dockBoss Compatibility Help

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/

dockBoss+ Now Available w/ Female USB & Audio Connectors!

Our dockBoss+ cable has made it possible for thousands of of users connect non-Apple devices to their favorite iPod docks and speaker systems; allowing them to listen to audio AND charge where it was not possible before. Its Micro USB connector is compatible with hundreds of the latest gadgets, but it certainly doesn’t cover everybody. What if you need a longer audio connection? Or even worse, what if your device doesn’t utilize a Micro USB connector?

Starting today, don’t worry about it. Due to popular demand, we’ve added a new version of our hit dockBoss+ cable that provides a female standard USB connector for charging, and a female 3.5mm audio port. And, it’s available right now!

Use any length AUX cable you want to get the audio connection that works for you, and use whichever USB-based power cable that came with your device to charge it. Now, no mater what mobile device you use, you can truly be the boss of your dock!

dualCharge Now Powers iPads!

Image

Word on the street is, the iPad is pretty popular these days. Which is why I’m happy to announce that our dualCharge has been updated for iPad support! Now charge an iPad, or two smaller USB powered electronic devices (iPod, iPhone, Android, Blackberry, etc) at the same time with one powerful plug. It’s the perfect solution for all your home-charging needs!

These updated dualCharges are available now.

Getting In The Giving Mood (or, Giveaway Time!!)

**UPDATE**

The winners have been selected! Huge thanks to everyone who participated!!! Congratulations to our following Twitter friends:

@osxdude
@MikeShea1
@cirdan12
@steider
@fabianvs
@cindyanne22
@barryoneil
@SPlatkus
@michaellongo
@d900man

If you didn’t win this time, don’t worry. This was our first giveaway, but certainly not our last!! Stay tuned here at the blog, on our Facebook page (we’re new there, so any “Likes” are much appreciated!), and @cablejive on Twitter for the latest on any new promotions / contests / other fun stuff.

___________________________________________________________________________________

I’m proud of the steps CableJive’s social media platforms have made over the past few months, and none of it would have been possible without you guys! As a result, now seems like the perfect time to run our first giveaway!!

From now until the clock strikes midnight (EST) on July 22nd, 2011, enter to win one of our hit clutter-reducing travel sized sync and charge cables; the iStubz, miniStubz, or microStubz (you choose which you’d prefer). We’ll be selecting 10 lucky winners at random, so if you like free stuff, here’s all you need to do to enter:

  • Retweet this to your followers (without the quotations):
    “I’m traveling with @cablejive this summer! http://ow.ly/5CKh9 #iStubz”
  • Don’t edit the tweet, so we’ll be able to locate your entry
  • Be sure to follow us on Twitter (@cablejive). We’ll be DM’ing the winners to let you know if you’ve won.
  • Stay tuned on Friday July 22nd, as we’ll be announcing all the randomly selected winners here that afternoon.
If any of the above is confusing to you, don’t hesitate to contact us at service@cablejive.com with any questions. The contest is live now, so feel free to get at it ASAP. Good luck everyone!!

CableJive’s Independence Day Blow-out!

I’m a regular old freedom-loving American. Like every single American I regularly treck across Purple Mountains Majesty, fill with the warmth of liberty at the sight of a soaring Bald Eagle, instinctively chop down any Cherry Trees in sight, and have a native inability to “drive 55.”  Also, like all Americans, I love a good deal. And it’s even better when I get the chance to give out those deals. So in honor of this Independence Day weekend, I would like to pass these savings on to you:

From now until July 5th on the CableJive web-store, get a ridiculous 40% off all our iStubz cables by using the coupon code: iStubz40

Need something other than an iStubz cable? Take 20% off anything else in the store with the code: GW1776

Coupon codes are entered during checkout. You may use both codes when placing your order, if applicable. So go on and start celebrating Independence Day by participating in the new great American pastime; online shopping!

Attn: Micro USB Devices, You’ve Been CableJive’d

Listen-up all you Android, Blackberry, Kindle, Nook, or any other type of Micro USB connected device users! We’ve finally made our first official foray into your world, and hopefully we can make life a little easier for you. Our smash hit iStubz and xlSync cables are now available for your devices too! Need a super-short charge and sync cable for travel? Look no further than the CableJive-official microStubz cable. Or, are you on the other end, and need extra length? Then the xlSync for Micro USB is your answer. What’s that you say? You need a regular length cable?! Well, we have those too, but their less exciting.

They’re all on sale right now and available on the CableJive store and Amazon. We’re pretty fired up about these, and we hope they can help as many people (or more) as their older brothers did. (Or is it cousins? Cable family trees are confusing).

CableJive and Maximizing What You Have

As many cars thankfully have these days, mine has a simple AUX input so I can listen to audio from a variety of sources while driving around. In my car this input is conveniently located right under the stereo controls, on the front of the system. For a while I had a regular 1/8″ to 1/8″ cable connected for listening to music from my iPhone 4. Audio quality was fine going through the headphone port on the iPhone (as good as it could be coming from there), and I was able to connect power to the 30-pin port on the bottom as well. Of couse, this meant that I had a loop of cables connected to both the top and bottom of my iPhone anytime I wanted to listen and charge at the same time. In addition to being cumbersome for anyone-especially a driver who may need to quickly answer a call or change songs (only when stopped of course)-this setup also prevented me from being able to store my iPhone in any convenient areas in my car (such as the designated phone port, where I also keep a near continuous supply of Orbit Wintermint gum). The result being that I’d usually just leave everything strewn about the passengers seat or cup holders. Not a good look, amongst other things

The +USB Line Out Dock Cable really cleared these issues up quick. It allows me to run high quality line out audio from my iPhone through the AUX input and charge it at the same time all through the 30-pin connector on the bottom. This makes storing and handling my iPhone significantly more convenient while it’s connected to the stereo system. It might not sound like a huge difference, but it’s been an enormous help. One of those little things you deal with every day, but it’s not until you STOP dealing with it that you realize how much of an improvement has been made.

For the photo above, I connected all the CableJive products I keep in my car to show how they’ve helped me maximize my available options, and turn my system into an all-in-one music-bumping device-charging machine! As stated above, the +USB Line Out Dock Cable provides both the audio (via my car’s AUX port) and charging connections. I also used a 6 ft. dockXtender cable to extend the length of that 30-pin connection and run it under my seats so I can keep it closer to me on the drivers side without having to leave the wire dangling in front. The dualCharge provides the power via my car’s DC power port (AKA the artist formally known as the cigarette lighter port). I keep both an iStubz and microStubz cable in my center console for use with the extra USB port the dualCharge provides, incase any of my passengers need to juice up as well.

So, there’s my setup (it normally looks much cleaner, but I wanted to squeeze everything into that picture). We’d love to see how YOU use CableJive products to get what you want out of your car or home audio system. Feel free to share your story or pics with us at information@cablejive.com.

New To The CableJive Lineup: Nest

I would never recommend a product to anyone that I haven’t physically used myself, so I was eager to try out the new Nest stand before we made it available for purchase. If you aren’t familiar with it, the Nest is a slick, compact, multipurpose stand which was originally designed with the iPad in mind, but works with a number of smartphones and other media devices (ex: Kindle, Nook, etc.). I was using an iPad 2 in my tests, so for the purposes of this blog post, I’ll be referencing that.

At first glance, the Nest looks like a tiny desk tray for holding small necessities (more on that in a bit). However, upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that a co-molded, non-slip rubber surrounds the entire “lip” of the tray. This same rubber can be found on the “sticky feet” on the bottom of the Nest. That rubber is the key here. All you need to do is place your device on the Nest screen-up , so the back is sitting against the rubber. I was skeptical at first, but was quickly (and pleasantly) surprised at how well the Nest both stays in place itself, and how securely it gripped the iPad. Also, I found that it held my iPad at a great, usable viewing angle.

The Nest is nothing, if not versatile. In addition to the standard use outlined above, it also holds a hidden slide-out cradle so you can keep your device at an upright viewing angle, great for showing media to your friends/family/coworkers, or for simply kicking back and watching something yourself. And remember when I said that it looks like a tiny desk tray for holding small necessities? Well, that’s because it triples as one of those too (I’m currently using mine to hold my iPod shuffle and an iStubz cable)! That same tray works great if you want to use the Nest as a holder for your smartphone (quadrupling as a stand for those as well).

After spending some time with the Nest, I was more than reassured of it’s quality, and I’m happy to see it introduced into the CableJive line of products. If you’re looking for a great smartphone, iPad, tablet, or e-reader stand for your desk at work or home, the Nest is an excellent solution. It’s available now, and comes in both white and black.

This Weekend’s Not Just For Cars Anymore!

As a consumer, when you hear the words “Presidents’ Day,” I’m sure your iPod or iPhone isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. You’re probably more likely to think of (Insert name of wealthy retired athlete / local quasi-celebrity here)’s car dealership and their mind blowing sale-of-the-year “event.” There are a few reasons for this, but clearly none more important than the fact that you haven’t picked one of these bad boys up yet: http://tinyurl.com/45fsdtq

Now that you’ve got your iPhone all G-Wash’d out, head on over to OUR store and use the discount code “Prez11″ to save 10% on your cart total all Presidents Day Weekend!

See, you don’t have to spend 5 figures to save this weekend. Sale ends when Presidents’ Day does, so act fast!

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 33 other followers