Daniel McLeod of Black Mountain Audio gutted an old Atari 2600 (made back in November 1980,) and replaced its innards with a couple of computer speakers, and added a dock where the cartridge usually goes. It also comes with an external subwoofer, which he wasn’t able to cram inside the console itself.

He swapped out the power connector with a 3.5mm jack, suitable for plugging in any media player. While I love the idea of this, I wish that it could actually accommodate a 30-pin dock connector for charging an iOS device. Maybe you could cram one of these in the cartridge slot instead. There also should be some way that you could still play games on it – especially since you can still connect controllers to it. It’s just too tempting.

Still, it’s a pretty cool conversation piece if you’re into retro gaming, and want a unique dock for your media player. It’s currently for sale over on Etsy for $100 (USD).

The black light bar spans about 4 feet, so the device isn’t small. You have the option of having it output a soft glow (for mood lighting in your bedroom), a continuous strobe effect (for your dance party or to mess you up while you stare at it), or a an effect that flashes the light based on the BPM of the songs you listen too. I don’t know what a pulsating black light effect looks like, though.

I don’t know much about the quality of the stereo speakers, which for me is the most important when buying something like this, but the funky lighting does make me curious. If you want to check it out, the Pulsing Light Bar dock is available from Sharper Image for $149.99(USD).

[via Ubergizmo]

The Samsung Audio Dock’s hybrid amp system combines digital amplification with vacuum tubes. The 2.1-channel speaker comes with a built-in subwoofer and produces 100 watts of sound. It has USB and analog audio inputs, support for AllShare, AirPlay and Bluetooth wireless audio streaming, and the dock is capable of accepting either iOS or Samsung Galaxy devices.

The DA-E750 is the flagship model, but there’s a 40-Watt DA-E670 model as well, which skips the fancy vacuum tube setup, and looks nearly as good. Pricing and a release date has yet to be announced.

The built-in battery, which must be pretty big, can power the Backyard Blaster for up to 12 hours of use. The whole speaker is supposed to be somewhat rugged, which is good since it will get kicked around a bit at parties. It was made for iPhones and iPods, but other players, including the iPad, will need to use the auxiliary audio input. The blaster even has an integrated microphone from impromptu karaoke sessions.

The Backyard Blaster is being launched at this week’s CES show, and we should know more about a price and release date then.

[via Ubergizmo]

The Japanese manufacturer Pleiades [JP] designed Trumstand. The acoustic amplifier is made out of gold- or silver-plated brass, and elongated into a long ‘S’ shape. Apparently, this amplifies the bass of the music being played. Just set your iPhone into the rubberized dock to form a tight seal, and you’re all set. Despite the fact that it’s an acoustic amp, they were at least kind enough to include a USB connector for charging your phone while docked.

They are quite striking, but I still can’t imagine that amplifying the iPhone’s tiny little speaker could possibly be as good as a proper set of speakers and an amp.

The gold version costs ¥158,000 (~$2,000 USD) and the silver ¥138,000 (~$1,800 USD). At those price, you better be sure you’ll like the way they sound.

[via core77]

Gavio’s TOAST! speaker dock looks like one of those shiny metal toasters you might find in your kitchen. Just don’t expect to toast up any bread in this thing. For starters, it’s only got a single slot. It also doesn’t have a heating element – instead, it’s got a speaker and a 3 watt amplifier inside. It’s also got a built-in Li-Ion battery so you don’t even need to plug it in.

The dial on the front changes volume instead of the darkness of your toast, while I’m not sure what the toast plunger does. I’m hoping that it changes tracks, and doesn’t just sit there looking cool. All I know is that is should have a bagel mode for cramming in older, thicker phones.

Gavio hasn’t announced the pricing or release date yet for the TOAST! dock, but I’m hoping we’ll see it pop up sometime early in 2012.

Gavio is a Singapore-based company and their Pill dock reminds me of the capsules in The Matrix, though I wouldn’t want to try and swallow one of these. It measures 5.78″ wide by 1.89″ in diameter, and appears to have a speaker at each end of the pill, as well as track and volume controls which are accessed located on a ring towards each end. The product page doesn’t mention any detailed specs, but they’ll probably update them soon.

The Pill dock will be available for pre-order soon. There’s no mention of price or availability, but my guess is that this little speaker dock won’t break the back. It looks like an easy and fun way to share your tunes if you use an iPod nano.

[via Ubergizmo]

The 23-inch AOC e2343Fi monitor has a somewhat awkward name, but it seems like a functional device. The simple plug-and-play dock is easy to use, letting you view video content from your iOS device on your monitor, while at the same time charging it. The dock saves you the burden of using Apple TV, AirPlay or an HDMI adapter cable to view content on a bigger screen, though it’s likely that much of the content on your mobile device already exists somewhere on your computer (like in iTunes). The dock also includes SRS Premium Sound and built-in speakers, so you can actually hear what you’re watching.

Pricing and the exact release date will be announced at CES 2012. Should Apple integrate something like this into their own screens? I don’t think so, but if this is something that you absolutely need, then you should look for the e2343Fi early next year.

[via SlashGear]

Designed by Dean Ekkaia and Sean Solberg, the Audman is aiming to be the world’s smallest speaker dock and it will even charge your gadget on the go. The case has dual speakers, two headphone jacks for sharing, and large analog buttons to control your music playback. It even comes with a mixtape app that makes it look like you’re playing cassettes while listening to tunes.  With the lid closed, you can listen to music, and iPhone users can receive calls and make them using Voice Control dialing. However texting and using apps will be problematic, as the case completes hides away the screen of your phone unless you pop the lid open. When opened up, it still holds your iPhone securely and it even works as a small kickstand for viewing video.

The Audman is up for pre-order over at Kickstarter, and you need to pledge at least $125(USD) for the full Audman model. For $35 to $65, the Audman LT model is also an option if you like the retro looks but don’t need the speakers or charging capabilities. They’ve got 14 days left to attain their $42,000 goal and they’re at $7,000, so if you want one, you’ll want to get over there and make a pledge.

[via Ubergizmo]

The thing is made from a solid chunk of aluminum, which is milled and glass bead blasted. This is the dock Steve would have made. The heft of the aluminum means when you jerk your iPhone out of the dock, the dock stays put. It also uses a low friction connector to plug in easily with or without a case. You can get the dock in silver, matte black, green, and orange finishes depending on how much money you pledge to the project. A $59 (USD) pledge gets you in on the action with a basic Elevation Dock.

The coolest part is the massive success the designer has had on Kickstarter. The project went up yesterday and was seeking $75,000. It funded in eight hours and as of this morning had $112,163 pledged and still had 59 days to go. As of right now the project has over $174,000, and is still going strong. It has picked up $50,000 since this morning! That’s pretty damned impressive for a hunk of aluminum.

[via Daring Fireball via Gizmodo]

The Dock+Go concept by Rinspeed was created by Frank Rinderknecht. It adds a third axle, which will allow you to store a lot more stuff in your sub-sub-compact car. Rinspeed suggests a variety of different configurations for the Dock + Go, including a heated box for food delivery, a segmented toolbox, a golf camping box, beach or party box. There’s also the option of adding a combustion engine in this extra space, or extra fuel cells, allowing you to go further and faster.

Rinspeed is demonstrating the Dock+Go on a tw0-seater Smart car, but the system is intended to work with any electric city-type car. The concept vehicle will be displayed at the Geneva motor show, from March 3rd to 13th, 2012.

[via designboom]

The Edifier Tick Tock Dock has a funny name, and it targets the entry-level market. The alarm “bells” are actually 1.5-inch omni-directional speakers, supposedly delivering 360-degree sound from 7W drivers. The LCD is round and well-lit, though your iPhone takes over for it when docked. It plays music via the SD card reader, USB input, FM radio, or any MP3 device via the AUX input. If you opt for the Bluetooth model, it can connect to your smartphone and play music wirelessly, but then doesn’t act as a dock.

Both the docking version and Bluetooth models sell for $79.99, while a basic model with neither dock, nor Bluetooth, and sells for $69.99.

[via Ubergizmo]

The LandingZone will dock your 11-or 13-inch Air and includes 4 USB ports, an Ethernet port, a DisplayPort, a Kensington lock port, as well as a power supply. The dock was created by Kitae Kwon and has already reached its $50,000 goal so it will be made.

You’ll have to pledge a minimum of $159 (USD) in order to get the dock, or $299 for two. Since I’ve heard some rumors about the MacBook Air changing up a bit slightly over the past weeks, it’s probably a safe bet to wait a bit more, if you don’t already own a MBA. Otherwise, this should work quite nicely.

[via CrunchGear]

The iStation has integrated speakers and a keyboard that will pair with your iPad via Bluetooth. There’s even a USB cable to charge up your tablet. This means that the iStation will be tethered to a power outlet. It’s the sort of dock that wouldn’t look out of place in a kitchen – or a vintage computer store.

It’s available in a faux retro woodgrain finish or in white for $85.90(USD) over at M.I.C Gadget’s online store.

[via Ubergizmo]

Designed by Jason Farsai, this Bose-inspired Multi-Dock concept would allow you to simultaneously dock up to five iPods or iPhones, and then automatically queue up a mega-mix of tunes from all of them. Jason’s “Bose iQ” speaker dock also includes a wide OLED screen which would display album art from the upcoming tracks, as well as a touchscreen remote for controlling the multi-device library. While Jason doesn’t specify, I’d imagine it would also charge all of your devices while docked too. That would certainly be an added benefit for party-goers.

While the idea of five docks might seem a little outlandish, I think the idea of everyone contributing to the party mix is pretty cool. Hopefully Bose (or some other dock manufacturer) will see Jason’s design and consider it for production.

The iPhone Speaker is basically a wooden dock that amplifies your iPhone’s tiny internal speaker. It’s supposed to work with all iPhones, and Lowell says the amplification effect is “amazing.” The dock measures 2″×2″×9″ and comes made out of cherry, walnut or soft maple. Each one has been handcrafted and finished with orange oil, coupled with wax.

Note that Lowell mentions that some older iPhones with cases won’t work in this dock. Other types of wood are available for $10 extra. The wooden iPhone speakers sell for $60 to $70 (USD) at Lowell’s Etsy shop, YellowGlueBlues.

[via Make:]

So picture the iPhone Portable Amplifier Horn – only about ten times more massive and prettier, and you’ve got the MegaPhone.

Basically, the MegaPhone ceramic amplifier that’s fashioned in the shape of a horn, kind of like the ones you see in movies where people sound alarms or grab the villagers’ attention (yes, I mean those kinds of movies) by blowing into it. However, the designer behind it, En & Is, gave it a modern look by giving it a coat of sleek black and white paint. There’s also a gold-coated version for people who have a more expensive taste.

The MegaPhone ships out with a thin, wooden stand to hold the MegaPhone upright. You can check out the video below to see (or rather, hear) just how much it amplifies sound coming from your iPhone:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The MegaPhone looks pretty, amplifies sound, makes for a fine display on your coffee table, and unfortunately costs more than what most people would be willing to shell out for an iPhone dock-slash-sound amplifier: the black and white versions go for 400 Euros (~$544 USD), while the gold one costs 600 Euros (~$816 USD).

[En & Is via Oh Gizmo!]

While this isn’t the first time I’ve seen a dock inspired by a ghetto blaster, I prefer the contemporary design of iHome’s boombox. While it mimics the lines of the classic luggable stereo, it boils them down to their bare essentials, creating a stereo that would look great in any moden decor.

Beyond its looks, the iP4 has a pair of 4″ carbon-composite woofers, and two 1″ ferro-fluid cooled tweeters, powered by a class D amp. It’s also got a 5-band graphic equalizer with an LCD screen, and an FM radio too. It also comes with a handy remote control, which magnetically attaches to the top of the boombox so you don’t lose it. True to its boombox roots, it’ll run on 6 “D” batteries if you prefer to travel fully cordless.

While I personally prefer the basic black/grey look of the standard version of the iP4, if you prefer something a bit more garish, you can also get it in hot pink. And when I say hot, I mean it.

I think if you had been walking around the streets of Harlem with one of these on your shoulders back in the 1980s, you probably would have been shot, then beaten with your pink boombox. But it’s a new millennium now, so you could give it a try now if you want. Or better yet, you might just want to keep the pink one in a teen girl’s bedroom instead.

So if you’re ready to put some boom into your dock, you can get your hands on the iHome iP4 boombox over at Urban Outfitters for $199 (USD).

But unlike those limestone speakers, this sturdy dock is made from cast concrete. The concrete dock was conceived by “guest designer” Aidan Conway-Stuart of obelisk. It’s cast in a deep grey color, and coated with satin sealer to protect its finish too.

The thing cradles your iPhone or iPod nicely on a cut-out section, which has an integrated channel for running your USB to 30-pin cable neatly underneath. The dock connector sticks out of the base, holding your iDevice securely in place. It doesn’t look like it would be easy to tip this thing over.

And if you happen to find yourself face-to-face with an intruder, you can always grab this concrete chunk and use it as a weapon. It looks like it could definitely do some damage.

So if you’re looking for a unique dock for your iPhone or iPod, head on over to Etsy, and you can grab one for $39 (USD). I’d actually like to see an iPad version – I think that’d look really nice too.

The device has a very thin and low profile and takes up little space up on your desk or nightstand. It has an FM tuner integrated and a dual alarm clock. It can also be used to play back your tunes from your iOS device. The stereo speakers have 4W – which should be plenty on your bedside table. The dock also has a battery back up to keep your alarm working if power goes out.

The dock can be controlled with the free Luna Voyager App on the App Store providing on-screen control of the radio and alarms. The thin profile of the device also makes it portable for getting you up when on the road and it will wake you to music from your device, a buzzer, or FM radio. The Voyager II is available now and sells for $69.99 (USD).