So, One A3 is SW 1.0.4.0 and the other is 1.0.0.0.
Trying to check for update leads to an error.

I didn't notice any different behavior from one to the other.

Both iPad charge up to 100% (Actually, the iPad 1 charge to 99% but I believe this is an iPad issue).

Hello Matador,

I think the charging issue may be related to the battery and I've ordered a new one.  Unused and improperly stored lithium batteries actually last less than batteries that see use throughout their life.

Regarding 1.0.0.0, without much hope, I contacted B&O, who replied «the technical team has confirmed that there is no software update available for Beoplay A3».  I don't like this answer.  A more straightforward reply could have been "software updates are no longer available", or "we no longer support the A3 product."  These responses would be entirely acceptable, and honest.

But their response is as if no update had ever been made available.  I grant there might be something lost in translation.  Still, I wish I had a photograph of someone with 1.0.0.4.  Perhaps you could post one?

I'll post a photograph of the inside RJ-45 connector when I install the new battery.

I attach a photo of the RJ-45 connector inside the A3 I took as I replaced the battery.

Any photographs of the BeoSetup app showing an A3 with sw version 1.0.0.4 would be appreciated.

Cheers to all,

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Maybe it worth asking Keith if he have any manual related to the A3.
I think the A3 is a very delicate thing to open, not that delicate actually but the chances to harm the aluminium trims are there, so no ay to look inside to see any markings on the PCB.

Here is the picture of a 1.0.4.0 SW A3.

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Well, the little Apple adapter from 30 pin to lighting arrived.  The iPad Air 2 fit nicely (without the B&O plastic bumper), though I planned to make holes on the bumper as needed to fit.

But, alas, my A3 is dead or nearly so.  It played music from the iPad Air 2 from battery for a couple of hours, and then it wouldn't start, not even plugging it. Nor with an iPad 4 (which is almost the same as an iPad 3, except for the connector), nor with my iPhone X.

Since this was the same behavior that led me to buy a replacement batt., I took out the new batt and tried the old.  Surprise!  It would start (little red light)... and then die in about 6 seconds.  With either of the two Apple adapters (the one with the wire and the compact one).

After a while it wouldn't anymore, so I put the new batt back in.  Again, works for a few seconds.  I note the iPod classic doesn't charge anymore either, even if the A3 starts for a few seconds.

I haven't reported here that the phenomenon that led to the erratic no-iDevice charging and eventually death of the battery is that the old Varta got hot (and warmed up the whole thing) following my first full charge of the A3.

So my theories are:
(1) The new replacement battery, being old stock, is also dead.  It was only $10, so no big faith can be laid on it; or,

(2) The runaway heating event damaged the charging components of the A3.  It has now become a battery killer (charged the Varta to full once, killed it, charged the new battery to full once, killed it).  Also, that event damaged the A3's ability to charge the iDevices, since the A3 has not charged the iDevices anymore, but it did before the Big Heating.  This would also explain why the iPod no longer charges, but it did before.

What may have damaged the A3?  It certainly was a pristine, sealed item.  Perhaps the new devices, connected via Apple official adapters were too much for it, which may be a warning to other owners.  Perhaps the original Varta was damaged and in the process of destroying itself it damaged the A3.  Perhaps my new A3 was defective from the factory!

C'est la vie!  Not sure where we go from here.

Hi Xavieritzmann,

Did you have the main charger plugged all that time?
By now all batteries would be dead or weak at the best and as you said, I wouldn't trust too much a 10€ battery. This added to the fact that you already had charging issues before, I wouldn't say that the A3 is dead yet.

Do you have a way to borrow an iPad 1 or 2 to check A3 in its normal condition, then assess the battery health and then, once you know, play with the adapter? I feel like you have too many "variables" in your equation  there.

It is possible the A3 is faulty, but I think its a solid piece of hardware so, I would insist a little more to bring it back to life.

Problem fixed!

Thanks Matador for the recommendation regarding too many variables.  So, I ordered a new battery for $30.  When it came yesterday, I had a hard time plugging it in... I then realized all this time I've failed to plug in the battery!  If you insert the plug upside down, it will catch enough that a careless operator —me— will think it inserted; but it is not.  Turns out my old $10 battery is perfectly functional, so I'll return the new one (which I never actually inserted, only mis-inserted.)

Anyway, now all I have to do is:
(1) Spray-paint the Apple 30-pin adapter to Lighting in black

(2) Buy an iPad 6 to permanently use on the A3 (the picture is of my ancient iPad Air 2, which is fully supported by Apple but will cease to be in about 3 months)

(3) Fit my velcro straps so that the iPad lies flat, e.i., parallel, to the front plane of the A3

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Looking forward to read about the progress.

Nice project - I might even dig out my old A3 to try the same.

MM

I use my A3s with iPad2s. TuneIn and Synology Audion are  the only apps still working, so this sounds like a good idea. issue will ne to get an original Md824am/a.

Any ideas what to look put for to get an adapter that supports audio?