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: Qmadix

Website: www.qmadix.com

Model: USB Twin Charging Kit 4.2

Price: $40

Compatible: All iPhones, iPod 4G/5G/classic, iPod nanos, iPod touches, iPads

Qmadix USB Twin Charging Kit 4.2

Qmadix' USB Twin Charging Kit 4.2 ($40) is one of the few dual-2.1A car chargers we've seen so far. This twin output setup means that the accessory is capable of charging two iPods, iPhones, or even iPads at the same time, each at full speed. It's slightly shorter than Scosche's similarly specced reVive II USB Car Chargers, but a little bit wider too. Included with the kit is one four foot USB Dock Connector cable; you can provide the second if you're going to charge two devices at once.

Company: Cavo Dock

Website: www.Cavodock.com/

Model: Cable Dock

Price: $15

Compatible: iPhone 3GS/4/4S

Cavodock Cable Dock for iPhone 3GS/4

Pitched as an inexpensive dock solution for iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 users -- presumably the iPhone 4S, as well -- Cavodock's Cable Dock ($15) requires you to supply your own USB to Dock Connector cable, wind it around the hard plastic base, and poke its tips out of the top and back; you then cover it with an included, colorful rubber bottom and insert your device into Cable Dock's top. While the accessory seemingly has room for encased iPhones, Cavodock notes that it "fits the iPhone 4 with some protective cases and iPhone 3GS without case;" the Dock Connector tip notably does not stick up enough inside the enclosure to make a proper connection with some of our favorite iPhone 4/4S cases. Cable Dock is offered in multiple colors, with glossy hard plastic tops that match the black and white iPhone models.

Company: SwitchEasy

Website: www.switcheasy.com

Models: Melt

Price: $35

Compatible: iPhone 4/4S

SwitchEasy Melt for iPhone 4/4S

SwitchEasy is following up its Avant-Garde Series of cases for iPhone 4 and 4S, with another three-dimensional design: Melt ($35). The setup of this is more like a traditional slider-style case though, with separate, differently colored top and bottom portions. Melt's gimmick is that, well, it looks like it's melting. Unlike many of SwitchEasy's cases, there's no button coverage, but the case does come with a whole array of goodies, including two screen protector films, a microfiber wipe, a squeegee, two universal dock adapters, a plastic stand, two headphone port protectors, and two Dock Connector protecters. A special white and red version of Melt is available for the holidays, only as long as supplies last.

Company: Pong Research Corporation

Website: http://www.pongresearch.com/

Model: Case and Cover for iPad 2

Price: $100

Compatible: iPad 2

Pong Research Corporation Case and Cover for iPad 2

Pong Research Corporation's new Case and Cover for iPad 2 ($99) is interesting for a few reasons: not only does it take the Smart Cover-style cover to the next level, but it also is specifically designed to reduce the amount of radiation your body absorbs while at the same time improving 3G performance. The case is composed of a Lexan shell with a faux leather backing that wraps around and forms the lid. While the bottom of the tablet is well protected, Pong chose to leave a long opening along the top exposing not only the headphone port, microphone, Sleep/Wake button, and camera, but also the 3G antenna on models with one. The lid folds into the same triangular stand as Apple's iPad Smart Cover, and extra folds and embedded magnets also allow it to fold in itself for more ways to prop the iPad 2 up. Like Smart Cover, Pong's Case and Cover uses magnets to automatically lock and unlock the iPad 2. In addition, the case uses a special design that ensures the 3G transmission is optimized while spreading and redistributing the electromagnetic radiation.