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TwinMos Boom 1 2.1-channel iPod audio system

This could be the walrus

The Boom 1 has a large, open dock space, meaning it's suitable for iPod G3, G4 and G5; Mini and Nano models. However, if you keep yours in a protective sleeve or hard plastic shell, such as we do with our second-generation iPod Nano, then it's necessary to remove this for the iPod to gain a stable connection with the dock connector. This is a little annoying because it means removing the case each time you want to use the docking station and makes plugging it in for a quick five minutes of music a no-go.

Docking your iPod causes four blue LEDs around the connector's base to light-up, which gives the system a nice look, but also helps to highlight scratches on your iPod too. The docking station also has a minimalist feeling too, as only two feather-touch buttons for volume adjustment feature on its face. At times these keys proved a little too sensitive.

Song selection and volume can still be controlled directly through the iPod. However, its vertical docking position means its screen is often hard to see and selecting options via the scroll wheel means the iPod is pushed back slightly off its connection base - resulting in distorted music.

TwinMos Boom 1
TwinMos' Boom 1: Bluetooth on board

TwinMos supplies the Boom 1 with an infra-red remote control that we found could operate the iPod from up to 15 feet away, or about the same distance as a standard TV remote would be able to.

The remote is ideal for... well, remotely adjusting the independent volume of the docking station and sub-woofer, and muting, pausing or randomising the music. However, we were unable to use it to cycle through album, song or artist menus, which meant we had to physically switch between folders on the iPod via its scroll wheel, create a playlist specifically for the Boom 1 in iTunes or use the remote to select random play.

A Bluetooth option is also included on the remote control, which despite the lack of any supporting evidence in the device's manual, we guessed would allow the system to wirelessly receive music from a PC or mobile phone. In practice though, the connection wasn't very stable and it the transfer process was rarely completed.

Our laptop was able to find the Boom 1 system, which then played the opening lyrics of Help!, but then suddenly went dead and wouldn't play anything after that.

We also tried to connect our Nokia N70 up to the device and, although our handset also found the Boom 1, the only lyrics we received were "connection errors".

Next page: Verdict

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