CES 2009

The Acoustic Research ARIR600i Internet Radio has an iPod dock, too.

While Internet Radios have been popular in Europe for a while, 2008 was the first year the products really gained some traction in the U.S. market. Acoustic Research showed off two new Internet Radios, the ARIR200 and the ARIR600i, which offer some unique features like the ability to record Internet Radio streams to their internal memories and access to the Slacker service. Here are the details.

Key features of the Acoustic Research ARIR200:

• Access to 12,000 Internet Radio stations
• Ability to add your own stations using a URL
• Can record up to 10 hours of Internet Radio using the internal 512MB memory
• Access to the Slacker music service
• Prepaid access to the WeatherBug service
• Alarm clock functionality
• AM/FM tuner
• Available in mid-February, $129 MSRP

Key step-up features of the Acoustic Research ARIR600i:

• iPod dock
• Available in mid-May, $200 MSRP

That's an impressive set of features considering the prices of these radios, especially the $129 ARIR200. Most of the Internet Radios we review--even the more expensive ones--don't include an AM/FM tuner, and we haven't reviewed an one with Slacker, WeatherBug or recording features either. However, because ease of use is so important with these units--especially how they handle searching those 12,000 stations--we're anxious to get review sample of these radios in to see how they compare with the competition.

The iHome's iP71 iPod- and iPhone-friendly computer speakers will arrive this spring.

(Credit: iHome)

A few months ago, we reviewed a couple of sets of iHome computer speakers that featured a built-in iPod dock. Well, the company's showing off a follow-up to the iH70s we reviewed. This model is called the iP71 and comes in black instead of silver, which is a good thing in our book.

There doesn't appear to be any significant difference between the iH70 and iP71 except for the fact that the newer model will offer GSM-shielding for iPhones. The iP71, likes its sibling, plays and charges iPhones and all docking iPod models and has a USB port for computer connections, so you can sync your iPhone and iPod to your Windows or Mac PC with a touch of a button.

The iP71 computer speakers will be released in the spring. No price has been set, but the iH70s retail for around $130, so we imagine they will be in that ballpark.

The iHome iP1 will come out sometime this spring or summer at an undetermined price point.

(Credit: iHome)

You don't necessarily associate the iHome brand with "premium" audio and cutting-edge design, but the folks there are giving it their best shot with the upcoming 100-watt iP1, which features a whole new look for the company known for its budget iPod audio systems.

The iP1 has a set of "custom-designed" 4-inch woofers and 1-inch silk dome tweeters, which are powered by Bongiovi Acoustic's proprietary Digital Power Station processor. In terms of connectivity, there's a standard audio input to connect other audio devices along with an A/V output and a remote control. Works with iPhones, too.

The iP1 is due to arrive in the spring-to-summer time frame and will most likely be carrying a price tag in the neighborhood of $250-$300, though iHome hasn't set a price yet.

The iH15 LED Color Changing Stereo System is on sale now for $59.99.

(Credit: iHome)

iHome is highlighting a few products at this year's CES and one of them, the iH15 LED Color Changing Stereo System, is actually available now for $59.99.

The concept behind this simple and compact iPod audio system is that you can customize its color thanks to an LED behind the iH15's translucent cabinet. It's unclear whether you get the full range of colors pictured in the photo or just four (as the specs imply below). We'll let you know was soon as we get that little detail confirmed.

Here's all the company has to say about the product:

*Translucent cabinet changes color at the touch of a button

*Plays and charges most docking iPod models

*Four color-change settings

*Reson8 stereo speakers with passive subwoofer

*Line-in to listen to other aux audio sources

*5.47 inches tall by 5.47 inches wide by 5.47 inches deep

*Powered by an AC adapter (no battery option)