Of course, this might make a bit more sense plugged into a countertop socket, but at $25 you better be sure. I'm content with the USB cable/plug that came with the phone. You? [WallDock via The Gadgeteer via OhGizmo]

According to Stuff.tv, the $380 Heritage is well-built and produces sound far better than what you'd expect from a gadget looking as old as my parents. If you feel like spending nearly $400 on a nice bedside companion then this could definitely satisfy your inner 60's child. I'm just plain gonna focus on keeping mine outta trouble. [Stuff.tv via Engadget via Unplggd]

My guess is that you will need all 3-feet of that space to generate enough electricity to play your music for 4.5 hours at full volume/12 hours at a normal volume. Of course, it takes 20 hours of outdoor sun exposure (or 40 hours indoor) to reach a full charge. If you are not patient enough to wait, the Reverb can be powered up via a regular electrical socket—although I would suggest spending your $2,229 elsewhere if you see yourself doing that frequently. Speaking of being patient, the Reverb won't be available in April of 2010. [Reverb via Gizmag via Inhabitat]

The ReNu probably doesn't work as you'd imagine from looking at the photograph. Sure, you see an iPod dock with speakers, just as you'd expect. But that huge back plate is actually a solar panel/battery combo that you can remove from the dock to hang near a window to store energy. It takes about 9 hours to charge in direct sunlight, or 20 hours to charge in indirect sunlight, to power music for 7-8 hours.

This ReNu panel actually supports a variety of different base units, including a pure iPod/iPhone dock (no speakers included) and an LED desk lamp.

I think the basic idea becomes something like, hang or place a bunch of solar panels in sunlight, then grab power as necessary. But in case you find this ease of use scenario as hard to believe as us, all of the docks and the ReNu panel itself will plug in should the sun's juice fall short.

The base ReNu panel alone can be preodered now for 2010 availability. It runs $200. The accessories start at $90 and work their way up. [Regen via Treehugger via DVICE]

Bose SoundDock 10 sits a few notches above any of its stablemates, both in size and price—this thing is as heavy as a stereo receiver, and about a foot tall. (Asked about the size, a Bose engineer said that he liked to think of it as transportable, not portable. Uh!) I'm not really sure what the significance of the "10" moniker is, but if Apple can randomly assign nice, round, out-of-order numbers to their products, why can't Bose, hmm?

They've done something kinda cool with the dock connector, which can be swapped out to suit different players, or, if you've got an extra $150 laying around, a stereo Bluetooth adapter, which feels like it should've been built in there in the first place, honestly. Bose threw in a composite video port for good measure, so you can view photos and videos on your TV.

Anyway, portability isn't really the point here, since this thing is meant to sit on a table—probably a well-polished one, in an immaculate, nautical-themed sitting room—and pretty much fill the role that the Wave radios used to: To be smaller than a proper stereo, but not to sound like crap. In fact, there's a lot of shared DNA there, since the SoundDock 10 uses the same scrunched audio waveguide piping that made the Wave radios sound, well, kinda big. And for what it's worth, the SoundDock 10 sounds even bigger, mostly thanks to this:

This here lump of speaker accompanies two "Twiddlers," which is Bose speak for "tweeters that do midrange, too, we promise." Together they throw respectable sound, which is surprisingly powerful at the very low end, and phenomenally clear in the rest of the range, most of the time. Classical music, Bose's demo genre of choice, sounds predictably great, but anything noisier, like rock music, starts to blend together, reminding you that you're still listening to an iPod dock. Which you are!

That's the obvious hangup with the SoundDock 10: It's $600, and it a dock. Granted, it's easily the best iPod dock I've ever heard, but it's still recognizable as such, and it's not that much cheaper than a real two-speaker stereo system. But hey, it's also a dock in the good way—it's easy to connect things to, to move around, and it won't clutter up your room with wires—so if those are your top priorities, docks don't get much better than this. The SoundDock 10 will be available from Sept 21. [Bose]

The MCR-140 has a wireless transmitter that attaches to the bottom of your iPod and streams music using Yamaha's own "uncompressed" wireless tech instead of Blueooth. The MCR-040—the orange one—is the exact same, but no wireless. iPod aside, they do CD, FM and USB. The 040's $280, while the wireless step-up puts the 140 at $400, and they're both out in October.

SHARPÒ INTRODUCES TWO NEW ULTRA-PORTABLE
IPOD® DOCKING SYSTEMS
High-fidelity Sound and Convenience in an Elegant, Handheld Design

ATLANTA, September 10, 2009 – Sharp today introduces two new iPodÒ docking systems for headphone-free music on the go. The DK-AP8P and DK-AP7P allow users to play music directly from any iPod or iPhoneÒ while simultaneously recharging the unit. Weighing less than 1.6 lbs, these 2.1-channel units feature premium sound quality, a long battery life and an ultra-portable design. An IR wireless touch panel remote control on the DK-AP8P adds flexibility and convenience, acting as a magnetic cover when not in use, while the DK-AP7P folds shut – protecting the units from damage during travel.

"As the popularity of digital music devices continues to grow, so does the desire for consumers to share their vast digital music libraries, whether traveling, in their backyard or in the comfort of the home," said Sean McBride, senior product marketing manager, audio, Entertainment Products Division, Sharp. "The introduction of the DK-AP8P and DK-AP7P strengthens Sharp's lineup of portable iPod audio systems and gives users the ultimate ease and convenience of high-quality music on the go, with an extremely small footprint."

The DK-AP8P and DK-AP7P join Sharp's existing lineup of iPod audio systems, including the DK-AP7N and DK-CL6N.

DK-AP8P and DK-AP7P

These small, yet powerful, made for iPod audio systems also work with iPhone and feature an ultra-portable design that folds closed for safekeeping when on the go (the DK-AP8P has a magnetic cover). A 2.1-channel speaker system houses all of the necessary components for an enjoyable listening experience, including the main drivers and subwoofer. With approximately six hours of battery operation and an AC adapter and soft carry bag included, these models are truly a portable solution to enjoying high-quality audio from any location.

The iPod terminal allows the user to charge and play music directly from any iPod or iPhone through the unit's full-range bass reflex speakers with HDSS™ (high-definition sound standard) sound technology. For optimum sound, the units offer ESound, a digital signal processing technology that improves the quality of compressed digital music. By enhancing the sound frequency and increasing the sound pressure, ESound mode corrects deterioration to the sound quality that plagues most compressed music. Both models also include a video output so that when connected to a TV, users can enjoy their favorite iPod videos and photos on a larger screen. Additionally, each unit features a 3.5mm stereo audio input for use with other audio MP3 players or PC audio for increased versatility.

The DK-AP8P and DK-AP7P feature a piano black finish. The current DK-AP7N is available in two eye-catching color combinations, sporting a glossy black body with either white or red accents.

DK-CL6N

With this clock radio music system made for iPod, users can wake up to their favorite playlists, direct from any iPod or iPhone (in airplane mode). The DK-CL6N charges and plays music from the docked iPod or iPhone (in airplane mode) with high-quality sound through the system's 4 watt, 2.0-channel audio speaker system. The alarm clock function includes a sleep timer with snooze and dual alarms for ultimate convenience. An AM/FM tuner allows users to program up to 10 favorite radio stations. The unit also features an electronic equalizer that customizes sound based on the music genre and has a five-step mode to accurately adjust the sound for any type of music.

The DK-CL6N is designed for the home or dorm room, featuring a compact design with a blue illuminated clock display. The unit also supports MP3 music players as well as streams video files from iPod video via the video output jack to the television.

All models feature low power consumption and comply with Energy StarÒ standards.
Pricing and availability

* The DK-AP8P will be available in September for a for a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $189.99
* The DK-AP7P will be available in September for an MSRP of $129.99

[Sharp]

Zune HD AV Dock

• $89.99
This all-in-one package enables your Zune HD player to charge sync and play supported 720p HD videos on your HDTV. Send music and HD Radio reception to your home audio system and control it all via a wireless remote.

Includes dock, three inserts (one for each Zune model), wireless remote, AC adapter, HDMI cable, and AV output cable. Zune HD player sold separately.

Compatible with: Zune HD (32 & 16), Zune 120, Zune 80, Zune 16, Zune 8, and Zune 4.

Zune HD AV & Power Pack

• $49.99
Connect your AV cable to your docked Zune HD to play music, HD Radio, and audio podcasts through your home audio system. The HDMI cable connects your docked Zune HD to HDTVs to view movies and videos. (Zune HD player required for HD video and HD Radio reception; sold separately. Zune HD AV Dock sold separately.)

Includes AC adapter, HDMI cable, and AV output cable.

Compatible with: Zune HD (32 & 16), Zune 120, Zune 80, Zune 16, Zune 8, Zune 4.

From the creator, Byron Casebier:

Here is my weak (and slightly unfinished) Atari iPod Dock. I thought sharing may create interest for someone that can do this better. As far as specs, I gutted a broken, iPod clock radio and put it all inside the Atari. Everything works except for the clock (it was the broken part). There is even a remote control so I can sit back on my vinyl couch, drink some Tang and control my tunes...And yes, I'm still rocking a 3rd gen iPod.

A little geek factoid about that generation of iPod: It's still Jason Chen's, Matt Buchanan's and my favorite iPod design. Those orange glowing buttons were the best.

Stick together, little iPod and Atari. Your ability to find true love in this crazy, fast-paced world is an inspiration. [Thanks Bryon!]

There are different two versions of the keyboard built for Windows and Macs, and although they both contain two USB ports, the Mac's version has extra keys that allow you to quickly access applications such as iCal, iChat, Mail, Safari and Front Row. For $150, you can purchase the iConnect sometime this summer. [Lifeworks via CNet via iPodNN via Technabob]

Adding to the composite, component, and USB, the SATA HDD Multimedia Dock II also has an HDMI port, although it only supports 1080i. The media player supports the following formats:

• MPEG-1 (MPG, DAT)
• MPEG-2 (MPG, MPEG, VOB)
• MPEG-4 (AVI, MP4)
• DivX 3.11/4/5 (AVI, DIVX)
• XviD (AVI)
• AVI decode audio: MP3, AC3, ADPCM
• VOBSUB: srt, sub, smi, txt, ass, ssa
• MPEG-1 Layer 3, 24-320kbps (MP3)
• AC3 (in the movie)
• Microsoft PCM Wave (WAV)
• Advance Audio Coding LC (AAC)
• Microsoft Windows Media Audio WMA7/8 (WMA), no support for WMA9 Pro
• MP2 (MPA)

Looks like crap, but nice for $79. [Brando]

The player is made by MobiBLU, best known for their tiny cube player a few years back, and while we don't have a price or even capacity yet, it's somehow set to come out this month. We can definitively tell you that the Miffy player will feature interchangeable clothes in various colors, which for a gadget like this is probably just as important as, you know, actual specs. [Akihabara News]

Tony Bongiovi, producer of lots of great rock albums and founder of the legendary Power Station recording studio here in NYC and second cousin to Jon Bon helped iHome develop said processing profile, called DPS. Basically, it's like the "loudness" switch on your dad's stereo—it boosts high- and low-end frequency, but the claim to newness here is that the software actively evaluates the frequency profile of whatever MP3s you feed into it and provides boost where it's needed. Dubious? Maybe. And does it sound more amazing than any iPod dock ever? Of course not.

I heard it next to some Yamaha NS-10 studio monitors (playing 160kbps Apple Store MP3s) and yeah, the monitors sounded better. Of course. But the iHome doesn't sound bad.

Keep in mind you can get a great (and probably superior, soundwise) 2.1 setup for half the cost of the $300 iP1, but if you need an actual dock input, love the speakers-through-lucite look and have $300 to burn, sure, why not.

"Simply dock your iPod for a fun, cutting edge way to start up. Exclusive software designed exclusively for Peapod turns your iPod into a key. Both options are interchangeable and secure," reads the car manual.

Gimmicky? Sure, but it's a first, and is yet another example of everything and anything converging into one futuristic single mass communications device. The Singularity is near, indeed. Who knew it would look so adorable? [Autoblog Green]

The E-Pod is a dock concept that fits a projector, speaker (with subwoofer), and alarm clock all inside what looks to be a swiveling retro microphone case. It's pretty small, but as incredulous as I was taking a first look at the design, there's really no feature here that stops the E-Pod from going into production tomorrow (assuming that you could deal with a somewhat craptastic Pico projector smearing 30 Rock all over your wall). [Early Factory via Yanko]

The dock contains a processor and storage of its own to run its OS, but its main function is to expand your smartphone. Think of it as a brawny RedFly, but without a screen or peripherals built in. Here's the predicted use: you connect a keyboard, mouse, monitor and printer to the dock as

The prospect of easy printing, streaming and file sharing between your phone and your other hardware has inherent appeal, so I won't pass judgment until the product actually starts to take shape. Assuming it ever does, that is. [Register]

Yes, now instead of a store in the mall to buy your stepdad a spatula mixed with a thermometer, The Sharper Image is going to be a line of iPod docks sold at places like department stores and Bed, Bath & Beyond.

What I saw were some decent-looking but uninspiring iPod docks. One model rotates your iPod touch automagically into landscape mode for watching movies. Another has a pair of detachable, wireless speakers.

The goal is to sell iPod docks that are cheaper than what's out there, but with most of the prices hovering well over $100, they really only seem like they'll be cheap when compared to something like Bose. In any case, these things won't be hitting stores your mom shops at until November of this year, so we have a good long while to get excited about piano-black iPod docks again.

This iPhone/iPod touch mod uses a readily-available airsickness bag to hold your video player hands-free. Amazing, we know, but things only get better from there. As the bag is simply tucked into one's tray table, its height can be adjusted to achieve the optimum viewing angle. Let's see you do that with cardboard, terrorists! [hodenmumps via Random Good Stuff]