IpodAccessory
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URC's PSX2 lets any universal remote navigate on the iPod
Universal Remote Control has showcased a new iPod accessory here at CES well ahead of its official debut at EHX Spring, and supposedly it'll enable any universal remote to navigate anywhere on an iPod with a single button press. The package includes an iPod dock that connects to the TV, essentially enabling users to kick back and serve up tunes and videos without needing an iPod-friendly controller. Reportedly, it even allows users to do things not originally intended on the iPod thanks to an elaborate macro setup. A few more details are included in the read link, and we get the crazy idea that this is just the thing URC needed to get into the mainstream mind.
iHome showcases iP29 / iP49 / iHMP5 iPod speaker systems
iLuv already dropped a bundle of iPod alarm clock / speaker systems here at CES, so it follows logic for yet another "i" company to dole out a helping of its own. Kicking things off is the iP29 portable speaker case, and stepping up the excitement level from zilch to one is the iP49 rechargeable audio system with alarm clock / FM radio for iPod and iPhone. Lastly, the iHMP5 two-in-one stereo speaker / headphone system enables users to listen in private or enter into "full speaker mode" for the posse to tune in. As with most everything else announced here at CES, pricing and availability have yet to be revealed.
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.
JVC's latest boomboxes do touch control, iPod integration
Full-blown boomboxes definitely aren't as popular as they once were, but there's still something curiously attractive about buying a music system that can be slung upside one's shoulder when the mood strikes you. To that end, JVC has introduced a new trio in its micro audio system, with the UX-GN6 boasting a "wake-up" sensor that turns the rig on when motion is spotted and a "laser touch" control feature, which is a sophisticated way of saying touch sensitive. Obviously, all three play nice with iPods, and they'll all be available in around two months for $99.95, $149.95 and $199.95 for the UX-G200, UX-LP5 and the UX-GN6, respectively.
Panasonic officially outs the iPod-lovin' VIERA X1 HDTV
Panny wasn't about to let JVC unleash a new range of iPod-friendly HDTVs without hitting back with a few of its own, so that explains the four new HDTV / iPod entertainment systems. The 19-inch TC-L19X1, 26-inch TC-L26X1, 31.5-inch TC-L32X1 and the 37-inch TC-L37X1 all come bundled with a universal iPod dock that does exactly what you think it would: bring iPod-based media onto your TV while charging your PMP. Pricing and availability? Take a wild, wild guess.
Sony bites the bullet, releases Made for iPod music systems
Sony's using CES to update its iPod / iPhone-compatible stereos -- it's releasing the iPod / iPhone-friendly CMT- LX20i micro shelf system and MHC-EC99i mini boombox (pictured above). Not a whole lot left to say other than they also play CDs and rattle windows, respectively. For pricing and release details -- including a word or two on the new Muteki systems -- hit up the read link.%Gallery-40935%
iLuv's iMM183 dual dock iPod alarm clock also does weather alerts
Man, iLuv's on a roll like no other. Practically every week since the onset of December '08 the company has pushed out a new alarm clock of some kind, and it has apparently saved the big boy for CES. Announced today, the iMM183 Hi-Fi Dual Dock Alarm Clock with Weather Band Radio promises to charge both you and your lover's iPod / iPhone 3G while providing NOAA emergency alerts of impending weather-related doom. There's also an obligatory auxiliary input for non-Apple devices, and the LED warning indicator should do a decent job of telling you what sort of catastrophe is looming. Just remember -- HURRICANE ALERT =/ Rock You Like A Hurricane. Full release is after the break.
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.
iHome's iH15W iPod stereo changes colors, could become annoying
Generally speaking, iHome produces fairly respectable kit. Sure, it's almost all involved directly with Apple's iPod or some random alarm clock (or a mixture of the two), but there's nothing intrinsically wrong with offering up a narrow range of products. To that end, we present the iH15W, an iPod-friendly stereo box that actually changes colors on a whim. The LED-infused cube houses two Reson8 speakers, an iPod dock, a 3.5-millimeter auxiliary port and two convenient carry handles. If you can honestly say you prefer your boombox to change hues along with your mood, you can plunk down $59.99 right now and get sassy.[Via ChipChick]
Audioengine puts wires out of work with AW2 wireless iPod adapter
Earlier this year, Audioengine rolled out the practically universal AW1 wireless audio adapter, and we certainly enjoyed our time with it. Now, the outfit is making the anticipated leap to iPod-dom with the sequentially named AW2. Put simply, the kit contains two main pieces: a transmitter that plugs easily into your dock-connecting 'Pod and a USB-based receiver with a 3.5-millimeter auxiliary jack. The system operates on the WiFi frequency band and promises no dropouts, static or interference from CB radios whizzing by your domicile. We should mention, however, that you'll pay quite dearly for the privilege of beaming your tunes sans cables, though it's available now for those who don't mind at $169.[Via GadgetReview]
JVC's iPod-lovin' LT-47P789 LCD HDTV gets in-depth review
It's nearly time for JVC to drop yet another iPod dock-infused HDTV on us at CES 2009 (just a guess, is all), but for those looking for the model first introduced in January 2008, here's a bit of introspective. If you'll recall, we already heard pretty positive things about the 42-inch version of this same set, but AV Revolution took things much, much deeper with its look at the 47-inch LT-47P789. We'll save the details for those who care, but the long and short of it is this: in the case of this particular unit, "neither the TV's performance nor the TeleDock implementation is as good as it could be." That said, the street price of around $1,500 isn't half bad, and while it won't put a smile on the face of a videophile, it should function just fine as an "everyday or second-room TV" for those who can't seem to escape their iPod.
Memorex SingStand iPod karaoke mic critiqued and in the wild
Sadly (very, very sadly, in fact), this isn't the first device we've seen that poorly attempts to mix your iPod into a karaoke-type device, which probably means you'll be glancing right over it. Memorex's recently released SingStand MKS-SS1 Microphone and Speaker System was apprehended and photographed by the iPod fanatics at iLounge, and while the powered speaker base, auxiliary input for an additional microphone / instrument and the audio controls were swell, the lackluster iPod integration sort of left the critic wondering why Cupertino's darling was even associated. And seriously, are you really considering spending $70 on this with Guitar Hero: World Tour and Rock Band 2 widely available and able to satisfy your off-key singing desires? No, no you are not.
Golden Shellback weatherproof coating now on sale
We'll be frank -- we had kind of forgotten about the altogether astounding Golden Shellback after seeing it work its magic on video this summer, but now the weatherproof coating is on sale, and it's mighty tempting. For the argonauts out there (or just you clumsy kids) who can't seem to honor the natural separation between gadget and liquid, this coating keeps your precious gizmo safe from the occasional splash of rain, mist, fog, steam or Seltzer water. Granted, such protection won't run you cheap (does it ever?), with a coating for the BlackBerry Pearl running $120, the iPod shuffle $60 and the iPod touch $120. GS will also encase a few other select devices, and honestly, they'll probably wrap up your Palm III if the offer is right.Read - Official websiteRead - Coated iPod shuffle auction
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?
DLO starts shipping HomeDock HD upscaling iPod dock
The port-filled HomeDock HD Pro, which was unveiled back at CEDIA this year, has finally made its way off the production line and into corrugated packaging. For those who can't surmise from the image above, this upscaling iPod dock takes your stored media and pumps it out via HDMI in gorgeous 720p / 1080i, and the RS-232 control port should make it feel right at home in your current setup. $399 makes it yours.Update: DLO pinged us to say it was the Homedock HD (not Pro) that started shipping. The Pro is due in "early 2009."
Marantz's IS301 wireless iPod dock elegantly cuts the cord
Wireless iPod docks were all the rage back in 2006 (seriously, we remember nerds camping out for them), but the trend sort of petered out as 2007 emerged and focus turned to more important matters. Now, Marantz is looking to bring it all back in style with the IS301, a Lucullan wireless iPod dock that transmits both audio and video sans cabling and includes a port-filled receiver for tight-knit home theater integration. Practically every dock-connecting iPod (no iPhones allowed, at least not officially) will work fine here, and there's also Bluetooth 2.1 support for receiving and beaming tunes from BT-enabled devices. Expect the bundle to storm Japan in January for ¥26,250 ($277), after which we Americans will drop down on bended knee and plead for a US version.[Via Impress]%Gallery-37663%
Scosche Passport FireWire-to-USB iPod adapter gets reviewed
Okay, so this adapter doesn't directly convert a FireWire 400 socket into a USB port, but for all intents and purposes here, it does as much. You see, Scosche's Passport was designed to channel the energy from older FireWire-based iPod charging gear into the USB prongs that the newer iPhone / iPods only accept. Macworld was able to get ahold of one for review, and in testing, it found that everything worked well when toying with new iPods, and while it was designed specifically for in-car applications, critics found that it even worked (albeit inelegantly) with dock-cradle accessories. Was it worth $30? Absolutely, so long as you'd rather burn $30 than replace that mess of wires you've got behind the dashboard (and you would).
Ferrari's Scuderia Spider 16M to integrate customized iPod touch
We've already seen one luxury car concept utilize an iPhone for displaying automotive information as well as managing the entertainment end of things, but the photo you see above isn't just conceptual. In fact, Ferrari will build 499 of its ultra-limited Scuderia Spider 16Ms, and for those who choose, it can be outfitted with an iPod touch dock right in the center of the dashboard. The 16GB touch will feature Ferrari themes, images and sounds, and of course, fortunate buyers can remove the PMP after having it parked in the garage. There's no word yet on how pricey the iPod touch upgrade is nor how expensive the whip itself will be, but the standard iteration of the car rings up at $277,000. You know, just so you have a frame of reference.[Via Engadget Spanish]
ASUS AIR3 iPod speaker system / internet radio hits the FCC
While the iPod sound system boat has already sailed (numerous times), there's always a minor boom in copycats when the holiday season draws near. Thankfully, ASUS' latest contribution to the over-saturated market is one with a differentiating factor, as the AIR3 tunes into internet radio stations as well. According to the posted user's guide in the FCC, the unit can play nice with dock-connecting iPods, stream WiFi radio stations and play back music from any other DAP via the 3.5-millimeter auxiliary jack. You'll also find a 128 x 64 resolution FSTN graphics display, S-Video / composite video outputs, an Ethernet jack and a total of four drivers to kick out the jams. An obligatory remote is also bundled in, though there's obviously no indication of a price tag or release date in those absolutely riveting FCC documents.
