04/30, 11:46am
Express Dock now available for purchase
After months of delays Belkin has finally made its Thunderbolt Express Dock available for purchase through its online store. First announced at CES 2011, the Express Dock was originally expected to be launched in September 2012. However, various setbacks and revisions continually pushed this date back until Belkin finally began accepting pre-orders this past February. The final revision is being sold for $300 and features eight ports, one FireWire 800, one Gigabit Ethernet, three USB 3.0, one 3.5mm audio-in, one 3.5mm audio out, and one Thunderbolt port, that can simultaneously be connected to a computer through a single Thunderbolt cable.
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04/23, 8:44pm
Device features iOS, Android apps for control, monitoring
Gadget and computing accessory manufacturer Belkin has announced the new NetCam HD Wi-Fi Camera. The new wireless networking camera provides users with instantaneous access via a smartphone or tablet to pets, children and other family members at home in 720p high-definition (HD) video resolution with accompanying digital audio.
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03/27, 1:28pm
Belkin accepting Ultimate Keyboard Case pre-orders
Belkin has announced that its Ultimate Keyboard Case for the iPad is now available for pre-order. Slated to begin shipping in May, the Ultimate Keyboard Case measures 6.4mm thick and offers a machined aluminium alloy base for durability. Magnet sensors built directly in the case turn the keyboard off automatically when the case is closed, saving battery life and allowing users to instantly access the onscreen keyboard when necessary. Pre-orders can be placed through Belkin's online store, with the Black model costing $100 and the Silver model set at $130.
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03/15, 5:18pm
Merged companies hold 30 percent of US home networking market
As expected, Belkin has finalized the deal to purchase Cisco's home networking business unit. Belkin is going to maintain the Linksys brand and all associated services, and will support Cisco's products -- including warranty support and repair. With the acquisition, Belkin now holds 30 percent of the entire US home and small business networking market.
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02/06, 3:30pm
New case adds only 7mm to thickness of iPad mini
Accessory manufacturer Belkin today introduced a thin and light Bluetooth wireless keyboard for the iPad mini -- the FastFit Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard Case. The case combines a physical keyboard typing experience, easy portability and convenient power capabilities in one package. At 7mm (0.28") thick, the FastFit keyboard cover is thinner than the iPad mini itself.
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01/24, 7:45pm
Deal consolidates large percentage of US home networking market
Computer accessory manufacturer Belkin revealed on Thursday that it has entered into an agreement to purchase Cisco's home networking business unit, including the Linksys brand and all associated products. Belkin intends to maintain the Linksys brand, and will continue to support all of Cisco's products in the sector, including warranty support and replacement.
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01/07, 6:19pm
Sacrifices eSATA port in process
Belkin's upcoming Thunderbolt Express Dock has returned to a $300 pricetag, the company now says. The product has been in development since 2011, and was originally assigned the $300 price -- along with a September 2012 launch date -- at last year's CES. In June, however, the company made some modifications to the peripheral and raised the price to $400. The September release date came and went, forcing Belkin to push the launch to the first quarter of 2013.
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06/22, 11:59am
IR blaster and in-app channel guide help with channel surfing
Belkin is bringing out the @TV Plus, a media streaming box supporting 3G and Wi-Fi. The device pulls audio and video from set-top boxes and streams it to devices running an accompanying app, similarly to a Slingbox, except that the @TV adds mobile recording of live television.
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06/05, 4:39pm
Price jumps to $399
Belkin has announced an update to its still-unreleased Thunderbolt Express Dock. The peripheral is mainly meant for notebooks, introducing many more connections than a portable system would normally support. The upgrade mainly brings in three USB 3.0 ports, in place of the USB 2.0 ports Belkin originally announced. The company has also added an eSATA connection, but raised the price of the dock a full $100 to $399.
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04/10, 12:30pm
Deals on music receivers, headsets, and more
Today's deals from DealNN include discounted music receivers, Bluetooth headsets, and more. Buy.com has recently lowered the cost of the Belkin Bluetooth Music Receiver for iPhone, iPod, stereo, and Bluetooth-enabled laptop or PC, complete with one year limited warranty, support for pairing with six different devices, and the ability to transmit up to 33 feet away. Currently featured at DealNN, the Belkin music receiver has now dropped to $24.99 in price and offers savings of up to 50%.
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01/09, 10:40am
Dock gets pricing, late release date
Presenting at CES, Belkin has revealed more details about the Thunderbolt Express Dock, first made public last September. The dock connects via a single 10Gbps Thunderbolt cable, but substantially expands a computer's ports. Included are HDMI, gigabit Ethernet, FireWire 800, 3.5mm stereo, three USB 2.0, and two Thunderbolt (upstream and downstream) connections.
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01/08, 2:40pm
Belkin Advance N900 DB arrives ahead of CES
Belkin's turn at CES saw it introduce the Advance N900 DB, what may be one of the last 802.11n Wi-Fi routers before 802.11ac arrives. The new dual-band router has a full six antennas with MultiBeam support that can more reliably deliver its 450Mbps across a home. IntelliStream also promises a more advance form of traffic priority that focuses on gaming and video over basic tasks.
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01/05, 12:00pm
Broadcom adds first four 802.11ac chipsets
Broadcom claimed the distinction of being the first to make chipsets with 802.11ac, being nicknamed 5G Wi-Fi, on Thursday. The BCM43516, BCM43526, BCM4352, and BCM4360 all have twice as much bandwidth per channel as the current-fastest 802.11n and can stack multiple streams together to get very high speeds. The flagship chip, the BCM4360, can unite three streams and hit 1.3Gbps.
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11/27, 2:20pm
Cyber Monday preview
With Cyber Monday right around the corner online retailers have already started cutting prices in preparation for the busiest online shopping day of the year to begin. At Amazon, buyers can save 58 percent on Roxio Easy VHS to DVD, originally $60 but now $25 with free super saver shipping. A 56 percent price break can be found on the XtremeMac Tango TRX 2.1 Bluetooth audio system for iPads, iPhones, iPods and Android smartphones. It drops from $180 to $80 at Amazon.
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11/15, 11:15pm
Belkin LiveAction Camera Grip and Remote live
Belkin late Tuesday took advantage of the updated camera in the iPhone 4S to release a pair of accessories for unusually dedicated smartphone photographers. The LiveAction Camera Remote uses Bluetooth to remotely trigger the camera on an iPhone 4, 4S, or iPod touch, letting the owner shoot family shots or off-angle like they would with a DSLR.
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10/30, 3:10pm
We try Belkin's Chef Stand, Cabinet, Fridge mounts
The urge to use an iPad, a Galaxy Tab, or another tablet in the kitchen is undeniable: it's a live recipe book or a way to check if the ingredients you want are on sale. Belkin has acknowledged, though, that no one wants to touch a screen with flour-covered hands. We'll check in our review of Belkin's kitchen accessories -- the Chef Stand + Stylus, Cabinet Mount, and Fridge Mount -- to see whether you'll be tossing your paper cookbooks.
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09/13, 3:00pm
Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock packs Ethernet
Belkin used the added limelight of the Intel Developer Forum to show off a prototype of a Thunderbolt dock intended primarily for Mac owners. Just called the Thunderbolt Express Dock, it has much of the same expansion of Apple's Thunderbolt Display without the requisite screen. A single cable feeds out gigabit Ethernet, FireWire 800, three USB ports, and another Thunderbolt port for adding more devices to a chain.
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09/07, 11:45am
Stream video from Internet or Blu-ray to any HDTV
Belkin has launched a new line of wireless home theater products. The ScreenCast AV 4 Wireless AV-to-HDTV Adapter F7D4515 allows up to four home theater devices to be connected to any HDTV. The Universal Wireless HDTV Adapter F7D4555 provides Wi-Fi video streaming to a smart TV, and the
Universal Wireless AV Adapter F7D4550 streams content to multiple devices over a wireless network.
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08/05, 10:40am
Case integrates keyboard and stand
Belkin has added to its family of iPad 2 accessories with the introduction of the F5L090 Keyboard Folio. The Folio like some of its peers combines a keyboard with a stand and protective case to give users a notebook-like experience from the normally touch-only tablet. It connects to the iPad 2 through Bluetooth.
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05/31, 5:40pm
Adapter said to retail for $129
Belkin appears to be preparing to launch its ScreenCast WiDi adapter, which has already appeared on the company's website. The device allows users to wirelessly stream Blu-ray movies, web-based content in HD quality, audio content such as Pandora, and other audio or video feeds from a supported notebook to an HDTV or other display.
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01/31, 6:50pm
Wi-LAN makes deals, expects more before suit
Wi-LAN this evening said the delay in its Wi-Fi lawsuit had borne fruit as it had made some settlement deals and expected more before the February 2 trial. It struck deals with 2Wire, Belkin, Lenovo, Marvell, Netgear and Westell over the past few weeks. It also anticipated that Apple, Dell, D-Link, HP, Sony and Toshiba would cave before Wednesday.
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11/19, 12:15pm
Razer intros Nostromo gaming keypad
Gaming peripherals maker Razer has just updated its Nostromo gaming keypad, co-developed with Belkin. The device is ergonomically designed and sports 16 programmable Hyperesponse buttons along with an eight-way directional thumb pad. A soft-touch rubberized and adjustable wrist pad holds the wrist to decrease fatigue.
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09/29, 2:30pm
Wireless USB 1.1 spec goes live
The USB IF promised an easier time with wireless support today by posting and detailing the Wireless USB 1.1 standard. It now supports near-field communication (NFC) and proximity detection as a way of setting up peripherals. Owners only need to bring a device next to its host, such as a computer or a hub, to associate the two.
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09/03, 4:20pm
Both companies' cases will ship in September
Following Apple's announcement of the fourth-generation iPod touch, Belkin and WaterField have launched cases for the new iOS device. Belkin has announced 14 new cases -- five grip cases, two shield cases, four verve cases and three armbands. The grip cases are textured for easier handholding. The Grip Ergo with Strap features a fitted design and a removable strap, in translucent black or taro, while the Grip Groove Duo has a wavy texture and arrives in either black-and-clear or gray-and-purple color combinations. The Grip Graphix swirls two colors into the wave textures, mixing aqua and white, mauve with pink or black with clear. The Grip Vue eschews textures for a high gloss finish, in nine colors, while the Grip Edge moves to black or brown leather.
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06/23, 12:50pm
Belkin goes after Kanex XD with Mini DP adapter
Belkin on Wednesday chased after the dorm room audience with the AV360, a new Mini DisplayPort adapter for the 27-inch iMac. Like the Kanex XD, it converts most any HDMI input, such as that of a PS3 or Xbox 360, into usable 720p video for the Apple all-in-one's Mini DP in/out jack. It carries over audio and accepts up to a native 1080p signal, although the iMac's resolution recognition will require lower.
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06/08, 10:20pm
LaptopTailors ships felt case for iPhone 4
Fresh on the heels of the new iPhone 4 launch, Belikin and LaptopTailors have already announced cases to fit the new design. Belkin has introduced twelve cases, four armbands and three overlays for the iPhone 4. The company's Grip cases focus on silicone construction with textured designs for improved grip. The Grip Ergo comes in black or clear, each with ribbed etching. Customers can also add a removable wrist strap available in blue, black and clear colors.
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03/24, 11:50am
Belkin spins media sharing features as apps
Belkin today tried to seize on the popularity of mobile apps today by launching a set of Wi-Fi routers that apply the app metaphor to features. The Play, Play Max, Share and Surf all have varying levels of apps that both handle previous router features as well as extend them beyond their normal limitations. The Play and Play Max are the most advanced and can control media streaming themselves: they can play music directly from a USB hard drive, label tracks, auto-coreate playlists and push music to UPnP devices like game consoles.
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02/23, 9:50am
Lineup includes desktop and laptop cards, cables
Belkin has expanded its product lineup with several peripherals that support the new USB 3.0 standard. Two are expansion cards, the SuperSpeed USB 3.0 PCIe Add-In Card for desktops, and the
SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ExpressCard adapter for laptops. Belkin has also unveiled two USB 3.0-compliant cables, the SuperSpeed A-B Cable and the SuperSpeed Premium Micro-B Cable.
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02/09, 4:45pm
Belkin redesigns its powered notebook cooling pad
Belkin on Tuesday announced it has redesigned its Laptop Cooling Pad to now include a unique AirFlow Wing shape that is more efficient at taking heat away from the computer and a user's lap. At the same time, the design results in the notebook itself being quieter. The fan was repositioned compared to the previous pad and retains its USB power cable.
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01/28, 7:50pm
New cases announced from three manufacturers
Fast on the heels of Apple's iPad launch come new accessories from Griffin, Belkin and TOM BIHN. Griffin has announced the Elan Passport, a folio case that offers full wrap-around protection and a microsuede lining to protect the iPad surfaces. The folio is held shut by a stretch band and its inner cover has card pockets. The Elan Sleeve is a synthetic leather shell case that the iPad slips into. It has a microsuede interior for protection, and a tab closure to keep the iPad secure. Both Elan cases will cost $50.
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01/25, 11:30am
Belkin TuneCast Auto Live uses GPS, Internet
After revealing the add-on months earlier, Belkin today at last began shipping the TuneCast Auto Live. It remains the first FM transmitter to carry its own iPhone app (free, App Store) and uses this to extend the functionality beyond just the simple in-line remote. It can both expand the controls as well as connect to the Internet to provide feedback on the clearest stations. iPhone owners can also use their GPS to automatically set the transmitter based on location.
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12/16, 8:20am
Belkin BT adapter streams A2DP from iPhone
Belkin today added a Bluetooth Music Receiver to its lineup for short-range wireless streaming. The adapter takes audio from any Bluetooth device that supports the A2DP stereo format, including many cellphones (such as the iPhone) as well as portable media players that recognize the standard, such as the second- and third-generation iPod touch. Range is limited to the Bluetooth standard's 33 feet but should be enough for wireless music in the same room.
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10/23, 3:30pm
Docks may pose unusual fire hazard
Accessory maker Belkin has issued a special product recall, addressing some of the company's TuneBase car docks. Specifically affected are the TuneBase FM with ClearScan, the TuneBase FM with Hands-Free, and the TuneBase Direct with Hands-Free. As a result of a problem with washers, versions of the docks bought on or after April 1st may produce smoke or fire when plugged into a car's power port.
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09/29, 4:25pm
Belkin intros energy-conserving power bar
Belkin on Tuesday announced the release of its Conserve Surge with Timer power bar, which has a built-in timer to eliminate power draw when an office workstation is not in use. The power bar is meant for but not limited to use in offices, where IT energy costs are unnecessarily high due to the phantom power draw from turned off devices or computers in standby mode. Related devices such as printers, lamps, speakers, scanners and other accessories are also disconnected from the electrical outlet when the timer runs out.
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09/15, 4:15pm
Home Base shares wireless USB devices
Belkin has introduced its Home Base networking hub on Tuesday, which allows users to share peripherals using their existing wireless networks, including printers, external hard drives or other USB devices. The Home Base is compatible with other Wi-Fi b/g/n devices and will also allow users to automatically back up a connected computer's files onto a designated and connected USB hard drive.
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09/08, 3:15pm
5G iPod nano, 3G iPod touch cases at Best Buy
Best Buy on Tuesday inadvertently tipped off Apple's plans for tomorrow by posting entries for unreleased iPods. Belkin and Griffin cases for the fifth-generation iPod nano and third-generation iPod touch have appeared and support the notion that at least these two will be updated at Apple's special event on Wednesday. None of the releases immediately betray expected features like built-in cameras, though some include their own hand straps.
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07/28, 9:35am
Belkin iPod Shuffle Adaptr
Belkin this morning addressed the complaints of those wanting to use more advanced headphones with Apple's third-generation iPod shuffle and launched its Headphone Adapter for the music player. The simple add-on gives any typical earbuds or headphones with a 3.5mm headphone jack a remote much like Apple's own pack-in model, including the ability to invoke VoiceOver. It's not known if other iPods receive similar features.
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07/16, 4:15pm
Belkin cancels FlyWire
After delaying its FlyWire wireless HDMI system, Belkin has now announced it will no longer bring the device to market. According to a company representative, the FlyWire's demise is due to its high $1,499 price tag in the current economy. The FlyWire allowed users to send and receive audio and video sources that included HDMI and analog sources. A small receiver can be hidden behind a wall-mounted TV, for example, eliminating the need for any wires.
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06/04, 11:05am
Belkin TuneCast Auto Live
Belkin on Thursday became one of the first hardware accessory makers to take advantage of iPhone OS 3.0's support for third-party peripherals. When it ships, the new TuneCast Auto Live will have an iPhone app to let owners pick a clear FM channel for broadcasting the audio from an iPhone or iPod touch to a car's sound system; previous add-ons have had to include their own hardware controls. It will also exploit the iPhone's GPS to find the likeliest clear frequencies based on location.
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06/01, 9:15am
Belkin TuneBase Direct FM
Belkin today unveiled a pair of updated TuneBases built with the iPhone in mind. Both the TuneBase Direct and TuneBase FM route audio from Apple devices to the car stereo while simultaneously charging them over the 12-volt port and cradling them on a flexible neck that puts the iPhone at a more viewable position. Users only have to tap a button on the TuneBase itself to take or end the call in speakerphone mode and can use either model for listening to music.
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04/27, 4:20pm
Belkin CushDesk
Belkin today quietly released the CushDesk as its solution for notebook owners who want a cooler and more stable surface on their systems. The simple accessory has a hard surface capable of supporting most 17-inch or smaller notebooks and a soft underside that both distances heat from the owner's legs and has enough give to remain comfortable. It also gets a tapered design that angles the notebook up slightly for a more natural viewing angle on a couch or bed.
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04/20, 8:45pm
Belkin Micro Auto Charger
Belkin has introduced the Micro Auto Charger and Dual Auto Charger for iPods, iPhones and other mobile devices. The Micro charger features a compact design that fits nearly flush with the dashboard, while still providing room on its lip for removal. Batteries are quick-charged with 1A of current and customers can add a 3 foot sync cable for iPods and iPhones.
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04/20, 1:05pm
New Belkin phone chargers
Portable electronics accessories maker Belkin on Monday announced the instant availability of its Micro Auto Charger and the upcoming release of the Dual Auto Charger. Either device plugs into a car's dashboard DC power plug and provides one (Micro) or two (Dual) USB ports, allowing users to charge their electronics devices that are equipped with USB or mini USB ports. The Micro Auto Charger is compact, sitting nearly flush with a car's dashboard, and is capable of charging devices at 1 amp of power, making it suitable for charging certain GPS systems as well.
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01/19, 1:30pm
Belkin employee unethical
Belkin's Business Development Representative, Mark Bayard, has reportedly been paying Internet surfers to post fake positive reviews or poorly selling Belkin products on Amazon.com, according to a Friday report. Bayard has posted on Amazon's Mechanical Turk website, which pays users to perform tasks computers cannot, paying them on a per-task basis. At the time, Bayard offered 65 cents for every positive review posted, urging users need not own the product they are reviewing. The practice has both been challenged for its ethics and violates Amazon's Terms of Service.
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12/05, 2:00pm
Belkin pulls out of MW09
Yet more companies are planning to withdraw or scale back their efforts for Macworld 2009, reports say. Accessory maker Belkin has already confirmed plans to pull out of the expo, joining Adobe, the creator of Mac-centric programs such as Photoshop and Illustrator. Belkin explains its move as unrelated to financial worries or the economy, and instead a decision to shift presentation money towards private product announcements.
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11/12, 4:50pm
Belkin Switch-to-Mac cable
Belkin on Wednesday announced the release of its Switch-to-Mac Cable, which automatically transfers files from a PC to a Mac. The product's embedded Migration Assistant moves users' music, movies, photos and Internet favorites and preferences on its own, not even requiring users to drag-and-drop the required files. The cable uses a USB 2.0 connection to transfer files and settings from default PC folders and applications to the respective Mac locations before providing a log of its operations.
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11/05, 3:05pm
Intel Exits UWB Work
Intel has dropped its internal development of ultra-wideband (UWB), the company has revealed. The semiconductor firm decided to end the five-year-old project a month ago in a low-key move that is only now coming to light. The call doesn't mark the end of UWB at Intel but was made as the company decided it would be less expensive to source components from outside when necessary than to develop its own.
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10/23, 5:00pm
Wireless HD delayed
According to a Thursday report, the previously promised Flywire system from Belkin that would deliver HD signals wirelessly in home theater set-ups has been delayed. The news follows similar announcements from Monster Cable and other interconnects manufacturers, with the companies citing bugs as reasons. Belkin, which promised to beat Monster Cable to market with a CES debut this winter, said the perfected system will be released by the spring of 2009 instead.
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09/10, 12:10pm
Belkin iPod updates
Following the release of new iPod nano, touch and classic models yesterday, Belkin has announced a series of new accessories for each player. The Sports Armband and Sport Armband Plus were made to allow users to quickly attach an iPod to their arm. The Plus version features a FastFit system, which allows one-handed fastening. Both products are compatible with Nike+, and are available for the Nano 4G, Touch 2G and Classic 2G at a price of $30.
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07/10, 12:40pm
Belkin GoStudio
Belkin today rounded out its announcements with the formal launch of the GoStudio. Effectively an all-in-one podcast studio, the hand-portable device has built-in stereo microphones and records audio directly to newer click wheel iPods as the storage medium. By tapping the iPod's built-in audio recording features, the GoStudio offloads the software work to the iPod and also lets it immediately play back recordings through integrated speakers on the GoStudio. Users can also mix in some or all the audio from up to two XLR microphones (with quarter-inch support) or a single 3.5mm microphone.
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