alas — or fortunately , depending on what you were shopping for — most of those vendor were there to hawk case . Do n’t get me wrong — there were some bang-up face debuting at the Expo . It ’s just that nerveless gadgets are a luck more fun . gratefully , I saw enough of the latter to satisfy my widget lust . Here are some of my favorite .
• BelkinTuneStudio : All fifth - coevals and nano iPods can memorialise high - quality ( 16 - bit , 44kHz ) audio given the proper dock - connexion add - on . Unfortunately , until recently those accessories were limited to modest microphone with special functionality — great for recording interview and part memoranda , but unequal to of have vantage of the iPod ’s power . Belkin ’s upcoming TuneStudio , available this summer , changes that by extend a four - track mixing post , complete with powered - XLR , 1/4 - inch , and RCA input , along with EQ , level , and goat god controls for each channel . tail your iPod in the TuneStudio ’s place of origin , and your functioning is recorded right away to your iPod in all its compact disc - quality gloriole . The next meter you sync your iPod with your computer , your new recording are copied to iTunes ; you could then open them in your favorite audio editor program . ( estimated price of $ 199 to $ 249 )
• AlpineiDA - X001 : Back in September 2004 , wereviewedAlpine ’s KCA-420i iPod Interface , which bring iPod - connection and -navigation characteristic to Alpine ’s then - current Ai - NET car - stereo drumhead building block . The scheme offered outstanding sound timbre and some nice feature , but because the compatible head unit were n’t design to work with iPods , the port was at times thwarting and the organisation ’s navigation abilities were lacking . The iDA - X001 head building block , on the other bridge player , was created specifically for the iPod — it does n’t even include a cadmium instrumentalist — and this from - the - footing - up approach appearance , especially when compare to Alpine ’s early efforts . Once your iPod is plug in , you could navigate its contents on the head whole ’s large ( 2.2 - inch ) , full - color TFT screen , browsing by playlist , creative person , composer , album , song , or genre — podcasts and audiobooks even get their own menus . Album artistic production appear during playback , just as it does on your iPod . Add Bluetooth functionality and sum - on modules for HD and satellite radio set , and this looks to be a full - featured system . No , you ca n’t watch iPod - host telecasting on the iDA - X001 ’s projection screen ; and that ’s probably a good thing . ( $ 450 )
• SilexwiDock : As the iPod ’s multimedia system capabilities increase — the latest fifth - generation model can manage audio , video , and photos , as well as send audio frequency and video to stereo and TVs — more and more people are keeping their iPods near their home entertainment systems rather than their computers . The only job is that you still need to bring your iPod to your computer to sync it with iTunes . Not anymore : like many multimedia dock , Silex ’s wiDock connects to your stereo system and video for play music and displaying TV in addition to charging your iPod ; however , unlike any other sorrel , the wiDock also connects to your 802.11b / g wireless internet and lets you synchronize with iTunesoverthat net — you never have to physically connect it with your computer again . ( The wiDock also has a 10/100 Ethernet porthole if you ’ve got a wired connection . ) If you ’ve got multiple iPods and multiple Macs , the included setup computer software lets you attribute which iPod syncs with which Mac . The wiDock is available now . ( $ 149 )
• Chestnut Hill SoundGeorge : Do n’t allow its pedestrian name fool away you , George is one high - tech buster . Although it looks similar to a number of other “ tabletop ” iPod speaker systems , George offers a issue of alone feature . The most impressive of those is the root for - away control panel , which turns into a wireless , handheld remote ascendence that replicates your iPod ’s menus , let you range your medicine from across the room . George ’s wireless bring a cagey “ bandless ” glide path which signify that you may seamlessly tune to any AM or FM transmission channel without having to switch between the AM and FM bands . George is also a full - featured alarm clock ; if you opt , you could even keep the front dominance panel — with its backlight LCD presentation — on your night sales booth , in its own charging rocker , while the primary George unit is across the room ( or even in the next way ) . George is also expandable via male plug - in modules and software program update ; the first of these modules , which tot documentation for HD radio , is in the works . Finally , you may dress George up via optional wood panels and matching speaker grill . you could fetch George home to match the crime syndicate later this calendar month . ( $ 549 )
•Lenntekhookup Bluetooth Lanyard : We generally care Apple ’s $ 39iPod nano Lanyard Headphones , which allow you wear your iPod nano around your neck without having separate earbud cables drop around . Lenntek has taken Apple ’s lanyard idea one step further by add Bluetooth to the lanyard for pairing it with Bluetooth - equipped fluid speech sound . When heed to your nano , the Lenntek lanyard works just like Apple ’s own ; however , when your phone rings , pressing a clitoris on the laniard pauses your iPod and transfer your phone call to the laniard ’s earbuds ( a microphone on the laniard pick up your voice ) . When you ’re done talking , another press of the button hang up the phone and resumes playback . The Bluetooth Lanyard be usable in the next few month . ( $ 69 )
• Altec LansinginMotion iM600 : Sure , there are many , many ( many ) $ 150 portable iPod speaker arrangement out there . But they ’re unremarkably compromise : ripe phone but few feature , or feature - plentiful with less - than - great sound . Until now , only Logitech’smm50has offered very good auditory sensation with lots of utile features . The iM600 looks like a good nominee to link up the mm50 as a standout accounting entry in the portable - iPod - speaker unit market . Slightly big than the party ’s popular inMotion iM3 — the original portable iPod speaker — the iM600 offers better sound character , a digital FM radio receiver with external antenna , an alarm clock , an internal rechargeable bombardment , a remote ascendance , video recording output , a USB larboard ( for syncing with iTunes ) , “ Stereo Field Expander ” feature , and supplemental - in and subwoofer - out jack . It should be usable in February or March . ( $ 150 )
• CreativeTravelDock 900 : Got a second - generation iPod shuffling and involve a portable speaker system of rules ? Although we have n’t yet seen anyspecificallydesigned for Apple ’s smallest - ever player , TravelDock 900 is such a dependable fit , originative can be forgive for marketing it as such on the show storey . The thick , 12 - ounce TravelDock blossom to debunk two micro - gadget driver verbaliser , power by 4 AAA battery for up to 32 hours . A pop - up stereophonic system minijack plugs into your shuffle ’s headphone jack ; you control mass via a combination of your shuffle ’s controls and the mass buttons on the TravelDock 900 . ( There ’s also an aux - in jack on the back for connecting other audio author via a stereo minijack cable . ) And at an estimated street toll around $ 50 , it ’s reasonably price , to boot . The only downside is that your shuffle is upside down while sit down in the TravelDock . ( In the mental image below , imagine an iPod shuffle in the place of the originative player . ) ( $ 80 )
• Griffin TechnologyEvolve : Although it was unmanageable to label sound quality over the din of the Expo show floor , Griffin ’s Evolve certainly impressed us with its engineering science . Each of the two verbaliser — left and correct — carry wireless circuitry and a 10 - time of day rechargeable battery . Pick a speaker off the al-Qaeda and you’re able to take it up to a take 150 feet away from the main unit ; that ’s 300 feet of stereo separation ! you may even place the speakers in a different elbow room , although walls will reduce wireless range . When the batteries in the speakers start to get low , you just send them back on the al-Qa’ida and they ’ll automatically recharge . ( The speakers admit an automatic sleep feature article so they do n’t waste bombardment business leader when they ’re away from the bag but there ’s no music roleplay . ) And you are n’t trammel to two speakers : Griffin will also sell additional speakers ; place one on the al-Qa’ida and it will automatically geminate not only with that pedestal , but also with whichever channel — left or correct — that corresponds to the side you place it on . you may have as many speakers as you need , all playing music off a individual iPod . The system also includes a radio receiver - absolute frequency ( RF ) remote . The Evolve will be available this summertime . ( $ 349 )
• XtremeMacLuna : Wereviewedthe Luna just before the Expo , so I ’ll let our review do the talking . But to put it briefly , this is the most feature - rich and attractive iPod alarm clock we ’ve yet check . The Luna is available now . ( $ 150 )
• Harman KardonDrive+Play II : A year ago , wereviewedthe original Drive+Play , and found it to be a truly unparalleled car / iPod integration system . The Drive+Play II address several mutual complaint with the original by adding a crisp , full - color display ; a wireless control ; gentle admittance to music ( including a new lookup feature ) ; voice prompts for no - look fare sailing ; Bluetooth functionality for taking telephone call through the Drive+Play and your car stereo ; and an optional adapter for Sirius Radio . The Drive+Play II will be available this springiness . ( $ 400 )
• DLOHomeDock Deluxe : We ’ve talked about the original HomeDock Deluxe a number of times onPlaylist . Like most A / V iPod dock , it connects to your household amusement system of rules , passing audio to your stereophonic system and telecasting ( and photos ) to your video ; unlike most , it countenance you browse your iPod ’s euphony via an onscreen ( as in , “ on your TV screenland ” ) show and a wireless distant command . The fresh HomeDock Deluxe , available in March , adds the power to pasture your iPod’svideocontent on the screen , as well — the only product furnish this capability at this time . ( $ 150 )
[ Dan Frakes is the elderly review article editor program ofPlaylist . ]
