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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Belkin on Thursday announced a wide range of laptop and netbook accessories, ranging from protective pouches and carrying cases to cooling pads and portable mice. Some of the cases are meant to protect the recent crop of netbooks, specifically ASUS' Eee PC. Belkin's Quilted Carrying Case is designed for full-size laptops, featuring plush fabric that will keep notebooks scratch-free, with an asymmetrical zipper that allows side or top access. A removable shoulder strap is integrated into the case; it is available in a choice of black, powder pink or denim blue colors. The Neoprene Sleeve helps protect notebooks around the house, while the Felt Tote, with reinforced handle allowing for short distance portability, protects laptops while on the move and when placed in other bags.
Belkin on Thursday took a tentative step into wireless home theater and revealed FlyWire. The black hub uses the 5GHz band to output a full HDMI signal with 1080p video and audio from the Apple TV, Blu-ray players, and most other devices to a matching TV without stringing cables across the room. The high frequency is not only nearly interference-free but is fast enough that even PlayStation 3s and other game consoles don't suffer from lag, Belkin claims. It also serves as a replacement for at times complex home theater setups and hops frequencies to avoid conflicts with Wi-Fi or other signals.
Belkin today launched sweeping changes to its network routers, starting with a new set of routers for Ethernet networking over a home's power grid. The Powerline series supplies speeds between 85Mbps and 200Mbps depending on the model, giving enough speed for faster Internet connections and streaming video at distances up to 300 meters away without the lag associated with wireless. All also support AES encryption to prevent outsiders from tapping into the network without permission.
Belkin has released a range of new cases for the Zune portable media players. Each cases is made with a specific use in mind, but all aim to protect the player and its screen while making controls and connections easily accessible. Designed for use during activities (e.g. exercise) is the Sports Armband for the Zune 80GB, it is made of lightweight and stretchable neoprene material with a Velcro closure and is hand-washable. In addition, the armband case features a key pocket as well as reflective material strips for safety at night or in dim lighting conditions. A new water-resistant case is also offered for the 4GB or 8GB version of the Zune.
Macworld Expo San Francisco 2008 saw over 400 vendors showcasing thousands of different products, from iPod cases and accessories, to many different hardware and software solutions for the Mac. Belkin's home-styled booth showcased many different iPod cases, as well as a revised KVM switch and the Podcast Studio device. Belkin employed musical entertainment that played on a faux-lawn area. Canon had its entire range of DSLR cameras, with a wide gamut of lenses available for testing. A wide range of colorful bags were available at Crumpler's booth, and iSkin's black and white booth scheme presented a striking display for its products.
Belkin has debuted new Sleeve cases for Apple's MacBook Air to protect the thin notebooks from harm. The company's Slim-Fit Sleeve ($40) is a neoprene cover with no zippers or magnets that cushions the notebook, allowing users to simply slip a MacBook Air into the case and flip the top over to secure it in place. Belkin's Neoprene Sleeves are slated for shipment in March, while all other sleeves are due to ship in May of this year.
Belkin today tackled one of the most common problems of modern cameraphones. The Bluetooth USB Adapter with Kodak Technology uses the camera maker's photo upload process to simplify offloading images from a phone without needing a cable or a card adapter to fit frequently small microSD storage. The system can be set up simply enough that just bringing the phone within range will automatically upload photos to the computer, Belkin says. Bluetooth 2.0 also ensures that photos can reach the PC quickly without having to be resized or compressed.
Accessory maker Belkin has released a new AV product, the HDMI 2-to-1 Video Switch. The device lets users connect two HDMI devices -- such as Apple TVs and HD DVD players -- to a single HDMI or DVI port, whether on a computer monitor or an HDTV.
Resolutions between 480i and 1080p are available on any of the supported connections, and the switch always defaults to the highest single-link video resolution. Inputs are not chosen automatically, but an infrared remote is bundled in the package. The switch is available now in Canada and the US for approximately $50 to $55; Asia, Europe and Australia will receive it in March of 2008.
