Called the ‘Tailgater Portable iPhone Sound System’, this single-unit sound system from ThinkGeek is a little slice of awesome. The all-in-one system features a dock that ‘fits most docking models’… I think it’d be fair to say the iPhone 3G, 3GS and 4G should all dock-up just fine… and same goes for recent-gen iPod Touch units.

On the top of the system there’s an assortment of inputs and controls as well. You can plug-in your microphone or any other audio source, and have fun with it for up to 8 hours on a single charge. There is, of course, an AC adapter in the box as well… but lets face it, when you’ve got your serious tailgate on, it’s not likely that you’re going to be able to plug-in!

Other Key Features:

• Single-unit sound system for full, rich sound with 20W amp
• Dock for iPhone or iPod fits most docking models
• Inputs for microphone and other audio sources
• Heavy-duty construction with carry handle
• Built-in, 8-hour battery with level indicator
• High-quality microphone included for announcing, toasting, and/or singing along
• Input Voltage: AC 100-120V/ 60Hz 220-240V/ 50Hz
• Output Wattage: 20W (THD: < 1%)
• Output Voltage: 8V
• Frequency Response: Aux Input: 78Hz – 20kHz
• iPod Input: 63Hz – 77kHz
• Charges fully in about 6 hours, battery lasts about 8 hours at high volume
• Dimensions: 12.5″ x 9.5″ x 14″

I’m half-tempted to pick one of these up right now. Not only is the weather getting nice where I am (patio season)… Football season is ramping up shortly, and me thinks I’d be able to take advantage of a unit just like this. We’ll see.

If you’re interested I’ve included the product link below for your perusing (and perhaps purchasing) pleasure.

Tailgater Portable iPhone Sound System ($149.99) [ThinkGeek link]

Sometimes an accessory catches me off guard. You know, it punches you in the face with something so unusual that there really are no words to describe it. That said… with this one, I’ll give it a try.

New from the folks at society6 comes a Star Wars inspired case for your iPhone 4, 3GS and 3G. Remember the scene where Han Solo is encased in carbonite? Well, in some sort of weird, twisted, and geek-tacular tribute, the ‘Steve Jobs in Carbonite’ case replicates this scene with vivid detail.

The unit itself is one piece, and promises to be impact resistant. It features a rather slim profile, so if you’re not a fan of bulky accessories, but ARE a fan of Star Wars and Apple goodness… I have a feeling you may want to pick one of these up.

Use the force. Or something.

Steve Jobs in Carbonite iPhone Case ($35) [Society6 link]

[Via: TUAW]

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted any BlackBerry OS Update action, and with good reason. Either I’m simply not noticing the OS leaks and releases as much anymore, or the pace has slowed down. That said, ever since the PlayBook hit the scene, there’s a whole new group of BlackBerry tablet owners that are keeping their eye open for the latest and greatest OS for their new PlayBook… and guess what, a new OS (official) has dropped for RIM’s first ever tablet!

OS 1.0.1.1710 is now readily available. Thankfully, updating the OS on your PlayBook is incredibly easy… you can even carry on doing your work while the download is taking place… however, once download is complete, you WILL need to save your work, restart, and let the PlayBook do its thing.

Not sure how to update your OS? No worries, like I said, it’s dead simple. Simply go to Settings > Software Updates. Tap the Check for Updates button, and the rest is history. Your PlayBook will check to see if an update is available, and if there is, you can download and install it.

Side note: If you’re in the process of setting up your new PlayBook, you may be asked to run a software update within the wizard.

[Via: CB]

Adding to the slowly growing pile of news surrounding these 2 Android-powered handsets is… the pricing. Our good friends at MobileSyrup managed to land a tipster with pricing details in-hand. Here’s the skinny.

Both devices will be available at $99.99 on a 3-year contract, $449.99 on a 2-year, $499.99 on a 1-year and off-contract for $549.99. The 3-year promo price requires a $45 monthly voice and data plan activation.

Again, here’s a refresher from a previous post on the arc and Play:

The Xperia arc packs Android 2.3, a 4.2? (854 x 480) display, 8.1 MP camera with 2.46x smart zoom and video, 512 MB internal memory (expandable to 32GB via microSD), WiFi, GPS and more. Lots of power, lots of features, and in the end it’s a solid Android-powered handset. I’d call this the ‘business’ choice of the two.

On the flip-side of the coin is the Xperia PLAY. It packs very similar features, with one difference… a slide-out game pad for those that like to… well… play! The device is actually PlayStation certified, combining some awesome games with the fully functional slide out D-Pad for a more ‘hardcore’ gaming experience. It’s pretty nifty for sure, if you’re into that kind of thing. Other key specs include Android 2.3 OS, a 4? (854 x 480) display, 5.1 MP camera with 16x zoom and video, 512 MB internal memory (expandable to 32GB via microSD), WiFi and GPS.

That’s it for now. Stay tuned as the launch date for these devices draws near. Should be interesting to see how Canadians take to the latest Sony Ericsson Xperia devices to hit the scene.

Note: It’s also come to light that both devices will ship with a microSD card. The arc will come with a 16GB card, while the Play will pack an 8GB card in the box. Because the Play is going to be a ‘gamers delight’, it’ll come loaded up with FIFA 10, Madden 2011, Crash Bandicoot, Star Battalion, Bruce Lee Dragon Warrior, Asphalt 6: Adrenaline, and The Sims 3. Good stuff!

The new BlackBerry PlayBook apps just keep rolling in. Today, I received a presser from the good folks at Rogers Sportsnet. They’ve let me (and in turn, YOU) know that Rogers Sportsnet Hockeycentral is now available for the BlackBerry PlayBook.

This addition joins a successful family of Hockeycentral apps. Previous editions for iOS (iPhone and iPad), BlackBerry OS and Android have already been released… and they’re all good. That is, if you’re a die-hard hockey fan.

Hockeycentral for PlayBook will deliver much of what you’d expect (news, scores, videos, etc.), all on the beautiful display of your brand new tablet. Melody Adhami, President at Plastic Mobile (co-developers of the app) commented on the news:

“With playoff hockey in full swing, this app will become your immediate guide for all hockey news and analysis… Being hockey fans, we really enjoyed working with the team at Sportsnet and the Mobile product development team at Rogers Digital Media to build the application for the launch of this exciting new tablet”.

So there you have it. All the hockey news, scores, videos, updates, stats, you name it… all available now on the latest hardware from RIM. Load ‘er up, and enjoy the rest of the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs!

Hockeycentral for PlayBook (Free) [App World link]

To all the BlackBerry addicts out there, I hope you enjoyed PlayBook launch day! If you tossed down some cash to pick up RIM’s first venture into the tablet scene, good on ya… and if you haven’t already, be sure to check out Simon’s BlackBerry PlayBook Review. It’s good stuff, I swear.

With tablets clearly on the brain of many developers out there, I received a little note from the folks at SHAPE Services not so long ago. In the note, they wanted to let ME know to tell YOU that a new version of IM+ with PlayBook compatibility is coming in May. They even shared a screenshot with me (see above). If you’re a regular user of IM+, this is good news. Well, it’s good news if you have designs on picking up a PlayBook!

I’ll keep my ear to the ground for more from SHAPE services… I have a feeling we’ll hear more from them real soon.

Getting back to the PlayBook, I do have my own thoughts on the device, but am going to hold them back because I haven’t been able to spend much ‘quality’ time with the tablet just yet. I was fortunate enough to sit down with one last week over lunch… and at first blush, I was impressed with the overall build quality of the tablet. The OS on the other hand… well… it’s not as intuitive as I might have hoped, but that said, the learning curve is super-dooper fast… and any die-hard Berry user will pick it up in no time.

Hope you’re enjoying BlackBerry PlayBook launch day… Let’s hope that developers keep their heads down to pump out apps at a furious pace. We could use a little more PlayBook app love!

Note: I just noticed… that’s a bit of a creepy conversation in the screenshot isn’t it? Who is this Wilhelm guy? He wants to hang with me after dark? Why?

Have you ever been tempted to take a nibble of your iPhone case? No, not even a little bite? I haven’t either. That’s why, when I came across the edible gummy iPhone cases over at ThinkGeek… I was left scratching my head.

Filed under ‘why the *#@! would someone make that?’, these edible cases from Korea come in 8 delicious flavors. I can’t help but wonder how ‘delicious’ these things really are. Available flavors include: Kimchi (orange), Bubble Tea (pink), Fermented Apple (red), Garlic Cream (white), Bitter Flower (yellow), Chili Ginseng (green), Pickled Berry (blue) and Fish Lip (purple). Mmmmmmm, garlic cream, bitter flower and fish lip you say!? Sounds scrumptious!

The cases are approximately 4mm thick all the way around, and are moulded to fit your iPhone 4 or iPhone 3GS just fine.

No more words are necessary here. If you really feel the urge to buy one of these things, I’m hoping it’s for a gag gift (literally).

Edible Gummy iPhone Cases ($12.99) [ThinkGeek link]

Tired of waiting for the white iPhone 4? If you are, you may want to lay your head down for a little nap… on your very own iPhone 4 pillow!

New (I think) from the folks at iCushions comes the iPhone 4 cushion. This plush product is a reproduction of the look and feel of your favorite iOS-powered device in stress-relieving, nap inducing pillow form. It’s full of polystyrene beads, and the cover is 88% polyester, and 12% spandex. It measures in at 25x20x13 cm’s and weighs in at 300 grams. Geek-tastic!

The cushion/pillow looks just like your iPhone 4 right out of the box, with your typical home screen icons, volume buttons, audio input, camera lens…. and heck, even an ‘apple’ logo is found on the back side of the pillow (although, I’m sure iCushions couldn’t reproduce the logo 100% spot-on due to legal reasons).

Sadly, the cushion is sold out at the moment, but apparently stock should refresh by April 25th… so if you have your eye on this, you may want to check back at the end of the month.

For more information, hit up the product link below.

iPhone 4 Cushion ($29.95) [iCushions.net link]

Note: If you’re still rocking a 3G, a version of this ‘cushion’ is available as well.

Quick note here for Canadian mobile junkies looking for a new Android device to throw in their personal lineup. In a tip from our good friends at MobileSyrup, we’ve learned that The Source is running a sale on Bell Android devices this weekend. Neat.

So what’s the deal?

From April 15th (yesterday) through to end of business on April 17th (Sunday), you’ll receive a $75 in-store credit when you pick up a new Android device (Bell) on a 3-year contract. A quick peek at their website reveals that the HTC Desire Z, HTC Incredible S, Motorola Atrix and Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant are all up for grabs… So, the choice is yours.

Personally, I’d have to go with the Desire Z or Incredible S, but that’s just my own personal opinion. When it comes to Android goodness, I always lean towards HTC handsets. They build a solid product (not that the others don’t… but you know).

Pop on over to The Source nearest you for all the details.

It was back in early April that we first heard of the Rogers Xperia arc and PLAY hitting the scene. At that time, Rogers announced a pre-order on both devices… both were pegged at $99.99 on the standard 3-year term.

Today, a couple of new pieces of information regarding the Xperia arc and PLAY for Canadians. First, Rogers has confirmed these devices will be available on April 28th. Mark your calendars. Second, Best Buy has opened up their very own per-order:

“Visit your local Best Buy Mobile and place down a $50 deposit. When the Xperia Arc or Xperia Play arrives in our stores, we will notify you immediately so you can get your phone ahead of everyone else. See in-store for details.”

The pre-order at Best Buy will cost you $50, and they’ll throw in 4,000 reward points (works out to about $50) for your troubles. Not too shabby. You can check out the pre-order here.

If you need a refresher on the Xperia arc and PLAY, here’s my description of the devices from a previous post:

The Xperia arc packs Android 2.3, a 4.2? (854 x 480) display, 8.1 MP camera with 2.46x smart zoom and video, 512 MB internal memory (expandable to 32GB via microSD), WiFi, GPS and more. Lots of power, lots of features, and in the end it’s a solid Android-powered handset. I’d call this the ‘business’ choice of the two.

On the flip-side of the coin is the Xperia PLAY. It packs very similar features, with one difference… a slide-out game pad for those that like to… well… play! The device is actually PlayStation certified, combining some awesome games with the fully functional slide out D-Pad for a more ‘hardcore’ gaming experience. It’s pretty nifty for sure, if you’re into that kind of thing. Other key specs include Android 2.3 OS, a 4? (854 x 480) display, 5.1 MP camera with 16x zoom and video, 512 MB internal memory (expandable to 32GB via microSD), WiFi and GPS.

Good times ahead for Playstation fans/gamers out there. Stay tuned for more.

[Via: MobileSyrup]

Relatively new to the App Store comes a new Pinball game that is certainly worth a look… that is, if you’re into that kind of thing.

‘War Pinball’ from the folks at Gameprom is the latest in a lineup of super-fantastic-awesome pinball games that seem to be hitting the App Store as of late. In this one, you get three war themed pinball machines… each one takes after a different movie, thanks to collaboration with MGM studios.

The first machine has the look and feel of ‘Platoon’, and even features a picture of the one-and-only Charlie Sheen. (#Winning). The second machine features ‘Navy Seals’ artwork, so you get the likeness of Charlie Sheen (again), and Michael Biehn on-board. Last (but not least) is a ‘Missing in Action’ machine featuring Chuck Norris as James Braddock. How awesome is that?

Key features of War Pinball include:

• 3D Cinematic graphics optimized for iPhone 4
• Unique soundtrack with audio from the movies
• Local and online high scores
• Share your scores via Twitter

C’mon, this game has Charlie Sheen AND Chuck Norris, how can you go wrong? Get your pinball on and start #winning.

War Pinball ($0.99) [iTunes link]