Filed under: Accessories, iPhone, iPod touch
Livespeakr now accepting pre-orders
When we first wrote about the promising Livespeakr, the creator was still looking for a manufacturing partner. According to the Livespeakr website, pre-orders for the ultra-portable speaker system are now being accepted.
Just to refresh our memories, the Livespeaker is a speaker cradle that holds the iPhone/iPod. The speakers are protected against RF (radio frequency) noise, so you can enjoy pristine audio without the cell signal getting in the way. The speakers will expand, rotate, and contract to fit movie/Cover Flow viewing angles, and will fit in your pocket. The speakers are powered by rechargeable batteries, or AC adapter.
You can find more information about the speakers on the Livespeakr website. On the store page, you can pre-order the speakers for $99.99US in either black or white. The price is discounted by $30US for the first 2,000 orders. Pricing will return to $129.99US after the 2,000 orders have been placed. Availability is expected around January 26, 2009.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Casey said 9:18AM on 12-08-2008
Did anyone else think of Soundwave (from the Transformers - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TYzRanykbQ) when they first saw the video? Looks like a cool concept, but would DEFINITELY need some tinkering on the construction side.
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Johnny said 10:05AM on 12-08-2008
I struggle to find a situation where this would be a good purchase for me *personally* - for a split second when he was getting the phone call I got excited because I thought I could use it as a speakerphone accessory, but quickly remembered that the the only way to get the audio to play through the speakers is by having the iphone is non-speakerphone mode, which wouldn't allow me to leave the iPhone on my desk, since the other party wouldn't hear me well (since the phone is in the "face to the phone" mode).
If you're traveling, wouldn't headphones (with splitters if additional people want to listen) be a better choice, since it wouldn't disturb anyone else?
http://www.woopid.com/
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Erik G. said 10:52AM on 12-08-2008
Hi everyone, my name is Erik and I'm the president of DGA (makers of livespeakr) and have a couple of comments about this video.
Please keep in mind what you are looking at is a pre-production model and the livespeakr has changed (for the better) since then.
A couple of the changes:
1.It now has protective grills.
2.The stand is much more robust.
3.Speakers are even higher quality.
4.Instead of using multiple cradles we developed a 4-in-1 "super" cradle that can accept iPod Touch/iPhone all generations.
in RE: Johnny's comment you got excited for good reason. This does act as a speaker-phone enhancement it unfortunately got cut-out of this video due to poor editing.
Our company will be sending review units to media outlets later this month/early next month so you can get a better idea of what we are all about.
I'd be more than happy to field any other questions. Thanks for checking us out!
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Joe Russell said 11:09AM on 12-08-2008
Hey Erik, nice to see you chiming in on your product here.
When I read the rest of the post and saw the price (after watching the demo btw) I sat back from my keyboard... sorry but it's way expensive, man.
Just not sure how to justify the cost compared to other solutions out there. Care to give some quick comps that may enlighten us?
Cheers,
J.
Jeff said 11:19AM on 12-08-2008
Walmart has a similar pair that doesn't rotate for $5!! No static, very loud, holds any generation ipod or iphone. Save your money! Walmart Special!
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Dave said 2:35PM on 12-08-2008
Hey Erik,
I sent a return email along your email newsletter route the other day asking when you were going to make this available to people outside of the US. I went to order one at the discounted price only to find that I couldn't complete it.
So what's the deal there?
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Jordan said 3:55PM on 12-08-2008
i suppose it would fit in your pocket, but it would be pretty cumbersome to actually keep in your pocket for any amount of time. also if you have any kind of case on your phone you'd have to take it off first. and unless the sound quality and/or battery life is ridiculously good, $100 is a bit on the steep side for speakers like this. if it doubled as an extra battery for the phone also and you might be on to something.
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Erik G. said 3:58PM on 12-08-2008
@Joe: LiveSpeakR offers a set of unique features unlike any other speaker system on the market right now. For one, the LiveSpeakR is ultra portable, approximately 1/3rd the size of it's nearest competitor. The speakers are incredibly high quality and detailed. We listened to over 150 different sets before choosing the one used in our product. The way in which the LiveSpeakR rotates is a rewarding user experience and lets you enjoy your iPhone or iPod Touch the way it was meant to be. That's just a few of the many reasons the LiveSpeakR is superior to the competition. Check our website for the rest!
Also you are supporting a small business that is competing against huge competitors that have a competitive advantage in economies of scale. As our company grows our prices will come down.
Overall, it is natural for anyone to be skeptical on the price. Even more skeptical when it is a new product from a new company. Let the early adopter process happen and read the reviews. Then I'm confident you can justify why it is worth the money.
@Jeff: I checked Wal-Mart website didn't see anything like that. I would love to hear the name of that product.
@Dave: We are working with our credit card processor to allow for different countries. Worldwide (Likely UK,Germany,France to begin with) pre-ordering should be available shortly by or before Dec 15th.
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Stephanie said 10:15AM on 12-09-2008
1/3 the size of comparable speakers... how big is that exactly?
in the video you say it'll be about 2.5x the size of the iphone... that's pretty big for something that's going to be attached to my phone all day. makes me think it'll actually make my 2008 iPhone more like a 1990 Motorola as far as size. LOL
if it's really THAT big. i'd just end up keeping it in my bag and unattached to my phone. and if i'm going to do that, why should i pay for it's "convenience"?
Valerie said 4:22PM on 12-08-2008
I've been waiting for the LiveSpeakR to hit the markets for quite some time now. I'm going to place my pre-order right now! (I want that $30 off) Finally, a PORTABLE speaker solution that works in both landscape and portrait mode for my beloved iPhone! Yay! Erik, I'm glad you've made further improvements since your pre-production model. I was thinking back then when I first watched your you-tube demonstration that the aesthetics could use some polishing. So, nice to hear about the enhancements! I hope to be impressed by the LiveSpeakR.
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Tyler said 5:51PM on 12-08-2008
This product is exactly what I have been looking for.
Money is tight so I will have to miss this special; but I want one next year!
I was at a party last month and no one had any music. I pulled out my iPhone and played are really good playlist, but it sounded a little crappy. The people hosting the party were thankful for anything. I wish I had one of these then.
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Terrence said 10:07AM on 12-09-2008
It seems like a novel idea, but they've made pocket speakers for iPods for years. Someone got me a pair for Christmas a few years back and it's somewhere in my box of unused cords/batteries/plugs/ancients.
I got the iPhone because it's small and combines everything I need into a succinct package. I watch movies and listen to music when I travel; to create my own privacy in public places. I don't plan on showering people with my music by iPhone when I have a stereo at home and no need to DJ a conference room.
Why would I need this? The rotation is nice, but function and quality aside, Belkin, Griffin, and everyone else with an idea for an Apple accessory has other stuff I could junk up my closets with.
Make me speaker quality headphones that don't cost an arm/leg, and then we'll talk.
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