So you have a new trio of Sony Ericsson Walkman phones.. what do you do next? Pair those phones with a new trio of portable speakers of course! Sony Ericsson announced three new units yesterday - the MBS-200, MBS-400 and MPS-100 - designed to be portable and allow users to play music directly from their mobile phones.

The MBS-200 Wireless Portable Speaker features:

• Bluetooth support
• Mutes when a phone call comes in
• Available in Q4

The MBS-400 features:

• Similar to the MBS-200 except comes with two speakers for stereo sound
• Available in Q4

Finally, the MPS-100 features:

• Builds on the MPS-60
• Mini-speakers that plug into your phone
• Available in Q4

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sony Ericsson, MBS-200, MBS-400, MPS-100, Bluetooth Speakers

CNET has a review posted of the new version of the iMainGo portable speaker system from Portable Sound Laboratories called aptly - the iMainGo 2. The new version features upgraded titanium speakers and is compatible with more MP3 players. The basic premise stays the same of course - the iMainGo 2 is both a case and a speaker system for your MP3 player. Here’s the verdict from CNET:

The iMainGo 2 portable speaker offers an innovative design, solid sound quality, compatibility with a ton of MP3 players, and an extremely competitive price. It’s a great choice for anyone who wants to rock out loud on the go.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Portable Sound Laboratories, iMainGo 2

Adding another “Eee” product, ASUS has officially launched their new SP-BT23 Bluetooth Speaker device. Known as the “Eee” speaker, the SP-BT23 features:

• Bluetooth v 1.2 Class 2 support
• Supports Advanced Audio Distributed Profile (A2DP)
• Max output of 4 W (2 x 2W)
• Frequency Response of 150 Hz to 20KHz
• Measures 170 x 123.5 x 54 mm and weighs 400 grams
• AC powered or powered by 4 AA batteries

Thanks to AVING for a picture of the SP-BT23.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: ASUS SP-BT23 Bluetooth Speaker

The folks at Techware Labs have published a review of the Altec Lansing T612 Powered Audio System. The T612 is similar to their inMotion lineup of powered external speakers except this model supports the Apple iPhone. Features of the $199 system include:

• Four full range speakers
• Bass through XdB bass enhancement technology (no subwoofer on the speaker system)
• Built-in dock for the iPhone and the iPod
• Immune to the intermittent noises that come from GSM phones
• Wireless remote
• Wall-mountable design
• MP3 player jack

Here’s the verdict from Techware Labs:

This product is highly recommended to anyone in the market for an iPod/iPhone docking station or anything similar.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Altec Lansing, T612, Apple iPhone, Techware Labs Review

Looking for a portable speaker system for that Bluetooth enabled phone or media player device? Check out the newly introduced Logitech Pure-Fi Mobile speaker system. The one-piece speaker system connects to your mobile phone or portable media player via Bluetooth wireless technology. The device supports the Bluetooth Advanced Audio Distribution (A2DP) profile which allows you to stream stereo audio wirelessly from your phone to the speakers at a range of up to 33 feet.

The Logitech Pure-Fi Mobile features:

• 2 inch high-excursion drivers
• Dual 2 inch pressure drivers
• Wireless speakerphone functionality
• Two built-in microphones - one to pick up vocal nuances and one to monitor and block unwanted background noise
• Call-answer and call-end controls on top of the speakers
• Includes protective case which can also carry charging cables
• 12 hours of play time with rechargeable batteries
• 3.5 mm audio jack for connecting audio devices

The Logitech Pure-Fi Mobile will be available in June for a price of $149.99.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Logitech Pure-Fi Mobile

Talk about multi-functional bags - this is the Reebok NXT Speaker Backpack. Yes.. it’s a backpack that also doubles as portable speaker system thanks to the NXT speakers. The bag is made out of 600 denier polyester, dobby polyester, 420 denier nylon, jersey thermoform, and nylon mesh. There’s also pockets galore within this Reebok bag - a total of 12 pockets (6 external pockets, 5 internal pockets, and 1 internal laptop holder pocket). The bag measures 18.5 x 13 x 8.2 inches and weighs 1.6 kg. It’s selling price? £69.99.

[Check it out via Ubergizmo]

Technorati Tags: Reebok NXT Speaker Backpack

Targus announced that they would be introducing a new portable speaker system called the “Targus Speaker Book” which utilizes NXT’s Balanced Radiator technology. I’ve always wondered why no one released a portable speaker system utilizing NXT’s flat speaker technology - it seems like the perfect fit for portable speakers! In any case, the Speaker Book is powered by 4 AAA batteries and includes a 3.5 mm audio cable which lets it connect to practically any audio device out there. Targus will be rolling out the Speaker Book initially in the UK this summer - no word on when it will come to the US.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Targus, Speaker Book, NXT

Nokia introduces two new affordable music-enabled phones today in the form of the Nokia 5320 XpressMusic and the Nokia 5220 XpressMusic. Both devices are expected to come out during the third quarter of this year with expected retail prices between 160 to 220 EUR.

Features of the Nokia 5320 XpressMusic include the following:

• Voice controlled “Say and Play” feature allows users to say the name of the artist or song to automatically play it
• Dedicated XpressMusic keys
• 3.5 mm audio jack
• 24 hours of playback time
• Audio chip for hi-fi sound quality
• Supports up to 8GB of external memory
• HS-USB for fast music transfer
• HSDPA support
• Full featured Internet browser
• Nokia Search 4.1
• Dedicated N-Gage gaming keys
• Landscape view
• Estimated price of 220 EUR

Features of the Nokia 5220 XpressMusic include the following:

• Unique asymmetrical design
• Built-in lanyard
• 24 hour playback time
• Dedicated XpressMusic keys
• 3.5 mm audio jack
• Estimated price of 160 EUR

Nokia also introduced a new portable speaker today called the Nokia Mini Speakers MD-8. It’s a pocket-sized design capable of delivering up to 40 hours of music and featuring an FM antenna and a tangle-free cable. The MD-8 should come out during the second quarter of this year.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Nokia, 5320 XpressMusic, 5220 XpressMusic, Mini Speakers MD-8

Every so often, I like heading over to the Brando website to see what new USB device they’re offering. If there’s a funky USB device out there, chances are, Brando has it. This time it’s a mini-ball shaped portable USB rechargeable speaker (or as Brando calls it, the USB Mini Ball Speaker). The speaker connects to an audio device via a 3.5 mm stereo audio connector and can be worn around the neck thanks to the included neck strap (though why would you wear a speaker around your neck is beyond me). The ball measures 50 x 54 x 73mm, comes with a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery, has an on/off switch, and is available in two colors - Red and Black. You can purchase the Brando USB Mini Ball Speaker for $17.00 dollars.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Brando, USB Mini Ball Speaker

Parrot is pre-selling a new portable speaker system called the Parrot Party Black Edition (which means yes.. it’s in black). What sets the Parrot Party apart from the rest of the portable speaker crowd is the integrated support for Bluetooth stereo (A2DP profile). Having Bluetooth support means you’ll be able to pair Bluetooth stereo enabled devices, such as mobiles phones, with this speaker system - this includes mobile phones, PDAs, and computers.  Yes, it’s a shame that the iPhone doesn’t come with Bluetooth stereo support.  Now if you don’t have Bluetooth support at all, you can directly plug your audio device into the line-in socket on the Parrot Party.

Technical details include:

• 2-channel stereophonic system
• Two wideband drivers
• Class-D amplifier with 2 x 3 W output
• 5-button user interface + On/Off button
• Indicators: 3 LEDs (Bluetooth, audio effects) including a blue/red/violet LED
• Settings: volume, mute, reset, audio effects
• Modes: Normal, Pairing, Low Power, Low Battery
• Compatible sources:
  - Bluetooth stereo (A2DP) devices
  - Analogue audio devices
  * Built-in SBC decoder
• Audio effects:
  - Stereo Widening
  - Virtual SuperBass
• Power output: 6 W RMS
• Maximum battery life: 8 hr
• Frequency range: 150 Hz – 20 kHz
• Analogue line-in socket: 3.5 mm jack
• Power supply: 2100 mAh NiMH rechargeable battery or 100 / 240 V mains charger, 50 Hz and 60 Hz
• PC software: Parrot Audio Suite, volume control, 7-band equaliser…
• Bluetooth v2.0 + EDR
• Profiles supported :
  - A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile)
  - AVRCP (Audio Video Remote Control Profile)
• Maximum range: 10 meters
• Pairing: by PIN code (0000)
• Updates via Bluetooth
• Measures 228 mm x 85 mm x 79 mm
• Weighs: 650 g

The Parrot Party is being sold for £89.99 and will be coming out on May 31st.

[Check it out via TechDigest]

Technorati Tags: Parrot Party Black Edition, Bluetooth stereo, Portable Speakers