Speakal just threw us a cuve ball by announcing the BTS8, a phone/personal computer.  Yes, the same company that has been crafting those funny looking pig speaker docks.   If you haven’t noticed it already, that’s a 5-inch LCD screen built-in to the base, and yes it runs the Windows 7 OS.   If 5-inches is a bit too small for your liking (that’s what she said) you can connect it to an external monitor via VGA.  And the buck don’t stop at Windows 7.  The BTS8 can receive faxes, send text messages, play a variety of media files, manage contacts and view calendar info.  It also has the ability to record telephone calls, answer emails and video chat over Skype using the on board webcam.

Far as we’re concerned the jury is still out on this one, but perhaps we’ll send one of our minions at CES to check it out for a hands on.

Culver City, CA – January 6, 2011 – Speakal, a company driven by its passion for sound, intelligent technology and innovative designs, is ecstatic to announce the BTS8, an office phone system that doubles as a personal computer. The integrated Windows 7 OS enables users to manage and record your phone calls, answer emails, and even video chat with the on board webcam via Skype. The 5” LCD display can be connected to an external monitor via VGA for enhanced visibility. Additional capabilities include fax receiving, SMS text messaging, media player, contacts management, and a calendar empowering the BTS8 to be the ultimate communications and multimedia powerhouse. You can even browse the web and reach your data remotely for optimal connectivity.

“BTS8 completely streamlines business communications and computing for the modern office” said CEO David Solomon. “Users are able to optimize connectivity and empower their phone with the advanced capabilities of Windows 7 while saving up to 90% of the power regularly used with a desktop PC” added Solomon.

The iPod Dock space is over saturated, no doubt about that.  But Speakal, in their infinite of wisdom has managed to carve out a niche all of their own: speaker docks that resemble sports paraphernalia.

First they started with the soccer speaker dock and now, today at CES they’ve launched a basketball, football and golf ball version.  The first two use the same speaker setup as the soccer ball dock (a 2.1-channel configuration with 360 degree sound output and a 15 watt subwoofer) while the golf ball inspired MiGolfball sports Bluetooth wireless connectivity.

There is no word on a launch date or price, but we’re expecting ASAP.

Speakal Debuts New Sports Line of Advanced Speaker Solutions

Speakal’s new lineup boasts lifelike speaker docks for the Football, Basketball, Major League Soccer, and a Bluetooth stereo speaker for Golfers

On display at CES January 6-9 in the iLounge Pavilion – North Hall #4616

Culver City, CA – January 7, 2011 – Speakal, a company driven by its passion for sound, intelligent technology and innovative designs, is proud to expand its lineup of advanced docking solutions to include lifelike replicas for the Football, Basketball, and Soccer. Each of these powerful 2.1 companions for your iDevice boasts 360 degree sound distribution, a 15W subwoofer, and volume touch controls. The Speakal MiGolfball tees up golf enthusiasts with a wireless stereo speaker set that wirelessly plays your favorite music from your Bluetooth device, MP3 player, or PC.

“The Speakal Sports Line shares passion for the game with the die hard sports fanatics” said CEO David Solomon. “These speakers are the ultimate display of fanhood with high quality audio that will rock your tailgate party with pulse pounding sound. Kick off the new season in style!” added Solomon.

Speakal does not spare any expenses, or any dignity, in their race towards amassing as many shockingly unique iPod docks as they can. Or maybe it’s a race towards being seen as the gaudiest gadget maker of the bunch.

And while there may be a large bunch of gadget makers, when you build an iPod dock shaped like a pig, you’re well on your way to schlocky stardom.

The iPod dock pig wears sunglasses and carries much audio hardware in its belly. With four-watt stereo drivers instead of eyes, and a 15 watt subwoofer for a liver, the rest of it is very symmetrical – ports beneath the tail and controls in the snout.

Once you charge it up, the internal lithium ion battery will keep you musically entertained for eight hours, which should nicely fill up the many hours of loneliness you’ll be enduring once your friends find out you’re the kind of guy or gal that spends $150 on a toy pig.

Read

Speakal’s got an interesting design going on with their new iCrystal Dock. Two spherical pods house an illuminated teardrop design with an ambient blue light around the rim of the speaker. Basically, they look cool. Touch controls on the base adjust the volume and tracks as well. No word yet on whether they sound decent, but they’ll certainly go well with a futuristic living room.

iCrystal is available now in white, black, and red for $79.99.

Read

With World Cup 2010 around the corner, it seems like a perfect time to unveil the MiSoccer iPod Dock.  From the makers of the awesome sounding iPig, this dock system is pretty much the same thing with a soccer facelift.  Sporting 2.1 sound, two full-range drivers deliver the stereo sound while a 15 watt sub woofer is at the base of the dock.

Capable of charging all iPod models, there’s no word on whether or not it will accept iPhones minus the GSM interference.  You can pre-order this “goal in one” (boo!!) now for $119.

[via Technabob]

Read

Following on the squeals of the iPig, Speakal released the iBoo iPod speaker system today.  Reminiscent of a ghost (I’d like to think Casper) the iBoo is a bit lighter in the toes that its animal brethren and offers less speakers and power; 3 speakers and 15watts to be exact.  As always Speakal has tossed in a remote and ironically ‘humanized touch controls’.

The iBoo is available now in red, white or blue for $90.

[Speakal]

If you are into cute animal-themed audio devices, but have had enough of Hello Kitty and wish to move on to other animals, meet iPanda, Speakal’s newest iPod.

The makers of the iPig speaker docks system are expanding their line of animal-related audio devices with the new iPanda, revealing that they may secretly be one-trick ponies. The iPanda is quite similar to its predecessor, albeit its skin color is not rosy pink.

The iPanda is another cutesy iPod. It broadcasts audio and charges iPods via a precious panda bear. It has five speakers, including a 4-inch subwoofer, that delivers 25 watts of sound in 360 degrees. The compact iPanda connects to all iPods, plus other MP3 players, gaming consoles, mobile gaming devices, cell phones, desktop PCs, and laptops.

The panda’s ears act as the volume control and the mouth lights up when the unit is on. The Adjustable Bass Control and Bass Reflex Technology insures that the iPanda has a surprisingly good sound quality. Also in its favor, the iPanda is compatible with many different types of devices and comes with various cradles to insure the proper fit, an input jack and a remote.

The iPanda is available here for $150

If your scratching your head, don’t worry, I am too.  The iPig is one odd product, but surprisingly it boasts some pretty good specs considering its small footprint.  It’s rockin’ 4 speakers and 1 subwoofer – I assume the Sub shoots down.  Total output is 25 watts and they’ve also included a 3.5mm jack for non Apple MP3 players.  The iPig’s mouth lights up when it’s powered on, comes in Pink, White and Yellow and includes a remote.

Available here for $140