iLounge

Company: KNG America

Website: www.Funkitstuff.com

Model: FUNKit

Price: $99

Compatible: iPod (with Dock Connector)

KNG America FUNKit Animated Speaker System for iPod

By Jeremy Horwitz

Editor-in-Chief, iLounge
Published: Monday, November 13, 2006
Category: Docks - Audio-Out, Docks - Data, iPod Hardware Expanders - General, Speakers - All-in-One/Room-to-Room

[Editors' Note: On November 1, 2006, iLounge published The 2007 iPod Buyers' Guide, with more than 30 brand new, capsule-sized product reviews - only for products we considered to be amongst the very best we've seen throughout the year. The short review below is excerpted from the Guide, which you can download here.]

These pictures almost speak for themselves - all that’s missing is the explanation that FUNKit has speakers at the bottom, a true iPod dock in the center, and a moving body. Plug in your iPod, flip a couple of switches on the unit, and watch the FUNKit deejay pretend to scratch records as a bright LED light show goes off around the speakers. Your iPod shakes gently back and forth, and with one switch on, FUNKit will interrupt (not fade over) your music with pre-recorded phrases like “here’s another FUNKit exclusive,” and even play an extended song. Available in black or white, it’s a pricey novelty.

Note: you can turn off the sounds, and turn on and off a light show (shown below). An AC power cube and a USB cable are included; ports on the unit’s back let you bring audio in or out.