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A pair o' docks: Edifier Tick Tock Dock and XtremeMac Luna Voyager II
Alarm docks are one of the most popular genres of charging docs for iOS devices. They not only charge your device while you sleep, but help to wake you up to tunes from your device, FM radio, or auxiliary sources such as chimes. I received a couple of docks over the past month that caught my attention, and here's a full review of both the Edifier Tock Tock Dock and XtremeMac Luna Voyager II -- two very different products that do the same thing. %Gallery-153166% Edifier Tick Tock Dock I'm old enough to remember the good old wind-up alarm clocks. They had several really annoying habits, like ticking way too loud and scaring the crap out of me when they went off, but in a lot of ways they had some charm. They always had two bells on the top sticking out like ears, and a round face with a dial clock. Now Edifier has come up with a fun retro-styled dock for the iPhone and iPod touch called the Tick Tock Dock (US$79.99) that brings the old round alarm clock into the future. Edifier is all about design, and this clever product is not only fun to look at, but works well as a alarm clock, as a charging speaker dock for your iPhone or iPod touch, and as an FM radio. The round face of the clock (which, alas, is digital) hides a big speaker as well as the dock for your iOS device. With a touch, a secret door pivots around to show the dock -- once you grab your iPhone, you can close the dock to make the Tick Tock Dock look more like a clock. Those two "bells" that stick up from the top appear to hide two smaller speaker ports. On the top of the unit is a navigation pad for your Music app, and a toggle button to switch between functions and inputs (you can hook in an external input). On the back of the Tick Tock Dock are a 9V DC IN port, the AUX IN port, and four more buttons -- mode, set, down and up. Setting the time and date on the clock is easy; you just dock your iPhone or iPod touch and it's done. But here's where the design begins to get a bit wonky. If you're like me, you like to be able to check the time at night, and with your iOS device plugged into the dock to charge, you can't see the clock face. Sure, you could hit the Home button on your device and check the time, but that kind of defeats the purpose of having a large time display on the clock, doesn't it? Once you've set the alarm -- on the dock, not on the iOS device, it will start up the music at the appointed time, with the volume gradually getting louder. That navigation pad serves as a snooze button, which gives you a brief respite (10 minutes) before you have to wake up and face the day. The sound of the Tick Tock Dock is pretty good as "clock radios" go, providing amazingly good stereo separation. It can definitely get loud enough to wake almost anyone -- with the possible exception of one of my college roommates who could sleep through a direct hit by a meteor. XtremeMac Luna Voyager II The next dock I looked at was the XtremeMac Luna Voyager II ($69.99), a larger dock that can accommodate the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad -- although not simultaneously. The Luna Voyager II has a nice demarcation of device and clock, so you can actually see the clock when your iOS device is docked. In case you were wondering, that was a not-so-subtle jab at the design of the Tick Tock Dock. XtremeMac refers to this as an "app-enhanced" accessory, meaning that when you dock your iOS device, you'll get a request to download and install an app. The app is the self-named "Luna Voyager II" app, and it's what you use to set up and use the alarms. For setting dual alarms (one at 7:00 AM and the other at 8:30 AM, for instance), you just use the app. Tuning the radio? Use the app. Selecting a song to listen to when you wake up? The app. The Luna Voyager II app is, however, quite flawed -- especially when used with an iPad. The dock works well with an iPhone or iPod touch, with the phone sliding right onto the Dock Connector and working with the app to synchronize alarms you have set with the actual dock. With the iPad, the app doesn't provide controls for setting the time of the alarm -- a major issue. I even tried XtremeMac's other app -- Alarm Clock -- but it's not designed to work with the dock. So while you can recharge your iPad with the Luna Voyager II and play tunes through the speaker, it doesn't work well as an alarm clock with an iPad. The Luna Voyager II works well with the iPhone and iPod touch, but not so well with the iPad due to the lack of full app integration. I also found the iPad a bit difficult to dock on the Luna Voyager II. Some positives for the dock are that the company includes an FM radio antenna for better reception, and there's a small plastic stand for holding up your iOS device, especially important with the iPad. I felt that the sound quality of the Tick Tock Dock was actually better than that of the Luna Voyager II, but if you're looking at buying the dock primarily for the purpose of using it as an alarm clock, it's going to do the job. Conclusion and Giveaway Both the Edifier Tick Tock Dock and XtremeMac Luna Voyager II are nice-looking products with some subtle flaws. The Tick Tock Dock is one of the happiest-looking iPhone docks I've ever seen, although the design makes it impossible to see the time on the clock when an iPhone is docked. I found the lack of an integrated app to be somewhat odd, but the superior sound quality of the Tick Tock Dock more than made up for that. The XtremeMac Luna Voyager II is more traditional looking and includes an integrated app that works quite well with the iPhone and iPod touch. The dual alarm capability is wonderful for couples with different wake-up times, and since all settings are made through the app, there's no complicated dance to do with a bunch of buttons to get things to work. Here's your chance to win one of these two docks and make sure that you wake up on time every morning. To enter, just fill out the form below completely and press the submit button. Follow the rules, get your entry in early, and you can be the happy owner of one of these two docks. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before April 15, 2012, 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Two winners will be selected. One will receive an Edifier Tick Tock Dock valued at $79.99, while the other receives an XtremeMac Luna Voyager II valued at $69.99. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Daily Update for January 12, 2012
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen.
XtremeMac shows three new mobile chargers at CES
XtremeMac makes a variety of cables, chargers and other accessories for the Apple's line of portable devices. The company used CES to introduce three new chargers for the iPhone, iPad and the iPod that'll join XtremeMac's lineup in the first quarter of 2012. These new products include: 3 in 1 USB Mobile Cable: a USB cable that has three separate connectors (micro USB, mini USB and Apple 30-pin) compatible with most portable devices. InCharge Boost: a portable 2300 mAh lithium polymer rechargeable battery pack compatible with the iPhone, iPad and iPod. It includes a integrated 30-pin connector to charge your device, LED status indicators, on/off switch and a USB connector to recharge the battery. InCharge Micro Boost: a 500 mAh lithium polymer rechargeable battery pack that's similar to the InCharge boost but smaller. It doesn't have the power switch or integrated cables of its bigger brother. It has a single 30-pin connector that's meant to charge your iPod or iPhone in a pinch. Full details are in the press release below. [Via Engadget] Show full PR text XtremeMac™ Announces 3 in 1 USB Mobile Cable, InCharge Boost™ and InCharge Micro Boost™ at CES 2012 Keep iPod®, iPhone® and iPad® juiced at all times with new mobile charging devices Oakdale, MN – January 11, 2012 – XtremeMac, a leading designer and manufacturer of accessories and audio solutions for Apple devices, is pleased to announce 3 in1 USB Mobile Cable, InCharge Boost and InCharge Micro Boost - three new convenient mobile charging solutions. These new mobile charging devices provide an efficient and convenient charge for iPad, iPhone and iPod while at home or on the go. The 3 in 1 USB Mobile Cable is a single cable solution with three different connectors providing a universal charging solution for most mobile devices. Three different connectors make this one cable ideal for home/office use or travel. The USB to micro USB, mini USB and 30pin tethered tips works with most Apple devices, tablets, smart phones, cameras, GPS devices and MP3 players. The InCharge Boost is a portable rechargeable battery pack for iPod, iPhone and iPad. The powerful 2300 mAh lithium polymer rechargeable battery features tethered 30pin connector to charge Apple devices and a USB connector to recharge internal battery. Additional features include an on/off switch to conserve power, status LED indicators and an integrated carabineer for portability. The cable management system is clean, for an all in one, portable battery solution. The InCharge Micro Boost is an ultra compact emergency rechargeable battery pack for iPod and iPhone. The 500mAh lithium polymer rechargeable battery features an integrated carabineer, making the Micro Boost easy to attach to a user's keychain or backpack ensuring a quick charge is available when it's needed most. Additional features include a status LED indicator, USB to micro USB cable for charging and an integrated cap and plug to provide protection to connectors from damage during transport. The 3 in 1 USB Mobile Cable, InCharge Boost and InCharge Micro Boost will be available in Q1 2012. For more information on the 3 in 1 USB Mobile Cable, InCharge Boost, InCharge Micro Boost and XtremeMac's entire line of award winning products, follow us on Facebook.com/XtremeMac and @XtremeMac.
XtremeMac rolls out three new mobile chargers for iDevice devotees
XtremeMac has just unveiled a troika of new iDevice-friendly chargers: the 3 in 1 USB Mobile Cable, InCharge Boost and InCharge Micro Boost. Announced at CES today, the 3 in 1 cable, as its name suggests, packs three different connectors on a single cable, offering USB to microUSB, mini USB and 30pin connectivity to owners of Apple-branded devices and "most" tablets, smartphones or cameras. The portable InCharge Boost, meanwhile, combines a 2300 mAh lithium polymer rechargeable battery, USB port and 30pin connector, designed explicitly for iPhone, iPad and iPhone users on the go. Rounding out the trio is the comparatively pared down InCharge Micro Boost -- a rechargeable 500mAh battery, coupled with a USB to microUSB connector. It also features a built-in carabineer, meaning you can charge your iDevice while climbing a rock. Or something. No details on pricing yet, but the devices are slated to begin shipping during Q1 of this year. Press release? It's after the break.
XtremeMac announces InCharge Home USB Wall Charger
Looking for a slim, light charger for your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad? XtremeMac may have just the product for you in the new InCharge Home USB Wall Charger (US$29.99). Almost as skinny as an iPhone 4S and packing a full 10W power output, the InCharge can be used with almost any device that uses a standard USB, USB to mini-USB, USB to micro-USB, or USB to Dock Connector charging cable. The InCharge comes with a 4-foot USB to Dock Connector cable that can also be used to connect your device to a Mac or PC for syncing. To make the InCharge so slender, its prongs fold back into the device for travel. Plugged into the bottom of a standard 2-plug outlet, you'll still have enough room to plug another device into the outlet. The InCharge is now available for purchase from the XtremeMac website, and we'll have a full review here on TUAW in the near future.
XtremeMac showcases the Soma Stand, Soma Travel and more at IFA (video)
There were lots of cool Apple-centric products to been seen around XtremeMac's extremely orange booth at IFA this week, proving that there's still interesting things to be done in the world of iPhone / iPad / iPod docks. At the top of the list is the Soma Stand, a pyramid-shaped dock that folds up for portability. The accessory is mostly speaker, which faces outward, so sound isn't blocked when you've got an iPad on the thing. The Soma Stand should be hitting shelves around October, running around €100 here in Europe. The Soma Travel, meanwhile, works without the need batteries or wires, running directly off the power from your docked Apple device. XtremeMac claims that a docked iPhone 4 playing through the speakers will get about 34 hours of audio playback on a charge. As expected, the thing doesn't get too loud, but it should do the trick for solo listening. The peripheral will run around €50 on its release. The Tango Bar is a style-conscious sound bar with a silver grill that fits in quite nicely with the current generation iMac. The speaker pulls both audio and power from a single USB cable and outputs audio at ten watts. Like the Soma Stand, the Tango Bar will run around €100. Check out video of the Soma Stand after the break.%Gallery-132528%
XtremeMac InCharge Auto & Home BT chargers stream music, phone calls over bluetooth
There are many ways to get your phone's tunes to your system's speakers, and now thanks to XtremeMac, you have two more. At $80, the InCharge Home BT is just $20 cheaper than an Apple TV, and it only lets you stream audio over bluetooth (vs. video, and WiFi for the Apple TV). Its on-the-go counterpart, however -- the InCharge Auto BT (also $80) -- is a much easier sell, beaming music and phone calls to a car stereo without a need to tether your handset to your receiver. Despite the company name and ubiquitous "Made for iPhone" branding, XtremeMac has confirmed that both devices offer identical functionality with non-Apple handsets as well, along with iPods, iPads, and other bluetooth-enabled gadgets. Available now, both devices support A2DP, connect to your speakers using a bundled 3.5mm cable, and include a 10-watt USB port for charging your devices -- assuming you don't mind cording up, on occasion.
XtremeMac intros InCharge Home/Auto BT charging and wireless solutions
Accessory manufacturer XtremeMac just announced two new products that it's adding to its growing line of InCharge charging products for iOS devices. The InCharge Home BT (US$79.99) and InCharge Auto BT ($79.99) are chargers that also provide a way to link to stereo equipment in your home or car. Both of the new InCharge Bluetooth products feature an adapter that plugs into a power source -- the 12V adapter for your car, and a wall socket for your home. The adapters also have a wired connection to your car or home stereo system. If you want to charge your iOS device and send music to your sound equipment at the same time, grab your standard USB charging cable and plug it into the USB port on the InCharge. When the iOS device is fully charged, unplug the USB cable and the InCharge Home or Auto BT acts as a Bluetooth receiver through which you can stream music to your home or auto stereo system. The advantage? You can use your USB cable when you need to charge, or go wireless when you just want to listen to tunes. The XtremeMac website was showing these two products as "coming soon" as late as Noon EDT yesterday, but they should be available in the near future. We're hoping to do a hands-on review of the InCharge Home BT once the product is available.
iPad 2 case and stand roundup
Last year at the launch of the iPad, there were very few accessories available. Sure, you could pick up an Apple Case for the iPad, and I think there were a handful of third-party cases, but the variety wasn't exactly overwhelming. After the wildly successful first year of the iPad, everyone in the accessory business is going out of their way to make sure you have a choice of goodies at launch or shortly thereafter. In this article, I'll tell you about some of the cases and stands we've heard about so far. Targus 360° Rotating Stand / Case for iPad 2 This is the first iPad 2-specific product that I've actually received, and it's a beauty. The Targus 360° Rotating Stand / Case (US$59.99) features a unique design with a 360° swivel that allows the iPad 2 to be displayed in portrait or landscape orientations. Unlike other swiveling stands and cases, the Targus 360° is remarkably thin. The center of the swivel mechanism is open so that the Apple logo is clearly visible, there's a soft velour lining to gently caress your iPad 2 screen, and the exterior is a very attractive black faux leather. To hold the case closed while in transit, there's a wide elastic band similar to that used on Moleskine notebooks. The plastic "tray" that holds the iPad 2 has a hole in the proper spot for the rear-facing camera, although the device has to be swiveled into portrait mode for the camera to be able to "see." You can buy one now through Amazon, and Best Buy stores will have the cases available on March 11. Targus will also have the thin Protective TPU Skin for iPad 2 ($29.99) and Vuscape Cover and Stand ($39.99) available to protect that new iPad 2. Click the read more link to see more upcoming iPad 2 products.
XtremeMac shows off new docks and chargers at CES 2011
XtremeMac had a suite at the Bellagio (my favorite hotel on the Strip, I think) for last week's CES conference, and I stopped by to check out their latest lines of accessories and cases for the upcoming year. My favorite product in the booth is pictured above -- it's a speaker dock called the Tango TRX, which features a removable dock that can be unattached from the sleek speaker. It's Bluetooth-enabled for streaming audio directly from your iDevice, and there's a free universal app that will let you control the speaker with a virtual remote. The Tango TRX is shipping soon, and it will be available for US$179.99. The other dock they were showing was the Luna SST, a bedside stand with a detachable speaker that will actually send two alarms out to the two separated speakers (so that a person on one side of the bed can supposedly wake up without bothering the other). The Luna also has an app that can be used as a clock face, or even set alarms or settings on the device while docked. I also saw a new line of InCharge chargers -- there are auto-based chargers coming that will allow you to not only charge your iDevice in the car but also plug in an aux cable or charge another USB device. XtremeMac is also introducing an iPhone case called the InCharge Mobile that serves as both a 2300 milliamp battery and a relatively thin case with a kickstand for just $79.99. Finally, I was walked through some of the cases that XtremeMac offers -- all pretty standard affairs. I was told (not the only time that week) that black is by far the number one color for case sales, and that while customers will say they want different colors and will judge a brand based on many colors, in the end they mostly choose black for their own phones. Cases are mostly a matter of taste, so it turned out that what I learned about case buying was more interesting than any of the actual cases on display there.
Xtrememac's dual USB wall charger gets it right, car charger and battery pack ain't bad either
CES is most definitely in full swing, which means the wave of accessories is coming hot and heavy. Xtrememac has just revealed a trifecta of USB chargers, all of which seem to boast subtle changes from the norm that piqued our interest. First off, the universal dual USB wall charger has not one, but two USB charging ports, delivering a full ten watts of power (read: enough for the iPad) to a pair of your favorite gizmos. Moving on, there's the universal USB car charger, which sadly doesn't sport two USB ports. The universal USB battery pack and wall charger looks mighty similar to the PowerPak XT, doubling as a USB wall charger as well as a portable battery pack when it's unplugged. As for pricing? Try $14.99, $24.99 and $59.99 in order of mention, with the whole lot being available now directly from the company.
Xtrememac reveals InCharge Mobile iPhone 4 battery case, in-car USB chargers
Looking for a few peripherals to go along with all of this new gear being unveiled at CES? Have a gander at this. Xtrememac has just rolled out yet another rechargeable battery pack / protective case for Apple's iPhone 4, with this particular monster having a 2300mAh battery, an integrated kickstand and an on / off switch. The InCharge Mobile will go for $79.99, putting it in direct competition from the folks at Mophie. Next up is the InCharge Auto USB, which is a somewhat plain in-car USB charger that saves itself with ten watts of output -- plenty to juice up your iPad as it acts as the Road Trip Jukebox. The InCharge Auto Plus doubles it up with a second USB port, while the InCharge Auto AUX tosses in a 3.5mm auxiliary jack for easy connecting to one's line-in port. Those three will sell for $24.99, $29.99 and $49.99 in order of mention, and the trio should be available to ship right about... now.
TUAW holiday grab bag giveaway: Everything for the Apple fan
Can you imagine waking up on Christmas morning surrounded by a pile of accessories for the Apple devices in your life? Or even better, giving someone a pile of fun gifts? TUAW and the Max Borges Agency want to give two lucky readers the chance to win some holiday grab bags full of fun gear for the Apple fan. You'll have to enter by midnight tonight (ET) to be eligible, because the goodies will be express-shipped to your homes to arrive on Christmas Eve. To see what each of the grab bags contains and find out more about the giveaway, read on. Photo credit: Julia Freeman-Woolpert, sxc.hu
XtremeMac Tango TRX iPod dock hopes you'll prefer Bluetooth to AirPlay
When you consider that there are probably loads of AirPlay-equipped speaker docks waiting in the wings, it's hard to get all giddy about XtremeMac's Tango TRX. Although the dock has... well, a dock and a line-in jack, it also packs Bluetooth 2.1. On the sound quality end, it boasts a 2.1 digital audio system along with midrange drivers, two dome tweeters and a subwoofer. We got a look at it yesterday, and its orange LED status lights and patterned sides make it fairly handsome, but we couldn't really get a handle on the acoustics as it was being demoed in a space with lots of loud and rowdy technology journalists. There's no physical remote included, but XtremeMac is offering a Tango TRX app. Of course, if you're streaming that music over Bluetooth you could just control it from the device itself, but the app does let you adjust the various EQ settings. The basic model will hit for about $180, but Apple will be carrying an exclusive TRX D version with a separate charging dock for $200. Hit the break for the full PR and the gallery below for a closer look. %Gallery-102465% %Gallery-102373%
TUAW review and giveaway: XtremeMac InCharge Duo for iPad
It's not rare for Apple fanboys and girls to have more than one Apple device. Since the iPad appeared on the scene in April, there's good chance that you'll find an iPad and either an iPhone or an iPod in the well-equipped Apple home. So how do you keep all of those devices charged without turning your counter space into a nest of cabling? XtremeMac has come to the rescue with the new InCharge Duo for iPad (US$59.99), a dual dock that not only provides the necessary 2.1 amps to charge the iPad, but can charge an iPhone or iPod with Dock Connector at the same time. Since your iPad has such good battery life, you can also use the InCharge Duo to charge up any combination of other iDevices while you're using the iPad. The InCharge Duo looks much nicer than some dual chargers I've seen and used. It's a sleek dark grey unit with a tiny logo on the front and two small LEDs that provide charge status. It would be perfect for use in a bedroom, as the LEDs are dim enough that they won't keep anyone but the most severe insomniac awake. Read on for details on how you can win one from TUAW.
XtremeMac's Luna X2 is ready to rule
When it comes to iPod docking alarm clocks, few can face-off with XtremeMac's Luna. Now there's the Luna X2. Normally we'd shred the puffery found in phrases like "world class iPod audio system," "crystal clear display," and a design meant to "complement any room's decor." However, their first-generation Luna was so well received that we tend to believe their boasting. For the moment, anyway. Your $120 (pre-order) gets you a pair of fully customizable, independent alarms, aux-in, AM/FM radio, and same audio performance found in the original Luna. Only now in a newly designed chassis which reflects the new iPod reality: the white iPod is dead.%Gallery-14080%
iPod Stethoscope
Okay, this is not your everyday iPod accessory. Thinklabs is bundling their ds32a Digital Stethoscope with a XtremeMac MicroMemo and a 2GB iPod nano to create a digital stethoscope recording system for $495. In fact, it looks like a pretty good deal since the stethoscope by itself runs $445 (with the same warranty).One thing I don't understand, though, is why they bundle the MicroMemo for the full-size iPod rather than the one for the nano.[Via Endgadget]
XtremeMac HDMI switch and cables for Apple TV
Apple accessories are big business, and the Apple TV is no different. Apple has teamed up with XtremeMac to help you get your Apple TV connected, and they seem to have every option covered: HDMI, Component, HDMI>DVI, Toslink -- even analog audio, (no ATV doesn't support composite or S-Video). This takes care of most sets, but many TVs only have one HDMI input, so XtremeMac is also offering a HDMI 4-port switch. You can use the supplied remote or the button on the front, but there's no auto switching, which would have been nice. The surprisingly delightful part is the price; while many major retailers charge as much as $150 for a HDMI cable, this one is only $19.99. No word on the price of the switcher, but all will be available by the ATV's launch in February.[Via iLounge]
XtremeMac announces Luna, iPod alarm clock
XtremeMac has also announced a new iPod alarm clock called Luna here at Macworld. The four knob on the top of the unit control an on screen menu system that lets you choose songs, set alarms, and control the radio station. The Luna can also serve as a dock for your iPod.The Luna ships in February $149.95.
XtremeMac announces Apple TV cables and switcher
XtremeMac has just announced a new product line developed especially for Apple TV. You might have noticed that cables are not included with the Apple TV, but XtremeMac has you covered. They the following cables for preorder: audio ($14.95, 2 meters) component ($19.95, 2 meters) HDMI>DVI ($19.95, 2 meters) HDMI>HDMI ($19.95, 2 meters) TOSLINK ($19.95, 2 meters) They also announced the XtremeHD 4-Port switcher, with remote. This switcher plugs into the one HDMI input on your HDTV and makes available 4 HDMI ports for your peripherals, including the Apple TV. You can switch from input to input via a button on the front or with the included remote. Best of all, it has the same dimensions as the Apple TV so you can stack 'em. The XtremeHD 4-Port switcher will be available in February. Pricing hasn't been announced.
