Asus has announced AIR3, which integrates an iPod speaker with Internet radio. The AIR3 is equipped with HDSS (High Definition Sound Standard) certified speakers, and the ETL (Embedded Transmission Line) module within the chambers that provide natural, real and clear sound quality.

The AIR3 is compatible with all iPods (except iPod shuffle) and charges the iPod concurrently while playing audio files. It includes S-Video and composite video outs to display movies and photos from the iPod on TVs and LCD monitors connected. Multimedia players can be connected to the AIR3 via an Aux-In jack located at the back of the AIR3 and the bundled cable.

The internet radio feature is accessed over Wireless LAN 802.11b/g and gives users access to about 10,000 radio stations worldwide with a wide range of categories. It supports UPnP sharing, and thus allows for easy sharing of music with connected computer or users. It also provides weather forecasts for major cities around the world via the Internet.

We are yet to hear about the release date or the price of AIR3.

Logic3 has launched i-Station25 portable speakers meant to work with Apple's iPhone and iPod. This stylish and sleek unit can accommodate the iPhone/iPod in vertical or horizontal orientations. It allows users to watch music videos & movies in portrait or landscape mode.

The i-Station25 features a built in accelerometer, which ensures correct Left & Right sound output when the i-Station is placed on its side. The four built-in speakers deliver a total of 8W RMS of power. The advanced circuitry incorporated within the speaker minimizes TDMA noise.

The i-Station25 also offers composite video output for connecting to TV. The included remote control operates the speaker & simple functions of iPod. The stereo line-in cable lets users play other audio devices including iPod shuffle, MP3, or CD players.

The i-Station25 is available in the UK market, priced at £68.50.

Link: Logic3

Logic3 has introduced a hybrid vacuum tube amplifier and speaker combo with ‘killer looks and rich, fearsome sonics’.

The amplifier and iPod dock are built into a single chassis. The amplifier has a steel body with a mirror finish, while on top, a steel cradle dock houses the iPod, leaving exposed valve tubes and a view meter that lights up in time to the music. The sleek piano black speakers are designed to complement the overall style. The speaker grills can be removed by user to show the drivers at work.

Logic3 promises 80 watts of clear and undistorted sound, as the hybrid vacuum tube amp balances out the sound of MP3 music files and eliminates noise distortion to deliver a warm harmonic sound.

The included remote allows users to control all of the Valve80's audio properties as well as iPod functionality. You can recharge & listen to your iPod, view iPod video content via component or S-video outputs. 2 x RCA inputs also allow the connection of other external audio devices.

The Valve80 is expected to be available in December for £299.

Link: Logic3

Hercules has expanded their XPS multimedia speaker range with the new XPS 2.150. The new speaker system comes with two 8 watts satellite speakers and a 16 watt wooden subwoofer. The exclusive design offers a brilliant black lacquer, with subtle and vibrant orange driver cones and LEDs.

The speaker system features volume control on right satellite, while the subwoofer has bass control and on/off switch. LEDs around the control knob simulate a halo of light. The speakers are automatically disabled when headphones are connected. The system also offers removable speaker bases along with a wall mounting system.

The company says the XPS 2.150 Multimedia Speaker System will be available for $70 in December.

Link: Hercules

Onkyo has your listening interests at heart with its new pair of wireless headphones known as the MHP-UW2. It lets you listen to your IPod with a portable and high-fidelity wireless stereo earphone system.

It uses the 2.4Ghz digital connection and promises to deliver high quality sound. The transmitter weights in 35 grams and is made compatible with IPod classic, Touch, Nano and Mini and has audio inputs for other portable audio devices.

The internal Lithium-ion battery is able to last for up to eight hours of non-stop use, and is rechargeable via AC adapter or USB. The Onkyo MHP-UW2 will be released in November for 20,00 yen ($200).

Link: Slashgear

DigiTimes, the website famous for publishing insider talk from many Taiwanese ODMs, today revealed Apple's plans for the next-gen iPods. According to the article, Apple is expected to unveil its next-generation iPod lineup at the September 5th event.

The next-gen Video iPod will feature a widescreen display with a touch interface and user interface similar to the iPhone UI and will most likely be named iPod Touch. The new video iPod also has built-in WiFi connectivity and is manufactured by Inventec Applicances.

The iPod Nano and the Shuffle are expected to come out with increased capacity but the price will remain unchanged and are manufactured by Foxconn and Asustek respectively. The 3rd gen Nano's UI too will be similar to that of the iPhone's.

(The above picture is just a mock-up making rounds on the Internet.)

Sleek Audio's flagship SA6 In-Ear Monitors are available for pre-order on their site for US$229. Sleek Audio's aim is to provide the user with the ultimate customization based on his listening preferences. The SA6 ear phones achieve this unique feat by offering replacement parts for customizing bass and treble preferences.

Almost everything is replaceable in the SA6. Three pairs of silicone tips of different sizes made of sound deadening foams are included with the ear phones. Three VQ Treble filters and three VQ Bass ports which offer different levels of sound outputs are also available for purchase.

A single armature driver gives a high-fidelity response in a very small and light package and easily rivals the triple drive setup found on many high-end ear phones. The interchangeable cables also allows you to wear these both traditionally and over your ears behind the head. Check this animation on their website to get a better idea.

The SA6 ear phones really hold a lot of promise, and are pretty competitively priced at $249. If you use the coupon code "Preorder" on their site, you can own these for 229 bucks. You have to wait until mid-October though for these ear phones to start shipping.

There's a novelty in the multimedia landscape, it comes from BTO and it's... not so new, after all.

Okay, I must admit this won't increase your pc's performance. It may even be completely unnecessary, but it's just so neat. Instead of having cables running amok, you just slip the cassette into the 5'25" bay and listen (or record) whatever you want.

Who was the one to say "So the last shall be first, and the first last."? Let's see: the last was the CD, and before that came the tape, so the next installment will feature the vinyl. Will they have enough with singles or will they try to fit LPs too? No, seriously, the real problem is sure to be the phonograph.

The Russian luxury phone maker, Gresso, which makes phones from 200 year old African Blackwood and Gold, has now entered the MP3 player market with their Symphonia range of ultra high-end players.

Four Symphonia players will be released later this year, being made from Blackwood and White Gold, Blackwood and Pink Gold, White Gold and Pink Gold respectively, with the same ancient blackwood and 18 carat gold in each case, with prices ranging from US$4000 to $6500.

All the Gresso Symphonia models feature 1GB of internal flash memory and supports MP3, WMA, ASF and OGG music formats and have a built-in FM Tuner. They measures 39 millimeters by 39 millimeters by 10.5 millimeters and can be worn as jewellery.

The innovative flat keypad has special scratch resistant covering, that is conceded to diamond durability. This same technology is used in the company's phones and the figures on the keypad buttons are cut out by an ultraprecise laser.