Livio Radio Bluetooth Car Internet Radio Kit (LVC02A and LVC02G)

The Bluetooth Car Internet Radio Kit by Livio is made for both iPhone (LVC02A) and Android (LVC02G). In all versions, the Kit allows users to wirelessly connect their phone to any FM car stereo and add Internet radio, hands-free Bluetooth calling and USB charging to the car stereo with no monthly fee. Traditional Bluetooth handsfree profile and AVRCP profiles work great for general MP3 playback and handsfree calling, but the ability to manage various music sources with handsfree calling is a major problem that this product solves. Specifically we are using the Serial Profile (SPP) to allow data transfer from buttons on the Bluetooth device to the mobile phone. By using our own SPP profile, this allows commands like tagging songs, and the ability to scan Internet radio channels possible. iOS4 also does not support artist/title information through AVRCP (which iOS5 fixes) so using SPP to get artist/title from your phone to the Bluetooth kit, then converting the Bluetooth chipset to FM RDS output is also a slick feature for a factory-like experience. After testing early prototypes of the product, we decided that for in-car use the buttons needed to be backlit instead of silkscreened, but we also noticed that in direct sunlight the contrast needed to be strong enough for the buttons to stand out. We went with a clear laser etch and used soft touch paint to create a blackout effect to prevent light bleeding between buttons. The results are color-coded (language proof) buttons that can work in any in-car environment. Another major detail is deciding to put the USB charger on the main system instead of the source of the 12V adapter. As many new cars have inset 12V connectors, access to the USB charger would be difficult unless we mounted directly on the top unit.

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Features

While there are certainly other FM transmitters and Bluetooth devices available on the market, the Kit is the only one that also offers controls for applications powered by Livio Connect. Secondly, the Kit is powered by Livio Connect API, a middleware framework protocol developed by Livio Radio that allows applications to communicate with hardware through a Bluetooth connection. Livio Connect is not only the reason the Kit works but also the reason consumers will see more application-hardware integrations in the vehicle throughout the rest of 2012. The Kit effectively combines the best of three auto accessory products into a single device. It is a hands-free phone calling device that integrates call functions with the phone, it is an excellent way to listen to the music contained on your phone via either the built-in FM transmitter or AUX output, and it is a USB charger. This eliminates the need for multiple single-function devices that can only be used separately.

Benefits

The Kit effectively combines the best of three auto accessory products into a single device. It is a hands-free phone-calling device that integrates call functions with the phone it is an excellent way to listen to the music contained on your phone via either the built-in FM transmitter or AUX output, and it is a USB charger. This eliminates the need for multiple single-function devices. Other killer features/benefits include: Autostart app on car start: When you start your car, the Kit will tell your phone to start up the Livio Radio application automatically. This makes Internet radio as accessible as AM/FM or Satellite, the way a user expects the music to start as soon as your car turns on. Smart scan - Press the scan button to find a station similar to the one you're are listening to. Multi app compatibility - Livio Connect API compatibility means that multiple applications can take advantage of the controls on the Kit. Multiple phone connections - As most homes have more than one driver, up to 10 phones can be paired up to the Kit. The Kit will always try to find the most recent connection (last connected) phone during startup

Company Info

Livio Radio Products

Bluetooth Car Internet Radio Kit (LVC02A and LVC02G)

Change the way you listen to radio in the car with the Kit: Wirelessly add Internet radio, Bluetooth hands-free calling and USB phone charging to any vehicle with your phone.