Search
  • Videos
  • Windows 10
  • 5G
  • CES
  • Best VPNs
  • Cloud
  • Security
  • more
    • AI
    • TR Premium
    • Working from Home
    • Innovation
    • Best Web Hosting
    • ZDNet Recommends
    • Tonya Hall Show
    • Executive Guides
    • ZDNet Academy
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
  • Newsletters
  • All Writers
    • Preferences
    • Community
    • Newsletters
    • Log Out
  • Menu
    • Videos
    • Windows 10
    • 5G
    • CES
    • Best VPNs
    • Cloud
    • Security
    • AI
    • TR Premium
    • Working from Home
    • Innovation
    • Best Web Hosting
    • ZDNet Recommends
    • Tonya Hall Show
    • Executive Guides
    • ZDNet Academy
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
      • Preferences
      • Community
      • Newsletters
      • Log Out
  • us
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • Europe
    • India
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    • ZDNet around the globe:
    • ZDNet France
    • ZDNet Germany
    • ZDNet Korea
    • ZDNet Japan

HTC StereoClip provides wireless audio for those without Bluetooth automobiles (review)

1 of 5 NEXT PREV
  • HTC StereoClip retail package

    HTC StereoClip retail package

    I spent a couple days meeting with HTC last fall in New York and a couple weeks after that meeting they sent along one of their HTC StereoClip accessories to test out. I finally had a chance to test out the StereoClip in my truck and have been enjoying podcasts and music from several smartphones over the past couple of weeks.

    Many new vehicles have integrated Bluetooth radios so you can enjoy music, podcasts, and calls wirelessly. However, there are still millions of us with older vehicles that do not have Bluetooth and yet do not have cassette players for those adapters either. My 2007 Dodge Ram truck has a 3.5mm auxiliary port and in the past I have connected my smartphones via cable to enjoy podcasts and music. However, it is not the "cleanest" solution and my phone often ends up sliding around the seat or console area or I have to prop open my console storage compartment as my phone rests in there to charge while a cable connects it to my stereo. The HTC StereoClip is a small Bluetooth adapter that plugs directly into your 3.5mm audio jack (in your car or home stereo system) and provides Bluetooth connectivity to these older audio systems.

    In the past I used Nokia devices with FM transmitters to listen to podcasts in the car, but it was always tough to find a station that was clear enough to provide decent audio quality. The benefit here is that no station has to be found and you simply switch to auxiliary mode and enjoy the audio from your smartphone. The HTC StereoClip is a small device, the same size as many USB thumb drives, that comes with a cap that protects the 3.5mm male end. The cap has an opening so you can store it on your keychain, but I just take it off and put it in my center console compartment.

    Published: January 22, 2013 -- 13:00 GMT (05:00 PST)

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Package contents of the HTC StereoClip

    Package contents of the HTC StereoClip

    The HTC StereoClip charges up via standard microUSB (a cable is included too) and it last me at least a week since I listen to podcasts and audio for about 30 minutes a day in the car. The stated playback time is 5 hours and that seems about right. Standby time is advertised at 120 hours. There is a small indicator light on the end next to the microUSB port that shows you the status of the device. It uses green lights for telling you it is on and when it is in pairing mode. The light blinks red when it needs a charge and glows red for a second when you press and hold the control button to turn it off. The control button is used to turn it on and off and enable pairing mode.

    It was simple to setup and pair the HTC StereoClip with several HTC and non-HTC smartphones and all you need is Bluetooth to connect. The StereoClip features Bluetooth 2.1+EDR with the aptX codec for even higher quality audio output. I used it with an HTC Droid DNA, HTC 8X, Nokia Lumia 920, and Samsung Galaxy Note II. If you have a selected HTC device with the HTC Car app (the Droid DNA does not have this for some reason), then you can even setup your phone to auto-pair with the StereoClip.

    Published: January 22, 2013 -- 13:00 GMT (05:00 PST)

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • 3.5mm connector

    3.5mm connector

    Audio sounded fantastic with the HTC StereoClip, advertised as CD quality, and MUCH better than when I used to use a FM transmitter. The device is rather expensive at $60, but it is quite convenient for me as I can now place my smartphone inside my console where the USB charging station is located and then play audio without a wire running around the vehicle and getting in the way. This accessory is pretty simple and really should be priced at around $30 to make it a must have. I see it is available on Amazon and Best Buy and am surprised the price hasn't yet dropped since it has been around now since last summer.

    Like many of these HTC accessories, such as the HTC Media Link HD, HTC fails to even have it up on their site. They release these handy accessories and then rely upon 3rd party retailers or carriers to sell the accessories. HTC should at least have links from their site to retailers. If you go to the HTC accessory site you can see a photo of the HTC StereoClip in the car accessory section, yet when you click the link to Shop Now it doesn't appear anywhere. It is details like this that frustrate me and may have an effect on their success.

    Published: January 22, 2013 -- 13:00 GMT (05:00 PST)

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • microUSB port for charging the StereoClip

    microUSB port for charging the StereoClip

    Published: January 22, 2013 -- 13:00 GMT (05:00 PST)

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Enjoying audio from the HTC 8x in my Dodge truck

    Enjoying audio from the HTC 8x in my Dodge truck

    Published: January 22, 2013 -- 13:00 GMT (05:00 PST)

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

1 of 5 NEXT PREV
Matthew Miller

By Matthew Miller for Smartphones and Cell Phones | January 22, 2013 -- 13:00 GMT (05:00 PST) | Topic: Mobility

  • HTC StereoClip retail package
  • Package contents of the HTC StereoClip
  • 3.5mm connector
  • microUSB port for charging the StereoClip
  • Enjoying audio from the HTC 8x in my Dodge truck

I enjoy listening to podcasts and music in my car, but don't have Bluetooth and am tired of having a cable lying around and limiting where I can rest my smartphone. HTC has a slick accessory for audiophiles, but it is priced about twice as much as it should be.

Read More Read Less

HTC StereoClip retail package

I spent a couple days meeting with HTC last fall in New York and a couple weeks after that meeting they sent along one of their HTC StereoClip accessories to test out. I finally had a chance to test out the StereoClip in my truck and have been enjoying podcasts and music from several smartphones over the past couple of weeks.

Many new vehicles have integrated Bluetooth radios so you can enjoy music, podcasts, and calls wirelessly. However, there are still millions of us with older vehicles that do not have Bluetooth and yet do not have cassette players for those adapters either. My 2007 Dodge Ram truck has a 3.5mm auxiliary port and in the past I have connected my smartphones via cable to enjoy podcasts and music. However, it is not the "cleanest" solution and my phone often ends up sliding around the seat or console area or I have to prop open my console storage compartment as my phone rests in there to charge while a cable connects it to my stereo. The HTC StereoClip is a small Bluetooth adapter that plugs directly into your 3.5mm audio jack (in your car or home stereo system) and provides Bluetooth connectivity to these older audio systems.

In the past I used Nokia devices with FM transmitters to listen to podcasts in the car, but it was always tough to find a station that was clear enough to provide decent audio quality. The benefit here is that no station has to be found and you simply switch to auxiliary mode and enjoy the audio from your smartphone. The HTC StereoClip is a small device, the same size as many USB thumb drives, that comes with a cap that protects the 3.5mm male end. The cap has an opening so you can store it on your keychain, but I just take it off and put it in my center console compartment.

Published: January 22, 2013 -- 13:00 GMT (05:00 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

1 of 5 NEXT PREV

Related Topics:

Mobility Reviews Smartphones Mobile OS Security Hardware
Matthew Miller

By Matthew Miller for Smartphones and Cell Phones | January 22, 2013 -- 13:00 GMT (05:00 PST) | Topic: Mobility

Show Comments
LOG IN TO COMMENT
  • My Profile
  • Log Out
| Community Guidelines

Join Discussion

Add Your Comment
Add Your Comment

Related Galleries

  • 1 of 3
  • First look: Galaxy S21 and everything else announced at Samsung Unpacked [in pictures]

    Browse all the products and highlights from Samsung's January 2021 Unpacked event.

  • Winter Zoom backgrounds: New year, new virtual meeting decor

    Choose from beautiful landscapes, snow birds, winter holidays and more.

  • Incipio Grip case for Google Pixel 4a 5G: Enhanced grip and 14 feet drop protection

    While the Pixel 4a 5G is an affordable phone, it is still worth protecting from accidental drops. Incipio has its Grip case available in two colors for this black Pixel phone. ...

  • ZAGG Pixel 4a 5G hands-on: Cases and screen protectors for Google's affordable 5G phone

    There are Gear4 cases and InvisibleShield screen protectors available for the new Google Pixel 4a 5G smartphone. These products offer protection for one of Google's best values. ...

  • BodyGuardz cases for Apple iPhone 12: Unequal drop protection and antimicrobial treatment

    BodyGuardz incorporates its Unequal technology to help protect your phone from drops. The cases do not add much weight or thickness, but provide a nice option for protection for less ...

  • ESR cases for the Apple iPhone 12: Kickstands, protection, and MagSafe support

    Video content is enjoyable on a smartphone, but it helps to have a kickstand case to prop it up. ESG makes some of the best kickstand cases, but also has other case options for the new Apple ...

  • Incipio and Survivor cases: Sleek, stylish protection for the Apple iPhone 12

    The four new Apple iPhone 12 devices are available to purchase and case collections from Incipio and Survivor are now available to protect your new investment. ...

ZDNet
Connect with us

© 2021 ZDNET, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Privacy Policy | Cookie Settings | Advertise | Terms of Use

  • Topics
  • Galleries
  • Videos
  • Sponsored Narratives
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About ZDNet
  • Meet The Team
  • All Authors
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Reprint Policy
  • Manage | Log Out
  • Join | Log In
  • Membership
  • Newsletters
  • Site Assistance
  • ZDNet Academy
  • TechRepublic Forums