docks

Two European standardization bodies have agreed to make micro-USB the standard interface port for smartphones in Europe.

Though Apple currently uses its proprietary 30-pin dock connector for transferring data and charging its iPhone, iPad, and iPods, CEN-CENELEC and ETSI announced yesterday they have agreed that an adapter is suitable for compliance.

The commission "made available the harmonized standards needed for the manufacture of data-enabled mobile phones compatible with a new common charger. This is the most recent development in the process toward a global common mobile phone charger initiated by the European Commission."

Apple, along with mobile phone … Read more

Chris over at Manmadediy.com says he noticed one item pop up on lots of lists of his fellow design and DIY bloggers: the Enchanted Woods iPhone Dock from Anthropologie. He describes it as "a fun nature-meets-technology way to stand and display your iPod or iPhone."

While he thought it was "awesome," at nearly $100, it seemed like a lot to pay for something that didn't have "speakers, a clock, or even a way to plug it into the wall." But more importantly, because it was 100 percent wood and didn't "… Read more

Oh, the Chumby. It seems like only yesterday this little touch-screen beanbag landed in our hearts.

Today he's all grown up, running under the hood of Internet appliances like the Sony Dash, Insignia Infocast, and Chumby One. Sadly though, in spite of beating both Apple and Google to the app concept, the Chumby software has never broken into the world of mobile. Until now.

Starting today, you can download a $4.99 Android app that transforms your Android 2.2 smartphone into a Chumby (minus the beanbag and charms). You get the same streaming radio alarm clock, games, and Web apps, all served up within one app. The app does have one advantage over the original device, with its ability to add and delete Web apps on the fly, without a computer. … Read more

The Audyssey Audio Dock is one of the best-sounding iPhone speaker docks CNET's reviewed in 2010. Unfortunately, at $400, it's also one of the most expensive.

But right now, you can get the Audyssey Audio Dock for 25 percent off. Here's how:

Visit www.audyssey.com/products/southofmarket/buy.html and select "add to cart." Then proceed to checkout and enter the promo code AUDFRIENDFAM when prompted (just before entering your credit card info). Doing so should knock $100 off your bill; if successful, the discount will show up on the page.

Now, the caveats: … Read more

In several situations when running OS X you may encounter question marks. Of course there should definitely be one somewhere on your keyboard (likely next to the right Shift key), but there are other instances where question marks may appear in the system where there shouldn't be one. Usually these indicate an instance in which the system cannot locate a specified file, location, or other resource and in its confusion shows a question mark.

Start-up

When OS X boots, it will by default use the boot volume that is set in the PRAM, but if that setting is not … Read more

The Monster Beatbox has a simple mission that goes something like this: deliver big sound from a small box. We'd call it monster sound, but the Beatbox doesn't quite go that far. But it certainly is compact and it certainly plays loud, filling even a fairly big room with sound.

That in itself is an impressive feat, and the $400 Beatbox may just be the loudest-playing iPod dock for its size. The first thing you'll notice about it when you pick it up--yes, there's a convenient carrying handle at the top--is that it's heavy, weighing … Read more

We recently got a look at Altec Lansing's new Octiv Stage MP450 docking speaker system for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod, and we have to say it's got a pretty intriguing design that reminds us of the old armature iMacs.

Basically, once you've docked your iPad, the built-in "rotating connection arm" allows you to adjust the iPad to be viewed in portrait or landscape mode and tilted screen for multiple viewing angles. When you place it in an almost flat position, you can even type on your iPad while it's docked.

Altec Lansing is … Read more

When the Soundfreaq SFQ-1 Sound Platform speaker dock hit my desk, the odds were stacked against it. I had never heard of the company, but its intentionally misspelled name immediately conjured up visions of magician Chris Angel and bad '80s metal bands.

Fortunately, I was able to look past the name, because the Soundfreaq Sound Platform ($199) is one cool speaker. Chalk it up to being the new kid on the block with something to prove, but the Sound Platform includes tons of little extras and details that established brands such as Sony, Logitech, Philips, and Creative just don't … Read more

While we've always loved the design and sound quality of Tivoli Audio products, the company isn't exactly known for its bargain pricing. Case in point: its new iPod/iPhone dock, The Connector, will run you $124.99. But it does match up nicely with Tivoli's existing line of tabletop radios.

As the company says, "The Connector looks beautiful next to any Tivoli Audio product. It keeps your iPod or iPhone charged, and the included remote lets you control many functions including volume, next/previous track, and playlist selection. And if you watch movies on your iPod, … Read more