldn't want to waste my discount on a 3GS when the newer one comes out in a few months. Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 7:31 pm

Well, after watching some replacement vids on YouTube I went and ordered a new glass top from Amazon for like $15. There is no warranty on the phone so the hell with it - I'll give this a try.

DivotMaker · Post by **DivotMaker** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 7:27 am

Diablo25 wrote:My iPhone 3G is still in decent shape but I am "jonesing" to update. Today is the day I am allowed to update with the discount. I want to hold out until the next gen iPhone comes out this summer. Anyone have any clue on what some new features could be? Just wondering. My 3G should last until then.

Numerous sites are speculating as to what the iPhone 4G will be like...

http://mashable.com/2010/01/18/iphone-4g-guide/

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 8:42 am

DivotMaker wrote:
Diablo25 wrote:My iPhone 3G is still in decent shape but I am "jonesing" to update. Today is the day I am allowed to update with the discount. I want to hold out until the next gen iPhone comes out this summer. Anyone have any clue on what some new features could be? Just wondering. My 3G should last until then.
Numerous sites are speculating as to what the iPhone 4G will be like...

http://mashable.com/2010/01/18/iphone-4g-guide/

I saw on the Today Show "scroll" this morning that "Apple will be releasing two new iphones...one is an upgrade and another is going to be for the Verizon network."

DivotMaker · Post by **DivotMaker** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 10:20 am

Diablo25 wrote:
DivotMaker wrote:
Diablo25 wrote:My iPhone 3G is still in decent shape but I am "jonesing" to update. Today is the day I am allowed to update with the discount. I want to hold out until the next gen iPhone comes out this summer. Anyone have any clue on what some new features could be? Just wondering. My 3G should last until then.
Numerous sites are speculating as to what the iPhone 4G will be like...

http://mashable.com/2010/01/18/iphone-4g-guide/
I saw on the Today Show "scroll" this morning that "Apple will be releasing two new iphones...one is an upgrade and another is going to be for the Verizon network."

If true, I will be going to the Verizon network as fast as I can tell AT&T "close my contract"....

Murph · Post by **Murph** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 2:08 pm

If there is a Verizon iPhone, I'll assume the first one will be 4G.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 2:34 pm

Murph wrote:If there is a Verizon iPhone, I'll assume the first one will be 4G.

Not this year and probably not next year either.

First LTE chipsets will probably be inefficient and more costly for such limited networks.

Plus there's talk that speeds are great if you're right by the tower but it drops off more steeply than 3G.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 6:42 pm

Supposedly the iPhone for Verizon will be out in September. All unofficial of course.