Belkin has kicked off its CES announcements with a brand new portable, full-range speaker dock called the Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theatrer – and has been designed for (and to integrate seamlessly with) the iPad.
It features two front-facing speakers that claim to project cinematic-quality sounds, with speakers powered by Audifi. Users can also customise the speakers through a free app so you can have your songs, movies and games sound excellent. It also comes with a soft cover that attaches magnetically, and like the Smart Covers, configure it into a stand.
And for those using the older iPads, Belkin will be producing one with a Lightning port, and another with the old 30-pin connector – so you are not left out.
International availability has not been released, though Belkin has said that the 30-pin connector will be coming in January in the US for US$199.99. The Lightning version is expected to come in Q2. Full press release below:
LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Belkin today announced a new portable, full-range speaker dock system for the iPad, the Belkin Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theater. Designed to integrate seamlessly with the iPad, the Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theater enhances movies, music and games with advanced digital sound technology for a rich, powerful audio experience. The Belkin Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theater will be on display today from 4–7 p.m. at CES Unveiled in the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, and on Jan. 8-11 during the 2013 International CES at Belkin’s booth, South Hall #30651.
“The iPad is known for its brilliant, high-definition display that enhances the video quality of your favorite movies, shows and video games, and now we have created an audio experience to match,” said Nate Kraft, director of product management at Belkin. “With the Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theater our goal was to create a deeper, more immersive audio experience for the iPad, so you can listen to your content the way it was meant to be heard.”
Powered by mobile sound leader Audifi, the Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theater features high-efficiency, front-facing speakers that project cinematic-quality sound. Ported speakers and integrated air channels in the design allow optimal airflow so bass frequencies come alive. The free, downloadable Thunderstorm App provides extended control with customized soundscapes for music, movies and games, so your content always sounds its best.
“Belkin tapped us to engineer the sound performance of the Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theater from the inside out, and we’re happy to see end results that deliver an immersive mobile audio experience,” said Bruce Lancaster, general manager and vice president at Audifi. “Through the design of core circuits, sound processing, custom speakers and a surprisingly thin acoustic enclosure, Audifi engineered a level of sonic depth and precision that was, until now, impossible to achieve in mobile devices.”
Designed to fit flush around an iPad, the Belkin Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theater connects directly through the iPad dock connector for a seamless, unified experience. A direct connection eliminates the possibility of dropping the connection to the speaker and provides optimal calibration for the audio sound effects. It also features a multifold cover for a variety of comfortable viewing angles and screen protection.
The Belkin Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theater will be available for both 30-pin connectors and the new Lightning connector.
Belkin Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theater – $199.99
G3A1000 for 30-Pin, G3A2000 for Lightning
- Integrated, front-facing, landscape-oriented, stereo speakers
- Ported speakers for rich bass and depth
- Low-distortion, high-efficiency amplifier
- Magnetically attached folding soft cover with multiple stand configurations
- MFi Certified
- G3A1000 with 30-pin docking interface is compatible with iPad 2 and iPad 3rd generation
- G3A2000 with Lightning connector is compatible with iPad 4th generation
- Pass-through access for iPad rear camera, headset jack, microphone, speaker, charging, lock switch, volume control, and mute/rotation lock toggle
Availability
The Belkin Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theater with 30-pin connector will be available at Belkin.com and Amazon.com in January and the Apple Store in February in the US. Additional retailers and countries will be available soon. A version for the Lightning connector will be available in the spring. The Thunderstorm App is coming soon to the App Store