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iPhone accessories can download iPhone apps to your iPhone memory

by Tim Stevens posted Sep 30th 2009 at 7:17AM

Among the many minor changes included in the 3.0 release of the iPhone OS was one that would enable those myriad of iPhone accessories to work more closely with software. That is to say, to make the plugging in of one result in in a prompting to download the other. The first such piece of hardware is the latest Griffin iTrip, which, when connected, raises the dialog shown above. You can of course say "No" if you don't feel like playing along, but when it comes to accessories like the TomTom car kit we're thinking you'll probably be missing out if you don't go along with the flow.

[Via AppleInsider]

Griffin iTrip now features iPhone OS 3.0 integration

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Sep 23rd 2009 at 11:57AM

Griffin, known for its accessories for the iPod and iPhone, has just announced its latest and greatest (though just how great is still in question). The latest iteration of the iTrip takes full advantage of iPhone OS 3.0, allowing you to control the FM transmitter from your iPhone / iPod touch itself. Aren't luscious touchscreen controls preferable to the iTrip's tiny buttons anyways? In addition to app integration, the transmitter features track and artist information on RDS-compatible radios, SmartScan technology for finding the best available frequency in any locale, and a micro-USB port for charging any USB-powered iPod or iPhone from a charger. iTrip is available for $49.99, and the iTrip Controller software can be downloaded for free from the App Store.

Griffin's volume-limiting MyPhones can't crank to 11... or 8

by Darren Murph posted Sep 20th 2009 at 1:56PM

Griffin Technology's MyPhones are far from being the first cans on the market with volume limiting tech built-in, but unlike some parent-friendly options, these can never, ever be cranked to levels appropriate for ear bashing. You see, rather than giving adults (you know, those Earthlings that are already hard of hearing) the chance to set the limit too high for their offspring, Griffin has implemented an "always-on sound-control circuit to cap peak volume levels at 85 decibels." That's the maximum level recommended by many auditory health organizations, and if you don't like it, tough noogies. But we mean, just look at those two kiddos above -- don't they just look elated? Kidz Bop 14 at barely-audible levels tends to have that effect, or so we hear.

[Via Macworld]

Griffin ships iPod / iPhone-friendly TuneFlex AUX with SmartClick remote

by Darren Murph posted Jan 17th 2009 at 6:37AM

Griffin Technology rolled out a gaggle of new accessories at CES 2009, but curiously absent was this fellow. The outfit has announced today that its TuneFlex AUX SmartClick is shipping to those interested, and if you're still attempting to gauge your own level of excitement, let us detail what it does. Essentially, what we've got here is an in-car iPod / iPhone charger (via cigarette adapter) that comes with a wireless remote tailor made for slipping around your steering wheel. Also, there's no messy FM transmitter to bother with; instead, it relies on the much more solid auxiliary input connection. Yeah, $79.99 sounds a tad high to us too, but momma always said you can't put a price on keeping your eyes on the road.

Griffin freaks out on the accessory tip

by Nilay Patel posted Jan 7th 2009 at 4:01AM

Tons of little accessories from Griffin today -- here's a quick breakdown, pictures in the gallery!

SmartTalk Bluetooth headset: dual-mic headset featuring STEPvoice "acoustic voice separation" technology to kill background and wind noise, and features voice feedback during pairing. $100, now shipping, or wait until February to buy it in a bundle with the PowerJolt car charger for $120.
TuneBuds Fit: In-ear headphones with 10mm drivers in an "anatomically correct" aluminum curved design. Sure, okay. They'll be $50 in February.
Noise-reducing auxiliary audio cable: Car-oriented headphone cable with an inline dual-element noise filter to eliminate hum from vehicle electrical systems. If you need this -- you know if you do, trust us -- it'll be well worth the $20 in February.
SmartShare USB: Sure, lots of people could use this $20 two-port USB hub with a unique splitter-like design, but Griffin's targeting it at MacBook Air owners, because let's face it -- it's fun to point out how limited the MacBook Air is.
PowerBlock Reserve: Adds a removable battery to the popular PowerBlock USB charger that allows it to charge your iPod / iPhone away from an outlet. A little steep at $40, but the battery is held in place magnetically for extra awesomeness.
PowerJolt Reserve: Same deal as the PowerBlock, but in an iPod / iPhone car charger package.
Charge Converter FireWire to USB: We're still unclear as to why all these iPhone 3G FireWire charging adapters are all so expensive, but $30 will get you Griffin's take on the idea sometime later this month.

Gallery: Griffin 2009 accessory lineup

Griffin intros Simplifi iPod dock / card reader / USB hub

by Donald Melanson posted Sep 26th 2008 at 4:26PM

Griffin may occasionally help out those that like to complicate their lives, but it also thankfully caters to those of us that prefer to keep things simple, and it looks like its new, appropriately-named Simplifi dock should appeal to quite a few in the latter camp. As you can see, it'll not only accommodate a single iPod or iPhone, but your media cards of choice, and a pair of USB devices (the ports are on the back). It also includes an AC adapter for devices that required a powered USB port, which can be conveniently ditched if its not needed. You will pay a bit of a premium for clearing all that clutter though, as the device sports a somewhat hefty $70 price tag.

Griffin unveils AirCurve acoustic amplifier, Clarifi case for iPhone

by Darren Murph posted Sep 17th 2008 at 8:26PM

We're not saying a transparent box designed to "acoustically amplify" your iPhone speakers is an unmistakable ripoff or anything, but we do believe your $19.99 would be better spent on materials and beverages of choice as you exercise that DIY muscle. At any rate, Griffin Technology has today introduced the AirCurve (that's the thing we just described) alongside the Clarifi ($34.99; pictured after the jump), a polycarbonate protective case for your iPhone 3G. Unlike alternatives, though, this one has a "close-up lens," which supposedly gives your iPhone 3G the ability to take remarkably detailed macro shots with even "more accurate colors." Call us jaded, but both of these things have marketing hoopla written all over 'em.

[Via iLounge]
Read - AirCurve
Read - Clarifi

Continue reading Griffin unveils AirCurve acoustic amplifier, Clarifi case for iPhone

Pre-WWDC iPhone rumor roundup: AT&T out of stock, subsidized pricing, last minute size changes

by Joshua Topolsky posted Jun 5th 2008 at 11:14AM

As we inch towards the towering precipice of WWDC 2008, rumors swirling around Apple's next iteration of the iPhone are being deposited onto the interblogs at an alarming rate. The latest set comes in three distinct flavors, the first of which recalls an earlier story that telcos would be offering subsidies for long-term contract signers. According to separate sources, Spain's Telefonica and the UK's O2 would offer the 3G iPhone at discounted rates (as low as €100) for those willing to put pen to paper, while some are claiming that O2 might also offer a "free" upgrade to the new phone for existing users. In other pot-stirring news, iDealsChina is reporting that the phone will suddenly be 2.0mm shorter and 0.5mm thinner than previously spec'd by Griffin in its new casing molds, thus causing all kinds of trouble for the accessory-maker... and people with big hands. Finally, we can safely report that AT&T has run out of stock of the device online (finally joining Apple). The site claims it's a "temporary" situation -- one which we suspect will be rectified by the appearance of a new model. Time to get in that line?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Read - Telefonica to be sole distributor of 3G iPhone in Spain for 100 euro
Read - Rumour: O2 plans free iPhone 3G upgrade and pay-as-you-go
Read - iPhone 3G last minute size change!
Read - AT&T iPhone page

Griffin PowerDock 2 charges iPhones and iPods two-at-a-time

by Darren Murph posted May 30th 2008 at 11:24AM

In case you're not swimming in Apple gear just yet (wait 'til the kids come...), Griffin Technology has just released a more modest solution to charging "just" a pair of iPhones / iPods or one of each. The two-port PowerDock 2 features a pair of universal docks and a collection of dock inserts to ensure that almost every iPod (and the iPhone) can get a seat at the table. It's available as we speak for $49.95.

[Via PopGadget]

Griffin ships iPod / iPhone-compatible iTrip AutoPilot

by Darren Murph posted May 29th 2008 at 9:09AM

It's been a hot minute since Griffin Technology loosed a new iTrip, but the newest member of the family is one we can't help but high-five. The iTrip AutoPilot not only charges and transmits iPod audio to your FM stereo, but it also does the same with Apple's iPhone. As expected, the device plugs into one's cigarette adapter on one end while sliding into a Dock Connector on the other; the SmartScan technology will do its best to locate the clearest frequency for transmitting on, and it will then display said station so you can dial in with your radio. Not a half bad piece for $99.99 -- 'tis a shame FM transmitters are all but worthless in even modestly large cities.

[Via Macworld]

AMD's Turion Ultra to launch June 3, additional Puma details revealed

by Joshua Fruhlinger posted May 28th 2008 at 1:53PM

We already knew that AMD had its Puma and Griffin-based Turion line coming, but a June 3 launch at Computex is all but confirmed now. The Puma platform will be based on the Turion Ultra processor with an integrated Mobility Radeon 3200 graphics chip along with as WiFi. Discrete graphic chip options will include the ATI Mobility Radeon 3450, 3650, and 3850. SSDs will make a limited appearance due to what AMD is citing as a prohibitive high cost. Nonetheless, it looks like AMD is doing whatever it can to take the spotlight away from Intel, especially now that the Centrino 2 has been delayed.

3G iPhone case molds leaked in pre-WWDC hysteria?

by Thomas Ricker posted May 28th 2008 at 6:36AM

The spy shots just get weirder and weirder in the breathless run-up to the presumed WWDC 3G iPhone launch. In fact, this is the first time we can recall seeing case molds -- in this instance, from Griffin -- leaked prior to an announcement. Nevertheless, that's exactly what iDeals China Insider claims they possess. While consistent with the XSKN case, specs, and other leaks we've already seen, it's proof of nothing except a lot of self-perpetuating nonsense. Check the 3D images purportedly used to make the silicon molds after the break.

[Thanks Cal]

Continue reading 3G iPhone case molds leaked in pre-WWDC hysteria?

Griffin's ugly-ass ClearBoost iPhone antenna booster hits the scene

by Paul Miller posted Apr 4th 2008 at 1:05AM

Griffin's antenna-stub sporting ClearBoost case for the iPhone just hit the streets, and opinions are already pouring in. The case involves the antenna, a bumper and a screen protector, and while the resulting combination is not much for loooks, iLounge found it to improve performance in certain situations. Apparently in very low coverage areas the ClearBoost isn't much help, but in wonky two or three bar situations ClearBoost added one or two bars. Sounds like a win to us, but you're going to have to have some serious need of signal to sacrifice iPhone aesthetics this totally.

[Via iLounge]

AMD roadmap shocker reveals new Turion, Athlon, Sempron mobile CPUs

by Donald Melanson posted Mar 11th 2008 at 4:47PM

It looks like those worried that AMD didn't have any new processors in the pipeline can rest easy, as an apparently official roadmap turned up by ComputerBase recently revealed that the company is, in fact, doing its job and churning out CPUs at a steady pace. This latest batch consists of four Griffin-based chips, which are spread across the company's Turion 64 Ultra, Turion 64, Athlon 64, and Sempron mobile processor lines. On the Turion front, the processors are each said to boast DDR2 800MHz memory, along with clock speeds ranging from 2.0GHz to 2.4GHz, and power consumption between 32 and 35 Watts. The lone Athlon 64 chip, on the other hand, clocks in at 1.9GHz, with 1MB of L2 cache, DDR2 667MHz support, and a power consumption of 31W, while the Sempron rounds things out with a power consumption of 25W, 512KB of L2 cache, and a clock speed "starting from" 2.0GHz. No word on prices for the processors themselves just yet, but as Laptoping points out, AMD has announced that Puma / Griffin-powered laptops would begin shipping sometime in the second quarter of this year.

[Via Laptoping]

AMD gets official with Puma mobile platform

by Darren Murph posted Mar 4th 2008 at 3:38PM

If you were already curious as to where AMD would be using its newly announced 780 Series motherboard GPU, lookie here. During a CeBIT press event held today in Germany, AMD solidified details of its looming Puma mobile platform, which will be based on the outfit's Griffin CPU and RS780M chipset. In order for laptops to sport the Puma branding, it must house a Griffin CPU (officially named Turion Ultra), RS780M chipset and a WiFi adapter. According to AMD, Puma-fied lappies will begin shipping at the close of Q2 2008 and will range from $699 to $2,500 (at least initially), but we've no idea which manufacturers will be on board.