iLounge

First Looks

Welcome to our new, continuously-updated First Looks - a collection of previews showing brand new iPod accessories that we’re currently in the process of testing. For additional peeks at new iPod accessories, check out our Free iPod Book 3.3 and 2008 iPod + iPhone Buyers' Guide, already available online. Here’s what’s hot right now:

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Company: Kensington

Website: www.Kensington.com

Model: LiquidAUX

Price: $80

Compatible: All iPods

Kensington LiquidAUX for iPhone and iPod

We think of it as a spiritual sequel to Belkin's classic Auto Kit for iPod: Kensington's new LiquidAUX for iPhone and iPod ($80) combines an iPhone- and iPod-compatible car charger and interference-free audio cables with a wireless steering wheel-mounted remote control. You can pop the remote out of the rubber and Velcro mount to reorient it properly for your vehicle, or infrequently replace its battery; the charger has an integrated audio-out cable that can be extended with an included female-to-male adapter cable. All of the cabling is fabric-coated, while both the charger and remote have clean designs that look good in most dark car interiors.

Company: Boston Acoustics

Website: www.Bostonacoustics.com

Model: Horizon Duo-i

Price: $200

Compatible: iPod 4G, 5G, classic, mini, nano, touch

Boston Acoustics Horizon Duo-i

We aren't commonly excited these days by the exterior designs of iPod speaker systems, but we are extremely enthusiastic about the look and feel of Boston Acoustics' new Horizon Duo-i ($200), an upper-end iPod dual-alarm clock radio with significant speaker power, a very clean on-screen interface, and cool styling. You choose from dark gray ("midnight") or white ("mist") versions, each with soft touch rubber bodies and cool metal grilles that make the larger-than-standard-radio enclosure pleasant to look at and hold, while a large blue screen on the face can be adjusted with front-mounted buttons and dials. The iPod dock is on top, with a remote control bundled in the package to let you make adjustments -- including iPod track and volume, radio tuning, presets, and more -- from afar. Another interesting twist is color customization: Boston Acoustics separately sells replacement grille covers that transform the gray or white speakers into shades of blue, red, pink, or green. We'll have to see how the twin 3.5" speakers perform sonically, but we like the rest of this package quite a bit.

Company: JBL/Harman Multimedia

Website: www.jbl.com

Model: On Stage 200ID

Price: $150

Compatible: iPhone, Dock Connector iPods, Other iPods*

JBL On Stage 200ID

As the first substantially redesigned version of the On Stage in years, JBL's new On Stage 200ID ($150) is the second official "Works with iPhone" speaker on the market, and the most affordable. Capable of performing interference-free music from the iPhone and also Dock Connector-equipped iPods, On Stage 200ID is the family's first to use fabric speaker grilles, and preserves top-mounted volume controls and a rear power button. The system features JBL's Phoenix drivers and automatic equalization to optimize sound quality. It is packed with an Infrared remote control, and an audio cable for use with other devices.

Company: Grantwood Technology

Website: www.Grantwoodtechnology.com

Model: Tuneband

Price: $20

Compatible: iPod nano (video)

Grantwood Technology Tuneband for iPod nano

Available in 8 colors, Grantwood Technology's Tuneband ($20) is a combination of a silicone rubber iPod nano case with a Velcro and fabric armband and a "cut it yourself" film screen protector. The case leaves the nano's bottom open for connection of the Nike + iPod Sport Kit and headphones, and the screen protector sheet has line drawings of the second- and third-generation nanos to help you snip out whatever film coverage you think you need. Tuneband is designed to be used with the company's Shoe Pouch, a Nike+ sneaker alternative that holds the Nike + iPod Sport Kit's Sensor.

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