docks
Latest
Orbitsound announces T9 iPhone-friendly soundbar, we go ears on
You may remember seeing Orbitsound's T12 iPod dock / soundbar pop up in our summer buyer's guide. Today, the firm's just unveiled the latest in its product family: the Orbitsound T9. As you'll see, it's a very similar deal, but with an obvious difference -- its size. At 300mm (about 12") across, it's almost exactly half the length of its bigger brother (605mm) -- but not everything is a straight cut down the middle. Power-wise, this diminutive dock has a power output of 140W RMS (split 80 on the subwoofer, 35 on the front speakers and 25 on the sides,) and carries the same in- and output options. That means optical, line (phono and 3.5mm) and an iDevice connector going in, and a composite video (for piping those movies on your iPhone to your telly) in the other direction. The included subwoofer helps the device perform the dual roles of iPod dock, and TV soundbar. It's launching in mid-July in UK retailers, and internationally online for £200 / $249. Luckily, we managed to get our hands on one of the first production models, and took it for a spin, so boogie on past the break for our impressions.%Gallery-158189%
Distro Issue 42 lands with the Engadget Summer Gear Guide, a handsome new look and more!
Get ready, folks. We've got quite the treat for you this week. Not only do we have a brand spanking new issue of our weekly for your peepers to consume this weekend, but we've redesigned said e-publication as well. Of course, the real star this week is the Summer Gear Guide. That's right, our editors have painstakingly selected their top choices in all of the major categories to keep you blazin' the balmy trail with the best gadget arsenal possible. To go along with the refined digs, we introduce some new pages this week, too. Time Machines will test your geek cred by removing the easily identifiable logos from a classic device for your trivia pleasure. We'll also go eyes-on each week with some quite dapper offerings to satisfy the design nerd inside us all. Speaking of recent additions, we break down our recent hands-on impressions while Reaction Time offers some thoughts on next-gen gaming and upcoming releases. Switched On chats about what's next for Facebook, the Stat tallies the rise of mobile apps in the last year, Fusion-io CEO and Chairman David Flynn admits his love of Flowbee in the Q&A and Sean Pryor returns for The Strip. So, what are you waiting for? Hit the download link below that you fancy the most and you'll have a copy of this week's e-magazine before you know it. Distro Issue 42 PDF Distro in the iTunes App Store Distro in the Google Play Store Distro APK (For sideloading) Like Distro on Facebook Follow Distro on Twitter
$129 Swivl-it is a cheaper motion-tracking dock for your smartphone, ditches built-in mic
If you're aching to bring some motion-tracking video action to your smartphone but can't stomach the Swivl's $179 price tag, you might find the new Swivl-it more palatable. For $129, you get the same automatic panning, horizontal follow and remote control features of the original product, but you'll miss out on the built-in microphone and automatic tilt (there's manual tilt instead). The Swivl-it is available for pre-order now and will start shipping in late May. Click through to the Swivl site for a closer look.
New Sony iOS docks promise clearer sound thanks to magnetic fluid
You can only skim through so many iPad/iPod/iPhone docks before things start to get predictable, and when a speaker dock stands out, it's usually for a retro design or a little mood lighting. Sony's two newest iOS docks, the CMT-V50iP and the CMT-V75BTiP, may look like your standard options, but they aim to break the mold by using magnetic fluid instead of speaker dampers to move sound. Sony says this technology provides clearer audio with less distortion, and no dampers means a slimmer design. If your music collection extends beyond your iDevice, you can take advantage of the CD player and built-in DAB and DAB+ radio, or -- if you've migrated to the digital age -- stream over Bluetooth on the CMT-V75BTiP or connect via USB on the CMT-V50iP. Sony just announced these yesterday, and pricing info remains MIA, though The Verge reports that both models will drop in the next few months.
Insert Coin: Berlin Boombox recyclable cardboard stereo (video)
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. It's been years since we've spotted a proper handle-sporting boombox on this side of the equator (in public, at least), but we're decidedly impressed with this unique Kickstarter creation, dubbed the Berlin Boombox. Constructed nearly entirely of cardboard, save for some metal- and plastic-based essentials, the speaker rig ships disassembled in a flat cardboard box. Getting the Boombox up and running shouldn't require much effort, however -- the designer states that you won't need any tools during the quick assembly process. After you're done, you can connect the setup to any source with a 3.5mm headphone jack, then control volume with the large aluminum power/volume knob. The Berlin Boombox also ships with four AA batteries, though it's not clear how many hours of music you'll be able to pipe through the speakers with that initial set of cells. We also can't speak to sound quality, though there is a free custom sound profile available for iOS devices -- audio "will be remastered in real-time to use the full potential of the Berlin Boombox." You can pre-order your own with a $50 pledge, saving you 9 bucks off the estimated retail price. There's also a "limited edition" two-tone box, available with a $100 pledge, while $250 will net you a custom-designed model, which can also be paired with a dinner and tour of Berlin with the inventor if you're willing to fork over $500 or more. There's just shy of two weeks left during the funding period -- you'll need to provide that financial support before noon on April 25th. The project is on track to meet its $14,000 funding goal, however, so it's fairly safe to say that you'll be able to snag one of these cardboard contraptions even if you aren't ready to take the plunge just yet. Jump past the break to see the Berlin Boombox in action, and to catch up with our last Insert Coin project: The PowerPot.
Invoxia AudiOffice hands-on (video)
It's not what it looks like. We know, we know: it would seem that Engadget traveled all the way to Mobile World Congress only to get hands-on with a desktop phone, but fortunately for our pride, this device is quite the opposite. Though that earpiece would suggest otherwise, Invoxia's AudiOffice is actually just a speaker dock for your iPhone or iPad, meant to boost the audio quality when you're making VoIP or even regular cell phone calls. (You can also connect a non-iOS device using the built-in Bluetooth radio.) In particular, the company hopes the dock will appeal to small businesses forgoing land lines, though we could also see someone plugging a laptop into the USB port or adding a Bluetooth keyboard -- essentially, making the iPad the centerpiece of a more stationary setup. But is all that worth $299? Check out our hands-on photos and brief demo video and you be the judge.
Galaxy Nexus landscape dock comes to the US
Officially branded Galaxy Nexus accessories have been a dream of ours for a while. So imagine our surprise, caution and then surprise again when the landscape dock for the ICS super-phone arrived on these shores. Cradling the device horizontally, it'll let you charge the phone via the side-mounted pogo pins, so you can continue to watch that movie when low on power. It's available right now for $90 at our source link, we'd advise not to delay, otherwise Samsung might change its mind and take our toys away.
iHome intros three new iOS docks, plans to blast you out of those Zzz's in return for your G's
That iPhone 4S just not cutting the mustard when it comes to wake up calls? Need something a little iHome-ier? Well, you're in luck because the company behind the iW1 AirPlay has a slew of refreshed docks just waiting to step and repeat at next week's CES. On deck are the $270 iW4, an AirPlay for your bedside table, the $70 iP18 with its selection of four distinct flashing LED colors to rouse you from rest and the$170 iD50, a Bluetooth alarm dock that's equal parts clock radio and speakerphone. Sadly, it's going to be all show and no buy for a while, as these iOS-friendly devices won't be released until later this year. Think you can sit tight? Good, then check out the PR after the break while you wait.
Best of 2011 Nominations: iPhone accessories
During December and January, The Unofficial Apple Weblog is soliciting your nominations and votes for the best products for Mac, iPhone/iPod touch, and iPad. We'll start with nominations in a category, and then tally your votes for the top-nominated products a few days later. The winner in each category receives the highly-coveted title of TUAW Best of 2011. The Mac nominations are done, and now we're shifting our attention to iPhones. Today's category for Best of 2011 nominations is iPhone accessories. This is a huge category, including protective cases from thin skins to completely waterproof cases that can take a dunking or a drop off the top of a moving car; battery packs; alarm and speaker docks; radio controlled cars and helicopters; car chargers; keyboards; guitar inputs; you name it! To get an idea of what's in this category, just take a look at the Apple Store iPhone accessory listings to see what's in there. Whatever your favorite iPhone accessory is, we want to hear about it. Leave your nomination in the comments below. Voting will start soon! Nominations close at 11:59 PM ET on December 16, 2011.
Behringer unveils 8-foot iNuke Boom iPod dock, goes consumer with Eurosound brand
You can probably barely make it out in the image above, but there is actually an iPod touch mounted in that monstrosity. What you're looking at is the 8-foot wide, 4-foot tall, $30,000 iNuke Boom iPod dock from Behringer. At over 700 pounds and pumping out an inhumane 10,000 watts of deafening audio, the iNuke Boom is ready for its big public debut at the gadget circus that we call CES in January. We just hope that Everki shows up with that giant backpack from 2010's expo so we can lug home a review unit. Behringer will also be unveiling around 50 new products under its new consumer electronics sub-brand, Eurosound. But, we know you really just want more of the world's loudest iPod dock (to go along with your World's Largest Backpack) -- so head after the break for another pair of images and some PR.
Holiday Gift Guide: the ideal iPod
Welcome to TUAW's 2011 Holiday Gift Guide! We're here to help you choose the best gifts this holiday season, and once you've received your gifts we'll tell you what apps and accessories we think are best for your new Apple gear. Stay tuned every weekday from now until the end of the year for our picks and helpful guides and check our Gift Guide hub to see our guides as they become available. For even more holiday fun, check out sister site Engadget's gift guide. If you're planning to pick up an iPod for your loved one this holiday season, which one would you buy? Apple has a variety of models, and they are all very different. We will help you navigate the buying process and get you all the best accessories, so you can give your recipient the ideal iPod. iPod 101 The iPod is Apple's line of media players, and they come in different sizes and colors. The smallest and least expensive is the iPod shuffle. It's tiny, so tiny it doesn't even have a screen. It's just a cube with a scroll wheel and a clip. The shuffle is perfect for folks who want music with a minimal weight and size. Next up is the iPod nano. The nano is bigger than the shuffle and has a display, which makes it very easy to use, with on-screen controls. Its solid construction and weight and feel make it great for exercising. There's a lot of accessories for this model, including wrist bands that'll let you wear the nano as a watch. It's a great all-purpose media player, with an integrated FM radio, accelerometer (with support for Nike + iPod and screen rotation) and a variety of fun watch faces. Third in the line is the iPod classic. This model includes a hard drive and offers a relatively large 160 GB of storage. It also has the classic scroll wheel that defined Apple's early iPod players. Unfortunately, the hard drive limits its usefulness and its battery. Running may be out of the question as the hard drive isn't as resilient to movement as the rest of the iPod line. The iPod Classic is perfect for someone who wants to carry a large library of music, photos and videos around with them, but doesn't need a player for exercising. Finally there's the iPod touch. This is one of Apple's most popular iPods because it's a phone-less, GPS-less version of the iPhone. It runs iOS and is a bit smaller than the iPhone. If you want the iPhone experience without the phone part, then the iPod touch is your best choice. Headphones If you want to get the most out of your iPod, then you need a good pair of headphones. The iPods ship with a pair of mediocre ear buds that'll work in a pinch, but most people will want to upgrade to a better pair. Covering all the variety of styles of headphones is beyond the scope of this guide, but I will highlight a few that we have reviewed, and give you some tips on buying a new pair. The first decision when you shop for headphones is whether you want a traditional over-the-ear model or ear buds that fit in your ear canal. You also need to decide whether you want wired or wireless. Wireless headphones are a popular option for folks that hate messing with cords. Many connect to your device via Bluetooth and are available as ear buds or over-the-ear cans. The iPod touch is the only player that can support Bluetooth headphones natively. The iPod nano, classic and shuffle can be retro-fitted with Bluetooth if you plug in a Bluetooth adapter like this one from Sony. A Bluetooth adapter is useful, but it will add bulk and weight to your player. There's a wide variety of Bluetooth headphones including the popular Sennheiser PX210BT ($150), the Sony Ericsson HBH-IS800 bluetooth earbuds ($80), the Creative WP-300 ($80) and the Jaybird Sportsband ($89). Many manufacturers also offer stereo Bluetooth headsets, which can be used for audio on the iPod and later with your iPhone for holding a conversation. We recently looked at the NuForce BT-860 ($79) and found a lot to like about this headset. There's also a thread at Engadget that discusses the best BT headset for music and calls. Wired headphones and ear buds are also popular options, as they tend to be less expensive and can have exceptional sound quality. If you can deal with the wire, you can get more bang for your buck. You also don't have to worry about interference with a wired headset. There are tons of wired models, but you can't go wrong if you stick with Sennheiser, Grado, Klipsch, Etymotic or Shure. Cases People like the iPod because of its large selection of accessories. If you want a particular color or style of case, you will likely find it among the hundreds that are available. Most cases that you find will fit the iPod touch and the classic. The iPod nano is so small that the case selection is not as robust, and the iPod shuffle has its own clip which makes having a case not as important. There are some folio-style and silicone cases for the nano and shuffle, but you will mostly find zippered pouches or arm bands for these smaller players. Some of our favorite cases for the iPod touch and classic include the premium Vaja cases. They are pricey ($75), but are beautifully designed and hand-crafted from fine leather. A little lower on the price scale is Speck. I've owned a few Speck cases for the iPod touch and found them to be durable and reasonably priced (under $30). DLO makes a variety of inexpensive hard shell cases, folio cases and silicon cases. And, of course, there's Griffin with a large selection of hard shell, folio and Crystal Clear cases. One of my favorite Griffin cases is the Wristlet ($10) for the iPod nano. It has a wrist strap that makes it easy to find the nano in your bag, and it lets you hang the player on the arm of a treadmill. These cases are just a small sampling of what's available for the iPods. If you have a case you absolutely love, please mention it in the comments. Armbands and Watch Bands The nano and shuffle are small enough that you can slip them into an armband and wear them while you exercise. Similar to the iPod's case selection, there are many different armbands from which to choose. When shopping for an arm band, look for one that's easy to take on and off. It should also let you access the controls of the player without difficulty. There's nothing worse than an arm band that requires you to remove the iPod in order to adjust the volume. Many of the same manufacturers that make cases for the iPod, also make armbands. If you like your DLO or Griffin case, you may want to look at their armband selection, too. If your looking for a basic armband, Grantwood Technology makes a nice one called the TuneBand ($20). There's a Tuneband for every iPod touch, 1G-5G nano and the classic. It has a nice fit and feel and is compatible with the Nike + exercise system. There's also speciality armbands like the RunWallet ($13), also from Grantwood technology, and the Amphibx Fit from H20 Audio. The RunWallet lets you carry your keys, ID, credit/bank Cards, and money; while the Amphibx Fit ($50) is a waterproof armband and headphone combo for nano and shuffle owners. If you have an iPod nano, you also have the option of using your media player as a watch. The nano ships with several clock faces, and manufacturers like Hex and iWatchz are selling fashionable watch bands that complement the styling of the nano. These watch bands turn your media player into a fashion accessory, and are a compelling reason to choose a nano over the other iPod models. Docks Docks are another must-have accessory for your home or office. They let you charge and sync your iPod while keeping it safely in one location. Most pull double duty and function as a speaker or an alarm clock. Docks are one area that the iPod touch excels because it piggybacks on the success of the iPhone. Most specialty iPhone docks, like iHealth's Blood Pressure Dock, are compatible with the iPod touch because the iPhone and the touch share the same dock connector and the same operating system. If all you need is an all-purpose dock to charge, sync and listen to music, then you'll want to take a look at Apple's Universal dock. It will charge, sync and let you connect the audio out to a speaker. It'll also pipe video out to a monitor or TV if you have the appropriate cable. The dock ships with an Apple remote that'll let you control media playback from across the room. The dock uses inserts that'll fit the entire iPod lineup and all the iPhone models. It ships with five inserts for the iPhone 4/4S, iPhone 3G/3GS, iPod touch (2nd, 3rd, and 4th generations) and the 5th generation iPod nano. You will have to buy an insert separately if you have a model that's not included in the list above. There's a variety of other docks like the JBL On Stage IV ($150) and the Altec Lansing Octiv Duo M202 ($100), both of which are speaker docks and perfect for a living room. The Octiv Duo adds a bit of a twist, as it has slots for two players and software that lets you mix songs from both devices. If you want a dock to use in your bedroom, you should consider the Sony CD Clock Radio ($100) which has an alarm clock and a radio. There's also the reviveLITE II ($35), a basic dock from Scosche that's both a LED nightlight and a charger. Portable Speakers We covered some speaker options for the iPod in the section about docks, now it's time to look at speakers you can use outside the home. If you want to travel with your speakers, you'll have to shed the dock and look for a small speaker setup that's battery powered. Almost all portable speakers easily fit in a handbag or backpack and are usually inexpensively priced. You won't get Bose quality sound out of them, but they're perfect for watching a movie on your iPod touch or listening some tunes on your nano. One of my favorites is the Altec Lansing Orbit ($30) which has been around for a while and is a solid performer both in durability and sound quality. If you hate dealing with single-use batteries, there's the iHome IHM79 ($50), which has a rechargeable battery and a magnetic base that lets you stick the two speakers together when you travel. Earlier this year, we reviewed the iMainGo X ($70) which is a case-style speaker system. The speaker splits open, and the iPod fits inside a zippered compartment. Once the speaker is closed, the iPod is safe from the elements. It's designed so you can control and view your device without opening the speaker again. Lastly, I couldn't resist mentioning the GOgroove Panda Pal ($20) and its companion the Koala Pal ($20). They are two portable speakers that GOgroove says "look cute, sound incredible." Other Accessories If headphones, a dock, a case, an armband and a wristband are not enough for you, there are even more accessories you can add to your iPod. iPod touch owners may like Seagate's GoFlex satellite ($200), a portable drive which lets you stream media stored on the drive to your iPod touch and other WiFi devices. A must-have for travelers is the Mophie juice pack ($35-80 depending on model), a portable battery that'll charge any iPod you own. There's also the Nike+ iPod fitness system ($30 for the Sport kit) which uses a sensor and your iPod touch or nano to keep track of your running stats. It's also works with Nike + iPod compatible gym equipment that has a connector for your iPod. We hope this list of accessories helps you find the perfect gift for the iPod fan in your life. If you have a favorite product that we missed, please share it in the comments.
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: docks
Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! We're well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties surrounding the seasonal shopping experience, so we're here to help you sort out this year's tech treasures. Below is today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. 'Tis the season to go shopping and slightly broke! Unless you're living off the grid, you can't escape the marketing merriment amping up the arrival of that most wonderful time of the year. You know, the one where loved ones run themselves ragged skipping from store to store in an attempt to find the perfect gift that just screams, "I care," and costs a pretty penny, too. Well, we know things can get hectic and the options overwhelming, but for the music aficionado in your family, you can't really go wrong with a speaker dock. Let's face it, even Great Aunt Eddie's rockin' a portable media player these days. So, why not help her get up off the couch, out of her mind and into a living room hoedown with a wall of MP3 sound? Lucky for you, we've whittled down the dizzying array of digital audio offerings into a handy guide fit for the frugal and lavish alike. Need a little inspiration? Then head on past the break to peruse the goods and get psyched for that onslaught of holiday cheer.
Bang & Olufsen's Beolit 12 sends the FCC a little bit of Don Draper
Imagine when the Bang & Olufsen Beolit 12 (label after the break) came through the double doors of the FCC's underground bunker. Seeing the golden honeycomb speaker and faux-Bakelite styling, the technicians all dashed home to slick back their hair and put on sharp suits before subjecting this particular iPod dock with AirPlay capabilities to the usual multimeter and rulers treatment we expect from our boys. The top area is hollow to keep your futuristic-looking iDevice from sticking out and ruining the illusion that you're living in 1964 (did you see the brown leather carrying strap?). Since it's been approved by the Government, we can only assume it's not long for these shores, and since it's a B&O device, we can expect it to retail for four or five times what you'd expect to pay.[Image courtesy AMC TV]
Apple granted patents for solar-powered charging, method of video navigation
Lately, Apple's become synonymous with a flurry of hotly-contested patent disputes, but in a nice change of events, the company's actually been granted a bunch by the USPTO. The recently awarded patents range from the mundane to the utilitarian, covering designs for a customizable docking peripheral, in addition to a solar-powered solution for charging those iDevices. But the real additions to Cupertino's legal arsenal are its patents for what appears to be cover flow-like navigation for video, and display rotation for images captured via iOS cameras. Alright so none of these patents are particularly revolutionary, and they certainly aren't tipping us off to the next iteration of the iPhone, but think of the lawyers, will you? This is the stuff their litigious dreams are made of.
Bluelounge MiniDock for iOS cuts the cord, declutters your life
Forget about that Klimt print and your torn John Belushi Animal House poster, if you've got a few of those Jony Ive-crafted iSlabs lying around, you should flaunt'em -- according to the designers at Bluelounge. Available for iOS owners in the US, UK and EU, the company's MiniDock makes use of your existing Apple USB power adapter for a cordless, outlet-mounted charging and display station. The design studio created the dock with a clutter-free existence in mind, but its focus on "customers who are passionate about their iPhones" is a much more telling inspiration. You can go ahead and snag one of these for $20 now, just keep it tucked away from any Android-toting houseguests.
HP rolls out the YouTube carpet for TouchPad slate, prices accessories (video)
Now that HP's TouchPad has a confirmed July 1st release date, the company's going to do its darnedest to make sure you're excited for the slate, and the company's starting off rather well if you ask us -- instead of attempting to find a new anthem, it's simply showing off what the dual-core tablet actually does. The nine YouTube videos after the break may not be the most exciting things you'll watch all day, but they certainly do show off the multitasking magic of HP's card-based operating system. If that's not nearly enough TouchPad information, though, Geekazine also taped a 37-minute conversation with HP product manager Tim Pettitt, where he reveals that the final TouchPad won't have a traditional gesture area, but it will recognize the traditional swipe up for opening and closing apps. By the by, all the TouchPad's accessories have now been priced: you'll drop $30 for a charger, $50 for the official folding case, $70 for the Bluetooth keyboard, and $80 for the new Touchstone dock. Pricey.
Samsung Galaxy S II for AT&T ratted out by its own HDMI dock
Oh, we've been fairly certain for a while now that we'd see the sexy Samsung Galaxy S II saunter on over to AT&T, but now we've attained what appears to be the first official photo of the handset. Samsung's Singapore division has a series of professional shots of planned accessories, including this "Samsung Galaxy S II Desktop Dock," a handsome pyramid stand sporting HDMI and 3.5mm stereo-out jacks -- and of course, an AT&T logo on its comfortably cradled smartphone. We're still not quite sure when Samsung's flagship will hit the US, but it had better get a move on -- we're slated to see a Galaxy S III by this time next year, after all. Update: We should probably note it looks like the Galaxy S II's seen a bit of a makeover for AT&T, gaining the four familiar capacitive touch buttons and generally appearing more like the Infuse 4G. [Thanks, Solomon T.]
Alarm Dock gives your iPhone retro cred
There are plenty of alarm clock apps and plenty of docking stations available for iPhones, but the Alarm Dock from Jonas Damon is a cut above the rest -- it looks, quite simply, gorgeously retro. Reminiscent of those GE alarm clocks your parents had on their bedside table, your iPhone slides into a cutout in the front of the beechwood dock. Together with the (included) flip-clock app, it gives a great old-school look to your bedroom. It fits the iPhone 3G, 3GS and 4 and iPod touches, but note that the dock is effectively just a holder for your i-Device -- you thread your regular charging cable through the back to charge your phone and the speaker grill on the top is just that, it doesn't include a speaker. But for just $39.50, it might be just what you need to set off your waterbed. Cool, daddio. [Via Swiss Miss]
Motorola promises more Atrix-like laptop docks for future phones
Motorola's Atrix 4G laptop dock was a seriously sweet concept, which is why we were so disappointed when it failed to pan out. Sounds like Motorola CEO Sanjay Jha is ready to give it another try, though -- on the company's earnings results call this past week, he told investors that Moto is planning a whole series of Lapdock devices in the second half of the year: You will see multiple devices from us in the second half launching with these capabilities, and we will expand the range of our Lapdock devices so we cover a broader price point, addressing both the enterprise premium tier as well as more consumer tiers. "We plan on introducing successive iterations of our Webtop software and accessories that incorporate improved productivity tools and multiple price points," he also said, echoing previous promises to include Webtop in all high-end smartphones starting this summer. Perhaps those closely spaced I/O ports on the Droid Bionic and Targa won't go to waste after all? If you simply can't wait, Sanjay claims there's also an official price drop inbound for the Atrix 4G -- AT&T will offer a bundle with the Lapdock and phone for $400 later this month.
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.
