From distributed brand K-array, Sennheiser has announced the Ecodock, a freestanding miniature loudspeaker that’s capable of boosting the iPhone 4/4S audio signal by up to 10dB with no battery or external power supply. Amplify conference calls, listen to podcasts, or enjoy music at modest levels.

The upsides of the iKurv are that it is a fairly stylish place to charge your iDevice and listen to your tunes while you charge up; the sound is descent and the blue light lends an interesting accent (except for you blue haters…). The remote is very handy and functions well, and the iKurv doesn’t take up a lot of space. The down sides are that the audio is clean but only okay, the volume control could use some more finesse when you turn it down, and you need to be sure you have the correct adapter tray or you may have trouble with the connection.

The iHome iA63 is a fantastic speaker/dock for the iPhone and iPod touch that really does it all. In addition to being a compact sound system that charges every version of those devices, it’s got an FM radio and is an alarm clock with built-in functionality to let you drift off to sleep listening to music. But iHome has taken it two steps further by creating apps that let your iDevice interact with the iA63, controlling and expanding its functionality, or working as standalone apps when you’re away from home.

I for one was really hoping for GPS in the new iPod Touch, but it seems that didn’t make Apple’s list of necessary updates. Actually, not a whole lot has changed since the device’s first generation.

What did make the update list was a thinner case, yes, thinner. Just when you thought the iPod touch was anorexic, they make it thinner! And somehow they managed to fit a speaker in there, with volume controls. Still no mic though. It’s curved, like its brother the iPhone 3G.

Details and images after the break.