iLuv i255 and i399

iLuv on Friday afternoon said it would choose CES as the venue for introducing a pair of AV docks that bring relatively new features to the table. The i255 (shown) is one of the first full-fledged DVD players to also support newer iPods and uses its video output to view movies and photos from any of Apple's video-capable iPods, including the third-generation iPod nano, iPod classic, and iPod touch. It will also play audio from both the Apple players and CDs, including MP3 discs. iLuv plans to ship the i255 in March for $130.

The audio-only i399 is geared towards listeners who either need wireless audio or a wireless source, the company says. A second iteration of the firm's BluePin technology allows it to either compress the audio output from a docked iPod into a Bluetooth signal for use with suitably-equipped wireless headphones; alternately, it can tap into the Bluetooth audio of any device, such as a cellphone or a handful of portable media players. It can either operate in mono mode for hands-free calling with virtually all Bluetooth phones (including the iPhone) or switch to full stereo with newer devices. The i399 also comes with an FM clock radio function and an aux-in jack to support raw output from 3rd-generation or older iPod models. It ships in February for $230.

Visitors to CES will also be able to see devices that have already been announced, including the i155 8.5-inch video dock, the i720 Bluetooth hands-free kit for switching between an iPod and an incoming phone call, and the i730 Bluetooth car kit for streaming an iPod's audio through FM while also providing speakerphone duties for cellphones. The i155 should be available now for $270 while the i720 and i730 ship in April at $130 and $150 respectively.

by MacNN Staff