Tag: IPod
SHINY VIDEO REVIEW: Logic3 Valve80 iPod Dock
Here’s the rather delightful Valve80 iPod dock from Logic3. It’s expensive, but it sounds absolutely amazing compared to your average dock. In fact, calling it a ‘dock’ is a bit of an insult – it’s a bonafide Hi-Fi amplifier, with two audio inputs and video out. £300 quid though… crumbs… that’s not going to go down well with your bank manager.
Logic3 Valve80
Related posts: Logic3 releases iPod dock with valve amplifier | Shiny Review: Logic3 Jivebox iPod speakers
Marantz launches Bluetooth wireless iPod dock and hi-fi receiver
We’re pretty selective about what iPod docks we cover at Tech Digest, given that there must be hundreds of them floating about now and they’re all much of a muchness. However, we like Marantz, so the latest Bluetooth wireless iPod dock is definitely worth a mention.
First up, the dock looks good. It’s compact, holds the larger iPods at a nice angle (pictured is the iPod touch), and should fit in anywhere…
RXS Bluetooth adaptors let you hook up your MP3 player
RXS has just launched a couple of Bluetooth adaptors for MP3 players that’ll let you stream your tunes over to a Bluetooth-capable car stereo, or pair of speakers or headphones. There’s an iPod version (pictured above) and a rather clunkier version that plugs into any 3.5mm headphone jack that’s available.
The iPod version weighs just 4.5g, sits nicely against against your iPod, and comes in black, white and silver. The 3.5mm version is much bigger, contains a rechargable battery, charged via USB, with 10 hours of listening time battery life, and comes in white and black.
If you own a Bluetooth enabled car stereo or set of headphones, then these are a brilliant way to get stuff hooked up. They’re not the best-looking accessories in the world, and a little pricy at £30, but if you need the connectivity, then they’ll provide it.
RXS
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Logic3 releases iPod dock with valve amplifier
iPod docks, as I’ve said before, are ten-a-penny around here. They’re not the most exciting product to write about, and every company in the world makes one. This, however, is something special. It’s got valves.
If you don’t know why that’s good, then go ask your neighborhood audiophile. It basically makes the music sound ‘warmer’, and valve amps have long been praised for the lovely feel that they give to sound and music. Of course they’re not cheap. This model costs £300. For that, you’re getting lovely lovely sound, a pair of 40W speakers (though you can plug in whatever speakers you like) and two auxiliary inputs, for plugging in your TV or stereo. Full specs are over the jump.
Splash out on H2O Audio's iSH2 underwater iPod Shuffle case
If you’re a swimmer, then you’ll know what a pain it is when cases that claim to be ‘waterproof’ leak, and your iPod suddenly dies mid-breaststroke. Well, here’s a waterproof case that has won an award for best iPod Shuffle case of the year, and intriguingly, clips to the back of your head.
Makers H2O Audio reckon that it’ll go down to 3.6m deep, and because it’s positioned on the back of your head, it reduces “water drag”. It’ll attach easily to your googles, so it won’t fall off, though what the sound quality is like on the attached headphones when you’re underwater remains to be seen. Oh, and did I mention it costs £60? Pick it up from the H2O Audio website.
Related posts: American Flag iPod case | 45 iPod case – made out of an old 45 record
Turn your iPhone into a netbook with OLO Computer
Are you ready for the unholy matrimony of two of the year’s biggest technology trends? That’s right – soon you’ll be able to turn your iPhone into a Eee PC-style netbook. Simply slot your iPhone into the space where the trackpad normally sits, and then enjoy all your applications with a full mechanical keyboard and 8.9″ screen.
It’s a little bit reminiscent of the ill-fated Palm Foleo, which could have been the first netbook, but was instead cancelled after a wave of criticism along the lines of “but no-one would want to carry a tiny notebook computer around!”. I bet Palm are cursing the Eee PC every day…
"New Batteries Directive" could force Apple to ship European iPhone with removable battery
Critics of Apple’s decision to ship portable devices fitted with a non-removable battery may get their way if a new European Union directive is passed.
In simple terms, the “New Batteries Directive” is supposed to ensure that the batteries in gadgets must be easily removable prior to the device being disposed of…
Wozniak: the iPod is dying, and the iPhone's rubbish
Steve Wozniak, one of the founders of Apple Inc, reckons that the iPod has had its day, and doesn’t like the restrictions Apple have imposed on the iPhone. Wozniak, or Woz as he’s more commonly known, spoke to the Telegraph and said oversupply could bring the iPod down:
“The iPod has sort of lived a long life at number one. Things like, that if you look back to transistor radios and Walkmans, they kind of die out after a while. It’s kind of like everyone has got one or two or three. You get to a point when they are on display everywhere, they get real cheap and they are not selling as much.”
Yamaha intros four mini audio systems, all with iPod docks
While we try to limit the number of iPod-friendly audio equipment featured on Tech Digest these days, when something comes along from Yamaha it’s usually worth paying attention to, even if it does have a big slot in the top for Apple’s music player.
The latest mini systems from Yamaha aren’t necessarily the most attractive (they look a little bit “squished” for my liking) but they pack a fair punch specs wise…
Griffin Simplifi – iPod dock/card reader/USB hub combo device
We normally ignore most iPod dock releases here at Tech Digest. If we were to cover every single one, then you’d get three or four popping up each week. This one’s a bit different though. It integrates a 5-in-one card reader, and a USB hub. Much more useful….
