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: Audio-Technica

Website: www.AudioTechnica.com

Model: ATH-CKS55i

Price: $80

Compatible: All iPads, iPhones, and iPods

Audio-Technica ATH-CKS55i Solid Bass Inner Ear Headphones

Designed as a low-end option in its Solid Bass family of earphones, Audio-Technica's new ATH-CKS55i ($80) reuses a familiar-looking housing to "provide overwhelming bass sound." Though it includes four sets of silicone rubber tips that help the earphones stay in your ear canals, ATH-CKS55i achieves its low-end performance by using large earbud housings, featuring twin air chambers that create additional bass resonance. Each earbud has an adjustable post inside the silicone tip, so that you can improve fit and sound isolation. A three-button remote control and microphone capsule is integrated into this model.

Company: Audio-Technica

Website: www.AudioTechnica.com

Model: ATH-CP500i

Price: $60

Compatible: All iPads, iPhones, and iPods

Audio-Technica ATH-CP500i Waterproof Inner Ear Headphones

As part of Audio-Technica's "Players Line" of sports headphones, ATH-CP500i ($60) has a look and concept that we've seen many times in previous years -- earbuds with soft rubber loops that fit over your ears to keep the music playing even during workout or running tugs and jostles. Pitched as IPX5 waterproof -- washable, not submersible -- with an IPX2 rain-proof remote control unit, the ATH-CP500i does include Apple-specific three-button functionality, as well as an integrated microphone, so you can make calls and control audio playback while you're exercising. Audio-Technica also notes that the model uses a channeled listening port to minimize sound leakage, loops that stabilize the earphones in your ear canals, and an asymmetric cable design that limits accidental removal.

Company: Uniq Creation

Website: www.Uniqcreation.com

Model: Leather Cases

Price: $29-$35

Compatible: iPhone 4/4S

Uniq Creation Leather Cases for iPhone 4/4S

Uniq Creation has released four slightly different leather cases for the iPhone 4 and 4S -- actually one case with four different designs and names. Lolita, Mono+, Neon Blackout Cardi, and Soiree range in price from $29-$35, each a playthrough style case with an opening at the top for the iPhone to be inserted. This leaves the top edge exposed, allowing access to the side switch, headphone port, and Sleep/Wake button. At the bottom, there are openings for the mic, Dock Connector port, and speaker. Lolita and Soiree come with wrist straps; the other two do not; they primarily differ in coloration.

Company: Uniq Creation

Website: www.Uniqcreation.com

Model: Cabrio, The LBD

Price: $49/$TBD

Compatible: iPad 2/iPad (3rd-Gen)

Uniq Creation Cabrio + The LBD for iPad 2/iPad (3rd-Gen)

Uniq Creation has been open about the fact that it focuses more on the fashion of its cases than rethinking the shell and lid elements it sources. Its new Cabrio ($TBD) and The LBD ($49), both of which support the iPad 2 and the third-generation iPad, are actually somewhat plain, however. Cabrio uses the same "claw" design we've seen over and over again since the iPad 2's launch, but it is covered in faux leather with three nice color options available. The LBD, on the other hand, riffs on the structure we saw most recently on iLuv's Epciarp: the front cover is segmented into three columns that can fold into a stand, with a raised section of plastic on the back used to hold it in place. Both cases offer full access to all the ports and buttons. We certainly wouldn't mind seeing some of Uniq's cooler designs gracing the front of either of these models.