There's a growing trend in iPhone/iPod speaker docks. Instead of building in a bunch of features like an LCD display for the clock, an AM/FM radio, or fancy alarm systems, companies like Altec Lansing are bringing out simple speakers that leverage the iPhone or iPod Touch's impressive capabilities that include the ability to run custom-designed alarm apps.
Some recent examples of the trend include the "app-enhanced" iHome iA5 (not a bad little system) and the iLuv iMM190, which we have not yet reviewed. But Altec's Octiv Mini M102 is more successful than the … Read more
It seems that antenna issues are not the only problems surfacing with the new iPhone 4, or at least that's what one of our readers has experienced. Al, a Buzz Out Loud listener, wrote in to report that his Jabra Stone and Kensington A2DP headset would not connect to his new iPhone 4, whereas his wife's Motorola mono Bluetooth headset worked with it fine. We were intrigued by this development, and decided to test it with the headsets we had in the office.
The two A2DP headsets we tested with the iPhone 4 were the BlueAnt T1 and … Read more
Skullcandy has made quite a name for itself in the headphone world, thanks largely to its focus on funky fashion and its aggressive marketing tactics aimed at tweens, teens, and young adults. However, the latest Skullcandy earphones to come down the pipe are perhaps the most adult-oriented we've seen from the company.
The 50/50 earbuds, which are moderately priced at $49.95, come in an array of relatively muted color options and feature inline controls for the iPhone and iPod, as well as a striking low-end response. The audio clarity isn't the best and they feel a … Read more
If you ever wanted a tiny dock for your iPhone or iPod that put out half-decent sound for its size, Altec Lansing says it has the answer with its new Octiv Mini, also known as the M102.
The Mini, which carries an MSRP of $59.99, is about as minimal as you get, with no buttons or anything in the way of features. However, when you download Altec's free Alarm Rock app to your iPhone or iPod Touch, it suddenly turns into a "functional" alarm clock. (The speaker is shielded for iPhone use, so you don't … Read more
Consider for a moment that the upcoming iPhone 4 is like the Iron Man of the mobile phone world: sleek, sexy, and powerful. Then an iPhone 3GS wrapped in Magellan's ToughCase would be akin to Iron Man's buddy War Machine: based on slightly older, but still powerful, technology and substantially upgraded with third-party features. OK, so the ToughCase may not add guns to your iPhone or iPod Touch, but that doesn't make it any less ready to tackle almost anything you can throw at it.
Just looking at the ToughCase, it's obvious that this accessory adds considerable bulk and heft to the enclosed iPhone. At just less than 2 inches thick and weighing in at 7.5 ounces, you can all but forget about cramming this case into your pocket. Fortunately, Magellan will ship the ToughCase with a belt clip. There will also be an array of handlebar, windshield, and universal mounts available.
For the increased heft, the ToughCase adds weatherproofing, an extended battery, and--because this is a Magellan product--a more accurate GPS receiver to your iPhone. Starting with the shell itself, the ToughCase is shockproof and IPX-7 waterproof, which means it can be submerged in up to 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes without damage to the enclosed device. We tossed an iPhone encased in a preproduction example of the ToughCase down a flight of stairs and found no damage upon recovery. We were unable to test the waterproofing claim of the preproduction unit, but rest assured we'll be dunking the retail version when it becomes available.… Read more
The iPhone may be many things, but it's no steering wheel. Much as I love using accelerometer controls in racing games such as Jet Car Stunts and air-combat sims like F.A.S.T., the iPhone is just too small to grip comfortably. Consequently, I end up getting frustrated with the games I should be enjoying.
I was skeptical that PosiMotion's Helix Gaming Grip accessory could change that. It looks pretty goofy, and at $19.99, it seems pricey--especially considering that the aforementioned games have a combined price tag of just two bucks.
Whether it's your first iPhone, your fourth, or somewhere in-between, an investment in Apple's latest iPhone 4 also means dropping some cash on accessories.
Our CNET roundup of accessories for the iPhone 4 includes some newcomers (Bluetooth keyboards) and some products that are tried and true (headphones). There's a little something for everyone, though--so if you're thinking about jumping to the Apple iPhone 4, it's definitely worth a look.
iHome's clock radio iPod docks continue to evolve. The iP90 is the 2010 iteration of the company's bread-and-butter model that started as the iH5 several years ago. This model has a new design that features a bigger display and what the company describes as "bigger sound."
Like a lot of iHome products, the iP90 has a sort of a retro-modern look, but it eschews the boxy design of its predecessors and opts for a slightly more rounded body that's arguably more attractive. It measures 3.27 inches high by 10.67 inches wide by 6.… Read more
We've seen some good portable iPod/iPhone audio systems in our time, but Eton's Soulra is one of the more intriguing products we've come across in this category.
The unit's got an aluminum and rubberized body that the company says is splash-proof has and the speakers are sealed on the inside to provide "protection from sand, water and other outdoor elements." On top of that, the $199 Soulra incorporates not only a rechargeable lithium ion battery but a high-efficiency solar panel that allows you to trickle-charge the unit while it's outside (so long … Read more
It might be said that the best people to create audio products such as headphones are musicians. That was certainly Monster's feeling when the cable company teamed up with Dr. Dre to create a line of headphones vetted by the hip hop legend. The Beats line encompasses everything from full-size studio cans to a pair of glittery 'buds from Lady Gaga.
Now, Monster and Dr. Dre have brought Sean "Diddy" Combs into the fold, and he has introduced yet another model to the line, the Diddybeats High Performance In-Ear Headphones. The $150 earphones certainly reflect the rapper'… Read more
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