GRiffin
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The world now has a smart toaster
It seems like no one really needs a connected toaster. For decades you've been able to adjust just how dark you want your bread with a knob or lever. But maybe we've been missing out on perfect toast because we didn't have the opportunity to really fine-tune the cooking experience. That's where Griffin comes in with its Bluetooth-enabled gift from the breakfast gods.
Griffin is trying its hand at smart kitchen appliances
You can forget smart fridges that will set you back thousands of dollars, because there's now a more affordable way to start getting your kitchen connected. Mobile-accessories company Griffin Technology today announced its move into "AppPowered" appliances with its new home range. Unveiling a smart toaster, a connected coffee maker and even a futuristic WiFi mirror, its new smart appliances aim to make your life easier on the cheap, thanks to mobile integration.
Griffin gives Apple's Macbook its missing Magsafe plug
One of the most criticized features of Apple's ultra-thin and lightweight MacBook (along with its lack of computing power) is the solitary USB-C port. Not only can you not power the device and use an accessory at the same time, but it no longer has the damage-preventing Magsafe power plug that breaks away if you trip on it. As it often does, Apple accessory maker Griffin has arrived with a product to fill that void, the Breaksafe Magnetic USB-C Power Cable.
Griffin's Travel Power Bank is a keychain-sized Apple Watch charger
Until we have more efficient battery technology, it seems we're resigned to carrying extra battery packs around to keep our power-hungry devices running on busy days and nights. Griffin has taken this sad state of affairs to its logical conclusion with its new "Travel Power Bank" for the Apple Watch. For most people, the Watch's day-long battery is sufficient, though you'll definitely need to charge it nightly. But if you're particularly busy or away from power for extended periods of time, the tiny Travel Power Bank can use its 800 mAh battery to charge your Apple Watch up to four times before it need to be refilled.
Griffin launches iPhone 5 case for merchants who use Square card readers
Need a durable way to carry that Square card reader while you're raking in those small business bucks? Griffin has a case for that. Teaming up with Square for CES 2014, the case manufacturer has announced an iPhone 5 case designed specifically for businesses on the go. For the most part, the Merchant Case is little more than your standard silicone phone sleeve, but a few minor tweaks make it particularly suited to Square users. The case's bottom edge, for instance, is designed to hold the reader in place, while also providing a credit card shaped groove to help glide customer plastic into the Square. The backside of the phone also has a recessed storage area that can hold on to the reader when it's not in use, making it easier to carry around. The case looks a little bulky, but it does seem to be a simple solution to a simple problem. The cost? $20 on Griffin's website. Not bad.
Griffin updates its PowerMate and StudioConnect hardware for 2014
If you think that the best part about making music is twiddling the knobs, then Griffin's CES announcements will be right up your alley. You see, the company is updating both its StudioConnect portable iPad studio and the PowerMate jog dial for movie and music editors. The StudioConnect HD now features a pair of XLR inputs, USB and five-pin MIDI support, dedicated monitor controls and can handle both 30-pin and Lightning-based iPads. The PowerMate Bluetooth, unsurprisingly, breaks free from the tyranny of cables, offering iMovie and GarageBand users the chance to cycle through files without the need of a mouse. Naturally, the clickable wheel is also highly customizable, enabling you to craft a wide variety of utilities that can use the hardware. The StudioConnect HD will, a little annoyingly, not arrive until the fall, where it'll set you back $200, while the PowerMate will be here in the summer, priced up at $60.
Daily Update for September 6, 2013
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
Griffin shows off MultiDock, a USB charging station for everything
I've got five devices that I must charge on a daily basis via USB. That might sound like a lot, but I know of plenty of people who have many, many more USB devices they're charging constantly. Those people might want to check out the newest MultiDock from Griffin that the company just unveiled today. The new MultiDock is designed to charge multiple Apple and Android tablets and smartphones at the same time, quickly and efficiently. It accomplishes this by using Griffin's ChargeSensor technology, which the company says "automatically detects the charging characteristics of each connected device and supplies the charging rate each device needs for the fastest, most complete charging." The MultiDock has room to charge 10 USB devices at once, but the actual unit is designed in a way so multiple MultiDocks can be stacked on top of each other three high. While the MultiDock could reasonably be used in a large family setting, the real appeal will come from people in offices or classrooms where multiple devices are being heavily used on a daily basis. The Griffin MultiDock ships in October for a retail price of US$699.00.
Griffin's MultiDock looks sleeker than ever, and it can still house and charge a herd of devices at once
In an age where expecting humans to limit themselves to a single piece of electronics is a little too much to ask for, what could be better than to own a physical hub where multiple things can be charged simultaneously? In all seriousness, though, the Griffin MultiDock can indeed be a rather handy tool for businesses, schools and other organizations needing to store, power and sync a large number of devices at once. What's also good about the second-gen MultiDock is that it's no longer only compatible with iPads, allowing a multitude of slabs from different manufacturers to be housed inside of it. Griffin's also quick to point out that the new MultiDock's design was the result of a collaboration with designer Thomas Meyerhoffer, who's more famously known for having worked on the Apple eMate. Regardless, be prepared to break the piggy bank, since the MultiDock's set to be priced starting at $699 when it becomes available later this month.
Review: Griffin Survivor + Catalyst waterproof iPhone 5 case
The Griffin Survivor + Catalyst waterproof case (US$69.99) is said to keep your iPhone dry up to 3 meters deep in water and protect your iPhone from drops from a height of 2 meters or less. On a day-to-day basis I don't use a case for my iPhone. However, there have been plenty of occasions when I've wished I did use one, so as not to worry about protecting and shielding it in certain situations, like when I'm at the beach, hiking or camping etc. Design The Griffin Survivor + Catalyst (GSC) case has TPE shock-absorbing bumpers, a PET-integrated screen cover, a silicone O-ring to seal the case together and keep water out, and a polycarbonate frame. Though light, it feels sturdy -- especially with an iPhone inside it. Two nylon latches lock the case together, there's a charge port door as well as volume control, home button and power button. It also comes with a lanyard to attach to the case. On the back panel of the GSC are two latches that release the back panel from the rest of the case. The silicon O-ring seal wraps around the edges of the back panel. The GSC comes with two large-print A3 pages of instructions and a bright red alert card placed within the case that tells you to follow the instructions precisely or there will be "damage to your device." Function I've never used a waterproof case before, so I read the instructions through very carefully. Griffin tells you to do a test on the case every time you use it to make sure the seal is intact and the case isn't damaged in anyway. This involves checking for damage or dust within the case, its latches and buttons, and assembling it without the iPhone inside and submerging it in water for 30 minutes. If you see water bubbles coming from the case straight away there's a problem with the seal or the case is damaged. If there are no air bubbles and after 30 minutes you remove the case and there's no water present inside, you're good to go at placing your iPhone in the case. Of course once you've inserted your iPhone you need to make sure the seal is flush with the case again and check it all fits snugly together. I did the test and found no air bubbles or signs of water in the case after 30 minutes. So I took the plunge and put my iPhone 5 into the case exactly as prescribed in the instructions. It's always a little frightening to place expensive gear in harms way, but I took a deep breathe (for me and my iPhone) and placed it in my basin of water. I was reluctant to leave the phone submerged for too long, so I gave it 30 seconds, scrolled through the lock screen to the home screen, swiped through a few pages of apps. and pulled it out again. Thankfully, after opening up the GSC I found no water on my iPhone, though I did find the experience a little nerve wracking. I decided to repeat the experiment again, but this time use some tissue paper instead of my iPhone, and leave the case in water for much longer than 30 seconds. Unfortunately, after about 40 minutes I did notice there were some small droplets of water within the case and parts of the tissue paper were damp. I can only assume that this time round I didn't quite get the assembly of the case right. If you're ever in doubt, Griffin has an extensive range of support articles and videos on how to test and look after the GSC Conclusion In terms of protection against the elements and accidental drops, the GSC really stands up and I can't fault it. If my iPhone were to fall in water, it would be protected well on a bad day if not entirely on any other. The case obviously adds some bulk to your iPhone, but I've seen and used bulkier cases. It's not unattractive and Griffin says it will be releasing some more adventurous colors next year. The lanyard attachment is a practical addition, too. Pros Good to excellent protection from drops and the elements, including dust, sand and water. Protects your iPhone in submerged water Good looking and functional for a case of this design Light weight Cons Somewhat laborious process to ensure the case is entirely waterproof There are still times when some water may get through if the case isn't assembled and tested properly. Who's it for? Those who use their iPhone in extreme environments and don't want to worry about damage from the elements.
Griffin Twenty Audio Amp: AirPlay for your big, old college speakers
There's a problem with most AirPlay docks; most of them have relatively underwhelming speakers and weak amplifiers. Wouldn't it be nice if you could grab those humongous speakers that you bought back in college and somehow hook them up to an AirPlay-enabled amp? That's the idea behind the Griffin Twenty Audio Amplifier (US$99.99), which uses your existing speakers and an old AirPort Express (not included) to let you stream music to your towers of power. Design Since the Twenty uses your AirPort Express to communicate with the rest of your WiFi network, you'd be correct if you assumed that there's a way to plug the APE into the Twenty. Griffin was smart with the design -- you basically just remove the "duck head" power plug from the AirPort Express and slide the rest of the unit onto a plug on the Twenty. Note that you must have an older AirPort Express, the type that could be plugged directly onto a wall socket. The new type, which uses a more traditional power cable, requires a workaround (see note under "Functionality" below). In either case, you'll also use the included optical audio cable to connect the Twenty and the AirPort Express Of course, if you have an existing amp, you can always run an audio cable from any AirPort Express right into an audio-in jack, and you're set. But the Twenty is designed for people who may have a great set of speakers laying around somewhere but no amp to drive them anymore -- which seems like a limited market. The device looks good and is very well built. On the back are four 8 Ohm speaker connectors, the type that work with bare speaker wire. You just push in the spring-loaded connector, insert the uninsulated wire ends for the two wires on each channel, and then let go to have the wire held tight. There's also an RCA connector for hooking up a subwoofer if you really want to raise the roof with sound. The name of the Twenty refers to the 20 Watts of power provided per channel by the amp. While that may not be as powerful as your cool McIntosh MC275 Tube Amplifer with its 75 Watts per channel, it's still enough oomph to power most bookshelf speakers and most larger speakers as well. Functionality In a way, I have to feel sorry for Griffin's engineers. They designed this unit on the assumption that the AirPort Express would never change its design, and then last June Apple made the little WiFi router look like a pale Apple TV. On the plus side, you could probably lay your new AirPort Express on top of the Twenty and run the included optical audio cable between the back of the Twenty and the analog/optical jack on the back of the AirPort Express. However, the aesthetics of the design would be compromised in that case. The Twenty is drop-dead simple to set up. You plug a preconfigured AirPort Express into the top of the unit and hook up your speakers. Plug it into the wall with the included power cord, flip the power switch, and it's ready to rumble. There are just a few indications that things are humming away. First, the green light on the AirPort Extreme will light up, provided that your network is set up properly. Next, there's a blue light on the front to indicate that power is flowing to the device. Finally, when the Twenty and your AirPlay "transmitter" (i.e. your iPhone or other device) are talking to each other, a green LED will glow on the front of the unit. There's only one more control on the Twenty -- a big volume knob that works in tandem with your device's volume controls. I hooked the Twenty to an old pair of speakers that had been collecting dust in the basement of my house, and was impressed with the sound that I got out of them. It was a much better experience than listening to music through my Apple Ear Pods or from the speaker on my iMac. Turning the knob on the Twenty up while AirPlaying at full volume from my iPhone resulted in the loudest noise I've had in this house since I accidentally stepped on my cat's tail. Conclusion If you have an older AirPort Express and a pair of underutilized speakers, the Griffin Twenty Audio Amp is well worth the $100 expenditure. Just make sure that your speakers work with the 8 Ohm output, and you're on your way to a great sound experience. Pros Reasonable cost for a professional quality amp Allows re-purposing of older speakers for use with new technology and AirPlay Extremely easy setup Top-notch materials and construction Cons Not designed for use with the latest version of the AirPort Express although it will work Who is it for? Audiophiles who would love to use their favorite speakers with AirPlay Giveaway One lucky TUAW reader is going to get a Twenty courtesy of Griffin and TUAW. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before March 3, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Griffin Twenty Audio Amp valued at $99.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
More details emerge on Netflix's abandoned hardware effort, Project Griffin
Netflix's ultimately abandoned foray into the hardware business with its own streaming device has been known for some time -- Wired revealed many of the details in a 2009 article -- but Fast Company has now uncovered some more on the effort that hadn't yet seen the light of day. That includes the actual name Netflix was using for it, Project Griffin (apparently inspired by Tim Robbins' character in The Player), and a newly-revealed internal video that offers a look at the device itself (and detour to Foxconn that Netflix would no doubt have preferred remained internal). Despite what was said to be enthusiasm for it at the company, the set-top box would be shelved just weeks before launch and instead spun out to Roku, which released a strikingly similar-looking device itself -- Frog Design is said to have worked with Netflix on the original design. Netflix would then quickly move on to partnerships with LG and other companies on their boxes in place of its own branded device. As for the reason for the change in plans, one source said to be at a high-level tells Fast Company that Reed Hastings once said that "I want to be able to call Steve Jobs and talk to him about putting Netflix on Apple TV," adding, "but if I'm making my own hardware, Steve's not going to take my call." You can see the full internal video after the break.
CES 2013: Crayola Light Marker for iPad
You may already own a stylus or two for your iPad, but when it comes to the small hands of younger users, Griffin's new Crayola Light Marker might be the ideal choice. Rather than requiring you to draw on the tablet's screen, the larger, marker-sized accessory allows you to draw in the air and watch your creations take shape on the screen. The Crayola Light Marker will work hand in hand with a free app that includes puzzles and games perfect for kids. There's also the option to draw freehand, choosing from various colors and other customization options. The magic marker will sell for US$29.99 when it hits retailers this coming spring.
Griffin adds Aha by Harman to its iTrip Auto in-car FM transmitter
Griffin is announcing that it's pairing up with Aha by Harman to add the latter's ABBA-named audio service to the features offered on its iTrip Auto car transmitter. Download Aha Radio from the App store and connect your smartphone to the device, and the iTrip will automatically find a free FM band and pump over 30,000 different audio stations over your whip's speakers. The iTrip can be picked up for $60 and the software can be snagged down at the source link. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Griffin and Crayola intro contact-free Light Marker, drawing workstations
Griffin and Crayola are already best of friends through their ColorStudio HD collaboration for the iPad. They're deepening that relationship at CES with a handful of iPad accessories and apps based around the quintessential crayon. Heading up the pack, the Crayola Light Marker you see above upgrades the earlier input by letting kids draw in the air; they can splatter (thankfully virtual) paint and play other games without scribbling directly on the tablet's screen. A pair of cradles are joining the marker, including the Digital Activity Center portable lap desk (after the break) and the briefcase-like Color & Play Workstation. The software side is being rounded out with special Barbie and Hot Wheels versions of the ColorStudio HD app, each of which has drawings themed around the perennial favorite toys. Griffin expects the Light Marker, Digital Activity Center and Color & Play Workstation to reach young artists' hands in the spring for $30, $40 and $20 respectively; the specialized iPad apps should arrive later in January, each for $3. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Griffin launches PowerDock 5 multi-device charging platform and ChargeSensor adapters
Given how many of us have more than one device, it's rare to see gear that really cares for our increasingly large gadget collections. Griffin's solution is to produce the PowerDock 5, a USB-device toast-rack that can replenish the energy of up to five iPads simultaneously. It's priced at $100 and will be available in Spring. At the same time, the company is putting out a new PowerBlock plug adapter and PowerJolt car charger with Griffin's ChargeSensor technology, which identifies the power needs of your device and meters out energy accordingly. Both will be available in the spring, the PowerBlock setting you back $30 and the PowerJolt costing $25. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Griffin launches MicConnect XLR microphone adapter, refreshes StudioConnect with Lightning connector (update: hands-on!)
It wouldn't be a CES without accessory mavens Griffin launching a small armada of products. This year, the company is launching a revised version of the StudioConnect that's compatible with Apple's Lightning connector. It'll go on sale in the Spring, and 4th Generation iPad and iPad Mini owners will have to stump up $150. It's also pushing out MicConnect (similar to MIDIConnect), an XLR-to-3.5mm connector that lets you hook studio-level microphones into mobile devices and can even supply phantom power. While it's not due to make it onto store shelves until June, it will only cost $40, which might soften the blow for impatient musos everywhere. Update: We've just spent some time with both of Griffin's new peripherals and we were quite impressed (although not completely surprised) at how light they felt in our hands. That being said, we weren't so fond of how much of a fingerprint magnet the StudioConnect was, however it's nothing a cleaning cloth (or a shirt) can't easily fix -- otherwise the main change in the new revision is the obvious inclusion of that Lightning connector, which in itself may make the upgrade all worthwhile. The MicConnect, on the other hand, didn't appear to suffer from any of these nitpicky issues, and its materials felt solid enough that potential users won't be worrying about it breaking in their backpack, messenger bag or, heck, even pockets -- yes, it's that small. Want to see for yourself? Then be sure to gawk at our hands-on galleries after the jump. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub. Edgar Alvarez and Alexis Santos contributed to this report.
Griffin's take on charge and sync Lightning cables now up for grabs
Sure, Belkin and Scosche have already offered up Lightning accessories, but now Griffin has its own solutions up for sale: Lightning charge and sync cables, which it says are the first of their kind from a third party (authorized by Apple). Ringing up at $25, the four-foot coiled USB to Lightning cable aims to put the kibosh on kinks and tangles. Those who prefer a more straightforward solution, however, can pick up a two-foot cable without the curls for $17, or a three-foot flavor for two additional greenbacks. There's also mention of a 9.8-foot-long version, but it doesn't appear to be available on Griffin's site just yet. To snag the wires, give the neighboring source link a jab.
Griffin PowerJolt SE Car Charger with Lightning Connector: A first look
In a refreshing development, a lot of Apple-approved iOS accessories with Lightning connectors are starting to hit the market. Over the past few days, we've seen items from Scosche, Belkin and JBL come out; today we're looking at Griffin's PowerJolt SE Car Charger with Lightning Connector (US$24.99). The charger comes with a coiled cable that measures 23.5 inches in length out of the box, but can be stretched to over four feet in length. That's perfect for those situations where the kids are sitting in the back seat of the car with your iPad mini, but your only power plug is in the dashboard. The PowerJolt SE plugs into any car power outlet with an unobtrusive spring-loaded plug that really stays in place. On the other end of the cable? A Lightning connector to keep your new iPhone 5, iPad mini or other device happily charged up. The charger puts out a full 10 W of power at 2.1 Amps. When the PowerJolt is plugged in and ready to go, an LED power indicator glows white. There's also a built-in self-resetting "SmartFuse" to protect against power fluctuations. For me, the PowerJolt SE is the perfect solution. I currently use a third-party iPhone mount in my car with a separate charging cable; I'll be able to continue using that mount by just swapping out the existing charger for the PowerJolt SE. It's great to see Lightning accessories coming out in droves before the holiday buying season. If you have a favorite Lightning accessory you haven't seen covered on TUAW yet, please let us know in the comments.
Griffin's Twenty Audio Amp pairs up with your AirPort Express, enables AirPlay for any 2.1 speakers
Sure, a spendy, AirPlay-equipped speaker is one way to stream lossless audio over WiFi in your abode with iOS or iTunes -- or your could bring your own speakers to the party with Griffin Technology's Twenty Audio Amplifier. It's taken just shy of a year to ship since being announced at CES, but now this $100 Apple-centric HiFi accessory is finally shipping. As a refresher, the Twenty docks with Apple's AirPort Express WiFi router, allowing you to bring the benefits of AirPlay to any 2.1 speakers (left, right and sub channels) you choose to pair it with. Pass-thru power is supplied to your AirPort, sparing the need to plug it into a wall, but its audio connection to the Twenty gets handled by an included TOS-link cable. The Twenty is rated for 40 watts of peak output (20x2) with an active subwoofer crossover at 80hz, and a chunky volume dial adds some analog-esque tactility to setting the overall level. If you're looking to give your wired speakers a WiFi-enabled upgrade, head over to the source link below -- video overview and press release just after the break.
