Memorex iMove elbows into the iPod boombox market

In a market already crowded with iBooms, iJams, and Hi-Fis, do we really need yet another iPod boombox to choose from? Memorex thinks so, as evidenced by their recent introduction of a 12-watt 'box -- called, unsurprisingly, the iMove -- which accepts fourth and fifth generation 'Pods along with nanos, the iPod photo, and even the good old Mini, plus anything else you can plug into its auxiliary port. Also sporting a remote, AM/FM tuner, and SRS WOW sound enhancement, the iMove can be powered from your car or boat's cigarette lighter, eight D batteries, or a regular wall outlet  -- and by using the latter option, you can simultaneously charge whatever iPod you have docked as well. No word yet on a release date, but as long as its cheaper than the Hi-Fi (it is, at around $100) and more polished than models like the Toolbox Player or iBoom (which it seems to be), it should probably be able to eke out some decent sales when it finally hits Wal-mart shelves.

[Via fosfor gadgets, thanks Mikael S.]

[Jeramy @ May 21st 2006 7:12PM]

i really need to get a new boar. my boar doesn't have a cigarette lighter. but it's a sellers market for boars. oh well...

[robo @ May 21st 2006 7:37PM]

1 Boar, 2003 model, good mechanicals, A1 body, fully optioned (leather trim, cigarette lighter, Stereo + 2 subs etc.). First to see will buy.

If you're interested Jeramy...

[RedBull Runner @ May 21st 2006 8:09PM]

I want a boar... Ive always wanted a boar with a cigarette lighter! How much you sellin yours for?

[Henry @ May 21st 2006 8:10PM]

Anna: Apple Computer, inc.

[threEchelon @ May 21st 2006 8:28PM]

SRS WOW sound enhancement = SRS WOW sound degradation.

[DS @ May 21st 2006 10:14PM]

These guys have a *LONG* way to go before they are anywhere near Apple design wise. Nice try but like every other POS I think Ill pass....

DS

[Galley @ May 21st 2006 11:38PM]

These have been selling at Target for several weeks.
And WTF is a boar?

[morcheeba @ May 22nd 2006 12:32AM]

Apple''s HiFi has a lot more than just an amp... there's a DSP that can probably improve the sound a lot. I haven't read the reports on its sound, but it looks well engineered.

Disassembly:
http://www.eetimes.com/news/design/products/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=186700946

Insides: http://i.cmpnet.com/eetimes/news/06/04/DC1421_TEARDOWN_PG_48.gif

[Aaron @ May 22nd 2006 3:27AM]

I've got an Altec Lansing inMotion 7 or whatever the hell it's called, and the sound is good, but the design is a little awkward at times (it's cylindrical and will roll if you push if backwards off its feet). I really like the way this one looks, and the addition of a radio is cool. Although I hate to shell out more money for something that does the same thing, I might pick this one up.

Also... is there a way to stop that DS idiot from posting? I've seen him say the exact same thing several times now about several different products. I don't know if he's serious or a moron. Or both. I can't imagine he's serious this time... maybe it's just me but the iPod HiFi is kind of ugly.

[ipodnz @ May 22nd 2006 5:23AM]

iMove along with iBoom, iJams, iSkin etc etc

iReckon.

Lots of the i stuff!!

Just sounds better with an i

[blah! @ May 22nd 2006 9:12AM]

This one is one of the nicest of its kind. I hate the ones that have the Ipod sticking up at the top like if it was a pedistal. This Memorex one is actualy inwards and slanted...making it easier to mess with the controls....the others give a strain on the wrists. Good Job!

[Poopmaster @ May 22nd 2006 9:35AM]

I agree with #14. (Geez, does that sound Prisoner-esque or what?) Seriously, this one has the color scheme, the design, and the features that make for a good product. I can see this going along to pick-up games and at the beach and stuff.

[SubGenius @ May 22nd 2006 10:46AM]

While Apple's is drool worthy design-wise it leaves much to be desired price-wise.

Of all the non-Apple alternatives this one appears to be the best designed and at a reasonable price. The big question though is how does it sound? It looks a bit tiny to reproduce high quality sound.

[Noah Wuellner @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:01AM]

just bought one....sounds awful even with the SRS....dont waste your money!!!

[Marc Mayor @ May 22nd 2006 2:38PM]

Does anybody actually buy this kind of stuff?

[tom @ May 22nd 2006 3:49PM]

I bought a white one at Target for about $100. The sound is pretty fair, not a Bose but hey I can get several of them... Its pretty handy since it also runs on 6 D batteries. It can be toted out to the back yard, taken camping or on picnics. The little remote control works well enough with the ipod.

[keith @ May 28th 2006 2:40AM]

I just picked this player up today at a Target store and was pretty pleased with the audio performance. I used it for my brothers Birthday party. Right away it drew alot of attention with how it performed. Until after a good hour, my 5G iPod froze! I tried to restart it but to my luck that didn't work. My brother kept the party going using his 4G iPod but then after a 1/2 hour it too froze. We tried to restart it too but to no luck it didn't work either. I thought this is too coincidental for both iPods to freeze in an awkward way. Fortunately, a friend had a 3G iPod he was willing to give it a try. Hey, 3 times a charm right? .... think again. It froze in about 1/2 hour too. The cool thing about this player is that it has a line output. Another friend had a 5G iPod so I pulled out the headphone jacks from my car and hooked up his iPod to the line input of the iMove unit. It WORKED!!!! We solved the no freezing problem. Sure it works using the line input but this totally defeats the purpose of using the cradle the iPod was meant to be used for. Plus, you have dangling cords all over the place, not a pleasant sight. I figured, "hey, as long as we have music, we can keep the party going!" Until...... (yes, there's more), the volume control started acting up. I thought it was just the music but I started seeing the volume display keep moving up and down by itself! My friends told me to return this thing ASAP! Maybe I bought a bad unit, that's all. I don't want to give up on this thing because it really sounds good for a reasonable price. So, i'm going to Target tommorrow to have this unit replaced. If I encounter the same problem, then I guess Memorex has some explaining to do!!!!!

By the way Tom, the iMove unit runs on 8D batteries and not 6. I'm pretty sure it was just an honest mistake.

tah tah!

[keith @ May 28th 2006 2:45AM]

Oh yeah, one more thing. The cradle adaptors for all the iPods don't have a snug fit. Once you started pressing the buttons on your iPod the cradle starts to jog out of place. Just wanted to let you guys know. Still, I will give this thing another shot.

[Dank @ Jun 11th 2006 11:41PM]

Just bought one at target for 99 bucks.The thing rocks for the price.Great sound but like prev post not a bose but for 99 bucks who can complain.My adapter fits nice and snug so I dont have no movement on mine like prev post.Great for parties or just about anything.For the price I would def recomend.Also make sure you get it at target they do have a good return policy I beleive they give you 90 days.Hope this helps.later mark

[Iris @ Jul 19th 2006 6:47PM]

I was so excited about this unit because it was reasonably priced with simple lines that followed suit to Apple's aethetic. I was looking for speakers for my nano because I hate to listen with headphones if it isn't necessary. I thought it would be great to have one that had the capability of being portable OR stationary--and if it was being used as the latter, that it should have an AC adapter so you wouldn't get only 10 hours of playtime and then have to change batteries. The remote was just an added perk as well as the am/fm capabilities. I did, however, LOVE that it acted like a charger for the iPod.

I don't know if it was me, but I was having difficulty getting the iMove to register my Ipod. It would show that it was playing or charging but no sound would come out. On a fluke I got it to work and used it a bit, but the next time I tried to use it it was hit and miss. I thought maybe it was just a defect of that particaular IMove so I exchanged it, but with the new unit, it was the same story. In the end, I ended up returning the product. Sad, because it did everything I wanted an IPod Speaker to do and more... but shouldn't an electronic device work as soon as it is plugged in as a pre-requisite? or in this case, docked in? You shouldn't have to tinker for sweet spots, right?

Has anyone else had this problem with the iMove?

-I

[Christine @ Aug 18th 2006 12:23AM]

I was hoping to get an update on the post regarding three ipods freezing up by Keith on May 28th. I was wondering if the ipods were ruined by the machine. And if after exchanging it, he has had a similar problem with the next one. Anyone else have any personal use knowledge on this model?

[Josh @ Mar 13th 2007 10:39AM]

I bought this iMove to use with my 30 gig Ipod and it started to freeze up the Ipod about every two hours. It was really strange but when I tried to duplicate this at home, the speakers wouldn't freeze up with the Ipod. I left it on for two different times at home on various volume levels for 8 to 12 hours and no freeze up. I figured problem fixed and then at work it froze again. I figured maybe it was an electrical surge that was causing this problem so I switched it to a different set of plug ins and the results were the same. I took back my first iMove and exchanged it for a second with the same results. I sent the Ipod in after contacting Memorex (they swear up and down it's the Ipod, not the iMove) and Apple says there is nothing wrong with the Ipod. The only differences in the home and work settings is I have the iMove up to about 12-14 on volume versus 2-6 at home.

It's a pity, too. The thing is nicely priced and the sound quality is awesome. It just aggravates the hell out of me that it freezes up so often. Seriously, what the hell is going on here? Anyone else enjoying these problems?