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IRL: Macally Ecofan Pro and the Nexus 4 on Telus
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Is it worth spending $40 on a laptop stand? How about $299 on a Nexus 4? Yes and yes, at least if you ask the Engadget staff. After the break, Don Melanson explains why he splurged on a solid wood notebook stand, and Jon Fingas makes a case for the Nexus 4 as a budget handset.
DIY iPad music breakout gives pro-grade stage presence, mixes circuitry with art (video)
If you're thinking this iPad audio breakout dock looks remarkably good considering its DIY origins, then you should know it wasn't put together by any old screwball with a soldering iron. Nope, this was made by Qubais "Reed" Ghazala, a very particular old screwball who's been blurring the lines between circuitry, music and art since the Summer of Love (that's 1967 on a normal calendar). His latest invention is all about getting pro-grade sound connections into and out of an iPad 2 -- much like an Alesis dock or Akai SynthStation, but with that special "I made this" charm and minimal price tag. Key ingredients include a Macally aluminium iPad stand and a 30-pin PodBreakout board. Hit the video after the break to get further instructions and hear Ghazala's "bottomless well of chance music" -- both come at your own risk.
CES Watch: Apple accessories from the show floor
CES 2010 is in full swing in Las Vegas, and while we aren't there, we have been able to scour the webs and bring you the latest, the greatest, and the weirdest new Apple-related peripherals and accessories from the show floor. Griffin has announced a few new devices, including a Display Converter ($40) to send your display out to HDMI or DVI video, a car charger ($30) that opens up another charging spot, and something called the TuneFlex Aux ($60), a cradle that sends iPhone audio out to an AUX port in your car. They've also got new versions of the RoadTrip and iTrip FM transmitters/cradles coming out later this year for the iPhone . IvySkin sent word of their Zappack unit, a battery backup for the iPhone available for $50, the SmartCase, a case with an integrated battery pack for $80, and the CardClip, a case for the iPhone with a money/wallet clip attachment for $20. Engadget posted a hands-on with Parrot's AR.Drone, which we mentioned yesterday. Short take: it's awesome. Geneva Labs has the most beautiful set of iPhone/iPod speaker docks we've seen yet. They're still useless, but they do look good. On the other hand there's the Trik / Triq iPod dock (above), a speaker dock so wild that Sony named it twice. Yeah, that is... wow. Pioneer announced a car nav unit that will stream Pandora via the cell connection on your iPhone. I'm sure there are induction power charging pads aplenty on the show floor, but this is the only one we're bothering to link to. Macally has announced another round of accessories, from earbuds to chargers. The most interesting is probably the PowerGo charger, which will use an AC adapter, a car lighter, or a USB plug, so no matter where you are, you can recharge your iPod. iPod accessories, everywhere! CES continues through the weekend -- we'll keep an eye on anything else Mac or iPod-related that shows up in Vegas.
Macally PowerLink: 3-in-1 battery pack
Macally is promising a new product for your iPhone or iPod (coming soon!) that combines an emergency battery pack, data cable, and flash drive all in one. Called PowerLink, the device will power your iPhone or iPod if the built-in battery dies, though Macally doesn't specify for how long. You can also connect one end to your iPhone/iPod, and the other to your computer, and the device will work like a short, rigid data cable. Thirdly, PowerLink contains a 2GB everyday flash drive. While not the most attractive thing in the world, it is functional, and could get you out of a jam on a back-country road with a dead iPhone battery. Sure, there are plenty of other battery pack options for iPhone and iPod, but none with with all the extras. Macally hasn't announced a release date yet, but the product will be available for $50. [Via Productdose.]
Macally busts out cup holder-compatible BTCUP iPod FM transmitter
It's far from the first cup holder-compatible iPod dock, but Macally's new BTCUP boasts a few more tricks than the usual fare, including not only an FM transmitter, but Bluetooth hands-free functionality as well. To make the former task a tad easier, the device includes up and down buttons and a backlit LCD display to let you tune in to any FM frequency between 88.1 and 107.9, with the hands-free calling option also accessible at the touch of a button. For some added privacy, the BTCUP comes equipped with an earphone, and it'll of course charge your iPod as it pumps out the tunes (the device itself is powered by the cigarette lighter outlet). Look for this one to set you back $120, with a BTCUP specially designed for the iPhone set to follow sometime in the fourth quarter of this year.[Via PC World]
Macally intros TunePro iPod speaker system
It looks like Apple accessorizer Macally is aiming for a bigger piece of the ever-expanding iPod speaker system market, with the company today officially introducing its TunePro unit, which also doubles as a clock radio. Based on NXT flat panel loudspeaker technology, the system promises "immersive 3D audio" thanks to its SRS WOW audio processing, although the actual amount of power behind the unit isn't clear. While it's designed primarily for iPods with a 30-pin dock connector, it also thankfully comes equipped with a standard line-in jack to let you use other devices, and comes bundled with three iPod inserts to ensure a snug fit for your iPod of choice. If that suits your fancy, you can grab one now for $130. iPhone users may want to hold off a bit though, as the company says it'll have one specially made for you sometime in the fourth quarter of 2007.
Macally busts out seven new iPhone accessories
Macally is well aware of the fact that you and 700,000 of your closest friends have just purchased an iPhone, and they would like nothing more than to help accessorize your new device. This week, the peripheral manufacturer is rolling out seven new add-ons for Apple's moneymaker. For protecting and carrying your device, Macally offers the mCLIP and mCLIP-X, two "stylish" belt clips (the latter done up in leather), the mCASE, a hard leather case for your new toy, the mSLEEVE, a soft leather sheath to slip your phone into, and the mPOUCH, a leather pouch which can fold into a mini iPhone stand. The company has also whipped up two new charging accessories, the USBPOWER, which is a universal AC / USB charger for wall outlets or cars, and the USBCIG2, a cigarette lighter charger for your Camaro. Products range in price from $14.99 to $29.99 and are available now.
mTune-N headset now shipping
Back in November, we wrote about the mTune-N, Macally's headset with an integrated iPod nano dock. The iPod's clickwheel remains exposed while docked, allowing you to have full control of its functions. Macally has announced this week that the mTune-N will ship in "early February" in both the US and the UK for $49.99US and £40, respectively. Just in time for Valentine's Day![Via Reg Hardware]
