How would you like to have a hyper-multimedia gadget right in your own apartment? You're probably thinking there's already a lot of the likes right now. But this one is sure to break the glass ceiling.

From Yamada comes the HTV-200XU boombox. What's so unique about this is that it actually has a seven-inch LCD stashed into it! See, we told you it's hyper-multimedia. So, let's have a quick rundown of the things it can do:

• DVB-T, DivX, and MPEG4 movie files support
• 5.1 output for that " theater going experience"
• TV-compatible screen
• CD ripping abilities
• MP3 player
• FM radio
• JPEG files support

A whole lotta lovin' for an all-in-one package, eh? The HTV-200-XU boombox also is home to 30-watts of RMS power, and can be connected to your PC via USB. If you're ready to have this accessory in your home, be ready to shell out € 220 (US$ 300).

Nope, that's not an '80s boombox accessory for your iPod (although such a thing would be way cool). That thing to the right of this block of text, the one that looks like a cassette deck, is the HouseParty 24/7, Gear4's new speaker system for apple's iPod. Now, we've covered a lot of iPod speaker systems here on QJ since we first started, and we guess you guys have seen quite a lot of these newfangled iPod accessories yourselves. So maybe you're asking yourself, "What's so special about this thing, then?"

Well, for one, it's a 2.1 stereo speaker system featuring two two-inch six-watt magnetic shielded speakers and an ActiveBass 2.1T twelve-watt sub-woofer. This thing'll keep you and your neighbors up til the morning. So, okay, maybe now you're saying, "So? A lot of speaker systems have more output than that." Yeah, but although those speakers may be able to keep you up longer than the HouseParty 24/7 can, can they wake you up after you collapse from exhaustion?

Yes folks, the HouseParty 24/7 has a built-in alarm clock. Set your alarm and when it kicks in, the HouseParty 24/7 bursts into radio life. Yep, it's also got AM/FM radio with 5 preset stations and a snooze mode between 5 and 20 minutes. Aside from the alarm clock and the radio, the speakers also come with a three-stage dimmer LCD screen and a 16-function remote control allowing direct access to your iPod's menus.

Getting interested? Luckily, the HouseParty 24/7 is available now. It's available in sexy black or cool white and will set you back £99.99 (around $190 US).

With its new offerings catering to the iPod market, Logitech has its eyes set on providing the best-sounding most powerful speaker with the AudioStation brand. The AudioStation and the AudioStation Express are scheduled to be released in Europe and the US this October.

The AudioStation is a boombox-sized speaker system designed to function as a home stereo measuring 16 inches long, 4.5 inches deep, and 7.25 inches tall.  For that wide frequency response, installed in it are high-power long-throw woofers at four inches, and an 80-watt bi-amplified design.

It sports an integrated AM/Fm tuner and features a large LCD where the station information, track information and a spectrum analyzer are displayed. Peculiar to its design is that the AudioStation fashions no buttons, switches or knobs as its font panel is touch-sensitive. The controls emit white LEDs when the unit is powered on.

It also comes with a remote, 3D stereo imaging, sleep timer and more. iPods charge while playing aboard the AudioStation, and it is compatible with any iPods that offer Universal Dock connector.

The AudioStation Express on the other hand is more portable, offering flexible power options, a protective case and wireless remote. It can be powered with either an AC adapter or 6AA batteries. The wireless remote offers volume, track-hopping, play, and pause controls. At the back of the speaker system is a storage slot where it can be stored when not in use. Like the AudioStation, it supports any iPod with a Universal Dock connector, and offers a 3.5mm jack for older iPods and other audio sources.

The AudioStation Express is priced at $129.99, while the AudioStation is offered at $299.99.

Now this is simply genius.

The Portable iSplash Rugged speaker system for iPod or MP3 players lets you listen to your music anywhere.  Now you can share music from your iPod and show off the cool songs you have (you know you want to).

Included upon purchase is a ZipConnect module (with 18-inch retractable cable and mini stereo plug) that connects to any audio source (including your iPod and mp3 player) with a mini headphone jack. The portable iSplash also has built-in high-fidelity stereo speakers, an electronic equalizer, jacks for headphones and sub-woofer, and an AM/FM digital tuner.

What's even cooler is that the splashproof digital stereo BoomBox comes with a splash-proof housing that protects your boombox from sand, water, weather conditions, and other 'elements;' making it perfect for listening to music in the park, pool, and even on the beach! Definitely worth dishing out $149.95 for.

In the age of thumb-sized storage drives, tiny mobile phones, and even tinier MP3 players, one would think that the grand, old boombox has met its end. However, thanks to iLive's IBCD3816DT you'll never again have to argue with your elders as to what was the better music player; this grand dame has managed to make everyone happy.

Armed with a 2.1 Channel Speaker System which allows everyone to join in the music, your playlists are then loaded from your iPod, which is docked into the IBCD3816DT. This modern boombox accommodates the iPod Video, iPod Photo, iPod, the iPod nano, as well as the iPod mini. A port is also provided for iPod Shuffles, though this isn't quite as snug as the main dock in the middle of the body.

Other features of the IBCD3816DT are:

- Built-in audio CD drive
- An AM and FM radio tuner which can be controlled via the LCD screen which defaults as a clock when not in use
- An infrared remote control
- An arm carrying strap for those days when you feel taking your beat to the streets.

All in all, old school meets new school, and the result is music for everyone - and most probably one great party as well.

If your iPod isn't making a statement anymore because every other person you meet has one tucked in his or her pocket, you know it's time to switch to something that will set you apart from the MP3-worshipping bunch.

Why not try a little old school approach and grab a Spirit of St. Louis MK II Field Radio Portable Unit? Obviously, it won't fit in your pocket, but it'll surely make heads turn when this contraption starts blasting music. Even the b-boys will pause from their breakdancing to get a glimpse of your new airplane-inspired sound machine.

But this device isn't just an interesting conversation piece. It features an AM/FM radio, a programmable CD player, a tape deck, twin speakers and a headphone jack - all housed in a good old-fashioned polished oak chest. It's something your grandpa might be proud to call his own - and for a whopping £299.99 ($558), it better be lasting quality.

Even the most rabid iPod hater will agree that the world is a better, okay maybe just a quiter place, with them pods than with the notorious boombox of the 80's. For those of you who still love the boombox, it might be coming around again. Those of you who hate it need not worry because its reincarnated form is less annoying and has more uses aside from busting eardrums.

Cereallad, who has a thing for boomboxes, found a way to turn it into a laptop case or backpack and, yes, it still functions as a boombox. Using what he called rudimentary electronics skills, he wired the boombox to play music from the laptop or from other music source (digital audio player) inside. Using a small amplifier from a toy speakers, the boombox manages to pump up the volume and quality. 

He says the project was not very hard, just very time-consuming, but it doesn't cost much either. Everything he needed to convert the classic 80's icon into what could be a new retro-trendy accessory, he got from a thrift store except for the eyelets/hinges/clasps which he purchased from a hardware store. The strap is a modified women's belt.

Of course, if you don't have the boombox, you can buy one online for about $20 - a price Cereallad says is way too much. He suggests bidding on eBay could get you a boombox for about half that price. But if you're broke or just a tightwad, you can even get it much cheaper if you take the time check out Thrisftstores.

The inventor of the updated boombox relates, "I was picking up food from a fast food restaurant one day, and an old man told me that he is happy that I'm "taking the music to the streets." That practically brought a tear to my eye." If he keeps the volume at a respectable level, no one has shed any tears of exasperation.

  

 

Before the internet became a household god, hackers sought out computers by a method known as wardialing. In wardialing, a computer with a modem dials phone numbers sequentially (555 5551, 555 5552, 555 5553, 555 5554 etc.) until it finds a computer on the other end to connect to. Once in, well you know the kind of things hackers do.

The modem may have lost its place in the hacker's tool box but wardialing is still very much alive in the world of Wireless networking. In wardriving, hackers drive up and down streets with their laptops looking for and logging down all the wireless networks in range. Other variations include warflying (on a plane, of course) and warwalking with a pocketpc.

The Carriage of War is the missing link between wardriving and warwalking. Its a modified baby carriage that holds an iBook, USB WiFi adaptor,car battery, power inverter (for turning the 12V car battery into a 115V AC supply) and a boombox. Everything you need for wardriving is right there minus the car.

The iBook and the USB WiFi adaptor are for finding the Wi-Fi networks. The "inventor" added the car battery, power inverter and boombox for the wifi sniffing software he uses. The sniffer not only plays a noise when it finds a network, it reveals info about what network it found using the Macintalk text-to-speech. With the battery, power inverter and boombox everyone gets to hear the Carriage of War zoom in on its prey.

The next thing on the inventor's to-do list is the tricycle of war with an extra seat in the back and a Yagi antenna on a turret. The things you come up with when you got too much time on your hands.

If the Memorex's iMove is a boombox designed for your iPod.

Much like in the Hi-Fi, just slide your iPod into the dock and let her rip. It supports iPod Video (5th generation with click wheel), iPod Photo/U2 (with click wheel), iPod/U2 (4th generation with click wheel), iPod Nano and iPod Mini.
   
It also functions as an AM/FM radio with station presets. So not only does it play your favorite tunes it also helps you find new ones. The 15.7" x 6.0" x 7.9" boombox, comes with a user manual & warranty card, universal iPod adapters, AC adapter and wireless remote control.

Although, I personally feel that it defeats the whole purpose of the iPod being a compact device, iMove breathed new life to the 80s boombox retro design by streamlining the product, thus, eliminating corners making it easier to put on your shoulders like in the old days. 

iMove is for the mobile audiophile (who doesn't mind the extra weight), who would want to share to their music in a different way. Loud and clear that is.