Accessories Briefs

By TWICE Staff On Oct 3 2011 - 4:01am

Sennheiser’s Color Line Now In U.S.

OLD LYME, CONN. — Sennheiser said its colorful CX 215 in-ear headphones and MX 365 ear buds are now available in the U.S. These models are based on the Color Trends 2011, which are focused on by the fashion industry as “the colors of the year.”

The CX 215 come in five colors — red, orange, blue, green and broze — for a $59.95 suggested retail. Features include a finger-contoured housing design for easy adjustment, and three sizes of ear adapters.

The MX 356 come in bronze, dark blue, brown, orange, red and white for $34.95.

Zipbuds Updates Namesake Line

CARLSBAD, CALIF. — Zipbuds launched an updated version of its earphones line, which have the same name as the company. The secondgeneration Zipbuds have 11mm drivers (instead of 8mm) and a zipper pull that is said to be lighter than the previous version.

These Zipbuds also have aluminum ear buds, meant to keep the weight down even further. Five colors are offered: black and black, pink and black, blue and black, pink and white, and blue and white.

Suggested retail is $39.99. Sports ear clips are included.

Phiaton Unveils Bluetooth Earphones

IRVINE, CALIF. — Phiaton recently introduced its PS 20 BT Bluetooth earphones with 14.3mm drivers. They have a “half in-ear” design, meant to combines the bass response of inear- style buds with the high frequency response of open-ear style headphones, the company said.

Features include a lightweight, glossy housing, four sizes of silicon tips, in-line controls and a carrying pouch. Talk time is listed at six hours, with six hours of music time and 250 hours of standby.

They also have the company’s OmniPair technology, enabling users to eight devices at once, and use up to two of them simultaneously. Suggested retail is $149.

Western Digital Ships HDDs For Macs

IRVINE, CALIF. – Western Digital released the latest version of its My Passport portable hard drives for Macs.

The My Passport Studio models come in 500GB, 750GB and 1TB capacities with respective price points of $129, $159 and $179.

The Studio models have an all-metal chassis and feature two FireWire 800 ports and a USB 2.0 port, along with encryption and password-protection software.

The My Passport for Mac drops the FireWire port, metal enclosure and security features.

It comes in the same capacities with price points of $99, $119 and $129, respectively.

All models are available immediately.

Targus Adds More Tablet Accessories

ANAHEIM, CALIF. — Targus unveiled the latest additions to its tablet accessories line.

The new Targus Swivel Stand for iPad and iPad 2 rotates 360 degrees and adjusts from flat to nearly vertical. It features a lid that closes to contain the iPad and is compatible with Apple’s Smart Cover or the Targus Vucomplete Cover.

Each Swivel Stand purchase comes with a free download of Mattel’s Uno and Magic 8 Ball iPad apps.

It is available now exclusively through Best Buy at a $39.99 retail price.

Also new is the Targus Lap Lounge, a bean bag lap cushion designed to hold any tablet up to 10 inches. Its attached stand holds the tablet in horizontal or vertical angles. A zippered pocket stores a tuck-away carry handle and can also double as an accessory pouch. It includes a built-in stylus loop.

It weighs 1.5 pounds and comes in a white and gray color scheme. It will be available “soon” at a $49.99 suggested retail.

Targus also introduced two new tablet stylus designs.

The 3-in-1 Stylus for Capacitive Devices includes a built-in pen and laser pointer. It has a black and silver finish, a rubber tip, is 5.3 inches long and weighs less than 2 ounces. The pen uses a standard D1 refill and includes one additional refill. It will retail for $34.99.

The Targus Executive Stylus & Pen combines the functionality of a stylus with a built-in executive roller ball pen. It is also rubber tipped, is 5.5 inches long with a gun-metal finish, and weighs just more than an ounce. It will retail for $39.99.

Targus said the styluses work with any capacitive touch device.

Belkin’s In The Kitchen With iPad

PLAYA VISTA, CALIF. – Belkin has cooked up a new lineup of kitchen accessories for the iPad and other tablet PCs.

The line includes the Chef Stand + Stylus, designed for cook’s who use a tablet for reading recipes. A non-slip rubber base supports the device in landscape or vertical mode.

The stylus allows scrolling without touching the surface of the tablet. It features a magnetic tip that awakens the tablet from sleep mode.

The base is hand washable and case compatible and retails for $39.99. It is works with most tablets, Belkin said.

Also new is the Belkin Fridge Mount featuring maximum-strength 3M Command Strips that snap the tablet securely to a refrigerator door or wall without damaging surfaces when removed. It accommodates any tablet between 7 and 10 inches with case in place. It retails for $39.99.

Finally, Belkin’s Kitchen Cabinet Mounts suspend a tablet on any cabinet or shelf. It also accommodates any tablet between 7 and 10 inches with case in place and retails for $49.99.

“The iPad and other tablets open up a whole new world in the kitchen and we are just now beginning to unlock their potential as the next must-have kitchen gadget,” said Jamie Elgie, product management senior director for Belkin’s mobility division. “We’re excited to unveil products that will make life in the kitchen easier for everyone from professional chefs and bakers to moms and kitchen novices.”

Bracketron Ships In-Wall iPad Mount

MINNEAPOLIS – Bracketron said its iRoom iDock, a motorized in-wall iPad mount, is now available.

The iDock is designed to be flushmounted while a motorized docking system opens and closes to securely store the iPad. The custom-installed dock, which can be used with the iPad and iPad 2, includes both power and composite audio internal connections. It comes in two models: an iDock Landscape ($1,199) and an iDock Portrait ($999).

A flush-mounted socket is used to integrate the iDock, Bracketron said, with the iDock connected to the power supply and inserted into the flushmounted socket.

The mount’s faceplate comes in three colors — brushed aluminum, piano black and opal white – or it can be color customized so that the bezel matches a user’s interior design.

A one-touch proximity sensor activates when someone is nearby and switches the iDock to the open position, allowing users to insert the tablet. After 10 seconds the iPad door closes again automatically, Bracketron said. Users can disable the sensor to lock the iPad permanently in place if they wish.

The iDock also automatically charges the iPad battery while mounted. According to the company, it will automatically open during a power outage so the iPad can be retrieved.

Logitech Intros Harmony Link

FREMONT, CALIF. — Logitech has introduced Harmony Link, a device that when coupled with an app turns an iPad, iPhone or Android smartphone into a universal remote control.

The Harmony Link, which operates via Wi-Fi, is a puck-sized device designed to fit next to a TV. When set up with the Harmony Link app, the two enable users to browse a personalized schedule of their favorite shows, channels and genres while turning on the correct devices needed for the activity.

For example, if users select “Watch a movie,” the DVD player and TV will turn on, or whatever combination of A/V equipment the user has predetermined. Up to eight devices can be controlled. An IR mini-blaster accessory is included, so devices inside closed furniture can be used.

It will be available in October for a $99.99 suggested retail.

More than one iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch or Android smartphone can be used at a time, Logitech said, each customized with the user’s favorite channels.