Teac Esoteric releases Ipod Companion with Digital Amp

Teac Esoteric releases Ipod Companion with Digital Amp

Whether it is just an Ipod companion or a set of bookshelf speakers from the Teac, an entry model from the high end line of Esoteric usually means unaffordable for most of the music lovers. You can say the same for the newly announced Esoteric Reference 600 series AG-H600 – a 126,000 yen (~$1,300) integrated digital amp designed exclusively for Ipod.

The Esoteric comes with an Ipod dock that can charge your Ipod as they play. It supports 4th gen Ipod, nano, classic, touch but only works partially on the Iphone 3G. Being an Integrated amp, the unit has three set of analogue audio inputs and can play your favorite AM/FM channels. Videos are only supported via Ipod playback, which also accounts for the sole digital input. The digital amplifier delivers 75/90 watts of class D power with both channels driven into 8 or 4 ohm-speaker configuration.

Also announced is a companion stereo CD player that can read redbook CD, CD-R/RW and support digital media format like MP3 and WMA. The PD-H600 cost exactly the same as the Integrated amp.

Both units are constructed with aluminum chassis with high-rigidity structure and powered by a large toroid power transformer. Just like the rest of Esoteric family , you can expect only selected professional audio components are being used in the circuitry design. The set of Esoteric will set you back for $2,600 and is slated to be released in December.

(Via SlashGear.)

Tadpole -- iPod case and headphones for kids

Tadpole -- iPod case and headphones for kids

Talk about a perfect gift for the tadpole in your life. ifrogz Boxed Tadpole set includes a protective iPod case for kids, so parents can convert their own video iPod into a portable children’s entertainment device.Though the company doesn't recommend dunking it in a swimming pool, judging by the testimonials, toddlers have done some pretty extensive product testing!

The colorful child-sized headphones are designed specifically to work with the ifrogz Tadpole case. Now compatible with the 120 GB iPod Classic too.

(Via Popgadget: Personal Tech for Women.)

Mophie Juice Pack iPhone 3G Review

Mophie Juice Pack iPhone 3G Review

The biggest drawback I have with the iPhone 3G is its battery life when 3G network is enabled. Barely managing a full days standby time with Exchange email syncing switched on, the iPhone 3G clearly needs some extra juice to stay alive; hence why the Mophie Juice Pack for iPhone 3G was developed. Identical in concept to the Juice Pack for the original iPhone, a supplementary battery is hidden inside a partial slip-case.

Here, catering for the 3G iPhone, Mophie rate the Juice Pack as offering up to 350 hours of standby time, 6 hours of talk time, 6 hours of 3G data transmission time, 28 hours of audio playback or 8 hours of video playback. While our tests did not meet all these numbers, we managed to get roughly eighty percent of the suggested battery live; we think that’s still pretty impressive. The Juice Pack is also clever enough to make the iPhone drain the external battery prior to using its own.

On the back of the Mophie Juice Pack for iPhone 3G is a battery indicator light with a flush-fitting button to display how much battery is left. Plug in the power cable and both the Juice Pack and the iPhone 3G itself are charged up, meaning one less reason to take the phone out. You can also sync the cellphone thanks to the pass-through USB connection, and since the Juice Pack has a mini-USB port rather than Apple’s proprietary socket that’s likely one less cable to carry about with you. The non-slip soft-grip case fits very nicely in the hand while using the phone, and it was not as bulky as I thought it would be.

While there are several external battery packs for the iPhone 3G on the market, none of them have the right fit to the handset; the Mophie Juice Pack is the only external battery that I can see myself using, as it does not hinder the usability of the phone and maintains the iPhone 3G form. Of course, the flip-side is that protection is only partial - the top edges of the iPhone are left uncovered - and with the Juice Pack in place the whole thing is too big for a standard case.

Still, the usability benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Priced at $99.95, this is one accessory for the iPhone 3G that we would highly recommend.

(Via SlashGear.)

i-Station Rotate will rotate your iPod or iPhone dock

i-Station Rotate will rotate your iPod or iPhone dock

The i-Station Rotate from Logic3 is another speaker offering in the i-Station line that keeps your iPod or iPhone always oriented in the right direction. It makes for convenient viewing at all times and elevates the device into something you could conceivably watch videos on without getting a kink in your neck.

The i-Station Rotate has a built-in dock rotating mechanism that turns your device horizontal for video watching and vertical when need be while still connected to the dock. This speaker system is compact and pretty practical.

You could easily take the i-Station Rotate with you on the go for high quality audio and a convenient place to put your iPod or iPhone. It features a Video Out function, TDMA noise suppresion, 3.5mm Stereo line-in socket, a remote control and a carrying case. You can get the i-Station Rotate starting in January of next year for $129.99.

(Via SlashGear.)

Grooveneo iPhone Clock Dock Good For Wake-Ups, Myopia [Clock Dock]

Grooveneo iPhone Clock Dock Good For Wake-Ups, Myopia [Clock Dock]

alarm-clock docks before, but something about the simplicity of the Cygnett Grooveneo's design struck me. Could be that massive LED display like the best of 1980's radio-alarms, could be the sleek curved edges. It's got 2.75-inch stereo speakers, iPod dock connector, integrated AM/FM tuner, alarm function and you can even wake to proper 1980's radio alarm buzzer sound. It's touch-controlled, and has a remote, and it's out now for $90.

(Via Gizmodo.)

Blue's Eyeball webcam and Mikey iPod mic are made for digital crooners

Blue's Eyeball webcam and Mikey iPod mic are made for digital crooners

We're digging this classic recording studio look, which is a throwback to Blue's history with stylized Hi-Fi microphones. These guys started to build a bridge between their old stomping grounds and the new-to-them frontier of consumer electronics with the Snowball microphone and that Icicle USB XLR adapter we saw today, and now they've introduced the Eyeball ($99.99), a Super HD webcam that retracts its lens for privacy, and the Mikey iPod mic ($79.99) with a built-in speaker, three gain settings, and a positionable head. Mikey doesn't play nice with the iPod Touch, but it works with all the other models 4G and up, as well as the 2 and 3G Nanos. Features on both are mostly the standard set, but Blue's obviously putting an emphasis on audio quality, and we'll give extra points for style.

(Via Engadget.)

Ver 1.5R Sound System Brings Classic on Your Table

Ver 1.5R Sound System Brings Classic on Your Table

Fans of classic and vintage can now enjoy their music with this cool looking sound system from Ver 1.5R. Equipped with alarm clock, an AM/FM tuner and a 15 watt full range speaker. This hand-crafted real wood is also available in cherry, natural walnut, dark walnut, bamboo, black gloss and white gloss with price range $200-$220.

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