Apple iPod Accessories

Micron Technology's upcoming Pop Video pico projector will beam video at the iPhone's 960 x 540 resolution display. And at a cost of only $99, you can't beat it. The key feature with the Pop Video pico projector is its 30-pin connector that allows you to dock your iPhone or iPod so that it forms one compact unit. Since it's designed to be more portable, it doesn't have an integrated doc like larger pico projectors. Plus, it fits into a pocket when not in use. It weighs only 3.5 ounces with 4.4 inches x 1.8 inches x .6 inch in dimension.

There's also an accompanying Pop Video app that will allow you to manipulate and reformat the images, and will also allow you to beam additional content directly from your iPhone, like web pages, Facebook, and videos downloaded from iTunes or iTunes U that are not MPEG 3 protected. Can you say, "pocket home theater"? Read more

Last month iHome unveiled its second generation wireless AirPlay speaker system for iOS devices, the iW2. The company announced this week that it is now available.

iHome's iW2 is an AirPlay wireless speaker system that uses your Wi-Fi network to connect and control your iTunes library, allowing you to listen to wireless audio anywhere in the home. It has a USB port for charging and music playback from your iPad, iPod and iPhone with any iPod USB sync cable and dock. Sound is great too, thanks to SRS Trubass sound processing which is custom tuned to two full-range speaker drivers.

iW2 features include:

• Wirelessly stream music from iTunes, iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch via Wi-Fi
• Plays and charges iPad, iPhone, or iPod via USB port
• SRS Trubass sound processing custom tuned to two full-range speaker drivers delivers exceptional audio
• Easy network configuration with free iHome Connect app
• Firmware updates via Wi-Fi
• Ethernet connectivity

The iW2 is available now at retail outlets and on iHomeAudio.com for $199.99.

This week Logitech unveiled the UE Air Speaker featuring AirPlay for wireless, uncompressed music streaming from an iOS device connected to your Wi-Fi network. The first speaker from Logitech Ultimate Ears, it delivers high-quality audio thanks to its dual tweeters and woofers and custom-tuned acoustics.

Simply dock your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch, follow the on-screen instructions to download the Logitech UE Air app, enter your Wi-Fi network password and you're set! After the initial setup, any iPhone 4s, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPod touch (2nd, 3rd or 4th generation), iPad, iPad 2, or iPad (3rd generation) with iOS 4.2 or later, or any Mac or PC on your network with iTunes 10.1 or later is instantly connected. The UE Air Speaker also has an Apple Dock Connector, allowing you to charge your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch while you play music. Read more

With a name like "Zooka", this wireless sound bar may seem strange to you, but don't let the name scare you off – this baby provides the killer sound your iPhone, iPad or any other smartphone, tablet or computer has been waiting for.

The speaker connects wirelessly via Bluetooth and features left and right side firing drivers for amazing stereo sound - much better than what the iPad's small speakers deliver.

Designed to function with your smart cover, it is made from medical-grade durable silicone and slides on and off without scratching your device. A cutout groove makes sure your camera lens isn't blocked and its 3.5mm audio input allows you to continue listening even when Bluetooth isn't available. Zooka runs on rechargeable lithium ion batteries, which offer a battery life of up to 8 hours of streaming music, movie audio, web and digital content.

Not available to the public yet, the Zooka speakers are part of another Kicktstarter campaign - a collective fundraising site that allows early adopters to fund projects for rewards. Zooka offers a limited edition glow-in-the-dark version specially made for contributors who give at least $149. A pledge of $89 gives you the chance to pick the Zooka of your choice in black, grey, blue, green, or orange.Read more

The latest in gadget news has to do with JVC's new tabletop home theater sound system, the NX-BX3 for iPods and iPhones. It's JVC's first 2x30W sound system for iPod and iPhone, and is designed to replace your actual nightstand!

Available in both black and white, the NX-BX3 has a weight of 20kg for a size of 500x300x110mm and offers all the features that can be found in other iPhone/iPod speaker docks. It sports an FM tuner and SRS StudioSound HD for around $400.

The next time you buy an iPod dock, ask yourself this important question: can I put a lamp on it? It can hold glasses or a flower vase on its top -- really, the sky's the limit (plus some general weight restrictions) when it comes to the things you can place on top of it.

The dock arrives in Japan this month, and will follow in the US this summer.Read more

January 24, 2012 marked the 28th anniversary of the original Macintosh launch and on this important date in history, Zero1.tv announced that its new VooMote Zapper is now available at Apple.com and will be in Apple stores February 7, 2012.

The Voomote Zapper converts your iOS device into a smart universal remote that controls virtually all of your A/V gear. The lightweight dongle is the size of a paperclip, and is compatible with all mobile iOS 5 devices (iPhone/iPad/iPod).

Unlike base station solutions, VooMote Zapper provides "room to room" functionality that allows users to access entertainment whenever and wherever they want, with whichever iOS 5 devices they please.

What also sets the VooMote Zapper apart from the rest is its hassle-free set up and usage. It is extremely simple and intuitive. Once you connect your VooMote Zapper dongle, the free app automatically downloads, and prompts the set up. You immediately have full control over hundreds of thousands of electronic devices. This easy set up means no manuals or PCs are necessary. Users can also enjoy the freedom from having to connect to Bluetooth, the Internet, or buy batteries for their remote ever again. Read more

By now you've (hopefully) taken care of the big-ticket items on your holiday shopping list. But don't forget the stocking stuffers! We've put together a list of some great, yet inexpensive stocking stuffers, along with a few $5 toys you can sneak into your kids stockings - or even under the tree!

NewerTech NuTouch Gloves
NewerTech's NuTouch Gloves are the stylish and functional solution to keeping hands warm while using an iPhone, iPad, or other touch screen device in cold weather. Unlike other brands of gloves that limit finger use and touch capability, NuTouch Gloves have a special conductive fiber woven into all 10 fingertips so users can enjoy the fastest typing input on full-sized touch keyboards.

Made from a soft cotton mix and available in four hand sizes - S/M/L/XL, they come in a classic charcoal color and can be worn by themselves, or as liners with heavier cold weather gloves.Read more

SoundFreaq just announced the successor to their SFQ-1 iPhone dock. It's called the Sound Stack, a speaker that accepts wireless audio streams from any Bluetooth-compatible device. It also has the company's DubSub technology on board for superior bass.

"After two years in development, we're extremely proud of the acoustic bar that Sound Stack sets. It delivers power with detail, bringing instruments and voices closer to the listener than on any home system we’ve heard," said Matthew Paprocki, Soundfreaq’s co-founder and creative director. "Throughout our testing, enthusiasts and artists alike have commented that they 'can see the music being played.' Combined with our industry-leading feature set and value, it's a no-compromise product."

Soundfreaq says that this is the company's largest speaker to date, featuring engineered Kevlar-reinforced drivers, a tuned triple-ported housing, and proprietary UQ3 spatial sound enhancement. It's also got the aforementioned DubSub, which is a 2.2 speaker configuration that pairs two full-range drivers with two active subwoofers.Read more

Long before iDevices made their debut, SDI Technologies was creating audio solutions all the way back to 1956, and in fact, its Soundesign brand created the first clock radio telephone!

Now, the folks who brought you iHome are bringing back the Soundesign legend with the SD63 Retro-Style Hi-Fi Stereo Headphones- a new audio solution that captures the sleek, clean aesthetic of yesterday and combines it with the advanced technology of today.

With the new SD63 headphones, there are some design elements that remind us exactly of the 1960s old Soundesign brand. The SD63 Retro-Style Hi-Fi Stereo Headphones boast 40mm neodymium drivers, a volume knob on the outside of the ear cup, and a coiled six-foot cord.Read more

Sony recently debuted its new RDP-X500iP speaker dock for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod. Sporting a wide, tall shape and a front-mounted dock, the RDP-X500iP features Magnetic Fluid Speakers for increased clarity, a built-in subwoofer, dual passive radiators for added bass response, Clear Phase digital signal processing, an auxiliary input, and an included remote control.

This speaker dock from Sony has a lot of features to make the music stored on your iOS device sound its best. Sony's RDP-X500iP Premium Speaker Dock uses S-MASTER digital amplification that gets you closer to the music with high-performance audio output. Sony's Clear Phase™ linear phase correction circuitry ensures reduced distortion and increased sound presence, making your music crisp and clear. And the speakers use damperless Magnetic Fluid that delivers higher sound pressure with less distortion than traditional speakers. Read more