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Philips underwhelms with lackluster iPod / iPhone accessory line
Is it any wonder Philips is opting out of making a stop at CES this year? If it showed up with this line, it'd literally be laughed right out of Vegas. The outfit's dedicated "showing" in San Francisco this past week consisted of two Streamium Network Music Players (NP2500 and NP2900) that we were already well aware of, a refreshed DLO iBoom JukeBox ($200) that now plays nice with iPhones and two other mildly interesting pieces. First up is the January-bound DC350 Docking Entertainment System ($150), which bills itself as an iPhone / iPod dock "with hands-free conference call functions and the ability to sync with business calendars on your PC." Finally, we've got the 2.1 SPA5300 sound system (pictured), which has evidently been introduced in less traveled corners of the world but is just now making itself visible in the US. On second thought, maybe "underwhelming" is being too generous.[Via iPodNN]
DLO's iBoom JukeBox mildly resembles an igloo
Yeah, the whole igloo comparison loses some steam once you peek this thing from the side, but when glancing it head-on, we can't help but be overcome with imagery of our childhood days spent in the plains of Greenland. Unfortunately, this thing's ability to conjure up said memories is probably its standout feature -- well, aside from the RF remote that enables users to browse iPod content right on its screen (shown after the break). Outside of that, you'll find a totally average speaker setup consisting of twin one-inch tweeters and three-inch woofers along with a set of touch-sensitive controls atop the device itself. Reportedly, the iBoom JukeBox is slated to further saturate the iPod speaker system market this Spring for $199.99.[Via MacMinute]
DLO unveils iBoom Travel, updates TransDock and HomeDock Deluxe
It seems that iHome, Altec Lansing, and Acoustic Research aren't the only folks busting out new iPod accessories, as DLO is strutting its stuff too with a new iBoom Travel as well as revamped versions of the TransDock and HomeDock Deluxe. The miniaturized version of the iBoom ($89.99) combines a clock radio with a portable, AA / AC-powered boombox, which comes in white or graphite colors, boasts the usual sleep / alarm functions, and sports an iPod cradle and LCD screen to boot. The TransDock features an "enhanced mounting arm," video-out for use with in-car displays, top and side mounted antennas, and removable faceplates as well. Additionally, you can connect other DAPs via the aux in jack, and the USB pass-through allows other random USB gadgetry to be charged while it's in use. Lastly, the refreshed HomeDock Deluxe ($149.99) didn't change much in the design department, but did add on-screen album art on a dedicated "Now Playing" screen, a dozen new color themes and screen savers, and a feature that enables "on the fly" playlist creation. The iBoom Travel and HomeDock Deluxe are currently for sale directly through DLO, while the updated TransDock is still waiting for its own release date.
iPod LoFi
So, you say you're unimpressed with the iPod HiFi? Or maybe you find the price a bit prohibitive. No worries, just check out the iBoom LoFi. PC Mag writer Bill Machrone got himself an old Sanyo boom box, crammed the iPod into the cassette drawer and got the whole thing wired up for under $50. You can read all about just how he did it, and even register to win the iBoom LoFi. Won't your friends be impressed?
