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Griffin is trying its hand at smart kitchen appliances
You can forget smart fridges that will set you back thousands of dollars, because there's now a more affordable way to start getting your kitchen connected. Mobile-accessories company Griffin Technology today announced its move into "AppPowered" appliances with its new home range. Unveiling a smart toaster, a connected coffee maker and even a futuristic WiFi mirror, its new smart appliances aim to make your life easier on the cheap, thanks to mobile integration.
Griffin shows off MultiDock, a USB charging station for everything
I've got five devices that I must charge on a daily basis via USB. That might sound like a lot, but I know of plenty of people who have many, many more USB devices they're charging constantly. Those people might want to check out the newest MultiDock from Griffin that the company just unveiled today. The new MultiDock is designed to charge multiple Apple and Android tablets and smartphones at the same time, quickly and efficiently. It accomplishes this by using Griffin's ChargeSensor technology, which the company says "automatically detects the charging characteristics of each connected device and supplies the charging rate each device needs for the fastest, most complete charging." The MultiDock has room to charge 10 USB devices at once, but the actual unit is designed in a way so multiple MultiDocks can be stacked on top of each other three high. While the MultiDock could reasonably be used in a large family setting, the real appeal will come from people in offices or classrooms where multiple devices are being heavily used on a daily basis. The Griffin MultiDock ships in October for a retail price of US$699.00.
Griffin's MultiDock looks sleeker than ever, and it can still house and charge a herd of devices at once
In an age where expecting humans to limit themselves to a single piece of electronics is a little too much to ask for, what could be better than to own a physical hub where multiple things can be charged simultaneously? In all seriousness, though, the Griffin MultiDock can indeed be a rather handy tool for businesses, schools and other organizations needing to store, power and sync a large number of devices at once. What's also good about the second-gen MultiDock is that it's no longer only compatible with iPads, allowing a multitude of slabs from different manufacturers to be housed inside of it. Griffin's also quick to point out that the new MultiDock's design was the result of a collaboration with designer Thomas Meyerhoffer, who's more famously known for having worked on the Apple eMate. Regardless, be prepared to break the piggy bank, since the MultiDock's set to be priced starting at $699 when it becomes available later this month.
Review: Griffin Survivor + Catalyst waterproof iPhone 5 case
The Griffin Survivor + Catalyst waterproof case (US$69.99) is said to keep your iPhone dry up to 3 meters deep in water and protect your iPhone from drops from a height of 2 meters or less. On a day-to-day basis I don't use a case for my iPhone. However, there have been plenty of occasions when I've wished I did use one, so as not to worry about protecting and shielding it in certain situations, like when I'm at the beach, hiking or camping etc. Design The Griffin Survivor + Catalyst (GSC) case has TPE shock-absorbing bumpers, a PET-integrated screen cover, a silicone O-ring to seal the case together and keep water out, and a polycarbonate frame. Though light, it feels sturdy -- especially with an iPhone inside it. Two nylon latches lock the case together, there's a charge port door as well as volume control, home button and power button. It also comes with a lanyard to attach to the case. On the back panel of the GSC are two latches that release the back panel from the rest of the case. The silicon O-ring seal wraps around the edges of the back panel. The GSC comes with two large-print A3 pages of instructions and a bright red alert card placed within the case that tells you to follow the instructions precisely or there will be "damage to your device." Function I've never used a waterproof case before, so I read the instructions through very carefully. Griffin tells you to do a test on the case every time you use it to make sure the seal is intact and the case isn't damaged in anyway. This involves checking for damage or dust within the case, its latches and buttons, and assembling it without the iPhone inside and submerging it in water for 30 minutes. If you see water bubbles coming from the case straight away there's a problem with the seal or the case is damaged. If there are no air bubbles and after 30 minutes you remove the case and there's no water present inside, you're good to go at placing your iPhone in the case. Of course once you've inserted your iPhone you need to make sure the seal is flush with the case again and check it all fits snugly together. I did the test and found no air bubbles or signs of water in the case after 30 minutes. So I took the plunge and put my iPhone 5 into the case exactly as prescribed in the instructions. It's always a little frightening to place expensive gear in harms way, but I took a deep breathe (for me and my iPhone) and placed it in my basin of water. I was reluctant to leave the phone submerged for too long, so I gave it 30 seconds, scrolled through the lock screen to the home screen, swiped through a few pages of apps. and pulled it out again. Thankfully, after opening up the GSC I found no water on my iPhone, though I did find the experience a little nerve wracking. I decided to repeat the experiment again, but this time use some tissue paper instead of my iPhone, and leave the case in water for much longer than 30 seconds. Unfortunately, after about 40 minutes I did notice there were some small droplets of water within the case and parts of the tissue paper were damp. I can only assume that this time round I didn't quite get the assembly of the case right. If you're ever in doubt, Griffin has an extensive range of support articles and videos on how to test and look after the GSC Conclusion In terms of protection against the elements and accidental drops, the GSC really stands up and I can't fault it. If my iPhone were to fall in water, it would be protected well on a bad day if not entirely on any other. The case obviously adds some bulk to your iPhone, but I've seen and used bulkier cases. It's not unattractive and Griffin says it will be releasing some more adventurous colors next year. The lanyard attachment is a practical addition, too. Pros Good to excellent protection from drops and the elements, including dust, sand and water. Protects your iPhone in submerged water Good looking and functional for a case of this design Light weight Cons Somewhat laborious process to ensure the case is entirely waterproof There are still times when some water may get through if the case isn't assembled and tested properly. Who's it for? Those who use their iPhone in extreme environments and don't want to worry about damage from the elements.
Parenting Tip: Protecting your iOS device from bumps, bruises and bashes
Having a naked iPhone or iPad around kids means living in constant fear of one of them snagging the device and dropping smashing it on the floor. Though the iPhone and iPad are lovely devices when they are undressed, parents who want to keep their devices in pristine condition would be wise to adorn them in a case that protects them from the bumps and bruises of living in a child-filled household. Below you will find our recommended cases as well as other accessories to help you child-proof your iOS device. Cases for the iPhone and iPad The case is your first line of defense in protecting your iPhone or iPad. You'll want to choose one that provides corner protection during a fall and is sturdy enough to prevent your child from denting the device when they bump into a corner. If it has a cover, use it! A coverless case won't protect the device if the screen is impacted. I recently lost an iPad 2 because my child dropped the device and then stepped on the screen. LifeProof LifeProof isn't a super durable case, but it'll protect your device from most minor falls. It'll also protect it from a drop in the toilet or the sink. You can read our review of the LifeProof case for the iPhone 4. As an aside, OtterBox just acquired LifeProof, so I would expect to see the products continue to be sold under the OtterBox umbrella. OtterBox OtterBox makes some of the best rugged cases for the iPad and iPhone. There's the new Armor series that are rugged and waterproof as well as the trustworthy Defender series, which offers robust protection from a fall. You can read our review of the Armor case for the iPhone 5 and our review of the early Defender case for the iPad and the iPhone. Griffin Survivor Series Griffin produces the Survivor series of cases for the iPad and the iPhone, which we reviewed a few years back. The Survivor is a rugged case for the iPhone and iPad that is right up there with OtterBox in terms of quality and price. I've used one on my iPad 2 for years, and it protected the device from many near catastrophic falls. The version I had also included a nice little stand that was great for watching videos. Screen Protector An often overlooked accessory that I always buy is a screen protector. It seems whenever my kids spend any amount of time with the iPad, it comes back gooey and sticky. A screen protector wont do much to protect your device in the event of a fall, but it will make it easy to clean. I have successfully used Zagg InvisibleShield, BodyGuardz and Best Skins Ever screen protectors. Depending on what case you buy, it may come with screen protector as part of the case. You'll want to check out the case you plan on buying before you spend an extra $20 on a screen protector that you don't need. AppleCare Spend the extra money to add AppleCare to your device. The version of AppleCare for the iPhone and iPad, called AppleCare+, will provide you with a replacement device at minimal cost when (not if) the device gets damaged. You are limited to two replacements for the life of the plan.
Griffin brings Papernomad's durable eco-friendly sleeves to North America
As TUAW's official case-tester-in-chief, I've seen cases and sleeves for iPhones, iPads and Macs made out of just about every material under the sun. There are those beautiful wood and leather cases, and some crafted from aluminum and other materials, but the vast majority are made of some sort of plastic. That has often made me wonder where all that plastic ends up after a few years when Apple users move on to newer devices. Now Griffin Technology is making waves by bringing Papernomad's paper composite eco-friendly sleeves to North America for the first time. What makes these sleeves so different? The outer shell is made of a water and tear resistant paper composite that looks somewhat like those brown paper bags you used to get at the grocery store before you started using those reusable bags. The inside lining is a wool felt that keeps your favorite Apple product free from scratches and static. Between those two is a batting material that pads your device from bumps. Holding the device in place is a hemp twill pull-tab with a magnetic closure. So, thinking of paper getting wet probably makes you think of soggy paper that's ripping apart and dumping your groceries onto the ground -- not exactly what you'd want for an all-purpose device sleeve, right? The patented paper composite material is water resistant. Papernomad warns you not to put your sleeve into a washing machine, as you'll end up with a pile of compostable goo. However, a little rain or beer spilled on the outside is just going to give your sleeve a bit of character. Speaking of character, Papernomad sleeves have one more defining characteristic. Like just about any other paper, you can write or paint on them with a variety of media, meaning that you can create a totally unique sleeve. I have some plans for the review item I received; it's getting a marker-drawn TUAW logo, a David Lanham sticker or two, and anything else I decide to customize it with. Griffin's the distributor for the Papernomad products in North America; our European readers need to visit Papernomad.com to buy their sleeves. There are three Papernomad sleeves you can buy; Pars for iPhone 4/4s and iPhone 5 (US$39.99), Zattere for iPad ($49.99), and Tamakwa for 13" MacBook Air ($59.99). While they're not yet listed on the Griffin Technology website, there are also sleeves for iPad mini, 11" MacBook Air, and 13" and 15" MacBook Pro that should be available soon. I've got to admit that I was smitten by the simplicity and feel of the iPad mini Zattere and can see how Papernomad's sleeves could become a favorite. The best thing is, once I've moved on to a future Apple device with a different form factor, I know that this case is going to just biodegrade over time and not end up lasting for a thousand years in a landfill.
Griffin Lightning Connector cables available next week
Just in time for the holiday buying season, a lot of new cables and accessories featuring Apple's new Lightning Connector are starting to appear. Griffin announced four new Lightning cables yesterday that will be available next week. The first is the US$24.99 4' coiled USB to Lightning Cable, usable in the car with existing USB plugs or anywhere you need a mid-length cable that doesn't take up a lot of space. The cable is identical to the one used in the PowerJolt SE Car Charger with Lightning Connector (also $24.99) that was reviewed on TUAW a few weeks ago. If you need some room to stretch out, Griffin also released a 3-meter (almost 10 feet) USB to Lightning Cable for $29.99. Shorter 2-foot ($16.99) and 3-foot ($18.99) USB to Lightning Cables round out the offerings from Griffin.
Griffin's Twenty Audio Amp pairs up with your AirPort Express, enables AirPlay for any 2.1 speakers
Sure, a spendy, AirPlay-equipped speaker is one way to stream lossless audio over WiFi in your abode with iOS or iTunes -- or your could bring your own speakers to the party with Griffin Technology's Twenty Audio Amplifier. It's taken just shy of a year to ship since being announced at CES, but now this $100 Apple-centric HiFi accessory is finally shipping. As a refresher, the Twenty docks with Apple's AirPort Express WiFi router, allowing you to bring the benefits of AirPlay to any 2.1 speakers (left, right and sub channels) you choose to pair it with. Pass-thru power is supplied to your AirPort, sparing the need to plug it into a wall, but its audio connection to the Twenty gets handled by an included TOS-link cable. The Twenty is rated for 40 watts of peak output (20x2) with an active subwoofer crossover at 80hz, and a chunky volume dial adds some analog-esque tactility to setting the overall level. If you're looking to give your wired speakers a WiFi-enabled upgrade, head over to the source link below -- video overview and press release just after the break.
Griffin's Kiosk iPad mount now available
If you've been thinking about using an iPad for a customer kiosk in your business, but haven't figured out how to secure it, Griffin's new Kiosk may be just the solution. The Kiosk comes in two versions -- the Floor Mount (US$299), which screws into a floor and lifts the iPad to 47.5" above floor height, and the Table Mount ($199) that mounts an iPad so it's sitting about a foot above a table. The hardware to mount the Kiosk is included, and three interchangeable faceplates provide or deny access to the camera and home button. An included power cable runs through the center of the steel mount arm, keeping it protected at all times. Since you'll also want to make sure that your customers are focused on your custom app or website, Griffin is also selling the Kiosk app ($2.99) in the App Store. Users can set up a defined home URL and web domain, have a home page reloaded after a pre-set time of non-use, set up a whitelist of allowable web domains or create a customizable URL shortcut buttons, ID the devices by number or name, and get notified by email if a device is unplugged, has a low battery, or is being abused by a user. The Griffin Kiosk looks like a very good solution for business, and you can download a data sheet (PDF) with all of the details.
Griffin announces StudioConnect Audio/MIDI interface for iPad
Musicians have another audio and MIDI interface to choose from when they're looking for a way to connect a guitar, bass or MIDI instrument to an iPad. The new StudioConnect Audio/MIDI interface for iPad (US$149.99) was announced by Griffin Technology today, and it adds a sleek looking dock to the current options available. StudioConnect can be used with the optional GuitarConnect Pro analog to digital interface ($79.99), Griffin's Guitar Cables ($19.99), and the DJ Cable ($19.99) and a host of music applications on the iPad platform. The video below shows the StudioConnect being used with Garage Band by musicians TJ Daly, Jaren Johnston and Katie Herzig. Several other videos are available here, showing Griffin employees demonstrating the StudioConnect with guitar, bass, and MIDI keyboard. It looks like a pretty cool accessory for the musically-inclined, and we'll try to get a unit to our resident musicians for a followup review soon.
Griffin TechSafe Locking Case + Cable Lock keeps your iPad 2 secure
Mobile devices like the iPad, the iPhone, and the iPod touch have one unfortunate trait in common -- they're very easy for someone to steal. With the great demand for the iPad 2, you will want to keep it locked away somewhere or take it with you everywhere just to keep thieving hands off of the device. Now Griffin Technology has announced the TechSafe Locking Case + Cable Lock for the iPad 2 (US$79.99), a way of locking your iPad to a desk or table to make it much more difficult for it to be stolen. Design Compared to some of the beautiful cases I've had the pleasure to review, the TechSafe Locking Case is very plain. But it looks and feels sturdy, and that's what you want when you're using the case and the included cable lock to keep your iPad 2 from walking away. %Gallery-136092% The case slides apart for easy installation of the iPad 2, with the top frame sliding off of the bottom frame. You drop the iPad 2 into the bottom piece, then slide the top frame back on. The result is a very solid case. On the back of the bottom piece are two rectangular bumps. These not only add an area to help you grip the iPad 2, but each has a small indentation that can be used to expose a fold-out stand. One of the stands props the iPad 2 up vertically in landscape orientation for watching movies, while the other is useful when typing on the iPad. The lock is the niftiest part of the setup. Griffin's TechSafe Cable Lock design makes it possible to secure laptops like the MacBook Air that don't have a Kensington lock port. To do this, Griffin created a hardened steel "LockBlade" that slides into the small opening in the hinge area between the screen and keyboard of the MacBook Air. The included cable lock has a hook on it that fits into a hole in the steel LockBlade, securing the laptop to the cable and to a large, immovable piece of furniture. On the Locking Case, the LockBlade slides into a slot on the case. That keeps the case from sliding open and connects it to the cable lock. It's a smart way to reuse the Cable Lock technology on a different type of equipment, and it wouldn't be out of the question for Griffin to even extend this to a Locking Case for iPhone 4/4S and iPod touch. In situations where you want to keep those items from walking away, a case like that could come in very handy. Functionality The TechSafe case is very well made. All of the pieces in this puzzle need to fit together perfectly, and the case slides onto and off of the iPad 2 easily. If you have another case that you love to use with your iPad 2, but you'd like to secure your iPad in a hotel or conference room while you're eating dinner or partying with friends, just slip off the other case, slide the iPad 2 into the TechSafe, slide in the LockBlade, and clip on the combination lock. The stands are very usable and well placed on the case, and I found the "bumps" on the back of the case to be perfect for getting a good grip while carrying the iPad 2 around. Now, my one concern. Although this is a security case and it's a pretty good one, it would take a determined thief with the right tools only a few seconds to get the iPad out. What tools? A small pocket tool like a Leatherman with a built-in saw would rip right through the plastic, making it a cinch to pull out the LockBlade and walk off with the iPad. However, in most situations a thief may overlook anything that has a lock attached to it simply because it takes time to work on it. This deterrence factor will probably help you more than the plastic than the case is made out of. I do recommend that buyers look at one more piece of equipment that Griffin has developed to work with the cable lock and case -- the $19.99 Locking Security Clamp can help you in those situations where you can't find a suitable piece of furniture to lock your iPad to. Conclusion Griffin's TechSafe case and the cable lock are the right product at the right time. For those who need a way to secure an iPad to a table or other piece of furniture, it's a reasonably-priced solution and a heck of a lot less expensive than replacing an iPad.
Griffin's Multidock system charges and syncs up to 30 iPads at once
Don't you hate it when all of your iPads collectively run out of juice? Well, praise Griffin for announcing its first business centric iOS "accessory" in the shape of the Multidock. It has its own power connection for simultaneous charging of ten iPads, but it can be chain-linked to two other docks for syncing of up to 30 tablets with a single Mac. With each server-esque tower measuring up at 18.6 inches (47.2 cm) tall and priced even higher at $700, this one's for IT pros and Scrabble aficionados only. %Gallery-135272%
Griffin announces 'Stylus + Pen + Laser Pointer,' gives up on creative product names
Multitasking business executives are going to love this. Whether you're taking notes on your tablet, pointing out graphs in a presentation or just signing reports, Griffin's new "Stylus + Pen + Laser Pointer'' should have you covered. As the name implies, it's a three-in-one input device containing a red laser pointer, an "omni-directional" capacitive stylus and a refillable ball point pen. It certainly seems convenient, but with a $50 price tag you may want to think twice before ditching your Bic. Full PR past the break.
Griffin's Helo TC cleared for takeoff, we attempt to get airborne in a hands-on (video)
We got to the choppa! It's been nearly a month's time since Griffin introduced its AppPowered Helo TC, a mini RC helicopter for iDevices, and we've been lucky enough to play test pilot for a bit. Fifty bucks gets you the TC itself, an infared Flight Deck for your device, 4 extra rotor blades, a USB charging cable and a paper landing pad for when you're done wreaking havoc in your home or office. Of course, there are similar OEM models that use a standard remote available for nearly half the price, but we were curious to see how Griffin's free iPhone app could mix things up -- plus, it's alot easier on the wallet than an AR.Drone. So, was it clear skies and smooth sailing or something more like Blackhawk Down? Breeze on past the break to find out. %Gallery-131152%
Griffin IntelliCase: A great Smart Cover alternative for iPad 2
TUAW reviews a lot of iPad cases. That's made me somewhat jaded about new cases, and when Griffin Technology pitched me on the new IntelliCase for iPad 2 I was a bit on the skeptical side. After using this case for a few days, however, I've changed my mind -- the IntelliCase (US$59.99) is an excellent alternative to Apple's Smart Cover ($39 - $69). Like the Smart Cover, the IntelliCase has magnets embedded in the cover that automatically turn on the iPad 2 when flipped up and turn the iPad off when closed. The IntelliCase cover is made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), a material that seems somewhat harder than the polyurethane and leather used on the Apple Smart Covers. The inside of the lid is the same TPU material, which will keep it from picking up dirt and hair that are attracted to the microfiber lining of the Smart Covers. %Gallery-130543% Unlike the Smart Cover, the IntelliCase also protects the back of the iPad. I normally use a combination of a Smart Cover and an AViiQ Smart Case ($49.99) to provide complete and lightweight protection to my iPad 2. The back of the IntelliCase is a slender piece of polycarbonate that snaps onto the iPad 2, and the overall weight of the case seems lighter than the combo I use. The Apple Smart Cover folds origami-like into a small triangular tube that supports the iPad in both a vertical movie stand and more horizontal keyboard stand mode. Since I'm sure that Griffin's designers were aware of Apple's legal stance towards unlicensed copies of their designs, they chose a different mechanism for propping up the iPad 2. Like the original Apple iPad cover, the plastic back has a "flap" that the cover folds into to hold it in the movie and keyboard stand positions. All in all, the IntelliCase performed very well. It protects the iPad 2 better than the Smart Cover, provides a magnetic on/off switch like the Smart Cover, and folds into a solid stand for movie viewing or keyboarding. One complaint I have is that the IntelliCase is a bit smoother than the Smart Cover, which makes it more likely to slip out of your hand. If the IntelliCase cover had an embossed pattern to make a rougher surface, I think it would be just about the perfect iPad 2 case. The other negative? It's only available in black, whereas many other cases can be had in a spectrum of colors. If you're about to buy an iPad 2 or already have one that is in need of protection, definitely consider the Griffin IntelliCase.
Griffin Stompbox -- a pedalboard for your virtual effects pedals
You wouldn't necessarily associate Griffin Technology with the latest and greatest in music technology, but having teamed up with Frontier Design Group -- developers of the iShred LIVE virtual guitar effects app -- Griffin has released one of the first accessory pedalboards to complete your virtual guitar effects setup. With the advent of virtual guitar effects on mobile devices, it was only a matter of time before a foot controller pedalboard arrived (logically imitating the traditional setup), allowing your feet to do the effects switching and leaving your hands on the guitar to get on with the business of playing. Before I jump into the review of the Griffin Stompbox (US$99.99), allow me to briefly explain how a traditional electric guitar setup works for those of you who aren't guitarists. First, you have your electric guitar. This guitar is plugged into an amplifier. However, many guitarists enjoy, love, desire and lust after guitar effects that improve and alter the tone and sound of their guitar. These effects come in the shape of digital and analogue pedal effects, or more effectionately referred to as pedals or stomp boxes. They are called pedals because they are turned on and off using your feet -- naturally, your hands are too busy playing the guitar. Traditionally, these pedals are expensive, and when many are used together, they are placed on a "pedalboard." Because many guitarists love to have as many pedals as they can get their hands on, these pedalboards are heavy and rather large. That's where devices like the iPad and iPhone come in. Virtual guitar pedal effects apps have been developed to mimic these traditional pedals, at a fraction of the cost and physical space and weight of traditional pedal effects. However, one problem with these virtual pedals has been that they are, well ... virtual. You've had to use your fingers to turn on and off these effects when traditionally you'd use your feet. You can't stomp your iPad with your feet! As a result, users of virtual effects have had to stop playing their guitars to change their virtual pedal effects -- this is a bad thing for guitarists. That's where Griffin's Stompbox comes in. Design The Stompbox itself feels sturdy and well constructed. It rests solidly on the floor and is easily pushed around, but it stays in place when you're using it as intended. It's plastic feel doesn't imbue a sense of high quality, but neither does it feel cheap or like it's about to fall apart. I have no doubt that it will be able to handle its fair share of knocks, drops and bumps. The four foot switches are metal and pleasing enough to push, but they don't click in or out. It's just a downward compression that pops straight back up again. Four accompanying LEDs light up brightly and clearly to indicate when a switch is activated. A 1-meter cable leads from the Stompbox to connect to your iPad's dock connector (I used an iPad for my review, but of course you can use a compatible iPhone or iPod touch). The cable is durable and strong. On the back of the Stompbox is 1/4'' input socket for a volume or expression pedal. Accompanying the Stompbox is Griffin's GuitarConnect cable ($29.99), used to connect your guitar to your iPad's headphone socket. A nice touch on the GuitarConnect cable is that the output socket, for an amp or headphones, is at the guitar end, not the iPad end. Meaning you have less wires crossing over your guitar, particularly if you're using headphones. Performance Connecting the Stompbox and GuitarConnect cable to my iPad and guitar was easy enough. However, straight away I noticed two problems. First, while the GuitarConnect cable solidly plugged into my iPad, if I knocked it or moved it just a bit it produced an unsavory crack and pop in my speakers, suggesting that perhaps something wasn't as tightly wired as it could be. However, this could be a one-off problem that just happened to be in my review unit. That aside, I didn't notice any undue hum or buzz. Overall, everything sounded very clear and full-sounding. The second problem I encountered is that you can only use iShred Live (the app designed to work with the Stompbox) in portrait mode. It doesn't work in landscape mode. Thinking of using the Stompbox in a musical setting, I immediately went to place my iPad on a music stand in landscape mode. You can imagine my disappointment when I realised it didn't work. And obviously, the iPad won't rest upright in portrait mode with a rather large dock connector cable plugged into the bottom of it. So that leaves two options, place the iPad on a flat surface like a table or the floor (not ideal) or buy the Griffin (or other brand) iPad mic stand mount. (Editor's note -- the IKMultimedia iKlip for iPad/iPad 2 ($39.99) attaches the iPad securely to a mic or music stand.) It's not a huge problem, but surely when most other apps work in both portrait and landscape mode -- including other virtual guitar effects apps -- you'd expect iShred Live to be able to do the same. That aside, the StompBox performed well in conjunction with the iShred Live app. With four banks each containing four channels, totalling 16 fully customizable presets, I had no difficulty working my way round iShred Live's selection of effects, metronome, tuner, recorder and song selector using my feet. There was a short learning curve involved. To activate a bank, simply hold down the respective foot switch. To turn on or off a channel, simply tap the respective foot switch. To exit a bank, hold down the foot switch for the bank you wish to enter next. Just make sure you tap that foot switch dead on and with a consistant pressure. I found that the Stompbox was quite particular about activating a foot switch. A light tap won't do it; you need to be firm and precise, which is probably a good thing. One thing that I wasn't expecting was the intelligent use of the Stompbox's LEDs, which was a pleasant surprise. Of course, they light up when you activate a channel or bank, but enter something like the tuner and those lights become a whole lot more significant. With the tuner turned on, the LEDs indicate if a string is flat or sharp by only lighting up on the left or right side of the Stompbox, and the two center LEDs shine consistantly together to indicate that you've hit the right pitch. Once I got my head around the Stompbox, I'm pleased to say my attention focused on playing the guitar, with the Stompbox simply getting the job done with no distractions. While the Stompbox draws its power from the iPad's battery, I'm happy to say I noticed no dramatic increase in the loss of battery charge. However, with the Stompbox plugged into the iPad, there is no way to charge the iPad. If you're planning a day long rehearsal, it goes without saying that you should make sure your device is fully charged. Other Applications Griffin's website says that the Stompbox will work with other Stompbox compatible apps. However, it doesn't say what these apps are. I know that the Stompbox is compatible with QScript, a text prompter app, but aside from that, I've not seen anything else. I'd love to see the Stompbox working with other virtual guitar effects apps, but whether that will happen is anyone's guess. It would be disappointing to see each major music software developer introduce their own unique pedalboard accessory, tying the users pedalboard to a specific app. Conclusion At $99,99, the Griffin Stompbox isn't particularly expensive -- in fact, it's one of the cheapest virtual effects foot controllers out there -- but when users are paying less than a dollar to buy a pedal effect on their iDevice, it's a big jump to fork out a hundred bucks for an accessory. But then again, the Stompbox does complete the guitar setup circle, bringing pedal effects back to your feet where they should be. Is the Stompbox worth getting? I think if you're a guitarist who has invested in the virtual effects setup on your iDevice, you'll be extremely pleased with what the Stompbox has to offer. If you're a guitarist running a traditional setup and have been holding off getting involved with the mobile device effects scene while waiting for a pedalboard like the Stompbox, I think you'll be intrigued by the Stompbox. You might want to hold off and investigate the next generation of pedalboards to come. For more information on Griffin"s StompBox, visit the Griffin website here. For more information on iShred Live app, click here.
Griffin StompBox multi-function foot controller for iOS devices
Griffin has announced a new 4-button foot controller that works with iOS devices. The Griffin StompBox (US$99.99) was developed to work with the Frontier Design iShred LIVE iOS app (Free), making it easy for musicians to switch effects with the StompBox with a tap of a foot. The StompBox is packaged with Griffin's GuitarConnect cable so that the StompBox can be connected to instruments, headphones, and an iOS device. Any instrument that uses a 1/4-inch jack, like a guitar, bass, electric violin or keyboard, can be connected to the StompBox. Foot switches on the StompBox can be assigned to different functions, such as volume, expression, or wah-wah pedals. Griffin also notes that StompBox works with the Qscript teleprompter app ($7.99), scrolling your speech or notes with a simple toe tap. The StompBox will be available through Apple Stores or GriffinTechnology.com.
Griffin Tech's Beacon: A highly customizable universal remote
Griffin debuted an early version of the Beacon at CES, but it has only recently become available for sale. The Beacon is another iOS-controllable IR blaster combo to control all your audio/video components. Like the UnityRemote, there's a Bluetooth IR blaster. Unlike the UnityRemote, however, Griffin's Beacon is controlled by an app from another company: Dijit. How do these two work together? Read on to find out. %Gallery-128442% Hardware The Beacon is just under 4 inches square, with what sort of looks like a stone on a small platform. The stone is actually the IR blaster portion, and it is directional, with the Griffin logo molded on top to ensure proper placement. The IR blaster is directional with the Beacon, with the IR LEDs on the front of the stone, and a receiver on the back of the stone. There is also a small blue LED on the back of the stone to give certain feedback (more on that in a moment). The Beacon uses 4 AA batteries. The Beacon unit is pretty clever and well-designed, with icons on the bottom to ensure you know where the front is and where remotes should be pointed when you're programming the hardware. Also, you turn the Beacon off after the one-hour shutdown timer by simply tapping the top of the unit, pressing down on the stone. The blue LED slowly blinks a couple of times to let you know the unit is indeed powered up. The stone is a bit of a fingerprint magnet, but that's being picky. I was told the Beacon could do firmware updates via the Dijit app, which is nice. While the Beacon's footprint isn't tiny, it isn't so big as to be intrusive. The design will work with almost any aesthetic, really, so you won't notice it hanging out on your coffee table. The range of the Beacon is constrained by the same Bluetooth and IR limits of all of these units: around 30 feet or less for Bluetooth controls, and IR has to be line-of-sight to work. Software There's a lot going on in the Dijit app, a free download which controls the Beacon. I didn't like the fact that while there's a lot going on in the app, it is not optimized for the iPad. That's a major bummer, considering Dijit has a ton of tiny buttons. But it's a free app, and you can try it before you invest in the Beacon, which I highly recommend you do; if you have large fingers, you may not like it. There are gestures, but sometimes I found it hard to initiate them without hitting a button on the virtual remote. The Dijit app could be used by itself, as it has TV listings (a grid, no landscape view) and what amounts to a mini Netflix app. The TV listings are quite basic, like an early version of i.TV, but if you are signed in to a Dijit account you can give shows a thumbs-up or down or comment on them. The Netflix tab allows you to manage your streaming queue, conduct searches and view suggested items and add those to your queue. Netflix detail view (left) and Instant Queue There's also built-in support for a Roku box, but as I don't have one I was unable to test this. In fact, the Beacon supports over 200,000 devices, including your Xbox 360 -- possibly worth the price of admission right there if you have a vast array of gear. The only problem with this Guide portion of the app is a lack of landscape view for anything, and some of the buttons are really tiny. On-screen help works, but I was still left wondering what was the point of leaving comments on things -- I don't see Dijit building a social network like GetGlue or other competing products. One excellent feature is the thumbs up rating, which moves shows to your "My Shows" tab up top of the Guide. The Guide listing (left) and episode listing The Devices screen is next on the nav bar at the bottom of the app, and I wonder if there was a spirited debate about making that button second. Generally I need to power up my TV before watching it, although I suppose you could see if there's anything worth watching first. At any rate, Devices is where you will go to control all your components. It'll drop you into the last-used component's control screen, which in my case was the TV. As with all of these apps, you get back to your list of devices with a tiny button up top. I'll go into more depth on the Devices screen in a moment, as it is really quite powerful. Remote being modified (left) Devices view (right) Continuing to the right of the nav you'll find Activities, which is a way to set up a series of actions for your various remotes. If you want to watch a movie, you may want your TV to power up, switch inputs and power up the DVD player. Of course, you'll have to set all this up for each action, and I found the process to be somewhat confusing and sometimes limiting. For example, let's say I wanted to set up an action for "watch the news," and I had a particular station I always watch for news. I can power up my cable box and TV (unless they are already on and can't receive discrete power on codes -- then you're just toggling and they'll switch off instead) but switching to another channel beyond 9 is laborious. If you want your cable box to go to channel 701, you'll add 3 commands, one for each number! You can, however, set a delay, which allows you to wait until your device is in a ready state before sending more commands. That's a welcome touch. The Rooms screen allows you to configure more Beacons in other rooms, and from what Griffin says they will re-associate by tapping the Beacon's stone. I only had one unit and was unable to test this. It also allows you to change service providers, in case you have cable in one room and satellite in another. Nifty, but something most people probably won't use. Lastly there's Settings, which includes a battery indicator (which seemed to work adequately), options for the Guide, account settings, a way to jump to Griffin's support page in Safari, and the requisite About and Reset items. You can do a bit of customization in the Settings, including editing those shows you gave a thumbs-up to, and viewing your activity within the Guide. General settings allows you change what device does the TV tuning, add/edit gestures (which can only be picked from a specific set of gestures), find devices automatically, and toggle sound effects and the help button. Remote in use In Devices you can choose one of your devices, then see the remote button layout for that particular component. Where Dijit really shines is on these remote screens. The button layouts, while logical and great, are completely configurable. You can not only re-arrange things, but in several cases you have a choice of interface element. Volume, for example, can be an up/down button, or it can be a circular jog wheel you spin left or right. Not only that, but helpful blue alignment grid lines appear as you drag these items around the screen. Unfortunately you cannot scale these buttons, which would have been nice. But when you click Edit the buttons will do the jiggly dance (like apps in iOS when you wish to move them around), and you can delete or add buttons. Editing the layout is a breeze, but one thing you cannot do is mix and match component controls. This proves to be a real pain, because my DVR has a volume control that does nothing to affect the actual volume going through the TV (via HDMI). More helpful would be a TV volume on the DVR screen, but instead I have to tap that Devices button, choose my TV, then hit the volume. UPDATE: Turns out you can you mix-and-match device buttons on the screen. All the more reason I wish there was a proper iPad version of the app. See pic below for how this works. In terms of responsiveness, the Beacon does a great job. I found almost no lag, and once I set up my screens (not necessary as the defaults are adequate, but I'm a control freak) the Beacon was pleasant to use. By default the app will make a noise when you tap on buttons, and I noticed a glow in the jog wheel as I used it. Some buttons may be a bit small for large fingers. Gestures were not always easy to trigger, and I found myself hitting another key by accident too often, but the button controls worked just fine.* *OK, so while the buttons worked for my TV, the DVR was completely messed up. Beacon would actually send codes twice! If I pressed channel up it would actually go up two channels. I was told by a representative for Dijit that this was actually going to be fixed in the next version of the app, and it's a problem with the IR codes, not the hardware itself. Apparently IR blasting is tricky, and spacing out the blanks between blasts requires a lot of testing with each manufacturer. If Beacon had better troubleshooting or an ability to tweak those things (as the UnityRemote does), I don't know that an app update would have been necessary. Also, my DVR is a Scientific Atlanta box that is quite common, but I'm told only a very few units are reporting this issue. We'll revisit the issue when the app is updated. Setup Setup is really quite simple, with Dijit walking you through a series of questions before you use the app. You can actually skip all setup, but what's the point in that? Bluetooth pairing will happen in Settings on your iPhone, as with all Bluetooth devices. You'll do that first, then drop back into the app. First you'll choose TV listings by zip code, then a provider. Then, you'll be prompted to add a TV, cable box/DVR and AV receiver. You can add these later, and I only added the first two to begin with. Dijit has you test the power button only (in my testing), which I think can be problematic. In fact, it only tested the power button on my TV and said it found a remote for the DVR. You can use these, or you can go through another assistant to try finding one that works better. If you need to teach the Beacon the codes for your remotes, you can do that with the Dijit app, the Beacon hardware and your remote. Since my unit was apparently experiencing a known issue, I found it a little tricky to program the Beacon with my remotes. In theory, you position your remote 2 inches behind the Beacon and teach the Beacon by pressing down to start the LED flashing quickly, then hold down keys on your remote to match the ones you're programming on the Dijit app. Maybe it was my flaky unit, but 2 inches behind the Beacon, resting on the table, meant that my remotes were actually firing infrared beams into the black base, and not the IR receiver section. I had to prop my remote up on a book to make sure it was in-line. Despite this, I was able to work around my DVR issue (noted earlier) by programming the keys. Still, I would not want to do this for the 2 dozen or so buttons on all my remotes. I found the task a bit tedious and tricky, going from app to Beacon to remote to ensure the training worked properly. Be prepared to spend an hour or more doing this if you are stubborn enough or unlucky enough to have an unsupported remote. Other than training the remote, there's very little to worry about in setup. Have your Netflix login ready if you want to use that, of course, and be prepared to set up a Dijit account (you can use Facebook as well) if you want to participate in the rather limited social features. Conclusion Looking beyond the fact that my unit was defective (and will be fixed via app update soon), the Beacon is a pretty good deal at an MSRP of US$79.95. With the ability to control all your AV gear, including an Xbox, I think you'll find there's little it can't adequately control. The Netflix and Roku features are icing on the cake, to be sure. The Beacon is stylish and easy to use, and the interface customization will ensure you're able to enjoy using it for some time to come. Still, I found some rough edges. Manually training the Beacon with a remote is somewhat frustrating (although all IR blaster training sessions lack any fun quotient), and the smallish buttons and lack of an iPad-optimized app hindered what could have been a fabulous interface. The Beacon hardware could be considered large by devout minimalists, and the inability to tweak the length of time the unit stays on (or other more advanced tunings) put it behind the competition somewhat, but most of these are minor details. I will say it seems very un-Apple to have separate vendors for the hardware and software, but I'm sure Dijit and Griffin have plenty of contracts to keep each other in check (Dijit will also appear on Android, so there's that). If you're looking for a highly customizable interface and a pretty simple remote with a few extra bells and whistles thrown in for other services, you'll find the Beacon is a capable unit for your home theater or living room AV setup.
Griffin's AppPowered Helo TC is a $50 iOS helicopter for your home's air zone
Get to the chopper! Er, micro-copter. Say hello to Griffin's latest AppPowered gadget, the Helo TC. This indoor-heli lets users play pilot via an iOS app offering onscreen "Touch-to-Fly" or accelerometer based "Tilt-to-Fly" controls. After a half-hour's charge over USB, you'll be airborne for about eight minutes and can initiate one of three programmable flight paths if you want to go hands-off. Bummer though, you'll need to hook up a four-AAA packing IR sled to your iDevice for signal. Thankfully, this little guy's equipped for night flights with five LEDs, and you'll find extra rotors if you ever need to ditch into the linoleum. Expect to see these popping up during the holiday season for about $50 (£34.99), but for now you'll find details by flying past the break.
Crayola ColorStudio HD app for iPad swipes its way to your child's heart
The iPad is not childproof. It's fragile and expensive and we can't imagine why you'd want to hand it over willy nilly to your kids. That said, if you've got money to burn and don't mind letting small hands tool around with high-end consumer products, then this should tickle your parental fancy. Announced as a collaboration between Griffin Technology and Crayola, the Crayola ColorStudio HD app for iPad matches a marker-shaped digital stylus -- the inventively titled iMarker -- with your child's LCD-colored imagination. The chunky, kid-friendly stylus mocks the tip of a pen, crayon, marker or paintbrush as your doe-eyed youngin' swipes along 30 plus animated pages -- all while sitting too close to the screen. If free is the key to your heart, go ahead and grab this now on the App Store -- it's the marker clone that'll set you back 30 bills. That said, it's a small price to pay for your child's happiness. Also, digital Burnt Sienna -- need we say any more? Update: Turns out our friends at TUAW have already had the chance to sample one of these in the wild. Check out their impressions.
