I’ve been testing the new Griffin Aircurve with my iPhone for the past week. My primary alarm clock each morning is my iPhone which I’ve set to wake me at the same time each weekday. Usually I just leave it flat on my nightstand. Sometimes I plug it into a power cable and other times I forget. Here’s a new product from Griffin that does three things – (1) Acts as a stand — (2) Amplifies the iPhone sound and (3) allows for powering your iPhone through your charging cable. How well does it work?
The Aircurve lets you re-charge your iPhone (it works with both first generation and 3G as well as the Touch) via your docking cable. To provide power you snake the dock cable through an opening in the base of the Aircurve.
Audio is routed through your iPhone speakers in the based of the Aircurve and amplified as it comes out the front of the base.
The sound coming out is noticeably louder. You should not expect any sound improvement (ie – there is no bass or treble boost or fine tuning). However for simple and quick playback of your iPhone this is a very good solution.
I had no trouble inserting my iPhone into the base. There are three two adapters included with the Aircurve – for the iPhone, iPhone 3G and Touch.
The charging cable is relatively easy to snake through the base of the Aircuve. However connecting your iPhone or Touch to the power supply is a two handed operation. Because the cable is largely unfastened in the base, you’ll need to grab it with one hand to both fasten and remove the cord.
For the price of $19 this is a great product for anyone who might want to amplify the sound of their iPhone or Touch without an overly expensive amplified speaker system. It would make a great desktop accessory for home or office – especially in places where a bulkier amplified docking system might not be practical.
Link: Griffin Aircurve
Price: $ 19
What I Like:
– Inexpensive
– Seems to double the sound volume
– Durable
– Attractive style
What Could Be Improved:
– Somehow attach cable so that inserting and removing iPhone or Touch is not a two handed process