LAS VEGAS —
More iPad-docking speaker systems,
more iPad speaker systems with rotating docks, and
more high-end iPod speakers priced up to $599 will
join new tabletop speaker systems that stream music
via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Here’s what you’ll find:
Altec Lansing:
A new tabletop Bluetooth speaker
system is the $199-suggested AC/DC InMotion Air,
which ships in January. The bar-style speaker is packaged
with a stereo-Bluetooth USB dongle that connects
to a laptop or PC. A speaker without a bundled
dongle will be available at $179.
Each speaker can be paired with up to three Bluetooth-
equipped devices, including iPhones and other
cellphones. One laptop or smartphone can stream simultaneously
to two speakers.
The dongle and speaker feature Audio Processing
Technology’s Apt-X technology, which eliminates the
compressed-music artifacts that Bluetooth’s SBC audio
codec makes more noticeable, Altec said.
Audiovox:
The company’s first iPad-docking
speaker systems appear under the RCA and Acoustic
Research brands.
The AR docks are the $129-suggested ARS35i
and $99.99 ARS30i. The RCA model is the $79.99
RC200i. All feature FM tuner and ship in the spring. All
three also offer free app to stream live weather alerts/
forecasts and wake to music, sports information, or
news stations. The app also syncs the dock’s time
with the time on a docked iPad/iPhone, and it enables
voice and clap commands to turn off the system and
snooze the alarm.
The new ARS35i iPad dock features dock with motorized
rotating arm to turn the iPad to landscape or
portrait mode for user viewing preference. Other features
include video output, 3.5mm aux input, and remote
control.
The AR S30i iPad dock cradles the iPad vertically. It
also features LCD display, clock, aux in, and video out.
The RCA iPad dock, the RC2001, enables viewing
in portrait or landscape view. Pricing was unavailable.
Also under the RCA and AR brands, Audiovox is
launching multiple iPod/iPhone-docking clock radios
with a free app that streams live weather alerts/forecasts
and enables waking to music, sports or news
stations. The app also syncs the docks’ time with the
time on a docked iPhone/iPod clock’s time, and it
provides voice-activated or clap command of the off
and snooze functions. Three RCA models and an AR
model are due in the spring.
Haier:
Four new docking speakers include the company’s
first two iPad-docking models. One of the iPad
systems is the $129.99-suggested IPD-100 – View
XL. The second iPad system is the $79.99 IPD-01 –
Flex, which displays an iPad in portrait and landscape
mode as well as in a position to facilitate use of its
virtual keyboard.
An iPod/iPhone-docking speaker system is the
$79.99-suggested IPDS-10 Flow, which features rotation
button to position an iPod/iPhone into portrait
or landscape view. The $99.99-suggested AC/DC
IPDS-20 – Move is the brand’s first portable iPod/
iPhone speaker and has rechargeable battery.
iLive:
The digital products international division is
launching its first iPad-docking speaker systems and
its first iPod/iPhone speaker systems with rotating
docks.
One of the two iPad speakers is the $49.99-suggested
AC/DC iSD131B, which is a combination case, stand, and speaker that docks only with the
iPad, which can be rotated manually by 360 degrees.
The second iPad speaker is the $99.99-suggested
2.1-channel iSD391B, whose dock can be rotated
manually as well as adjusted vertically. It also features
video out and an app to add clock, alarm, weather forecast,
EQ and calendar.
In iPod/iPhone systems, the company is launching
two models with manually rotating docks: the
$49.99-suggested iSP391B and the $69.99 iSP591B.
Panasonic:
The company’s RC-DC1 AM/FM clock
radio features arch design, large LCD screen, dual
alarm to wake to radio or iPod, and snooze button at
$69.95. It replaces a similarly designed model without
AM/FM clock.
Philips:
The company is tapping the top of the iPod/
iPhone speaker market with the $599 Fidelio DS9010,
due at the end of March. It has an aircraft-quality aluminum
chassis, ability to dock iPods/iPhones in their
protective cases, curved back, proximity sensor, and a
dedicated app to add more functions. The model joins
a $499 DS9000 launched last year.
RCA (by Alco):
First-quarter deliveries are planned
for three RCA tabletop sound systems with iPad dock.
They are the RPD160A, RPD163A and RPD1688A
with expected street prices starting below $100. All
feature free apps, FM radio and remote. App details
were unavailable. The RPD160A is suitable for tabletop
and wall mounting.
Sharp:
Seven products with iPod/iPhone dock consist
of two iPod speakers, two minicomponent systems,
two microcomponent systems, and a hi-fi component
system. Pricing was unavailable.
The minicomponent systems are the CD-DHS1050P
and CD-DH-S950P, both with iPod/iPhone dock on
top, front-panel USB to connect other MP3 players,
five-disc CD changer, and full-logic cassette. The two
microcomponent systems are the XL-DH259P and XLDH229P
with dock on top, USB connection for other
MP3 players, and CD player. The component system
is the XL-HF200P with two two-way speakers and CD
receiver with dock on top, video output and USB connection
to other MP3 players.
Two iPod speakers include the DK-CL5P with clockradio
functions, FM, SD slot, USB Host and video output.
Spectra:
Under the Jensen brand, the company is
launching the iPod/iPhone-docking JiMS-215i CD music
system with dual alarm clock, due at a suggested
$89.99 in the second quarter. It’s the company’s
smallest docking CD clock radio to date. Another
new product is the JiSS-10i docking clock radio, due in March at a suggested $49.99 with appenabled
features.
The JiMS-215i CD features slide-out dock
and built-in vertical CD player that plays MP3
CDs. Other features include backlit multifunction
LCD display, FM, dual alarm clock
with battery backup, and ability to wake to
FM, alarm or iPod/iPhone.
The JiSS-10i is a compact docking speaker
with stereo speakers and carry pouch,
as well as an app to provide customizable
split-screen display, customizable clock and
calendar display, weather with four-day forecast,
music player, FM radio control, photo
viewer, and multiple alarm settings and
sounds.
