For many older cars, plugging your phone into the auxiliary audio input is one of the easiest, most universal ways to bring your digital audio library and a wide range of streaming media apps with you on the road. The problem with this analog connection is that it's unidirectional; you still need to touch the phone to simply skip tracks. In many states, touching your device while driving is frowned upon. What's a safe driver to do?
This is where a device like the iSimple BluClik comes in. It pairs with your Bluetooth phone -- in many cases, even if you're already paired with a Bluetooth hands-free calling or audio streaming system -- and puts a selection of oft-used commands at your thumb-tip. The device promises that you'll be able to play, pause, skip, and adjust the volume without taking your hands off of the wheel or your eyes off of the road. It even integrates with Siri and Google voice search. Sounds promising.
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The hardware
The iSimple BluClik is a small, coin-sized Bluetooth remote that attaches to your car's steering wheel or dashboard. On its face is a collection of buttons. Volume up and down are located at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions, respectively. Skip forward and back are at 3 and 9. In the center is a big, round microphone button.
Along the edge of the unit is a Micro-USB port that is used for charging the BluClik with the included USB cable. That cable's only about 3 to 4inches long, so you'll have to get pretty close to whatever you're charging it from -- either a powered USB port on a PC or a USB wall adapter. BluClik doesn't include a charger in the box. The instructions state that you'll get about 60 hours of use out of an hour's charge. Since the unit automatically sleeps when not being used, I'd wager that you could get weeks or months of use between charges depending on how much tapping you do.
The BluClik unit affixes to your steering wheel with a velcro strap and bracket that seemed to hold in place securely during my testing. The product is modular, connecting to the bracket with a combination of magnetism and friction. It's easy to pop the unit off of the bracket for a quick charge, but it holds firmly enough that it'd be difficult to accidentally knock it free while driving.
The BluClik also ships with a second, adhesive-mounted bracket that can be used to affix the product to a dashboard.
Finally, the BluClik ships with a two extra metallic trim pieces to help it to match your vehicle's decor. These pieces simply snap off when you want to swap them.
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What it does (pairing and operation)
When removed from either cradle and flipped over, the BluClik reveals its power/mode switch. This three-position switch has settings for Android and iOS devices at either end, with the Off setting in the middle. You'll want to choose the mode appropriate for your paired device. Some functions, such as simple skip and volume commands, will work regardless of what mode you've chosen, but to gain access to your OS of choice's voice command system with the microphone button, it's a good idea to be in the matching mode.
I paired the device with my Android phone, strapped it to my steering wheel, and hit the road.
The BluClik performed as advertised... mostly. Skipping and adjusting the volume were handled almost as easily as OEM steering wheel controls would have. I'd have prefered more definition and a slightly larger button area for these rim controls, but the limited number of buttons and their cardinal placement made it easy to tap without looking. I also liked that the buttons' actuation was light, so I didn't have to press hard and potentially unsettle the velcro attachment.
The iSimple BluClik is an easy way enhance safety and keep hands on the wheel by adding simple media controls to vehicles without standard steering wheel
iSimple BluClik Bluetooth remote control review - CNET
The Good The iSimple BluClik puts volume, skip, play, and pause controls at the driver's fingertips while driving. The rechargeable battery lasts a claimed 60 hours
BluClick Control Button - iSimple Solutions
The BluClik remote control lets you add Bluetooth media playback steering wheel controls Submit Review. All Rights Reserved. iSimple Solutions is a brand
iSimple BluClik Bluetooth Remote Black ISBC01 - Best Buy
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