Nashville, Tenn. — Griffin Technology used the arrival of fall to launch a variety of iPod and iPhone cases and accessories.
At the Apple Expo Paris, held last month, the manufacturer unveiled the AirCurve acoustic amplifier dock and its Clarifi iPhone case that features a built-in lens for close-up photography.
The AirCurve ($19.99) is engineered to collect and amplify the sound from the built-in speaker of the iPhone and project it into the room. A coiled waveguide within AirCurve’s base eliminates the need for batteries or power adapters, said Griffin. Constructed of translucent polycarbonate, the AirCurve also includes a pass-through slot for charging and syncing the iPhone using the company’s sold-separately dock connector cable.
The Clarifi iPhone 3G case ($34.99) features a built-in lens “to give the iPhone camera lens an optical boost,” said Griffin. The lens is said to slide into place for close-up shots, and then slide aside for normal photography. It reportedly allows users to move in to 4 to 6 inches; the iPhone camera alone is limited to about 18-inch close-ups, according to Griffin. Complete access to power switch, headphone jack, volume controls and touchscreen is available with the Clarifi, and features the company’s EasyDock design in which the case bottom can be slipped off for charging and syncing the iPhone.
Griffin also launched its Simplifi aluminum desktop solution, which is said to consolidate an iPod and iPhone dock, media card reader and USB hub into a single device. Features include the ability to charge an iPhone and all dock-rechargeable iPod models that charge via USB, a USB mini cable for syncing the iPod or iPhone with a computer, two-port powered USB hub, AC adapter, and the ability to read and write such digital media cards as Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, SD, SDHC, xD and CF. It’s currently available for $69.99.
A multitude of cases for the fourth-generation iPod Nano and iPhone 3G hit the market last month from Griffin, including the Elan Form, FlexScreen, Reflect and iClear with belt clip and armband.
The Elan Form ($29.99) is a hard-shell leather case that’s meant to snap snugly around an iPod and offers triple protection in a slim, no-clip design. It bonds leather to hard-shell polycarbonate material, encasing the fourth-generation Nano or second-generation iPod Touch in two layers of protection. A screen protector is included, and it features the company’s EasyDock design.
Designed to cover the entire face of the fourth-generation Nano with a crystal-clear, scratch-resistant polycarbonate shield, the FlexScreen ($24.99) has an outer jacket of frosted silicone. A flexible static-peel protector covers the click wheel. It is available as a two-pack with black and clear color options.
The Reflect ($24.99) for the second-generation Touch features a mirrored chrome finish and a matte black rubberized case back. A static-peel screen protector and premium cleaning cloth are included.
The iClear with belt clip and armband ($29.99) is a transparent polycarbonate case for the second-generation Touch, fourth-generation Nano and iPod Classic. This newest version of iClear comes with a removable belt clip that swivels to make a stand for hands-free viewing and an adjustable armband for added functionality. A static-peel screen cover and a microfiber cleaning cloth are also included.
Designed to mount an iPhone 3G or a Touch on a car’s windshield or dashboard at eye level, the WindowSeat ($29.99) features an adjustable mounting bracket that reportedly holds the device at any desired angle. It includes an audio cable for playing the device directly through the car stereo, and is designed to allow use with the company’s PowerJolt auto charger or iTrip Auto FM transmitter.
Finally, the Wave, which the company hailed as its best-selling case for the iPhone, has been updated and redesigned to fit the fourth-generation Nano 4G, second-generation Touch and the 80GB and 120GB Classics.
The updated polycarbonate Wave cases feature the same wave-shaped contours that overlap and interlock on the original iPhone version, modified with the double-helix design now on the front and back of the case, said Griffin. It also comes with the company’s EasyDock design. The case is said to allow easy access to the dock connector, headphone port and hold switch. A full-coverage static-peel screen protector and cleaning cloth are included. It is available individually and in “Mix & Match” two-packs for those who wish to customize the case.
Pricing for the Wave is as follows:
Nano, white or black, $24.99; two-packs (black and green, or black and white), $34.99
• Touch, white, black or pink, $24.99; two-packs (black and green, or black and white), $34.99
• Cassic 80GB/120GB, white or black, $24.99.
