October hasn’t exactly been a great month for Belkin.

First came Belkin’s recall of TubeBase products last week involving a washer which may cause an electrical short circuit when plugged into a vehicle’s cigarette lighter adapter. This time the company is recalling the Belkin SurgeMaster Surge Protector due to the following issue:

“The molding of the plastic 360 degree rotating plug, which allows for easy cord movement, can crack or detach from the plug assembly, posing a shock hazard to consumers.”

Belkin has received seven complaints about cracking of the plug molding which luckily has not resulted in any injuries thus far.

Affected models are the SurgeMaster Surge Protector, models F9G930-10, F9G930v10, F9G930-10-W and F9G930-10-SN, all manufactured in 2003. Grey models F9G930-10-GRY and F9G930fc10G-CL are not a part of this recall.

If you have one of these units, you should stop using it and contact Belkin for a replacement unit. For more information, contact Belkin toll-free at 800-952-1465 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.belkin.com/recall

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Here’s an important notice to owners of the Belkin TuneBase Direct with Hands-Free, TuneBase FM with Hands-Free, and TuneBase FM with ClearScan. The company announced a voluntary recall of the above products due to a washer within the TuneBase which may cause an electrical short circuit when plugged into a vehicle’s cigarette lighter adapter.  According to Belkin:

“The washer is a circular, black, plastic unit situated at the tip of the TuneBase’s cigarette lighter adapter. After a rigorous investigation, Belkin has determined that under certain conditions of heat, humidity, and prolonged periods of power-on (e.g., when the TuneBase is left plugged in overnight), some units with the washer have shown potential to smoke or pose a risk of fire.”

As a result, Belkin is recalling all TuneBase products purchased by consumers on or after April 1st, 2009. The following model numbers are affected by the recall:

• F8Z441
• F8Z442
• F8Z176
• F8Z441ea
• F8Z442ea
• F8Z176eaBLK

If you own one of the above models, then you can do the following:

• Contact Belkin to participate in its TuneBase exchange program that will provide eligible customers with a TuneBase replacement, free of charge
• Learn more here: www.belkin.com/tunebaserecall
• Customers without Internet access can call 888-262-1020

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Technorati Tags: Belkin TuneBase Direct with Hands-Free, TuneBase FM with Hands-Free, and TuneBase FM with ClearScan, Product Recall

The Belkin “Conserve Surge with Timer” is a new surge protector with a built-in automatic timer designed to help minimize power consumption by automatically shutting off six outlets after 11 hours.

Why build an automatic timer into the surge protector? Simple – most of us are pretty lazy. We all know we should completely shut off all of our gadgets and devices but how many of us are willing to unplug every single device from the outlet? With the Conserve Surge with Timer. laziness is addressed through the use of an automatic timer.

The timer controls six “auto-off” outlets which turn off devices after 11 hours of operation. What about devices that need constant power you say? No problem – the surge protector comes with two always-on outlets too.

Finally, Belkin packages a one-touch on/off button wired to the surge protector that resides on your desktop – allowing you to control the six auto-off outlets. The Belkin Conserve Surge with Timer is available now for a price of $34.99.

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Help fund breast cancer research by picking up one of Belkin’s two new iPod touch cases – the DualFit for the Cure and the Grip for the Cure. For each case sold, Belkin will donate $2.50 to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure (with a minimum guaranteed donation of $100,000).

DualFit for the Cure:

• Adjustable dual-fit system allows for best fit on any arm; maximizes sizing
• Clear screen protector allows for easy navigation
• Key pocket for convenient storage while at the gym or outdoors
• Reflective material for use during nighttime
• Hand-washable
• MSRP of $29.99

Grip for the Cure:

• Textured exterior provides better grip
• Form-fitting construction allows charging while in sleeve and minimizes bulk
• MSRP of $29.99

Both cases will be available in the middle of October and are compatible with iPod touch 2nd generation models.

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If you’re looking for a convenient way to share your printer on a wireless network as well as backup/share data from all connected computers on the network, then you’ll want to check out the newly announced Belkin Home Base.

Home Base works within an existing wireless network and allows networked users access to a single shared printer. In addition, users can connect external hard drives to one of the four USB ports to save/share music, pictures and videos. Home Base will automatically back up connected computers periodically to a connected external hard drive.

The device also comes with a small social feature – allowing users to automatically share pictures directly to a Flickr or Picasa account.

Folks with gaming consoles will also be able to wirelessly access media stored on an attached hard drive.

Home Base comes with 4 USB 2.0 ports, supports 802.11 b/g/n, and supports WPS security for convenient wireless setup.

You’ll be able to pick one up now for $129.99.

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Want to use a headphone other than the one Apple provides for the current iPod shuffle? Now you can with the new Belkin Headphone Adapter for iPod shuffle. Not only can you use any headphone with the new adapter, you’ll also be able to control the functions of the shuffle since the player doesn’t come with any controls itself.

The Headphone Adapter will allow you to:

• Adjust volume
• Skip tracks
• Toggle between playlists
• Hear a song title

Belkin’s Headphone Adapter will be available at the end of July in North America and in the middle of August in Europe, Asia, and Australia for $19.99.

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Belkin FlyWire – we hardly knew ya. Actually – we didn’t know you at all! Belkin announced late last week that given the current “state of the economy”, the “retail price of $1499 would be out of line” (ya think?). Hence, Belkin has decided to halt production of the FlyWire wireless HD transmitter. Guess we’ll just have to stick with a single HDMI wire for now (or several for some).

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Belkin announces three new mice for notebooks that place your hand in the “optimum position for working in comfort.” The three new mice are as follows:

Wireless Comfort Mouse (F5L030) – $29.99

• Shaped to fit your hand
• USB dongle doubles as a perch to hold mouse in place when moving from room to room
• All-terrain optical engine to mouse on any surface
• Power-save mode puts mouse to sleep after 8 minutes of inactivity
• Compatible with Mac computers
• Includes 2 AAA batteries
• Colors: Midnight Blue, Pitch Black, Fuchsia, Candy Red

Bluetooth Comfort Mouse (F5L031) – $49.99

• Shaped to fit your hand
• built-in Bluetooth technology
• Scroll wheel offers vertical and horizontal scrolling
• Features a laser optical sensor to mouse on different surfaces
• Compatible with Mac computers
• 2.4GHz Bluetooth wireless
• Colors: Black and White

Retractable Comfort Mouse (F5L051) – $19.99

• Shaped to fit your hand
• Retractable cable prevents knots and tangles
• Features an all-terrain optical engine to mouse on any surface
• Compatible with Mac computers
• Colors: Pitch Black, Midnight Blue, Fuchsia, Candy Red

The new mice will be available in the following dates in the following places:

Americas by the end of this month.

Europe, Asia, and Australia by the end of July

The retractable comfort mouse will be available in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia in August

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Technorati Tags: Belkin, Wireless Comfort Mouse, Bluetooth Comfort Mouse, Retractable Comfort Mouse

It’s a ritual of course. A new mobile phone hits the market, a set of new cases for the phone also hit the market. Today we have Belkin which announces a series of new iPhone 3G and 3G S cases across three product lines – the Grip Cases, the BodyGuard cases, and the Leather cases. All cases, except for the BodyGuard cases are available now in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The BodyGuard cases will be available next month.

Here’s what you need to know about the new cases:

Grip Cases

All Grip cases offer “rugged layer of silicone” designed to protect the iPhone. Each case comes with different textured designs which affect style, color, and grip. You can charge the iPhone while the phone is in the case.

Grip Ergo (F8Z460) – $29.99

• Ergonomic design lets you text, game and surf the Web comfortably
• Contoured ridges provide maximum gripability of your iPhone
• Colors: Caviar, Chili Pepper, Indigo

Grip Two-Toned Vector (F8Z474) – $29.99

• Colors: Caviar/Clear, Caviar/Hot Pink, Caviar/Bright Blue

Grip Vector Duo (F8Z472) – $19.99

• Colors: Light Graphite/Indigo, Hot Pink/Chili Pepper, Caviar/Translucent White

BodyGuard Cases

The Belkin BodyGuard cases utilize a combination of polycarbonate and rubber materials to help protect and increase grip on the iPhone. The cases also offer full access to the dock connector, the buttons, and of course, the touch-screen display.

BodyGuard Hue (F8Z455) – $24.99

• 2-piece polycarbonate design snaps together to create 2 shades of color
• Colors: Light Graphite/White, Hot Pink/White, Bright Blue/White, Indigo/Light Graphite, Garnet/Light Graphite, Citrus Yellow/Light Graphite

BodyGuard Halo (F8Z461) – $29.99

• Colored rubber track adds color and makes it easier to grip the case
• Colors: Clear/Caviar, Clear/Hot Pink, Clear/Chili Pepper

BodyGuard Cush (F8Z470) – $29.99

• Interior rubber lining prevents from everyday scratches and scuffs
• Colors: Caviar, Hot Pink, Garnet

Micra Flex (F8Z469) – $24.99

• Slim, form-fitting polycarbonate and rubber design provides protection without added bulk
• Unique U-Flex design offers quick and easy removal of iPhone from case
• Features a highly gripable exterior surface
• Provides full access to connector, buttons and iPhone screen
• Colors: Black, Hot Pink, Garnet

Leather Cases

Finally, if you’re looking for a lil leather, check out these cases.

Leather Sleeve with Pull Tab (F8Z465) – $29.99

• Pull tab lifts iPhone from case for quick access and easy navigation
• Cutout window allows for easy viewing of time and caller ID

Leather Sleeve with Clip (F8Z467) – $29.99

Leather Folio (F8Z462) – $29.99

Leather Horizontal Holster (F8Z463) – $29.99

Leather Slim Fit with Pull Tab (F8Z466) – $29.99

Formed Horizontal Holster (F8Z464) – $29.99

DualFit (F8Z459) – $29.99

You can see more by going to http://www.belkin.com/ipod/

Technorati Tags: Belkin Grip Cases, Belkin BodyGuard cases, Belkin Leather Cases, iPhone 3G S Cases

Belkin announces two new TuneBase products for the Apple iPhone and iPod – the TuneBase FM and TuneBase Direct. Both products allow you to pick up phone calls on the iPhone in your car, hands-free.  When a phone call comes in, both TuneBase products fade out the music allowing you to pick up the call. Simply press a button on the TuneBase to answer the incoming phone call. The call’s audio comes through the car stereo system.

The TuneBase FM features:

• Push-button call pickup and speakerphone
• ClearScan technology which automatically searches for the clearest FM frequency to transmit over
• Transmit audio on multiple FM channels from 88.1 MHz to 107.9 MHz

The TuneBase Direct features:

• Push-button call pickup and speakerphone
• 3.5 mm cable for cars with built-in auxiliary inputs

The TuneBase FM has an MSRP of $89.99 while the TuneBase Direct has an MSRP of $69.99.

Technorati Tags: Belkin, Belkin TuneBase Direct Belkin TuneBase FM, Apple iPhone, Apple iPod