Harman Kardon Go + Play Micro

 The latest littler iOS dock from Harman Kardon.

+ Smooth looks, cool sound, can sync via USB slot

— Expensive, bulky, requires eight large batteries to take on the road

www.conexus.com.au

RRP $399.95 
SCORE: 8 
 
The Harman Kardon Go + Play Micro portable speaker system for iPhone and iPod feels simultaneously modern and retro.

The unit's sleek lines, minimal buttons, and black plastic with metal accents all contribute to its modern allure, but the form factor is delightfully reminiscent of boomboxes of yesteryear.

Advertised as a portable system, it's more accurate to call the Go + Play Micro transportable. It's heavy (Just under 4kg) and has a large footprint too.

The curved, metal bar atop the unit serves as a handle, while on the front-left of the unit's angled top is a backlit Power switch and a pair of buttons for volume adjustment. These are the only onboard controls the Go + Play Micro provides - to skip tracks, navigate pi ay lists or pause playback, you'll need to rely on either your iPod or iPhone's controls or the Go + Play Micro's included infrared remote.

The dock-connector cradle, located on the angled top face, foregoes Apple's Universal design in favour of Harman Kardon's own design, and for the most part it's implemented well. Its placement relative to the Go + Play Micro's metal handle makes docking your iPhone or iPod a bit more precise a manoeuvre than one might expect, but it's certainly not difficult.

The Harman Kardon Go + Play Micro can be powered by-eight C-cell batteries; Harman Kardon advertises up to 18 hours of continuous music playback from one set.

Directly below the battery compartment are the unit's four ports and jacks: one for the included AC adapter, a 3,5mm audio line-in jack, an RCA

composite-video output and a USB port for syncing.

The Harman Kardon Go + Play Micro's audio components include two (left and right) of Harman Kardon's Odyssey mid-range/high-frequency drivers, each hidden behind a metal grille on the front of the system. On the bottom, behind a similar grille, sits a Sin Atlas subwoofer. The system provides 15W of power per channel for the left and right drivers, along with 30W for the subwoofer. These drivers are what makes this a Go + Play 'Micro', as its bigger brother uses two 30W tweeters and two subs. Downsizing the grunt, however,onlyshaves 1mm off the width and height.

But despite the drop in wattage, Harman Kardon employed both Computer-Optimized Equalization (COE) and Optimized Compression Topology (OCT) to improve audio quality. Music sounds clean and rich, even when the Go + Play Micro's volume is dialled up, and in our testing, bass presence was prominent enough to shake the table on which the system was seated.

Ultimately, the Go + Play Micro is attractive, sounds very good, and is easy to use. The unit's bulk and cost are the two biggest factors, but its sound and design will not disappoint.

 MOSHI MOSHI 04

 + Surprisingly useful„ good sound, doubles as a mobile speaker

- Odd design, unintuitive buttons www.conexus.com.au 
RRP 3249 
SCORE: 6

Native Union's iPhone handset product line started with the comedy POP Phone - a retro telephone handset that you plug into your phone for an old-school telephonic experience

With the Moshi Moshs 04, though, the company has drafted in acclaimed product designer Michael Young, and this handset looks modem and has Bluetooth wireless arid a host of other features.

The idea is that you connect the Moshi Moshi 04 to your iPhone (or any other Bluetooth-enabled phone). Vbu only have to pair the device once - after that, the 04 and the iPhone will connect automatically whenever the two devices are in range and Bluetooth is switched an.

Once connected, the Moshi Moshi 04 acts as a handset for taking calls. The handset also acts as a Bluetooth speaker for your iPhone's music, and has a conference call made for out-loud hands-free chat. Chatting on the handset works well, although our friends reported that we sounded a bit guiefer than usual. However, The conference call mode sounds very goad, and gives the unit a real practical use.

We were also pretty surprised as to how well the 04 worked as a wireless speaker for your music, tt's no hi-fi but it sounds good enough for it to be used

The Moshi Moshi 04 is ultimately a luxury buy - it's expensive and something you want rather than need - but if you've got the money and you use your .Phone as a desk phone, it's surprisingly useful. The design may be an acauired taste, but the Moshi Moshi 04 is certainly well made.

iPad 2 and iPhone

Bags, Sleeves & Envelopes
From one of the worlds leading mobility design companies comes the built iPad 2 and iPhone accessory range. Stylish, unique and functional bags, travel sleeves and envelopes will keep you covered when you're on the go with Mac. These unique built  iPad 2 and iPhone products are available in a variety of styles, colours and designs so you will be sure to "Love your stuff".

Built Mac accessories are now available at selected retail stores across Australia and to purchase online. For stockist information and to buy built for iPad 2 and iPhone please visit:

www.stuffproducts.com.au or contact us direct on:

info@stuffproducts.com.au

Prices start from $29.95