NuView Dock Charger (IPA5000)

The beauty of Cirago’s iDevice accessories lies in their simplicity.  Most of them do one thing and do it very well for situations that Apple’s in-the-box accessories do not cover.  The NuView is a prime example. With the release of the iPad 2, Apple stopped offering an iPad dock (the first generation was still available, but not recommended due to changes in the iPad’s design).  The NuView suffers from no such limitation, as it happily accommodates both iPad and iPad 2 models in portrait orientation for charging.  Should you wish to watch a movie in landscape, simply flip the dock around and lay the iPad into the cushioned track, where it is held at the perfect angle for viewing (or swiping through Flipboard articles, tapping through puzzle games, etc.).  The NuView holds the iPad snugly enough for solid tapping in either portrait or landscape orientation, and the rubber feet on the bottom of the unit hold the dock firmly in place on a desk/table no matter how wildly you stab at the screen to get in one last word in Scramble With Friends.  The included wall charger provides power to charge your iPad when docked vertically; horizontal docking offers no charging capability.

10 ft USB Sync/Charge Cable (IPA1200)

This one wins for sheer simplicity of naming—it is a 10-foot USB cable with an Apple Dock Connector on one end and a USB-A connector (the wide flat one) on the other. What it lacks in other features it more than makes up for in utility, as Apple’s own included Dock Connector cable is a meager three(ish) feet long, and is often too short. Rather than perch an iPhone precariously or leave it on the floor where it might be stepped on because a plug is too far away, Cirago’s 10-foot cable easily reaches. The increasing number of cars with integrated USB ports is also growing, so hiding an iDevice out of sight in a glove box or cubby is much easier when cable length is not a restriction. To support the additional length, the IPA 1200 is thicker than Apple’s standard cable (more than twice as wide), with extra shielding to prevent breakage. The cable uses the USB 2.0 spec, and supports all iPhone, iPad, and iPod models (4th generation and up).

USB Sync/Charge Cable Kit (IMA1000)

The Sync/Charge is a crafty little chameleon—the kit includes a 6-foot USB to Micro-USB cable, and a brilliant Micro-USB to 30-pin Dock adapter. Many consumer electronics have adopted the Micro-USB as a standard connection for charging and syncing, and, in fact, Micro-USB was adopted as a standard for cellphone chargers in Europe (even Apple signed on, though the Dock Connector is still as ubiquitous as ever). Many devices Stateside—such as Bluetooth headsets from Jawbone, Cirago’s own Bluetooth iPad keyboard case, and many digital cameras—use the Micro-USB for charging and computer syncing, so this Sync/Charge system cuts down on the number of cables one must carry. The cable is 6 feet long (again a handy feature for hard-to-reach outlets), and it is also thicker than Apple’s cable for extra durability. The Dock Connector adaptor is well built and feels durable, and the connection of the Micro-USB to Dock adaptor is solid.

Monster’s Clarity HD Model One had me thinking back to party night at church camp in my younger years, and the sound system that was required to fill an outdoor pavilion with the music of Styx, Duran Duran or Tommy James and the Shondells, depending upon the era. Those speakers were towers, and there were stacks of LPs or CDs in milk crates surrounding them. Not fun to lug around.

The relatively tiny Clarity HD Model One may have been able to out-power those rigs, and all from a tiny little iPod.

The Clarity HD Model One’s strongest feature is the fact its “voiced for high resolution playback of digital audiofiles,” as the website states. Monster says this allows the system to reproduce all genres of music with amazing fidelity. They aren’t lying. No matter what style of music I put through these—whether listening to classical in my office or the Talking Heads while moving into and setting up our new location—the speakers sounded great and filled the room(s) well. Crossover is handled entirely in the digital domain, so there’s no signal degradation as music passes from low to high volume and from deep bass to high trebles.

This is important, because you know the Clarity HD Model One is going to sound good when you want it to fill the room. But when you need it turned down (and you will—way down—because it doesn’t take much for these to get too loud), your audio is as clear as it is when allowed to work towards full power. The twin 6.5″ woofers and 1″ silk dome tweeters have active crossovers and are bi-amplified with digital amps, offering great balance no matter what the volume. But if you’re finding the highs to be too bright, you can adjust that with the high frequency level dial (+2db to natural to -2db).

The Clarity HD has some other great features, too. First, it’s easily transported. Each 16 x 9 x 6.25 inch speaker includes a handle at the top, making it simple to carry the system around. Once you’ve got them where you want them, connect the two speakers with the included 8-pin DIN passover cable, plug them in, turn them on and you’re set.

You can mount an iPod or iPhone at the top of the active (right) speaker, which can be controlled via the iDevice’s controls or with the included remote control (as expected, it charges the device when plugged in). You can also connect other external devices via 1/8″ mini jack input, RCA composite audio input, or left/right TRS 1/4″ balanced input. There’s even a port for an AAC and apt-x compliant Bluetooth adapter for wireless streaming to the monitor, although the adapter is not included, and I don’t even see that it’s available yet.

The last thing to discuss is the finish. The design is a bit sparse, but we’ll call it modern. Available only in glossy red or yellow, the monitors draw attention to themselves; something to consider if you plan to use them in your home or office. They’re also quite tall, but their triangular design really doesn’t have as much of a footprint as you’d think. I’ve seen much smaller speakers take up more shelf space simply because of their design.

And then, there’s the price. At $750, you’re paying a premium for the Monster name. It’s a premium the company has earned, so it’s not unjustified, but if that’s pushing your budget, you can likely find similar performance for $100 to $200 less if you take the time to shop around.

I just wish I could take these back in time to those party night dances at Camp Piedmont. It would’ve been nice to have a system this powerful and clear that didn’t require its own pickup truck to haul around.

Appletell Rating:

Buy the Monster Clarity HD Model One

The Backstory

Appletell had the chance to catch up with the inventor of the FlyGrip, Michael Karmatz, at MacWorld | iWorld 2012, and he gave us an insight into the genesis of this handy little accessory. Born out of frustration at awkward hand contortions and accidental mistaps on touch screens, Karmatz sketched out an idea for a simple two-finger gripper that would free the thumb from holding the phone and allow its use purely for navigation. On the show floor the FlyGrip booth was swamped with buyers and models in very purple outfits, both creating quite a stir.

This one-handed design frees the user’s other hand to allow better multitasking during casual phone use—using your phone for walking directions does not require your full attention, so why should it require both of your hands? Best of all, the company is based in New York, and all manufacturing happens in the USA, which makes for a pretty sweet deal at only $29.95.

Installation

The FlyGrip is compatible with just about any smartphone or tablet, provided it has a flat, smooth back surface. Obviously, the glass and aluminum that make up most of Apple’s products meet those specs, but other devices may need to be in a case that provides an adequate area for the FlyGrip’s 3M adhesive. For iPhone 3GS, 4, and 4S users, the FlyGrip is compatible out of the box; for other phone users, check FlyGrip’s website for a handy phone compatibility chart. At launch, FlyGrip is including a free snap-on case with purchases, so many users will never need to install the FlyGrip directly to their phone.

The FlyGrip comes in three sizes—small, medium and large—so check the FAQ before ordering to make sure your fingers will fit. Included in the box are foam pads for resizing if you find the grip too loose, and an extra adhesive sheet should you decide to remove your FlyGrip and stick it on another device. The bundled instructions suggest the use of a dull, flat object like a butter knife to pry the FlyGrip off when you move it. Though it seems incredible, the process is actually fairly simple and less traumatic than it might seem (check out the video below), but taking a butter knife to a $400 phone is definitely not for the faint of heart.

Boldly Going Where No Phone Has Gone

In the interview with Karmatz, a number of uses for the FlyGrip were discussed, ranging from the ingenious to the ludicrous.  For smaller tablets and e-readers, the FlyGrip is especially useful because many are too small to hold comfortably for very long without touching any keys. Long term use with an iPad is possible, but the iPad’s weight can be uncomfortable. Potential situations where the FlyGrip might be useful include:

• iPhone as a flashlight (either the LED or screen)
• Reading while running on a treadmill
• Pushing a shopping cart perusing an electronic shopping list (either cradling the phone or wearing it like a ring)
• Eating while tweeting (catchy-sounding but dangerous)
• Using HopStop for directions while holding on for dear life in the NYC subway
• Hold a Kindle up while reading in bed
• Use your imagination…

Not just an accessory, but a revelation in iPhone usefulness, the FlyGrip is easily one of the top ten iDevice accessories of all time. Whether in use as a kickstand, gripper cradled inside the hand, or as a ring on top of the hand, the FlyGrip ensures your smartphone adapts to your current activity, rather than you fumbling not to drop your shiny iPhone while shopping for rutabagas.  Recommending the FlyGrip is easy, emphasizing just how useful it will become is the hard part.

Product [FlyGrip]

Here is a roundup of some of the best audio products demonstrated by several companies, some old standbys and a few fresh faces:

Bang & Olufsen

The venerable Danish firm B&O used Macworld | iWorld to demo the first B&O Play device, the Beolit 12. B&O Play represents a new iDevice-centric sub-brand for the upmarket firm, with their signature focus on simplicity and stunning design all at a more affordable price.  The Beolit 12 is a portable, rechargeable speaker capable of playing tunes via AirPlay, audio in, or USB connection. 

Gavio

A surprise newcomer, and a selection in Appletell’s Favorite Products of Macworld | iWorld 2012, Gavio turned many show attendees’ heads with their impressive audio and even more incredible designs. The Wrenz speakers, which look like small metallic or jewel-encrusted birds, and Sgul earphones, which resemble the Terminator sans skin carried loads of style and an impressive sound to match. 

Polk Audio

The display at the Polk Audio booth certainly matched its description in the press materials: High-Flying and High-Fidelity. The stars of the acrobatic trampoline act were pro acrobats demonstrating the staying power of the Polk’s new Ultrafit sport & fitness headphones, while the stars of the booth were the Ultrafit headphones themselves. The 500, 1,000, and 3,000 series in-ear headphones looked good and sounded better, while the 2000 series on-ears were comfortable and provided convenient controls right on the headset.

SRS Labs 

Rounding out the bunch is SRS Labs and their MyTunes iPhone app. This app provides audio enhancement, equalizer, and volume leveling technology developed by SRS labs for custom hardware—Apple even used the SRS Surround Sound processing tech in its old MultipleScan AV line of displays. With customized audio enhancement profiles for various output devices like car audio, in-ear or on-ear headphones, or speakers, MyTunes makes your music sound its best regardless of where you’re listening. The free version provides a time-limited trial, while the full version is $4.99 on the App Store.

Be sure to check out the rest of our Macworld | iWorld 2012 coverage.

Aaron: ōlloclip iPhone Lens by ōlloclip

Launched as a KickStarter project last year, ōlloclip has been burning up the iDevice accessory world lately. The ōlloclip is a combination fisheye, macro, and wide angle lens that snaps effortlessly on the iPhone body and self-aligns with the camera.

The ōlloclip takes full advantage of the iPhone 4S’ excellent camera for both still shots and video, opening a new world of artistic effects for the point-and-shoot camera most people carry around every day. With precision ground optical elements and a machined aluminum lens barrel, the ōlloclip is a great option for professional photo results when a bulky DSLR just is not an option.

David: Crestron Mobile Pro G by Crestron

With all due respect to all of the fantastic apps at MacWorld | iWorld 2012 I am going to give Crestron my nod for Best of Show.

The Crestron control system allows you to connect to and control almost anything that runs on electricity from your iDevice wherever you are. The ability to set up preferences, touch a couple of buttons and have your home set your shades, start your coffee, turn on the morning news, set the thermostat, turn on some background music, open the garage door, etc., all before your feet hit the floor when the alarm goes off is a significant time saver.

In the workplace it can help manage light harvesting and environment control, which can mean significant energy savings. Since I have a penchant for the really handy, Crestron gets the “best of show” for this Expo.

Kirk: Pretty much any speaker system by Gavio

There were plenty of products by familiar companies I was happy to finally check out at Macworld | iWorld this year: iStop Motion for iPad from Boinx, the Spark Digital condenser mic from Blue, and Monster Wars from Liv Games, for example. But my “best in show” goes to a company that’s new to me and to Macworld Expo: Gavio.

Gavio showed off a lot of products for iDevices, but it was their line of portable speakers that won me over. Specifically, the Wrenz, Alchemey, Toast and GooGoo models. These are all gorgeously designed systems that are at once charming and unique, and all of them pack more punch than you’d expect (especially the Alchemy, despite being housed in a single aluminum cylinder).

Wrenz

Whether via Bluetooth or the docking port, they provide solid sound from your iDevices, and complement them quite well. The Wrenz are available now, with Alchemy, Toast and GooGoo available for pre-order.

Also see Appletell’s Surprising Finds.

What you may have surmised by now is that, if they could, Just Mobile would likely be Apple. Their products are perfect complements, right down to the packaging. They even come with stickers, for Pete’s sake, just like Apple’s do. Their stands, for example, don’t just support Apple’s iDevices, they frame them. They show them off. It’s some impressive design work.

Could such a thing be possible with a battery backup? Well, no. It’s just a battery. And yet for the combination of aesthetics and functionality, Just Mobile’s Gum Max is so dead on that you’d think it came in the box with your iDevice.

The design takes its cues from the brushed aluminum of Apple’s iMacs and MacBooks. I like this, as it looks sleek and hides fingerprints and smudges. I wish Apple would return to this structure for the iPad and iPhone, but we’ll have to see about that.

The rather large sides (the Gum Max is 1″ thick) are lined with a black stripe that nicely accents the high grade aluminum shell, which itself is sloped at the edges for a comfortable grip.

One end contains your USB output to the iDevice, the other has the micro-USB input from the power source. Plug that end into the wall to charge up its battery, which will take a few hours from a low charge. When full, plug the other end into your iDevice to charge it. (You’re clearly warned on the back that you should never charge the Gum Max while using it to charge an iDevice.)

The top of the device contains the power button and a row of eight LED lights to indicate how much power remains in the battery. It’s a simple, slick design that can rest next to your iDevices without being distracting.

What really matters, though, is power, and the 10,400mAh capacity battery has plenty of that. It can charge a fully depleted iPad 2 in about three hours and still have some power to spare. You’ll certainly have no problem bringing your iPhone or iPod touch back to life.

Of course, this won’t matter a whole lot if you don’t have the battery with you, and Just Mobile made transportation a bit simpler with the included drawstring carrying pouch. It also comes with the USB to iDevice and micro-USB to power source cables, but they’re both quite short. The power source cable, especially, could be a few inches longer to easily reach a wall outlet.

A bigger drawback is that it doesn’t come with a USB power adapter. You can use the one that came with your iDevice if it’s the original iPad 10W model (the larger one with the retractable prongs). The smaller model has an output current smaller than 2A, which, as Just Mobile explains it, means it could get overloaded and burn out.

Just Mobile also warns that you should only plug the USB power input into an iMac, MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, as other computers may not be powerful enough to charge the Gum Max.

Those are some odd restrictions, but if your setup is approved, the Gum Max is a powerful and convenient method for making sure your iDevices are charged and ready for use when you need them to be. And when you don’t, it’ll look pretty comfortable sitting next to them.

Appletell Rating:

Buy the Gum Max

There’s no shortage of new headphones being announced CES this week, and Moshi is one of the latest to serve up their take on sound with the Clarus earphones addition to the Moshio Audio line. The unique two way DynaDuo™ driver of the Clarus model provides a warm analog listening experience versus the clinical sonic signature of the more common balanced armature drivers.

Clarus incorporates two dynamic drivers to cover both ends of the frequency spectrum, and is therefore able to retain a full sound while imparting the same accuracy and resolution that is the forte of balanced armature drivers. This allows the earphones to impart every nuance of jazz, rock, classical, or acoustic music.

Clarus is equipped with DynaDuo™, which consists of two dynamic drivers that enable a wide frequency response with pristine sound reproduction. Typical IEMs require complete seal-off of ear canals to achieve meaningful bass response. Clarus manages to circumvent this problem by utilizing a dedicated woofer with sound guide to deliver robust low frequency sound into your ears. What really sets Clarus apart however, is its dedicated high frequency driver, which has been acoustically engineered to render airy transparency. The passive crossover has also been optimized for exceptional uniformity. The end result is an immersive listening experience with enhanced transparency and accurate sound imaging.

The Clarus earpieces are designed to rest on the cusp of the ear canals, not inside of them, thereby eliminating ear fatigue. Soft ear loops hook over the ears to keep the earphones securely in place when exercising or just really getting into your music.

Other features include:

• Steel alloy construction ensures absolute purity without distortion.
• Braided ultra-light weight OFC cable with 3-button controls with mic.
• Custom carrying case with cable management.

The Clarus premium dual-driver earphones are available now for $200. For additional information, including tech specs, visit www.moshimonde.com.

Apple offers numerous ways to shoot video from your iPhone or iPod touch directly to your TV or monitor…provided you have the right models. If not, the Aire Monitor with Docking Station from AOC may be what you need. The 23-inch Full High Definition monitor features a built-in universal docking station for iPhone and iPod that allows immediate video, audio and photo playback from the mobile device through AOC’s patented plug-and-play technology.

The elegant and energy efficient Aire Monitor with Docking Station features a sleek design with a black bezel and white back that complements Apple’s stylish products. The 12.9 mm-thin monitor’s modern design is complemented by impressive image quality with Full HD 1080p resolution, a 50,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio and 5 ms response time. The monitor’s Dynamic Contrast Boost feature creates five different color enhancement settings and allows for color adjustment in highlighted areas. The Aire Monitor with Docking Station also offers a user-friendly graphical OSD menu that can be accessed directly through the mouse and bonus features like embedded Screen+ software that allows the user to divide the screen into four self-contained work areas.

Along with being EPEAT Silver Certified for its green packaging and production, the monitor is also equipped with multiple power-saving features for reduced environmental impact, while the LED backlight is completely Mercury free. An Off Timer allows users to set an alarm clock to turn of the monitor automatically, and the eSaver feature has preset power conservation modes for the display when the PC is not in use.

And to make sure you’re ready to go with movies and music, the base of the monitor includes built-in speakers with high quality SRS Premium Sound.

Specifications:

• Ultra-slim (12.9 mm) monitor with built-in universal iPhone/iPod docking station
• 23″ viewable image size, diagonal
• 50,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
• Displays 16.7 million colors
• 5ms response time
• 16:9 Aspect ratio
• 250 cd/m² typical brightness
• 1920×1080@60Hz resolution
• HDMI digital input
• Built-in speakers: 10 Watts
• Windows 7 compatible

The 23-inch AOC Aire Monitor with Docking Station will be available for $279.99 in March 2012. If you’ll be at CES 2012 in Las Vegas next week, you’ll be able to check it out at the Bellagio, Monet 3 Ballroom.

AKG K 495 NC

The AKG noise-cancelling headphones block constant noise generated by traffic, trains and airplanes. Each model ships with an adapter for in-flight entertainment, and the K 495 NC include an extra-long audio cable to plug into a stationary component.

AKG K 495 NC – $349.95

These premium active noise-cancellation headphones deliver high-quality audio defined by a clarity of sound across all ranges, from crisp highs to deep lows. The headphones are charged via USB—not batteries—and continue to block noise in passive mode, unlike other noise-cancelling headphones. The stylish on-ear headphones feature brushed-metal parts, leather ear cups and an adjustable leather headband to ensure a snug, comfortable fit. The K 495 NC headphones ship with a small carrying case, two audio cables, a USB charging adapter and flight adapter.

AKG K 490 NC, $249.95

A high-performance active noise-cancelling headphone, the K 490 NCs feature exceptional audio balance at an attractive price. The headphones are charged via USB – not batteries –and continue to block noise in passive mode, unlike other noise-cancelling headphones. These lightweight, on-ear headphones are adjustable and designed specifically for lengthy listening periods. The K 490 NC headphones ship with a small carrying case, flight adapter and USB charging cable.

For additional information on the AKG noise-canceling headphones or to purchase, visit harmanaudio.com or visit them at CES at LVCC Central Hall, booth #12438.

From the press release:

• iW4 AirPlay Wireless 20 Watts Bedside Speaker System for iPad/iPhone/iPod
  Making its alarm clock speaker system debut, AirPlay utilizes the home WiFi network to deliver more flexibility than ever before. Easily stream your entire iTunes library over the network to listen, sleep or wake to your favorite tunes. The iW4 is expected to retail for $269.99.
• iP18 LED Color Changing Dual Alarm Clock Speaker System for iPhone and iPod
  A little bit of color goes a long way with this ultra-modern and stylish alarm clock speaker solution. Now with a smaller footprint and new cube design, this app-friendly Glowtunes offering has big features including four color-changing modes, Reson8 speaker chamber technology, one-touch clock sync and more. The iP18 is expected to retail for $69.99.
• iD50 App-Enhanced Bluetooth Alarm Clock Radio Speakerphone for iPad/iPhone/iPod with AM/FM Presets
  The alarm clock you’d expect to see on James Bond’s nightstand, but with a price tag that makes it realistic for non secret agents to own. The iD50 is strong in the features department and has a smooth finish that will stir you to wake rather than shake you. The iD50 is expected to retail for $169.99.

iHome is showcasing the new devices at CES 2012 in the North Hall, booth #N245. The App-enhanced dsystems, as well as the iD38 and iD95, will be available later this year.