Philips Adds Ten iPod-Docking SKUs

By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 6/18/2007

NEW YORK — Philips is tripling its selection of home audio systems with included iPod docks to 15 SKUs from the five announced at International CES, launching its first Bluetooth-equipped audio systems, and offering its first iPod dock with two-way ZigBee-technology RF remote.

In MP3 players, the company unveiled its first two video-capable flash-memory models with 3.5-inch screens, one of which is the company's first MP3 player with embedded 8GB flash memory.

The announcements were made at its press preview here.

The latest round of iPod-docking systems, all company firsts, include:

two shelf systems with Bluetooth-equipped iPod dock that can be placed
away from the systems' main chassis in a more convenient location;
two shelf systems equipped with Bluetooth to play music stored on a Bluetooth-equipped cellphone;
an iPod-docking undercabinet TV/DVD player at a suggested $399;
an iPod docking clock radio at a suggested $79.99; and
a boombox with integrated iPod dock.

Most of the new systems don't dock with GoGear players, but select systems can be mated with an optional GoGear/iPod dock.

With the introductions, the company is also expanding its selection of audio systems with USB ports to play MP3/WMA files stored on USB flash-memory drives and flash-memory MP3 players. The introductions also mark the first time that Philips is incorporating memory-card slots in volume, said marketing manager Robert Morgan. In this case, select models feature SD/MMC card slots to play stored music.

Product highlights include the $199-suggested BTM-630 one-piece music system with MP3-CD player, integrated iPod dock, and Bluetooth to play music stored on a Bluetooth-equipped cellphone. The system also acts as a hands-free speakerphone that display's a phone's caller ID. The 630 also features USB port and SD/MMC slot, and it burns MP3 and WMA files to CD from USB drives and memory cards. That feature is intended for consumers with legacy MP3/WMA-CD players that lack iPod interfaces, USB ports and memory card slots.

An iPod-docking three-piece system is the $199-suggested BTM-628, a vertically oriented system with most of the same features as the 630, including CD burning, but instead of an integrated dock, it features a separate Bluetooth-equipped iPod dock for convenient placement.

Another vertically oriented system, this one wall-mountable, features connected iPod/GoGear dock and a four-disc system that displays CDs behind motorized glass doors. The system plays MP3/WMA files encoded on disc and features USB port. Pricing was unavailable.

The stand-alone SJM3151 iPod dock, $199, can be mated with any A/V system and features a two-way ZigBee RF remote with LCD screen that displays the iPod's menu.

The undercabinet system is the $399-suggested DCD-778 with AM/FM tuner, DVD/MP3-CD player, QUAM/ATSC TV tuner, 8.5-inch LCD screen, flip-down iPod dock and ability to display iPod videos.

The $79.99 HA-300 clock radio with integrated iPod/GoGear dock is compact but features stereo speakers.

The $199 MCM-704D, is a docking boombox with MP3/WMA-CD player, USB port but no memory card slot, and digital AM/FM tuner. Pricing was unavailable.