Accessories

Hands-on with the Sonos ZonePlayer S5

Last week, Sonos unveiled the ZonePlayer S5, the first product in its streaming-audio family to boast built-in speakers. Monday, we got the opportunity to see (and hear) it in person for the first time when Sonos reps dropped by our New York office for a demo.

The setup was a two-zone system (two S5s) pulling music from an Apple Time Capsule. The one caveat of a Sonos setup is that at least one component needs a wired network connection. In this case, a ZoneBridge BR100 was connected to the Apple router via Ethernet, which in turn enabled both S5s to … Read more

ZonePlayer S5: An iPhone-friendly Sonos with built-in speakers

We've long been fans of the Sonos Digital Music System, which lets you stream all manner of digital audio throughout your home. The latest BU250 bundle is an enthusiastic CNET Editors' Choice, in part because it can be controlled either via the included touch-screen controller or with any iPhone or iPod Touch (running a free Sonos Controller app). Unfortunately, it costs $1,000--not bad for a two-room system, but still out of reach for many consumers--and it needs to be connected to external speakers or audio components to hear the music.

The new Sonos ZonePlayer S5 aims to address both of those issues. It boasts an all-in-one design with built-in stereo speakers, so it's plug and play. And it costs $400--not cheap, but well within the price range of refined iPod speaker systems we've seen from Bose, B&W, and other luxury brands.

Indeed, the latest Sonos combines the features of a ZonePlayer ZP90 with the sort of integrated speaker you'd find on a Bose SoundDock.… Read more

iBend: The superthin iPhone video stand

The iBend stand from Widget Factory has been around since last year, but I missed it when it first came out, and I gotta say: it's a pretty nifty, little accessory for your iPhone or iPod Touch if you use your device to watch videos.

The key here is that the thing is superslim. It's a flat sheet of plastic that you can store in your wallet or the back of your iPhone's protective cover (slip it between the cover and the back of your iPhone) and bend into a stand when needed.

It's also cheap: … Read more

Best iPhone bicycle mounts: Bracket and bike it

Phones make trusty sat-navs, MP3 players, and cycling computers--as well as handy phones--so they can replace a pocket full of gear on your daily commute or monthly trek. But short of lashing them to the handlebars with duct tape, you need a decent way to keep them front and center, without them flying off to become the puck in a horrifying game of car hockey. You'll be needing a mount.

With all the mounts we tested, we were surprised how much we enjoyed having our phone at our fingertips while pedaling. Not only did our sat-nav apps benefit from … Read more

iPhone wallpaper makes your DNA imprint mobile

For some time, it's been possible to display artwork of your DNA. It's contemporary-looking and convenient, too--when guests compliment your living room decor, you can just point to the canvas above the couch and say, "Now that you mention it, that's the genetic material responsible for my interior decorating brilliance!"

Well, now you can flash your chromosone sequence to strangers on the subway as well. In addition to offering portraits of DNA (and fingerprints), French company Helys is creating customized iPhone wallpapers featuring DNA imprints.

To order the wallpaper, you choose a preferred hue for … Read more

XM SkyDock commandeers iPhone's display, car's speakers

Taking advantage of the iPhone OS 3.0's capability to make use of accessory-specific apps, Sirius XM Radio has introduced its XM SkyDock iPhone dock, which features an XM satellite radio tuner that is controlled using your iPhone's touch screen.

According to XM Sirius' news release:

"Designed for easy use through the existing vehicle audio system, SkyDock has a built-in XM tuner controlled by a free App that users download from the App Store. The App allows control of the XM tuner using the capabilities of the iPod touch or iPhone Multi-Touch user interface. SkyDock will also … Read more

SeatBuddy hangs iPhones for viewing comfort

When it comes to in-flight movies, it's hard to beat the convenience of an iPhone or iPod Touch.

But comfort? That's another story. Either you're holding the device upright for 2 hours or propping it awkwardly on the tray table (where the slightest turbulence can knock it over).

I speak from experience when I say that both methods can leave you with strained eyes and a sore neck.

Enter SeatBuddy, which straps your iPhone or Touch to the seat in front of you for comfortable, hands-free, close-to-eye-level viewing.

As you can see in the video, the SeatBuddy … Read more

Get GPS directions and hack and slash your way to glory: iPhone apps of the week

According to a new study I came across at AppleInsider, Apple's iPhone OS has 40 percent of the Web market share. This study doesn't specifically reflect iPhone or iPod Touch sales, rather it shows that the iPhone OS dominates around the globe when it comes to mobile handset Web browsing. The two areas where iPhone doesn't dominate (Asia and Africa) are places where the Symbian OS had an early foothold and continues to be number one.

We all know the iPhone is doing extremely well around the world, but I have to think this particular dominance (52 … Read more

Hands-on look: Dexim P-Flip iPhone power dock

The Dexim P-Flip is two, two, two products in one. It's a long-lasting external battery for your iPhone and a desktop stand that keeps it propped up nicely.

This folding, three-position dock bears more than a passing resemblance to a flip-phone, albeit one that's even thinner and more compact.

Consequently, it slips easily into a pocket. It's small, despite packing a 2,000mAh rechargeable battery that, according to Dexim, will provide eight extra hours of talk time, 15 hours of games or movies, or a whopping 80 hours of music--I have my doubts about that last one.… Read more

CTIA Fall 2009: A preview

As we greet the changing colors of autumn, so too do we greet the fall CTIA show. Typically a smaller event when compared to the big spring show, the fall event still deals with all things wireless and mobile. This year our colleagues Bonnie Cha and Kent German from reviews, Maggie Reardon from News.com, and Jessica Dolcourt from Download.com will be scouring the show floor in San Diego to bring you the latest news in the mobile industry.

While we don't expect huge news, we do expect to get some hands-on time with the Motorola Cliq Google … Read more