JBL OnBeat iPad Speaker Dock Gets Shown Off

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It was definitely something of a surprise to see an item from JBL cross my path today, and even more so that it was, of all things, an iPad speaker dock. It’s the JBL OnBeat, and they’re looking to make it a conversation starter…and with good reason.

The OnBeat from JBL not only looks like that–which by itself is reason enough to get a conversation going–but carries on to bring some fairly impressive stats in a little speaker dock. Naturally, it includes the standard 30-pin dock connector, meaning that you can not only use this as a speaker dock but also as a recharge station for your Apple gear–iPad primarily, but iPhone and iPod Touch are welcome to apply–even when the system itself isn’t turned on. You’ll even be able to use your regular MP3 player with it.

You’ll also get a USB port to sync with iTunes, a separate remote, AC power, a composite video output that lets you fire video from the connected iOS device into your television, or other external display. And as if that weren’t enough by itself, you even get dual Phoenix full-range transducers (backed up by computer-optimized DSP), and the ability to rotate the device into landscape or portrait mode for maximum visual effect.

There’s no doubt that the thing has the unique look of a conversation starter, and from the sounds of things (no pun intended, believe me) it’ll also have the sounds to get conversations going besides. Put out some smooth jazz over the JBL OnBeat and watch the room mellow out.

And what will you have to pay for this wonder from JBL, you ask? Not as much as you might think–you’ll be able to get this strange little device for a substantial but not out of line $150, and you’ll be able to get hands on these sometime next month, though just when (or where) is as yet unclear. Still though, if you want to pump your iPad, iPhone or iPod’s sound into a room and look good doing it, the JBL OnBeat looks like it might be a great way to start.