dockBoss Compatibility Help
August 10, 2012 64 Comments
Our dockBoss and dockBoss+ cables have helped thousands of people connect non-iPod devices to a growing variety of previously iDevice-exclusive music systems. With standard docking stations, like the Bose SoundDock and countless others, compatibility has been excellent almost across the board. However, when it comes to home theater or car-oriented systems, there are still some that don’t want to play nice. Here’s a good way to tell ahead of time whether or not a dockBoss cable will be compatible with your system:
Find (or borrow) an iPod or iPhone and connect it to your system. If upon connecting, the iPod/iPhone gets locked onto a screen that reads “accessory connected” or something similar (see example on right), and you find yourself unable to use the controls on the iPod/iPhone, there’s a good chance the dockBoss won’t work for you.
Here’s why: Systems that lock an iPod or iPhone’s screen and control mechanism use a digital audio interface, which specifically requires an iPod or iPhone to be connected. These systems are custom-built, with elements like control, data, playlists, etc., all deeply ingrained in their own unique software. It isn’t simply good enough to “trick” those systems into thinking an iPod is connected because they actually require the ability to continuously communicate with an iDevice on a system-specific level.
If you find that your system does not lock the iPod/iPhone’s screen and controls, then there’s a good chance a dockBoss cable WILL work for you. These systems use an analog audio interface, which generally jives quite well with dockBoss cables, allowing you to listen to whatever your heart desires from your favorite non-iDevice.
So next time you’re unsure if the dockBoss will work for you, borrow an iPod or iPhone and see if you get locked out. If not, then you should be good to go. As always feel free to email any specific questions to us at service@cablejive.com
Update (9/28/2012): If you have an iPhone 5, or other Lightning-enabled iDevice, the dockBoss+ CAN work with some digital audio interfaces. For more information, read this post: http://blog.cablejive.com/2012/09/27/dockboss-iphone-5-kit-is-here/
