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Mophie Outride ruggedized action case for iPhone hands-on
Sure, you've been tempted to strap your iPhone to that ski helmet for a homemade action cam solution, but ultimately, you respect Apple's warranty, as limited as it may be. Mophie's new Outride ruggedized case equips your fragile smartphone with a ruggedized shell, protecting the device while also serving as a helmet / bicycle / flat-surface mount. The thick plastic case includes a raised lens module, and is available in both water-resistant and above ground flavors. That first version is still undergoing testing, according to Mophie reps, so we don't know just how far it can dunk with letting down its guard to condensation, but we do know that it will retail for $149. A land-only version will also be available for $129, and unlike the sealed model, your iPhone's display will still be exposed, giving you full access to the device. Both cases include a dedicated shutter release, which works in camera mode, letting you snap away under the sea. They also ship with a trio of mounts for your helmet, handle bars or a flat surface. Catch a closer look at Outride in the gallery below.%Gallery-163898%
Mophie's Outride turns iPhones into action cameras, comes with dedicated app and starts at $130
There's no doubt iPhone accessories are a dime a dozen nowadays, but every now and then we come across one or two that vigorously stand out from the rest of the peripheral pack. Here's where Mophie's newly introduced Outride comes in, which clearly -- and as the company's quick to point out -- takes a heavy cue from GoPro's action shooters. All inspirations aside, though, the Outride iPhone companion's pretty well-stacked on its own, with Mophie offering an integrated polycarbonate case / mounting system that features waterproof and high-impact protection to help the daring folk during those intense, rush-filled adventures. Additionally, Mophie's taking things beyond the hardware and also announced a free application to pair alongside the Outride unit; this will give people a place where they can create a profile and share their video recordings with other riders. The outfit's pricing the iPhone 4 / 4S accessory starting at a peaceable $130, and it should be up for grabs around "mid-September." In the meantime, there's an extra pic and PR right after the break, for anyone interested in catching a different view and the conclusive word from the Juice Pack maker.
Insert Coin: Stabil-i case reduces iPhone camera shake, fits in your pocket (video)
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. Ah, stability, a commodity valued by videographers who want to produce footage that won't make their viewers throw up. Reducing camera shake can be especially tricky when using a smartphone such as the iPhone, whose form factor and light weight make it easier to have the shakes while shooting. Currently, options for reducing camera vibration in iPhone videos include apps like the Dolly Cam and more hardware-oriented solutions such as the Steadicam Smoothee. Our latest Insert Coin candidate, the Stabil-i, happens to use the latter route, serving up a "video stabilization iPhone case" that's still reasonably affordable. According to its creators, the Stabil-i's design is based on concepts found in larger, more expensive camera stabilization systems used in the film industry -- minus 90 percent of the hardware and the expensive bearing system. The result, they say, is a device that does a good job in reducing camera shake while still being compact enough to fit in one's pockets.
IK Multimedia iRig MIX review: a mobile mixer built for iDevices
Accessories, iOS has them. Not many devices can boast the same rich and dazzling array of add-ons that the iPhone or iPad enjoy -- from keyboards to docks, arcade cabinets to battery packs. Today's offering? A mobile mixer. The iRig MIX from IK Multimedia, to be precise. It's essentially a mini DJ tool, designed to work with such iGadgets, and brought to you by the same serial audio-accessorizers behind the iRig MIC Cast and AmpliTube. If you think you've seen this fella before, then you likely have, as this got its first glimpse of sunlight back at CES. Now it's here for real, auditioning for your affections as if it were on "American Idol." While it's easy to dismiss some of the more ambitious accessories as as trying to push the limits of iPad / iPhone functionality to the extreme, it's also worth remembering that accessory X isn't always about replacing object Y. No one ever bought a USB webcam thinking it'd turn them into Spielberg, now did they? But, they might have gotten one thinking it would give their PC some skills it never had before. So it's with this short, preemptive missive in mind that we turn on the iRig MIX, plug in and rock out. Hopefully.%Gallery-158921%
PoP Video peripheral turns iPod touches and iPhones into pico projectors for $99
While it may not be the first time we've come across such a concept, this PoP Video add-on is certainly quite different than, say, WooWee's Cinemin Swivel -- and significantly cheaper, too. The PoP Video pairs up with iPod touches (3rd / 4th generation) and iPhones (4 / 4S) via Apple's proprietary 30-pin connector, essentially turning your device into an unorthodox pico projector. According to PoP's site, the 3.5 ounce peripheral's capable of 960 x 540 video output and can give you up to two hours of "playtime" on a single charge -- achieved by way of micro-USB. It all wouldn't be worth it without the free iOS app, though, which lets folks tinker with settings and do what it's intended to do: project videos, pics as well as browsing within Safari. The $99 PoP Video is up for pre-order now, and you can get a quick glimpse of the accessory in action just past the break.
Scosche myTrek sends workout vitals to your iPhone, starts shipping now for $130 (video)
With a variety of portable power accessories, most Scosche products are designed to keep gadgets up and running, not to get our own blood flowing. The company's new Bluetooth myTrek pulse monitor pairs with an iPhone or iPod touch to motivate you to keep going and going, however, pumping "inspiring" audio alerts through your headphones during a workout, while also tracking pulse, distance, speed, pace, and calories burned. The arm-strap uses a pair of LEDs, along with a photo sensor and accelerometer to capture vitals as it rests strapped to your forearm, providing five hours of continuous feedback before needing its own boost using the included USB cable. You'll need to have your iOS device within 33 feet of the device to record your workout, so the myTrek may be better suited for trips to the gym than, say, a run through the park in the rain. It's also rather pricey, at $130, but if you're already dropping a grand or two for your gym membership each year, a gadget that lets you elegantly track your progress may be within reach.
Withings Blood Pressure Monitor for iOS hands-on (video)
Withings users not satisfied with only being able to share their weight with the world can now add blood pressure and heart rate to the mix. This iPhone-connected blood pressure monitor made its first appearance at CES, but you'll finally be able to order one of your own today. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, the $129 accessory costs three to four times as much as off-the-shelf blood pressure monitors, but integrates well if you're looking to pair it with your Withings scale for a complete vitals management solution. Results can be sent to health sites like Google Health and Microsoft HealthVault, or directly to your doctor. Care to see how it works? Join us past the break for a hands-on look at the monitor, including a video comparison with the in-store vitals machine at our neighborhood Kmart. Update: Withings wrote in to let us know that the blood pressure readings in the video below were likely inflated because we were talking, though we do appreciate the concern you've already expressed in the comments.%Gallery-126616%
Insert Coin: Air Guitar Move for iPhone (video)
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. We're not sure proper air guitarists would ever consider adding a bonafide pick to their cherished imaginary pastime, but what if a petite plastic plectrum could turn those strokes into stringed acoustics that more than just you can hear? That's the idea behind Air Guitar Move, a $50 motion-sensing guitar pick that pairs with a dedicated iPhone app using a single dock-connected string. The minds behind Move aren't new to product design -- Colin Karpfinger created Thumbies, a suction cup-based gaming control accessory for iPhone, and Ronald Mannak has launched other freestyle electronic toys, including the V-Beat AirDrums and AirGuitar -- so if they meet their $25,000 funding goal, we imagine that we'll have a very solid iPhone accessory on our hands. A $39 pledge gets you a single Move with a 20 percent discount, and a pledge of $49 will net you a pick from the first shipment, so you'll be strumming away a month before folks in the first group. The creators have yet to commit to a ship date, but head over to Kickstarter if you'd like to make a pledge, or jump past the break for the intro video and an update on our last featured product, ZionEyez.
XtremeMac InCharge Auto & Home BT chargers stream music, phone calls over bluetooth
There are many ways to get your phone's tunes to your system's speakers, and now thanks to XtremeMac, you have two more. At $80, the InCharge Home BT is just $20 cheaper than an Apple TV, and it only lets you stream audio over bluetooth (vs. video, and WiFi for the Apple TV). Its on-the-go counterpart, however -- the InCharge Auto BT (also $80) -- is a much easier sell, beaming music and phone calls to a car stereo without a need to tether your handset to your receiver. Despite the company name and ubiquitous "Made for iPhone" branding, XtremeMac has confirmed that both devices offer identical functionality with non-Apple handsets as well, along with iPods, iPads, and other bluetooth-enabled gadgets. Available now, both devices support A2DP, connect to your speakers using a bundled 3.5mm cable, and include a 10-watt USB port for charging your devices -- assuming you don't mind cording up, on occasion.
Planex capacitive stylus mocks Steve Jobs, all the way to the bank
In the past, our coverage of Planex has largely been relegated to storage devices and wireless access points, but now the company has entered one of the most exciting businesses of all: breaking poor Steve Jobs's heart. That's right, the company has meddled with the natural order of the universe by releasing new smartphone styli. They come in two colors -- black and white, naturally -- and two lengths: 4.2- or 1.6-inches, with soft rubber tips measuring 8mm and 9mm, respectively. The pens will run you ¥1,200 ($15) or ¥1,000 ($12), which is more or less on par with the current suggested price of the Pogo sketch stylus -- well, that plus airfare to Japan to pick one of these things up. But hey, it still beats a hunk of deli meat, right?
Hisense unveils new consumer WHDI accessories, cable haters rejoice
Hisense is still betting on the WHDI horse for wireless HD. The standard's standard-bearer AMIMON announced its chips would be powering a new line of accessories from the Chinese manufacturer at the Global Sources Electronics & Components World Expo (GSECWE?), including a transmitter for laptops (above), a case for iPhones, and a receiver for TVs (both below). Obviously beaming a round Super Mega Worm to your big-screen is enticing, but we're sure you're most excited by the ability to stream Hulu from your laptop to your TV while reclining on the couch. And if you've got a 3D set, fret not, WHDI can push polarized pixels thanks to support for HDMI 1.4a. Sadly, info on pricing and availability is nonexistent, but we wouldn't expect to find these in your local Best Buy. Yet.
Hasbro's My3D to turn iPhones into glorified ViewMasters starting Sunday
It's about time the ViewMaster got an upgrade. What's that? It's not a ViewMaster? Well, you could have fooled us, but either way, the thing's finally going on sale exclusively at Target April 3rd, and everywhere else starting in June. As you might have already heard, Hasbro's intro into the crowded 3D arena, simply titled My3D, does take a card from the old ViewMaster deck, but instead of enlisting cardboard discs, this thing uses your iPhone or iPod touch to bring you 3D entertainment. If your kid's not already hooked on 3D, the $35 viewer could be a decent starter -- then again, for $35 you could take yourself out to a nice lunch, give the rug rat a cardboard box, and call it a day. Full PR after the break.
Mophie sneaks out new Juice Pack Air with Verizon and AT&T iPhone 4 compatibility
There's been no shortage of cases for Verizon's flavor of the iPhone 4 -- Ballistic, iLuv, iKit, AGF and Scosche have already announced ones of their own -- but if you're looking for a mainstay in the industry, you can now turn to Mophie. The company's life-doubling Juice Pack Air has been ever-so-slightly reengineered to work with both AT&T and Verizon iPhone 4 units, with initial shipments expected by the end of the month. At first it'll ship in black with silver accents, while soft-touch red and glossy white versions are scheduled for release shortly thereafter. Still $79.95, and still awfully hard to resist for 3G power users.
Xtrememac's dual USB wall charger gets it right, car charger and battery pack ain't bad either
CES is most definitely in full swing, which means the wave of accessories is coming hot and heavy. Xtrememac has just revealed a trifecta of USB chargers, all of which seem to boast subtle changes from the norm that piqued our interest. First off, the universal dual USB wall charger has not one, but two USB charging ports, delivering a full ten watts of power (read: enough for the iPad) to a pair of your favorite gizmos. Moving on, there's the universal USB car charger, which sadly doesn't sport two USB ports. The universal USB battery pack and wall charger looks mighty similar to the PowerPak XT, doubling as a USB wall charger as well as a portable battery pack when it's unplugged. As for pricing? Try $14.99, $24.99 and $59.99 in order of mention, with the whole lot being available now directly from the company.
Xtrememac reveals InCharge Mobile iPhone 4 battery case, in-car USB chargers
Looking for a few peripherals to go along with all of this new gear being unveiled at CES? Have a gander at this. Xtrememac has just rolled out yet another rechargeable battery pack / protective case for Apple's iPhone 4, with this particular monster having a 2300mAh battery, an integrated kickstand and an on / off switch. The InCharge Mobile will go for $79.99, putting it in direct competition from the folks at Mophie. Next up is the InCharge Auto USB, which is a somewhat plain in-car USB charger that saves itself with ten watts of output -- plenty to juice up your iPad as it acts as the Road Trip Jukebox. The InCharge Auto Plus doubles it up with a second USB port, while the InCharge Auto AUX tosses in a 3.5mm auxiliary jack for easy connecting to one's line-in port. Those three will sell for $24.99, $29.99 and $49.99 in order of mention, and the trio should be available to ship right about... now.
Withings fittingly debuts iPhone-connected blood pressure monitor at CES
Trust us -- no one on the Engadget staff wants to know what their blood pressure is right about now. For those trapped in the hurricane that is CES, there's probably no better product to have laying around than this... but only if you're looking to confirm your suspicions about being in a high-stress career. Withings, the company best known for its connected scales, has just revealed the planet's first iPhone-connected blood pressure monitor, with an aim to make measuring vitals as easy as pie for iOS users. The idea is fairly simple: just plug the arm band into your iPad, iPod touch or iPhone, dial up the gratis app and start the process. All of the data is logged on the user's secure online space, and there's even a secure sharing feature that'll beam your abnormally high rates right to your frightened physician. It'll go on sale tomorrow around the globe, with the asking price set at $129 / €129. Update: Looks like iHealth beat these guys by a dozen hours or so. Splitting hairs, but there it is. %Gallery-112205%
iHome intros iDM12 micro-soundbar, iDM15 Bluetooth speakers and iDM70 'Sound Sleeve'
It just wouldn't be CES without a gaggle of new products from iHome, now would it? Kicking things off in this year's line of audio-related gadgetry from the company is the iDM12 (shown above), a rechargeable portable Bluetooth speaker that's described as something like a mini-soundbar. It'll stream tunes from any Bluetooth-equipped phone or PMP, but naturally, it's being aimed at iPad, iPhone and iPod owners. Moving right along, there's the iDM15 rechargeable portable BT speakers. Here, you'll find two diminutive speakers that can stream in a similar fashion as the iDM12, but with the addition of speakerphone support. Lastly, the iDM70 'Sound Sleeve' is both a protective shell and a speaker setup for your iPad; it relies on rechargeable NXT flat speakers to improve the audio experience, but mum's the word on price. You'll find these guys, as well as the iD9, iD28 and iD85, on sale "later this year." %Gallery-112370%
MiLi HD iPhone / iPad charging dock boasts internal speaker, HDMI output
MiLi Power -- the same guys who pushed out the thinnest iPhone battery case earlier this year -- are back in Las Vegas, but this introduction represents quite the deviation. The MiLi HD is fairly simplistic in nature, and we get the feeling that iPhone and iPad owners may actually appreciate the understated motif. Aside from being a fully-featured charging dock, this here device also includes an internal speaker, a mini-USB connector and an HDMI output to boot. The goal here is to pipe those iTunes downloads from your iDevice right onto your television sans an Apple TV, and if that's exactly what you've been hunting for, you can seek it out shortly for $99.99. %Gallery-112371%
IR-embedded Surc case converts iPhone into a universal learning remote
Whoa, Nelly! ThinkFlood won't like this... not one bit. If you'll recall, the RedEye universal remote dongle was well received, as a simple 3.5mm adapter added IR beaming to Apple's slate of iDevices. But now, Mashed Pixel has taken the integration one step further, seamlessly embedding an Infrared emitter into a case. Simply pop the Surc around your iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4, download the (free) accompanying app and start programming. Before long, you'll be dictating your home entertainment setup sans any external accessories, and heck, you may even improve your phone's reception all the while. The only downside to this approach compared to ThinkFlood's is that the iPad is obviously not supported, and once you upgrade to the iPhone 5, your trusty IR case becomes a glorified paperweight. If you're kosher with that, though, you can get your pre-order in now for $69.95, with initial shipments expected to make their way out in Q1 2011. %Gallery-110542%
Pantone iPhone and iPad cases thumb their noses at Apple's grayscale aesthetic
Considering the affection the design community has for Apple products and the Pantone Matching System, combining these passions seems ripe for success. At least that's Case Scenario's theory with this new line of licensed cases: they're Pantone approved, so you know the hues and ridiculous code names are legit. In total, nine different versions are available for the iPhone and four for the iPad, providing plenty of style leeway should the colorware route be out of your budget. No word on pricing or availability just yet, so for now it looks like our Capsure color identifier will have to remain holstered until more details surface. %Gallery-109303%
