Andriod to iPod/iPhone Dock Adapter Cable
September 2, 2011 12 Comments
I’ve gotten a Zune connected to an iPod/iPhone dock in the past, but what seems more compelling these days with the rise of Android is to make an adapter or a cable to get a micro USB device to an iPhone, iPod, or iPad docking station.
Important caveat: it’s technically impossible to provide the same kind of device integration that an iPod/iPhone car or speaker system provides; audio, video, track and playlist control, viewing track information on the car system, etc. Those are things that Apple’s 30-pin docking adapter all have built in, which is why it is so compelling and revolutionary. A micro USB connector can only really charge and sync a device, it doesn’t not have the connections to do all that fancy integration.
I wish there wasn’t this caveat. However, if you’re willing to accept the compromise that Android integration cannot match what Apple provides, but want to at least get something out of that iPod/iPhone speaker or other docking system, there’s a way.
Apple’s dock connector (the 30-pin plug on the bottom of the iPhone, iPod, and iPad) provides many functions. Most Android phones include two jacks; a micro USB connector for charging and syncing, and a standard 1/8″ (2.5mm) audio jack for standard headphones. The pins for these two connectors on Android phones can be isolated on the 30-pin connector and provided for
CableJive’s dockBoss+ adapter cable does exactly this, it lets you plug a smart little adapter onto your iPod or iPhone speaker dock or car system, and provides a micro USB and audio cable so you can charge your Android phone and listen to audio, both through your docking system.
It’s not the ultimate solution, but until Apple decides to open up their proprietary communication system (never going to happen), getting micro USB and audio to connect an Android phone to your iPhone, iPod, or iPad dock at least keeps your phone charged and keep the music playing.
Thank you for this summary. I was looking for an adapter today and eventually located your site. Can you provide some further explanation why the other 30-pin functionality (e.g. playlist control) can’t be done via the micro USB? Could it be that Apple has dedicated pins for this functionality that would have to be converted to “commands” on the micro USB? If that’s the case, could this be done by a combo hardware/software solution?
Thank you for your interest in our products. The limitations regarding device control are both hardware and software limitations. Of the many Apple-device compatible sound systems and interfaces out there, many companies design their control functionality differently from a software perspective (allowing them to dictate the controls they want to offer to their users). Most of those control systems are custom built, such as those found in more sophisticated car and home integration systems, and with Apple dedicating pins on their 30-pin connector for those signals, it’s easy for the control functionality a company designs to communicate with the Apple devices connected to them.
Considering that by using the dockBoss+, those docking stations or audio systems cannot operate under the same “assumption” that an Apple device is connected to it (nor can they technically use the dedicated device control pins for communication of those signals), it would be quite difficult to develop across-the-board device control functionality for the dockBoss+ that could translate to non-Apple devices. As a result, it is unlikely that such control will be added to the dockBoss+ any time soon, but we will continue to explore and investigate all options for the future.
Could you not place an in-line control mechanism similar to a headset in the audio out line?
Good question, thanks for your interest in our products! It would be quite difficult for us produce an in-line control mechanism that would work seamlessly across the wide variety of mobile devices our dockBoss cables are used with. Additionally, it is not a functionality that many of our customers have asked for. However, there are many 3rd party adapters that provide varying levels of remote functionally & compatibility for headphones that may or may not work with the dockBoss, which people are welcome to try if they are interested.
Interesting. Thank you for the quick response.
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I have the DROID RAZR Max. Is there any way to get the adapter cord for my phone and how?
We have no reported issues between this cable and any DROID RAZR Max devices, so the two should work together just fine. You can purchase it right on our website: http://www.cablejive.com/products/dockBossplus.html
Hello, this unit compatible with a 2009 Nissan Murano Bose audio system. The only input I have is Ipod 30 pin connector.
Thank you for your interest in our products. Please direct your question to our support team, and we’ll be happy to help you further from there.
why is it that the government can order microsoft to allow other web browsers to work in windows BUT can’t force apple to let other devices connect to their connector? I will NEVER buy an apple product and am now stuck with a docking station in my car that I will NEVER be able to use
Hi Harold. What kind of portable device do you have & what car / docking station specifically are you trying to connect it to? It’s possible we may have a solution for you.