iLounge

DigiPower has introduced its new ChargeCard battery pack for the iPhone, iPod, and other USB-charging devices. Touted by the company as a credit card-sized, wallet- and purse-friendly charger, it features a 720mAh battery which DigiPower claims is good for two extra hours of talk time, weighs just 1.2 ounces, and measures just 1/4” thick. No pricing or release information has yet been announced.

Just Mobile has announced its new Gum battery pack for the iPhone, iPod, and other USB charging devices. Not to be confused with the company’s original, plastic Gum, this new model features a compact design, an aluminum shell, a 2,200 mAh battery with 1A output, three LED power indicators, and an included travel pouch, micro USB to USB cable, and micro USB to Apple Dock Connector adapter. Just Mobile’s new Gum battery pack for the iPhone and iPod is available now in silver, red, or black, and sells for $50.

Phiaton has debuted its new Moderna earphones and Bridge headphones. The Moderna earphones feature a “half in-ear” design that sits outside the ear canal, as well as a tangle-free oval-shaped cable with a built-in mic and an included black and red carrying case and cleaning tool. They will be available in August and will sell for $150. The Bridge headphones feature a machined aluminum, body covered in perforated leather, a dual- chamber structure and multi-tune acoustic design for superior sound quality, a foldable body, and a tangle-free cloth-wrapped cord with an in-line mic. They will be available in November; pricing has yet to be announced.

CableJive has rolled out its new LineOut Pro accessory for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod. Designed to offer high-quality, line-level audio, the LineOut Pro is a black, 3-foot, case-friendly cable that connects to a device’s 30-pin port, with a gold-plated 3.5mm connector at the other end for connecting to a variety of audio devices. CableJive’s LineOut Pro is available now and sells for $11.

Soundfreaq has announced its new Sound Rise clock radio for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod. The Sound Rise features a vertical, black design, a front-mounted dock, a USB port for charging other devices, a 2.1 speaker configuration that projects sound up and out into the room, a front-mounted touch panel display, the ability to charge two devices at once, a digital FM radio, dual alarms, and Bluetooth for wireless audio streaming. Soundfreaq’s Sound Rise clock radio will be available exclusively at Target stores this fall and will sell for $99.

Electric Friends has introduced a new line of animal-themed speakers for the iPhone and iPod. Aimed at the children’s market, the lineup includes Sing Sing the Panda, Chew Chew the Dog, Kwack Kwack the Duck and Ki Ki the Cat, and each system offers a top-mounted dock, two 40mm neodymium drivers, touch controls on the ears, a 3.5mm auxiliary input, and the ability to run off the included AC adapter or four AA batteries. Electric Friends’ new animal-themed speakers for the iPhone and iPod are available now and sell for $70 each.

Belkin has announced that its WeMo home automation modules for iOS are now available. Originally debuted at the 2012 CES, the WeMo modules are WiFi-based products that sit between a wall outlet and another product—such as a lamp—allowing users to control the flow of power from their iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. The WeMo Switch allows for both this functionality and the ability to put devices on a timed schedule, while the WeMo Switch + Motion adds a motion sensor to the package so that the attached device can be turned on or off based on motion, letting users create rules or schedules based on custom motion intervals.

The WeMo platform also features integration with IFTTT (If This Then That), an online service that lets users create tasks combining different Internet-based services. This integration would, for example, allow a WeMo Switch + Motion user to use IFTTT to send themselves a text message anytime motion is sensed by the unit. Belkin’s WeMo Switch and WeMo Switch + Motion are available for pre-order now and sell for $50 and $100, respectively.

Satechi has announced that it is now shipping its Portable Energy Station for the iPhone, iPad, iPod, and other USB-charging devices. The Portable Energy Station is a compact black-and-silver 10,000 mAh battery pack offering both a 1 Amp and 2 Amp USB port, allowing for fast charging of both the iPhone and iPad, as well as the ability to charge two devices simultaneously. Other features include LED charge status indicator lights, an automatic off feature, the ability to be charged over USB or with the included AC adapter, and an included 6-in-1 charging cable. Satechi’s Portable Energy Station for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod is available now and sells for $50.

Lantronix has rolled out its new xPrintServer Home Edition for iOS. The xPrintServer Home Edition is a followup to the company’s previously released network version, and serves as a simple, wireless bridge between iOS devices and traditional printers. According to the company, a single xPrintServer Home Edition can support multiple USB printers, up to two network-connected printers, and an unlimited number of iOS devices. The Home Edition automatically discovers and provisions both network printers and USB printers that are connected to PCs or Macs, allowing users to print via AirPrint without any additional configuration. Lantronix’s xPrintServer Home Edition for iOS will begin shipping in July and is available for pre-order now for $100.

Mophie has debuted its new Powerstation mini and Powerstation duo battery packs for the iPhone, iPad, iPod, and other portable devices. The Powerstation mini offers a 2500 mAh battery inside a small black and silver enclosure, as well as a single USB port for charging devices and a 1 Amp output. It is priced at $60. The Powerstation duo greatly resembles the mini, but sports a 6000 mAh battery, two USB ports for simultaneous charging of two devices, and 2.1 Amp output for fast charging of the iPad. It is priced at $100; both are available now.

A listing for a new Bose speaker called the SoundLink Air has appeared on the FCC’s website. While many documents have been withheld from public view until October 31 at Bose’s request, the unit’s Test Report reveals a number of details. Most notably, the SoundLink Air offers 802.11b/g connectivity and AirPlay support, as well as an optional 16.8V lithium-ion battery pack, a 3.5mm auxiliary input, an infrared remote control, and side-mounted capacitive volume controls. It is still unclear what the unit looks like, and pricing information is likewise unavailable, but it appears likely that Bose will be making an official announcement sometime between now and the end of October. [via Engadget]

Essential TPE has introduced its new Nanoblock Universal Dock for the iPhone and iPod. Built in collaboration with Japanese toy company Kawada, the dock can both charge and sync an iPhone or iPod, and accepts Apple’s standard dock adapters; adapters for the iPhone 4/4S and fourth-generation iPod touch are included. In addition, the top surface of the dock is covered in nanoblock brick, allowing users to build their own custom attachments for the dock. Essential TPE’s Nanoblock Universal Dock is available now in four colors and sells for 3,980 yen, or roughly $50.

Harman Kardon has rolled out a new line of five headphones for the iPhone, iPad, iPod, and other portable devices. The line includes two in-ear models tailored specifically for the iPhone, which feature passive noise cancellation, multiple earphone sleeve options, and a three-button remote + mic. The NI features 9mm drivers, a rectangular black housing, and is priced at $100, while the AE model features a silver-toned aluminum casing for superior acoustic dampening, premium 9mm drivers, and foam sleeves included alongside the silicone sleeves that ship with the NI. It is priced at $150.

The other models in the lineup are either over- or on-ear units, offering lightweight, sand-blasted steel outer bands, leather inner bands, steel hinges, leather ear pads, enclosed steel frames, detachable ear pads, 40mm drivers, detachable cables, and fold-flat designs for easy portability inside included carrying cases. The on-ear CL is meant to reflect the iPhone’s design and features uniquely baffled drivers for improved bass response; it is priced at $199. As its name suggests, the over-ear BT model features Bluetooth for wireless audio streaming, and also offers built-in playback buttons on the side of one of the ear cups, 12 hours of battery life, an integrated microphone for receiving phone calls, and an included fabric cable that allows the BT to work even when the battery is exhausted. It is priced at $249.

Finally, the over-ear NC offers digital active noise-cancellation technology, slow-retention foam ear pads for a more comfortable fit and better seal, a 30-hour battery life, and the ability to continue operating after the battery has run out. The NC is priced at $299 and is expected to ship later this summer; all the other models are available now at Apple’s Retail and Online Stores.

Griffin Technology has rolled out its new WoodTones earbuds for the iPhone, iPad, iPod, and other portable devices. WoodTones feature lightweight housings that are made with wood reclaimed from other manufacturing processes, 8mm neodymium magnet drivers, three sizes of included silicone ear cushions for a proper fit, smooth black cabling, and an included natural hemp fiber carrying pouch. Griffin’s WoodTones earbuds are available now and sell for $30.

IK Multimedia has announced that it is now shipping its iRig MIC Cast ultra-compact microphone for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. The iRig MIC Cast is a miniaturized unidirectional microphone designed for recording podcasts, interviews, lectures, voice memos and more. The accessory connects to an iOS device’s headphone jack and the bumper-friendly design is also compatible with a wide variety of cases. A stereo mini-jack output allows users to connect a set of headphones or speakers for real-time monitoring of recordings and the device also includes a switch to toggle between high and low gain settings to adjust for different sources and recording environments.

The iRig MIC Cast uses a unidirectional condenser capsule mic designed to isolate the intended audio source with a tight pickup pattern to minimize extraneous background noise, promising “crystal clear sound.” A highly portable tabletop stand is included to allow users to position their device in an optimal position for audio recording or FaceTime calls. iRig MIC Cast can be used with any app that supports audio input, including standard phone calls, FaceTime, Skype, and other Voice-over-IP apps; users can make recordings with Apple’s built-in Voice Memos app or any number of other audio recording apps available from the App Store. IK Multimedia also provides two free apps designed to work with the iRig MIC Cast: iRig Recorder for basic voice recording and editing and VocaLive which provides a multi-effects processing app for vocalists. iRig MIC Cast is available now and sells for $40.

Tekkeon has introduced its new TekCharge MP1820 Pocket Power Pack for the iPhone and iPod. The MP1820 features a 4800 mAh rechargeable lithium ion battery, the ability to deliver device-specific power from 100mA to 1.2A, color-coded LED battery level indicators, a built-in emergency flashlight, a standard USB port for connecting a USB to 30 pin cable, and a mini USB charging port. Tekkeon’s TekCharge MP 1820 Pocket Power Pack for the iPhone, iPod, and other portable devices is available now and sells for $50.

Continuing a tradition that dates back to 2008, iLounge’s just-released New iPad Buyers’ Guide includes the fifth installment of our iDesign series. Created to share the wisdom of leading Apple third-party designers with a wider audience, the series has been filled with insightful information from the makers themselves—and this year’s edition is amongst the best to date. Spanning over 20 pages, it includes interviews with representatives from several companies, notably including speaker makers Geneva Lab and Soundfreaq.

Based in Switzerland, Geneva Lab brings a specific, minimal aesthetic to its speaker designs, something the company founder and CEO Jan-Erik Lundberg talked about in our interview. “We’ve always approached each product with the idea of design integrity that each system should be easily identifiable as a Geneva product without having to see the label”, said Lundberg. “Any new product idea we have starts with continuity with our past.” The company has also taken a no-compromises approach to its products, relying on superior materials and memorable designs during years that saw most rivals churning out forgettable alternatives.

By comparison, Soundfreaq is a young company, but forged a strong identity and philosophy of its own after creating the original iPod accessory lineup for Memorex. In one of our favorite iDesign interviews ever, Creative Director Matthew Paprocki explained the company’s focus on boxy, thoughtful speakers at aggressive prices. “Ultimately, speakers are about moving air volume,” he said. “Our rectangular forms are space efficient and allow us to make the biggest acoustic impact with the smallest footprint… We also want our style to be classic and timeless, not fleeting. We’re not making disposable products.”

You can find much more from both interviews in The New iPad Buyers’ Guide, which is available now as a free download.

Griffin Technology and Crayola have announced the new Crayola Case Creator, a new case and app combination that lets users create their own cases for the iPhone and iPod touch. The Case Creator includes a clear hardshell case and perforated inserts that fit the clear back plate of the case; users can create their artwork using the free Case Creator app. Griffin’s Crayola Case Creator is available now for $30 in models specific to the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S or fourth-generation iPod touch.

IK Multimedia has announced that it is now shipping its iRig Mix DJ and audio mixer for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. Recipient of an iLounge Best of Show award at the 2012 CES, the iRig Mix features full EQ adjustment, a crossfader, a headphone cue and a mic input, dual stereo inputs, standard RCA outputs, and a microUSB-based charger. It works in conjunction with the DJ Rig app to allow the iRig Mix to mix two audio sources from a single iOS device, and offers X-Sync, a unique feature that can beat match audio from two separate iOS devices when using the DJ Rig app. IK Multimedia’s iRig Mix is available now and sells for $100; for more information, see our full review.

Focal is now offering its Spirit One over-ear headphones. Built around an aluminum frame, the Spirit One features 40mm drivers, an adjustable headband, passive sound isolation, articulating ear cup joints, a detachable cable, and an in-line three-button remote and microphone that’s compatible with the iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It also includes a jack adapter cord, an airline adapter, a soft travel bag, and a hard storage case. Focal’s Spirit One over-ear headphones are available now on Amazon and sell for $279.