iSkin Solo FX Review

iSkin Solo FX Review

Finding an iPhone case that’s attractive and utilitarian isn’t always easy. It is now. The iSkin Solo FX is a totally swank iPhone case that will have onlookers gawking uncontrollably at what they think is an absolutely unknown phone.

Compatible with the iPhone 3G and 3Gs, the Solo FX is a two part ultra-thin compact case that feels great in your hand as well as in your pocket. The protective film that covers the front of the iPhone is a chromed out mirror that adds a super sweet aesthetic to your phone that you have definitely never seen before.

It’s touch screen friendly so you’ll have no problem accessing the controls like you normally would. Seeing through the mirror looks pretty cool on most occasions, but you will notice some extra glare. You will find a slight bit of resistance between the screen cover and your finger but it’s nothing you won’t be able to instantly adjust to.

The mirror screen collects smudges like it ain’t nobody’s business but it wipes clean just like the iPhone does. So far I’ve accumulated some scratches on the face of the mirror but nothing that takes away from the shine or polish of this radiant accessory.

The case itself has a sticky but not too sticky plastic resin that really feels nice to hold and stays firm in a pair of jeans. The weight of the case is fairly light and doesn’t add much bulk to your iPhone which is always a welcome feature among protective cases. There’s a circular pattern embedded on the backside to add some visual flair and will sort of remind you of those jelly bracelets and shoes the kids used to wear.

Through taking the case on and off of my phone several times, the elasticity held up much better than the InCase ones from a few years back. The button ports didn’t always match up exactly but no big deal.

What I did find was that some of the controls were difficult to access through the plastic case. The power button and the volume controls are covered really tight by the case and required a concerted effort to activate. Probably the biggest drawback to the case because you really have to concentrate to press these buttons, and it can get annoying.

The case isn’t at all ‘dockable’ so for those of you who swear by that scenario be warned. Other than that, this case has been a huge surprise as I had no idea how cool it would be. Tons of people commented ‘What is that’, or ‘Is that your iPhone?’, and it got a lot of positive attention.

From watching your back, to checking your grill piece at the club, the Solo FX is a must check out if not must buy iPhone accessory. While you may find it a bit pricey ($35), you really won’t want a new case after you tote this thing around for a while.

Pros:

• Absolutely pimp aesthetic


• Easy upkeep


• Feels great and is lightweight

Cons:

• Buttons hard to press


• Collects grime and smudges


• Mirror film retains scratches

(Via Gadget Review.)

Listen To Music On The Go With Logic3 iStationGo

Listen To Music On The Go With Logic3 iStationGo

Logic3 today unveiled its new line of portable speakers namely the iStationGo. Available in pink, blue, silver and black, the speaker comes with a protective case and 4 AAA batteries, which will provide 15-hours of operation time. You can connect the iStationGo with most of MP3 players that have a 3.5mm headphone jack. Each purchase comes with a cradle to place the iPod Touch, iPod Nano and iPhone either vertically or horizontally. You can pick up the iStationGo from Logic3 for £19.99 or around $33.

(Via The Apple iPod and MP3 Players Blog.)

Fancy Ball-shaped iPod Speaker

Fancy Ball-shaped iPod Speaker

The miSoccer from Speakal is a soccer ball-shaped iPod speaker that supports all generations of iPods and iPhones. Available in red, blue, and black, the 2.1 Stereo speaker system also features Bass Reflex technology, a 15W Subwoofer, a total output of 25+ Watts, and a 3.5mm AUX input jack to connect a TV or gaming console. The Speakal miSoccer will be available soon. There is no word on pricing or availability at this time.

[Speakal]

Review: Klipsch iGroove SXT Speaker System for iPhone and iPod

Review: Klipsch iGroove SXT Speaker System for iPhone and iPod

Short Version: You want to listen to Fergie in the kitchen. Don’t worry, I understand. Fergie and cooking eggs just go together well. If you’ll be piping Fergie off an iPhone or iPod, you’ll probably want a compatible speaker system.

Like anything in the audio world, the price tag on dedicated speaker systems for the iPhone or iPod can be surprisingly cheap ($30-40 bucks), or mind-blowingly expensive ($500+, like the Bose SoundDock 10). Most tend to work their way into a comfort zone of $129-$159.99 - and at an MSRP of $149.99, that’s exactly where you’ll find the Klipsch iGroove SXT. Originally released in 2007, the SXT has just been re-released with improved sound quality and compatibility with the latest iPhones and iPods. It’s not perfect, but with dual 2.5-inch subwoofers, it packs a good amount of boom for your buck.

Features:

• Dual 2.5-inch woofers in ported enclosure and dual 0.75-inch horn-loaded tweeters


• Features 3.5-mm auxiliary input


• Remote Control

Pros:

• The sound quality matches the price perfectly. It’s not going to blow away $200+ systems - but of any speaker I’ve heard under $150, this one takes the cake


• It looks great


• S-Video output for video/slideshow playback on compatible iPods

Cons:

• No volume indicator


• No FM radio

Review:

There I was in the kitchen, still rockin’ my pajama pants from the night before. Half a dozen eggs were left in the carton, the pan was just beginning to smoke, and the Klipsch SXT was just begging for me to hit the play button. I shot the go-ahead signal across the room with the remote control right as the first egg splashed down.

Listen up ya’ll, cause this is it. The beat that I’m banging is de-lic-ious.

Yep! I was listening to Fergie. Do I like Fergie? Oh hells nah. In fact, she drives me absolutely bat shit insane - but that’s exactly why I’d picked her for this test. If a stereo could make Fergie’s sinus-backed voice sound good, I’d give it a thumbs up. And sure enough, Fergie sounded pretty damn good. The sound was filling the room better than I’d expected out of the tiny box, with a decent amount of bass pounding out of the dual 2.5″ subs.

I dug around for a few speaker systems for the sake of comparison, and, from a sound quality standpoint, the Klipsch SXT seems to fit exactly where they’ve priced it. It blows away the $80-$90 iHome clock radios we had laying around the office, and sounds quite a bit better than the almost identically priced JBL On Stage 200ID. It fell a bit short against the JBL On Stage 400 series — but considering that that 400 series costs nearly $100 more, that’s pretty much what was expected.

Dedicated iPod speakers tend to be ugly chunks of black plastic, but that’s not the case here. The SXT is essentially one big glorious speaker grill, accented with a bit of silver plastic around the edges. It manages to be color neutral without looking cheap, so it ought to fit well in just about any room you throw it in.

Snap back to the kitchen - pajama pants, eggs, etc. No one was home (and thus, no one was around to make fun of my music selection) - might as well crank it up, right? I hit the volume up button - it got louder. I hit it again - it got louder again. So far, so good. The volume level was hurts-so-good loud at this point, but there wasn’t even a hint of distortion yet. I hit the button again and… nothing. I’d capped out the volume, but had no way of knowing as there isn’t any sort of volume indicator.

There also isn’t any FM radio. Considering that most people would presumably use this in rooms where they don’t otherwise have an audio system — and that it’s almost standard amongst lower-end systems — this is a bit disappointing. Alas, FM radio almost always gets abandoned once the price tag goes up, presumably because FM radio is the last thing you want (besides AM radio) when you want to be pushing quality sound.

If you’re looking for an iPod/iPhone speaker set that smokes the sub-$100 sets and the majority of stuff available around the same $150 price tag, the Klipsch iGroove SXT ought to fit the bill.

(Via CrunchGear.)

Wireless Dynamics brings the joys of inventory management to the iPhone with the iCarte RFID reader

Wireless Dynamics brings the joys of inventory management to the iPhone with the iCarte RFID reader

'You know, that pallet of overpriced skin cream isn't going to stock itself. Maybe if you'd stop playing Bingo Bonanza you'd have done that already. Oh, you say you're scanning their RFIDs to add them to our system? Whatever, you're fired.' It's a scenario we see playing itself out at warehouses all around the world thanks to the iCarte from Wireless Dynamics, a device enabling iPods and iPhones to read from and write to RFID tags. It clips on the bottom and sports a mini-USB port so that you can still sync, but can also use the phone's wireless mechanisms to communicate with various systems, updating inventory or tracking purchases. As far as we know it will not prevent your phone from playing games, but we won't tell your boss about that. Nor will we tell him how much these will cost or when he can order them, since we don't know ourselves.



Update: Wireless Dynamics asked that we clarify that this device is indeed consumer-oriented, able to scan the RFID tags in your credit cards, transport badges, and probably even that chip you had implanted into your dog's head. So, this means you would be able to make MasterCard PayPass and similar RFID transactions without even reaching for your wallet -- which sounds as convenient as it does disconcerting. Being able to verify that your dog hasn't been replaced by an evil clone while you were at work? Priceless.

(Via Engadget Mobile.)

Tunewear VisualDock AV For iPod And iPhone

Tunewear VisualDock AV For iPod And iPhone

Tunewear has rolled out the VisualDock AV that allows you to enjoy viewing movies, photos and listening to music stored in your iPhone and iPod on a TV. The gadget connects to a TV or a home theater system via S-Video or RCA/line output. The VisualDock AV features a ‘3D’ sound processing with a button on the front to toggle it on and off, and a rear USB port with a switch for choosing between sync and charge or charge only functionality. If you are interested, you can buy the Tunewear VisualDock AV for $79.95. Each purchase comes with a USB wall charger, S-Video and RCA cables, and a remote control with menu navigation capabilities. [Tunewear]

Sony MHC-GZR33i arrives in Europe

Sony MHC-GZR33i arrives in Europe

At first glance, the Sony MHC-GZR33i might seem extremely familiar to many of us Stateside, as it also known as the Muteki Shelf System LBT-LCD7Di. The US model comes with a tang orange color scheme on the speakers and light, while the European version which we're talking about offers a more subdued look, boasting a 7' LCD display, a 3-disc DVD/CD player and an iPod dock. It pumps out 360 watts of power with GROOVE and Z-GROOVE bass boost, while a karaoke feature helps you bring the house down (or complaints from the neighbors to turn things down a notch). While it retails for $499, anyone wants to make a guess on how much it'll cost in Europe?

(Via UberGizmo, the Gadgets News Blog.)

Maxell MXSP-D240 Universal iPod Dock

Maxell MXSP-D240 Universal iPod Dock

Maxell Japan is back by bringing you this stylish universal iPod dock, the MXSP-D240. Measuring 240mm x 151mm x 138mm and weighing 1.2kg, this portable dock is equipped with 2 53mm driver units that are capable of delivering 2x2.5W output power. Not to worry, the device is also compatible with all iPod versions. Available in white or black color option, the MXSP-D240 will be sold in Japan at the end of this month for around 10,000 Yen (about $112). [Maxell]

Logic3 iStationGo Travel Speakers

Logic3 iStationGo Travel Speakers

Logic3 has unveiled its new line of portable speakers, namely the iStationGo. The speakers are foldable, and together with its rounded edges, should fit into your bag rather well. The iStationGo ships with a protective cloth carry case and 4 AAA batteries. A 3.5mm headphone jack allows the iStationGo to be compatible with almost every MP3 player out there, and you’ll get 15 hours of juice from the batteries. Your color options for pink, blue, silver and black. You can pick up the iStationGo from Logic3 for £19.99.

(Via UberGizmo, the Gadgets News Blog.)

Audio Technica Releases Portable Amplifier For iPod

Audio Technica Releases Portable Amplifier For iPod

If you are unsatisfied with the sound quality of your iPod, then you can use the AT-PHA30i iPod amplifier from Audio-Technica. Scheduled to be released on December 18th, 2009, the device boosts the iPod’s output power to 20mW (32Ohm) and provides a frequency response of 20Hz-20,000Hz, as well as a signal noise ratio of 95dB. The AT-PHA30i draws its power from the iPod’s battery, so it will decrease your gadget’s battery life span. The portable amplifier is compatible with iPod nano, iPod Touch 2G, and iPod Classic.

(Via TechFresh.net - Cell Phones, Laptops, Video Games, iPods, Cameras.)

Chinon AVi iPod Dock Doubles As Portable DTV

Chinon AVi iPod Dock Doubles As Portable DTVWe're not sure whether or not this is supposedly the next generation of boomboxes comin' at us in full Technicolor, but it does seem to make enough evolutionary sense, right? Simply follow the Chinon formula - toss in a 7-inch LCD, attach a huge external antenna for DTV signals, and leave enough room to squeeze in those 8 'C' batteries to provide those 3 whole hours of action-packed, mobile entertainment fun.

(Via Unplugged.)

Rihanna kitchen scale docks your iPod

Rihanna kitchen scale docks your iPod

Rihanna's kitchen scale not only lets you know just how much ingredients to put in, it will even keep you entertained thanks to a built-in iPod docking station, making this a world's first. There is a 42.5mm x 20mm LCD display located below the iPod dock, where audio will come out from a 2-watt speaker that is placed under the safety glass surface of the weighing area, keeping your forays in the kitchen an entertaining one. Expect the Rihanna to be out in due time, retailing for approximately €70.

(Via UberGizmo, the Gadgets News Blog.)

Chinon AVi portable entertainment system

Chinon AVi portable entertainment system

The Chinon AVi portable entertainment system prides itself in being a fancy iPod dock that boasts a 7' LCD monitor alongside a pair of sneakers that have been specially arranged to look like that of a retro boombox. Features of this include AUX input, an ATSC digital TV tuner with AV out, built-in telescopic radio antenna, an external TV antenna, digital FM radio and an alarm clock to help you get out of bed during those lovely mornings where sleeping in seems like the better option. The main drawback? Its relatively weak battery life of just 3 hours on a full charge. Expect to fork out $199.99 for this if you want to bring it home.

(Via UberGizmo, the Gadgets News Blog.)

Pyle PIP30 Portable Speaker System For iPods

Pyle PIP30 Portable Speaker System For iPods

Finding yourself a new portable speaker system for your iPod with good sound quality? Well, here we have the PIP30 from Pyle. Powered by either 3 AA batteries or an AC adapter, this compact speaker system provides 2x40W output power and delivers a frequency response of 150Hz-18kHz. It also comes with an auxiliary line input for connecting other external audio devices and is compatible with all iPod models. The Pyle PIP30 is priced at $26.49.

(Via The Apple iPod and MP3 Players Blog.)

iPod Desktop Speaker makes for an affordable gift

iPod Desktop Speaker makes for an affordable gift

Finding affordable gifts for someone who is more into technology than anything else can sometimes seem to be a trying task.  Luckily though there are some retailers happy to sell off speakers to go with your precious iPod or iPhone.  With this speaker it’ll play your music, while also giving a spot to rest your iPod and leave it on display.  You could easily see and flip through music while it’s hooked up to the speaker.

It’s not really something you carry everywhere with you.  It would be nice to have sitting on a desk of some kind though.  For students with cramped living conditions it would work out great.  The device is meant for the iPhone or any of the iPods besides the Shuffle.   It will hook up to any MP3 player though.  In order to keep it running, it requires 4 AAA batteries.  You can purchase the speaker in both red and black for $9.99 a piece through The Container Store.

(Via Coolest Gadgets.)

Sparkz iPhone Dock and Projector

Sparkz iPhone Dock and Projector

Sparkz iPhone Dock and Projector

Sparkz is billing itself as the world’s first iPhone and iPod dock projector. Maybe it is, maybe it’s not. But it’s definitely one of the most expensive iPhone docks you can buy at $495. Ouch! To be fair, it is compatible with other multimedia devices like video cameras, DVD players, computers and gaming systems. For that price you get 640 x 480 resolution with a 60-inch viewing area. The projector is based on a 3M projection engine and it comes with a tripod. Personally I’m buying like 4 of these just for the tripods. If you’re interested in a nearly 8 minute video about Sparkz you watch it here.

(Via CraziestGadgets.com.)

PhoneSuit Primo Battery Pack For iPod and iPhone

PhoneSuit Primo Battery Pack For iPod and iPhone

PhoneSuit has a new iPod/iPhone gadget called the Primo battery pack. The device is available in white or black and the compact battery pack will deliver an 800mAh lithium-ion battery, good for up to 45 additional hours of iPod nano audio playback or 3-hours of 3G talk time on the iPhone 3G or 3GS.

The PhoneSuit Primo features a miniUSB port and even a front-mounted LED battery charge meter. You can pre-order the PhoneSuit Primo Micro Battery Pack for $35 on November 23rd when it’s released.

[Techfresh]

New iPod Car Dock will flip you out

New iPod Car Dock will flip you out The iPod’s environment consists of a plethora of accessories but one of the most popular forms is the iPod Dock. Although there are iPod docks that come in a large variety of shapes and sizes with all kinds of features there are some that stand out. There are may already be quite a few iPod compatible car stereo systems but nothing like this so far. The XML8110 Mechless Mobile Audio system combines a full fledged iPod docking station with a car stereo. From the front the system looks like any car stereo till it’s flipped down to expose a well integrated universal iPod dock (not for the shuffle). The dock, like all others, will also charge the device while connected. It allows users to access the all playlists and music stored on the device. The stereo system also comes with a built in FM radio, EQ presets and an AUX In for connecting other devices. The system will also allow users to take calls from their iPhone and with a corresponding iPhone application that’s also in the works, the integration between these two devices would only be better. The XML8110 is priced at just $99. This relatively well priced iPod dock is all well and good but the down side with this model is that it doesn’t have regular plain old CD player or US port, well you can’t have everything. [Dvice]

Yamaha's yAired-equipped MCR-140 micro stereo wirelessly talks to iPods and subwoofers

Yamaha's yAired-equipped MCR-140 micro stereo wirelessly talks to iPods and subwoofers

Yamaha seems to be pushing its newly unveiled yAired technology pretty hard, with the second system to sport it unveiled just weeks after the first. The $399.95 MCR-140 is far from being the most stylish mini stereo we've seen -- in fact, it's probably one of the ugliest -- but it is available in a rainbow's worth of hues (or just ten), and it does talk to iPods and subwoofers sans cabling. Aside from that, you'll also get an old fashioned CD player, a front-panel USB socket, an iPod dock on the top, FM radio tuner and mini jack inputs for other sources. The box itself packs a pair of 4-inch drivers and ships with a bundled remote, and if you're not so interested in cutting cords, a yAired-less MCR-040 is available for $120 less.

Gallery: Yamaha's yAired-equipped MCR-140 micro stereo wirelessly talks to iPods and subwoofers

Continue reading Yamaha's yAired-equipped MCR-140 micro stereo wirelessly talks to iPods and subwoofers

(Via Engadget Audio.)

Flipdown iPhone Car Stereo Dock

Flipdown iPhone Car Stereo Dock

If your like me and always see your iPhone bouncing around in the car on the end of the charging and aux cable, then this gadget is a sight for sore eyes.

The The XML8110 in-dash stereo head allows you to dock your iPhone securely while driving and allowing you to listen to Internet Radio on the move easily. There is also an iPhone app on the way to help simplify and operate your iPhone while docked called EZ control.

Here are the specifications.

Supports every iPod® (except shuffle)

Recharges iPod® while docked

Adjustable side supports

Control from iPod® or head unit

240 Watts Peak (60x4)

MOSFET powered

Solid state ‘mechless’ design

2-Pair of preamp outputs (F/R+S)

CD player not included

Steering wheel control input (PAC SWI-PS required)

12 Character full dot matrix black/white LCD

Fold down front panel with integrated iPod® dock

4 Character inside black/white LCD

Expansion module slot

1-Pair RCA auxiliary input

iplug™ adapter included

Infrared remote control

Adjustable LCD illumination dimmer

5 Selectable preset EQ curves

Loudness

Clock

The flipdown iPhone Car Dock is $99 and available at Wal-Mart

(Via Geeky-Gadgets.)

Dual Electronics XGPS300 GPS Cradle For iPod Touch

Dual Electronics XGPS300 GPS Cradle For iPod Touch

The Dual Electronics XGPS300 is a GPS cradle for iPod touch that will turn the gadget into a GPS navigation system. Priced at $179.99, the Dual Electronics XGPS300 GPS Cradle comes equipped with NavAtlas’ turn-by-turn navigation app, a rechargeable battery, a speaker, an audio out, a mini USB port and a windshield cradle.

[GadgetReview]

YBA unveils iDW1 iPod dock

YBA unveils iDW1 iPod dock

YBA of France has rolled out its iDW1 iPod docking station, where it is made from aluminum without cheap looking plastic bits adorning its chassis. In addition, the Apple Universal connector ensures it to play nice with the new range of iPhones and iPod nanos. Connected to your PC or Mac through USB, the iDW1 doesn't really bring anything new to the table save for the all-aluminum chassis. It will cost you a handsome £149 to bring this bad boy home this holiday season.

(Via UberGizmo, the Gadgets News Blog.)

Sparkz projector dock for iPhone displays videos, a $495 price tag

Sparkz projector dock for iPhone displays videos, a $495 price tag

If you’re looking for an Apple handheld pico projector, you have one more option. Sparkz is a dock that is compatible with your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPod video, along with other A/V and VGA sources. It features 640 x 480 resolution, a 60-inch viewing area, and stereo speakers.

How much would you expect to pay for this device? 250? 350? This can be yours for the price of $495. Is it worth it? I’ll let you be the judge of that. It will also charge your iPhone and it comes with a tripod.

Charging and a tri-pod? How thoughtful of them.

(Via SlipperyBrick.com.)

Heritage Is A Retro-Styled iPod Dock That Does Plenty

Heritage Is A Retro-Styled iPod Dock That Does PlentyRevo's nice-looking new retro-styled iPod/iPhone dock might look old, but it's filled with great features, making this a most interesting dock to have in your home.

(Via Unplugged.)

Bowers & Wilkins first ever P5 headphones follow the iPod money trail

Bowers & Wilkins first ever P5 headphones follow the iPod money trail

When you've got the brand cachet of a Bowers & Wilkins, the decision to launch your first-ever headphone will be met head-on with plenty of pre-defined market expectations. But with products spread wide across diverse audio tastes and prices, well, pretty much anything goes. So it's probably no surprise then to find B&W prostrating itself to the dollar with its P5 Mobile Hi-Fi Headphone. These Made for iPod noise-isolating cans with speech and device control are meant for use far beyond your carefully constructed 'critical listening' audio nest at home. You can, however, swap out the iPod cable for the B&W supplied gold-plated cable by popping off the magnetically attached ear pad. Mind you, the P5 does not offer electronic noise cancelation, instead, the listener is isolated through a combination of the P5's closed-back design and sealed leather ear pads. They also bring the promise of 'unfatiguing performance' thanks to B&W developed ultra-linear neodynium magnets and Mylar diaphragms. Naturally, we'll reserve judgment until these babies ship sometime in January.

Gallery: Bowers & Wilkins first ever P5 headphones follow the iPod money trail

(Via Engadget Audio.)

Gigaware dongle brings HD Radio to iPod touch and iPhone for $80

Gigaware dongle brings HD Radio to iPod touch and iPhone for $80

Up until now, there have been just two ways to get HD Radio in a portable, handheld solution: buy a Zune HD, or opt for Insignia's NS-HD01. As of today, Gigaware is changing all that, and it's hoping to give HD Radio a kick in the pants by opening it up to every single iPod touch and iPhone user in the US. iBiquity's own HD Radio module has been tucked neatly inside the clickwheel dongle you see above, giving any iPhone / iPod touch with iPhone OS 3.0 (or greater) the ability to listen to HD Radio and FM stations in their area. The (now available) adapter itself sells for $79.99 exclusively at RadioShack, while the accompanying app -- which sports a manual tune wheel or auto-seek option, social network integration, bookmarks and iTunes Tagging -- is available to download free of charge. It's a novel idea, sure, but something tells us the limited availability and lofty price tag will keep it from selling like gangbusters.

Continue reading Gigaware dongle brings HD Radio to iPod touch and iPhone for $80

(Via Engadget Mobile.)

Altec Lansing iMT620 inMotion Classic Portable iPod Dock Hits Korea

Altec Lansing iMT620 inMotion Classic Portable iPod Dock Hits Korea

Altec Lansing has announced the availability of its latest portable iPod dock ‘iMT620 inMotion Classic’ in Korea. This compact and lightweight device is equipped with a high-contrast LCD display, an FM radio with 4 station presets, a rechargeable battery, an auxiliary line input for connecting other external audio devices and a remote control. The iMT620 inMotion Classic retails for 245,000 KRW (about $211).

[AVING]

Compact $10 Desktop iPod Speaker

Compact $10 Desktop iPod SpeakerWe don't mind shelling out cash for a great product. We're not always looking for the cheapest tech, but tech that gives us the best value. In the market for a simple, no-frills iPod dock to keep the tunes flowing anywhere, you can't beat this...

(Via Unplugged.)

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin mini iPod dock lands for a hands-on

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin mini iPod dock lands for a hands-on

We've seen plenty of carefully staged press shots of Bowers & Wilkins' new Zeppelin mini iPod dock, but we're guessing that anyone about to shell out $400 for one of these is going to want a considerably closer, more unvarnished look at it. Thankfully, the folks at iLounge have now stepped in and provided just that and, while the agree it's certainly not for everyone, they do seem to think that those with the money to spend won't be disappointed, noting that the Zeppelin mini is another great example of the 'speaker as art.' Hit up the link below for a closer look, including a comparison with B&W's full size Zeppelin.

(Via Engadget Audio.)

Panasonic D-Dock Sleek And Slim iPod Dock

Panasonic D-Dock Sleek And Slim iPod Dock

Panasonic today introduced two new iPod docks from their D-Dock series in the form of the SC-HC4 and HC3. These slim iPod docking station provide an AM/ FM tuner, a digital amplifier delivering 20Watts × 2 channels output, a CD player and a SD card slot (SC-HC4 only). The speakers are made of a high quality Bamboo fiber material to make it lightweight and produces deep sound. The Panasonic SC-HC4 will be available in silver, pink and black for 40,000 Yen ($450) and the Panasonic SC-HC3 will be available in silver for 35,000 Yen ($400). Only the Panasonic SC-HC4 model that will be capable of transferring or ripping any CDs into SD or SDHC cards at a speed up to 8x.

[Via Akihabara]

Parrot RKi8400 car stereo system

Parrot RKi8400 car stereo system

The Parrot RKi8400 car stereo system will target both the iPhone and iPod devices, where this hands-free Bluetooth communication system will boast multiple connections for digital music and advanced hands-free telephony functions. You also get a storage compartment located behind the removable front panel, making it perfect to protect and recharge your iPhone or iPod when driving. Other features include a large dial that makes data on it accessible with but a glance, while a full-color screen is always a joy to behold. Whenever there is an incoming call, you will find the system loading its hands-free mode automatically, allowing you to concentrate on the road at all times. The Parrot RKi8400 will also play nice with all Bluetooth-enabled cellphones out there.

(Via UberGizmo, the Gadgets News Blog.)

idox Traveler Series iPhone Case

idox Traveler Series iPhone Case

idox has launched a new range of cases for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPod Nano, called the idox Traveler series.

The idox Traveler series range of cases are designed to be used as a case for your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPod Nano, and also a stand so you can watch your favourite movies whilst you are on a plane or a train, or even sat at your desk.

While in the idox, you can easily display photos, watch movies, make speakerphone calls, use your device as an alarm clock or even read recipes in the kitchen. All buttons and ports on your device remain accessible, so you can still easily charge, pause, turn off and control the volume. When not in use, the idox can be snapped shut for full protection of your device.

These look like a great idea, especially if you want to watch a movie on a plane, I think I maye have to invest in one of these.

If you want one, prices start at $24.95 for the iPod Nanon version, and both the iPhone and iPod Touch versions are available for $34.95 each from idox, and they come in a choice of colors which include, black, pink and platinum.

(Via Geeky-Gadgets.)