Tuesday, September 12, 2006

MusicJam unveils iPod Mixer / karaoke machine

While mixin' it up iPod-style has certainly been done before, MusicJam is looking to combine the simplest of mixer functions with a karaoke machine in its aptly-named iPod Mixer. Essentially, this device allows you to add your own vocals and guitar riffs to the tune currently playing on your iPod, which could definitely bring out the "one man band" in any musician. The mixer sports an iPod dock (presumably compatible with the iPod with video only), microphone / guitar inputs, volume sliders, tone / distortion controls, RCA outputs, and even attempts to replicate that on-stage allure by touting echo / sustain options for your vocs. The company also throws in a microphone, mic clamp, and cabling to get you warmed up, and includes "KaraokeVideos" software to turn any jam into an iPod-compatible karaoke vid. While the quality here is certainly questionable, it looks to be a solid addition to your Korg-infused Les Paul, and hey, getting you fully prepped for that karaoke circuit will only set you back $229.

ViewSonic busts out ViewDock display series for iPods

We can't say with absolute certainty that every single device type known to man has now been outfitted or retrofitted with an iPod dock, but we sure are getting pretty dang close. ViewSonic's new ViewDock display series brings the iPod to your LCD, allowing you to view video, photos and those oh-so-cute menus at up to 65 times larger than an iPod screen. The displays also feature multiple USB 2.0 ports, an 8-in-1 card reader, a microphone, integrated speakers and a subwoofer to really bring the convergence. Of course, the average computer has most of those features already, along with copies of your iPod media if you're docking at your traditional computer, but what's the fun in that? We're otherwise slim on details for the new displays, with ViewSonic merely claiming "ultra-fast" response times, "high" brightness and contrast ratios and "wide" viewing angles. We've also yet to find a pic of these ViewDocks, but we'll be sure to update when we find one.

iBreath, your iPod-powered breathalyzer

You know that people are trying to jump on the iPod bandwagon when someone releases a breathalyzer that connects to the ubiquitous music player. Yes, David Steele Enterprises (no, not that David Steel) has just released an iBreath ($50, black or white color), a small device to plug into the dock connector of your iPod. Sticking out of the side of the device is the breathalyzer tube, and within five seconds it'll read out your blood alchohol content level, accurate to within 0.01 BAC -- oh and if that wasn't enough, it doubles as an FM transmitter for your car stereo. That just leaves us with one burning question: will Mr. Steele be sending one to recently DUIed Paris Hilton?