Original URL: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/10/11/jvc_floating_waterproof_speaker/
If you can’t bear to be separated from your music while taking a bath, JVC may be able to help you. It’s created a speaker that’s actually designed to float alongside you while you take your daily scrub.
JVC's floating speaker
The XA-AW33-W is marketed as a "healing player", although its medicinal properties aren’t immediately visible. The dome-shaped player measures 8.7 x 12cm, and it has a faint blue light band around its edge that shines on the water’s surface as the unit out your favourite bathtime tunes.
It comes pre-installed with a selection of relaxing tunes. However, its 256MB Flash memory can hold your MP3 and WMA music files too, which can be transferred onto the player via its USB 1.1 port.
A flap on the player’s front lifts up to reveal the controls, and JVC claims the XA-AW33-W can operate in temperature ranges between 0°C and 42°C - if there’s anyone brave enough to try... It’s powered by four dry-cell batteries and also comes with a plastic stand for use, say, in the kitchen or as a bedside mini-stereo.
The player is currently available in Japan for ¥19,800 (£83/€120/$168), but no European release date or price has been announced.
Earlier this month, Register Hardware featured a futuristic-looking MP3 player, dubbed the Juketower (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/10/04/juketower_shower_mp3/), that’s designed to be used while you wash, but which sadly is only splashproof.
Creative debuts iPod Shuffle-sized speaker (25 October 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/10/25/creative_shuffles_speaker/
Ears turn to USB for virtual 7.1 sound source (19 October 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/10/19/virtual_usb_channel_sound_adapter/
Audioengine shrinks audiophile speakers for desktops (19 October 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/10/19/audioengine_ships_a2/
Clap-controlled TV consigns remote to bin of history (8 October 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/10/08/jvc_clap_tv/
Gear4 debuts 'cheapest ever' Bluetooth speaker (26 September 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/09/26/gear4_street_party_blu/
Jabra shows 'world first' Bluteooth speaker-headphone combo (25 September 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/09/25/jabra_bt8030_speaker_phones/
Surround sound... with a single speaker unit? (14 August 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/08/14/surroundbar_shown/
CES' top ten weirdest gadgets (9 January 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/01/09/ces_top_ten_weirdest_gadgets/