Wootalyzer's Pricing Post! - The price of today's woot item is saved here for future reference
------------------------------------------------------------
JBL OnBeat Air Speaker Dock
$99.99 + $5 Standard OR $17 Two-Day OR $21 One-Day Shipping
Condition: New

*DISCLAIMER* Wootalyzer! is in no way affiliated with Woot!, and this post may not always be here!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DA3khnd3zME

utube review

On the one hand, I already have a 26,000-watt JBL sound system, whereas this one is only 14 watts.

...but my current system doesn't have an iPod dock; I need an adapter. I suppose I could get both - use this one at home, and keep using the other one for music festivals.

There's a rumor that apple is shrinking the iphone docking port. So all old style peripherals like will become useless for the next generation. Buyer beware.

Granted it will still work with the other connectors. Just not the 'dock'

Do other phones like an HTC incredible 2 fit in the holder or just lay nearby with a 3.5 mm plug?

Here's a PC Mag review.

I'll wait for the Android version, thankyouverymuch.

Please, Woot - roll out the speakers that DON'T have an Apple dock that I'll never use!

I will buy this immediately if someone can show me that if I dock my iphone and set the alarm the speakers will work with an alarm. I use my phone for an alarm clock and always want to also listen to music. I can go buy a docking / alarm clock but this looks pretty cool.

Not included on the list of compatible devices: iPhone 4S. Telling omission or inadvertent omission?

Woot, could you find out? I can't see why it wouldn't be, but I also wouldn't consider buying a dock that isn't confirmed to be compatible.

neuropsychosocial wrote:Not included among the list of compatible devices: iPhone 4S. Telling omission or inadvertent omission?

damn.. I have an iphone 4s. I should just buy a docking / alarm clock.. oh wells. I already have a speaker system for my ipad anyways.

KATANARYDA wrote:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DA3khnd3zME

utube review

I think that model on the video is not the Airplay version am I right?

Amazon - 4.6 out of 5 stars - 12 reviews

In October, they won't be able to give these away for free....

New iPhone plug = worthless.

:/

lburman wrote:There's a rumor that apple is shrinking the iphone docking port. So all old style peripherals like will become useless for the next generation. Buyer beware.

Granted it will still work with the other connectors. Just not the 'dock'

I've heard this as well.

[tl;dr: may or may not be iphone 4S compatiable; serious distortion at higher volumes but an incredible price for an AirPlay-enabled speaker dock; no battery means dock must be plugged in during use]

iDevice-related:
"Confirmed" rumor of new iDevice dock with pictures

link to owners' manual: does not list device as being iphone 4S-compatiable, although the manual is dated 2011 and might simply predate iphone 4S: woot, can you clarify this with JBL?

Reviews:
Wired review of this device: basically, an incredible deal at this price, but not suitable for anchoring a drunken frat party playing rap music at Volume 11: too much distortion of bass or at high volumes

Apple Store listing with reviews (says this is 4S-compatible); mostly positive reviews

Review/comparison of several AirPlay speaker docks including this one (but focusing on higher end AirPlay-enabled speakers): not big fans of the sound quality

neuro's thoughts:
This sounds like a great deal for an AirPlay-enabled speaker dock - with the caveat that iDevice connectors may be changing in the fall (not an issue for me, as I expect to have solely devices with old connectors for at least another 18 months). The inability to use this dock off rechargeable battery power wasn't immediately obvious, but is an absolute must-have for me: I currently have a dock (Altec Lansing iMT620 inMotion Classic Portable iPod Dock) that I charge in one place and cart all over the house with me (kitchen while doing dishes, basement while hanging woot shirts on hangers to dry, attic while sewing, backyard while eating dinner, etc.). I can't imagine needing to be teathered to a power outlet or lug the power brick around the house as I'm moving the dock. If I wanted stationary speakers, I'd want something with higher sound quality than this!

Keep in mind that the next generation of iPhone, whatever they happen to call it, is going to use a different connector. You won't be able to dock your next iPhone with this, so beware. It's planned accessory obsolescence time.

Airplay to the rescue!

Cheapest airplay speaker i've seen by far.

lburman wrote:There's a rumor that apple is shrinking the iphone docking port. So all old style peripherals like will become useless for the next generation. Buyer beware.

Granted it will still work with the other connectors. Just not the 'dock'

IS THERE A BATTERY? Woot won't ship overseas due to battery restrictions and manual lists battery disposal warning, BUT BATTERY IS NOT MENTIONED ANYWHERE ELSE. So does this speaker have a built in rechargeable battery?

neuropsychosocial wrote:[tl;dr: may or may not be iphone 4S compatiable; serious distortion at higher volumes but an incredible price for an AirPlay-enabled speaker dock; no battery means dock must be plugged in during use]

iDevice-related:
"Confirmed" rumor of new iDevice dock with pictures

link to owners' manual: does not list device as being iphone 4S-compatiable, although the manual is dated 2011 and might simply predate iphone 4S: woot, can you clarify this with JBL?

Reviews:
Wired review of this device: basically, an incredible deal at this price, but not suitable for anchoring a drunken frat party playing rap music at Volume 11: too much distortion of bass or at high volumes

Apple Store listing with reviews (says this is 4S-compatible); mostly positive reviews

Review/comparison of several AirPlay speaker docks including this one (but focusing on higher end AirPlay-enabled speakers): not big fans of the sound quality

neuro's thoughts:
This sounds like a great deal for an AirPlay-enabled speaker dock - with the caveat that iDevice connectors may be changing in the fall (not an issue for me, as I expect to have solely devices with old connectors for at least another 18 months). The inability to use this dock off rechargeable battery power wasn't immediately obvious, but is an absolute must-have for me: I currently have a dock (Altec Lansing iMT620 inMotion Classic Portable iPod Dock) that I charge in one place and cart all over the house with me (kitchen while doing dishes, basement while hanging woot shirts on hangers to dry, attic while sewing, backyard while eating dinner, etc.). I can't imagine needing to be teathered to a power outlet or lug the power brick around the house as I'm moving the dock. If I wanted stationary speakers, I'd want something with higher sound quality than this!

Considering the next gen iPhone will have a different connector from the current version, expect to see lots of iPhone stuff on here and in a dollar store bargain bin very soon. A bit like buying Betamax stuff before the world jumps to VHS.

pound30 wrote:I will buy this immediately if someone can show me that if I dock my iphone and set the alarm the speakers will work with an alarm. I use my phone for an alarm clock and always want to also listen to music. I can go buy a docking / alarm clock but this looks pretty cool.

I don't know about this unit, but I use a Phillips speaker doc as my alarm clock and love it. Beautiful sound, reasonable footprint for the nightstand, and cheaper than this. I got through Amazon - excellent reviews there. Search for:

Philips Fidelio DS3010 Docking Speaker for iPod and iPhone

thomas998 wrote:Considering the next gen iPhone will have a different connector from the current version, expect to see lots of iPhone stuff on here and in a dollar store bargain bin very soon. A bit like buying Betamax stuff before the world jumps to VHS.

While there is a loyal cadre of folks that must have every new iPhone product when or shortly after it comes out, I would venture a guess that's not the norm. But point taken, once it changes, without an adapter of some kind, the customer base will eventually diminish.

ThunderThighs wrote:If you would prefer to go directly to the details page, you can go to www.woot.com/today. That works on any site. It will let you by pass the main page which is a portal to all the deals for the day.

so... much... better.

thank you woot, but is it compatible with a mac?

I think this is a more practical dock:Altec Lansing inMotion IMT620, its portable and has a built in tuner, rechargeable battery built in tuner and it's cheaper. It's not going to give you the sound output of the JBL- but then again it is portable and only $60

http://bensoutlet.com/products/imt-620

gak0090 wrote:I think this is a more practical dock:Altec Lansing inMotion IMT620, its portable and has a built in tuner, rechargeable battery built in tuner and it's cheaper. It's not going to give you the sound output of the JBL- but then again it is portable and only $60

Nice - but I want the JBL for airplay functionality. I just don't feel like buying a receiver or airport and then still being stuck looking for speakers/amp. I currently use a Logitech Squeezebox radio for parties on the deck. I love it but not really iPad/iTunes friendly and I need a little more user friendly interface from the iPad for the better half. Still deciding if this has decent enough power.

Also, someone mentioned a battery but I believe the warning refers to a watch battery that's installed in it. I would love for this to be truly wireless. Only thing holding me back. but if you look through the reviews on Apple.com, you'll find someone who rates that as a plus. "no need to replace a defective rechargeable battery down the road". lol

jvspencer wrote:Do other phones like an HTC incredible 2 fit in the holder or just lay nearby with a 3.5 mm plug?

I sse what you did there...shifting the tired old paradigm on it's head.

"Will this work with NOT Mac"

Well played...

I don't think this sucker has a battery to power the unit, only for the remote control. I too assumed it was portable but looks like it needs power.

Owners Manual

Trahman wrote:IS THERE A BATTERY? Woot won't ship overseas due to battery restrictions and manual lists battery disposal warning, BUT BATTERY IS NOT MENTIONED ANYWHERE ELSE. So does this speaker have a built in rechargeable battery?

dstaskel wrote:YOU CAN GET THIS CHEAPER AT AMAZON WITH FREE SHIPPING. I USED TO BE HUGE ON WOOT BUT AS OF LATE I JUST AM GETTING LESS AND LESS IMPRESSED ABOUT THEIR "DEALS." SHOP AROUND.

Onbeat or Onbeat Air is cheaper? Seems like a good price to me for an airplay device...only other knock (besides no battery) I would have is lack of an audio output. I would like an airplay device to be able to push out to another audio device if possible. Even if via a headphone jack. But I guess this is a speaker first system, airplay added later.

Really the only down side to this dock is that it will not hold an ipad in landscape position which would be nice for watching video. you can watch an ipod or iphone in landscape tho. and, umm, you cant compare a iphone 4s to beta max, the iphone has retinal display, the beta max does not.

ThunderThighs wrote:Link or it didn't happen and make sure it's the one with AirPlay.

Seems like it is $191.75 at amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/On-Beat-Air-Speaker-AirPlay/dp/B0061HMPWM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340367361&sr=8-1&keywords=JBL+OnBeat+Air+Speaker+Dock+with+Airplay

Just abandoned Zune and came over to Apple. How does this interface with a home stereo system?

elysium wrote:Just abandoned Zune and came over to Apple. How does this interface with a home stereo system?

I don't think it does except for the composite video out to display video/pictures on a TV. That's one downside of two for me, no audio output (making it a dead end airplay device) and no battery which means its tethered to the wall.

If I'm wrong, someone please correct me. Its the only two things preventing me from pulling the trigger.

goetschj wrote:Really the only down side to this dock is that it will not hold an ipad in landscape position which would be nice for watching video. you can watch an ipod or iphone in landscape tho. and, umm, you cant compare a iphone 4s to beta max, the iphone has retinal display, the beta max does not.

But it has airplay, so you should only need to dock the iPad to charge it (I think). If you're playing video just run the audio to the speakers via airplay and place the iPad next to the speakers, in your lap, anywhere. In theory, that's how it should work (again, I think).

http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/airplay/

Some day far in the future one of these speaker manufacturers will realize that probably 3/4ths of iPhone users have phone cases.

Imagine how many thousands more of these we could have sold if we simply would have had a dongle instead of the hard connection.

But alas...

mnuahs wrote:Keep in mind that the next generation of iPhone, whatever they happen to call it, is going to use a different connector. You won't be able to dock your next iPhone with this, so beware. It's planned accessory obsolescence time.

I think you're missing the point of Airplay - this speaker won't become obsolete because you can wirelessly connect most Apple devices (2nd Gen or later Touch; iPhone 3GS, 4, 4S; iPad 1,2 and new) without using the dock connector.

People realize that as soon as Apple switches over to a different connector, there will be a 3rd party adapter to the old connector coming out the next day, right? It's going to be impossible to obsolete the entire 3rd party market because millions of people still have older generations of iDevices.