iLounge

Both Philips and Pioneer have announced new AirPlay-compatible audio products, helping to expand the range of options for consumers looking for equipment to use with the wireless media streaming protocol. Philips’ new Fidelio SoundSphere system features two separate speakers with a curved design, “free-floating” tweeters on top, an included, separate Dock, and built-in Wi-Fi with AirPlay support. The Fidelio SoundSphere system will be available in Europe from May 11 and will sell for €799, or roughly $1,100. Pioneer, meanwhile, has announced that the company’s VSX-1021 7.1-channel home theater receiver, which connects to networks via Ethernet or an optional AS-WL300 wireless LAN adapter, will support AirPlay streaming, as well as the company’s upcoming free Air Jam and iControlAV2 apps. Pioneer says the VSX-1021, which will retail for $549, is the first of eight AirPlay devices planned for 2011.

Finally, JBL has posted a dedicated page for its upcoming On Air Wireless speaker system. Outed by the FCC last December, the system features a full color display for displaying album art and song/artist information, physical playback controls, three JBL transducers with “360-degree HALO” acoustics, a clock with dual alarms, a digital FM radio with 10 presets, and a USB port for firmware updates. No price or release date has yet been announced.

Jivo Technology has debuted its new Wrapture case for the iPhone 4. Available in several different styles, the Wrapture features a wrap-around graphic design on its back and sides, openings allowing for full access to all ports, cameras, and controls, and a one-piece, snap-on design. Jivo Technology’s new Wrapture case for the iPhone 4 is available now and sells for €25, or roughly $35.

Bioserie has launched its new line of Printed iPhone 4 Covers. Like the company’s prior case for the iPhone 4, the new Printed Covers are made of bioplastics derived from plants and other annually renewable resources, and are printed individually using patent-pending Surface Digital Enhancement (SDE) technology. Other features include open access to all ports, controls, and the camera, four front-facing “feet” to protect the screen when placed face-down, and compatibility with both the GSM and CDMA models of iPhone 4. Bioserie’s new line of Printed Covers for the iPhone 4 are available now in a variety of designs and are priced at $35.

Two new accessories, the PadPivot and Waldok, have reached their KickStarter funding goals and are set to become commercial products in the coming days. The PadPivot is a tablet stand for the iPad and other tablet devices, offering a curved base for resting on both curved and flat surfaces, a central, hinge-mounted sticky pad for setting the tablet at a desired angle, and a slot in the front which works to hold the tablet with the sticky pad providing extra support. It is available for pre-order via a $25 pledge. The Waldok is a plug-in speaker/charger for the iPod and iPhone. The device was originally designed primarily for the sixth-generation iPod nano, but has since been modified for compatibility with most docking iPods and iPhones. Features include a 40mm driver, a top-mounted dock, and retractable, flip-out prongs that allow the Waldock to attach directly to a power outlet. The developers are asking for a $59 pledge to secure one of the first Waldok units; neither product has yet received a firm release date.

Element Case has unveiled its new Vapor Pro case for the iPhone 4. As a modified version of the company’s prior Vapor case, the Vapor Pro features wider access ports for compatibility with more third-party accessories, a special “aerospace” polymer section over the antenna contact points to help eliminate attenuation, a diagonally-attached design with bolts positioned at opposite corners of the phone, titanium alloy finishes, and a special hex key tool for removal and installation. The Vapor Pro will initially be available in a limited first-run edition that includes a zippered carrying case, a removable carbon fiber back plate, and a special two tone electrolytic hard coated finish. The limited edition will sell for $150, while traditional models, as well as a version compatible with the CDMA iPhone 4, will be available soon; pricing for those models has yet to be announced.

Sports technology company Velocomp has rolled out its new iBike Dash CC wireless cycling computer for the iPhone and iPod touch. Working in conjunction with the company’s free iBike app, the Dash CC offers users 50 power-based and heart rate zone workouts, an included ANT+ speed sensor with support for optional cadence and heart rate sensors, a bike odometer, user customizable cycling information display screens, and an easy install and move “Phone Booth” dashboard case that offers water and shock resistance, full use of the touch screen, and space inside for a rechargeable battery. Velocomp’s iBike Dash CC wireless cycling computer is available now and sells for $199.

Thanks to continued concerns over the durability of Apple’s glass-based devices, the last several months have seen an unexpected but noteworthy increase in the number of ruggedized iPhone and iPod cases, as well as growing visibility of such cases at mainstream retailers. The rugged case market, which has long been dominated by a single company—OtterBox—has recently seen an influx of new players, including Ballistic and Griffin Technology, which are now targeting OtterBox’s popular multi-layer Defender and Commuter series cases with new designs. Ballistic specifically went after OtterBox’s products with an aggressive marketing campaign, at one time claiming in its press materials that it was selling a model “better” than OtterBox’s flagship case Defender. By contrast, Griffin has taken an almost coy position for its family of new “Armored” series of cases for the iPhone 4 and fourth-generation iPod touch. Asked about the similarities between the company’s just-released Survivor and OtterBox’s Defender, Griffin called the correlation between its new offerings and OtterBox’s lineup “not direct,” and has sought to present the positives of its product rather than making competitive comparisons.

Survivor touts military-grade testing in labeling that claims the hard plastic and rubber case “meets or exceeds US/UK military standards,” including shock/drop, wind/rain, sand/dust, and vibration tests that portray Survivor as everything but completely waterproof. Griffin’s packaging for Survivor reveals that the case is actually the first in a series of three—Explorer and Tracker are the others, as yet formally unannounced—which will see Griffin offering “more protection than any case we’ve ever made,” a considerably different angle relative to the ever-thinner plastic shells that have been flooding the market in recent years. Ballistic and other companies, such as Incipio, have similarly announced multiple models with varying levels of anti-shock and elemental protection, making it clear that more and bigger companies are attempting to compete in this segment of the market, which will clearly benefit consumers by increasing the variety of durable cases on the market.

Scosche has announced that it is now shipping its goBat II portable battery pack for the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and other portable devices. Sporting an internal 5,000mAh lithium ion battery, the goBat II features two USB ports—one with a 2.1 Amp output for charging devices such as the iPad, and one with a 1 Amp output for charging smaller devices such as the iPod and iPhone—which can be used for simultaneous charging of two devices. Other features include an LED battery level indicator and a microUSB port and wall charger for recharging the internal battery. Scosche’s goBat II portable battery pack is available now and sells for $90.

View Quest has introduced its Retro 1 DAB Radio for the iPod and iPhone in the U.K. The device features a retro design, with a leather-wrapped body and built-in carry handle, an integrated, front-mounted iPod/iPhone dock, 10 presets for the DAB/FM radio, an auxiliary input for connecting other audio devices, two full-range speakers, a back LCD display, and a battery life of 15 hours. View Quest’s Retro 1 DAB for iPod and iPhone is available now from Play.com and sells for £100, or roughly $162.

Photojojo is now offering an iPhone Telephoto Lens package for the iPhone 3G/3GS and iPhone 4. Included in the package are a snap-on hard case with lens socket, an 8x, manual focus telephoto lens, a cleaning cloth, and a mini-tripod. Photojojo’s iPhone Telephoto Lens package for the iPhone 3G/3GS and iPhone 4 is available now and sells for $35.

Geneva Lab has rolled out an updated version of its Model M sound system for the iPod and iPhone. Based on consumer feedback, Geneva has made several modifications to the Model M, removing the device’s integrated CD player, and adding the company’s TouchLight controls for iPod and iPhone menu navigation and control. Other features include four Class D digital amplifiers for 100 Watts of total power, two one-inch tweeters, two full-range four-inch woofers, dual bass ports, an integrated, top-mounted Universal Dock, an LED display, a line-in jack for connecting other audio sources, a digital clock with alarm, a hand-lacquered wooden cabinet, a digital FM tuner with six presets, and an included remote control. Geneva Labs’ updated Model M sound system for the iPod and iPhone is available now in red, black, or white, and sells for $650.

As noted in our review of the Verizon iPhone 4, the new model’s ring/silent switch has been moved a few millimeters down the side of the device due to antenna changes, and the volume buttons have also moved down a millimeter, resulting in incompatibility with some prior, closely-tailored iPhone 4 cases. As such, a number of companies have released new compatibility information for existing cases, or otherwise made slight revisions to existing designs to accomodate both models. Listed below, in alphabetical order, are all the announcements we’ve seen and/or received thus far on the topic; we will be updating this article with new information as it becomes available.

Griffin Technology has introduced its new Survivor case for the iPhone 4 and fourth-generation iPod touch. The first case in the company’s new Armored collection, the Survivor has been tested to meet or exceed the US Department of Defense Standard 810F and UK Department of Defense Standard 00-35, and features a shatter-resistant polycarbonate frame wrapped in shock-absorbing silicone, a built-in screen protector that seals the display from the outside environment, hinged plugs to seal the Dock Connector, headphone port, hold switch, ring/silent switch and volume controls, and camera, and an included heavy-duty rotating belt clip that doubles as a stand. Griffin’s new Survivor case for the iPhone 4 and fourth-generation iPod touch are available now and sell for $50 and $40, respectively.

Under development since 2008, the iControlPad, a Bluetooth gaming controller accessory for the iPhone, iPod touch, and other pocketable devices, is now available for pre-order. In addition to offering standard controls—including a digital d-pad, two analog nubs, six face buttons (ABXY and select + start), and two rear buttons—the iControlPad features a side clamp system that allows it to cradle and hold a variety of devices, and also offers support for a variety of Bluetooth protocols for maximum compatibility. Other features include a 1500 mAh battery that can charge a device via USB while playing, upgradeable firmware, and support for both jailbroken iOS devices and stock iOS devices via keyboard mode—although it remains to be seen how many games will support either configuration. The iControlPad is compatibile with all Bluetooth-capable iPhone and iPod touch models, and is available now for $75; shipments are expected to begin on February 16.

Miniot has rolled out its new iWood 4 Contour and iWood 4 Cobra cases for the iPhone 4. The Contour is a wooden iPhone 4 case, featuring a wenge base, a band of white maple that mimics the phone’s metal antenna, push-through protection for the volume and sleep/wake buttons, open access to all other ports and controls, and a slide-off bottom for easy docking. It is available in two distinct models for the GSM and CDMA variants of the iPhone 4 and sells for $189.The Cobra is an updated version of the prior iWood 4 for iPhone 4 case, adding two contrasting wood stripes to the iWood’s feature set. It is available in wenge/maple ($176) or padouk/maple ($150). Finally, the company has announced a new passive dock for its iWood 4 cases, featuring pass-through ports for improved audio and a slot for charging the iPhone while docked. It is available in a wide variety of woods and sells for $26. All of Miniot’s new accessories for the iPhone 4 are available now.

Root Cases has introduced its new line of wooden cases for the iPhone 4. Available in walnut, zebrawood, wenge, and bamboo editions, the cases offer push-through protection for the volume and sleep/wake buttons, open access to all other ports and controls, soft interior lining to protect against scratches, and a slide-on design that allows for removal of the bottom portion for docking. Root Cases’ wooden cases for iPhone 4 are available now and sell for $59 each; for more information, see our First Look article.

Updated: Comments to this article have been closed due to astroturfing by Root Cases, which pretended to be a customer interested in this product, a clone of Miniot’s iWood 4 design. We strongly urge readers not to do business with companies that engage in this sort of dishonest marketing practice, which iLounge has warned against for years.

iKit has debuted its NuCharge battery case for the iPhone 4. Designed to work with either the GSM or CDMA models of the iPhone 4, the NuCharge features an integrated 1400 mAh battery, an LED battery life indicator, openings for access to the cameras, volume and sleep/wake buttons, ring/silent switch, and microphone, an integrated kickstand, and a micro USB port for charging. iKit’s NuCharge battery case for the iPhone 4 is available now and sells for $65.

Recipient of a 2011 CES iLounge Best of Show award, iSkin’s new Q.West collection is now available online. Ranging in price from $50 for an iPad sleeve or camera pouch to $260 for the Jimmy travel bag, the collection includes 16 unique carriers in a wide variety of styles. Of particular interest to iLounge’s editors at CES was the Sling ($125), a slim, water-resistant bag with an over-the-shoulder design, a storage compartment large enough to hold an iPad or 11-inch MacBook Air, a zippered compartment for cords, compact cameras, or other accessories, and a dedicated phone or media player pocket on the front. For more information on select styles and pricing, see iSkin’s dedicated Q.West mini-site.

Navigon has unveiled its new iPhone Car Kit. Available in versions specific to the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3G/3GS, the Car Kit includes a USB car charger with five-foot USB to 30-pin cable, a “designer” suction cup mount attachment, and a rotating iPhone mounting cradle offering open access to all ports and controls. Navigon’s new iPhone Car Kit for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3G/3GS is available now and sells for $50.

Scosche has announced that it is now shipping its new FlipSync II full-sized keychain USB charge and sync cable for the iPod and iPhone. The FlipSync II is a miniature USB 2.0 charge and sync cable that fits on a keychain, providing short—but full-sized—USB and 30-pin connectors that fold neatly back into the keychain when not in use. The FlipSync II full-sized keychain USB charge and sync cable for the iPod and iPhone is available now and sells for $20.