iHome iP3 gets more power

If you’re looking for an iPod or iPhone dock then you’ll quickly discover that iHome has a big selection of docks for you to choose between.  They are coming out with yet another one, except this time their dock has a bit more kick than usual.  Instead of going for a lower wattage speaker they’ve decided to kick things up to 50W.

In addition to those 50W of power, they’ve added in Bongiovi Digital Power Station technology.  It also has some familiar features like being able to play both the iPod and iPhone.  Then it also has the boring stuff like a line-in jack, a remote control and backlit buttons.  The whole thing meastures 14.81” by 5.71” by 6.23”.  You can pick one up for $199.99.

mophie makes Juice Pack Powerstation available

mophie has marked yet another entry into the world of iPad accessories with their latest Juice Pack Powerstation. Basically, this is the third quick charge external battery which will form part of the family of its new Juice Pack Universal range. While the iPad itself already has some pretty long lasting battery life going for it, you can never tell when you might actually need additional juice on-the-go, and the Juice Pack Powerstation is here to help. Spedically designed to deliver a portable power solution to Apple device users who are always out and about, this is the most powerful of the trio, bringing up to 2.1 amps of charging output with a 3600 mAh capacity. Heck, with that specifications, it might even be one of the most powerful external power sources for the iPad on the market.

The Juice Pack Powerstation does not only deliver super-high output charging, it does so without additional bulk, and will also play nice with most of the other commercially available USB devices worldwide, and the iDevices family is no exception. You can now go for days without having to look for a power outlet, where its lightweight and portable design allows you to tote it around without causing any strain on your shoulders. Interestingly enough, the advanced battery cell within the Juice Pack Powerstation is smart enough to switch between desired mAh charge, including 500 mAh, 1A and 2.1A, automatically, and there is also a stand-by toggle switch to make sure no drainage occurs whenever the powerstation is not in use.

If you’re interested in bringing this puppy home, it can be yours for $99.95 a pop over at Apple stores or directly from mophie’s website itself. There is a 6 light LED battery status indicator that lets you know just how much power or a charge it carries within, and the built-in function of an extremely bright flashlight makes this a prime candidate to be carried around during your camping trips.

TK-421 iPhone Case with Flip-Out Keyboard

If you happen to love your iPhone to bits, but still have problems getting used to the virtual keyboard, then perhaps, just perhaps, you might want to consider bringing home the TK-421 iPhone Case with Flip-Out Keyboard. This will certainly provide you with the best of both worlds, where the physical QWERTY keyboard would increase your productivity and make typing on the iPhone a whole lot easier, while offering some form of protection to your favorite smartphone simultaneously. Retailing for $49.99 a pop, you can choose from either iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4 models, but unfortunately for those who have yet to place a pre-order, it is already out of stock at the moment. Well, if your boss gets you this for Christmas, you can be sure that he’s dropping a subtle hint for you to start replying emails the moment they are pushed to your inbox without complaining that you just don’t know how to use the virtual keyboard.

iHome iA100 Bluetooth Stereo System

If your home does not yet have a dock of sorts for iDevices, then you’re in luck. After all, it would be great for you to always get the latest and greatest devices (within budget, of course), don’t you think so? iHome intends to fulfill that need of yours with their newest release, which would be the iHome iA100 Bluetooth Stereo System. This unique Bluetooth stereo system will play nice with the iPad, iPhone and iPod with the help of App Enhancement. Touted to be the first device from iHome that was specially designed to offer iPad support as well as taking advantage of its unique capabilities, the inclusion of Bluetooth connectivity for wireless communication is a nice touch as well. You will also find Bongiovi Acoustics’ DPS technology thrown into the mix for enhanced sound, and app-enhanced functionality for use with iHome+Sleep and iHome+Radio. In a nutshell, the iA100 is capable of delivering superior audio quality and more features than any other docking alarm clock on the market to users. Surely you are now asking yourself, just how much is this? We won’t spoil it in the first paragraph, so you will need to read on after the jump for a better idea.

The app-enhanced iA100 Bluetooth-enabled device will also come with a built-in FM radio alarm clock for iPad, iPhone and docking iPod models. Whenever you hook up your preferred iDevice via Bluetooth through a secure simple pairing, the iA100 is a different beast altogether. It will turn into a wireless entertainment multi-tasker with a variety of great features, where among them includes a stand-alone speakerphone with echo cancellation, transforming just about all compatble Bluetooth enabled phones into a robust speakerphone for the home or office. Not only that, it is capable of streamingaudio of your favorite music and movies, while customized connections with iHome’s free iHome+Sleep and iHome+Radio apps are a nice tough to have.

The asking price for the iA100 Bluetooth Stereo System for iPad, iPhone and iPod with App Enhancement? We would say that it will not break the bank at all, considering the $199 price tag which is pretty reasonable considering all that it offers on paper.

iRecord Music – and I’m not going to jail

Gone are the days where you could fill up your iPod with huge amounts of free content found, however illegally, on websites like the old Napster or Limewire.

Fast forward to the future, where you need to look over your shoulder if you are not paying the exorbitant fees required to load up your handheld devices. I for one don’t need the stress of “sharing” my files with the unknown masses, or wondering when my computer will crash from doing the naughty song stealing I shouldn’t have been doing in the first place.

Well, now there is another option, iRecord Music, brought to you by the same people who brought you the iPad compatible, iRecord Pro. iRecord Music is the only multifunction USB device that can directly record to an iPhone 4 and other iPhones, all iPods including iPod touch and other portable media players with a touch of a button. No computer or complicated software required.

The iRecord Music can also record from CD players, internet radio, cassette players, TV and even computers. It will allow you to digitize your old collections or grab new content from almost anywhere. The iRecord Music will also function as a live recorder using its built in microphone or as a basic MP3 player. And for $79.95 it all but pays for itself.

How cool is that?

Hands on with the AirCurve Play from Griffin Technology

It has been a while since we covered the AirCurve iPhone dockfrom Griffin Technologies, and I just had a chance to try out the company’s update for the iPhone 4, the AirCurve Play.

The AirCurve Play works like theHorn Stand. It is a device designed to increase the volume of the iPhone 4, but without anyelectronics that are found within most iPod/iPhone speaker docks.

The AirCurve Play states that it can increase the external volume by about 10 decibels. At first I wondered if that was going to make a difference, because the Horn Stand says it increases sound by 13 db. I barely heard the difference in that device.

In this AirCurve Play, I heard a significant difference, and I don’t even own an iPhone 4. My second generation iPod Touch didn’t fit in the place made for the iPhone 4, but fortunately, there was a rubber cradle thing that could be removed in order to accommodate more thicker iDevices than the iPhone 4.

In addition to having a place for an amplified iDevice, the AirCurve Play serves as a stand. This is good for watching movies, listening to music, and making video calls using FaceTime.

You should be able to get the AirCurve Play on the Griffin Technology website for about $14.80.

Hands on with the DEXIM AV Dock Station with Remote Control

Some of us want to watch videos from our iPod/iPhone on our regular television, and the DEXIM AV Dock Station with Remote Control is one way of going about it.

I got a chance to try it out for myself, and I found it pretty easy to set up. Not being too technically-minded, I am assuming that if I can set it up, so can everyone else.

I connected it to my flatscreen TV, and then to the dock. The dock had to be plugged into the wall, and then it was time for putting in an iDevice with one of the nine inserts. In my case, it was my 2nd Generation iPod Touch. I managed to get some YouTube videos on my television with some clear resolution.

At first it didn’t work, and so I checked the instructions, and it required setting up my iPod as well as using the iDevice itself to access the videos. It eventually worked out really well, but I will have to say that the remote control only worked on adjusting the volume for the video. Perhaps later versions of iPods and iPhones can be more easily controlled with the remote. Otherwise, I don’t see a reason to include the remote.

If you are the type who is looking for some A/V connection with your iDevice, then this is an option. You can get it on the DEXIM website for $79.90.

Griffin Technology and Iceberg Kids team up and make a Woogie

So what is a Woogie, you ask? It has nothing to do with Chewbacca. While we are on the subject of seventies science fiction, the Woogie is not some alien that attaches to your face.

The Woogie is designed to face a problem that many Apple mobile users are facing. For some reason, young children love to play with iPhones and iPods, and these mobile devices often come back to the parents either busted or covered in a membrane of sticky goo.

The Woogie is a place to put the iPhone/iPod in a huggable shell, so it will reduce the damage by a young child. It is also serves as a speaker. It takes two AAA batteries that are stored in the stuffed animal’s stuffing, and increase the volume tremendously when it is plugged into the headphone jack.

I agree with the basic concept behind this toy/iDevice shield, but I would have chosen a shape of something like a teddy bear, and not this odd thing that looks like a green vegetable that your kid would refuse to eat.

Again, I would recommend the Woogie to those Apple mobile users with toddlers, because that iDevice is one tempting toy. Parents might as well give their $200 minimum investment some protection. You can purchase it on the Griffin Technology website for about $19.99.

BookBook for iPad

So you own an iPad and use it primarily as an ebook reader. Well, if that is the case, why not make the most of it by purchasing a relevant accessory? We’re talking about theBookBook for iPad, where it will come in Classic Black and Vibrant Red color schemes, retailing for a rather hefty $69.99 a pop, but wait till you hear what 70 quid can deliver. Basically, the BookBook for iPad will offer protection for your iPad in a stylish manner, where it is disguised as a vintage leather bound hardback book. Not only that, when the situation calls for it, it can also double up as a fully adjustable stand, making this one of the classier iPad cases to date instead of those standard rubbery rubbish which we see flood the market these days. Handmade in genuine soft-touch leather with a padded interior and dual zips, it is capable of delivering serious impact/crush protection. Go on now, read your ebooks in style.

Altec Lansing makes iPad ownership more enjoyable

Altec Lansing knows that there is an ever expanding market of iPad owners, judging by the device’s popularity worldwide not to mention its sex appeal across a range of people. What better way to leverage a fast-growing user base than to roll out a peripheral which is capable of enhancing its use? That’s exactly what Altec Lansing has done, introducing the Octiv Stage docking speaker system for the iPad, iPhone and iPod.

Before you dismiss this as yet another marketing ploy to have you part with your hard earned money, why not read on and find out what the Octiv Stage is all about? It was specifically designed to significantly enhance center channel voicing for dialogue alongside stereo audio while playing media from the docked device, delivering a charge at the same time to make sure you don’t end up with a net battery loss once you’re done with your docking session. Of course, do bear in mind that non-Apple devices can still be hooked up to the Octiv Stage via the 3.5mm aux jack, but don’t expect those to be juiced when connected.

The Octiv Stage has been touted to be the first product from Altec Lansing which was specially designed to support the iPad while showcasing its unique capabilities for entertainment. Thanks to convenient design features that have been incorporated, the Octiv Stage delivers an exciting experience for watching and listening to content without making your home look any more drab than it already is.

Thanks to Altec Lansing’s Audio Alignment technology, it is capable of delivering distinctive center channel voicing and enhanced stereo delivery for distortion-free performance even when you have cranked out the volume at maximum levels. A special rotating connection arm also enables the iPad to be viewed in both portrait and landscape positions, where the presence of a tilt screen allows for multiple viewing angles and support while typing on the iPad. Couch potatoes will love the inclusion of a full featured, wireless remote in this $149.95 purchase.

Hands on with the Inductive Charger from Energizer

We have reported on the Inductive Charger before, which looks to be Energizer’s answer to the Powermat and Wildcharger.

Some of you remember when I had aface-off between the other wireless chargers. If you recall, there was no victor for that contest. Both products do exactly what they advertise.

The Inductive Charger only has power sleeves for the Blackberry Curve 8900 as well as the iPhone 3GS and 3G. At least, for now.

As it is, Energizer’s Inductive Charger is a Qi inductive charger, which is its strongest feature. Qi is the new universal standard for inductive charging as established by the Wireless Power Consortium.

Apparently, it won’t be long before Qi-enabled devices will be on handsets, so you can lay them on Qi-enabled Inductive Chargers without the power sleeves that you have purchase for them.

Another thing that sets the Energizer Inductive chargers apart from other wireless ones is that there is an extra USB port in case you want to recharge some USB-powered devices I can’t remember if Powermat or Wildcharger have this feature. What works against the Energizer Inductive Charger is that there is no magnetic lock like its competitors.

All in all, I would say that the Energizer Inductive Charger is an investment in your future as you might be able to say that you were the first to get a Qi-enabled wireless charger and can now charge any mobile device made after a certain time in the future. You can get the Energizer Inductive Charger now for about $89.

Groegg Color Changing Thermometer

by Edwin - on November 29th, 2010

While some of us take sleep for granted, others might find it a whole lot more difficult to get some shuteye even after plenty of tossing and turning around on bed. Well, the temperature does play a rather huge role in helping you doze off into dreamland, but that’s easy for adults to adjust – turn on the air conditioner, pull over an extra blanket, but how about your little one who doesn’t know how to communicate yet? The Groegg Color Changing Thermometer will step in here, as this $29.99 device works as it is named – it will reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), making sure it is yellow when a baby’s bedroom is maintained at 61-67°F to prevent SIDS. Should it get too hot, then it will turn red, while going blue when vice versa. Not only that, it functions as an adorable nightlight as well for the uninitiated. Too bad it doesn’t run on batteries but needs to be plugged into a power outlet all the time.

180s Ear warmers with headphones – Why didn’t I think of that?

The weather is turning cold quickly, and in another 2 minutes I’m not going to relish putting little cold plastic earbuds in my frozen ears. But that’s not to say I won’t want to listen to my music. So now what?

Well sometimes, though I’ll admit it’s not very often, a product comes along that just makes perfect sense. Simple as they are, such is the case with 180s earmuffs, these soft shell, Thermolite® Active insulation muffs are warm and stylish and offer superb wind resistance. The best part is, some of these muffs actually have stereo headphones built right in.

These comfy earmuffs feature a patented behind the head design and are fully adjustable for all head types.Your 180’s are also collapsable and the cord is detachable so they will fit easily in your pocket when you are not listening, or warming you ears.

The 180s are compatible with all MP3 players and can easily be worn with helmets, hats or glasses. Very nice and they can be yours for around $35.00 from  www.amazon.com

Space Coaster Marble Run

Introduce a little fun to your office with the Space Coaster Marble Run, where this unique toy ought to keep you and your colleagues, awed at least for a while considering the£19.99 price tag it comes with. This is an “indescribably cool” set of sci-fi imagination which is part marble run, part physics experiment. Once you’ve gotten it up and running, just flip a switch to turn it one, place the two ball bearings in the central shaft and see them whiz around the rail at breakneck speeds. This is actually a self-perpetuating Ouroboros of a toy, and ought to keep bored colleagues’ eyes fixated on it without missing a beat. Since the balls have different routes to take, they take them randomly, making sure it offers a new viewing experience every single time.