In addition, Harman Kardon is introducing its HK 3490 and HK 3390 stereo receivers, which combine superlative sound quality with flexible operation, including video switching for use in home entertainment systems, and iPod and portable music player connectivity.
Adding to their appeal, all five receivers have a distinctively elegant, refined appearance, featuring a gloss-black top panel and a dark graphite lower panel, all accented by soft white illumination.
Following is an overview of key features and technologies of the new Harman Kardon® audio/video receivers.
Harman Kardon, Inc. announced today the introduction of The Bridge II docking station for iPod®. A unique accessory that connects a compatible iPod or iPhone™ model* (not included) to a Harman Kardon® The Bridge-ready** audio/video component, The Bridge II enables a host of expanded iPod capabilities, including audio and video playback through a home entertainment system, on-screen iPod menu display, and remote control operation.
iPod Home Entertainment At Its Best
Using just a single cable, The Bridge II connects to the Harman Kardon DMC 1000 digital media center, the new AVR 354 7.1-channel audio/video receiver and the HK 3490 stereo receiver, or to current and previously available The Bridge-ready A/V receivers. No power adapter is required. Once connected, The Bridge II provides a direct audio, video (for the AVR 354) and control link between the iPod and the DMC 1000 or receiver. In addition, The Bridge II is powered by the receiver and no additional connection is required to charge the iPod.
The Bridge II enables control and navigation of a docked iPod from the DMC 1000 or the receiver’s remote control. The Bridge II and the remotes operate in conjunction with proprietary Harman Kardon-developed software that is built into the DMC 1000 and the receivers, providing complete control of iPod music and still images, as well as video playback with the AVR 354.
Selection and track information including album, artist, track number and other information are visible on both the user’s TV (or video display) and the DMC 1000 or receiver’s front-panel display, providing ready access to all playback and menu functions via simple-to-use on-screen or front-panel messages. The remote controls that are supplied with the DMC 1000 and compatible receivers are used to operate iPod playback, including start/stop/pause, next track/previous track and access to menus.
The iPod may also be used as a source for multiroom audio playback when used with the DMC 1000, AVR 354 or The Bridge II-compatible AVR Series receivers with multiroom audio capability.
When an iPod is connected to a compatible Harman Kardon receiver via The Bridge II, the audio output is sent directly to the receiver, enabling iPod users to experience exceptional multichannel music reproduction as well as stereo music playback. The exclusive Harman International Logic 7® surround-enhancement technology built into Harman Kardon A/V receivers utilizes proprietary digital-signal-processing techniques to create heightened sonic realism from an iPod (and other two-channel music sources), with superior imaging and an immersive surround sound environment.
Adding to its appeal, The Bridge II features a compact, streamlined design with a dark-graphite finish and soft white illumination that complements Harman Kardon audio/video components and fits easily into a home entertainment system.
The Harman Kardon The Bridge II is fully compatible with all iPod models equipped with a docking connector, including iPod touch, iPhone, iPod classic, iPod nano and all Click Wheel models. (Not compatible with iPod shuffle.)
The Harman Kardon The Bridge II docking station for iPod will be available in early summer 2008 at a suggested retail price of $129. The Bridge II will also be included at no extra charge with the AVR 354 7.1-channel audio/video receiver, which will be available in late spring 2008 at $899 suggested retail.
Callpod, Inc., an award-winning emerging technology company that has created and patented unique audio conferencing and content sharing technologies for wireless and consumer electronic devices as well as cellular telephones, has reduced the starting price of its debut product, the Chargepod, to $39.95 and the bundle pack to $79.95.
The Chargepod is a 6-in-1 device that allows users to charge most mobile electronic devices with a single power cord from almost anywhere including at home, in the car or at the office.
“The response to the Chargepod has been extremely positive across the board,” said Darren Guccione, President, CEO and Co-Founder of Callpod Inc. “It is a unique yet simple product that is extremely useful as it eliminates annoying gadget clutter by saving space, outlets and power. We understood that the Chargepod was a very special product that we wanted to share in both domestic and international markets. This price enhancement allowed us to better serve our customers as we scale into the mass retail channels this year.”
Essential at Home, at the Office or on the Road
Callpod offers hundreds of manufacturer-specific adapters for all types of portable devices. Users can dispose of numerous power cords once the Chargepod enters the picture. The Chargepod uses voltage regulator technology and interchangeable power adapters to safely charge all of your mobile devices regardless of manufacturer or model. The Chargepod comes with an AC adapter; users can also purchase the car adapter for use in an automobile, making it an extremely versatile product for the mobile traveler or business user.
The Chargepod is an easy-to-use charger that solves an annoying problem that has plagued portable gadget lovers, families, road warriors, and employees ever since portable gadgets came on the scene. Callpod continues to add adapters for the Chargepod as new devices are introduced so that users can simply add an adapter and not a whole new charger every time they upgrade their device. The Chargepod is the last device charger you’ll ever need to buy. It is simply the best travel charger for mobile devices available today.
Pricing options start at $39.95
1. The Chargepod carries a street price of $39.95 which includes the Chargepod base unit, a carrying case and wall plug (100-240V AC, 50-60 Hz). Each additional adapter is $9.95.
2. Callpod offers a bundle pack for $79.95, which includes the Chargepod base unit, AC wall plug, car charger, carrying case and the following six popular adapters: Apple/iPod/phone, Motorola, Blackberry, Nokia, Palm Treo and Sony PSP devices. (Consumers save $40 by purchasing the bundle pack)
Callpod has also fitted the Chargepod with a smaller wall plug for customer convenience.
In addition, Callpod recently released the award winning Dragon®, a 100m range advanced Bluetooth headset for mobile phones, PDAs, gaming systems and computers. Another breakthrough device is Callpod’s Phoenix, a revolutionary and patented Bluetooth mobile conferencing system which connects five Bluetooth headsets together so when users make a call, all five participants can talk in full duplex and join in a phone call on the other end. The Dragon is currently available in several retail stores and online retailers. The Phoenix® will be available this quarter. Stay tuned as Callpod plans to announce several new innovative products this year.
For more information please visit Callpod at http://www.callpod.com/.
Looking to talk a little longer, surf a bit further, watch a few movies, or listen endlessly to your tunes on your iPhone? Not looking to be strapped by a cable to make it all happen? No worries mate, give the Mybat External Battery for iPhone and iPod a look and you may be surprised to find that, ah, you can do all these things with it!
SvenOnTech put this external battery through some heavy testing and we were pleasantly surprised to find out that, well, read the review and see what surprised us and why we were pleasant. 
Charging your iPod has never been more simple. Proporta’s Universal iPod Dock allows you to mount your iPod or iPhone – whatever member of the iPod family you may own, by providing a selection of insert trays to suit. Not only that, the iPod dock can also be used with your charging cable enabling you to power your iPod or iPhone whilst it sits merrily in the dock.
The Proporta Universal iPod Dock comes with five insert trays to best fit your Apple iPod classic 80GB, Apple iPod classic 160GB, Apple 3G iPod nano, Apple iPod touch and Apple iPhone, and is available in both black and white so that you can best match it to the colour of your iPod or iPhone.
If you’re looking for a small but nice sounding speaker for your iPod that will fit perfectly into a kids room, kitchen, or even a bathroom, this is your ticket folks. And now its even easier to get since Best Buy has signed on for selling these little devices. So see why the Ladybug won “Best of Show” title from Mac experts iLounge and an Innovations Award from CES and maybe buy a couple of the cute little bugs for your home this weekend.
While many excited iPhone and iPod touch owners await the fruits from the Apple SDK in June, there already is an incredibly awesome application that lets you remotely control your Mac and listen or view anything in your iTunes library today. IO Spirit’s Remote Buddy employees its fancy foot work with AJAX to create a very well laid out remote on your iPhone or iPod touch. From within Safari Mobile, you can control your Mac’s screen from inputting text to moving the mouse to using your i-Device as a remote for a slide show presentation. But it doesn’t stop there as you can remotely control your iTunes, DVD Player, or VLC applications as well. If you’d rather not use the phone or iPod, no worries, grab a remote control and use it instead. You can even use a Sony Playstation 3 or Nintendo Wii remote!
What impressed me after upgrading my version to 1.10 was how Remote Buddy on my Mac Pro used Spotlight to find all my VIDEO_TS folders (DVD content.) It found my NAS drive full of them and actually streamed them on my iPhone while I was using the privy! I was able to also view video in my iTunes library as well as listen to music from it. Now my 8 GB is longer an issue as long as I have a good connection!
You can use Remote Buddy to control a long list of programs on your Mac including Adobe’s Media Player, Bridge as well as Toast’s Video Player. With improved Bluetooth support for remote controls, IO Spirit’s Remote Buddy is a must for any serious iPhone or iPod touch user. Oh, did I mention how you can now use your iSight as a security camera? Yup, live feeds can be streamed from it to your iPhone anywhere you have a connection. Sweet!
Proporta have added a funky new case to their collection for the 3G iPod nano. Not only does it protect your nano the way most Proporta cases do (with some tender loving care), it also doubles up as a fantastic mirror.
Offering more than meets the eye, the Proporta Echo - Mirror Case (Apple 3G iPod nano) has been designed so that when your display light is on, it will act as a simple (yet brilliant) case and protect your 3G iPod nano in style. However, turn your backlight display off and it’ll act as a mirror meaning you can look almost as beautiful as your iPod nano surely will.
The Proporta Echo - Mirror Case (Apple 3G iPod nano) also features cutouts allowing access to all ports and controls, so you’ll never need to remove the device from the case.
PumpOne, the developers of the first visual portable personal training programs for the iPod, nano, iPhone and other handheld devices, announces the launch of PumpedForSummer 2008. This new trainer provides both video and audio coaching to quickly get a person into beach body shape so they can look their best when showing the most.
“The countdown to summer has begun. It’s the season we all want to look our best,” says Craig Schlossberg, President of PumpOne. “PumpedForSummer 2008 will really jumpstart the user’s summer program and get them well on their way to fitting into that bathing suit.”
Designed by PumpOne’s exercise physiologist, the PumpedForSummer 2008 Video Trainer is specifically designed for the mobile fitness user. Whether on an iPod, iPhone, Blackberry or Treo, this portable personal trainer provides the clearest, most concise visuals possible. Fitness consumers of all levels will greatly benefit from the multimedia experience of this product’s ingenious ability to seamlessly combine video and still images. Users simply watch the video clip and then perform the exercise at their own pace.
Each PumpOne Video Trainer consists of a series of video clips, still images and audio tips demonstrating proper exercise form. PumpOne Video Trainers are compatible with the iPod, iPhone, nano (3G), Zune and all devices that support MPEG-4 video.
PumpedForSummer 2008 is now available at http://www.PumpOne.com for $19.
ECYPH LLC once again demonstrates market leadership in the area of serial connectivity for handheld computers. ECYPH LLC is announcing a new serial cable, part number PDCIP-M9-6, that works with the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPod univeral. These fine products join the long list of handhelds supported on www.pcables.com. ECYPH LLC has always been a leader in getting serial cables quickly to market in support of Palm and Treo handhelds. So now the iPhone, iPod Touch, and others benefit as they are able to obtain a connectivity solution along with their brand new Apple.
This is significant news for anyone who is purchasing a iPhone or iPod Touch. Developers especially should take note, as the community of users who want to make a RS232 Serial Data connection to an iPhone or a iPod Touch will explode as Apple introduces the SDK for iPhone and iPod Touch. Users which choose iPhone and iPod Touch are making a smart investment for the future. Developers who choose ECYPH LLC cables in support of this platform are getting on board with a world leader in serial connectivity. ECYPH LLC has always offered more choices than anyone else in serial cable solutions for PDA’s and Smartphones.
ECYPH LLC is now shipping this new cable, so any company that would desire to use iPhone or iPod Touch in an application requiring serial connectivity can count on us for support. We do custom cables at any volume level, have quick turnaround, and have excellent expertise in supporting troubleshooting of serial connectivity. We also provide serial cables for other PDA’s and Smartphones. We have more Serial Cable options for handhelds than any other company.
Contact ECYPH LLC at sales@pcables.com or check out the web site, http://www.pcables.com/cat7.html to find cables for iPhone and iPod Touch.