Cygnett Launches iPod Accessory Line In U.S.

RICHMOND, AUSTRALIA — Cygnett, an iPod accessory company based here, has decided to hemisphere-hop and introduce its wares to the U.S. market.

After witnessing the success one of their other companies had in the United States — Swann, a home surveillance system manufacturer — the company decided to try its hand with iPod accessories, a company spokeswoman told TWICE. She described Cygnett as being one of the top three accessory brands in Australia, behind Belkin and Griffin.

Tim Swann, managing director of Cygnett, said, "Having achieved great success in the Australian market and subsequently the U.K. market, against the same global competitors, we felt that the U.S. was the next logical step. We had been receiving enquiries from all over America and felt that the timing was right to expand."

A line of products was launched May 1 on Newegg.com, and the company said it plans to build up a list of retailers before debuting their U.S. advertising plans. (Advertising plan details were not available.)

Product introductions included the Musical Safari wireless FM transmitter. Priced at $49.99, the Musical Safari features touch-sensitive keys that lets users "glide" through FM stations. It charges the iPod during use and comes with a car adaptor.

Two sets of ear buds are available: the Groove Atomic and the GrooveJets. The titanium Groove Atomics are engineered to be ultra-light while still providing good bass response. The GrooveJets feature silicone adapters and a form-fitting ergonomic design that's meant to isolate external noise. Both sets retail for $14.99.

Cygnett also introduced the Unison i-X5 iPod speaker system, which features cone bass drivers, silk dome tweeters and built-in power amplifiers. The system retails for a suggested $249 and has a hand-crafted wood enclosure, said the company, with a high-gloss piano black finish. A remote is included.

Finally, the GrooveToons iPod alarm clock is designed as a "funky little character," sporting bulging eyes and available in five colors: black, silver, pink, green and blue. It works with the iPod Nano and is priced at $49.99.