Why take two speakers with you when you're out with your iPod when you can take four? That's audio-accessory maker QDOS' pitch for its Genesis 360° portable sound system.

The Genesis packs in four 3W speakers and a 'universal' dock slot compatible with any dockable iPod - QDOS bundles a set of adaptors. The unit's powered by a quartet of AA batteries - enough for eight hours' play time, the company said - and will charge the player when it's connected to the mains. There's a mini USB port on board to allow the Genesis to operate as a sync cradle, and an audio jack to connect up other sound sources.

The cylindrical add-on is 12.5cm high and 11.5cm in diameter, but a clever concertina mechanism allows it to be squashed down to 8.5cm in height for storage. The whole thing weighs 800g. In addition to a set of dock adaptors, the Genesis ships with a power brick and a series of region-specific power plugs.

Available immediately, the Genesis costs around £90 from QDOS' UK distributor Widget. ®