IpodDocks
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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.
JBL On Tour iBT Bluetooth speaker now available for $150, iPad stand included
Have a soft spot for wireless speakers? There were tons of options out there already, but JBL just threw one more into the ring with its On Tour iBT. As we'd expect form the audio gurus, the system boasts wireless audio internals that play nice with both A2DP and AVRCP Bluetooth devices. In addition to four JBL Odyssey transducers, the kit packs a built-in microphone for Facetime or hands-free calls, an adjustable iPad stand and a USB connector for charging -- when the Katy Perry tune blastin' device is plugged in itself, of course. Interested? It can be yours now via the source link for $150, but if you'd care to take a closer look before committing, peep the gallery below. %Gallery-135353%
Sony unveils new HomeShare network speakers, iPhone docks, and Wi-Fi universal remote
We haven't heard much about Sony's HomeShare wireless networking protocol since the initial buzz in 2008, but based on today's announcements, it's fairly clear that Sony intends to ramp things up in 2011. The SA-NS300 and SA-NS400 are two new wireless network speakers designed to broadcast tunes from a variety of sources such as DLNA-enabled PCs or BRAVIA internet music services found on Sony's latest Blu-ray players. iPhones and iPods can join in on the streaming fun when placed in HomeShare compatible NAS-SV20i and NAC-SV10i docks. Since all of these components go beyond the realm of your average IR controller, Sony has kindly released the HomeShare-friendly touch screen RMN-U1 Wi-Fi universal remote, too. Using its activity-based control options, the remote allows those invested in the HomeShare system to send music throughout their network and a view a variety of eye-candy -- you know, like album art. Even more interesting is that Sony says all of the components will be available this March for between $200 and $300 depending on the device, which is far below the four figure price points of its early HomeShare gear. For more details, hit up the press release below. %Gallery-112877%
Speakal's Cool iPig blasts iPod tunes with extra badassitude
You have to go to great lengths these days to distinguish your iPod dock from the teeming horde, but that's exactly what Speakal did here. To state the obvious, it's a pig, wearing sunglasses, and filled with stereo components. The beast has four-watt stereo drivers for eyes, a down-firing 15 watt subwoofer in the belly, controls in the snout, and ports in the tail region. There's also an internal lithium ion battery good for up to eight untethered hours on a charge. We're not sure what would possess you to buy the hog, especially for its $150 asking price, but it could be just the item you've been looking for to bolster your eccentric reputation... or ward off particularly annoyed fowl.
Engadget's back to school guide: docks and alarms
Welcome to Engadget's Back to School guide! We know that this time of year can be pretty annoying and stressful for everyone, so we're here to help out with the heartbreaking process of gadget buying for the school-aged crowd. Today, we've got docks and alarms in our sights -- and you can head to the Back to School hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides. Whether you're simply looking for something to put on your bedside table or considering an iPod dock to replace a bulky stereo, you now have more devices than ever to choose from, which can be a tad overwhelming if you're trying to stay on budget and still get something decent. As usual, however, we're here to help, and have rounded up a range of docks and alarms that should more than satisfy at any price point.
Pulse Music Box evokes 1930s factory life, also happens to play tunes
We've seen more designer iPod docks than we can shake a stick at, but we've never laid eyes on one quite like this. Part pipe organ, part black monolith, this one-of-a-kind work of art is called the Pulse Music Box, and actually uses that brass organ crank to control the volume from the amp and stereo speakers tucked inside its black tiled frame. Creators Johannes Tjernberg and Rasmus Malbert told Moco Loco the dock's design was inspired by the classic Charlie Chaplin film Modern Times; hopefully, we won't have to drag them through the bowels of a giant machine to get hands-on. We hear the creation's currently headed to Milan, probably to take part in the 2010 Milan Furniture Fair -- and sorry potential buyers, we can't seem to get a lock on whether or not it's for sale.
Philips debuts seven new iPod docks for you
The market, bone dry for iPod docks, today gets quenched: Philips has introduced not one, not two, but seven new iPod docks for your listening pleasure (at least in the UK). The models are quite varied, and run the gamut from simple alarm-clock dock with remote, to full on mini-systems with features like "Dynamic Bass Boost", detachable speakers, and USB connectivity. Here's a detailed breakdown of the models: AJ300D - Alarm clock with remote, dual wake-up alarm, built-in radio tuner, five speakers (using Philips' wOOx technology), £69.99 AZ1330D - "Boom box" style dock, CD player, digital tuner with presets, remote control, 2x4W RMS sound output with Dynamic Bass Boost, £99.99 MCM138D - Mini stereo system, separate cradle, CD player, radio tuner, LCD panel, 2x2W RMS amplifier with Dynamic Bass Boost, two separate bass-reflex 3.5-inch driven speakers, £89.99 MCM398D - Mini stereo system, separate cradle, CD player, radio tuner, LCD panel, 2x50W RMS performance via two-way bass reflex speakers with 4-inch woofer and Piezo tweeters, £139.99 DC199 - Mini stereo system, built-in dock, digital radio tuner, built-in subwoofer with 4-inch driver, seperate speakers featuring metal drivers and neodynium magnets, £139.99 DCM230 (pictured) - Mini stereo / "Boom box", built-in dock, USB Direct (allows any DAP to be connected via USB), CD player, two speakers delivering 15W of power each, £199.99 DC1000 - Separate dock with remote, free when purchased with the WAC7000 WiFi audio system [Via Tech Digest]
Altec Lansing starts shipping the iMV712 "mini-theater system"
We caught a glimpse of Altec Lansing's iMV712 audio / video iPod superdock during CES, but they haven't been available until today. Looking like the unholy love child of the ubiquitous iM3 and a portable DVD player, Altec's new top-of-the-line speaker dock sports an 8.5-inch "high-resolution" LCD, a universal iPod dock, a remote control, a "stage" for non-iPod MP3 players, and two 3-inch drivers backed up by a 4-inch subwoofer. While that screen seems a little superfluous -- it doesn't show cover art or anything during audio playback and we're not quite certain where you'd watch movies on it (kitchens? prison cells?) -- at $350 this bad boy's a no-brainer over, say, the iPod Hi-Fi.
Dock your iPod to your Sony BRAVIA system
Sony just added the Digital Media Port iPod® DockTDM-IP1 to their store for pre-order. This $100 iPod dock lets you hook up any Dock connector iPod to your Sony BRAVIA home theater system or audio receiver. It'll even charge the iPod for you. Sadly, that seems about all that it does. It does look kinda cool though, and you have to admit that the name just rolls off the tongue. Oh, Sony, will you ever learn?[via iLounge]
Escient FP-1 Music Manager released
It's been a little while since we've heard about Escient FireBall products, and it looks like they've brought a new one to the table: the FireBall FP-1 Music Manager ($600), a networked music player that'll stream music from your docked iPod, another FireBall server, or from your Mac / PC using the FireBall music server software via standard Ethernet or an optional WiFi adapter. The FP-1 will play AAC, FLAC, MP3, WMA and iTunes purchases without any problems, and is available now through Escient's network of dealers via its website. Seriously, though, wouldn't this be a lot sweeter if it had some fire-themed artwork on the top, like those Dells we were eyeing earlier this year?[Via eHomeUpgrade]
