Here’s a different twist to the usual connect-your-iPhone/iPod-touch-to-this-dock-with-loudspeakers product. Of course, iLuv’s App Station dock (or the iMM190) still carries the usual charge and play functions, but this dock is built to work with a number of apps, so it offers a number of other functions based on what app you’re running.
iLuv has just released a portable media player, the i1166, that comes with a 9-inch widescreen TFT LCD, an iPod dock, and a built-in DVD drive. It cracks open like a laptop to reveal the DVD drive and iPod dock (it can play movies stored on any movie-playing iPod). The i1166 is held up by a stand–like a rather thick digital photo frame—and comes with a remote to let users sit back and enjoy the show.
The new iPod shuffle is certainly a wonder of design, as well as a nice demonstration of just how much simplified tech you can pack into a sliver of space. It did away with everything, including all the buttons and controls, to leave us with what looks like a silver bubble gum packet with a switch and a 3.5mm hole on top. Problem is, when Apple placed the controls along the earphone’s cable, people have been complaining about being stuck with the proprietary earbuds that were packed with the shuffle. Accessory makers Belkin and iLuv have both come out with a simple workaround by coming out with shuffle adapters.
