docks

When Legos and iPods mate

You know a toy has reached rarefied status when dishwashers are designed specifically to clean it, an honor that's been bestowed upon the almighty Lego. And now that the little plastic bricks have reached a point of ubiquity matched by the iPod, it seems only fitting that the two cultural icons combine forces.

South Korea's 10x10 is offering just that, in the form of what looks like a Lego that's really an iPod dock. It even has "some scrawny little speakers built in," according to Technabob--just don't expect concert-quality sound, especially for $16. We … Read more

Bose makes the SoundDock portable

Bose today announced an update to the existing SoundDock line, the SoundDock Portable. Included with the new model is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that allows you to play and charge your iPod wherever you go. Additionally, Bose has included a line-in jack with this iteration, something that we would have liked to have seen implemented in the previous version.

I've had some time today to give the SoundDock Portable a listen, and considering its size, the sound is much fuller and richer than other iPod speaker docks I've seen. However, whether or not it's worth the retail … Read more

Philips plays the middle man with home audio lineup

You have music, and you have a personal music player. You likely haven't purchased either from Philips, but the Dutch electronics maker wants to be the relay guy that passes music from your device to a home or office audio system.

The best example of Philips doing that is the BTM630, a Bluetooth-enabled desktop audio system with a lot going on. An iPod dock/charger is embedded in the top, along with an SD card slot and a USB port. The slot-loading CD drive on the front can be used--besides playing music--to rip audio files that can then be … Read more

iPhone gets a mouthpiece

Given that the iPod seems to have spawned more accessories than any other invention known to humankind, it stands to reason that we can expect the same from the iPhone. In fact, we're surprised it's taken this long--all of six weeks since its debut--for the first speaker dock to appear.

That, at least, is the claim made by U.K.-based Logic3 for its "i-Station Traveler," a portable 4-watt dual speaker system that can accommodate the iPhone, whether it be in an upright or supine position. Once comfortably ensconced, according to SlipperyBrick, the speakers slide … Read more

Optimus Prime stereo hits the road

Now that the Transformers movie debut has long past, you might have expected some welcome relief from the torrent of product merchandizing that led up to the release. Not so fast, Sparky.

The "Optimus Prime Convoy" iPod stereo dock has only just begun to ship in Japan for the not-so-cheap price of $150, according to SlashGear. For that kind of money, though, we thought it only fair that the entire system transform; apparently only the truck cab becomes robotized. We're no Transformer experts (thank goodness), but that seems to be cheating a bit. Maybe it's an … Read more

Blue Raven's hefty iPod speakers

Blue Raven Technologies just announced the release of a substantial 2.1-channel iPod speaker system called the Maestro 1070. With a composite video output, auxiliary input, and a remote control, this 70-watt, 18-pound speaker box looks like it could do some serious damag--and for only $200. Might this be a worthy, chromed-out adversary to the Apple Hi-Fi?

Toshiba's docking station without wires

Rounding out this week's wireless USB news is Toshiba and its Wireless UWB Port Replicator.

The Portege R400 series is one of Toshiba's high-end laptops (with a twisty screen!), which can now be paired with a wireless port replicator docking station that needs no cables to connect with peripherals like a printer, monitor, projector, mouse or external hard drive.

The dock uses an ultrawideband technology that will stream uncompressed video wirelessly to a monitor at 1280X1024 resolution. It's available now for $499 and can be purchased separately.

It's been a big week for Wireless USB. Earlier … Read more

Denon deals dough-intensive, iPod-ready HTiBs

Despite the steep price tag, we liked the Denon S-301 when it came out a couple of years ago, citing its iPod-friendliness and good sound. The company is now following up with a few more high-end home theaters in boxes (HTiBs), so we'll take you through the entire "S series" from the bottom up. For details on the tabletop radios, models S-32 and S-52, click here; the other three will be available in September 2007.

Models (MSRP)

Denon S-32 ($499) Denon S-52 ($699) Denon S-81 ($599) Denon S-102($999) Denon S-302 ($1,699)

Fielding calls without a ring or vibration

There aren't many, but one of the downsides of the digital revolution is noise pollution. The proliferation of gadgetry in our society has given rise to a constant cacophony of beeps, rings, buzzes and Beyonce ringtones. On any given day, the sound of our own phones is enough to push us over the brink, which is why we usually keep them on vibrate. But even a vibrating phone can sound like a buzz saw when it's bouncing around on a wooden desktop.

Here's one possible solution that could work equally well in a deafening office where a … Read more

Photos: iPhone accessories galore

The iPhone hasn't even launched yet and there are already dozens--if not hundreds--of iPhone accessories ready to be purchased. Sure, most of them are universal dock iPod accessories that happen to be iPhone-compatible, but there are also quite a few that were made with the iPhone in mind. From Apple's own Bluetooth headset and iPhone dock to a plethora of cases and headphone adapters, it looks like new iPhone owners will be spoiled for choice when it comes to the right accessory for their brand-new cell phone. Here are just a few that have caught our eyes recently. … Read more