iPod in the living room, with or without Apple

Not only Apple offers owners of an iPod the possibility to use the portable media device at home also. Other producers as well have equipment on sale to make the most of Apple’s mp3-player. Next to small docking stations, which are connected to the hi-fi-system, there exist entire music systems with already integrated docking stations.

Currently, the Japanese electronics company Sharp is showing his new audio devices on the world’s largest computer fair CeBIT in Hannover, Germany. The device offers a docking station for all existing iPods. It is available either with or without CD-player and in glossy black or white. This is reported by the german news portal golem.de.

Flat and elegant is the hi-fi-system MC-DX220i with iPod docking station from TEAC. The speakers are just under eight centimetres deep and promise outrageous sound quality. The ultra-thin hi-fi-system can be attached directly to the wall, features also radio and cd-player and costs about 230 US Dollars.

Apple itself offers a hi-fi-system which is of course compatible with its own player. The compact, rectangular device can also be used on the way with batteries. It weighs a bit less than seven kilograms and costs about 300 US Dollars.

A similar looking device and also a whole series of loudspeaker systems, which play the music from an iPod, are available from Logitech.

Small docking stations in order to connect to the already available system in the living room, or any other room, are offered not only by Apple (about 30 US Dollars). Kensington offers docking stations as well, a small one which plays iPod’s music on your hi-fi-system (about 40 US Dollars) and a bigger one which additionally display photos and videos on your television screen (about 70 US Dollars).

Resembling products are available from Logic3, Pioneer und Belkin. Consequently, the user is spoilt for choice. Conveniently: Most of these devices charge the iPod instantaneously in the station. (vck)