iLounge

IK Multimedia has debuted its new iKlip Mini microphone stand adapter for the iPhone and iPod touch. Made from durable thermoplastic and compatible with every existing iPhone and iPod touch model, the iKlip Mini firmly attaches to most microphone stands, and offers multi-angle adjustment and rotation for use of the device in vertical or horizontal orientation, full access to all controls, ports, and cameras of the device, arms on the sides and a lip on the bottom for a secure grip, and an included, detachable iRig bracket. IK Multimedia’s iKlip is expected to ship in August and will sell for $40.

Numark has announced its new iDJ Live accessory for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. Developed in conjunction with Algoriddim, the company behind the djay apps for iOS, the iDJ Live is an iOS DJ controller for djay and other CoreMIDI-enabled iOS apps, featuring a 30-pin connection to the device, two large performance platters, a central mixer section with a crossfader, buttons, and knobs, a stand for the iPad, and a custom audio cable for connecting to a sound system and headphones. Numark’s iDJ Live for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch is available now and sells for around $100; for more information on Algoriddim’s djay app, see our full review.

Incase has rolled out its new Pro Slider Case for the iPhone 4. The Pro Slider features a rubberized bumper that surrounds the edges and corners of the device, offering enhanced protections from drops and bumps, two soft interior pads to protect the back of the device, a glossy finish, a two-piece, slide-together design, push-through coverage for the volume and sleep/wake buttons, open access to all other ports, controls, and cameras, an included stand, and compatibility with both GSM and CDMA versions of the device. Incase’s Pro Slider Case for the iPhone 4 is available now in four colorways and sells for $35.

Photojojo has unveiled its new iPhone SLR Mount for the iPhone 4. The new mount consists of an aluminum case, an SLR lens adapter, and a UV filter; the case offers open access to all ports and controls, and also features two loopholes for attaching a camera strap. By connecting a traditional SLR lens, the Mount promises to offer users a wide variety of effects and features based on the type of lens used. Photojojo’s iPhone SLR Mount for the iPhone 4 is available now for either Canon or Nikon lenses and sells for $249.

Soundfreaq has introduced its new Sound Step Recharge speaker for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod. The Sound Step Recharge is a 2.1 channel system featuring dual two-inch drivers, one three-inch driver, a UQ3 spacial enhancement processor, Bluetooth for audio streaming from compatible devices, a front-mounted dock offering charging compatibility with the iPad, iPhone, and iPod, a separate USB charging port, a rechargeable lithium ion battery good for up to six hours of audio playback, composite video output, a 3.5mm line input, and an integrated FM tuner. Soundfreaq’s Sound Step Recharge speaker for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod is available now and sells for $160.

V-Moda has unveiled its new V-80 on-ear headphones with styling inspired by the HBO series True Blood. The V-80 is made from steel, aluminum, Kevlar, microfiber suede, and other high-end materials, and features 40mm dual-diaphragm drivers, detachable Kevlar-reinforced cables with 24k gold-plated plugs, interchangeable metal ear shields on either side of the ear cushions, one 3.5mm fabric cable with an inline, single-button remote and mic box, one standard 3.5mm fabric cable, and an included exoskeleton carrying case with blood vial zipper. V-Moda’s True Blood V-80 on-ear headphones are available now and sell for $230.

Performance Designed Products (PDP) has debuted its Gotality fitness solution for the iPhone and iPod touch. The Gotality solution includes a 30-pin connecting ear clip heart monitor, whihc is used to calculate fitness zones, calories burned, and ideal work out levels, a reflective armband compatible with all iPhone and iPod touch models, and a tape measure to track progress. The heart rate sensor works in conjunction with the company’s free app to monitor and keep track of health-related statistics. PDP’s Gotality fitness solution for the iPhone and iPod touch is available now and sells for $60.

SuperTooth has announced that it is now shipping its SuperTooth HD Bluetooth speakerphone. Designed primarily for in-car use, the SuperTooth HD features dual 2.5 watt speakers, dual microphones with anti-echo and noise cancellation features, voice commands for answering calls, selecting pre-dialed numbers, and checking the battery level, a Dial2Do Handset Assistant feature that lets users compose and send Facebook, Twitter, email, and SMS messages via voice—the unit comes with a free six-month trial—A2DP music streaming support, multi-point technology for connecting up to two devices simultaneously, up to 20 hours of talk time from a single charge of the integrated, rechargeable battery, and an included USB cable and in-car charger. SuperTooth’s SuperTooth HD Bluetooth speakerphone is available now and sells for $129; for more information, see our full review.

iLounge has learned that the costs involved with adding AirPlay functionality and Thunderbolt support to devices may be limiting the adoption of the Apple co-developed standards. Regarding AirPlay, sources have noted that the cost of adding AirPlay music streaming support to a set of speakers results in a retail price bump of around $100, making it unlikely that the standard will be widely adopted in lower-priced audio systems for the foreseeable future. Our sources have described the AirPlay technologies as considerably more expensive to incorporate than Apple’s standard docking Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad Dock Connectors, and noted that Apple is very heavily pushing developers to adopt the wireless technologies despite the costs involved.

We similarly have learned that the price of the components required to add a Thunderbolt port to an external hard drive is roughly equal to the cost of a low-end hard drive itself, a high cost that one developer has suggested will limit Thunderbolt’s near-term use to products aimed at the professional market. This high cost structure also makes it unlikely that Apple will integrate Thunderbolt ports in its iOS devices in the immediate future—a feature that many people have guessed would be available for iPads—and would partially explain Apple’s drive to push for Wi-Fi-based synchronization in iOS 5.

Despite these facts, a number of companies are actively readying AirPlay- or Thunderbolt-ready products for introduction in the coming months, and we’ve seen at least one speaker system—Philips’ Fidelio AD7000W—that was priced as low as $230, setting a new price floor for AirPlay audio systems. It remains to be seen when or if costs will come down further to promote more widespread adoption of the accessories.

Philips has debuted a number of new AirPlay-enabled speaker systems at CE Week 2011. Based on the company’s previously-revealed Fidelio SoundSphere DS9800W system—which will launch in the U.S. this month for $799—the Fidelio SoundSphere DS6800W system features a handcrafted enclosure made from real wood, a silver and black color scheme, “floating” speakers, an auxiliary input for connection of other audio sources, and built-in Wi-Fi for AirPlay music streaming support. It wil be available this holiday season and will sell for $500.

The Fidelio DS8800W is a desktop-style, one-piece system offering 2x15W RMS total output power, neodymium drivers, bass pipes for enhanced bass reproduction, an included remote control, and built-in Wi-Fi for AirPlay music streaming support. It will sell for $400 and is expected to ship this July. The circular Fidelio DS3881W features 16W RMS of total output, a 360-degree surround sound effect, a compact design, a rechargeable battery, an auxiliary input, and built-in Wi-Fi for AirPlay music streaming support. It will be available this holiday season for $329. Finally, the Fidelio AD7000W is a compact, desktop-style system featuring an aluminum and fabric finish, 10W RMS of total output, auxiliary and USB inputs, the latter of which can charge and play a connected iPod, iPhone, or iPad, and built-in Wi-Fi for AirPlay music streaming support. It will also be available this holiday season, and will sell for $229.

Incase has announced its upcoming line of headphones, which it is calling Incase Audio. The new lineup, which is all black with lime green accents, consists of four models: the Sonic Over Ear, Reflex On Ear, Pivot On Ear, and Capsule In Ear. According to the company, each model features custom-tuned drivers, designs made to match the natural shape of the ear and head, and an integrated microphone and remote for use with Apple devices. Incase’s new line of Incase Audio headphones will be available this Fall; pricing has yet to be announced.

G-Technology, well-known for its storage solutions, has introduced its new G-Connect wireless storage solution for the iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, and other mobile devices. Sporting a 500GB hard drive, the G-Connect creates an 802.11n wireless network, allowing it to share content with up to five devices simultaneously, and, when connected to the Internet via the built-in Ethernet port, can also serve as a Wi-Fi access point. Other features include a USB 2.0 port for fast transfer of media from a computer, automatic discovery and organization of files into photos, videos, music, and documents categories, app-based access from iOS devices, password protection, a personal “private” folder, and AirPlay support. G-Technology’s G-Connect wireless storage solution for iOS will be available in July and will sell for $200.

Marshall has updated its Major Over-Ear Headphones with a new in-line remote and microphone module. The single-button, Apple-friendly remote can be used to play, pause, and skip tracks, and can also be used to answer and end phone calls. Other features include 40mm dynamic drivers, soft ear cushions, an included 6.3mm adapter for use with amplifiers and larger stereos, a collapsible design, and styling reminiscent of the company’s on-stage amplifiers and audio gear. Marshall’s Major Over-Ear Headphones are available now and sell for $119.

Audio-Technica has announced that it will show its new line of Solid Bass Headphones at CE Week 2011. The new line will include the ATH-CKS50BK In-Ear Headphones, featuring 12.5mm direct diaphragm drivers, an elastomer sheath cable, two sound chambers for improved bass response, and an included carrying pouch and ear tips. They will sell for $70. The ATH-CKS70 In-Ear Headphones also offer 12.5mm direct diaphragm drivers and dual sound chambers, but also feature a two-position post for better fit and sound isolation, titanium construction, an included carry pouch and ear tips, and an L-type plug. They will sell for $120.

The lineup will also include two pairs of Over-Ear Headphones. The ATH-WS50BK will feature 40mm drivers, an adjustable headband, acoustically-sealed oval ear pads for reduced sound leakage, double air chambers for improved bass, and a foldable design, and will sell for $100. The ATH-WS70 Over-Ear Headphones will also feature dual chambers, an adjustable headband, foldable design, and 40mm drivers, but add a machined aluminum housing for increased rigidity and vibration reduction, as well as soft insulating ear pads. They will sell for $150; release dates for the new lineup have yet to be announced.

iHome, Philips, and RCA have all debuted new iPad-ready docking speaker systems. Shown by the company at the 2011 CES, the iHome iD85 is a dual-alarm clock radio for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod, featuring a top-mounted dock, one-button sync of the iD85’s clock to the device’s an AM/FM radio, EQ controls, Reson8 sound technology, an auxiliary input, and support for the company’s iHome+Sleep and iHome+Radio apps. It is available now and sells for $140.

Philips’ Rise and Shine DC291/37 is an aluminum clock radio for iPad, iPhone, and iPod, featuring a top-mounted dock, automatic clock synchronization, 10W RMS of total power, a digital FM tuner, a front-facing LCD display, a 3.5mm input, weekday/weekend alarm settings, and neodymium drivers. It sells for $120; a dual-dock version, the DC390/37, has yet to be released.

Finally, RCA has introduced its Ri173 Sound System for the iPod, iPhone, and iPad, featuring a slim design, a top-mounted dock, a digital FM tuner, stereo speakers, digital volume control, and an included remote control. It is available now and sells for $100.

Withings has announced that it is now shipping its Blood Pressure Monitor for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch in the U.S. Shown during the 2011 CES in Las Vegas, the Blood Pressure Monitor is a compact blood pressure cuff with integrated motor and battery pack that connects to an iOS device via a 30-pin cable and works with the company’s free app to display results and track them over time with graphs that can be shared via email with a physician. Withings’ Blood Pressure Monitor for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch is available now and sells for $130.

ThinkGeek has debuted a new, smaller version of its Joystick-It physical joystick accessory compatible with the iPhone and iPod touch. Like the prior version for iPad, the Joystick-It for iPhone and iPod touch is made from solid milled aluminum, can be placed overtop any virtual on-screen control, and can be removed and repositioned without harming the screen. ThinkGeek’s Joystick-It for iPhone and iPod touch is available now and sells for $18; the iPad version sells for $25, or in a two-pack for $40.

Griffin Technology has announced its new DJ Cable, with works with the djay app from Algoriddim to enable new functionality in the iOS app. Unlike standard splitter cables, the DJ Cable is specifically wired for djay’s Split Output mode, which sends the master speaker output to the left channel and the cue output to the right channel, letting the user cue songs through their headphones independently of the live mix that is sent to the speakers. The cable offers a male end for connection to the headphone port of an iOS device, as well as two female ports for connection to headphones and a set of speakers or amp. Griffin’s new DJ Cable is available now and sells for $20.

JVC has introduced its new RV-NB70 Kaboom! boombox for iPod and iPhone. In keeping with the line’s lineage, which dates to 1998, the latest Kaboom! features an oversized, tube-like design, 40 watts of total power, 3-3/16” full-range drivers, 5-1/8” subwoofers, a central iPod/iPhone dock with a sealing door to prevent damage, a USB port for connecting other audio sources, a CD player, an FM radio, an auxiliary input, a 1/4-inch guitar/mic input with mixing capabilities, video output, the ability to run off wall power or 10 D cell batteries, and an included shoulder strap and remote control. JVC’s new RV-NB70 Kaboom! boombox for iPod and iPhone is available now and sells for $300.

Griffin Technology has announced that it is now shipping its Beacon Universal Remote Control System for iOS devices. Winner of an iLounge Best of Show 2011 Finalist award, the Beacon connects to iOS devices over Bluetooth, allowing for remote control—via Dijit’s free Universal Remote app—of TVs, cable boxes, and other home entertainment components. Other features include a low-profile design, a constantly updated device code library with learning functionality, a built-in program guide, and battery life of up to eight weeks under heavy usage from four AA batteries. Griffin’s Beacon Universal Remote Control System is available now and sells for $80.