A le a ounces iPod Hi-Fi

A le a ounced the new iPod Hi-Fi at this morning's ecial event. While it's notterrifically exciting, it's an alternative (albeit a pricey one at $349) to third party iPod eakers. The Hi-Fifeatures a Universal Dock into which you can slide your iPod and another ot on the back for an iPod shuffle. (Ifyou've got an iPod model without a dock co ector, you'll have to buy a separate audio cable to integrate your iPodwith the Hi-Fi.)

The iPod nano and the iPod with video will di lay a new eakers menu for the iPod Hi-Fi.The menu will let you control tone (with settings like normal, treble boost, and ba boost), di lay large album arton the iPod while the Hi-Fi is playing, and set the iPod backlight to remain on so you can see the album art. Sorry,but a arently there won't be a eakers menu or tone control for older iPods.

Theoretically, the Hi-Fi isportable. It will run on six D-cell batteries "for several hour quot; according to Steve. However, the size andrectangular design of the Hi-Fi makes it look like it will be awkward to haul around. It's about as big as a breadbox:17" x 6.6" x 6.9%26quot with hand gri built into the plastic shell.

The Hi-Fi will chargeyour iPod while you're playing music. It includes an A le Remote to control music playback from acro the room. Andit's got a combined analog and digital optical i ut jack, so you can co ect it to your computer or to an AirportExpre to use as a eaker system for those devices. However, the requisite audio cable is a separate purchase, whichis too bad.

I'm no sound expert, but I can tell you that Steve was hyping the sound quality of the iPodHi-Fi during the a ouncement, and the A le site touts the Hi-Fi's sound quality acro a range of frequencies. It'sgot two 80 mm eaker cones in dedicated chambers, and a 130 mm woofer for ba tones.

To be honest, I'm notlikely to run out and buy this updated boombox. I'm ha y with my Logitech mm50 portable iPod eaker for now. Have yougot a big check left over from the holidays that you're just itching to end? Will you end it on this?