Griffin 2009 preview

Demonstrating at booth 1902 during Macworld, Griffin has revealed a number of the new iPod and iPhone accessories it will ship during the coming year. Prominent amongst these is the TuneBuds Fit, a pair of in-ear headphones with an "anatomically correct" curved design, meant to more comfortably slide into the ear canal. The shell of the headphones is made of aluminum, claimed to dampen resonance, while sound is produced via 10mm drivers. Fits should begin shipping in February for $50.

Three new power accessories include the PowerBlock Reserve, a device capable of charging iPods, iPhones and a separate battery simultaneously; once the battery is full, it can be removed from the Reserve and used to charge a player away from an AC socket. The PowerJolt Reserve serves a similar purpose, but plugs into a car's power outlet instead of a wall. Griffin is also preparing the FireWire-to-USB Charge Converter, which allows FireWire-era iPod accessories to power more modern Apple devices. The Converter is shipping in the middle of this month for $30, and will be followed by the $40 Reserve devices in April.

Griffin's remaining lineup consists of the SmartShare USB, which adds an extra USB port to the MacBook Air, and the Noise-Reducing Audio Cable, a six-foot long product with an inline noise filter. The cable is designed to reduce hum generated when connecting a player to a car's aux-in port. It should ship in February for $20; the SmartShare, also $20, is currently shipping.

by MacNN Staff