This new projector is the successor to the GP2, and BenQ claims it comes with improved brightness and better contrast. The GP3 can also project images up to 160 inches in diagonally, and it has a 2-watt built-in speaker, although it most likely won’t do the trick in a slightly larger room, so a pair of external speakers may come in handy in this case.

Of course, though, the main new feature on this palm-sized projector is the iPhone dock (using the older 30-pin connection). However, if you don’t have an iPhone, the projector offers several other ways to hook up media to the device, including plugging in a flash drive and microSD card, as well as wirelessly streaming content from another mobile device or PC.

There’s also 2GB of storage tucked inside in case a flash drive or microSD card is too much for you, although that probably won’t be enough for a couple of movies, but an album-full of photos would be the perfect fit. The internal battery is said to last 2.5 hours, which will get you through at least a movie and some, so be prepared to take the charger along with you. The GP3 is expected to ship later this month, but no pricing details have been disclosed yet.

With the Zikmu Solo, as it was with the original Zikmu, you’ve got what’s first a monstrous iPhone dock, then set of connections that’s ready to rock for the future. This device is built for the 30-pin generations of iOS devices including everything from the iPhone 3Gs to the iPhone 4S, iPod nano (every generation between 2 and 6,) iPod classic, and iPod touch 4th, 5th, and 6th generation.

You also have Bluetooth connectivity for basically every modern smart device as well as instant connectivity with NFC. The folks at Parrot assure us that every NFC-carrying Android device using Android 4.1 and above will be able to connect instantly with the NFC sensor placed at the top of the Zikmu Solo – instant splendor! You can also connect to the unit with Wi-fi synchronization with WPS – this way you’ll be able to access and play music from one computer with another computer blasted out of your Zikmu, no sweat! This speaker also works with UPnP, DLNA, and Samba – there’s basically no modern wireless speaker connectivity technology that doesn’t work here, when it comes down to it.

Under the hood then you’ll find that you’ve got 2 x 20W side HARP (high aspect ratio panel) drivers between 350Hz and 20KHz, a center speaker that got a 1 x 20W BMR (balanced modal radiator) driver between 350Hz and 20KHz, and under the bottom of the beast you’ve got a 40W Woofer. That woofer, for those of you interested in the wee specifics, is a 6-inch 40W neodymium unit working between 50Hz and 350Hz, and audio restitution hits between 30Hz and 20kHz on the regular.

Audio power for this beast on the whole is 100W RMS output with a Class D amplifier for digital sound – “pure” digital sound, of course. And that it is – pure as the driven snow working with AAC, MP3, LPCM and WMA file types natively with software updates coming in via wi-fi and ethernet. The ethernet port that makes this update magic (and the web-based audio connectivity magic) happen sits on the bottom side of the unit as well.

Down at the bottom end you’ve also got a combined input socket that works with analog line-in as well as digital optical – 24 bit sound for your ears to explode by. Your analog line-in action will be used mainly for hi-fi channels and your everyday average television sound-out connections. In the box you get the speaker itself, a remote control, an AC power cord, one optical Toslink adapter / 3.5-inch jack, and a few “universal” dock adapters that work for the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, and iPhone 3GS.

There’s also a unique Parrot Audio Suite app that works with iOS devices at the moment (with Android coming soon) that allows you to change the Room Size and Position for automatic settings based on both – this speaker is smart! This app also has an equalizer that works as directly with the speaker’s sound settings as possible and has a set of pre-set modes. You can of course change the source volume from this app, work with Bluetooth and wider volume management, and name your speaker – a must!

This unit is a masterpiece of iPhone dock greatness, that’s for certain. If you’re not an iPhone or iPod owner working with a unit thats got a 30-pin connector under the bottom, you might want to wait for a Parrot Zikmu either devoid of a dock at the top or one that also has the ability to cradle any smartphone, not just one made by Apple. That said, if you’re not worried about the tiny element that is the look of the top of the speaker, this speaker is a great, great unit.

The Parrot Zikmu Solo is set for a MSRP 999 USD pricetag and will be out immediately if now soon – have a peek and see where you can grab it! And be sure to be aware that you can get it in black or white – or get one of each!

The flashing speaker rings can be user-selected to glow either red, blue or purple, or indeed an alternating combination, and they pulse in time to the beat of the music. A matching FWP1000 speaker kit can be daisy-chained too, adding a further 240W of amplification and matching lighting.

Connectivity includes USB and and aux-in port, for use with non-Apple media players, and there’s an included remote control which can be used to switch between the lighting modes. A microphone input is also supplied, and there’s support for the Algoriddim djay app for iPhone and iPod touch. T

he usual DJ controller buttons and sliders are present and correct, including a channel fader for switching between the sources, treble/bass controls, and a “power boosting” MAX Sound mode for getting the thumpiest audio from the 300W amplification. Speakers consist of 2-inch tweeters and 5.25-inch woofers, and there’s an FM tuner if you’ve got nothing worth listening to on your phone.

The Philips FWP3200D DJ-Dock is available in the UK now, priced at £299.99 ($470). The FWP1000 speaker kit is also available, priced at £199.99 ($314).

Orbitsound’s technology squirts out its 140W RMS of power in a fundamentally different way to that of regular speaker systems. As the company describes it, the common sound from the left and right stereo channels is isolated from overall mix, and fired out from the mono array running across the front. The side-drivers fire in phase – both cones moving left or right, in relation to the soundbar, at the same time – and produce a carefully-calculated noise that modifies that mono sound into something our ears hear as stereo.

The result, so the claim goes, is no traditional soundbar “sweetspot” but instead stereo wherever you are in the room. The T9′s size, meanwhile, makes it more suitable for smaller TVs – Orbitsound tells us that most soundbars are paired with 32-inch sets or above, but points out that TVs under that point generally have even less audio abilities – and the iPod dock (with charging and a bundled remote control) makes it ideal for a bedroom, study or kitchen setup.

Connectivity includes optical digital input, an analog aux-in, a connection for the compact bundled subwoofer, and a video output for putting your iPhone content on the TV. No HDMI, though, which Orbitsound says is likely to arrive on future models given time, but not something that’s worth the cost addition this time around.

The Orbitsound T9 will hit shelves in the UK from mid-July, priced at £199.99 ($311). For more on the Orbitsound technology – and whether or not it works – check out our review of the T12v3. We’ll have a full review of the Orbitsound T9 very soon.

This latest product from Philips is modelled after the DS9800W series, but fits into a more compact package. The company says that this new mini offering has the similar internals to the big brother, packing in a 25mm soft dome tweeter that has been separated from the main speaker cabinet into a separate aluminium arm. That isolates it from any vibrations or other sound waves, providing a better audio experience overall.

Everything is bi-amped and includes a Class D 50Watt RMS, with each driver being powered independently for better sound. Sound like the audio solution you’re looking for? Be prepared to pay £399 for it on Apple’s online store. It should be available right now.

Boasting “distinctive” design – we’ll leave you to make up your mind whether it’s an aesthetic joy or an eyesore – the iPod Cuddler Chair has not only a dock to recharge your Apple PMP and funnel its music out through its stereo speakers and bottom-shuddering subwoofer, but a USB port and Bluetooth too. That means you can hook up non-Apple media players and phones, or even your laptop for some impromptu gaming.

An aux-in port caters for the resolutely old-fashioned, while an SD card slot makes this perhaps the first ever sofa to have its own storage. Seven color combinations and three different foot finishes are on offer too.

DFS is offering the Trophy Cuddler Audio Sofa for £699 ($1,097) until the beginning of July, after which point it will double – double! – in price.

Essentially everything about this monster is recycled or recyclable – not that you’d ever want to recycle such a lovely amalgamation – and is made to give you a unique experience as well as vision. The wood you’ve got here is FSC certified Birch, the canvas is durable and will bring you back to your army days, and the plastic throughout the setup is entirely recyclable. The packaging the whole setup comes in is recycled, as well, so you’ll have nothing you need to throw away when you get the device in the mail.

The speakers you see here are both 4.5-inch high-definition woofers, the setup also having two 1-inch tweeters, 32 watts of power and DSP Sound Processing on the whole. That means high quality sound on both the high and the low end. There’s a pocket on the side, two sets of handles for the different ways you might want to carry while you blast, and the whole beast is set to ship this month. If you order one of these mothers up today, you’ll get it by the middle of the month – $349.99 at the House of Marley right now.

This device works with not only the iPad and the iPad 2, but the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4S as well, and though it does have a teaser ad that shows the iPad running the original Apple software, you’ll still be able to work with the newest version of iOS. That might be bad news for those of you looking to convert your brand new iPad into the original Apple, but you never know, someone might make it happen soon! This dock is currently in limited quantities, or so says MIC, so get your hands on one right this second!

Then be sure you’re prepared to make it all happen by watching this instructional video on how to connect your devices via Bluetooth. It’s quite simple when it comes down to it – just a tap here and a flip of the switch there, and don’t forget to plug the whole system in to the wall through the back set of ports there, this thing isn’t mobile! It is wooden though, so you’ve got to know that this is the best feature you could hope for in a dock.

The idea here is that you get the feel of the original Apple I (or II, if you prefer) while running with the newest software in the mobile landscape for Apple. We must assume that the mobile and the desktop worlds will continue to converge through the future, and this is another step towards oneness without a doubt.

[via MIC Gadget]

The whole setup here is a matte black with orange accents, and the build is nearly top quality in all places. Much of the outsides here in this set of items is plastic, this both proving to be good in that it’ll bounce back if you drop it and wont damage the floor of your dorm or apartment, and bad in that you won’t get many “oh sweet, what is THAT you’ve got there?” comments. No worries though, this speaker setup is high quality, working both in party-level sound blast loudness and silent tuning to perfection for your exacting musical tastes. To make these adjustments you’ve only to download the free application from the iTunes App Store (for iPod Touch, iPad, or iPhone), and fire it up, controlling the speaker either by docking your device or by connecting via Bluetooth. There’s also a tiny remote control included if you’re more apt to docking the iDevice and stepping back from the action with as small a controller as possible.

One of the comments Chris Davies made when this product was originally announced was that it was quite enticing in that it didn’t actually require you to dock your iDevice to make it play the beats you had controlled from said device. Truly this is a pro as should you be wanting to play your music in one part of the house and are walking to and fro putting away dishes or doing the laundry, you can stop anywhere, pop that iPhone out of your pocket, and flip to the next song. It’s a testament to XtremeMac that I’m fairly certainly I’ll not ever be able to give a mobile device dock a positive review in the future unless its got the ability to connect to the device in question via Bluetooth. Anything less is just uncivilized!

You can play any audio you’ve got ringing out of your iDevice through this speaker, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that since Google Music recently left Beta and now allows everyone free storage of up to 200,000 songs on their own servers, we’d check out how to make it happen here. What we’ve got here is two options: first, you can access Google Music by heading to music.google.com in your web browser window on your iDevice and play some songs like that. Second, and this is the one demonstrated here in the video, is an app by the name of gMusic.

This app allows you essentially the same interface that your Android pals now have for Google Music and connects you instantly with all 200,000 of your songs just so long as you’ve got a Wi-fi connection (or simply a data connection if you’re using an iPhone, of course.) Tap into the fun and fire up a Weird Al track if you should so dare. You can pick this unit up today at Best Buy for a cool $100 USD, lucky you!

Hardware

Given soundbars are meant to be discrete ways of adding speakers to your home entertainment setup, you can’t really fault the T12v3 for its simple appearance. A 605mm long, gloss-finish black bar, it has a magnetically clipped speaker mesh up front – hiding six speaker cones and a blue status LED – with a discrete Orbitsound logo, and a non-removable speaker grill at each end. Up top is an iPod/iPod touch dock, with four different inserts supplied to suit different versions. No iPad dock, which Orbitsound tells us is because it wouldn’t suit the under-TV positioning expected of the T12v3.

Connectivity is handled around the back, with a DC power socket, optical and coaxial digital inputs, 3.5mm stereo audio and RCA analog inputs, and two RCA composite video outputs (which mirror the same video-out signal from an iPod). There are also connections for the included subwoofer, a 460 x 230 x 230 mm gloss-finish block. A volume knob and power switch complete the controls; on our pre-production review sample there’s also a “Stereo Width” switch, which flicks the stereo affect from off to “normal” or “wide” but which won’t be present on retail units.

The new speaker cones consist of two 1-inch drivers and four 2.5-inch drivers, along with a 2-inch full-range driver at each end. The sub has a single 6.5-inch woofer. Inside the main unit there are two 45W stereo channels and a separate 90W subwoofer channel. Orbitsound quote standby power consumption of 2.3W and idle consumption of 5.6W.

Admirably, Orbitsound includes all the cables you might need in the box. As well as a 1m optical digital cable there’s a length of subwoofer wire, phono (RCA) and 3.5mm cables. A remote control allows tweaking of the volume, treble and bass, as well as flicking between inputs and controlling playback of any docked iPod or iPhone.

Performance

Soundbars have generally worked in one of two ways so far: either you have regular stereo speakers spread out at either end of a single, long bar (usually at the cheaper end of the market) or a complex speaker array that uses upward of 20 drivers and special processing technology to bounce sound around the room (at the more expensive end).

Orbitsound’s patented system is different. It uses a system whereby the common sound from the left and right stereo channels is isolated from the mix and pushed out of the mono array running across the front of the bar. Meanwhile, the side-drivers – which fire in phase, so both cones move left or right in relation to the soundbar at the same time – push out a specially calculated noise that modifies that mono sound into something our ears hear as stereo.

If it all sounds fiendishly complex, that’s because it is. Product manager Daniel Fletcher – son of Ted Fletcher, the audio engineer who came up with the spatial stereo technology system – explained it as the reverse of Mid-Side stereo recording, often used in studios to capture sound. What it isn’t is simply two stereo side speakers firing off the regular left and right channels to bounce against the walls.

So, complicated enough to warrant a clutch of patents, but does the T12v3 work? There’s certainly a noticeable difference between switching the system off and turning spatial stereo on, a broader, fuller sound within which we could hear differences between the left and right sides. What’s really noticeable is the ubiquity of the sweet-spot, however. Regular speaker setups usually have a certain point at which the balance of the sound is ideal: if your chair is in that position then you get the best experience, whereas everyone else around you hears a somewhat unbalanced mix depending on which speaker they’re closer to.

What Orbitsound has managed to do is extend that sweet-spot so that it basically fills the room. No matter whether we stood in the center, off to one side or anywhere else, the experience was pretty much the same. For a room full of people watching the same movie or TV show, that means equal sound for all; we also found that we could listen at a lower volume and still pick out the detail.

Previous iterations of the T12 were criticized for their sound quality, something Orbitsound has moved to address in this v3 model. The speaker drivers are all new and have shed any lingering muddiness in the mid-range, while the sub has also been tweaked for tighter bass response. Treated to high-bitrate tracks from an iPod, the T12v3 is now a solid music system as well as a good TV soundbar, though the subwoofer can lack a little of the immediacy of powered-subs we’ve tried.

Wrap-Up

Outfitting your lounge or home entertainment room for audio always comes with compromises. 5.1 or 7.1 speaker systems invariably offer a more involving sound, though demand you live with multiple often expensive boxes and all the cabling required to hook them up. Soundbars are easier to install and less intrusive, but generally produce 2.1 sound rather than true surround and can often do a poor job even at that.

The Orbitsound T12v3 is still 2.1 only, but you’re getting impressive sound for your money. We’re still not entirely sure how the spatial stereo technology works, but it certainly makes a difference. TV and movies have a broadness and impact that belies the compact size of the soundbar itself, while music is a similar treat. Considering the £299.99 price tag the T12v3 will carry when it goes on sale in September, that’s might impressive stuff.

Next step, Orbitsound tells us, is wireless streaming, with the company auditioning several technologies for inclusion in future products. Although AirPlay is still under consideration, Fletcher expressed concerns that users might find its reliance on iTunes limiting. We don’t think Orbitsound is looking to take on Sonos quite yet – this looks to be point-to-point streaming rather than distributed whole-house audio – but with the right lossless or near-lossless technology we can see it being highly usable all the same. Why have a separate speaker system for music when the soundbar under your TV has a room-wide stereo sweetspot?

Beyond that there are ongoing talks with laptop manufacturers – apparently cautiously interested – to put Orbitsound into future notebooks, as well as compact systems that could even fit into a cellphone. For now, however, the T12v3 is the Orbitsound flagship, and it’s certainly one that deserves your audition.

There’s also a USB Host port, for playing back MP3 or WMA audio files stored on external drives – that could be a simple thumbdrive PMP or an external HDD with thousands of tracks. An external audio input takes other sources, and there’s an FM radio as well as a guitar/microphone input for impromptu flashmob performances.

The amp has been upgraded to 40W and there’s a protective hatch to keep your iPhone safe. AC and DC power inputs are supported, and there’s a shoulder strap and remote along with a video output for the picture from your iPod. The JVC Kaboom! RV-NB70 is available now, priced at $299.95.

The premise is straightforward: you get an iPod/iPhone dock, into which your Apple PMP slots, recharges, and shoots over audio to the speakers. Alternatively, though, it can pick up audio streamed via AirPlay, Apple’s wireless system that works with the latest iOS devices and computers like the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.

As for the eye-catching speakers themselves, Philips reckons that by using a semi-spherical shape for the body and separating out the tweeters as the “eyes” suspended up above, the SoundSpheres reduce interference, make the top end more easily heard and add up to a more 360-degree audio experience.

In practice, while the mids and bass certainly held up whether we were in front or at the sides of the speakers, the treble proved more directional. We could hear the top end far clearer stood directly in the line of the tweeters, and these are really still speakers you’ll want to place with an eye on where exactly you’ll be listening to them.

Still, the AirPlay system works as expected. The final remaining question, naturally, is whether the Fidelio SoundSphere system will be worth its €799 ($1,154) price tag when it hits retail in May 2011. Considering that would get you a Sonos multi-room starter system we can see people being quickly drawn in by the SoundSpheres’ unusual appearance, and then equally quickly propelled away by the premium figure Philips has settled upon.

As for the Philips Harmony Component HiFi, that slots into the company’s 8000 Series DVD line-up and has an integrated iPhone/iPod dock, CD, DVD, and USB support. No WiFi, but you do get a 2 x 80W RMS Class-D digital amp.

Finally, the bulbous Philips Fidelio SoundSphere packs WiFi for streaming Apple music over AirPlay, as well as a local dock for getting content off your iPod or iPhone. It will go on sale in May 2011, priced at €799 ($1,115); no word on pricing or availability for the other two systems.

Press Release:

Philips introduces Wi-Fi Multiroom Hi-Fi System with best-in-class High-Fidelity sound

Barcelona, Spain – Philips is taking the sound quality of wireless Multiroom systems to the next level: the new Philips Wi-Fi Multiroom Hi-Fi System offers crystal clear sound from the latest so-called ClariSound speakers, while giving you access to all your favorite songs anywhere around your home.

With the MultiroomMusic function it does not matter where you are in the house; you can enjoy different songs in different rooms, or play the same tunes in every room by a simple touch on the screen. You can easily stream all your music wirelessly from the Multiroom Music Center to the different Music Stations placed anywhere in your home.

Pristine sound from ClariSound speakers
Philips’ new Multiroom Hi-Fi system will fill the room with pure sound through the new ClariSound speakers. To reproduce high-end frequencies perfectly, the soft-dome tweeter of the ClariSound speaker is positioned on top of the speaker box, allowing sound to travel along the speaker baffle. This helps recover the richness and wideness of the original performance.

For these speakers Philips also makes use of a glass fiber woofer cone, which produces a more natural sound thanks to its lightweight design. An innovative front-firing bass port, filled with acoustic material, ensures pure and tight bass reproduction.

A world of music at your fingertips
The Philips Multiroom Hi-Fi system gives you access to all your music, independent of source or format:

· Listen to all your digital music collection stored on the external USB Hard Disc of the system. With up to 2000 albums available anytime at the touch of the screen, you do not even need to turn on your computer to access your favorite tunes
· Explore over ten thousand Internet radio stations from around the world as well as online music subscription services at the touch of a button. Alternatively, you can listen to your favorite local FM radio stations in the traditional way
· Wirelessly stream music and pictures from PC, MAC or your home server in excellent sound quality without having to worry about wires
· Additionally, you can play your favorite tracks from the CD/DVD player, connect any other USB device for more music content or add an optional dock to play and charge your iPod or iPhone

Simplicity in usability
While the full color touch screen of the Multiroom system allows you to easily navigate through your content and enjoy album artworks, you can also turn any iPhone, iPod Touch or Android smartphone into a comprehensive remote control by using the complimentary AV remote app. Using the app you can wirelessly browse and play any source of music the Multiroom system offers. You can download the app for free from iTunes AppStore or Android market place.

The connectivity and convenience of the Philips Multiroom Hi-Fi system enables you to easily access all your favorite songs without any hassle and anywhere in your home. Coupled with the sleek design and premium finish, it sits perfectly within the home where it will fill the rooms with quality, authentic sound from any source you like.

Press Release:

New Philips Harmony Component Hi-Fi system range delivers authentic sound reproduction

Barcelona, Spain – Philips introduces its new Harmony Hi-Fi range, delivering music-lovers an ideal combination of authentic sound reproduction, premium design and a simple user experience.

As part of the Harmony range, the new 8000 series DVD Hi-Fi component system offers impressive sound quality for a compact system thanks to the new ClariSound speakers, which offer the finest balance between natural sound, detailed precision and bass tightness.

Pristine sound with true-to-life details

To reproduce high-end frequencies perfectly, the soft-dome tweeter is positioned on top of the speaker box, allowing sound to travel along the speaker baffle. This helps recover the richness and wideness of the original performance and thus offer a wider soundstage.

For these speakers Philips also makes use of a glass fiber woofer cone which ensures a more natural reproduction of voices and instruments thanks to its lightweight design. An innovative front-firing bass port, processed with acoustic material to reduce turbulence, ensures pure and tight bass reproduction.

The system comes with an innovative integrated dock which plays and charges iPad, iPod and iPhone, even in its protective case. The system is designed with a 2 x 80W RMS Class-D digital amplifier, and lets you enjoy your CDs, DVDs (with HDMI output delivering 1080p upscaling) and music content from your USB storage devices.

Combining the finest materials like pure aluminium for the casing, real wood for the speaker boxes and glass fiber woofers, giving a unique design identity to the speakers, the new Philips Harmony 8000 series DVD Hi-Fi component system enables you to experience natural, true-to-life sound right from your living room.

Press Release:

New Philips Fidelio SoundSphere uses Wi-Fi and supports Apple’s AirPlay®

Barcelona, Spain – Philips today unveils the merging of two of its most successful product lines, SoundSphere and Fidelio, in order to bring music lovers the ultimate, full-fidelity listening experience. Combining the impressive functionality of its docking speaker range Fidelio, the superior sound quality of the Philips SoundSphere technology and Apple’s AirPlay®, the Philips Fidelio SoundSphere docking speakers delivers authentic sound – while your device simply stays in your hand.

With Airplay, the Philips Fidelio SoundSphere docking speakers give you both an amazing sound and hassle-free access to all your music from iTunes.

The Sound is in the Design The amazing sound quality of the Philips Fidelio SoundSphere docking speaker lies in its design. The curved design of the separate speakers with their unique free-floating tweeters on top of both speakers mean Philips Fidelio SoundSphere delivers sound in all directions for a deeper and wider audio impression with minimized interferences.

The Sound is in the Air The Philips Fidelio Soundsphere docking speaker utilizes Airplay1 to seamlessly play music over a home Wi-Fi network from iTunes on Mac and PC, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. With AirPlay, you enjoy all your music via the brilliant speakers of the Philips Fidelio SoundSphere without plugging in cables or even docking your device.

The Philips Fidelio SoundSphere docking speaker integrates perfectly with your iTunes, iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch and gives you an authentic sound experience everywhere in your home through a unique combination of technology, design and functionality. Philips Fidelio SoundSphere will be available from May 2011 with a recommended retail price of 799 EUR.

“By juxtaposing our two very unlike companies together we are combining inspired technology with inspired design. The end result being a blend which enhances the audio and visual aesthetics for the customer and creates something pretty delicious, ” says Ryan Heuser, president and co-founder of Paul Frank.

The chimped out docking station features stereo loudspeakers for the ultimate portable party machine. It has an interchangeable dock (adapters not included) making it compatible with any and all iPod devices and up to 6 hours of play time on one charge. Available now for $99.95 at every Paul Frank retail shop in the US or online at PaulFrank.com.

[Via Pocket-lint]

To be honest, iPad support is only one string to the iXtreamer’s bow; it’ll work as a DLNA/UPnP streamer, play back 1080p HD video with 7.1 surround sound, stream internet radio, work as a TwonkyMedia server and as a standalone NAS or FTP server. There’s also Blu-ray ISO support, the ability to use your iPhone as a remote control, and a full on-screen UI.

It’ll also play FLV streaming video from online, opening the door to accessing on-demand content as well. The iXtreamer is priced at £159 ($247) from Advanced MP3 Players and is shipping now.

A new genome machine has surfaced from a firm called Life Technologies that is called the Personal Genome Machine. It’s not meant for you to use at home though, it’s a real research machine for scientists and stuff. The rig uses parallel semiconductor sensors to measure the hydrogen ions produced during DNA replication in real-time. This is the first product on the market to use that tech.

The machine is about the same size as a printer and weighs 65 pounds. I would assume it to be the same size as a large printer. The strangest feature is that the machine has an iPod dock on top. Why you ask? Obviously, the dock is there to keep your iPod jamming “The Who” while you work.

Via GizMag

The clock is made to sit at your bedside and is round rather than the rectangle that I have seen from everyone else. The round design is cool. It also has some interesting features like the ability to control the lamp you have at the side of your bed and wake you by light. You plug your normal lamp in and the clock will act as a dimmer and wake you with the light from the lamp and your own music.

The clock dock can also turn the light off for you when you go to sleep. The clock has an app that lets you customize dual alarms for waking and has snooze controls and more. The audio is tuned using Sonic iQ tech and the curved LED on the front gives more viewing options. The docking connector pivots and promises to fit devices with cases installed. The device is only in Apple Retail Stores right now for $99.95 and will be offered for sale online soon.

The device has all the high-end design and features that you expect form the company with the B&O room adaption switch for the best possible sound in any room. The dock also has adaptive bass linearization and can adapt to work with a wide range of devices from the iPad to any dockable iPod.

The BeoSound 8 measures in at 26″ x 9.4″ x 6.5″ and is made from painted plastic, aluminum, and fabric. It can be had in aluminum with white fabric frame or aluminum with black fabric frame. The device consumes 10W of power in use and 0.4W in standby mode. The effective frequency range of the device is 38.3 – 24000Hz. The BeoSound 8 also has a USB input for non-dockable devices and ships with a remote control, wall bracket, tablet stand, and there are other fabric frame colors available as options. It will ship late this month and it’s not cheap. Electricpig went hands on with it already and reports the price is £895.

The iClops has an autofocus lens, pivoting mount and can take 2.1-megapixel stills or shoot VGA-quality video; it can stream video at 15fps, and has a built-in microphone.  There’ll be a companion video recording app in the App Store when the iClops arrives in March 2011 for around $130, though it’s not yet clear whether Face Time will be supported.  Scosche also apparently plans to run a competition to name the iClops.

Meanwhile the Optoma Neo-i pico-projector is a desktop iPhone/iPod dock with stereo 8W speakers and a 50 lumens projector on the back capable of 854 x 480 16:9 aspect video.  There’s also HDMI, VGA and composite inputs, for using the Neo-i with external sources, together with an audio output and an optional $40 iPad connector kit.  There’s also talk of potential battery power, though we won’t know for sure until its official debut later this month, priced at around $450.

[via PicoProjector-Info]

Since it’s a standard dock connector you can hook up your iPhone, iPod touch or general iPod; you could even slot in your iPad, if you can get it to balance properly.  The PlayStation version is $29.99, while the Nintendo version is $25.99; stocks are pretty low right now, so buy soon if you want to buy at all.

[via CrunchGear]

Alternatively there’s a USB 2.0 port for hooking up a non-Apple PMP, while other connectivity includes digital optical input and outputs, analog input and outputs, an aux input and a subwoofer preout.  A front-panel headphone socket and a remote control wrap up the key specs.

Power is 40W x 2 and JVC has used two separate amps, one for each channel, which the company reckons will make all the difference.  Still, if you’re listening to shoddy MP3s in the first place, it probably won’t matter too much.  Out next month for $399.95.

Press Release:

JVC Announces High-Performance Micro Audio System

WAYNE, NJ, September 22, 2010 – JVC today expanded its Procision series of premium-level products with the introduction of a new high-performance micro audio system. The new JVC UX-J51 is a three-piece system that combines class-leading performance with clean, elegant design.

The new JVC UX-J51 is a CD micro component system with a built-in dock for iPod, USB (2.0) input and an FM/AM tuner. It’s comprised of a single main unit and a pair of two-way, bass reflex speakers. Most functions are controlled using flush, top-mounted touch keys illuminated in blue, with the exception of volume, which is handled by a large, silver knob on the main unit’s front panel. A full function remote control is also included.
A key performance feature is the system’s separate left and right channel amplifiers, each rated at 40 watts. The two-way speakers feature a one-inch (2.5cm) soft-dome tweeter and a 4.3-inch (11cm) cone woofer. The audio performance is optimized using CONEQTM technology that matches amplifier and speaker performance to ensure equalized power levels across all frequencies, resulting in a clean, natural sound throughout the listening room.
For system expansion, the UX-J51 includes a digital optical input and output, analog input and output, aux input, and a subwoofer preout. There’s also a headphone jack, FM and AM antenna jacks and banana speaker jacks. The system also features a clock/timer.
The JVC UX-J51 will be available in October for $399.95.

The compact system has a pair of speakers that are separate from the main unit, which also has a CD player inside. On the front of the dock is a USB port for playing tracks from non-dockable iPods and other devices.

JVC offers the dock in several colors including black, white with wood grain top, pink, and solid white. The dock also has an integrated FM tuner and has video output for sending video to your TV. Pricing is unknown, but the unit will ship in Japan in October.

There’s also a cute circular remote control that stows safely at the back of the dock, a USB port for recharging a third device – whether Apple or otherwise – and Altec Lansing are offering another app called Alarm Rock which turns the Octiv Duo into an alarm clock.  As for the audio itself, the Octiv Duo gets a pair of two inch neodymium drives; it wasn’t exactly the loudest or most acoustically pleasing speaker dock we’ve ever heard, but for a kitchen or desk it’s ideal.

One thing we’d like to have seen is a pass-through sync port, allowing you to hook up the speaker dock to iTunes and put new media on as they recharge.  You do get a 3.5mm aux-input for non-Apple PMPs, however.  It’ll be available soon, priced at $99.95.

XtremeMac also offer a free remote control app which allows you to tweak the audio as well as adjust the various EQ settings.  There’s also a line-in jack for using other PMPs, while the speakers themselves consist of two midrange drivers, two dome tweeters and a downward firing subwoofer.

Two versions are on offer, the basic model at $179.99 and an Apple exclusive version, the Tango TRX D.  That adds a separate charging dock for your iPod/iPhone/iPad (though we imagine the latter would be more than a little precarious).

Press Release:

XtremeMac™ Unveils Tango TRX – the Superior Bluetooth Audio Solution for iPod, iPhone and iPad

Download the free Tango TRX app for enhanced functionality

Sunrise, FL – September 14, 2010 – XtremeMac™, a leading designer and manufacturer of accessories and audio solutions for Apple devices, is pleased to announce a prestigious new audio solution for Apple users. The Tango TRX is a 2.1 wireless high-fidelity audio system for iPod, iPhone and iPad. It combines superior sound quality, wireless audio connectivity, sleek design and an exclusive app to create a unique and powerful listening experience.

The elegantly designed Tango TRX allows users to wirelessly transmit high quality audio through the latest Bluetooth technology. It boasts a 2.1 digital audio system that includes two midrange drivers, two dome tweeters and a downward firing subwoofer for crystal clear and dynamic sound. Tango TRX features LED status indicators for system feedback, a line-in jack for connecting other audio devices and a multifunction remote control.

The free XtremeMac Tango TRX app seamlessly integrates with the unit for enhanced control and functionality. With the Tango app, users can control music directly from their iPod, iPhone, or iPad, turning any of these devices into a virtual remote which appears as a digital version of the included physical remote. The app also provides a five-band graphic equalizer that enables customers to fine tune sound or select music by genre.

The Tango TRX is available now for $179.99 US MSRP at www.XtremeMac.com. An Apple store exclusive version (Tango TRX D) includes a separate charging dock which enables users to charge their device while wirelessly playing music to the Tango TRX. The Tango TRX D is available now at Apple for $199.99 US MSRP.

When used at home with the bundled dock, you get an iPod/iPhone cradle together with a 3.5mm stereo audio input for non-Apple PMPs.  There’s also a remote control which can switch between the two inputs as well as handle volume duties.

Usually Japan-only, the Sony SRS-V500IP is available in the US through AudioCubes priced at $239.99.

The idea is that, rather than squint across the room in the hope you can see what’s happening on the iPod’s display, you can instead navigate via the remote control’s own screen.  As well as an audio output there’s both component and composite video outputs, for hooking up a TV, and of course the dock also recharges the iPhone or iPod while it’s in place.

While the remote uses RF rather than IR, the 10m range means this probably isn’t your entry-level ticket to whole home audio.  Still, the Logic3 LCD ProDock is available now, priced at just $79.99 ($115).

Press Release:

Logic3 makes a big noise as it helps the iPod generation see the bigger picture

May 26, 2010: Innovative UK-based iPhone and iPod accessory company, Logic3, today unveiled an eye-catching new addition to its range. The LCD ProDock is a compact unit that brings a big screen experience from small screen content and big concert sound to downloaded music.

The contemporary designed docking station – compatible with the complete range of iPhone, iPod touch, iPod nano and iPod classic – is simple to connect to almost any TV using the cables provided. Once connected, any video content or slide shows on the iPhone or iPod can be viewed on the big screen.

LCD ProDock iPhone and Remote
Any music stored on the iPhone or iPod can also be played through TV surround sound systems, or a hi-fi system, turning a simple playlist into a concert experience.

What’s more, the LCD ProDock system includes an intelligent remote control with a built-in colour LCD screen. This synchronises with the iPhone or iPod allowing you to scroll through the menus, making it easier to find the video content you want to see, or playlists and albums that you want to listen to.

All the while, the LCD ProDock is also re-charging the battery of your docked iPhone or iPod.

“This is a small unit that delivers a big benefit,” says Logic3 Director Michael Kirkham. “The LCD ProDock is a great companion piece which will not look out of place beside the main television in the home. It makes it easy to enjoy downloaded video and online content with friends and family on the big screen and brings a new dimension to downloaded music by utilising your existing TV surround sound.”

With an RRP of just £79.99, the LCD ProDock is available direct from stores such as HMV and KRCS, as well as online from Amazon, Play, Micro Anvika and Logic3.com.

-ends-

About the LCD ProDock
The LCD ProDock comes with component video and audio AV cables to allow you to connect the Dock to either a TV or hi-fi system. The supplied AC adaptor powers the dock and simultaneously recharges the docked iPhone/iPod.

Key Features/Functions:

Docking Station for re-charging, video and audio output for iPhone/iPod
Intelligent colour LCD Multi function RF Remote to browse and navigate iPhone/iPod menus
LCD RF remote with a range of 10m works from across the room, no line of sight needed
Dock for iPhone/iPod, compatible with most iPhone/iPod with a Dock Connector
AC Adaptor provided to recharge iPhone/iPod
Includes Component Video / Composite Video /Audio Cables
Outputs:

Composite Video
Component Video
Audio (2 x RCA) Stereo Line out
About Logic3
Logic3 was founded in 1977, and has since developed hundreds of products for the portable audio and video gaming /PC industry. Visit www.logic3.com for the full range of innovative gadgets and gaming accessories.

The iA5 uses an app to turn the iPhone into an integral part of the alarm clock. The software portion turns the clock into an information hub. The app shows news that happened while you were asleep, offers many options for alarms, and records statistics about your sleep.

The iA5 docks and charges your iPhone or iPod touch and has a backup power source for the clock in the event of a power outage that uses three AAA batteries. The clock measures 9.34″ W x 5.83″ H x 3.9″ D. Other features include a button to synchronize the clock time with the iPhone, local weather info, an adjustable snooze timer, and lots more. The clock is available now for $99.99.

Personally, the thought of being vigorously assaulted every morning doesn’t exactly fill me with glee.  Still, there’s an FM digital radio and stereo speakers if you’re not so tempted by the head-shaking, together with a handy volume control on the vibra-attachment as well as on the main body of the clock.

Alarm settings allow for every-day, workday or weekend use, with two alarms in case you share a bed.  It’s compatible with the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, iPhone, iPod Touch 2nd generation, iPod Touch, iPod Nano 1st to 5th generation, iPod Classic, iPod with video, iPod 4th generation and iPod mini, and is available now priced at $89.99.

The end result is one of the more distinctive iPod speaker docks we’ve seen in recent months, and JVC reckon it’ll sound distinctive too.  They’ve turned to Dolby Virtual Surround audio processing technology, and while we’re inherently suspicious of anything that promises to make pseudo-3D out of a stereo source, we won’t argue with eking the best out of the mere 5W amplification.

Meanwhile there are both analog and digital audio inputs, and a remote control too.  The JVC SX-SR3 will go on sale this month, priced at $149.95.

Press Release:

NEW UNIQUELY-DESIGNED JVC iPOD® DOCK FEATURES DOLBY VIRTUAL SURROUND

New JVC XS-SR3 “personal theater” holds iPod’s vertically or horizontally.

WAYNE, NJ, December 16, 2009 – A new JVC iPod® speaker system features a unique wraparound design, Dolby Virtual Surround, and a dock that like most docks holds an iPod vertically for music listening, but also can cradle it horizontally – ideal for widescreen viewing of video.

The new JVC XS-SR3 surround dock is a sleek, glossy black speaker tube with a curved design that allows the iPod to nestle between the speakers. The iPod holder rotates for viewing video in widescreen mode and comes with four clips to hold selected iPod models. The speakers’ powerful neodymium magnets ensure clean, crisp sound, while Dolby Virtual Surround creates the illusion of a wider sound field when viewing video content. Power output is five watts and the system features two audio inputs, one analog and one digital optical. A remote control is included.

In addition to its function as an iPod speaker dock, the XS-SR3 can also be used as computer speaker system.

The JVC XS-SR3 is available this month for $149.95.

The dock is called the miSoccer and has 23-watts of power. The sub alone has 15-watts of power and the dual multi-way speakers get the rest of the power. Any dockable iPod can be attached to the miSoccer.

Touch controls on top of the soccer ball allow for controlling the volume and track. The dock is available in blue, red, or black colors and the design allows for 360-degree sound to fill a room. The miSoccer is available now for $119.99.

Despite going on display at the ZiiLABS summit, the ZiiSOUND D5 has nothing to do with Creative or their PMP range apart from the branding.  Apparently a version for the ZiiEGG -the ZiiSOUND D3 – is also planned, but again that will only be a basic speaker dock rather than include any sort of nifty 1080p-capable processing.

As well as directly docking into the ZiiSOUND D5 (and recharging) you can connect your iPod wirelessly with a Bluetooth adapter dongle; alternatively there’s a standard 3.5mm audio input for other sources.  No release dates for the D5 have been announced, but it’s expected to go for around $299 in early 2010.

Inside the aluminum, rubberised plastic and walnut veneer casing there’s a 3-inch neodymium speaker driver and 7W amplifier, while control is via a four-way joystick.  The monochrome display uses an OLED panel, and if you haven’t enough tunes of your own to enjoy, the HERITAGE is Last.fm compatible too.

A USB port allows you to plug in other MP3 players or USB thumbsticks full of MP3s, and there’s an optical output, RCA outputs and a line-in port too.  iPod video content can be output to a display via the video-out socket, and a remote control is included.  UK buyers can pick up the Revo HERITAGE from November, when it’ll carry an MRSP of around £229.95 ($375).  No word on whether US buyers will get to enjoy the retro style themselves, however.

Press Release:

Revo goes back to the future with HERITAGE multi-format radio with iPod docking and Last.fm

Lanark, Scotland, 26th October 2009: Revo Technologies is delighted to announce the release of HERITAGE, the firm’s latest multi-format digital radio.

HERITAGE is a contemporary reinterpretation of classic European table radio designs from the 50’s and 60’s. The nostalgia however, runs only skin deep, since HERITAGE is actually one of the most sophisticated digital radios ever produced. Underneath its traditional wood and metal exterior, beats the very latest multi- platform digital radio technology.

This deluxe radio is capable of providing coverage of a variety of radio broadcast types including DAB, DAB+, FM and Wi-Fi internet radio – as well as offering wireless audio streaming and docking for all current iPod models.

HERITAGE is crafted using the finest quality materials and components. Its cabinet is constructed using a combination of aluminium, soft rubberised plastics and real walnut veneer. Audio performance is delivered by a custom designed 3” neodymium speaker driver, driven by a superb high fidelity 7W amplifier. Lastly, HERITAGE benefits from a large ‘secret-until-lit’ graphical OLED display and innovative joystick control system for maximum ease of operation.

In addition to its extensive terrestrial and internet radio capabilities, HERITAGE will also provide access to online music service Last.fm*. Simply choose an artist or genre and let Last.fm build the perfect playlist from its library of 5 million tracks – unique to the user, and fresh every time. Alternatively, an existing Last.fm profile can be used. HERITAGE includes a free 30 day Last.fm trial subscription, thereafter a £3.00 per month subscription charge applies.

HERITAGE has an SRP of £229.95 and will be available in the UK from early November, exclusively from branches of John Lewis, or online from www.johnlewis.com and www.revo.co.uk

The company has announced the debut of its latest iPod dock called the Zeppelin Mini. Reasonably priced for B&W gear is often more than some people want to spend, and that is likely to be the case here with the Zeppelin Mini retailing for $399.

The iPod dock is set to launch on October 20 and features an update docking arm and a USB port for going direct to the digital output of your iPod. The docking arm rotates to allow users to view album art and the Zeppelin Mini can stream music directly from Mac or PCs.

The two new docks are the DK-AP8P and the DK-AP7P and they allow users to play music back directly from any iPod or iPhone and recharge the device at the same time. Each dock weighs less than 1.6 pounds and has 2.1 channels with premium sound.

The docks fold closed when on the go for protection and the AP8P has a magnetic cover. The devices are good for six hours of use per charge and an AC adapter and a soft carry case are included. Both of the docks are offered in piano black finish with the AP8P selling for $189.99 and the AP7P selling for $129.99.

iLive has announced two new speaker bar systems including the iT319B and the iT209B. The 319B speaker bar measures 32-inches long and is intended to be an all-in-one home audio system with connectivity for DVD players, iPod, and a digital AM/FM radio. The speaker bar also offers SRS TruSurround XT for simulated 5.1 effects.

The 209B is a longer speaker bar measuring 37-inches and integrates into the TV sound system with a 3.1 system and simulated 5.1 surround sound. It has S-video and composite video input along with an AM/FM tuner. Both systems are designed to work with all dockable iPods. The iT319B will sell for $199.99 and the iT209B will sell for $149.99.