Griffin unveils AirCurve acoustic amplifier, Clarifi case for iPhone

We're not saying a transparent box designed to "acoustically amplify" your iPhone speakers is an unmistakable ripoff or anything, but we do believe your $19.99 would be better spent on materials and beverages of choice as you exercise that DIY muscle. At any rate, Griffin Technology has today introduced the AirCurve (that's the thing we just described) alongside the Clarifi ($34.99; pictured after the jump), a polycarbonate protective case for your iPhone 3G. Unlike alternatives, though, this one has a "close-up lens," which supposedly gives your iPhone 3G the ability to take remarkably detailed macro shots with even "more accurate colors." Call us jaded, but both of these things have marketing hoopla written all over 'em.

[Via iLounge]
Read - AirCurve
Read - Clarifi

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 17th 2008 10:59PM]

The amplification thingy isn't necessarily a rippoff--ever see the inside of a Bose Wave Radio? Check out http://www.bose.com/flash/flash_shell/wrcd2/flashPlayerShell.htm ... the thing has about a 2" speaker and about a mile of tubing to make that nice $500 sound. If this works similarly, well, just be glad it's not Bose selling this, or it'd be a hundred bucks.

[rbrome Posted Sep 18th 2008 12:34AM]

I dunno... speakerphone volume is probably my #1 complaint about the iPhone 3G. If this works, I might buy it.

The case with built-in macro lens is a great idea. I can think of MANY situations in the past month where that would have come in handy for me.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 18th 2008 10:24AM]

For the anemic speaker phone, just plug in some portable external speakers (using the headphone jack), and ta-da, you have a loud speaker phone (and the mic will still pick up your end of the conversation).

I recommend the LG MSP-100, they have pretty amazing stereo sound for something that folds up and looks just like a flip-phone (recharge via USB, too).