Eos Wireless iPod Speakers Are Smart But Ugly

Eos Wireless iPod Speakers Are Smart But Ugly

One thing that sets iPod owners apart from generic brand buyers is that they are prepared to pay for smart design and good engineering. So why do so many iPod accessory makers ship ugly tat, deluding themselves that it will sell to a self-selected, tasteful audience?

Exhibit A: The Eos. A pretty neat product, the Eos is a a wireless speaker system for the iPod. You dock your MP3 player in the base station and from there tunes are beamed around the house via a proprietary GigaWave wireless network. The base station and one extra stereo speaker cost $250 and further units can be added for $130 a pop. There is a remote control, and an innovative power plug: the speakers hang from the power socket but the plug detaches for tabletop use.

The trouble is, it is as ugly as sin. from the bottom of its plastic bubble base to the tip of its blue glowing antenna. Best of all, though, is the 'How it Works' video on the site, which strongly resembles 'The Science Bit' from shampoo commercials. WiFi interference is characterized as red blocks, bouncing off the super-powered GigaWave signals. The link below will take you straight there.

(Via Gadget Lab.)

New iPhone cases - Reflect and Courier

New iPhone cases - Reflect and Courier

Why should your iPod have all the cool cases? Griffin has now released two of their most popular cases for the iPhone. For the rugged individual, there's the multi-purpose Courier which is made of compression-molded EVA outer jacket for abrasion-resistant durability and can either wrap around the strap of your backpack or bag (up to 4 inches wide), or be secured by a industrial-strength hook & loop closure (see photo above). The detachable case fits iPod classic/iPod with video and iPod touch, and your precious iPhone. With a hidden zipper pocket for key, money, ID, and a second flapped pocket for sync cable, earphones, or whatever you need, this utiilty case is all you need to carry. 34.99 at Griffin.;

My iPhone had been envious of my iPod's stylish Reflect case, but is now sporting its own. Made of a durable polycarbonate shell that surrounds the face of your iPhone with seamless, chrome-like protection, and a rubberized matte black back, it protects while still giving you access to all the controls of your iPhone. At $24.99 it's a great way to dress up your iPhone.

(Via Popgadget: Personal Tech for Women.)

Abilene Christian University students will get iPhones, iPod touches this fall

Abilene Christian University students will get iPhones, iPod touches this fall

Incoming freshman at Texas’ Abilene Christian University this fall will each receive either an iPhone or iPod touch to help speed along their education. The school hopes students will use the devices in any number of academic pursuits, such as getting on-the-go homework updates, checking meal plan activity and answer in-class quizzes. That’s what the school hopes; the reality is that the kids will use them for their own pursuits as soon as they’re out of earshot of the dean or their professor.

But, I will not hate on the project, which sounds like something Bill O’Reilly would do (’Students and iPhones? In my day we had pens and paper and were thankful for that!). Anytime a school embraces new technology students benefit. My school didn’t even have Wi-Fi in the library when I was a freshman (it did, but only on like two floors out of 12). You’re paying X amount to attend, the least you should expect is for your school to ‘get’ technology.

(Via CrunchGear.)

SONY ADDS iPhone SUPPORT TO ITS CLOCK RADIO LINEUP

SONY ADDS iPhone SUPPORT TO ITS CLOCK RADIO LINEUP
SAN DIEGO, – Designed for bedrooms, studio apartments or college dorm rooms, Sony is unveiling its latest clock radio with a dock for iPod® and iPhone™.

Sony is one of the first companies to launch an iPhone compatible speaker clock radio. It features a wireless remote with full access to the iPod and iPhone devices’ menus (the iPhone handset must be in iPod mode), as well as to alarm clock’s radio tuning and volume functions. It also charges the device while docked.

An adjustable backstop mechanism ensures that most devices fit snugly and securely in the clock radio’s cradle. It’s also compatible with the smaller iPod players. Because of its supplied cable and line-in jack, other digital music players can be easily connected to the unit.

Robust Alarm Clock

The clock radio also has a full-function alarm clock. Users can choose to wake up or fall asleep to music, the radio or a buzzer.

When first powered on, the Automatic Time Set (ATS) feature will display the correct Eastern Standard Time which easily can be changed to other time zones. The unit also has automatic Daylight Savings Time adjustment, eliminating the need to reset the clock in the spring and the fall. Adjustable brightness control over the LCD display provides easy readability.

Pricing and Availability

The ICF-ClipMK2 clock radio comes in both black and white designs. It will be available in May for about $100 at Sony Style stores, online at www.sonystyle.com and at authorized dealers nationwide.

(Via Just Another Mobile Phone Blog.)

Vers 2X-Next gen iPod Wooden Nostalgia

Vers 2X-Next gen iPod Wooden Nostalgia

The market for iPod accessories is full of plastic products that start with the must haves to the extreme eccentrics. So if you really crave the old world sound produced from wooden speakers. The Vers 2X produces room-filling sound thanks to a pair of 3-inch full-range speakers, powered by a 20-watt per channel (peak) class-D amplifier. The dual ported enclosure helps to produce extra bass boom despite the cabinet's relatively small size ( 11.5″ W x 5.6″ H x 5.6″ L). The $149 system includes adapters for playing and charging most iPod models including: iPod Video, iPod Nano, iPod mini, iPod, iPod classic, iPod touch and even the iPhone. There's also a universal dock for other MP3 players. The Vers also includes a slick brushed metal 14-function remote control, which lets you control volume, change tracks, switch playlists and more.
Of course this product is manufactured in an environmentally-friendly approach. The 2X is built using wood farmed from sustainable plantations; assembled using screws instead of glues, and even comes packaged in 100% recycled and recyclable paper.

(Via Newlaunches.com.)

XZABADY iPod Dock is Waterproof, Thinks It's a Picture Frame [Shrink Wrapping]

XZABADY iPod Dock is Waterproof, Thinks It's a Picture Frame [Shrink Wrapping]

Shrink-wrapping your MP3 player has suddenly become reality, thanks to the guys at Twinbird. The XZABADY (crazy name, eh, crazy guys?) is a frame-shaped iPod dock with FM radio that you can park your player in to make it waterproof. The player connects via an audio jack, and you can customize the background with a picture of your loved one—maybe they look better with an iPod superimposed on top of them—and then press down on the silicon rubber sheet to seal. XZABADY: truly a byword for fugtional; where fug meets function.

(Via Gizmodo.)

ION Audio Blocker Rocker

ION Audio Blocker Rocker

ION Audio Blocker Rocker is ready for your party, all your mates can bring their own CDs, iPod and MP3 player to share the music. This Blocker Rocker has the input for CD player, MP3 player, microphones and a universal dock for the iPod. It is portable, easy to carry and no cables tangled up. This thing is powered by a long-lasting rechargeable battery. Pick up one yo, it’s 300 bucks.

(Via 2dayBlog - Technology Journal, New Gadget everyday!.)