Ipod Head-Phone

Here is a simple project where you turn an old house phone into an Ipod headphone. From there the possibilities are endless. I sometimes try and fool my friends into thinking that I am actually talking on the phone when in fact I am listening to my music. Note: The microphone will not be recognized by the ipod. I used some soldering in this project due to the fact that I broke the wires to the speaker and had to reconnect them.

Step 1: Why adding a mic is complicated

When I originally made this intractable the concept of how an iPod mic works was beyond me. I am inserting this step to better explain why i could not simply ad the mic. iPod headphones that have microphones sometimes have a button as well. Normal headphone jacks have three pins. A mic headphone jack has four pins. I have not found anywhere to just buy a four pin 2.5mm jack. The only way i know of buying one is the headphones that have the mics already attached. Griffin Technology does sell microphone adapters for headphone in which you can use it when wiring up the headset. 


iPod compatible headphone with mic often have a button that can be used to play/ pause the music. the button is wired to the ground pin and the mic pin. From what i can find it appears that a diode is used in the process. My guess is that there is a current that constantly goes to the mic and ground pin. This current is AC power and when the button is pressed the current goes through the diode becoming one direction DC power. By obstructing the signal the ipod then detects the button is pressed and preprogramed responses are initiated. That's my theory anyways.

Comments

[cdousley]

it would be great if the mic worked could you wire it up with mic headphones

[mcguyverzboss]

Just recently i figured out why i could never get the phone mic to work. It has to relate with the type of 2.5mm headphone jack used. iPod headphones that have microphones have four pins rather than the standard three pin. I have added a step to further detail the difficulties of wiring a mic that works with the iPod. If you use a headphone that has a mic and is compatible with the ipod then you can use it for parts.

[mcguyverzboss]

I am not too familiar with mic headphones, but I do know that the ipod does not recognize the mic from the old phone. I believe It is possible to use a mic headphone that is supported by the ipod and place it in the shell of the old phone. Other than that its just trial and error.

[quiviran]

This is kind of cool. With the right iPod Touch, Skype and an App this could become a transitional device for folks who need the security of an old style handset.

When iPhone video chat gets here this will be dynamite. I see a commercial demand for cords with an RJ-11 plug on one end and a mic-type 1/8" plug on the other.

[funnyfoo0]

i made 1 of these works really well i am making one now which will have mic aswell great instructable i subsribed

[rc jedi]

I work for ATT, great idea so the boss won't know I'm slacking! Cubicle people can use this too.

[mcguyverzboss]

If you do decide to use it for when the boss comes by you might want to consider placing another speaker in the phone. Another speaker will help give the phone more of a surround sound feel. I am glad this Instructable was in some way useful. Thank you for your comment. I never would have thought of using it in an office. Great idea!