So XtremeMac have launched an FM transmitter. It was only a matter of time – there are now so many FM transmitters on the market that you would be truly outmoded if you hadn’t developed a potential ‘iTrip killer’. The fact that brands are trying to steal the iTrip’s crown surely cements its place as the winner in the FM transmitter race, leading to all future devices merely vying for second place?

That said, the XtremeMac AirPlay does seem to encompass all the features that are wanting in the other FM transmitters – it has a LCD display, it runs off the iPod’s batteries, it doesn’t require software to be installed and is aesthetically suitable for both iPod and iPod mini.

What all of the FM transmitter devices do is turn your iPod into a mini broadcasting station – allowing you to play the tunes stored on your iPod through any FM radio (yes, ANY radio, even your grandma’s old Roberts radio). There are, as with all iPod accessories, a few different criteria under which to judge FM transmitters – these including appearance, usability and performance. From initial testing, the AirPlay has passed in all aspects with flying colours.

First Impressions

The AirPlay is the smallest FM transmitter currently available to buy. It is just over half the width of an iTrip and has the form of the iTrip mini. It has an LCD screen to display the station currently broadcasting and 2 small, grey plastic buttons for tuning, which are satisfyingly tangible and ‘click’ when pressed. When the AirPlay is plugged into the iPod or iPod mini it allows complete access to the hold switch, a feature lacking in the larger iTrip. The outer casing is matt white with the AirPlay logo on the front and manufacturer’s text on the back, and the flat top panel is grey with the XtremeMac logo in white.

The AirPlay is powered through the iPod and so has no need for separate batteries. When plugged in to the iPod the LCD screen glows blue, and when the desired frequency is located or when the iPod is not playing the screen turns off to conserve power. The stations run in 0.2MHz jumps and cover the whole range of FM frequencies.

An advantage over such devices as the AudiaX (I or II) or the Belkin Tunecast is that there is no trailing cable – the AirPlay connects directly into the iPod, lending the iPod-AirPlay combo a much more streamlined and compact appearance overall. The only gripe as far as the appearance of the AirPlay is concerned is that it’s colour and feel doesn’t perfectly match that of the iPod (as does the iTrip), but complementary white is good enough.

Performance

Compared to the iTrip, the AirPlay is very easy to use. It works in the same way as devices such as the AudiaX do – i.e. just plug and play. There is no need to install software or flick between radio stations and playlists to tune the AirPlay in. In this aspect the AirPlay has an ease-of-use advantage over the iTrip and, more importantly for the iPod, has implications for portability. To be able to simply buy the device and connect it ready to use is great for iPod users on the go, who may not have access to a computer from which to download the iTrip stations.

We were pleased to find that the AirPlay performed as well as it promised to, and better than market leaders in the same field. In ideal situations (i.e. clear frequency, no obstructions, reasonably close to the radio) we experienced clean sound with no interference. Even at longer distances (across a large room) the quality did not deteriorate, but when obstacles such as walls were added to the equation or when driving through areas with crowded airwaves the signal was slightly less clear. This however is common in FM transmitters, although the AirPlay did seem to have a slightly stronger power to overcome the congestion than others. In all tests, the AirPlay outperformed any other FM transmitter that it was up against.

Battery usage was, as with the iTrip, so minimal that it was insignificant. If the AirPlay didn’t have the auto-LCD shutoff this may not have been the case, but thankfully this design feature was incorporated.

Note: As far as sound-reproduction is concerned, comparing the AirPlay with a direct line output method of sound transfer (such as through the dock connector port or using a tape adaptor) is not really fair, as the technologies involved are different. Basically, fidelity is not going to be as high when using any FM transmitter and so any comparisons made should only be with other FM transmitters.

Conclusions

As far as price is concerned, the AirPlay is around £5 more expensive than an iTrip, but is it value for money? I would have to say yes, not least for the screen, but for the pure ease of its use. The AirPlay has taken the best features from all other FM transmitters and wrapped them up into one effortless device. With the simplicity of operation of an AudiaX and the sound quality of the iTrip, the AirPlay can definitely be considered the best FM transmitter currently available for the iPod. The iTrip should consider itself suitably ‘killed’.

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