Bone conduction speaker system (RLX-P1)

Toshiba's Oto Makura (literally noise pillow) marries both wireless and bone conduction technology to produce what is, only from Japan, a stereo pillow. Simply lay your head on the "pillow" and the infrared base station, which is hooked up to an audio source such as your TV or Hi-Fi, will transmit the sound signals directly to you via the bone conduction speakers built into the headrest. And if you fall into sweet slumber, at least you'll be dreaming in stereo, if not in color.

Price: From US$200
Availability: Japan, Toshiba
Device: Bone conduction speakers
Basic specs: Base of 310 x 160 x 25mm and infrared transmitter of 80 x 97mm, 8 hours on full charge, line input, mic, Lithium-ion and AC adapter

SV-iMini

San Diego-based H20 Audio has developed a fully waterproof housing that'll allow iPod users to submerse their Minis down to depths of 3m, with a unique dial that offers full control of the Click Wheel. H20 says the SV-iMini is good enough for wakeboarding, surfing, snowboarding, swimming and kayaking. We say that unless your iPod's the same version which killer vamp Jessica Biel did cartwheels with in the vamp-killing flick Blade Trinity, you might think twice about subjecting your expensive little investment to hard drive trauma, even if it's sealed in acrylic. That said, this should protect your virgin new iPod at those risque year-end foam parties.

Click to see enlarged image

Price: US$149.95
Availability: H2O Audio, from January
Device: iPod waterproof casing
Basic specs: Submersible up to 10ft/3m, secure latching system

iRiver H10

Look who's copying who now. iRiver's latest MP3 offering not only comes in a choice of colors, it's vertical touch-style controller is reminiscent of another harddisk-based MP3 player brand that's been equally accused of mimicking another rival's design template. What the H10 has going strongly for it is a 1.5-inch color screen, digital photo album capability, and compatibility with Microsoft's PlaysForSure, allowing H10 users to download digital content from Web portals running on the open platform.

Click to see all the colors

Price: US$344
Availability: South Korea
Device: Harddrive-based MP3 player
Basic specs: 5GB, 1-inch hard drive, 1.5-inch color LCD, voice recording, USB 2.0, supports MP3 and WMA, direct audio recording, FM radio, views photos and text, touch-style controller, claimed 12 hours playback, removable battery, 96 x 55 x 15mm, 96g, available in 4 colors

Amphicom Aqua FM Snorkel

Remember the Finis SwiMP3? Amphicom's French-made Aqua FM Snorkel plays the same tune using your teeth as a bone conductor to transmit sound to your ears. Unfortunately, it doesn't have the design finesse of its MP3 counterpart in that you have to bite down on the mouthbit snorkel-style to have your underwater music, which may translate to some jaw fatigue. It's good for up to 10m, though whether the FM signals will get through at that depth remains to be tested.

Click to see enlarged image

Price: A$249 (US$187)
Availability: Amphicom
Device: Underwater radio
Basic specs: Waterproof up to 10m, FM radio receiver. frequency range 87.5-108MHz, uses two AAA batteries, 265g w/o batteries

SonicImpact SoundPads

What a concept. A lesser-known company has literally thought out of the box here. Doing away with the box-like speaker cabinets, the SoundPads draw on the idea of sticking two tiny speakers onto any flat, thin-walled surface and using that surface to transmit. As the adhesives behind are pretty permanent, you may want to check out that surface for the best sound repro before slapping the SoundPads on for good. Those who've trialed this give a thumbs up for job done decently. Besides, for just US$19.99 for a set of two, who's complaining.

Price: US$19.99
Availability: Sonic Impact
Device: Stick-on speakers
Basic specs: 2 stick-on speakers, wire to almost any amplifier (speaker wire not included), 8 ohms impedance 10w-50w input, 6w each power rating, 57g each

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