UPDATE: In answer to the question posed in this post’s title: No. This is fake.
The above image was sent to TouchArcade.com and, while it’s absolutely possible that it could be phony, the implications of an actual, real iPhone/iPod Touch control pad accessory coming from Belkin could make the portable gaming industry a bit more interesting. Take this info with a grain of salt until it’s confirmed, though.
According to the tipster who sent this in to Touch Arcade, testing will begin on this device in October. It’d also apparently work with App Store games, plugging into Apple’s SDK, so developers would be able to write games to specifically take advantage of the eight-button (six on the front, two on the back) “JoyPod” (as it’s being called). The JoyPod would also feature audio output and a dock connector.
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Passing Apple’s “Work with iPhone” certification, Belkin has announced the 3G-ready TuneCast Auto. Connecting wirelessly to an available FM station, the device plays songs straight from your iPhone or iPod to your car stereo.
Retailing for 80 bucks, it doubles as a charger for your iPhone or iPod by connecting to the cigarette lighter. Check out a list of compatible iPhones and iPods here.
The GoStudio, originally called the Podcast Studio, is now official. It has dual XLR/1/4″ inputs, two omnidirectional stereo mics, and a tripod mount. You can record directly to an iPod or connect it to your computer to create an extra sound card.
We tested this thing’s older brother, the TuneStudio and came away quite impressed. If this bugger is anything like the TuneStudio it’s a must have for musicians and bloggers, especially at $119. It arrives in September.
Note: It does not create freaky psychedelic effects as shown in this picture. Those are caused by the salvia.
The Asus Eee PC has been successful with “ordinary” people, too. You know, the kind that buy laptop cases at Target — or even the Eee itself. Owners of the tiny netbook will be able to buy three stylish protective cases this September, all for under $25.
From left to right, the polyester Mini Laptop Quilted Case will run $19.99, the neoprene Mini Laptop Carrying Case will run $24.99, and the Neoprene Sleeve will run $12.99. They’ll each be available in four different colors; the three seen in the above photo – jetset red, plum berry, and techno blue — along with black.
Perfect for people with such luxuries as “fireplaces” and “money” comes the $999 Belkin FlyWire device. It basically allows you to hide your cable box and other digital eyesores in a nearby closet so your hoity-toity guests don’t accidentally spill caviar on your Persian rug when their leather shoes get tangled in a bunch of cables.
Dubious about wireless HD? Belkin quells your fears with complex words…
“Operating in the open 5GHz band, FlyWire offers a completely robust connection. It intelligently manages its own connection, adjusting both frequency and power to avoid interference and overcome impedances. Because FlyWire does not compress video, it transmits video content with no latency. Even the most demanding AV applications, like video games, will not be impaired by the wireless transmission.”
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I like to think of myself as a bit of a musician. I enjoy belting out a good tune now and again and have even been known to gig professionally (back when I was 16 in high school and thought I was Bob Dylan. This, friends, is what prevented me from getting laid until age 20.) I’m no pro by any means.
Luckily, Belkin’s TuneStudio is not for pros. It’s for mid-level amateurs who know they need XLR inputs and a good recording medium but don’t want to have to think about phantom power, levels, or multiple inputs.
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Umm. It’s bigger than I expected. I’m not sure what the likelihood of it traveling with me is, but for use at home or the office it’s perfect.
If ever there were a tiny gadget that could take my breath away, it’s the Mini Surge protector with USB from Belkin. And I thought my Monster Outlet to Go was awesome. This has two USB ports (just for charging) and three AC outlets. I’m getting myself one immediately. It’s only $25. You should get one, too.
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Zune owners are a proud lot. I know several, and they rightly justify their purchases. At first it was all about “not an iPod”, but now that the Zune Marketplace has matured, the Zune is a great way to go, and you can ask any Zune fan about it.
Take my friend Josh for example, who made this literal casemod from a Belkin Zune case. He wants people to know he has a Zune. That’s pride, friend.
Josh’s photo [Flickr]
We get a lot of schwag at conferences like CES, some better than others. My favorites, though, came from Belkin, who’s understated schwag bag was brimming with simple Belkin-branded goodies, like these Belkin mints and this Belkin lip balm. Sure, there was a really cool USB hub and other stuff, but the point is they’re smart enough to include useful stuff with their logo. That’s what schwag is supposed to be, so for their achievement, we salute Belkin.
For millions of years, people have been listening to music. But now, thanks to new technology, they can actually make music as well. At CES, I came across a few items that made my inner musician geek out, including a self-tuning guitar and a pretty sweet drum synth pad, plus a couple of new recording gadgets for capturing your awful performances of “She Bangs” on the go.
Pics and stuff after the jump.
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We’ve been talking about Wireless HD and how it’s one of the things CES is all about, and Belkin showed me their new FlyWire Wireless HD solution, and it’s pretty sweet. It’s a combo of a transmitter that also acts as a media switcher and a single wireless receiver. The audio and video is sent wirelessly at resolutions up to 1080p to the receiver, where it connects to your HDTV via HDMI. You can see the various inputs in the photo after the jump. Belkin had a movie playing in HD-DVD (what!?) across the room with the set-up, and I have to say it looked as if it was coming off HDMI. No stutter, no distortion, no snow. If you’re trying to cut down on cable clutter, it’s worth looking at FlyWire.
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Belkin makes a lot of great products. Belkin also makes a lot of questionable products. The Mouse Trap is a perfect example of the latter. Maybe it’s because I haven’t used a mouse pad in years, but I don’t see the point of having a special pouch to transport your mouse in when there’s a huge crease after you’ve unzipped it. Whatever, though, I’m sure someone out there wants it and will buy it. It’s only $12 and comes in other colors.
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Musicians, listen up. Making a good demo is key, and many do it digitally, as they should. This Tune Studio, along with your iPod, makes it way easy. The audio in the video above is hard to hear, but basically this violinish band is recording their performance using one of these (it was just off stage). You can start off your home studio for $249 this spring.
Hands down, one of the coolest things I’ve seen at CES so far this week is the Belkin Podcast Studio. It’s a handheld unit that you attach your iPod to. Using a pair of swiveling integrated microphones on each side, the device records what they hear in stereo as an uncompressed WAV on to the iPod. You can even control the pitch and volume, as well as the stereo balance.
Besides the integrated mics, the Podcast Studio has dual XLR and 1/4-inch microphone jacks at the top, so you can use your own high-end gear.
It’s not for everyone, but the idea impresses.
Y-jacks are so 20th century; you need a brightly colored, star-shaped megahub so all your fellow tweens can hear what you’re listening to and bob their heads in unison. It’s actually a cool little device, I’d love to have it for watching videos with friends at a coffee shop, or for editing video in a bar (yes, I do that). It’s also got the added bonus of having multiple inputs, so you can make your own hideous mashups. For $20, I expect mashups.
Belkin Rockstar [iLounge]
I am, oh, so very jaded. I almost passed up this little trinket from Belkin because I figured everyone and their mom’s rig had Bluetooth, but they don’t. In the rare case that your desktop or notebook is sans Bluetooth and you happen to be an avid photographer with that 2-megapixel camera on your phone and you’re looking for an easy way to upload to your rig then look no further. The Bluetooth USB Adapter with KODAK Picture Upload Technology takes the worry and hassle out of the equation and acts as the liaison. It also works with other Bluetooth enabled devices like printers, headphones and PDAs. Fabulous. It retails for $50, but it’s currently out of stock.
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False alarm. It’s certainly not groundbreaking, but it does clean up the clutter and takes care of that one HDMI slot problem. Luckily for me, my roommate’s Vizio has two HDMI ports, though I only use one for the 360 Elite. The HDMI 2-to-1 Video Switch does what’d you’d expect it to, which is what now, class? That’s right. It allows you to hook up two HD devices to your HDTV via a single HDMI or DVI connection. It’s available now for $49.99.
Press Release
This is a gaming controller? If you say so, Belkin. With renewed vigor for computer gaming, Belkin has announced the USB powered n52te SpeedPad that’s a combination of hardware and software aimed at first-person shooter, online RGP and real-time strategy enthusiasts. There are 15 programmable buttons that are setup via software from Razer and saved to the onboard memory where you can switch on the fly among three profiles. We know the hardcore PC gamers live in the basement of their parent’s house so it’s nice that Belkin acknowledged that with a backlit keypad and scroll wheel. Because you will undoubtedly be straining yourself there’s a soft wrist pad as well as an eight-way directional pad. Pick one up in November if you’re in the US, Europe, Korea or Australia for about $70 USD. If you’re Canadian, residing elsewhere in Asia or South America then you’ll have to wait till February.
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Belkin continues to move ahead with its TuneCast line of FM transmitters for DAPs. The TuneCast 3 shares much, if not all, of its features with the TuneCast II: broadcast to any unused FM station, auto power save, compatible with all iPods and other DAPs, etc. Obviously they look different and I’d have to say that the TuneCast 3 looks much better, especially the display. It’s more readable, even more so in low light situations.
In my experience with these FM transmitters, you really need to be in a remote area if you want it to work as advertised. Try using these in radio-heavy places like New York and Los Angeles and you’ll be putting up with more static than you’d care to.
Product Page [Belkin via Electronista]
