Given the ease with which children’s hearing can be damaged by loud music, particularly as they seem almost permanently attached to either a computer, an MP3 player or a portable games console, solutions such as this are to be applauded. 85 decibels is plenty loud enough for even the most ardent fan of loud music.

Designed and built specifically for children, the funky ‘myphones’ are an ‘on-ear’ design that sits on your child’s ears and so does not block out external sounds with soft and importantly, washable, ear pads.

The myphones come in a handy clear travel case and to further enhance their ‘cred’ they come with swappable inserts for both the case and the headphones.

Three designs are supplied including a pink panda one for the girls and a blue robot one for the boys (assuming we are gender stereo-typing, naughty!) and an orange one. They also come with pre-cut paper designs that can be coloured.

The myphones web-site also has printable templates so you can make and design more, a nice touch.

Road tested on my 12yr old daughter, a victim to fashion as all youngsters seem to be these days, she was instantly taken with them and has been using them almost constantly since they arrived.

Despite knowing these have a safety design she thought them very trendy and seems happy to be seen using them, indeed a demo at school had her friends clamouring for a pair. So we can safely call them an instant hit.

Available from the Apple Store, Griffin accessory retailers and other outlets mid-October 2009 at £29.99.

myphones web-site

Clarifi has a unique feature, a sliding lens on the rear of the case that brings macro functionality to the iPhone camera. Slide it into place and you bring items into focus as close as 4 inches form the lens. Slide it into the off position and you’re back to normal.

It works just as claimed, if you ever need to grab a close-up then this is the solution. Not only that, the case is a typical Griffin design with a smart, modern look, a two part matte/gloss rear panel and the ‘Easy Dock’ design.

Easy Dock is Griffin’s solution to case compatibility with iPhone Docks. The shell comes in two parts with the lower third easily removable for use in a dock. Inserting the iPhone into the case is also simple. This solution is so much easier than the designs that have a front/rear case that clips together and can be a real ***** to separate when you need to!

Without Macro Lens on left, with on Right

Click here for more information at Griffin’s website.

Griffin PowerDock for iPhone and iPod

Have you got more than 1 iPhone or iPod? I have, and keeping them all charged is a nightmare. The number of times I have grabbed my iPod and found that the battery is dead is too many to count. Griffin have solved all my charge problems with the PowerDock.

The Griffin PowerDock comes in two different models: The PowerDock 2 ($39.99 or £24.97) and the PowerDock 4 ($69.99 or £31.54).  Not surprisingly the PowerDock 2 has 2 charging bases whilst the PowerDock 4 has 4.

Griffin PowerDock

The PowerDock is compatible with just about all of the current and previous range of Apple iPhone and iPod products, with the exception of the iPod Shuffles. Click here to see the PowerDock compatibility on the Griffin web site.

As with the Griffin Simplifi (click here for our review) the PowerDoc comes with a brushed aluminium style that matches the Apple MacBook Pro, and the Mac Pro.  I am not much of a style guru, but I do like my technology to match.  I am surprised Apple don’t produce a metal iPhone…

Griffin PowerDock mains connector

Getting back on track… The Griffin PowerDock comes with a number of inserts for various iPhones and iPods all of mine were catered for including the iPhone 3G (which means the iPhone 3GS will be OK too). I must admit that in general I tend not to use the inserts to allow my devices to be placed in any available slot.  I have never had any problems, but I assume this must place extra stress on the connector.  I am behaving myself now and have fitted them to the PowerDock.

As you can see in the picture to the left there is just a single connector to the PowerDock: a mains socket.  The PowerDock is dual voltage so can be used with any power system worldwide.  Mine came with a US plug, but I have plenty of compatible power cords for use in the UK and Europe.

The one thing that is really missing from the PowerDock is a USB connector.  It would have been really neat to just drop all my devices into the PowerDock and have them sync to my Mac, but I suppose you cant have everything…

The Griffin PowerDock sits next to the Griffin Simplifi and my GDrive Mini on my desktop and is in daily use.  I always have a powered iPod to take to the gym, to sync I just swap it to the Simplifi…  Easy!  Click here for more information on the Griffin web site.

Griffin Simplifi dock

The Griffin Simplifi is a desktop dock for your iPhone or iPod, but it is not just a dock it is far more…

The Griffin Simplifi is a triple function gadget and not only sports an iPhone dock but has a multi-function card reader and a USB hub as well.

The design of the Simplifi follows the Apple metallic theme and matches the Apple Macbook Pro, Air Book and Mac Pros very nicely.

Griffin Simplifi iPhone dock

The iPhone dock uses the dock inserts to enable a wide range of iPhones and iPods to be used.  Six inserts allow the use of iPod Classics, iPod Nano (2G,3G), iPhone (Classic, 3G) and iPod Touch.  In fact the only iPod not supported by the dock inserts is the iPod Shuffle.  This can be charged using the USB hub.

Griffin Simplifi USB hub

The USB hub provides 2 additional USB ports at the back of the device which can be used to power low powered devices.  I have used it for a memory stick and my Griffin AirCurve (review coming shortly).  

If  you need to attach devices that need more power then the Simplifi can be connected to a 5v power supply (or should that be power suppli??) which is included in the box.  I prefer not to use this as it makes it less portable.

Griffin Simplifi card reader

The final aspect of the Griffin Simplifi is the multi-function card reader.  This has two slots, one for Compact Flash and one for Memory Stick, SD cards and XD cards.  The Memory Stick Duo is not supported directly, it can only be used with an adapter.   

In use I find that this is great paired with my MacBook Pro as I can use it for both my cameras and video cameras without having to scrabble around for adapters or cables.  At home it is a perfect match for my MacPro, and of course it charges all of my Apple iPhone/iPod devices.  One other important point is that unlike the Apple Dock the Simplifi also charges my TruePower iV Battery extender as well as my iPhone.

The Griffin Simplifi is in the stores at $69.99.  For more information on the Griffin Simplifi: Charge and Sync dock, media card reader, and USB hub click here.