iLounge

First Looks

Welcome to our new, continuously-updated First Looks - a collection of previews showing brand new iPod accessories that we’re currently in the process of testing. For additional peeks at new iPod accessories, check out our Free iPod Book 3.3 and 2008 iPod + iPhone Buyers' Guide, already available online. Here’s what’s hot right now:

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Company: Kensington

Website: www.Kensington.com

Model: LiquidAUX

Price: $80

Compatible: All iPods

Kensington LiquidAUX for iPhone and iPod

We think of it as a spiritual sequel to Belkin's classic Auto Kit for iPod: Kensington's new LiquidAUX for iPhone and iPod ($80) combines an iPhone- and iPod-compatible car charger and interference-free audio cables with a wireless steering wheel-mounted remote control. You can pop the remote out of the rubber and Velcro mount to reorient it properly for your vehicle, or infrequently replace its battery; the charger has an integrated audio-out cable that can be extended with an included female-to-male adapter cable. All of the cabling is fabric-coated, while both the charger and remote have clean designs that look good in most dark car interiors.

Company: Boston Acoustics

Website: www.Bostonacoustics.com

Model: Horizon Duo-i

Price: $200

Compatible: iPod 4G, 5G, classic, mini, nano, touch

Boston Acoustics Horizon Duo-i

We aren't commonly excited these days by the exterior designs of iPod speaker systems, but we are extremely enthusiastic about the look and feel of Boston Acoustics' new Horizon Duo-i ($200), an upper-end iPod dual-alarm clock radio with significant speaker power, a very clean on-screen interface, and cool styling. You choose from dark gray ("midnight") or white ("mist") versions, each with soft touch rubber bodies and cool metal grilles that make the larger-than-standard-radio enclosure pleasant to look at and hold, while a large blue screen on the face can be adjusted with front-mounted buttons and dials. The iPod dock is on top, with a remote control bundled in the package to let you make adjustments -- including iPod track and volume, radio tuning, presets, and more -- from afar. Another interesting twist is color customization: Boston Acoustics separately sells replacement grille covers that transform the gray or white speakers into shades of blue, red, pink, or green. We'll have to see how the twin 3.5" speakers perform sonically, but we like the rest of this package quite a bit.

Company: Grantwood Technology

Website: www.Grantwoodtechnology.com

Model: Tuneband

Price: $20

Compatible: iPod nano (video)

Grantwood Technology Tuneband for iPod nano

Available in 8 colors, Grantwood Technology's Tuneband ($20) is a combination of a silicone rubber iPod nano case with a Velcro and fabric armband and a "cut it yourself" film screen protector. The case leaves the nano's bottom open for connection of the Nike + iPod Sport Kit and headphones, and the screen protector sheet has line drawings of the second- and third-generation nanos to help you snip out whatever film coverage you think you need. Tuneband is designed to be used with the company's Shoe Pouch, a Nike+ sneaker alternative that holds the Nike + iPod Sport Kit's Sensor.

Company: Griffin Technology

Website: www.GriffinTechnology.com

Model: Screen Care Kit

Price: $15

Compatible: iPod touch

Griffin Screen Care Kit for iPod touch

Similar to Power Support's Crystal Film, Griffin's new Screen Care Kit for iPod touch ($15) consists of a set of clear static cling screen protectors for the iPod touch, as well as a cleaning cloth. The difference is that Griffin includes five screen protectors and no back protectors, whereas Power Support's offering includes front and rear film protection.

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