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: XtremeMac

Website: www.xtrememac.com

Model: InCharge Auto

Price: $25

Compatible: iPad (2010), iPhones, iPods

XtremeMac InCharge Auto for iPad

The latest version of XtremeMac's InCharge Auto car charger is called InCharge Auto for iPad ($25), adding 2.1-Amp charging capabilities to a previously iPod- and iPhone-only charging design. Featuring a single straight power cable rather than the coiled ones that have appeared in some past XtremeMac car chargers, the new InCharge Auto is made with black and gray plastics, features a small, slim Dock Connector, and has a LED power indicator and safety fuse built in. As with all 2.1-Amp chargers, it is downwards-compatible with the iPhone and iPod families while offering full-speed recharging of the iPad.

Company: Jensen/Spectra Merchandising International

Website: www.Spectraintl.com

Models: JiMS-205i, JiMS-260i

Prices: $80-$100

Compatible: iPod 5G, classic, mini, nano, touch, iPhone, iPhone 3G/3GS, iPhone 4

Jensen JiMS-205i + JiMS-260i Digital Music Systems for iPod + iPhone

Over the past few years, Jensen has made a name for itself as a developer of quality budget-priced iPod and iPhone speaker systems, including some that have actually represented price and performance breakthroughs. The company's latest speakers are JiMS-205i ($80, also known as Docking Digital Music System for iPod and iPhone) and JiMS-260i ($100, also known as Wall-Mountable Docking Digital Music System with CD for iPod and iPhone); the subtitles tell quite a bit of each system's story. JiMS-205i is a 10-watt all-in-one system with a 10-preset digital FM tuner and a simple alarm clock in its base, with blue button illumination and a video line out as standout features. By comparison, JiMS-260i packs the same modest 10-watt power into a three-piece unit that has two floating speaker enclosures and a central amplifier, radio, CD player, and iPod/iPhone dock hub, connected by wires that are permanently fused to the components. This model has detachable stands for all three of the parts, as well as a wall hanging kit, and preserves the FM tuner, video out, blue lights, and integrated clock features of the 205i. While both of the systems feel lightweight, they're inexpensive, and bundled with both remote controls and power supplies.

Company: Sena Cases

Website: www.senacases.com

Model: iPhone 4 Cases

Price: $45-$60

Compatible: iPhone 4

Sena Cases Magnet Flipper, Sarach Leatherskin, Walletbook, Walletskin + Walletslim for iPhone 4

Made in Turkey from visibly impressive-looking Italian leather, Sena's new lineup of iPhone 4 cases is largely comprised of sequels to prior-generation versions. Shown first in our photos is the basic playthrough case Sarach Leatherskin ($60), which has distinctive contrasting side stitching and an open face with no belt clip attachment. A step up in complexity is Walletslim ($45), which grafts two credit card-sized compartments to a frame that's otherwise quite like Leatherskin, minus the side stitches, and followed by Walletskin ($52), which adds four total card-sized compartments -- including one see-through ID holder -- to a playthrough design, half of them on a flap that closes to hide everything inside. Walletskin adds an optional plastic belt clip with a metal mounting nub and screw, parts that aren't included or optional for the prior two cases. The last two cases are shown together in our final photo; both use front flaps that we've mentioned in prior case coverage that we find inconvenient for iPhone protection. The vertical version is called Magnet Flipper ($52), which seals shut with a magnet, and the other is Walletbook ($52), shown in green, which has two card compartments and one cash compartment, folding closed like a book with a snap on the back. Magnet Flipper includes an optional belt clip and nub; Walletbook does not.

Company: Belkin

Website: www.belkin.com

Model: Grip Vue, Shield Eclipse, Shield Micra + Verve Cinema

Price: $25-$30

Compatible: iPhone 4

Belkin Grip Vue, Shield Eclipse, Shield Micra + Verve Cinema for iPhone 4

Belkin's latest collection of iPhone 4 cases has a hint of that old wedding rhyme going for it: something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. The simplest of the cases is Shield Micra ($25), a clear hard plastic shell that covers iPhone 4's back and most of its sides while leaving its face, top, and bottom exposed -- it's one of Apple's free iPhone 4 Case Program giveaway options. Next up is the more advanced and interesting Shield Eclipse ($30), which uses a mix of clear hard plastic and opaque soft plastic to provide coverage for everything except the iPhone 4 screen, with camera, port, and ringer switch holes. Novel here is the use of clear plastic for only half of the iPhone's back, as most cases go either with a fully clear rear panel or none at all. By comparison, the all soft plastic Grip Vue ($25) uses frosted clear translucent material to provide nearly identical coverage; it's probably our favorite of the bunch. Finally, Verve Cinema ($30) is a faux leather and contrast-stitched, colored fabric case in the style of classic Incase iPhone designs, using Velcro to hold closed and a new elastic and fabric loop in the back to serve as a video stand. All four of the cases are sold without screen protection and have modest Belkin logos on their backs.