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Time-saving Belkin FlyThru laptop case now available
We've already seen a few laptop cases that are compliant with the TSA's new time and stress-saving rules but, if you still haven't found one to your liking, you may want to consider Belkin's new FlyThru case, which is now available to make your travels a tiny bit more bearable. As with other TSA-friendly bags, this one packs separate, easily-accessible compartments for your laptop and accessories, and it'll accommodate laptops up to 15.4-inch in size. At just $60 it's also a good deal cheaper than something like the $220 Tom Bihn laptop bag or Skooba's long-promised Checkthrough bag which, coincidentally, is now finally shipping as well and will set you back $140.[Via Engadget Spanish]Read - Belkin FlyThru laptop caseRead - Skooba Checkthrough
Belkin delays FlyWire Wireless HD box yet again
You've got to be kidding us. No, seriously -- this has to be a joke. Just last month, we witnessed in person a FlyWire unit beaming a 1080p Blu-ray signal wirelessly to an HDTV, and the results were nothing short of astonishing. For whatever reason, the box -- which was officially unveiled back at CES 2008 -- won't even be ready for next year's Vegas extravaganza. While we were told at CEDIA that the unit would begin shipping out in October (like, right now), Melody Chalaban, a marketing executive and spokeswoman for Belkin has informed Electronic House that it "won't be able to make [its] anticipated deadline of the winter CES show." Unfortunately, she gave no indication of when it actually would ship, leaving us to wonder if the dawn of the wireless HD era is being pushed back altogether. Again.Update: Melody herself contacted us to clarify a bit and provide some guidance for release. According to her, the FlyWire is being delayed due to "compliance issues, and it will be available late January 2009."
Belkin's FlyWire hands-on at CEDIA
Belkin has been dangling its FlyWire wireless HD box for, what, ever now? Thankfully, it seems that all the kinks have been worked out, and the October ship date should actually stick. A few tidbits we learned while hanging out at the outfit's CEDIA booth: first, we confirmed that the technology within the device is AMIMON's, so we're guessing it's WHDI. Secondly, we heard that the retail price of the top-end AV69003 may scoot up to $1,499 when it's finally released. We know, that's a lot of coin to make your components cord-free, but the demonstration showing off Blu-ray streaming through thin air was nothing short of astounding. No hiccups, no jaggies, no hints whatsoever that there wasn't a direct HDMI connection. Check the box (and the receiver) out in the flesh below. %Gallery-31276%
Belkin JoyPod plans sneak out (now confirmed false)
Update: Belkin reps have contacted us to say that the JoyPod, while a fascinating idea, is not a product they have in development. Oh well!I guessed that we'd see a more official iPhone controller sooner or later, but I didn't think it'd be this much sooner -- Touch Arcade has unearthed this photo of a Belkin-branded game controller/case for the iPhone and iPod touch called the JoyPod. Looks pretty slick, though as Engadget points out, the ratios don't really work out -- odds are that the final product will have to be a little longer to fit the iPhone in there.Very interesting, though -- now I'm curious to see if Apple really will support stuff like this. Supporting a third-party controller would seem to go against His Jobsness' suggestion that a multitouch screen could be used for anything (even typing on an awkward non-tactile keyboard), but clearly there's a demand, from consumers if not from devs themselves, to move game controls off the screen and onto buttons you can feel while pressing. How else will you be able to "exprimir al maximo tu iPhone o iPod touch"?
Belkin JoyPod render surfaces: your App Store gaming controller
For better or worse, it looks like the so-called iControlPad is edging closer to reality -- or at least something really similar. According to a new image (and our limited Spanish translation skills), Belkin is actually looking to produce an App Store gaming controller, though we're still not entirely convinced that what we're seeing is legitimate. Whatever the case, the JoyPod would somehow, someway provide users who purchased Super Monkey Ball to play it using a bona fide game pad, though we can't figure out if the iPod touch / iPhone slips in behind the controller or if it just morphs to fit the JoyPod's space constraints. Guess we'll see (or not) soon enough.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Update: Belkin pinged us to say this is 100% fake. Ah well, at least you know the truth now.
Belkin adds iPhone 3G compatibility to latest TuneCast Auto
Surely you feel like buying an all new TuneCast Auto just months after picking up the original, right? Trust us, we can hear the groans from here. For the scads of iPhone 3G owners who are downright perturbed by the inability to charge the thing with some older accessories, you'll be none too pleased when handing over $79.99 for this. But unless you flex your DIY muscle and come up with some other solution (please share, will you?), buying an iPhone 3G-friendly alternative looks to be the only solution. This FM transmitter boasts ClearScan technology in order to hunt down and lock into the best FM frequency (good luck with that), but as we've already pointed out, the biggest boon is the iPhone 3G charging ability. Hey Apple, Belkin says "thanks." Whatever that means.[Via I4U News]
Belkin BreakFree adds magnetic breakaway connector to your guitar cable
From all the coffee shop musicians here at Engadget, we'd like to sincerely thank Belkin for producing this marvelous device. For the rest of us who run around on stage like madmen, we have our doubts about how well this will work. Nevertheless, the BreakFree Connectors were designed to add a magnetic breakaway point in your 1/4-inch cable, meaning that things will simply snap away if too much pressure is applied. Sure, this could save you a mint in shredded cable costs, but we'd venture to say that only the calmer performers in attendance will really find it useful. Snatch (gently, of course) the BreakFree this September for $19.99 and grab a few extra tips for $9.99 per pair.[Via Coolest-Gadgets]
Belkin unveils the GoStudio iPod recording dock
Belkin's not letting a little thing like the launch of the iPhone 3G slow it down this morning -- in addition to all that wireless gear, it's even got the stones to throw down an iPod accessory, which is a little funny. The GoStudio recorder is a full-featured recording dock for the iPod 5G, classic, and 2G and 3G nanos, which allows you to record 16-bit 44.1kHz audio directly from two built-in stereo mics or quarter-inch, XLR, and minijack inputs, and dump it all into iTunes when you're done. The $119 box isn't the sexiest thing we've ever seen, but if you're a dedicated podcaster or just suffer from delusions of being the next Martin Hannett, it's probably worth a look.
Belkin revamps routers, introduces N+ gear, new powerline devices
Belkin isn't just touting its new FlyWire gear today, it's also taking the opportunity to introduce the new F5D8235-4 N+ Wireless Router, which brings with it a new design language for all of the company's networking gear. The vertically-oriented unit features four Gigabit Ethernet port, a USB port to attach storage devices, push-button WPS security, and front-panel icons that turn from blue to amber if there's a problem on the network. Not bad for $120, but we'll save our love for the 5GHz gear. (There's also an N unit without Gigabit ports and a pair of G routers, but really, who cares?) In addition, there's a matching $99 USB WiFi adapter that shares the glossy black finish, and while we're at it, let's throw in three Powerline kits: a $179 three-port 200Mbps adapter,, a $149 200Mbps adapter two-oack, and a $99 85Mbps two-pack. Photos of the stick and Powerline gear after the break.Read - Belkin N+ Wireless Router and USB stickRead - The other three routersRead - Powerline adapters
Belkin's FlyWire does 1080P without wires
We've all dreamed of wire clutter-free home theaters for years (admit it), and Belkin is about to make things a lot easier with the FlyWire. The new wireless transmitter and receiver can send 1080p video over a 5GHz band. Belkin promises little to no interference and no latency even for you gamers. As for connections, we're looking at three HDMI ins, two component ins, one composite, and one HDMI out. Remote control is done via IR, which should be welcome news to those of you with universal remotes. FlyWire will come in two packages: The FlyWire AV69003 at $999.99 is meant for a whole-home solution with an IR backchannel for multi-room control, while the FlyWire R1 AV69000 at $699.99 is meant for a single room without the IR backchannel. Not exactly cheap, but a heck of a lot cheaper than those custom wireless installs, and a lot more pretty than ripping a hole in your wall for cables. FlyWire should hit stores in October.%Gallery-27272%
Ozmo / Intel trumpet WiFi PAN for low-power devices, Bluetooth says "what?"
Look out, Bluetooth -- Ozmo Devices has its eyes set squarely on you. Okay, so maybe this whole thing isn't as adversarial as advertised, but there's no denying that the aforesaid company's latest initiative will target the exact same devices that BT is embedded within now. Ozmo has announced a partnership with Intel at Computex that will extend the latter company's Cliffside WiFi Personal Area Network (PAN) technology to "low-power devices." Essentially, WiFi radios that suck less juice nowadays would take on dual roles -- accessing WLAN networks and doing the duties typically reserved for Bluetooth -- which would enable devices to have one less component stuffed within bulking things up. As of now, there's been no takers on the design, but word on the street has Belkin already testing the approach out for kicks and giggles (or maybe something way more serious).[Via DailyWireless]Read - Ozmo Devices' press releaseRead - WiFI PAN explained
Ask Engadget HD: When will wireless HD / HDMI take off?
This week's Ask Engadget HD question is near and dear to our hearts, and quite frankly, it's one of the best inquiries we've heard thus far. After a veritable onslaught of wireless HD, wireless HDMI, WHDI and other cord-free HD apparatuses were introduced and trumpeted at CES 2008, the hubbub has completely died in the months after. Sure, we realize many firms were simply showing off unreleased kit back in January, but it seems the push for untangling one's components has been (at least momentarily) halted. Check out Jeff's concerns for yourself:"When is wireless HD finally going to hit the market? Philips introduced a wireless HDMI product that never saw the light of day; now Belkin (FlyWire) and Gefen have announced similar examples at CES, but there's no word on when either will hit the market. Yes, this technology comes with a large price tag, but when will those willing to pay for a clutter-free setup have the chance to?"Beyond all that, we're wondering if these kinds of products will even impress once unleashed. In our experiences, transmitting loads of data over any form of wireless setup has been prone to dropouts, hiccups and all sorts of annoyances. Heck, even PowerLine has yet to overcome the stigma attached to it -- and it's a wired technology! Personally, we're hoping companies with wireless HD wares are taking the time to perfect them rather than handing them over unpolished, but still, will you be willing to subject yourself to possible early adopter woes when this stuff finally greets retail floors en masse?Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Belkin Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger
Obviously there's nothing exactly Mac specific about the Belkin Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger, but at the same time the promo picture (right) and the design cues make it clear that the boys at Belkin had the fairer platform in mind when they dreamed this one up. In any case, this stylish surge protector power strip looks like it would be right at home in any mobile Mac user's bag. It includes two powered USB ports for charging iPhones, iPods, and the like, as well as three AC outlets. Note that the USB ports are only for power, not data. I think I'll definitely be picking one up when it ships.The Belkin Mini Surge Protector is "coming soon" for $24.99.[via Crave]
Belkin's Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger
It's really about time someone released a portable power strip with USB charging. Really, honestly, we don't know what took 'em so long -- it's frigging 2008, everything's been USB-powered for a couple years now. Hat tip to you, Belkin, for the Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger, which goes for $25 or so.[Thanks, Alex]
Dell's XPS M1330 now with built-in Wireless USB
We not sure when Dell's XPS M1330 learned the new Wireless USB trick, nevertheless, it's sporting that option as of this morning. The $150 add-on integrates a Wireless USB module into Dell's slick 13.3-inch laptop while netting you a short-range Belkin 4-port USB hub for all your peripherals. See, it's not just phone news today. [Thanks, Srinivas N.]
Hands-on with Belkin's Podcast Studio
After getting a look at Belkin's unique podcast solution, the Podcast Studio, we thought we'd take a look out on the CES show floor for it, and we've got the pictures to prove it. Due to the odd design and poor choice of lighting in the Belkin booth, these photos look a little more arty than they should. Hey, we're not complaining. Check the gallery and be taken on a magical visual journey.%Gallery-13180%
Belkin's Podcast Studio, the self-contained podcast producer
Apparently the Belkin folks are rolling out a little something for the podcasting community this CES season. The company's Podcast Studio is a self-contained, iPod-interfacing podcast production device... and not much else. The unit features dual XLR and 1/4" inputs, a built-in microphone up top, an embedded speaker, and the styling of some 1950's-space-opera transmogrifier. You can slot your iPod in the top and record directly to the player, thus eliminating the need for a computer nearby -- until you need to get it online, of course. The only thing it's missing is your smarmy, high-falutin' opinions about avant noise-rock.
Most obvious statement of CES: To conserve energy, turn off power!
Belkin must need to score some points with Al Gore, because they announced an energy-reducing power strip that you can... turn off. The aptly-named Conserve has eight power outlets, six of which can be toggled on or off using a wireless remote. While the strip will shut down stores worldwide in the summer and fall for $49.99, you should know you can get the same effect right now just by flipping the "off" switch on your existing power strip.
Belkin introduces DisplayPort cable
Exhilarating, we know, but it is somewhat notable that Belkin has introduced a DisplayPort cable for the emerging connector. From what we can tell, there's nothing exceptionally special about it outside of its early release, but you will be paying a pretty penny for it when it actually lands. Depending on cable length (3-, 6- or 10-feet), you'll be asked to drop $59.99 to $109.99, and you can make said purchase this April in the US or later in 2008 in Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia.
Belkin launches TuneBase FM and TuneCast Auto for iPhone and iPod
Belkin has updated their flagship iPod FM transmitter TuneBase FM to accomodate, you know, that gadget. Both the TuneBase FM and TuneCast Auto are compatible with a slew of iPod and iPod mini models as well as le iPhone, with the former also sporting a mount and docking station. Both also feature Belkin's ClearScan technology that automagically searches out the best FM frequency for optimal sound... as optimal as you can get with an FM transmitter, anyway. TuneCast Auto will be available in February for $79.99, with the TuneBase FM coming in at $99.99 in April.%Gallery-12910%
