iLounge

First Looks

Welcome to our new, continuously-updated First Looks - a collection of previews showing brand new iPod, iPhone and iPad accessories that we’re currently in the process of testing. Here’s what’s hot right now:

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Company: Belkin

Website: www.belkin.com

Models: Dyle Mobile TV

Price: $130

Compatible: iPad, iPad 2, iPad (3rd-Gen), iPhone 4/4S

Belkin Dyle Mobile TV for iPad + iPhone (Dock Connector)

Announced in January 2012, Belkin's Dyle Mobile TV ($130) is a TV tuner for the iPhone and iPad, arriving a year and a half later with some pretty serious caveats. Reliant on the all-but-discontinued 30-Pin Dock Connector to connect to Apple's devices -- but compatible with Apple's Lightning to 30-Pin Adapter -- the black plastic Dyle Mobile TV sports a telescoping silver metal antenna to pick up local over-the-air TV broadcasts, as well as a watch battery compartment for power. A carrying case is included to make it easier to tote around when it's not in use. Once you load the Dyle app, you're prompted for a bit of demographic information to help the software figure out the local stations you can tune, providing a clean-looking list of options on the screen. Unfortunately, Dyle's service for whatever reason is location-restricted -- a coverage map showed no service at all in our area -- so the app can't actually display anything here for the time being. We'll revisit the accessory in the event that local support is added, but we were surprised to find it useless here given the lengthy development time.

Company: Cambridge Audio

Website: www.truprotection.com

Model: Minx Air 100 + 200

Price: $449-$599

Compatible: All Bluetooth-Capable iPads, iPhones + iPods

Cambridge Audio Minx Air 100 + 200 Bluetooth + AirPlay Wireless Speakers

Although we've covered hundreds of Bluetooth accessories and dozens of AirPlay alternatives, it's rare to see both wireless streaming technologies together in an all-in-one speaker. Cambridge Audio now has two of them: Minx Air 100 ($449) and Minx Air 200 ($599) look almost identical save for their size. They're both made of surprisingly substantial-feeling plastic and metal, with significant heft, though their speakers are somewhat surprising: 100 has twin 4" drivers, and 200 has twin 2.25" drivers with a 6" subwoofer. The numbers in their names represent their differing wattages. Each also has Internet Radio as an included feature. On the back, they both have a power input, bass control dial, AirPlay button, Ethernet port, Micro-USB port for service, aux in, and analog audio output. Max Air 100 and 200 come with three international power adapters, plus an Ethernet cable, and a remote with battery.

Company: Trü Protection

Website: www.truprotection.com

Model: Trü-Fit Anti-Glare Film Set

Price: $20

Compatible: iPhone 5

Trü Protection Trü-Fit Anti-Glare Film Set

Trü Protection is the latest film maker to incorporate an applicator set into its packaging with the release of the Trü-Fit Anti-Glare Film Set ($20). Available only for the iPhone 5, the kit includes a pair of the company's anti-glare films, as well as a cleaning cloth and two dustsheets. Once you've cleaned the iPhone's screen, you're instructed to remove one of two adhesive strips from the tray, lay down the film, and then insert the iPhone while pressing down. The result, ideally, is a perfect installation every time.

Company: HMDX

Website: www.hmdxaudio.com

Model: Jam Plus Wireless Speaker

Price: $60

Compatible: All Bluetooth-Capable iPads, iPhones + iPods

HMDX Jam Plus Bluetooth Wireless Speaker

Jam Plus Wireless Speaker ($60) is one of HMDX's newest products. Building on the general design of its original Jam, this new model is noteworthy in that it allows you to pair up with a second unit for stereo audio output. The battery inside isn't huge -- it only provides four hours of playback -- but it's not totally crazy for the price. Jam Plus comes in a number of bright colors, and each has physical controls on the front, plus power and aux inputs on the back.