At this week’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Griffin Technology (http://www.griffintechnology.com) debuted new travel gear, including two smartphone accessories to streamline handsfree interaction in the car, four portable charging devices, and a new mount for air travel.
The US$39.99 WindowSeat 3 HandsFree is a windshield/dashboard mount for smartphones. Designed for car stereos that have AUX-in jacks, it comes with an AUX cable and mic that can be used to make handsfree phone calls and stream music/navigation commands through the car speakers.
For cars without AUX-in-equipped stereos, the $29.99 AirCurve Window Mount combines the features of two of Griffn’s most popular standalone devices: the AirCurve acoustic amplifier for iPhone, and their car Window Mount cradle. The AirCurve Window Mount adheres to glass or dashboard using the included swivel mounting base. AirCurve works like an acoustic megaphone for iPhone 4/4S, amplifying its built-in speakers by as much as 25 decibels.
Griffin is also updating wall chargers that travel well. Their PowerBlock AC wall charger series has been redesigned for 2012 and will be available this spring.
The $59.99 PowerBlock Reserve is a wall charger for the iPod and iPhone that can be plugged into any AC wall outlet to provide a quick boost of power. It can also deliver a charge even when it’ss not plugged into the wall, thanks to its built-in rechargeable 2,000 mAh lithium-ion battery pack.
The PowerBlock Reserve Universal ($49.99) is similar in power and form factor, but is designed to charge any USB device. Both PowerBlock Reserve models charge their own batteries at the same time they’re charging connected devices. A row of LEDs serve as a fuel gauge, indicating how much charge is left.
Another newly refreshed member of the PowerBlock series is the ultra compact PowerBlock ($29.99), a portablewall charger for all kinds of USB devices, including iPhone, iPad, and iPod. PowerBlock puts out 10 watts of charging power and includes a detachable Apple dock cable. Other devices can plug their own cables into PowerBlock’s standard USB port.
The $24.99 PowerBlock Dual Universal is another new portable power option for charging two USB devices simultaneously. Two industry-standard Type-A USB ports each deliver up to five watts of power.
Rounding out Griffin’s travel solutions is the Tray Table Latch Mount. The patent pending two-part mounting system is designed to be compatible with 90% of the world’s airline and commuter rail tray table latches. The Mount holds your eReader, tablet or smartphone at eye level for hands-free viewing. Tray Table Latch Mount will be introduced in an eReader and smartphone configuration in the second quarter of the year. Additional tablet models are planned. Pricing will be announced later.