Tunewear unveils Tunewave FM transmitter...

Tunewear today announced the Tunewave FM complete FM transmitter set designed for Apple's iPod. The Tunewave FM is a complete transmitter set for the iPod with an FM transmitter, a 12V car charger adapter, and a cable for charging via USB as well as syncing. The Fm transmitter lets users play iPod tracks wirelessly on any FM stereo, and a blue LED backlight makes it easy to see when using the device at night or in dark places. The 12V car charger adapter charges the iPod from a 12V cigarette lighter socket, and includes a safety fuse to protect the portable player against power surges. Tunewave FM connects via the iPod dock connector to offer compatibility with the fifth-generation video iPod, iPod nano (first- and second-generation), fourth-generation iPod, iPod with color display, iPod photo, iPod mini, and third-generation iPod. The company notes, however, that the 12V car charger adapter and USB cable are not compatible with third-generation iPods. The Tunewave FM is priced at $50.

TransDock transmits music, outputs video...

DLO today announced its new TransDock, an update to its all-in-one TransPod solution that transmits audio content from any dockable iPod using a car's existing FM radio and 12-volt power outlet. In addition to a number of innovative upgrades and enhancements, it now offers a distinctive industrial design and an innovative video-output feature that lets users play their iPod videos through a car's mobile video system while transmitting the video's soundtrack to the car stereo. The TransDock also securely cradles and charges the iPod while offering users full control of bass, treble and volume settings from the car's console. It also holds up to four programmable presets to help users jump to commonly used frequencies.

Prosoft unveils Jax utility for iPod owners

Prosoft Engineering today unveiled Jax (site not updated), its iPod enhancement utility, and promised to offer a sneak peek at the software for visitors of the Macworld Conference & Expo in San Francisco through January 12th. Jax features more than a dozen built-in options, and allows users to add more as they are developed. Jax includes configurable visualizers to manage lyrics and find songs in a library that contain specific phrases or words. The software also helps manage album art, enabling users to select alternative images with higher resolution or different graphics. Jax users have access to point-to-point directions, current weather forecasts, favorite stock quotes, movie listings, and local gas prices. The software also provides local news from preferred news readers, all recently-received email messages, and favorite documents. Items are downloadable to the iPod as text or as spoken words as tracks in MP3 format. Jax also allows users to directly download videos from YouTube, Google Video, and desired QuickTime movies. Prosoft will release Jax in early February (pricing was unavailable). Prosoft also announced that its Data Backup software is included with hard drive solutions by both Other World Computing (OWC) and NewerTech.

H2O Audio debuts Sport Integration System

H2O Audio has previewed its new Sport Integration System for the recently released H2O Audio Outdoor case for iPod nano. The Outdoor case for Apple's first- and second-generation iPod nano is was designed by adventure sport enthusiasts to provide land-based users with durable, inexpensive protection for the delicate player. An impact and element resistant base-plate helps to protect the Nano during physical activity, while a custom locking clip enables a quick connection with a the company's bike mounting kit, Outdoor armband, belt clip, and backpack attachment. The bike mount adjusts to fit nearly any standard handlebars to keep the player in view as well as within reach. A removable belt clip allows for quick uninterrupted transfer and safe 'on-person carriage.' A strap mount also attaches to backpack shoulder straps or other gear for in-contact portability. H2O Audio's Sport Integration System due to ship in the first quarter of 2007 for $25.

Analyst: CES fails to threaten iPod...

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas is producing many new product announcements, none of which pose a material competitive threat to Apple's iPod and iTunes, according to Piper Jaffray senior analyst Gene Munster. "As has been the case for the last several years of CES, we did not see any devices that we believe could prove to be significantly competitive with the iPod," Munster wrote in a research note obtained by MacNN "We continue to believe Microsoft's Zune is the best iPod alternative and we continue to be surprised at the lack of a compelling offering from consumer electronics giants like Sony." Microsoft indicated at CES that the company believes its Zune has had a successful start in capturing the no. 2 market share position in its first several weeks in the market.

PumpOne highlights iPod fitness network

PumpOne -- the creator of visual workout programs for Apple's iPod and iPod nano -- is highlighting its fitness network that integrates youPump Trainers, its membership network, and users seeking portable expert fitness guidance. The network is aimed at bringing together personal trainers, coaches, sports scientists, and physical therapists to create customized iPod and iPod nano workout programs for clients, patients, athletes, and fitness-minded users. PumpOne's drag-and-drop program design tool FitnessBuilder allows youPump Trainers to generate their own fitness program content for compatible iPod models, offering more than 500 fitness programs containing over 1,000 individual workouts. Consumer iPod and iPod nano workouts start from $9, while youPump Trainer membership is $200 per year.

Motorola unveils Bluetooth iPod adapter

Motorola has unveiled the D650 companion Bluetooth adapter for iPods. The receiver works with any dockable iPod and is designed specifically to work with the offset connector of Apple's iPod nano. Motorola's D650 is powered entirely by the iPod itself, and works with any Bluetooth headphones or speakers. The company notes that battery life is unrated and depends largely on the attached player. The D650 is due to ship in the first half of 2007 for an unspecified price. Motorola also introduced its Active Headphones S9, a Bluetooth-enabled set of headphones designed with for joggers with a behind-the-head design that works with the company's D650 Bluetooth adapter, according to Electronista. The headphone set is expected to ship in the first half of 2007 for an unknown price.

Creative launches Xdock Wireless for iPod...

Creative has introduced the Xdock Wireless, a device that docks an iPod and plays music at beyond CD quality via X-Fi Wireless Receivers. The Xdock Wireless connects directly to a powered speaker system or home theater to display photos and play video or music in DTS surround-sound. The device is designed to work seamlessly with the iPod, and is certified by Apple under the 'Made for iPod' program. Creative's X-Fi 'Xtreme Fidelity' technology is produced with X-Fi Crystalizer and X-Fi CMSS-3D technology to play audio at better than CD quality. The X-Fi Crystalizer makes MP3s sound better than CDs by analyzing and identifying which parts of the audio stream have been truncated or damaged during compression, according to Creative. The Xdock Wireless offers a line-out port for connecting to powered speakers, as well as S-video and composite video-out connections. Creative's Xdock -- which works with Apple's video iPod, iPod photo, iPod mini, and iPod nano -- is slated for shipment in the spring for $200. The X-Fi Wireless Receiver will ship for $100, and an Xdock Wireless with an Xi-Fi Wireless REceiver is due to ship for less than $300.

ViewSonic projector, LCD TV with iPod dock

ViewSonic is showcasing several new products at CES, including TVs, monitors, and a unique projector, Electronista reports. The PJ258D is DLP projector with a docking station, allowing video iPods to output directly to the unit without cables. iPods are charged simultaneously while playing. The projectors are further promoted as being light at less than four pounds, and supporting resolutions up to 1024x768, at a brightness of 2,000 lumens with 2,000:1 contrast. Other external inputs include VGA and S-video. The PJ258D will go on sale later this quarter for the cost of $999. The company also showcased a prototype of an 37-inch LCD TV with a built-in iPod dock.

Griffin debuts three iPod speaker systems...

Griffin Technology continued its slew of product announcements on Monday with the announcement of its new lineup of three powered iPod-based speaker systems. Griffin's Evolve (pictured at right) is a new iPod-ready wireless speaker system with powerful, crystal clear sound. It features a flat charging base that holds an iPod in a Universal Dock and charging stations for two cube-shaped speakers on both sides. Powered by a lithium-Ion battery pack, the speakers can be easily charged (without wires) to provide up to 10 hours of music. Griffin also said that each speaker cube features its own on/off power switch and automatic sleep mode for power conservation. Evolve features a wireless range of more than 150 feet and includes an RF-based remote for easy control of iPod functions. Evolve will be available by summer for $350.