ipod docks

Crave giveaway: Monster Beatbox

OK, this week we've got a hot one courtesy of the folks at Monster: the Monster Beats by Dr. Dre Beatbox iPod Dock.

This is one room-thumping iPod/iPhone stereo system. I should know because I reviewed the thing. I said that, "The Monster Beatbox has a simple mission that goes something like this: deliver big sound from a small box." And while I didn't think it delivered the most refined sonics in the world, I recommended that if you were looking for big, aggressive sound from a compact system, this was the one to get. (… Read more

Make your own tree-branch iPod dock

Chris over at Manmadediy.com says he noticed one item pop up on lots of lists of his fellow design and DIY bloggers: the Enchanted Woods iPhone Dock from Anthropologie. He describes it as "a fun nature-meets-technology way to stand and display your iPod or iPhone."

While he thought it was "awesome," at nearly $100, it seemed like a lot to pay for something that didn't have "speakers, a clock, or even a way to plug it into the wall." But more importantly, because it was 100 percent wood and didn't "… Read more

Tivoli's iPod/iPhone dock looks good, costs a lot

While we've always loved the design and sound quality of Tivoli Audio products, the company isn't exactly known for its bargain pricing. Case in point: its new iPod/iPhone dock, The Connector, will run you $124.99. But it does match up nicely with Tivoli's existing line of tabletop radios.

As the company says, "The Connector looks beautiful next to any Tivoli Audio product. It keeps your iPod or iPhone charged, and the included remote lets you control many functions including volume, next/previous track, and playlist selection. And if you watch movies on your iPod, … Read more

Eton's Soulra shines in the sun

We've seen some good portable iPod/iPhone audio systems in our time, but Eton's Soulra is one of the more intriguing products we've come across in this category.

The unit has a rubberized aluminum body that the company says is splash-proof, and the speakers are sealed on the inside to provide "protection from sand, water, and other outdoor elements" (according to the company's press materials). On top of that, the $199 Soulra incorporates not only a rechargeable lithium ion battery but a "high-efficiency" solar panel that allows you to trickle-charge the unit … Read more

Altec targets bed stands with Octiv Mini

If you ever wanted a tiny dock for your iPhone or iPod that put out half-decent sound for its size, Altec Lansing says it has the answer with its new Octiv Mini, also known as the M102.

The Mini, which carries an MSRP of $59.99, is about as minimal as you get, with no buttons or anything in the way of features. However, when you download Altec's free Alarm Rock app to your iPhone or iPod Touch, it suddenly turns into a "functional" alarm clock. (The speaker is shielded for iPhone use, so you don't … Read more

'Tron Legacy' gear includes wall-climbing light cycles, glowing controllers

As we headed to a Disney preview of toys and gear for the upcoming "Tron" movie sequel, "Tron Legacy," we were reminded of what Yogurt said in "Spaceballs": "Merchandising, merchandising!"

While we're as excited about Disney's upcoming "Tron" sequel as anybody, it's clear the merchandising push will be fierce and all-encompassing. But if our preview of a few of the upcoming items is any indication, some of them are actually kind of cool, too.

Among the very many pieces of Tron gear available for your shopping pleasure … Read more

Wall of Sound iPod dock stands 3 feet tall

For a stereo, the Wall of Sound isn't massive. But for an iPod dock, it's gargantuan.

Pitched as "the world's most powerful iPod speaker," the Wall of Sound is a $4,500, handcrafted iPod dock with a stocky 3x4-foot frame that weighs in at 225 pounds.

As for the sound itself, the 125W system promises a frequency response of 40Hz to 20kHz that will provide "graceful mids and crystal clear highs," according to the product's Web site. It's also purportedly "for people who believe that music should be listened to … Read more

iHome goes upscale with new Studio Series iP1 iPod/iPhone audio system

We review a lot of iHome products on CNET and until now the brand has had more of budget slant to it. But this summer, with the introduction of its new iP1 Studio Series model, iHome is setting its sights a little higher.

We got an early look at the iP1 at an iHome event and it's definitely got an appealing and distinctive industrial design (iHome refers to the smoked acrylic surrounding the speakers as "museum quality"--we didn't now such a term existed for describing smoked acrylic). As far as the key specs go, the … Read more

Butterfly iPod dock takes flight

I don't know why, but somehow I can't resist butterflies (or puppies, teddy bears, or anything pink). For this reason, even though I don't have an iPod, I think the new iPod dock from Vestalife is cool.

It's called, well, the Butterfly, and it sports interchangeable colored faceplates shaped somewhat like a butterfly. The Butterfly runs on either four AA batteries (not included) or AC. When plugged in, it can charge the iPod too.

You can also connect the Butterfly to a computer via USB so you can sync the iPod. Apart from the built-in speaker, … Read more

iBoo docking station cute, but not so spooky

I don't know about you, but this thing won't scare me.

Speakal, maker of the unbearably cute iPanda, on Wednesday once again got (most of) us charmed with its new cute iPod docking station called iBoo.

The audio system comes in the shape of a friendly ghost with design elements that work in most settings: from the bedroom to the office to the kitchen. In addition, the iBoo's small footprint and light weight make it suitable for toting along on the go.

Made to be both an audio player and a decorative piece, the iBoo incorporates design … Read more