iLounge

Escient today announced the availability of its FireBall FP-1 Music Manager with Universal Dock for iPods. The $599 system provides an on-screen user interface for managing and controlling an iPod in the home. “Unlike typical home iPod docks, which offer very limited benefits when the iPod is removed, the FP-1 provides access to a user’s PC- or Mac-based music collection and free Internet radio streams even when the iPod is not docked,” says Escient. “Because the FP-1 is truly an Escient FireBall Music Manager (which uses the iPod for local music storage) it integrates seamlessly with other FireBall products in the home, enabling other connected FireBalls to access and play all of the iPod’s music, including Apple’s FairPlay DRM protected audio files.”