This tiny cheap iFi gadget gives your old iPod Bluetooth support, sends the in-flight movie to your wireless headphones and lets you use your over-ears
in the car

Date:
Thu, 29 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Description:
The iFi UP Travel Max has loads of uses: in flight, connecting your phone to your car, repurposing your old iPod...

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter iFi unveils the UP Travel Max It's a Bluetooth adaptor for audio systems that rely on 3.5mm jacks Can be used on flights, in cars, and on your ancient iPods I'm always struck by how odd it is that airlines seem comfortable to let modern tech trends fly straight by.

Only last year, I was given a pair of antique cheap wired earbuds for on an in-flight entertainment system, and there's no way of using your own premium Bluetooth headphones instead that is, unless you own one of a very select set of headphones or earbuds. Models such as the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 , Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 or LG Tone Free T90S offer a case retransmission function to ping audio to your preferred listening gear wirelessly, from connected analog or digital sources. But what if you don't want to buy new headphones for better flights? The other option is to buy a Bluetooth adaptor like iFi's new option. It is called the UP Travel Max, and it's up for preorder now for $129 / 129 (roughly AU$260, but iFi's Aussie website doesn't list a price), before going on sale at the end of November. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

This device, like the Twelve South AirFly View which arrived only a day
prior, is designed to be plugged into a 3.5mm jack. You then pair it to your Bluetooth headphones or earbuds (or speaker, if you're a maverick), letting you connect your wireless option into the wired medium.

The iFi has a 10-hour battery life, supports LDAC and aptX Lossless playback and has a built-in DAC, borrowed from other iFi devices. That's why it's a little pricier than more basic options: you don't just get the function, you want clean audio too. You may like Don't upgrade your handset, upgrade what
it can do: these new cheap hi-fi Bluetooth dongles unlock hi-res music from your phone, and ping it to your wireless earbuds iFi's newest hi-res
headphone DAC squeezes into a tiny USB-C-to-earbuds cable just add IEMs
These two budget hi-res music players evoke the best of the iPod era, but
with modern features Audio comes, audio goes (Image credit: iFi) The iFi UP Travel Max is a little different from some other Bluetooth adapter dongles, because it receives or transmits, depending on which mode you put it in.

Plug it into a flight console, and it can transmit from the screen to your headphones. But connect it to your personal vehicle's stereo, and it can receive from your smartphone, to use the big speakers while you're on the go. A button on the device lets you flick between the two. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Using transmit mode, you can also connect wireless headphones to older gadgets, like your classic iPod ( which just celebrated its 25th birthday )
to avoid using whatever wired headphones you have lying about to enjoy your old-school tunes.

I'm sure there are plenty of other niche use cases that could benefit from
the iFi UP Travel Max too; my PC doesn't have a Bluetooth module so I'd be able to use it to pair wireless headphones, for example. The world is your oyster... or you could just use it on flights, to avoid those awful, highly breakable standard-issue buds. The best headphone DACs for all budgets Our
top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

Read our full guide to the best headphone DACs 1. Best budget USB-C portable DAC: iFi GO Link Max 2. Best budget desktop DAC: iFi Uno 3. Best premium portable DAC: iFi xDSD Gryphon 4. Best wireless DAC: Fiio BTR17 Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/audio/this-tiny-cheap-ifi-gadget-gives-your-old-ipod -bluetooth-support-sends-the-in-flight-movie-to-your-wireless-headphones-and-l ets-you-use-your-over-ears-in-the-car


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