Griffin Technology

CES 2012 is over but coverage from the trade show certainly isn't. New from Griffin Technology is Twenty, an audio amplifier for Airport Express. Twenty will send digital audio from iTunes – wirelessly – to an existing set of speakers using an Airport Express wireless base station and Apple's AirPlay wireless audio/video protocol. Twenty does this by capturing the AirPlay stream, decoding it, and then sending the lossless, amplified sound through speakers. Cool, huh?

Twenty boasts a zero-configuration audio set-up that streams Apple Lossless sound from iTunes or any other AirPlay-enabled app (Pandora, Spotify, last.fm, etc.) to the your speakers via a low-profile digital amplifier. It features a 2.1 channel sound system with 20 watts output per channel and also supports a powered subwoofer with an automatic active crossover at 80 Hz.

"The Griffin Twenty is the easiest, best-sounding solution for consumers who have speakers that are not AirPlay-enabled but still want to stream high-fidelity audio wirelessly," said Mark Rowan, President of Griffin Technology. "Not only can users stream from their iTunes library, they can easily connect with any AirPlay-enabled iOS device."Read more

From HDTVs to great sounding table top radios and more, here are some of the best gadgets to keep you and your guests entertained this holiday season.

Epson MegaPlex MG-50
This holiday season set all of the content on your phone free by sharing it on a big screen indoors or out with the MegaPlex MG-50 combo projector. Equipped with a high-quality projector, stereo speakers and a built-in dock for iPod, iPhone and iPad, the MegaPlex makes it easy to project baby's first steps, family photo memories and even your favorite videos on a big wall, making for an unforgettable holiday occasion and "mega" memories that will last a lifetime. Catering to the new digital lifestyle, the MegaPlex is changing the way movies, gaming, slideshows, presentations, music, and more are shared – whether inside for a movie-like setting or even outdoors! Read more

Are you shopping for a child this holiday season (or an adult who sometimes acts like one)? We've hand-picked a variety of gifts for kids – everything from a laptop designed specifically with children in mind to great family games and even a t-shirt that's a fully playable drum machine (and that's just naming a few). Read on…

Toshiba Satellite L735D Kids' PC
Available exclusively at Best Buy, the Satellite L735D Kids' PC is a full-size laptop made specifically for children. Complete with features that help parents feel better about leaving kids to compute on their own, the laptop includes built-in parent-friendly apps like The Internet for Kids, Kidzui and LEGO Harry Potter: The Video Game.

The laptop features a unique wipeable keyboard, allowing for easy cleaning of smudges left by messy hands and a no-gloss Neo X textured finish that helps resist fingerprints. Even though it’s kid-ready, the laptop still has the power of a standard PC with a 13.3-inch diagonal HD display, 320GB hard drive with a Hard Drive Impact Sensor, built-in webcam, DVD drive and an AMD E-Series processor.Read more

Still shopping for the music lover on your gift list? Just announced today is the Third Man 45 iPhone 4S Case from Griffin Technology. Quite possibly the most unique case we've ever laid eyes on, the Third Man 45 iPhone 4S Case incorporates a genuine 7-inch vinyl record, custom-cut into a protective iPhone case. How cool is that?!

Griffin and Third Man Records teamed up to develop this case for a few reasons – they both love music, both love vinyl records and they both reside in Nashville (also known as Music City, in case you didn't know), so why not?

To create the Griffin and Third Man Records Case for iPhone 4S, the team incorporated a genuine 7" vinyl record, pressed by United Record Pressing in Nashville, Tennessee, then die-cut to form the protective back of the case. A molded frame snaps around the iPhone, holding the record insert in place and protecting the controls, edges, and screen, with cutouts for volume, headphone, hold switch and dock connector.Read more

Two of the biggest shopping days of the year are upon us – Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Want to know where you can score 50% to even 80% off discounts? Read on! Many consumer tech companies are offering some amazing deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday this year. Products with killer deals range from smartphone accessories and Gaming PCs to tablets. Here's a list of this year's best steals on hot gadget gifts.

ARCHOS

• Deal: Save over $230, when you purchase the ARCHOS 9 PC Tablet Bundle. Sale Price $449.99* (Regular price $684.96). This Bundle will include the following accessories FREE: ARCHOS 9 Battery Pack, ARCHOS 9 Port Replicator and the ARCHOS 9 Protective Case *For US customers only
• Or receive $30 off the SRP of the ARCHOS 35 Vision. Sale Price $69.99 at www.ARCHOS.com
• Dates: Nov. 25 – Nov. 28
• Code: No code required

Elgato

• Deal: Buy.com is offering Elgato's EyeTV One for $39.95 (normally $99.95)
• Dates: Nov. 25-28

Earlier this year we told you about the Beacon Universal Remote Control System for iOS devices. Today, Griffin Technology and Dijit announced a new Android version of Beacon, allowing smartphone and tablet owners to use their Android device as a remote to control TVs, DVRs, stereos and other home entertainment devices.

It works like this: The wireless AV controller (Beacon) pairs with Android devices via Bluetooth. The Bluetooth signals from smartphones/tablets are then converted by Beacon into infrared signals required to control consumer electronics devices. Beacon works with Dijit's free Universal Remote App for complete, touchscreen control over the entire home entertainment system directly from the Android interface.

Beacon is powered by 4 AA batteries. Set-up is easy too, with no cases or dongles, no wires or cables. Just pair via Bluetooth and download the free Dijit app for Android, which is compatible with tablets and smartphones running Android OS 2.3.3 or greater.Read more

Let's face it, guys want a space in their homes that they can call their own, whether it's a home theater packed full of high-tech equipment or a simple room in the house where they can escape to watch the latest game. Stock up your room with these gadgets and have the coolest "man cave" on the block.

Griffin: Beacon Universal Remote Control System
Control your entire home entertainment experience right from your fingertips with Beacon - a wireless AV controller that transforms your mobile iOS device into a universal remote

• Beacon converts Bluetooth signals from iPhone, iPad and iPod touch into infrared signals required to control audio/visual components
• Beacon also connects compatible iOS devices via Bluetooth with Dijit's free Universal Remote App
• iOS device's MultiTouch screen becomes the remote with Dijit's Intuitive Program Guide, allowing users to change channels, volume, input, program the DVR and much more
• Dijit App uses a constantly updated device code library to make setting up controls simple and intuitive, with an integrated learning feature for components not yet included in the library
• Low-profile design blends unobtrusively with any décor
• Runs up to 2 months on 4 AA batteries, eliminating need for wires and cables

You know the iPad app that will help you find your stolen iPad? What if there was a way to avoid the whole stolen situation all together? Enter Griffin Technology's TechSafe Case for iPad, the latest in a series of Griffin iPad new gadgets. The TechSafe will lock your beloved iPad down and protect it from the bad guys.

Star Rating:
Cost: $79.99
Where to buy: Amazon

It's not just a protective case; TechSafe provides a vital anchor point that enables the security of a desktop cable locking system.Read more

What's on your back-to-school shopping list this year? While books, new clothes, and basic school supplies are a given – don't forget about other important necessities such as a quality backpack, computers and accessories, or a "smart" DVD player for the college crowd. Here are some of our last minute picks:

Cocoon: Central Park Professional Backpack
Backpack featuring Stow-away Water Resistant Hood and the GRID-IT! -- the most intelligent organization tool ever!

• Features a stow-away water resistant hood for rainy days
• Spacious Central Park Pro features a padded laptop compartment that will fit up to a 17" notebook
• Ergonomic shape, air mesh padded shoulder straps and back, adjustable sternum strap, ensure a comfortable, cool fit
• Handy media pocket near the top of the bag keeps the user’s smart phone or MP3 player safely stored away
• Made from tough ballistic nylon
• Available black, brown red, and gray

Will you be heading to college this fall? Don't forget to protect some of your most prized possessions while on campus! Expensive iPads, smartphones and laptops are far from secure in your dorm room. Here are a few gadgets and tips for protecting your tech on campus:

Your Smartphone:

BullGuard: BullGuard Mobile Security 10
Mobile security app for Android, Symbian, Windows and Blackberry devices includes an antitheft feature to locate and lock your phone

• Locate: Remotely track the location of your device if it's stolen or misplaced. The device's location is shown on Google Maps and you can follow is movements by letting GPS automatically update location.
• Antitheft: If your phone is lost or stolen, allows you to go online to delete sensitive data and lock the phone so it can't be used
• Scream: Activate an alarm to help you locate a misplaced device (or child with the device) within hearing distance even if the phone is muted.
• Basic Backup stores your contacts and calendar, even if you lose your phone
• Firewall protects personal details on your phone from hackers and intruders
• Spamfilter keeps your phone clean and blocks unwanted texts and unwelcomed callers
• Antivirus module protects your phone from viruses and yourself from identity theft and online fraud
• Includes an application that is installed on your mobile device as well as a Web service that can be accessed via your PC and an Internet browser