MaximumPC 2006 06

reviews TESTED. REVIEWED. VERDICTIZED

 MA XIMUMPC JUNE 2006

T

he staggering success of Apple’s iPod

has spawned a torrent of add-on gad-

gets, ranging from pint-size speakers

to docking stations adorned with more bells,

whistles, and tassels than a Shriners parade.

Here’s a look at three of the latest.

—MICHAEL BROWN

ALTEC LANSING

INMOTION IM11

Altec Lansing’s inMotion iM11 is an even

smaller portable speaker/docking station than

the iM5 model we reviewed in January—and

we like it just a bit more than its portlier sibling.

Although the iM11 doesn’t have a video

output, like the iM5, it also doesn’t have that

higher-priced model’s propensity to distort at

higher volumes. Frankly, we were surprised at

the quality of sound the iM11’s wee speakers

managed to produce: It won’t blow your hair

back, but it’s a good near-field audio system.

The iM11 runs on either four AA batter-

ies or AC power, charging a docked iPod

while operating on the latter. Plug it into your

PC’s USB port and it will sync to your iTunes

account. Adapters render the system compati-

ble with any iPod that has the Dock connector.

Any other portable music device

can be plugged into an auxiliary

audio input.

When you’re not using the

speakers, they fold into a compact package

that can be stored in the included padded car-

rying case, with ample room left over.

KENSINGTON

ENTERTAINMENT DOCK 500

FOR IPOD

The iPod would be much easier to

use if Apple allowed the device’s GUI

to be output to an external video dis-

play. The remote control accompanying

Kensington’s Entertainment Dock 500,

however, makes it easy to navigate the

player’s menus from afar.

What looks like a familiar control

wheel on the remote is a fake-out: It’s

really just a thin layer of plastic covering

the primary function buttons. These light

up when pressed, but the other three

buttons don’t. Maybe Kensington figured

you’d have to cozy up to the iPod before

you could read its screen anyway, so you

could rely on its illumination.

The docking station itself is compatible

with every iPod except the Shuffle, charg-

ing the player while docked. Kensington

wisely provides both composite and S-

Video outputs. The one feature Kensington

missed—an omission that cost this prod-

uct a Kick Ass award—is a USB port, so

you could sync the iPod to your PC while

it’s docked.

LOGITECH WIRELESS MUSIC

SYSTEM FOR IPOD

Logitech’s Wireless Music System for iPod

will turn any MP3 player into a wireless music-

streaming device, and it sounds fantastic.

The system consists of two components:

a Bluetooth transmitter that plugs into your

player’s headphone output, and a receiver

that connects to your hi-fi system or self-pow-

ered speakers. The transmitter has its own

rechargeable battery, so it doesn’t leach off

your player’s; the receiver is AC powered.

One transmitter can be paired with up to

10 receivers, but it can stream to only one at

a time. A button push switches the transmit-

ter to the closest receiver/speaker combo.

Stand-alone receivers sell for $80 each, and

the transmitter is compatible with Logitech’s

nearly identical Wireless Music System for PC.

Wireless coverage was excellent—we

had no problems achieving the promised 33-

foot range. Hats off to Logitech for adapting

Bluetooth wireless technology so well.

iPod Accessory

Assemblage

Everyone wants to hook up with your iPod

Logitech’s Wireless Music System for iPod will stream

music from any device equipped with a headphone output.

Altec Lansing’s iM11 portable speaker/

dock for iPod weighs just 14 ounces.

$150, http://www.logitech.com

LOGITECH WIRELESS FOR IPOD

BLUETOOTH

Excellent audio quality;

system is expandable.

BLACK TOOTH

Streams to only one

receiver at a time.

$100, http://www.alteclansing.com

ALTEC LANSING INMOTION IM11

SPEAKERS

Good sound from a small,

portable package.

LEAKERS^8

For a 100 bucks, it should

have a video output.

$100, http://www.us.kensington.com

KENSINGTON DOCK 500 FOR IPOD

DOCK OF THE BAY

Great remote control;

attractive industrial design.

CROCK OF THE BAY^9

Won’t sync your iPod

while docked.

Kensington’s remote control uses a radio

frequency, so there’s no line-of-sight

requirement.

9

MA XIMUMPC

KICKASS