Apple today announced iPod Hi-Fi, an all-new high-fidelity speaker system that works seamlessly with the iPod to redefine the home stereo system. iPod Hi-Fi delivers breathtaking acoustic performance and room-filling sound unlike any other speaker system designed for the iPod in an innovative, all-in-one design that can be powered from a wall socket or by six D-cell batteries. iPod Hi-Fi is easily controlled by the Apple Remote for an amazing stereo experience in any room in the house.
“Apple is reinventing the home stereo with the new iPod Hi-Fi, the first iPod accessory that adds true high-fidelity sound quality to the iPod,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO in the press release. “iPod Hi-Fi’s unrivaled acoustic performance and stunning design is at home in any room in the house.”
iPod Hi-Fi has been designed and engineered by Apple to deliver unrivaled sound quality, realistic sound imaging and optimal audio performance. Its clean, all-in-one design features a unique isolated enclosure system that includes two custom designed wide-range speakers and a tuned, ported bass system, minimizing vibration while maximizing sound quality and allowing users to listen to their favorite music as it was intended with amazing sound clarity and rich, deep bass. iPod Hi-Fi features handles to easily transport your stereo anywhere, a removable front grille with precision-mounting clips, touch-sensitive volume control buttons, the Apple Remote for easy song and volume control from anywhere in the room, a universal power supply incorporated into the all-in-one design so there’s no bulky power brick to weigh it down, and the ability to power iPod Hi-Fi from six D-cell batteries for true portability.
Featuring seamless integration with all iPods with a dock connector, iPod Hi-Fi automatically recharges your iPod while docked and displays features of iPod that maximize the iPod Hi-Fi experience such as Tone Control, Large Album Art mode and volume mirroring (Tone Control and Large Album Art features available with iPod nano and fifth generation iPod). iPod Hi-Fi includes a dual-purpose 3.5-mm auxiliary input that accepts either analog or digital signals for easy connection to a wide range of audio sources. iPod Hi-Fi is compact and can be powered by AC or six D-cell batteries, providing more flexibility than any traditional home stereo and is perfect for use not only at home, but just about anywhere you go without compromising sound quality.
Apple today also announced new luxurious leather cases designed specifically for the fifth generation iPod and iPod nano models. The Leather Case for iPod is made with fine, hand-crafted Italian leather and features a soft and durable interior lining for a secure fit, making it the perfect carrying case for iPod or iPod nano.
iPod Hi-Fi includes the Apple Remote, a removable grille, an AC power cord and 10 Universal Dock adapters, and is available for $349 (US). The Leather Case for iPod is available in 30GB and 60GB models as well as an iPod nano model, each for $99 (US). iPod Hi-Fi and all models of the Leather Case for iPod are available through the Apple Store, Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.
See the new iPod Hi-Fi here.
Advertisements:
• MacBook Pro. The first Mac notebook built upon Intel Core Duo with iLife ’06, Front Row and built-in iSight. Starting at $1999. Free shipping.
• iMac. Twice as amazing — Intel Core Duo, iLife ’06, Front Row media experience, Apple Remote, built-in iSight. Starting at $1299. Free shipping.
• iMac and MacBook Pro owners: Apple USB Modem. Easily connect to the Internet using dial-up service. Only $49.
• iPod Radio Remote. Listen to FM radio on your iPod and control everything with a convenient wired remote. Just $49.
• iPod. 15,000 songs. 25,000 photos. 150 hours of video. The new iPod. 30GB and 60GB models start at just $299. Free shipping.
• Connect iPod to your television set with the iPod AV Cable. Just $19.
So far …yawn
WTF!!!
A $350 boom box.
Please Apple, you know I love you, but this is crazy. I am sure it sounds great, but $350. No way.
$199 maybe. $149 is probably about right. No wifi, no deal.
maybe they should drop those events… what was the big deal??
Is the sound real hifi? It would have been nice if the system could replace a real hifi, especiqlly knowinfg that Apple Lossless format is an option,
Altec has a great ipod boombox on sale at costco for half that price…
I paid $300 for my Bose iPod “boom box” (sounds great BTW), so $350 is not out of line at all, especially if the sound quality is similar or better.
Apple’s product also is portable (i.e. uses batteries) and maybe has some other perks? Can’t wait to see what it looks like.
“i’m an audiophile” says Steve Jobs “i’m actually getting rid of my stereo.”
RDF Ultra also been released then
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”grin” style=”border:0;” />
Umm… to all of you who are saying that this is the rumored boom box… that is not a boom box.
MDN word: Time
Apple really underwhelmed me this time.
“I love you, but this is crazy. I am sure it sounds great, but $350. No way”
Reminds me of the adage, you get what you pay for. I don’t balk at BOSE’ prices, because I know there is the research is behind the product, same with Apple. If they’re selling sh$* and overcharging for it, they’ll get reamed. SJ/Apple & Co. KNOW that they’re in the limelight, any misstep and the critics are there to roast them in a jiffy.
BTW, the Apple Store (usually lightening fast) is JAMMED!!
I wanted something more fun than this.
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”raspberry” style=”border:0;” />
http://getkickedoffaplanewearingthis.blogspot.com/
iPod dock on top, makes it impossible to put in any shelving. Why no wifi so it can connect wirelessly to my home base itunes folder? And Bose is overpriced too.
Boo. What a waste of my short attention span.
Oh no they didn’t release the “Super Duper Mac Mini Tablet that controls the iUniverse” that I was hoping for!!!
I am coming out with a new invention it’s called the iWhine Powerbox.
It’s a device that will harness all the bitching and complaining from spoiled Mac users turning it into clean energy and will solve America’s dependence on foreign oil by powering our homes and cars.
So look for Apple to be having more of these types of events in order to keep the lights on.
I want an origami
AirTunes Ready
Airport Express
iPod Hi-Fi is the ideal speaker system for AirTunes. To ensure optimum sound quality, simply connect it to an AirPort Express with a digital optical audio cable(1). The music is then sent from iTunes on your computer over the network to the iPod Hi-Fi using only digital signals. Control your music from the computer in your den, but enjoy the sounds anywhere else in the house.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this hi-fi is built for Apple by Bose.
Somebody needs to offer a corded dock for those wishing to place a shelf directly over the speaker.
I am surprised at Apple’s arrogance. Call the media. Get everyone over here. We have a new boom box.
Steveo,
you have dissapointed me greatly. not only by the design of the boom box. A plastic brick with 6 D cells but by your claim that you are an audiophile. if that is the case you know that you can not move the sound waves to reproduce hi fidelity with a 4 inch speaker. Henry Kloss came close with the Advent radio but it is still puny compared to real hifi- You are getting senile way to early dude
Back to the drawing board guys
That’s Entertainment
Audio In
iPod Hi-Fi reproduces even the most dramatic sound effects with ease, bringing gaming and digital entertainment to a whole new sonic level. Setup is simple. The combined analog and digital optical input jack lets you connect iPod Hi-Fi to your computer or any other device with an audio output(1).
Can everyone please understand that it is not a boombox. It is a high-quality powered speaker. It has an audio input for any device that has audio output. It works with AirTunes. It is portable. Oh yeah, and it has an iPod dock.
I’m sorry but that thing sucks ass. Apple once again missed the opportunity to really do something great. Image: If this thing had a video output to to the TV for viewing videos stored on the iPod. And connections for rear channel speakers.
So disappointed. And they want how much for this thing? $350? WTF?
This piece of crap brought me out of retirement to rant.
Apple has stumbled.
Watch the stock fall guys
what a wimpy product launch
A mini-Mini update
Another case that looks like a thousand other cases but more expensive.
And a really expensive center channel speaker that could be made by just about anyone in the marketplace. Apple knows the whole widget and this is the best speaker solution they can comeup with? Gimmee a break. Put streaming in it. Make the mini matchit perfectly or put a mini in it do something to make it unique and leveraged on your knowledge of the iPod dont make a speaker with a freaking dock in it.
AAPL is rightfully taking a hit on this piss poor lineup of products.