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iLuv's iMM747 iPad speaker dock keeps it classy, classic
iLuv has a long history of cranking out too many iDevice speaker docks to count, so we can't say we're shocked to see 'em pushing out an option that's suitable for the iPad. It's tough to make one of these actually look respectable when it's hoisting a 9.7-inch tablet in place of a pocket-friendly PMP, but the iMM747 actually looks fairly decent. There's a triple driver speaker network, a radiator subwoofer, an auxiliary line input (3.5mm) and a 30-pin Dock Connector that'll also play nice with your iPhone and / or iPod. If you're in the market, it'll be splashing down in the next few days for $149.99.
Crestron iPanel controller for iPad does twice as much for half the price
Crestron is a name synonymous with two things in the world of home automation: cost and quality. So it's always good to the see the company shed its proprietary nature and embrace an off-the-shelf consumer product. Take its new iPanel for example. Instead of dropping a few thousand dollars on a Crestron touch-panel that does just one thing, you can purchase this $500ish snap-on case with thirteen dedicated buttons for home, lights, guide, and info functions. In other words, for the half the price of a typical touchscreen Crestron touchscreen controller you also get a WiFi-connected iPad. Sounds like a winning combination to us. Look for the iPanel to get official at CEDIA next week.
Philips Fidelio DS8550 iPad speaker dock hands-on
As absurd as it might seem to dock a 9.7-inch tablet atop what amounts to a glorified boom box, let's be real: the iPad's meek speakers are easily outclassed by its ability to swallow gigabytes worth of music and high-quality video content. Sure enough, iPad-compatible docks are quickly becoming a thing now, and Philips is jumping head-first into the market with its Fidelio DS8550. Oh, but there's more than meets the eye here -- it's not just a speaker with a giant slot in front for a 30-pin connection, you see. You can either connect the iPad to let it charge and get a direct audio connection or roam with it and let it talk back to the dock over stereo Bluetooth, which was demoed to us as an awesome option for gaming -- as long as the Fidelio is within a few yards of you, games really become a more immersive experience when you've got thick, booming bass and virtually limitless volume nearby, and we found that you really don't notice that the sound is coming from "somewhere else." The DS8550 also packs a handle on back and an internal battery, allegedly good for up to five hours of use off the grid so you'll be able to kick it old-school with the Fidelio slung over your shoulder in the subway station. The unit makes use of a unique spring-loaded pivot on its 30-pin connector, which Philips says allows you to connect any iPod, iPhone, or iPad without needing the typical adapters -- the device just sort of rests on the connector and the surrounding concave section of the speaker mesh. Check out a few more shots in the gallery!
Griffin confirms PartyDock iPad/iPhone peripheral is on the way
If you're familiar with the Scene It? franchise for the Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii, you've probably never thought of having a similar model work on an iPhone or an iPad. If you're like me, you may have an "of course" moment when you first see the Griffin PartyDock. Thanks to the FCC posting the PartyDock filing from Griffin earlier this week we're now getting our first look at a very cool new product. The PartyDock will let up to four people play a game together with four individual remotes on a single iPhone 4 or iPad connected to your TV. Griffin has confirmed that party, family and casual games will be available via the App Store, but they will need to be designed or adapted specifically to work with the PartyDock. Griffin will be shipping three mini-games and one full game along with the device. The photos on Griffin's product site show what appears to be a Battle of the Sexes port from Imagination Games, but it may or may not be one of the games included in the bundle.
iHome iA100ZE iPad alarm dock raises questions, supplies few answers
So, the iA100ZE iPad dock isn't anywhere in the same league as the iTar. To be fair, you can't fault iHome for trying to stir up some interest in an over-saturated market by strapping an iPad onto a fairly typical FM radio / alarm clock / dock. And if that's your bag, it certainly seems to be more than up to the task: iHome+Sleep app integration, Bluetooth, and that patented Bongiovi punch. Only a few questions have yet to be answered: when does it ship? For how much? And, most crucially, will you be able to sleep with an iPad shining in your face all night? Get another look after the break.
Franz K's iTar transforms your iPad into a keytar, puts shame in your game (video)
You can say that we're a sucker for a ridiculous video -- such as the one recently provided for us by a certain VJ named Franz K. The unholy spawn of Jerry Only and that ShamWow! guy, his latest creation is called the Mantaray iTar. Essentially it's an iPad dock with a shoulder strap, but wait -- there's more! You can also mount effects processors (such as the Korg Kaoss pad), essentially transforming your tablet into a kludgey keytar. As our man says, "gadget music is the new punk rock!" But seriously, Franz -- do you expect us to pay $225 for the privilege of performing with iElectribe? Either way, this video must be seen to be believed. Peep for yourself after the break.
Apple iPad accessories hands-on / micro-review
We've taken an in-depth and thorough look at the iPad, but we wanted to spend a little time with some of Apple's official accessories the company handed out with review units. There's nothing crazy here, but we did make some interesting observations about add-ons for the iPad, so join us for a phantasmagorical peek inside the world of fantabulous tablet accessamifyin'. %Gallery-89690%
