New Details on Griffin Evolve Wireless iPod Speakers

Longtime iPod accessory makers Griffin Technology recently announced the impending availability of its Evolve Wireless Sound System for iPod, a modern-looking sound system for use with the iPod. One unique thing about them is that each speaker contains its own 10-hour rechargable power supply, so neither one requires any wires at all (as Griffin says, you can even "move [the speakers] into the next room with you.")

Another unique feature is that the dock streams music to the speakers using the first consumer electronics implementation of a new type of digital radio frequency (RF) transmission that can send over 550 Kbps with a 44.1 Hz (CD-quality) sampling rate, "developed in conjunction with a major (undisclosed) company."

Griffin is clearly taking the wireless concept seriously with the Evolve, which looks like it could be pretty cool, although I was unable to get a release date. Some general information has already been announced about the Evolve; here are new details from Griffin:

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"1) Additional speakers will be available for purchaseafter initial product launch. No limit to the number of speakers to addon.

"2) Speakers have durable construction - tough rubber edges and builtin hand grips can handle outdoor use and are made to be constantlymoved around.

"3) Great addition to existing home entertainment system - back ofEvolve base unit features RCA in for auxillary input as well as A/V andS-video out.

"4) Evolve broadcasts a digital RF transmission at over 550kbps with a
sample rate of 44.1kHz. This transmission method was developed in
conjunction with a major (undisclosed) company for use with this
product. While not proprietary to Griffin, we have been working more
than a year on developing it for use with our Evolve product. We are the
first CE company to be bringing this RF technology to market.

"5) Currently Evolve will retail at $349 MSRP. But, as consumers start
to understand all the potential of this product, don't be surprised if
it 'evolves' and changes in cost and design over the next few years.

"6) The speakers charge via three contacts located on each base -similar
to a cordless phone. A matching pair of contacts is located on the
bottom of each speaker. We looked at inductive charging like SplashPower] very early on in development but two factors kept us from using it: 1) Slow charge time
on a large li-ion battery ; 2) Inductive charging of this size requires
a large coil to maintain an effective power connection, such a coil
would create a large electromagnetic field. Having one in the base in
such close proximity to a hard drive-based iPod would be, in a word,
bad. Using our method we can get a quickcharge in about 35 minutes with
a full, top-off-the-tank charge in ~2hours. Also, it's important to know
that, regardless of battery capacity, the speakers will work just fine
while sitting on the base. They draw power to charge but also draw power
for use at the same time. You're never left without music while
charging the speakers up between uses.

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An RF remote rounds out the wireless equation (so, the only wire involved connects the docking unit to the wall).