iLounge

Yamaha has unveiled its new PDX-11 portable speaker for the iPhone and iPod. The PDX-11 features a rugged, octagon-shaped body, with a top-mounted dock and metal handle, a two-way speaker setup with a four-inch woofer and a dedicated tweeter, an included remote, the ability to run off AC power or six AA alkaline batteries, and a 3.5mm stereo input jack. Yamaha’s PDX-11 portable speaker for the iPhone and iPod is available now in white, dark blue, green, or black, and sells for $100.

iLounge has learned that Jawbone plans on adding a new, larger model to its Jambox speaker lineup. Called the Jambox Big, the follow-up to the company’s prior Jambox will retail for $300, and will be available in three colors—anthracite, red, and white. Jambox Big is expected to continue the earlier unit’s combination of rubber and textured metal design elements, with wireless speaker hardware inside. We have reached out to Jawbone for further details on the product and will update this article with further details.

Soundfreaq has introduced its new Sound Stack Bluetooth speaker dock for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod. The company’s largest system, the Sound Stack offers a “2.2” channel speaker configuration, with two full-range drivers and two active subwoofers that work in a push-pull configuration to provide increased low-end response. Other features include the company’s proprietary UQ3 spacial sound enhancement, a front-mounted dock compatible with the iPhone, iPad, and iPod, a universal USB charging port, Bluetooth for wireless music streaming, an FM radio, and the ability to be controlled by the company’s Soundfreaq Remote app for iOS. Soundfreaq’s Sound Stack Bluetooth speaker dock for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod is available now and sells for $400.

Twelve South has debuted its new PlugBug iPad/iPhone Charger + MacBook Plug Attachment. Designed to piggyback onto Apple’s MacBook Power Adapter, the PlugBug features a red body with a single USB port, offering 10 watts of power for the fastest possible charging of an iPad or iPhone, and allows the user to charge both a MacBook and an iPad or iPhone from a single outlet. The PlugBug also functions as a standalone wall charger for iPads, iPhones, and iPods, and is available now for $35.

Grayscale has unveiled its new Cdock for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. Designed for use with the myriad of clock apps available, the Cdock is an iPhone clock dock, offering a 1.25-inch thick walnut housing, a six-foot USB charging cable, an opening in the front for full access to the docked device, and a front faceplate made from black or white resin, brushed aluminum, or walnut. Pricing for the Cdock varies from $55 to $70; it is available for pre-order now.

ThinkGeek has introduced its new IRIS 9000 voice control module for the iPhone & Siri. Modeled after the HAL 9000 artificial intelligence computer from 2001: A Space Odyssey, the IRIS features a built-in microphone and speaker—and included remote control—for activating and interacting with Siri from across a room, and a glowing LED eye that flickers along with Siri’s voice. ThinkGeek is now accepting emails for notification when the IRIS 9000 is available, and expects to ship it next year at a price of $60.

Geneva Lab has unveiled its new Model XS sound system for the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and other portable media devices. Yet to receive a formal debut in the U.S., the Model XS is a portable audio system featuring a flip-open design inspired by classic travel clocks, a sturdy, integrated leather-like clamshell case, two one-inch tweeters and a 2.25-inch woofer—individually powered and chambered for improved sound—Bluetooth 2.1 A2DP for wireless audio streaming, a digital FM tuner, a digital clock with alarm, an LED display, backlit, touch-sensitive controls, a 3.5mm line-in jack for connecting other audio sources, an integrated, rechargeable 2,700mA lithium battery, and a piano-lacquered composite cabinet. Geneva Lab’s Model XS sound system comes in white, black, or red, and will soon be able to order in the UK market for £179, or roughly $285.

iSkin has debuted its new Glam screen protectors for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. Available in three colors, the Glam offers ultra-clear, touch-sensitive access to the iPhone’s Retina Display, a similarly clear window for full access to the front-facing camera and sensors, and a glittery, metallic finish covering the rest of the face, save for the Home button. iSkin’s Glam screen protectors for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S are available now in pink, silver, and purple, and sell for $20 each.

XtremeMac has introduced its new InCharge Sync dock and InCharge Home charger for the iPod, iPhone, and iPad. The InCharge Sync is a desktop docking solution featuring an adjustable rear support to accomodate different device depths and encased devices, and an including 4’ USB to mini USB cable for charging and syncing. The InCharge Home is a low-profile wall charger, offering 10 Watts of power for fast charging of all Apple portable devices, collapsible prongs for added portability, a design that allows access to a second wall outlet, and an included, detachable 4’ USB to 30 pin cable. Both the InCharge Sync and InChange Home are available now and sell for $30 each.

Audyssey has debuted its new Lower East Side Audio Dock Air sound system for iTunes, iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. The Lower East Side Audio Dock Air features built-in Wi-Fi for AirPlay music streaming support, and also offers Audessey’s Smart Speaker technology for rich sound. Specifications include two one-inch tweeters, two three-inch midrange woofers, two four-inch passive bass radiators, a 3.5mm input, a headphone output, and a weight of five pounds. Audyssey’s Lower East Side Audio Dock Air is expected to ship next month and will carry an MSRP of $399, which the company suggests will result in street pricing around $349.

Scosche has announced that it is now shipping its clipSync Charge and Sync cable for the iPod and iPhone. Introduced at the 2011 CES in January, the clipSync is a compact charge and sync cable offering full-size USB and dock connectors, both of which are stored inside an attached aluminum and black polycarbonate body that also sports a built-in, spring-loaded carabiner clip. Scosche’s clipSync Charge and Sync cable for the iPod and iPhone is available now and sells for $20; for more information, see our First Look article.

Apparent today unveiled its new Doxie Go portable scanner for Mac, PC, and iOS. Doxie is a cordless scanner featuring a built-in battery and 600 page memory with an SD slot for expansion,  the ability to scan a full color page in just eight seconds and create searchable PDFs using ABBYY OCR technology, a USB port for syncing scanned documents to the Doxie software on the Mac, PC, or iOS device, and the ability to send scanned documents and images to cloud services such as Evernote, Dropbox, Google Docs, and others. Doxie Go will come with the scanner itself, Doxie 2.0 software, and a carrying case, and will ship in late November for $199. Pre-orders are open now; iOS compatibility will require the use of an extra accessory, which is set to ship this December for $39.

iSkin has rolled out its new Aura case for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, as well as the Aura2 for iPad 2. The Aura for iPhone 4/4S combines a thin hard polycarbonate frame and a metallic brushed aluminum exterior, and offers open access to all ports, controls, and cameras. It is available in graphite, navy, and silver and sells for $40. The Aura2 for iPad 2 is a folio-style case offering interior microfiber lining, a brushed metallic nylon exterior, an integrated multi-angle stand, interior card pockets, open access to all ports and controls, and compatibility with the iPad 2’s automatic sleep/wake feature. Initially available in navy only, it is priced at $100.

Swedish headphone maker Jays has debuted its new t-Jays Four stereo music headset for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Based on the company’s prior t-Jays earphones, the t-Jays Four is an in-ear headset featuring 10mm TCD drivers, an inline MEMS microphone and three-button remote, Kevlar-reinforced dividable cables with a microphonics-reducing clip, the ability to wear the cable behind the ear or straight down, five sets of silicone sleeves for a precise fit, and an included carrying case. Jays’ t-Jays Four stereo music headset for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod is expected to ship in November for $129.

IK Multimedia has announced that it is now shipping its iRig MIDI Core MIDI interface for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. The iRig MIDI is a dock-connecting accessory that offers users three MIDI ports—in, out, and thru—as well as two LEDs to show MIDI input and output activity, a micro USB port for the connected iOS device can charge while in use, included 1.6m MIDI 5-pin DIN cables, and compatibility with nearly any MIDI hardware device—such as keyboards, synthesizers, drum machines, drum pads, and pedal boards—and any Core MIDI-compatible app—including the company’s own SampleTank and Apple’s GarageBand. IK Multimedia’s iRig MIDI interface is compatible with the third- and fourth-generation iPod touch, the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPad, and iPad 2, and sells for $70.

Griffin Technology has unveiled the Woogie 2, the second version of its plush toy/case for the iPhone and iPod touch. Made from soft, colorful, and certified non-toxic materials, the Woogie 2 features five “legs” for propping up the device, and an integrated pocket with a velcro closure and touch-through screen protector. Griffin’s Woogie 2 case/toy for the iPhone and iPod touch is available now and sells for $20.

JBL has released the On Tour iBT, a new battery powered one-piece speaker that incorporates Bluetooth wireless technology to stream audio wirelessly from the iPad, iPhone, iPod or other A2DP capable devices. Weighing just over one pound, the On Tour iBT is designed for portability and can be easily carried in a backpack or purse. The unit also includes a tabletop stand for an iPad in portrait or landscape mode allowing the iBT to function as an audio output for video playback. The On Tour iBT features four Odyssey full-range neodymium transducers with computer optimized digital signal processing equalization for detailed, 360-degree sound and supports both the A2DP and AVRCP Bluetooth audio profiles. A built-in microphone also allows the unit to be used as a speakerphone for conference calls or video chats. The speaker is powered by four AA batteries or an external AC power source; when connected to a wall outlet the iBT can also charge an iPad, iPhone or iPod via a built-in USB connection. The JBL On Tour iBT sells for $150 and is available from JBL.com and other JBL retailers.

Harman Kardon has released the MS 150, a new high-performance shelf stereo system that provides an iPhone/iPod Dock, slot-loading CD player and FM radio tuner. The unit features integrated 30-watt bass-reflex speakers for room-filling sound and a subwoofer output for direct connection to a powered subwoofer. Three auxiliary audio inputs are available to allow devices to be connected, including one 3.5mm optical-digital input. The system also includes front and back 3.5mm headphone jacks for private listening and component and S-Video outputs for displaying photos and videos from a connected iPod or iPhone. An LCD display on top of the device shows RDS information from FM radio stations or iPod/iPhone track information. The MS 150 also includes an alarm and sleep timer feature, two preset equalization modes for table or wall placement and an infrared remote control. The Harman Kardon MS 150 has a suggested retail price of $690 and is available now in select retail stores.

Plantronics has released the Marque M155, a new app-enabled Bluetooth headset designed specifically for iPhone and Android devices. Weighing in at just 7 grams, the M155 offers voice-guided pairing for the iPhone and integrated voice recognition for hands-free answering or rejecting of incoming calls. Stereo Bluetooth A2DP support is also included for listening to music, podcasts and other audio such as GPS directions.

The Marque M155 also integrates with Plantronics free MyHeadset app which provides users with quick pairing and setup features and sound quality testing. The app also includes access to Plantronics’ Vocalyst Voice and Text service that provides hands-free voice control for sending e-mail or text messages, posting updates to Facebook and Twitter or checking weather and news information. Vocalyst is a subscription-based service with a one-year subscription included with the purchase of the Marque. The Marque M155 is available in black or white for $60 and available for pre-order today at Amazon.com, Plantronics.com and select retailers and wireless carriers.

Gear4 has announced pricing and availability for its new lineup of licensed speakers based on Rovio’s iconic mobile game Angry Birds. Three different models will be available, each based on a popular game character: Red Bird, Black Bird and the Helmet Pig. The Red Bird speaker will sell for $80 and allows playback via a 3.5mm audio cable for compatibility with any audio player and includes a stand. The Green Helmet Pig speaker is priced at $100 and includes an integrated Dock for the iPod and iPhone along with volume and bass controls and a remote control. The Black Bird speaker is optimized for the iPad providing an external Dock and iPad charging support and also includes a remote control and volume and bass controls. All three speakers are expected to be available later this fall in Apple Stores and can be pre-ordered online at Gear4.