Oh! Gizmo

By Andrew Liszewski

While the Phonofone II might appear to have closer ties to the RCA brand, it’s actually designed to complement your iPod with its sleek, white, ceramic finish. Designed by Tristan Zimmermann, what’s truly unique about this speaker is that it doesn’t contain any electronics whatsoever, but relies on your iPod’s earbuds as its analog audio source.

Instead of connecting it directly to the headphone jack like with most speakers, you actually leave your earphones connected and place them in the Phonofone’s resonance chamber. Using the virtues of horn acoustics, the speaker promises to boost the audio output coming from those earphones up to 55 decibels, or roughly equivalent to the max volume on a pair of laptop speakers. But instead of getting “trebly buzzing” as the website accurately describes it, you get warm, resonant sound.

The speaker should be available sometime in April from Unica Home for the tidy sum of $500.

[ Phonofone II iPod Speaker ] VIA [ GeekSugar ]

By Luke Anderson

If you’re one of the many people that have jumped on the iPhone wagon, you’ve no doubt realized that typing on it isn’t quite as easy as other smartphones. The main cause for this is the lack of tactile feedback. Sure, I will admit that the keyboard isn’t that bad to use, but if you could actually feel where your fingers were, it would make things much easier. This is exactly the purpose that My Touch Keys plans to serve.

This piece of plastic clings to your screen, with holes where the letters of the keyboard would be. This way you can feel exactly where your fingers are. The blue tint looks like it might wash out your picture a bit, but for $7.99, it can’t be too bad.

[ MyTouchKeys ] VIA [ UberGizmo ]

By Luke Anderson

I recently acquired an iPod, which is a little odd since I’ve said time and again that I don’t really need one. However, I probably use it for playing music less than anything. As you might have guessed, it’s a Touch. Sure, I do use it to listen to tunes now and then, however, when I’m at home there’s no need to for it, as almost any room that I’m any for long periods has some way of accessing my music collection easily. However, if you’re looking for a way to transmit music from your iPod to your home stereo, this iSoniCast Wireless Audio Bridge from Monster looks pretty cool.

The small rectangular device you see plugs into the bottom of your iPod and transmits music to the base station, which hooks into your stereo. Since the device is going directly into your iPod, you’ll just use the controls on it, rather than some other remote. This sleek accessory will set you back $99.95.

[ Monster ] VIA [ Crave ]

By Andrew Liszewski

If you heavily rely on your iPhone or iPod Touch for watching videos and movies you’re probably tired of having to hold it for long periods. And while there’s already a large collection of stands and docks on the market for both devices, I don’t think any of them will be as sturdy as the PED 3. You see it’s actually made from a pound of solid steel and while you unfortunately can’t fold it up for easy transport, all that weight should keep it from falling over.

The metal fingers you see that hold the iPhone or iPod Touch are coated in rubber so they grip the device and are strategically positioned so as not to block any of the buttons or ports. The fingers can also be rotated 360 degrees and can be adjusted between two angled positions. The large base even features a center split that allows you to keep any connected cables looking tidy.

Both the iPhone and iPod Touch versions of the PED 3 are available on the company’s online store for $39.99.

[ PED 3 Rotating Stand ]

By Luke Anderson

Ok guys, listen up. Valentine’s Day is coming up, and let me remind you that in addition to Christmas and your anniversary, you don’t want to screw it up. Yes, I’m fully aware that this particular holiday was designed by the greeting card and jewelry industries in order to sell more merchandise. Unfortunately your wife/fiance/girlfriend isn’t going to buy it (she didn’t last year, why would this year be any different?). Thankfully, Apple has your back, and they’ve got the perfect gift.

Let me rephrase that, they have the perfect gift if the special woman in your life loves pink. The too-pink-for-my-taste product that they’ve launched in time for Valentine’s Day is none other than the iPod nano. You’ll be able to order it in pink, and engrave it with a wonderful message just for your sweetheart. Like the other 8GB nanos (yes, it only comes in 8GB, so cough up the extra $50), it’ll set you back $199. Remember, nothing says “I love you” like technology.

VIA [ Apple ]

By Andrew Liszewski

If you live in a downtown setting and have opted for a bicycle instead of a car, it’s not the best idea to ride around listening to your iPod with headphones on, since it will tend to block out all the sounds around you. On top of that, controlling the touch sensitive iPod while keeping an eye on the road isn’t easy. So think of the iHome2GO iH85B as a sort of stereo system for your bike that makes enjoying your MP3s easier and safer while riding.

Your iPod sits safely inside a water-resistant speaker case that attaches to your bike frame with an included mounting bracket. Since it’s designed to accommodate some of the larger iPods, the iH85B is slightly bigger than a standard water bottle, but should still fit inside most frames. Not only does the setup allow you to listen to your music while riding, but you can still easily hear what’s going on all around you. Of course with your iPod sealed inside the speaker you don’t have access to its controls, so the iH85B also includes a wireless RF remote that mounts to your handlebars. The simple button layout is like a larger version of the iPod Shuffle, making it easy to use even while you’re out on a ride.

The iHome2GO iH85B is available on the iHome website for $79.99.

[ iHome2GO iH85B ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Not only is this cardboard boombox a cheaper alternative to most of the speaker docks you’ll find for the iPod, but you’ll even save on shipping since it arrives flat-packed. It does require some basic paper folding skills to assemble but in no time you’ll be blasting your music through its fully working pair of amplified speakers.

On top of that it’s also got retro 80’s styling and I think you’d look pretty cool walking around the office carrying this thing on your shoulder. I’m not 100% sure how it connects to the iPod but if it uses the headphone jack it’s only a pair of scissors away from being compatible with other MP3 players as well.

The Cardboard iPod Boombox should be available from SUCK UK at the end of the month for about $40.

[ Folded Cardboard iPod Boombox ] VIA [ bookofjoe ]

By Andrew Liszewski

With all the talk these days about iPhones getting ‘bricked’ these iPod docks made of stone almost seem like a photoshopped gag. But they’re real (weighing in around 5.5 lbs each) and come in two versions called Wabi and Sabi complete with USB 2.0 ports and audio and video outputs. The docks seem like the perfect choice if you live or work underground and want to stick with the whole ‘bare rock’ motif or have simply always wanted a large chunk of granite sitting on your desk.

The iStones are available from Brand Incubator but the website has no info on pricing.

[ iStones ] VIA [ Freshpilot ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Hot on the heels of Apple announcing their revamped iPod line, WaterField Designs has just released three new cases designed specifically for the new additions to the iPod family. The WF Designs Smart Case and Suede Jacket Case which I reviewed earlier for the iPhone are now compatible with the iPod Classic, the new Nano and of course the iPod Touch. The company also sells an iPod Travel Case designed to store the player and all the cables, chargers and other accessories you need to travel with.

I particularly recommend the Suede Jacket Case as a cheap and easy way to keep your iPod scratch-free when carried in a pocket and even you Shuffle owners can now enjoy the added bit of protection it offers.

The iPod Smart Case runs between $29-$39 depending on what style you choose and should be available by September 30. The iPod Travel Case runs between $35-$39 depending on what size you choose (small, medium & large) and the iPod Suede Jacket Case runs between $5-$9 and both are available now.

[ WaterField Designs Creates Cases for Apple’s iPod Touch, iPod Classic and iPod Nano ]

By Shane McGlaun

If you are the old school type that likes to have new gadgets and need a way to mix old and new, Advance Sound Devices has a strange product that might do just that. The device is called the Retro Tune Mini Jukebox and is basically just what the name describes.

You get a mini jukebox with all the style of the 50’s down to the rotating light column coupled with a dock for your iPod or iPhone. The dock allows you to charge and play your iPhone or iPod while viewing the screen.

Other features of the jukebox include an alarm clock that can wake you to music from your iPod or iPhone and a single disk CD player. The device also includes a remote that allows you to control your iPod or iPhone from across the room.

VIA [ Advance Sound Devices ]