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iPodNN: At the CEDIA show on Thursday, Sharp announced it will soon launch a new Blu-ray player, the BD-HP52U.

The reader will have the ability to connect to the web, and Sharp will partner with an unnamed service provider to bring premium streaming video content. This partner is expected to be named later in September.

Other known features of the BD-HP52U include Blu-ray Profile 2.0 support and the ability to decode Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio surround sound formats. Sharp has also officially unveiled the DK-AP8P and the DK-AP7P iPod docks, both of which are portable.

The AP8P includes a removable front face plate that can then act as a remote control, and is more powerful than the physically smaller DK-AP7P. Either has 2 speakers and a subwoofer, and will charge any docked iPods or iPhones.

Their internal batteries are rated at about six hours of playback, and a carrying case is included. Auxiliary line inputs let users connect devices other than iPods.

The Blu-ray player will begin shipping sometime in October, priced at $380 (€260). Sharp’s DK-AP8P and DK-AP7P iPod docks will ship later in September, priced at $190 (€130) and $130 (€88), respectively.

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Engadget: While the iPod sound system boat has already sailed (numerous times), there’s always a minor boom in copycats when the holiday season draws near.

Thankfully, ASUS’ latest contribution to the over-saturated market is one with a differentiating factor, as the AIR3 tunes into internet radio stations as well.

According to the posted user’s guide in the FCC, the unit can play nice with dock-connecting iPods, stream WiFi radio stations and play back music from any other DAP via the 3.5-millimeter auxiliary jack. You’ll also find a 128 x 64 resolution FSTN graphics display, S-Video / composite video outputs and an Ethernet jack.

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Macworld: High-end audio company, Boston Acoustics announced a new audio system for iPod users. The i-DS2 resembles Apple’s own entry into the iPod speaker business — a rectangular speaker with the iPod sitting on top.

The company said the i-DS2 features an acoustically tuned chamber for maximum bass response. It also includes a remote and can use any model iPod with a dock connector. 

The unit also features a composite video output that also lets users show photos and videos from any video-capable iPod on their TV. A USB connector allows for iPod communication with iTunes and an auxiliary input allows connections to other media players.

The device is available from the company’s Web site.

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