PANS unveils a charging solution aiming at customers using both iDevices and non-iDevices at CEATEC 2011-- the Umiushi Smapho 2800, an external battery with built-in iPod dock connector and micro-USB plug.

Users can connect devices to both dock connector and micro-USB plug simultaneously in order to charge devices on the go.

The Smapho 2800 carries a 3.7V/2800mAh Li-ion battery, with 5V 1A output and 5V 800mA input.

It is available in 3 different colours (white, blue or red) and should hit international markets from December 2011.

Go Umiushi Chargers

JBL gets into the wireless speaker market as it launches the On Tour iBT speaker and tablet kickstand combination.

It supports both A2DP and AVRCP Bluetooth profiles, and users can also connect devices directly via either stereo mini jack or USB adapter (which also charges devices when speaker is connected to AC power).

Inside are four JBL Odyssey neodymium transducers, with 100Hz-20kHz frequency response, as well as computer-optimised equalisation and optimised compression topology adjusting dynamic range at high volume levels.

A built-in microphone allows for FaceTime video calls (on iPad 2 or iPhone), as well as hands-free calls on any Bluetooth phone.

The package includes an adjustable tablet kick stand, while speaker control comes through metal touch buttons.

Go JBL On Tour iBT Speaker

Many look to Amazon's tablet launch to ignite the flame of competition against iPad. While the new Kindle Fire features a 7" colour IPS display (2-point multitouch), 8GB memory, a dual-core processor and a $199 price point, it's not the hardware that excites the market but the Amazon platform, the ability to supply content and apps in a cloud infrastructure that rivals or even surpasses Apple's.

Amazon also provides a 30-day free trial to Amazon Prime, its video on demand subscription service.

Speaking to Bloomberg Businessweek, Jeff Bezos describes the Kindle Fire not as a tablet but "as a service."

Confirming earlier rumours the Kindle Fire carries an Amazon-themed version of Android-- with a different UI tying the device to the Amazon digital media library and shopfront, while Amazon Cloud Storage handles free storage.

Of course the Amazon App Store will handle, well, apps.

Overall, the device looks very similar to the Blackberry PlayBook-- lending weight to reports from GDGT saying the Kindle Fire comes from the same company behind the PlayBook, Quanta.

The GDGT report's sources also insist the tablet is "pretty poor" and only a "stopgap" trying to grab some holiday sales from Apple.

Amazon also reveals 2 new Kindle e-readers-- the Kindle Touch (with an IR touch display and smaller body) and a "dirt cheap" non-touchscreen ad-supported Kindle selling for $79.99.

Go Amazon Unveils Kindle Fire Tablet (Bloomberg)

Go The Omnivore interview with Jeff Bezos (Bloomberg Businessweek)

Go The Amazon Tablet Will Look Like a Playbook (GDGT)

CableJive presents a solution for your non-iDevice using customers living in a world full of accessories with Apple 30-pin dock connectors-- the DockBoss, letting users connnect any device with a 3.5mm jack to an iPhone dock. 

It is compatible with nearly every audio-output device out there (except VW and Audi stock iPod/iPhone systems) and since it takes power from both USB and Firewire docks it works with old and new accessories. 

75cm worth of cable extend dock reach a little bit more, and a red indicator light flashes to show when the device is ready to play audio. 

Go CableJive dockBoss