Using iPod Touch As An FM Transmitter

By Dave V, 22 August, 2013

Forum
iOS and iPadOS
Are there any apps that work well with Voiceover which allow a person to use an iPod Touch as an FM transmitter?

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Comments

By DrewWeber on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 - 14:57

Hello. :) I do not believe that any in the line of iOS devices actually have FM transmitters built-in to them. You will have to purchase a hardware transmitter, either one that is made for iOS devices, or a generic that can be run into the headphones out socket of your device, then use any music playback app you'd like. All the best, Roosterloop

By PaulMartz on Friday, September 10, 2021 - 14:57

Sorry to revive this dead thread, but it's the best fit for what I'm looking for.

I want an app that passes sound directly from the built-in microphone to a Bluetooth headset. Obviously, this is not an FM transmitter system, which typically start around US$1000. That's the point. An app that provides analogous functionality would cost pretty much nothing.

So far, I've found the Ear Spy app. This does pretty much exactly what I want, and even supports an external microphone. Unfortunately, it's unusable because there's a brief lag between the source sound and playback in the headset. The lag is present even with wired earbuds, so the problem appears to be in the app and not specific to Bluetooth.

Why do I want this? I'm hearing impaired. Such an app would allow me to communicate better and hear my TV more easily. FM transmitter systems have two problems. One is the obvious expense. The other is that they're typically designed for sighted users. An app using VoiceOver would solve both of those issues. Ear Spy comes close, I just need to eliminate the inherent lag.

Any help would be appreciated.

Hi, I think I understand you are looking for a way to hear the output of your phones microphone on your headphones right? If thats the case you can do it with AirPods. I can’t remember the exact name of the feature but its something like hearing devices, you enable it in notification centre. It allows you to put your AirPods in and hear an amplified version of what your phone picks up. I’m not sure if it works with EarPods though.

By Kevan on Friday, September 10, 2021 - 14:57

Amazon sells very low power FM transmitters for less than $1000, which sounds like a price for a real radio station transmitter to cover a long distance.
Many of these low power units are made for vehicles which are powered by cigarette lighter adapters, but a few are even battery powered or wall-outlet powered, like this one which is all 3. This one's kind of pricy for low power, $124.00 but simple to use. It works through a headphone jack style wire with one end plugged into your device and the other into your transmitter. Not the best solution for iOS devices, but it should cover your house with no problems if you position it in a center area.
https://www.amazon.com/Whole-House-FM-Transmitter-3-0/dp/B00GHWUHD0/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=whole+house+transmitter&qid=1629368249&sr=8-3

By PaulMartz on Friday, September 10, 2021 - 14:57

In reply to by Kevan

Thanks, but the model you cited isn't accessible. From its description: "Easily read what frequency you're broadcasting on with the LCD screen display".

By Scott Davert on Friday, September 10, 2021 - 14:57

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

Hi Paul.
This would have likely been best to have started a new topic with what you are looking for, which isn't an FM transmitter at all.
Anyway, Live Listen is supported natively with the Home Pods and with MFi supported hearing aids. There should be an option to add it to your Control Center, it's also part of the MFi settings if you happen to have supported hearing aids. There will always be a slight delay as the audio goes from your phone to the connected device over Bluetooth.

By PaulMartz on Friday, September 10, 2021 - 14:57

Thanks, Scott. I got it working with my hearing aids. The slight delay is an issue, though. I'll probably end up purchasing an actual FM transmitter and putting up with the lack of accessibility. Argh.