Ipad and Velcro – Very Clever!!!

• Your entertainment system expects a remote control to speak to it via infrared signals.
• Your iOS device speaks Bluetooth.

Beacon for iOS acts as a bridge between them.

Imagine being able to control your TV or stereo using your always-handy iPhone or your fantastic new iPad.

Beacon pairs with your iOS device via Bluetooth and works with Dijit’s Universal Remote App to put complete control of your home entertainment center in the palm of your hand.  It has a low-profile design that blends in with most rooms, it is powered by 4 AA batteries so there are NO bulky cases, dongles or wires!

Griffin´s Beacon also features a low-profile design that blends in with any decor, and is powered by 4 AA batteries instead of messy wires and power cables.

Control your home entertainment system using the Universal Remote App on your Multi-Touch display.

Setup is quick and easy. The Dijit app uses a library of constantly updated device codes to simplify setup for your TV, set-top box, sound system, media players and more. There’s even an integrated learning feature for components not yet included in Dijit’s library.

Bluetooth pairing is simple and puts you just a few taps away from using Dijit’s intuitive Program Guide and your touchscreen based device to change channels, volume, set your DVR, and more.

In Summary

Beacon is a wireless AV controller which connects to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch using Bluetooth technology.  It then turns the iDevice into an very easy and simple universal remote control for your entire home entertainment system.  Essentially, the Beacon will convert Bluetooth signals from your iDevice into infrared signals that are read by televisions and other home entertainment components.

The Beacon remote control for your home entertainment system is worth every cent at $79.99 on the Griffin Website.  If you are looking for an easy solution to control everything in the lounge or entertainment room, this really is a great product.

It’s Thinner, Lighter and Whiter!

White is the new black…

Laptop style, netbook portability and iPad functionality

Increase your productivity with this new iPad bluetooth keyboard.

The ClamCase is unique, sleek and one of a kind…

Your iPad has finally met its match in pure white. ClamCase’s stunning exterior shell is as alluring as it is protective. Its matte white shell serves as the front-line against fingerprints and scratches as well as most dents and dings. The full QWERTY keyboard with 14 special keys offers an unrivalled functionality in this competitive market sector.

• Full QWERTY keyboard with 14 function keys for maximum efficiency
• Automatically wakes and sleeps your iPad so you don’t have to
• 360º patent pending hinge offers one-of-a-kind functionality
• Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity for seamless syncing
• Hard protective shell offers unparalleled durability

This iPad Bluetooth Keyboard keeps getting better and better reviews…

Keeping in touch with your loved ones…

Unlock your iPad’s true potential. Type, chat and communicate just as you would on a laptop. Using apps like Skype®, FaceTime®, and Ustream® is so simple and so much fun when you are using the ClamCase, it just makes the whole iPad experience even more enjoyable.

The ClamCase offers an added efficiency and sleek protection without compromising on the portability of your iPad. Just fold out the keyboard for your typing-intense tasks, and simply flip it back to use it as your tablet. It really is so versatile and so much more productive.

ClamCase® The All-In-One Keyboard Case and Stand for iPad
The Most Versatile Case with Built-In Qwerty Keyboard for iPad

This iPad accessory comes from Numark and it aims to turn your iPad into a full-on party music centre where you become the DJ maestro. Growing up in the clubland era I love dance music and have always fancied learning how to DJ properly. The truth be told I am absolutely rubbish, however I do love having a go when in the mood.

I had already seen the Djay app for the iPad which is absolutely fantastic and makes my CDJ Decks completely obsolete, however I was unaware about the Numark iDJ Live (must be getting old), until recently when a good friend called me round to have a look at his latest toy which happened to be the iDJ Live.

This led to a impromptu set in his living room which his wife and kids were not too impressed by as we blasted out the tunes and reminisced about the good old days. Anyway I managed to have a play with the iDJ live and got to see what it could do so I thought I would share this with you and let you make your own mind up.

Before I give a quick overview just to let you know the idJ live price is just under the $100 mark and is available from various online retailers such as Amazon. Also idJ live is designed to work with the Djay App so make sure you have that as well before you get started.

IDJ Live Design.

Although the unit is made out of plastic is does feel quite robust and with careful handling, should be ok for regular use. It’s not very big (about 15 inches in width) and is fairly light (around 2lbs) so it’s pretty easy to carry around if you are in demand at a number of big events!!!. Compare this to lugging around a set of turntables or even CDJ Decks plus records and CD´s and it easy to see why using this technology is going to become very common over the next few years.
In keeping with DJ traditions, Numark have designed the iDJ like convential decks with 2 turntables (that don´t move) either side of a mixer the obligatory cross fader.

There are buttons for each deck that offer play, pause, BPM sync and cuepoint setting or returning to cuepoint. In the middle there are some different knobs for controlling bass, treble pitch and volumes with master a volume knob. In the centre of all this is the browse knob that lets you select and load the tracks from your itunes library. Finally to give you even more control there is button so you can go from either scatch mode to bring in tracks quickly or search mode so you can skip through songs quickly to find the right cuepoint.

The iDJ Live does come with a plastic foldaway stand that looked fine but only offered one viewing angle so depending on where you iPad is placed you may need to use a ipad case with stand if you have one.

IDJ Live Usability.

When all said and done, the only thing that matters with an product such as iDJ is does it work and is it fun to use. Well from my quick experience with it and watching my friend use it I would say yes, definately.

The DJay app is fantastic but having a physical interface to play with does make it feel more real and better Dj-ing experience. The decks on the iDJ are sensitive enough to let you cue up without too much bother and along with the BPM sync buttons make mixing your records a lot easier. After 10-15 minutes of playing around even my limited skills managed to drop in some not too shabby mixes that brought a smile to my face.

All the controls on the unit are easy to use and work well giving you that feel for the tracks that can be hard to find on a touch screen. The iDJ unit is powered by the iPad and is picked up by the Djay the app without configuration. Crucially, the unit has a split output cable so you are able to listen to both tracks playing at the same time and get your cue points spot on.

In Summary.

As a wannabee DJ I love the iDJ live. It is really fun to use and easy to understand and I can imagine having hours of fun blasting out my tunes and coming up with some wicked mixes.

If you are a experienced DJ and enjoy using high end technical equipment then the iDJ is probably a little basic for your taste. If however like me, you just want to show off in front of friends in the house or are already playing to audiences on a commercial basis and want to streamline your kit then the iDJ is a great product to have.

The iDJ has gone straight on the Christmas wishlist for me and hopefully if Santa does me a favour, I might be using it this New Years Eve. If you want to check out the Numark iDJ or know someone who loves their music then as I mentioned above, you can pick it up at Amazon here. Numark IDJ Live

I Hope you found this iDJ Live Review useful and to get you in the mood here is some great old club tracks from way back in the 90´s.