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: IvySkin

Website: www.ivyskin.com

Model: Xylo Glass

Price: $30

Compatible: iPhone 5

IvySkin Xylo Glass for iPhone 5

Many companies could be accused of "me too" copying of rivals after introducing glass screen protectors for iPhones, but IvySkin is one of few developers that have been pushing glass screen covers for years -- integrated into its cases. Now the company is selling Xylo Glass ($30), a set containing a piece of 0.5mm-thick screen-covering glass, back-covering film, and application tools for the iPhone 5. Unlike glass covers we've previously seen, IvySkin's comes in iPhone 5-matching white or black versions, enabling you to switch the front color of your device or preserve it as you prefer.

Company: Kingston Technology Company

Website: http://www.Kingston.com/

Model: MobileLite Wireless

Price: $TBD

Compatible: All iPod touches, iPhones + iPads with iOS 4.3 or later

Kingston MobileLite Wireless

Kingston's new MobileLite Wireless ($TBD) is the followup to its earlier Wi-Fi extra storage accessory Wi-Drive. Instead of built-in storage, this one uses user-provided external media -- a USB drive, microSD, or standard SD, to give your iOS device extra space for media files. It can communicate with up to three iPads, iPhones, or iPods at a time over Wi-Fi, sharing photos, videos, documents, and more. As it's still in the beta stages, we'll have more information, including a full review, once the software and hardware have been finalized. The beta unit shown here says "Wi-Drive+," but that will apparently not be part of the final product's name.

Company: Adonit

Website: www.Adonit.net

Model: Jot Touch 4

Price: $90

Compatible: iPad (3rd/4th-Gen), iPad mini

Adonit Jot Touch 4

Rebuilt for 2013, Adonit's Jot Touch 4 ($90, previously known as second-generation Jot Touch) is one of very few pressure-sensitive iPad styluses on the market, arriving at a lower price point with enhanced hardware and improved software support. On the surface, it looks extremely similar to its predecessor, sporting the same metal and rubber body, three buttons, power indicator light, and disc-based tip. But inside are a new Bluetooth 4 chip -- good for a month of battery life, versus eight hours in the original version -- which also enables the Jot Touch 4 to sync with iPads for "palm rejection," letting apps ignore accidental inputs caused by resting your hand on the screen. The pressure sensor inside now promises 2,048 levels of sensitivity, up from 256 in the original Jot Touch, though it remains to be seen whether the differences are actually noticeable in regular use. Adonit bundles this model with the same screw-on cap and magnetic USB charging dock as its predecessor, and offers it in red or dark gray variations. A tweaked Adonit logo on the side is the most obvious cosmetic differentiation.

Company: Scosche

Website: www.scosche.com

Model: boomBottle

Price: $150

Compatible: All iPads, iPhones, iPod nano 7G, iPod touch 2G/3G/4G/5G

Scosche boomBottle Weatherproof Sport Wireless Speaker

Packed with two 40mm speakers and a 10-hour battery, Scosche's new boomBottle ($150) is a rubber-coated, IPX4 splash proof tube designed to be used for music and speakerphone calls outdoors. Eight inches tall with a roughly 2.7" diameter, boomBottle can fit snugly into cupholders and water bottle cages with ease, or attach with a spring-loaded metal hook to a bag or belt. The peak volume level is close to JBL's Flip, with ample volume, midrange and bass for good outdoor listening, and voice prompting helps with initial Bluetooth pairing. Splashproof rubber caps protect the rear charging port, aux-in port, power, and volume buttons. Four different colors (black, green, blue, or pink) are available, each with black endcaps for the speaker drivers; Scosche will include both a USB charging cable and travel pouch.