iLounge

First Looks

Welcome to our new, continuously-updated First Looks - a collection of previews showing brand new iPod and iPhone accessories that we’re currently in the process of testing. For additional peeks at new accessories, check out our Free iPod + iPhone Book 4 and 2009 iPod + iPhone Buyers' Guide, already available online. Here’s what’s hot right now:

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Company: Vestalife

Website: www.Vesta-life.com

Model: Ladybug II

Price: $100

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

Vestalife Ladybug II Speaker Dock for iPod + iPhone

Only a handful of companies truly understand how to riff on Apple's industrial design, and Vestalife is one of them: as the developer of the original Ladybug, it has just finalized three new speakers that build upon that breakthrough expanding globe concept, each with iPhone compatibility, three color schemes -- black chrome with soft touch silver, black, or red finish -- and individual twists. Ladybug II ($100) is physically larger and more powerful than the original model, but otherwise the same in shape and features, while lowering its price. Firefly ($130) is roughly the same size as Ladybug II, but with softer curved wings that look even cooler when closed, and open more narrowly. Mantis ($180) has a powerful subwoofer, a large base, and massive metal grilles for its wings. All three run off of international wall adapters or four AA batteries, and are packaged with audio cables, five Dock Adapters, and an identical Infrared remote control. Photos don't do full justice to their rounded beauty.

Company: Capdase

Website: www.capdase.com

Model: Karapace

Price: $16

Compatible: iPhone 3G, 3GS

Capdase Karapace Protective Case for iPhone 3G + 3GS

It's no secret that we're not fans of the numerous modestly protective semi-shells that have been released over the past year or so for the iPhone 3G and 3GS, and strictly speaking, Capdase's new Karapace Protective Cases ($16) are no better: they have the same goofy-looking Apple logo cutouts as we've seen in innumerable Korean and Chinese OEM shells, plus two more holes at the bottom for a wriststrap that isn't included, and basically no front bezel protection. But they're cosmetically a little cooler due to some translucent metallic finishes that range from straight silver to blue- and red-tinted, alternating with a red and black version that has clear coat on top of a seemingly random metallic trace pattern. Due to their translucence, the blue and red cases tend to get washed out on a white iPhone 3G or 3GS; they all look equally good on black iPhones, but also attract fingerprints like crazy. Capdase packs them with cheap-looking neoprene sleeves, plastic video clips, screen protectors and Apple logo protectors.

Company: iKit

Website: www.iKit.com

Model: NuFlow

Price: $40

Compatible: iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS

iKit NuFlow Charger Dock + Amp

Billed as an iPhone audio amplifier that requires no power, iKit's NuFlow ($40) is a hollow plastic shell with a speaker grille on the front and a mini USB port in the back. Holes in its iPhone dock enable it to pass any iPhone's sound into its amplification chamber, achieving a volume increase of "up to 10 decibels," while a USB cable and European-only wall charger are included if you want to sync and/or charge the iPhone inside. It's also capable of being turned on its side with the iPhone plugged in to perform in widescreen mode.

Company: Kensington

Website: www.Kensington.com

Model: USB Car Charger

Price: $20

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

Kensington USB Car Charger for iPhone and iPod

Car charging accessories are common but rarely sexy; most companies these days seem to be competing to make last year's chargers smaller rather than adding major new features. Kensington's new USB Car Charger for iPhone and iPod ($20) is a prime example, packaging a black USB-to-Dock Connector cable with a very small charging bulb -- it's only a little taller than the third-generation iPod shuffle. Merely for charging rather than audio-out, it's the smallest car charger we can recall seeing, and reasonably priced.

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