iLounge

Griffin Technology has rolled out its new Helo TC Helicopter for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The Helo TC is a remote-controlled indoor helicopter featuring twin rotors, a lightweight metal frame, a plack polycarbonate body, and an included Flight Deck infrared module that plugs into an iOS device and transmits remote control signals to the helicopter via the Helo TC app. Users can choose between two flight modes—Touch Control, which uses the display to control the ‘copter’s throttle and joystick, and Tilt to Steer, which uses the device’s accelerometers for control—and can also store up to three Flight Plans allowing them to repeat favorite patterns easily. The Helo TC is powered by an integrated, USB-rechargeable battery, while the Flight Deck module is powered by four AAA batteries and connects to the device’s headphone jack. Griffin Technology’s Helo TC Helicopter is available now and sells for $50.

Energizer has introduced its new iSurge Travel Charging Station for the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and other devices. The iSurge is an all-in-one AC adapter offering a top-mounted 30-pin dock for the iPod and iPhone, two USB ports with 2.1 Amp output for fast charging of the iPad, 3 standard, surge-protected AC outlets, a 180-degree rotating plug, and an integrated nightlight. Energizer’s iSurge Travel Charging Station will sell for $60 and will be available in October.

Scosche has unveiled its new boomCan portable speaker for the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and other devices. Described by the company as slightly larger than a film canister, the boomCan features a 40mm driver to offer improved sound output when compared to the devices’ built-in speakers, a standard 3.5mm headphone jack connection, and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides up to seven hours of music playback on a single charge. Users can also daisy-chain multiple boomCan units together for increased output. Scosche’s boomCan portable speaker is available now in black, silver, blue, and red, and sells for $25.

RaceCase is now offering its GP case for the iPhone 4. The GP is a hybrid case with an upper portion made from CNC machined, aircraft-grade aluminum and a lower portion made from a proprietary composite material, and features CNC machined push-though covers for the volume and sleep/wake buttons, an anodized finish, headphone- and accessory-friendly dock connector and headphone ports, open access to all other ports, controls, and cameras, and a “superlight” lower case option. RaceCase’s GP case for the iPhone 4 is available in red, blue, and black and in separate versions for GSM and CDMA iPhone units, and sells for $60.

Incase has debuted its new Hybrid Cover case for the iPhone 4. The single-piece Hybrid Cover combines a flexible, soft rubber top for added cushioning and grip with a hardshell bottom that adds durability and a dual-finish look. Features include a topographic patten on the interior, push-through coverage for the volume and sleep/wake buttons, open access to all other ports, controls, and cameras, and compatibility with both GSM and CDMA models of iPhone 4. Incase’s Hybrid Cover for the iPhone 4 is available now in black or gray and sells for $35.

V-Moda has announced that it is now shipping its M-80 on-ear headphones. Sharing most of its styling and internal components with the previously-released True Blood V-80 headphones, the M-80 offers 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, and is made from steel, aluminum, and microfiber suede. V-Moda’s M-80 on-ear headphones are available now and sell for $230; for more information, see our full review.

Coolous has offered iLounge a preview of its upcoming Alien cases for iPhone 4. Sporting an extra terrestrial-inspired design on the back, the Alien case offers a hybrid build with an inner, shock-absorbing layer of soft TPU and an external polycarbonate plate for added rigidity, as well as access to all ports, controls, and cameras. Coolous’ Alien cases for the iPhone 4 are expected to sell for $35; a release date has yet to be announced.

Editor’s Note: These and other Coolous cases are wastefully packaged in hard plastic boxes, a practice that iLounge has noted is environmentally harmful; we recommend against patronizing products that are packaged in this fashion.

Scosche has announced that its myTrek Pulse Monitor for the iPhone and iPod touch is now available. Recipient of an iLounge 2011 CES Best of Show Finalist award, the myTrek is a Bluetooth-enabled fitness accessory that uses two LEDs and a photo sensor to detect small changes in users’ blood pressure and there measure their pulses. a built-in accelerometer allows the device to adjust for movement, making for more accurate measurement of pulse and calories burned. The myTrek works in conjunction with the company’s free myTrek app to display the user’s pulse, training zone, calories burned, distance and speed—iPhone only, as it relies on GPS—and workout time. Scosche’s myTrek Pulse Monitor is compatible with the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and third- and fourth-generation iPod touch, and is available now for $130. For more information, see our First Look article.

Bluelounge has unveiled its new MiniDock charging accessory for the iPod and iPhone. The MiniDock is a small accessory that works in conjunction with Apple’s USB Power Adapter, connecting directly to a power outlet to charge an iPod or iPhone while sitting upright. BlueLounge’s MiniDock for the iPod and iPhone is available now and sells for $20.

BlueAnt has rolled out its new Embrace stereo headphones. The Embrace offer a folding, metal and leather design, 40mm custom tuned drivers, conforming, sealed ear pads to help with passive noise isolation, two included cables—one straight, and one offering an integrated three-button remote and microphone—and an included carrying case. BlueAnt’s Embrace stereo headphones are available now and sell for $200.

Pioneer has announced its new flagship SC-57 and SC-55 Elite home theater receivers. Both of the new units offer full support for AirPlay over Ethernet or via the optional AS-WL300 wireless LAN converter, as well as compatibility with Pioneer’s Air Jam and iControl AV2 apps. Other features include 140 watts x 9 channels of Class D3 amplification, THX certification, direct USB connection support for media playback from the iPod, iPhone, and iPad, Marvell Qdeo video processing, and more. Pioneer’s new SC-57 and SC-55 Elite receivers are available now and sell for $2,100 and $1,700, respectively.

iHome has debuted its new SD63 Retro-Style Hi-Fi Stereo Headphones. Sporting an on-ear design, the SD63 features a padded, adjustable headband, a rotary volume control on one of the two swiveling ear cups, air-cushioned ear pads for added comfort, 40mm neodymium drivers, a six-foot coiled cord, chrome accents, and Soundesign branding. iHome’s SD63 Retro-Style Hi-Fi Stereo Headphones are available now and sell for $50.

Iomega has introduced its new Mac Companion Hard Drive. Available in 2TB and 3TB models, the black and silver Mac Companion features a high-powered 2.1 Amp USB charging port designed specifically for charging iPads, iPhones, or iPods, as well as 7,200 RPM, 3.5-inch drives, dual FireWire 800 ports, one regular USB 2.0 port and a two port integrated USB hub. Iomega’s new Mac Companion Hard Drive will be available later this month and will sell for $195 for the 2TB model and $295 for the 3TB version.

ION has unveiled its new Piano Apprentice accessory for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. Described by the company as a piano learning system, the Piano Apprentice is a portable, battery-powered keyboard featuring 25 touch-sensitive, lighted keys, built-in speakers, a headphone jack for private practicing, and a 30-pin dock connector cable that enables it to work with the Piano Apprentice app, which demonstrates how to play while lighting up the appropriate keys on the keyboard in time with the music. ION’s Piano Apprentice system for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch will be available this Fall and will sell for $100. [via TUAW]

H2O Audio has launched its new Xplorer Portable Speaker Case for the iPod, iPhone, and other portable devices. The Xplorer is a hybrid speaker and case featuring a rugged soft shell body, a specialized zipper to keep the interior safe from splashes, rain, and dirt, three exciter speakers, a control pad on the front to control volume and power, a soft internal divider to protect the iPhone or iPod from scratches, two elastic and mesh pockets to keep other items secure, the ability to run off two AAA batteries, compatibility with all standard 3.5mm headphone jacks, and a variety of attachment options including a detachable wrist loop, belt pass-through, and double D-rings with straps that stash into an external pocket when not in use. H2O Audio’s new Xplorer Portable Speaker Case for the iPod and iPhone is available now and sells for $40.

Aviiq has rolled out its new Portable Charging Station for the iPad, iPhone, iPod, and other USB charging devices. Weighing in at less than a pound, the Charging Station is designed to be carried within its own included travel sleeve that features multiple pockets for organizing and carrying cords and a zip closure. Features include the ability to charge three devices simultaneously from one wall outlet, up to 15W of output, an integrated, pass-through USB cable for syncing one device while it charges, and nylon and ABS plastic construction. Aviiq’s Portable Charging Station is available now and sells for $80.

JVC has started to ship its UX-VJ3B speaker system for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod. Sporting a thin, upright design, the UX-VJ3B features a horizontally-oriented iPad dock with compatibility with most cases, a hidden, rotatable dock for the iPod and iPhone, 30 watts of total power, detachable speakers, an auxiliary audio input, a mini-USB input, a subwoofer output, video output, an AM/FM tuner, a down-lit LED illuminated base, a clock, sleep timer, wake up timer, surround mode, and included remote control. JVC’s UX-VJ3B speaker system for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod is available now and sells for $200. [via iPodNN]

Twelve South has introduced its new BookBook case for the iPhone 4. Like the company’s prior BookBook cases, the BookBook for iPhone 4 is designed to look like an actual book, featuring a handmade leather case with hard-back covers on the front and back, open access to all ports and controls, interior wallet pockets for ID, cards, and cash, and a quick tab for sliding up the phone and exposing the rear camera and flash. Twelve South’s BookBook for iPhone 4 is available now and sells for $60.

Libratone has unveiled two new upcoming AirPlay-compatible speaker systems, the Lounge and the Live. The Lounge is designed to work with a TV or home entertainment system thanks to its thin, long body, and features five dedicated amplifiers for up to 150W output, a DSP unit, an eight-inch inverted woofer, two four-inch ceramic midrange drivers, and two one-inch ribbon-based tweeters, a 3.5mm minijack input with optical digital support, FullRoom technology that lets the tweeters and midrange drivers disperse sound both forwards and sideways to provide 360 degree sound, a cashmere wool exterior finish, and compatibility with a dedicated app that lets users adjust the sound via Wi-Fi while playing music over AirPlay. The Libratone Lounge will be available in September and will sell for $1,299.

The Libratone Live is instead very similar in design to the company’s prior Beat wireless speaker, but, like the Lounge, offers AirPlay compatibility, a optical-capable 3.5mm input, 150W of total power thanks to five dedicated amplifiers, a built-in DSP unit, FullRoom acoustic technology, one five-inch bass driver, two three-inch midrange drivers, and two one-inch ribbon-based tweeters. Libratone’s Live system will also be available in September and will sell for $699.

Griffin Technology has announced that it is now shipping its StompBox foot controller for iOS devices. Designed to work with Frontier Design’s free iShred Live app, StompBox connects to the device via a 30-pin cable and features four assignable foot-activated switches to allow for foot-based control of various effects. Also included is the Griffin GuitarConnect cable to allow for connection of instruments, headphones, and the iOS device. Griffin’s StompBox foot controller for iOS is available now and sells for $100.