iHome’s iW1 AirPlay dock gets detailed

We’re all expecting iOS 4.2 to hit sometime this week and bring AirPlay streaming with it, and it looks like iHome is getting prepared — the company just updated its AirPlay speaker dock page with more info. The iW1, as it’s been named, is much slicker than its minimalist looks would suggest: the portable speaker system features a built-in lithium-ion battery with an inductive charging base so you can just grab and go, Bongiovi Accoustics audio, capacitive touch controls and support for iHome’s iOS configuration apps, and a USB port for charging and local audio playback. Oh, and it can stream music from iOS devices and iTunes using AirPlay, of course. Sadly, there’s still no price or ship date, but if this thing is priced anywhere close to earth we’d say the Sonos S5 has got itself some serious competition.

iHome’s iW1 AirPlay dock gets detailed originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 17:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 8 welcomes iPads, iPhones and iPods into its emporium of awesome

iPod and iPhone users aren’t exactly bereft of choice for places to dock their audio transporters, but what if you prefer to keep your music collection on your iPad? Okay, actually there are a couple of options for you out there as well, but few will be quite as bodacious (or as expensive, we’re sure) as Bang & Olufsen’s latest. The BeoSound 8 straps a pair of cones to a connecting bar, adds some feet, a wall bracket, and a remote control, and sends you home to enjoy some “outstanding sound performance.” USB and auxiliary line-in connectors are available if you’re not dancing to Steve Jobs’ tune, while the body can be had in white or black and the speaker covers come in a variety of colors to express your individuality with. Look for the BeoSound 8 at your nearest B&O outlet later this month.

[Thanks, Jesper]

Continue reading Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 8 welcomes iPads, iPhones and iPods into its emporium of awesome

Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 8 welcomes iPads, iPhones and iPods into its emporium of awesome originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 06:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Altec Lansing Octiv Duo (202) speaker dock review

If you frequent small house parties like us, chances are you would’ve witnessed the many occasions where guests take turns to hook up their iDevices to the speakers; if not, just picture yourself fighting your flatmates over your communal HiFi system — Altec Lansing claims that on average there are 2.2 portable audio devices per household, and they’re most likely iPods. Naturally, a dual-docking speaker — which is nothing new — would somewhat ease domestic tension and reduce interruption to the tunes, but think smarter: what if you could let music alternate between the devices, as well as having the ability to instantly change the amount of play time on both persons’ music libraries? Better yet, what if the speaker doubles up as an alarm clock? These are pretty much what Altec’s offering with its $99.95 Octiv Duo (or Octiv 202 outside the US), with a little help from its two free iOS apps: Music Mix and Alarm Rock. You know the drill — read on to find out whether this new box would end your little social crisis once and for all.

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Altec Lansing Octiv Duo (202) speaker dock review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iHome’s iA100 iPad stereo speaker system now on sale for $199

Took ’em long enough, huh? iHome’s iA100 was actually introduced way back in July, and at the time, it was essentially the only iPad-friendly home stereo system on the planet. Now, iHome has a bit of friendly competition out there, but at least it’s getting this guy out on store shelves long before the holiday shopping season hits full swing. For those who missed it the first go ’round, this here docking system touts Bongiovi Acoustics’ DPS technology, an inbuilt alarm clock, Bluetooth and support for the iPad, iPhone and iPod via a 30-pin Dock Connector. Too bad it’ll set you back a full $199.

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iHome’s iA100 iPad stereo speaker system now on sale for $199 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 03:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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JBL brings the twist to On Stage IV and On Stage Micro III iPod sound docks

We’re guessing that we’ll be seeing these iPod sound systems at the bottom of our Lucky Charms boxes next year, but JBL’s trying to milk things while it still can. The company has just unleashed a new pair of iPod / iPhone-compatible sound systems, the On Stage IV and On Stage Micro III. Strangely enough, they look fairly identical, but the latter just so happens to be the more portable of the two (shocker!). The new duo sports a unique twisted base, with the On Stage IV housing four Odyssey transducers and having the ability to operate on a six-pack of AA batteries; the smaller Micro III uses just two Odyssey transducers, but it can pump out the jams for 24 hours on just four AAA batteries. Each one ships with an IR remote, touch volume controls and a built-in stereo mini-jack input for connecting those other PMPs you’ve got sitting around. The On Stage IV is expected to ship soon for $179.95, while the little guy goes for $119.95.

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JBL brings the twist to On Stage IV and On Stage Micro III iPod sound docks originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 09:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic MW-20 is a digital photo frame, iPhone / iPod touch stereo, and money burner all in one

If you’re the sort who fancies a digital picture frame and a stereo dock for your iPhone, Panasonic‘s new MW-20 might just be the thing to converge and satiate those needs. The 9-inch frame can display pictures via SD card, 2GB internal memory, or an iPhone / iPod touch via the bundled dock — and if you’ve got the device connected, you can also play music video via the frame’s internal stereo speakers (there’s no indication of any audio out for using your own speaker system, however). Additionally, the MW-10 successor has a touted 15 different display patterns, including some calendar and clock functionality. Pictures taken with a Lumix camera? The MW-20 has a function that’ll group photos by style (i.e. all nighttime scenery). Look for it during your haze of Christmas shopping in late November for — and here’s the part that’s gonna sting — just one dollar shy of $250. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. Scenes from the CEATEC show floor below.

Panasonic MW-20 is a digital photo frame, iPhone / iPod touch stereo, and money burner all in one originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 11:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony’s boom beverage speaker now available as American cup holder surrogate

Were you jealous of Japanese commuters getting to ignore their car’s multichannel audio system in favor of a bright, 16-watt thermos of beats in their cup holder? Then today’s your lucky day, because Audiocubes.com has brought Sony Japan’s SRS-V500IP — which is the iPod friendly version of the RDP-NWV500 sound mug — state-side. Like the NWV500, it’s also available in colors of black, orange, and happiness-inspiring pink, and packs the same Circle Sound Stage speaker system for a full 360 degrees of tuneage. If you don’t own an iPod, a 3.5mm audio jack is thrown in to connect other devices like Sony’s S740 Walkmen — double the imported Japanese audio gear, double the Cool Person Points, right? Currently priced at $240, its U.S. availability still doesn’t really clarify its practicality. Especially when you consider that your new shiny iPod Nano’s color scheme won’t even match!

Sony’s boom beverage speaker now available as American cup holder surrogate originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Sep 2010 22:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sonos Wireless Dock hands-on

Sonos Wireless Dock

What you have pictured here is the latest Sonos music device. In person the Sonos Wireless Dock is exactly what you were thinking when you read the press release yesterday. The demo unit had a special Sonos branded half case that left the bottom unaltered, because like many other docks, the cases get in the way of proper docking. The dock does accept the standard iPod dock inserts, so maybe there’s still hope that a case manufacturer will ship it with a special insert made with the intent to simplify the life of one who like to use both an iPod case, and a dock together.

Sonos Wireless Dock hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sonos Wireless Dock for iPod and iPhone launched at GDGT party

See anything new in that picture Sonos fans? If you look closely, you’ll spot some new Sonos Wireless Docks on the table. The scene is last night’s GDGT party in Boston. The device is the WD100 that streams the music collection stored on your docked iPod / iPhone throughout your Sonos multi-room music system. Look for it launch at the end of October for $119. With any luck, we’ll be hands-on with it later today. Official press shot after the break.

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Sonos Wireless Dock for iPod and iPhone launched at GDGT party originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 00:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Logitech S715i and Z515 portable speakers hands-on (video)

You’re sick of audio docks, we know. So are we. But as much as we wanted to skip merrily along beyond Logitech’s S715i set, we couldn’t help but note that it’s something of a rarity. Whereas most other iDevice speakers tend to keep themselves safely tethered to the nearest wall plug, this unit claims it can get an ambitious eight hours of music playback from its battery, while boasting a whopping eight drivers (two rear-firing ones on the back) in total, including a pair of “laser-tuned” neodymium 3-inchers for midrange delivery. We could hardly gauge audio quality in our noisy environment, but we’ll say this much: Logitech isn’t fooling around with the volume the S715i can put out. Even our video after the break doesn’t do justice to the surprising roar you can generate from this otherwise compact package.

A standard 3.5mm audio input will let you stray outside of the Apple product family if you wish, and there’s a bundled remote too. Yet, in spite of all these goodies, we still can’t recommend this as a sage purchase at Logitech’s lofty $150 price. Don’t get us wrong, the S715i looks neat, just not that neat. We also managed to grab a few images of its family mate, the Z515 Bluetooth speaker, which similarly rolls on its own power (for up to 10 hours, it’s claimed) and captures tunes from your nearest Bluetooth-equipped device. It’s another well built and easily portable little thing, priced at $60 $100 by Logitech.

Continue reading Logitech S715i and Z515 portable speakers hands-on (video)

Logitech S715i and Z515 portable speakers hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 07:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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