Twelve South AirFly review: Connect Bluetooth headphones to any wired source
- jun
- 13
- Posted by Michael
- Posted in Okategoriserade
In-flight entertainment never sounded so good — all thanks to this wireless-to-wired dongle.
"It's a beautiful day for flying," the captain said, his introductory message piped through my Libratone Track+ headphones. I don't usually hear these messages: I've long since stopped using wired headphones on airplanes, preferring an Apple Music playlist on noise-cancelling earbuds to patchy satellite audio through a set of EarPods.
But this flight was a bit different: I was testing Twelve South's new AirFly, a tiny dongle the size of a small Zippo lighter that adds Bluetooth connectivity to any 3.5mm port. While it can be used to pipe audio from just about anything with a headphone jack, AirFly's chief attraction is connecting modern headphones to outdated technology systems like airplanes and gym equipment. For me, that meant testing it on an aging Air Canada Airbus A320 during a cross-country flight.
It is worth noting that there are similar-looking dongles that have existed on Amazon for years; Trond sells a dark-black variation similar in many ways to the AirFly for just $29.99. I haven't tested it yet to compare audio fidelity and overall quality, but I'm planning on picking one up to do a comparison test soon.
Dangling dongles
The AirFly is a pretty diminutive piece of tech, as dongles go. It's not much bigger in footprint than Apple's SD camera card reader, and only a little thicker. Bottom line: This won't take up any unnecessary space in your carry-on. If you have AirPods, you can even fit your headphone case, the AirFly, and its charging cable in the provided drawstring bag.
Getting your headphones, AirFly, and 3.5mm entry jack to talk to each other is a slightly messier process — largely due to a fairly incomprehensible series of flashing lights the AirFly uses to denote status. With the electronic manual nearby, I figured out pairing pretty quickly, but without that bit of information I may have given up. The trick is knowing what to look for.
How to pair AirFly with your wireless headphones
- Connect the AirFly to the 3.5mm audio source (like an airplane seat rest).
- Press and hold the white button on the front of the AirFly until it begins flashing orange and white repeatedly.
- Pick up your Bluetooth headphones.
- Press and hold the pairing button on your Bluetooth headphones.
- The AirFly should automatically flash twice to indicate a successful pairing between your headphones. (Depending on your model, you may also hear some sort of "connected" chime in your ears.)
Once you've done this song and dance, you should be able to disconnect from the AirFly by briefly holding down on its main button; to reconnect, hold the button until you hear a chime from your headphones. (In rare instances, you may have to re-pair every time, but I've only seen that happen if you use multiple devices with the same headphones.
Sound quality and performance
Once I got my AirFly talking to my wireless headphones, it was an easy road to rocking along to the entertainment system's music and in-flight video system. The sound quality and connectivity level largely depends on the 3.5mm connection — the first flight I took had excellent sound quality through my headphones while watching a movie and listening to satellite radio, but my second flight had a patchy headphone jack, which frequently resulted in the occasional buzz or hum during audio content.
This is less the AirFly's fault than that of an aging in-flight system, but it's important to think about this sort of stuff: If you regularly fly on routes that offer up older planes, or your gym equipment isn't necessarily top-tier, you might run into some audio bugs here and there.
Battery life
I found the AirFly's 8 hour battery more than sufficient for all of my cross-country journeys — I never ran into a low-battery amber flash during my travels, though I was diligent about charging the dongle in-between flights. Given that many modern planes offer USB recharging at your seat these days, you shouldn't ever have to worry about your dongle (or headphones) completely losing a charge — the AirFly charges in around two hours, but you can always plug it in for a quarter of that time and get enough extra juice to keep your headphones powered and ready.
Bottom line
If you've moved to a wireless lifestyle but still need to access music and audio through wired ports, the $39.99 AirFly is a godsend of a dongle. It's been living in my travel case since I got one, and I've used it multiple times on planes to watch movies, catch the end of a TV broadcast, and even salute the (now-defunct) Virgin America safety video.
Senaste inläggen
- Apple-ID loggar ut användare och kräver lösenordsåterställning
- Apple reportedly planning an in-person event for iPad reveal next week
- Locked out of your Apple ID? You’re not the only one as Apple faces widespread reports of forced password resets
- Apple reportedly in talks with OpenAI for iOS 18 chatbot
- Externa skärmar till Macbook – vi testar 3 heta alternativ
Senaste kommentarer
Arkiv
- april 2024
- mars 2024
- februari 2024
- januari 2024
- december 2023
- november 2023
- oktober 2023
- september 2023
- augusti 2023
- juli 2023
- juni 2023
- maj 2023
- april 2023
- mars 2023
- februari 2023
- januari 2023
- december 2022
- november 2022
- oktober 2022
- september 2022
- augusti 2022
- juli 2022
- juni 2022
- maj 2022
- april 2022
- mars 2022
- februari 2022
- april 2021
- mars 2021
- januari 2021
- december 2020
- november 2020
- oktober 2020
- september 2020
- augusti 2020
- juli 2020
- juni 2020
- maj 2020
- april 2020
- mars 2020
- februari 2020
- januari 2020
- december 2019
- november 2019
- oktober 2019
- september 2019
- augusti 2019
- juli 2019
- juni 2019
- maj 2019
- april 2019
- mars 2019
- februari 2019
- januari 2019
- december 2018
- november 2018
- oktober 2018
- september 2018
- augusti 2018
- juli 2018
- juni 2018
- maj 2018
- april 2018
- mars 2018
- februari 2018
- januari 2018
- december 2017
- november 2017
- oktober 2017
- september 2017
- augusti 2017
- juli 2017
- juni 2017
- maj 2017
- april 2017
- mars 2017
- februari 2017
- januari 2017
- december 2016
- november 2016
- oktober 2016
- september 2016
- augusti 2016
- juli 2016
- juni 2016
- maj 2016
- april 2016
- mars 2016
- februari 2016
- januari 2016
- december 2015
- november 2015
- oktober 2015
- september 2015
- augusti 2015
- juli 2015
- juni 2015
- maj 2015
- april 2015
- mars 2015
- februari 2015
- januari 2015
- december 2014
- november 2014
- oktober 2014
- september 2014
- augusti 2014
- juli 2014
- juni 2014
- maj 2014
- april 2014
- mars 2014
- februari 2014
- januari 2014
Kategorier
- –> Publicera på PFA löp
- (PRODUCT) RED
- 2015
- 25PP
- 2nd gen
- 32gb
- 3D Touch
- 3D-kamera
- 4k
- 64gb
- 9to5mac
- A10
- A9X
- Aaron Sorkin
- Accessories
- adapter
- AirPlay
- AirPods
- Aktiv
- Aktivitetsarmband
- Aktuellt
- Alfred
- AMOLED
- Android Wear
- Angela Ahrendts
- Ångerätt
- announcements
- Ansiktsigenkänning
- app
- App Store
- Appar
- Apple
- Apple Beta Software Program
- Apple Book
- Apple CarPlay
- Apple Event
- Apple iMac
- Apple Mac Mini
- Apple Macbook
- Apple MacBook Air
- Apple MacBook Pro
- Apple Macos
- Apple Maps
- Apple Music
- Apple Music Festival
- Apple Music Radio
- Apple Offer
- Apple Online Store
- Apple Park
- Apple Pay
- Apple Pencil
- Apple Podcast
- Apple Store
- Apple Store 3.3
- Apple TV
- apple tv 4
- Apple TV 4K
- Apple Watch
- Apple Watch 2
- Apple Watch 8
- Apple Watch 9
- Apple Watch Apps
- Apple Watch SE
- Apple Watch Series 2
- Apple Watch Sport
- Apple Watch Ultra
- AppleCare
- AppleTV
- Application
- Applications
- Apps
- AppStore
- Apptillägg
- Apptips
- AppTV
- April
- Arbetsminne
- armband
- Art Apps
- Återköp
- återvinning
- Åtgärdsalternativ
- atvflash
- Audio Apps
- Augmented REality
- Back-to-school
- Bakgrundsbilder
- BankId
- Barn
- Batteri
- batteriskal
- batteritid
- Beats
- Beats 1
- Beats Solo 2 Wireless
- Beats Solo2
- Bebis
- Beginner Tips
- Belkin
- Bendgate
- beta
- Beta 3
- betaversion
- betaversioner
- bilddagboken.se
- bilder
- bilhållare
- billboard
- Bioteknik
- Blendtec
- Bloomberg
- Bloons TD 5
- Bluelounge
- Bluetooth
- Böj
- Booking.com
- Borderlinx
- bose
- bugg
- Buggar
- Buggfixar
- Butik
- C More
- Calc 2M
- Camera
- Campus 2
- Canal Digital
- Carpool Karaoke
- Caseual
- Catalyst
- CES 2015
- Chassit
- Chip
- Chrome Remote Desktop
- Chromecast
- citrix
- clic 360
- CNBC
- Connect
- Cydia
- Dagens app
- Dagens tips
- Damm
- Danny Boyle
- Data
- datamängd
- Datorer
- Datortillbehör
- Datum
- Defense
- Dekaler
- Designed by Apple in California
- Developer
- Development
- Digital Inn
- Digital Touch
- Digitalbox
- DigiTimes
- Direkt
- Discover
- display
- DisplayMate
- Dive
- Docka
- Dräger 3000
- Dropbox
- Droples
- DxOMark
- E-post
- earpod
- EarPods
- Earth Day
- Eddie Cue
- eddy cue
- Educational Apps
- Ekonomi
- Ekonomi/Bransch
- El Capitan
- Elements
- ElevationLab
- Elgato Eve
- Elgato Eve Energy
- EM 2016
- Emoji
- emojis
- emoticons
- Enligt
- EU
- event
- Eventrykten
- EverythingApplePro
- Faceshift
- facetime
- Fäste
- Featured
- Features
- Feng
- Film / Tv-serier
- Filmer
- Filstorlek
- Finance Apps
- Finder For AirPods
- Finland
- FireCore
- Fitbit
- Fitness Accessories
- Fjärrstyr
- Flurry
- Födelsedag
- fodral
- Förboka
- Force Touch
- förhandsboka
- Första intryck
- Forumtipset
- foto
- FoU (Forskning och Utveckling)
- Fource Touch
- Foxconn
- FPS Games
- Framtid
- Fre Power
- Frontpage
- Fullt
- Fuse Chicken
- Fyra
- Gadgets
- Gagatsvart
- Gamereactor
- Games
- Gaming
- Gaming Chairs
- Gästkrönika
- General
- Gigaset
- Gitarr
- Glas
- GM
- Google Maps
- Google Now
- gratis
- grattis
- Guide
- Guider
- Guider & listor
- Guld
- hack
- Halebop
- hållare
- Hälsa
- Hårdvara
- HBO
- HBO Nordic
- Health
- Health and Fitness
- Health and Fitness Apps
- Hej Siri
- Helvetica Neue
- Hemelektronik
- Hemknapp
- Hemlarm
- Hermes
- Hitta min iphone
- Hjärta
- högtalare
- HomeKit
- HomePod
- hörlurar
- htc
- Hue
- Humor
- i
- I Am A Witness
- IBM
- iBolt
- iBomber
- iBook
- icar
- iCloud
- iCloud Drive
- iCloud Voicemail
- iCloud.com
- iDevices
- IDG Play
- idownloadblog
- iFixit
- ikea
- iKörkort
- iLife
- Illusion Labs
- iMac
- IMAP
- iMessage
- iMessages
- iMore Show
- Incipio
- InFuse
- Inspelning
- Instagram-flöde
- Instrument
- Intel
- Internet/Webbtjänster
- iOS
- iOS 10
- iOS 12
- iOS 17
- iOS 18
- iOS 5
- iOS 7
- iOS 8
- iOS 8 beta
- iOS 8.1.3
- iOS 8.2
- iOS 8.3
- iOS 8.4
- iOS 8.4.1
- iOS 9
- iOS 9 beta 4
- iOS 9.1
- iOS 9.1 beta 2
- iOS 9.2
- iOS 9.2.1
- iOS 9.3
- IOS Games
- ios uppdatering
- ios9
- iPad
- iPad Accessories
- iPad Air
- iPad Air 2
- iPad Air 3
- iPad Apps
- iPad Mini
- iPad mini 4
- iPad Mini 6
- iPad mini retina
- iPad Pro
- iPados
- iphone
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 17
- iPhone 5
- iPhone 5S
- iPhone 5se
- iPhone 6
- iphone 6 plus
- iPhone 6c
- iPhone 6s
- iPhone 6S plus
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 7 display
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone 7s
- iPhone Accessories
- iPhone Apps
- iPhone SE
- iphone x
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone7
- iPhoneGuiden
- iPhoneguiden.se
- iPhones
- iPod
- iPod Nano
- iPod shuffle
- ipod touch
- iSight
- iTunes
- iWatch
- iWork
- iWork för iCloud beta
- Jailbreak
- James Corden
- Jämförande test
- Jämförelse
- Jet Black
- Jet White
- Jönssonligan
- Jony Ive
- Juice Pack
- Juridik
- Just mobile
- kalender
- kalkylator
- Kamera
- Kameratest
- Karriär/Utbildning
- Kartor
- Kevin Hart
- keynote
- Keynote 2016
- KGI
- KGI Security
- Kina
- Klassiskt läderspänne
- Kod
- Kollage
- koncept
- konceptbilder
- köpguide
- krasch
- Krascha iPhone
- Krönika
- Kvartalsrapport
- Laddhållare
- laddningsdocka
- Laddunderlägg
- läderloop
- lagar
- Lagring
- Lajka
- Länder
- lansering
- laserfokus
- Layout
- leather loop
- LG
- Liam
- Lifeproof
- Lightnigport
- lightning
- Linux
- LinX
- live
- Live GIF
- Live Photos
- Live-event
- Livsstil
- Ljud & Bild
- Logitech
- LOL
- Lösenkod
- Lösenkodlås
- Lovande spel
- LTE
- Luxe Edition
- M3
- M3TV
- Mac
- Mac App Store
- Mac Apps
- Mac Mini
- Mac OS
- Mac OS X
- Mac OS X (generellt)
- Mac OS X Snow Leopard
- Mac Pro
- Macbook
- Macbook Air
- Macbook Pro
- Macforum
- Macintosh
- macOS
- Macs
- MacWorld
- Made for Apple Watch
- magi
- Magic
- MagSafe
- Martin Hajek
- matematik
- Meddelanden
- Media Markt
- Medieproduktion
- Mediocre
- Messaging Apps
- Messenger
- MetaWatch
- Mfi
- Michael Fassbender
- microsoft
- Mikrofon
- Minecraft
- Ming-Chi Kuo
- miniräknare
- minne
- Mixer
- Mixning
- Mjukvara
- mobbning
- Mobile Content
- Mobilt
- Mobilt/Handdator/Laptop
- Mobiltelefon
- Mockup
- Mophie
- mors dag
- moto 360
- Motor
- MTV VMA
- multitasking
- Music
- Music Apps
- Music, Movies and TV
- Musik
- Musikmemon
- MW Expo 2008
- native union
- Nätverk
- Navigation Apps
- nedgradera
- Netatmo Welcome
- Netflix
- Netgear Arlo
- News
- Niantic
- Nike
- Nikkei
- Nintendo
- Nöje
- Norge
- Notis
- Notiscenter
- nya färger
- Nyfödd
- Nyheter
- Officeprogram
- Okategoriserade
- OLED
- omdöme
- Omsättning
- OS X
- OS X El Capitan
- OS X Mavericks
- OS X Yosemite
- Outlook
- Övrig mjukvara
- Övrigt
- PanGu
- papper
- patent
- PC
- pebble
- Pebble Smartwatch
- Pebble Steel
- Pebble Time
- Pebble Time Steel
- Persondatorer
- Petter Hegevall
- PewDiePie
- Philips
- Philips Hue
- Phones
- Photoshop
- Planet of the apps
- Plex
- Pluggar
- Plus
- Plusbox
- Podcast
- Podcast Apps
- Policy
- Porträttläge
- PP
- Pris
- priser
- problem
- Problems
- Productivity Apps
- Program
- Prylar & tillbehör
- Publik
- publik beta
- QuickTime
- räkenskapsår
- räkna
- ram
- RAM-minne
- Rapport/Undersökning/Trend
- Rea
- Reading Apps
- recension
- Red
- reklaamfilm
- reklam
- reklamfilm
- reklamfilmer
- rekord
- Rendering
- reparation
- Reportage
- Reptest
- ResearchKit
- Retro
- Review
- Ring
- Ringa
- Rocket Cars
- Rosa
- Rumors
- Rumours
- RunKeeper
- rykte
- Rykten
- Safir
- Säkerhet
- Säkerhetsbrist
- Samhälle/Politik
- samsung
- Samtal
- San Francisco
- SAP
- security
- Series 2
- Servrar
- Shigeru Miyamoto
- Sia
- Siri
- SJ Min resa
- skal
- Skal iPhone 6
- skal iPhone 6s
- skärm
- SKärmdump
- Skärmglas
- Skribent
- skribenter medarbetare
- Skriva ut
- skruvmejsel
- skydd
- Skyddsfilm
- Skype
- slice intelligence
- Smart
- smart hem
- Smart Home
- Smart Keyboard
- Smart klocka
- Smart Lights
- smartphone
- Smartwatch
- Snabbt
- Snapchat
- Social Apps
- Software
- Solo2
- sommar
- Sonos
- Sony
- soundtouch
- Space Marshals
- spår
- Speakers
- Special Event
- Spel
- Spelkonsol
- Spellistor
- Split Screen
- Split View
- Sport
- Sportband
- Sports Apps
- spotify
- Spring forward
- Statistik
- Steve Jobs
- Stickers
- Stockholm
- Stor iPhone
- Storlek
- Story Mode
- Strategy Games
- streama
- Streaming
- stresstest
- Ström
- Studentrabatt
- stylus
- Super Mario Run
- support
- Surf
- Surfplatta
- svenska
- sverige
- Sverigelansering
- Switch
- Systemstatus
- Systemutveckling
- tåg
- Taig
- Tangentbord
- Taptic Engine
- Tårta
- tät
- Tävling
- Taylor Swift
- Teknik
- tele 2
- Telefoner
- Telekom
- Telia
- Test
- Tid
- TikTok
- Tile
- tillbehör
- Tim Cook
- TIME
- TimeStand
- Tiny Umbrella
- Tips
- Toppnyhet IDG.se
- Touch ID
- TouchID
- tower defence
- trådlös laddning
- Trådlösa hörlurar
- trådlöst
- trailer
- Travel Apps
- Tre
- TrendForce
- TripAdvisor
- Trolleri
- trump
- TSMC
- Tum
- tv
- tvätta
- tvOS
- tvOS 9.2
- tvOS beta 2
- Tweak
- Typsnitt
- Ubytesprogram
- UE MegaBoom
- Unboxing
- Underhållning/Spel
- unidays
- United Daily News
- Unix
- Updates
- Uppdatera
- uppdatering
- Upplösning
- upptäckt
- USA
- Ut på Twitter
- utbyte
- utbytesprogram
- Utilities Apps
- Utlottning
- utrymme
- utvecklare
- varumärke
- Vatten
- Vattentålig
- vattentät
- vävt nylon
- Verktyg
- Viaplay
- Vibrator
- video
- Videoartiklar och webb-tv (M3/TW/CS)
- Villkor
- viloknapp
- Virtual Reality
- Virus
- visa
- Vision Pro
- VLC
- Volvo on call
- W1
- Waitrose
- Watch OS
- WatchOS
- WatchOS 2
- watchOS 2.0.1
- watchOS 2.2
- Webbtv (AppTV)
- wi-fi
- Wifi-samtal
- Windows
- Windows 8
- WWDC
- WWDC2015
- yalu
- Youtube
- Zlatan