IpodDock
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Panasonic adds native iPod dock to D-Docks, drinks the Kool-Aid
Sony gave up on ATRAC (outside of Japan anyway) and to being an iPod accessory shill long, long ago. But Panasonic, through its own inertia or arrogance has persevered with its D-SNAP and D-DOCK rigs long after its market share was doomed. After all, there's no need for Panasonic to continue pushing the SD card, they've won. Still, it does a Japanese heart good to know that it can now coax its fleshy keeper into buying a D-Dock with a native iPod dock connector and sliding panel that reveals a preference for 90's- or noughts-era music media. SD and SDHC card too, of course, this is Panasonic. [Via Akihabara News]
Sony's obelisk-inspired CMT-Z100iR iPod dock is full of modernist styling, stars
iPod docks come in all shapes and sizes, and while Sony's last attempt would be hard to miss in most rooms, this latest one is rather more subdued and sophisticated. It's the CMT-Z100iR, naturally compatible with the iPod, iPod Touch, and iPhone, but also sporting the ability to play CDs through a top-mounted slot-loader. It can even play tunes from other MP3 players through its USB port, if you're so inclined, and while its pair of 20 watt speakers probably won't shake the walls, they should suffice for filling your minimalist retreat with the groovy beats of the Future Sound of London. No firm price or availability details yet.
Scosche passPORT Home Dock gives new life to old iPod docks
Let's get one thing straight right now -- Scosche isn't actually selling an iPod dock here. What it is pitching, however, is an adapter that'll add new life to your aged iPod sound system. Much like the automotive passPORT announced earlier this year, the passPORT Home Dock charging adapter was specifically designed to fix the charging error associated with several iPod docking stations and enables charging for the iPhone 3G, iPod touch Gen 2, and iPod nano Gen 4. In other words, it allows these newer devices to charge even in older docks that don't support USB 5-volt charging. Of course, you better really love your existing dock, 'cause this adapter alone is pegged at $39.99. A nice demonstration vid is after the break if you're having a typical case of the Mondays.
Creative quietly intros MovieWorks HD iPod dock
Not that Creative hasn't dabbled in the HD iPod dock arena before, but it's been awhile since the company has introduced a new one. Quietly, secretly, the outfit has pushed a fresh one out in the Cambridge Soundworks line, and it's satisfactorily titled MovieWorks HD. The device does about what you'd expect by outputting iPod video and audio (via HDMI) onto one's TV and / or sound system, though Creative points out that this one is the only one with its own Xtreme Fidelity, X-Fi Crystallize and X-Fi CMSS-3D technology -- so yeah, take that for whatever it's worth. Those who detest cables can also snag the optional wireless receiver, but first you'll need to pony up $249.99 for the dock itself.[Via eipZENter]
Speakal iBoo: when iPod docks and Pac-Man ghosts collide
You know, that's totally a recreation of Oikake up there holding that iPod, wouldn't you agree? In the spirit of Pac-man, Speakal has delivered the iBoo sound station, an iPod-friendly device that's cute enough for your kids and retro enough for you. For the low, low price of just $89.99, you too can join in the fun by grabbing one in red, blue or white. Specs wise, the device features an obligatory iPod dock, a 3.5 millimeter auxiliary input, touch volume control and music navigation, 15 watts of total power and a mini remote for controlling things from afar. Don't deny it, you're in love.
URC's PSX-2 iPod dock enables control via universal remote
These days, it's pretty tough to find an iPod dock that differentiates itself from the crowd. Then again, Universal Remote Control isn't your average iPod accessory maker. Designed specifically for the custom install crowd (but aimed at anyone who appreciates tight home integration) is the PSX-2 Personal Server. Put simply, this doodad enables users to control their iPod like never before by providing users a method of "exploiting all of the iPod's features, including some obscure and rarely-used ones," with any ole IR remote. The device provides "hundreds of discrete IR codes that cover virtually every iPod function, and even functions that aren't available on the iPod itself, such as commands for each of the iPod's EQ settings and the ability to perform alpha searches." Sure, it'll set you back $399, but that's a small price to pay for giving your universal remote one more reason to hang around.%Gallery-43355%
CES 2010 to feature iPod / iPhone-centric iLounge Pavilion
Although IDG is still planning on holding a Apple-less Macworld Expo next year, it's going to have to start fighting some pretty big competition for exhibitors -- the CEA and iLounge.com just announced that CES 2010 will feature an iPod and iPhone-oriented iLounge Pavilion, dedicated to accessories for Apple's handheld devices. That matches up nicely with rumors that the CEA is making a push for more Apple-focused products at next year's show, and while we wouldn't ever expect Apple itself to show up at CES, we can definitely see Macworld fading into irrelevance as companies jump ship for a show guaranteed to attract a ton of attention with or without a Stevie J. / Philly Shills keynote. We'll see how it plays out over the next year -- for right now we're stoked to know that all the iPod docks at CES will be in one, focused location, allowing us to more or less ignore it just like we do the CES North Hall.
Alesis iPod JamDock plays the backing band to your Ashlee Simpson
Apparently, when Alesis looks at an iPod the company gets dollar signs in its eyes -- between the 8 track mixer for the home recording set, the pro audio-minded rack mixer, and the ProTrack dock / portable digital recorder, you'd think they'd have all their bases covered -- but that's clearly not the case. Among the many goodies making the scene at this year's NAMM, JamDock is aimed at musicians who want to incorporate iPod audio into their performance. This bad boy sports two 1/4-inch inputs that support both line level and high impedance instruments, 1/4-inch monitor outs, and a single 1/4-inch stereo out for headphones. It can be mounted on a drum rack or stand using the e-percussion Module Mount (sold separately). Pricing and availability have yet to be announced. In the meantime, it looks like bedroom musicians will be stuck jamming to the Miami Vice theme on their boomboxes, just like nature intended.[Via Music Radar]
Acoustic Research ARIR200 / ARIR600i WiFi radios bring weather alerts, iPod support
Nothing too groundbreaking here, but Acoustic Research has a new pair of WiFi radios on tap at CES. The first one is the ARIR200 Infinite Radio, which pulls double duty as an internet / AM / FM radio and a traditional alarm clock. It provides direct access to Slacker content and comes bundled with a prepaid subscription to WeatherBug. Moving onto greener pastures, we've got the ARIR600i, which adds in a "subwoofer" and includes an iPod dock for charging your PMP and playing back tunes while docked. They'll be available in February / mid-May, respectively for $129.99 / $199.99.
Sharp debuts Blu-ray HTIB, soundbars and iPod docks
Providing some audio punch to go along with all the video, Sharp's taking the wraps off of two new 5.1 HTIBs with Blu-ray included , the BD-MPC40 and BD-MPC30, plus two new 2.1 channel sound bars, the HT-SB300 and HT-SB200. Since no AV rollout is complete without an iPod dock, the DK-AP7N and DK-CL6N. Why, you ask, is only the soundbar pictured? To peek into the eye of the $799 piano black Blu-ray packing home theater units would be madness, ditto for the $99 - $129 iPod docks, ready to give you two channel audio (DK-CL6N) and 2.1 ESound processing, video out packing DK-AP7N. The theme here is convenience and quality in small packages, some hands and ears-on time should give us enough info to safely pass judgement.
JVC announces Full HD LCD TVs, new line of iPod-friendly sets
Just in case you haven't seen enough from JVC today, how's about a look at nine new TVs? From the top, we're look at four newcomers with 1080p panels -- the LT-32J300, LT-42J300, LT-46J300 and LT-52J300 -- all of which tout a dynamic backlight, the company's own Smart Picture technology, there HDMI inputs and a new cabinet with a snazzy new bezel and a black glossy finish. Moving on to more Apple-friendly pastures, we've got an all new TeleDock line that spans from 31.5-inches to 46-inches. All five models come with an integrated iPod dock for playing back portable media and recharging your player, and the whole crew should be in stores by April. Check the links below for all the minutiae.Read - JVC's new Full HD lineRead - JVC's TeleDock line
iHome debuts iP1 iPod / iPhone speaker system
iHome certainly isn't starved for iPod docks or speaker systems these days, but it looks like the company just couldn't pass up the opportunity of expanding its line-up at CES, and this new so-called iP1 system looks to be leading the way. At first glance, this one sure seems to hit most of the right marks, with it packing 100W of power, two four-inch woofers, two one-inch tweeters, and Bongiovi Acoustic's proprietary Digital Power Station processor, which iHome says helps make this the most advanced speaker system they've ever developed. You'll also get a standard AUX input to accommodate your other devices, plus an A/V output and, of course, a remote control. Unfortunately, there's no word of a price or release date just yet, but we're guessing iHome won't be holding onto those details for too much longer.[Via iLounge]
Sonoro Eklipse iPod / CD sound system hits the FCC
Sonoro's Eklipse iPod / CD sound system has been available in Europe for a few months now, but it hasn't exactly made much of a ripple 'round these parts. That looks like it could well be changing, however, as the device has just recently landed in the hands of the folks at the FCC, who unsurprisingly seem to be particularly interested in the system's remote control. As for the rest of the system, you can expect to get an always welcome OLED display, along with 7.5W of power output, a headset jack, a standard 3.5mm input to accomodate your non-iPod devices, and support for MP3 and WMA-loaded CDs in addition to plain old audio CDs. Of course, an FCC appearance doesn't always assure a US release, but if there is one, you can probably expect to pay about the same €499 (or $690) that it currently demands in Europe.
Inelegant hack connects T-Mobile G1 to iPod dock
Come to think of it, this mod wouldn't even be necessary (though, we suppose it would still be useful) had HTC bothered to put a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack on the T-Mobile G1, but alas, we're stuck with some random ExtUSB port. In order to make that output jack compatible with the litany of iPod peripherals (namely sound systems), the modders over at WebNetta figured out what pins linked to what in order to connect the G1 to Made for iPod gear. Best of all, the secrets of the connections are all spilled out in the read link should you care to try this yourself, but please, tidy things up a bit if you do.
Parrot intros Philippe Starck-designed Zikmu wireless speakers
We're not sure if he's been taking notes from fellow countryman Jean-Michel Jarre or not, but it looks like prolific designer Philippe Starck now has a tower-style speaker system to call his own. Considering that Starck has paired up with the wireless-minded folks at Parrot, however, there's a few more surprises in store with these Zikmu speakers -- namely, built-in WiFi and Bluetooth to accommodate your laptop or cellphone of choice. You will still get an iPod / iPhone dock, of course, along with a remote control (also designed by Starck), and some newfangled NXT technology that apparently "revolutionizes traditional acoustic design." All that comes at an expectedly premium price, however, with the speakers set to run $1,500 when they're released sometime in the spring. [Via Phone Arena]
Philips underwhelms with lackluster iPod / iPhone accessory line
Is it any wonder Philips is opting out of making a stop at CES this year? If it showed up with this line, it'd literally be laughed right out of Vegas. The outfit's dedicated "showing" in San Francisco this past week consisted of two Streamium Network Music Players (NP2500 and NP2900) that we were already well aware of, a refreshed DLO iBoom JukeBox ($200) that now plays nice with iPhones and two other mildly interesting pieces. First up is the January-bound DC350 Docking Entertainment System ($150), which bills itself as an iPhone / iPod dock "with hands-free conference call functions and the ability to sync with business calendars on your PC." Finally, we've got the 2.1 SPA5300 sound system (pictured), which has evidently been introduced in less traveled corners of the world but is just now making itself visible in the US. On second thought, maybe "underwhelming" is being too generous.[Via iPodNN]
Scandyna Speakers intros $300 retro-inspired iPod Pink Dock Pack
Scandyna Speakers isn't pushing out just another iPod dock with its Pink Dock Pack, as evidenced by the retro-inspired design, $300 price tag and a sales deal with Saks. The set includes a stylish pink motif, 2 x 15-watt Class T amplifier, stereo line output, dock inserts to fit a variety of dock-connecting iPod models, a remote and a pair of Micropod SE speakers. Call us crazy, but we're guessing these would sell quite a bit better if that PMP there was included and we could purchase one in a color not called pink. Full release after the break.
PMP docks keep things afloat as other audio gear sinks
Sure, it's impossible to find anything electric that hasn't been graced with an iPod dock anymore, but according to NPD Group, unit sales of MP3-docking speaker systems -- a catch-all that includes iPod-dockified clock radios and tabletop radios -- actually rose while other audio gear suffered. From our HT-centric viewpoint, sales of HTIB systems came up 16-percent short while AV receivers slid 8-percent. But the loss-leader by a long way was the compact stereo segment -- the 36-percent setback on sales goes to show that when people are concerned about hanging on to their jobs, outfitting the cubicle or office with new gear moves way down the priority list.[Image courtesy PodcastingNews]
Scosche vomits out reviveLITE "cordless" iPhone charger / nightlight combo
Look, we know haphazardly stapling an iPod dock onto nearly any product can cause almost-paralyzing fits of hyperbole amongst marketing personnel, but Scosche's description of its sad little reviveLITE nightlight charger as "cordless" because it plugs directly into the wall might take the cake. Oh, wait -- you know what actually takes the cake? It's priced at a delightfully insulting $40. Yeah, we'll stick with the monster under the bed, guys. At least it respects us.
Sony's iPod-lovin' AIR-SA20PK S-AIRPLAY music system reviewed
We'll just cut to the chase: if you've been cautiously eying Sony's S-AIRPLAY system in hopes of it solving your multi-zone audio desires, you'll be sorely disappointed at how it performs in real world use. The AIR-SA20PK showcased just decent audio quality, odd design choices, unintuitive controls and a wireless range that was less-than-stellar. 'Course, the unit was being held to some pretty high standards, but given the $400 sticker, we can understand that. In the end, critics determined that the unit wasn't an outright failure, but for four bills, they'd prefer it to be much easier to use and sound quite a bit better. Good thing you didn't pull the trigger already, huh?
