Altec Lansing has announced its new Octiv Stage docking speaker system for the Apple iPad—although it can also accommodate iPhones and iPods through Apple’s 30-pin connector. The speaker system is specifically designed to enhance media playback on the iPad, handling the tablet device in both portrait and landscape orientation while simultaneously offering stereo speakers with an enhanced center channel to make dialog from movies and TV shows clearer—the Octiv Stage can tilt the iPad to a number of viewing angles.
“Users enjoy the iPad’s great versatility for business, entertainment, and sharing audio and video content. Now their experience will be significantly enhanced due to upgraded audio quality and sound distribution,” said Altec Lansing product manager Steve Schlangen, in a statement.
The Octiv Stage’s rotating connecting arm enables users to dock the iPad in either landscape or portrait orientation, enabling users to set up the device for media viewing, Internet surfing, or even (gasp!) getting work done by attaching a keyboard. The docking system charges the iPad while docks, and in a pinch can be used with iPhones and iPods too. The Octiv Stage has an auxiliary line input for non-Apple devices, and a full-features remote control for hands-free management of an iPad from a distance—for instance, kitchen iPad users could flip to the next page of their recipe without getting glop all over their tablet.
The Octiv Stage is available now from Apple Stores and from Altec Lansing for a suggested retail price of $149.95.
