PRESS RELEASE
Portable, premium speaker dock for iPad provides enhanced audio experience
(Rushden, UK) - 7 January, 2013 - Belkin today announced the introduction of a new portable, full-range speaker dock system for the iPad, the Belkin Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theatre. Designed to integrate seamlessly with the iPad, the Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theatre enhances movies, music and games with advanced digital sound technology for a rich, powerful audio experience. The Belkin Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theatre will be on display at CES 2013 in Las Vegas, booth #30651, South Hall.
"The iPad is known for its brilliant, high-definition display that enhances the video quality of your favourite movies, shows and video games, but the audio quality sometimes doesn't match the visual experience," said Nate Kraft, director of product management at Belkin. "With the Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theatre we are looking to provide the immersive, powerful audio experience missing in the iPad, so you can listen to your content the way it was meant to be heard."
Powered by mobile sound leader Audifi, the Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theatre features high-efficiency, front-facing speakers that project cinematic-quality sound. Ported speakers and integrated air channels in the design allow optimal airflow so bass frequencies come alive. The free, downloadable Thunderstorm App provides extended control with customisable soundscapes for music, movies and games so your content always sounds its best.
"Belkin tapped us to engineer the sound performance of the Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theatre from the inside out and we're happy to see end results that deliver an immersive mobile audio experience," said Bruce Lancaster, general manager and vice president at Audifi. "Through the design of core circuits, sound processing, custom speakers and a surprisingly thin acoustic enclosure, Audifi engineered a level of sonic depth and precision that was, until now, impossible to achieve in mobile devices."
Designed to fit flush around the iPad, the Belkin Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theatre connects directly through the iPad dock connector for a seamless, unified experience. A direct connection eliminates the possibility of dropping the connection to the speaker and provides optimal calibration for the audio sound effects. It also features a multi-fold cover for a variety of comfortable viewing angles and screen protection.
The Belkin Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theatre will be available for both 30-pin connectors and the new Lightning connector.
Belkin Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theatre - £179.99/€229.99
G3A1000 for 30-Pin, G3A2000 for Lightning
- Integrated, front-facing, landscape-oriented, stereo speakers
- Ported speakers for rich bass and depth
- Low-distortion, high-efficiency amplifier
- Magnetically attached folding soft cover with multiple stand configurations
- MFi Certified
- G3A1000 with 30-pin docking interface is compatible with iPad 2 and iPad 3rd generation
- G3A2000 with Lightning connector is compatible with iPad 4th generation
- Pass-through access for iPad rear camera, headset jack, microphone, speaker, charging, lock switch, volume control, and mute/rotation lock toggle
Availability
The Belkin Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theatre with 30-pin connector will be available in Europe in February 2013. A version for the Lightning connector will be available in the spring.
Thunderstorm iPad App
The free Thunderstorm App provides extended control with three different soundscapes custom tuned by Audifi.
- Musical: Balanced for music and web video
- Cinematic: Broader soundscape with simulated accentuated middle channel to lend clarity and presence to dialogue
- Action: Spreads the soundscape out to its fullest extent and sharpens sound effects so games explode off the screen
Audifi
The Belkin Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theatre is powered by Audifi, the leader in next generation mobile audio.Audifi engineered the sound performance from the inside out, to deliver an immersive mobile audio experience. Through the design of core circuits, sound processing, custom speakers and a surprisingly thin acoustic enclosure, Audifi delivered a level of sonic depth and precision that was, until now, impossible to achieve in mobile devices.
About Belkin
At Belkin, we are inspired by people. With more than 200 patents, Belkin invents products that harness the power of technology to enrich people's lives. From wireless home networking and entertainment, to mobile accessories, energy management, and a broad USB and cable mix, Belkin products connect the dots between people and technology. Belkin also provides public and private sector organizations with high-quality security, infrastructure, energy, and server-room solutions. A privately held company founded in 1983, Belkin has more than 1,200 employees in 25 countries. Headquartered in Playa Vista, California, Belkin can also be found on the web at Belkin.com/uk, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Belkin.UK and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Belkin_UK.
