iHome

Firing on all cylinders with expansions of its prior product lines, iHome this year is broadening its array of speaker and headphone offerings, focusing on value-priced options with atypically nice industrial designs. In addition to offering some Lightning speakers—many very similar to past options—the company has unveiled a large collection of Bluetooth speakers, including some based on older AirPlay models, and new Disney/Marvel-themed speakers and headphones.

Disney Creativity Pen ($50) is a stylus with a case and free drawing app that teaches children to draw Disney characters. An eraser is on the other side of the stylus. The app is $4 on its own. It’s expected the pen will be released without a case for $30 in the first quarter of 2013.

Disney rechargeable character speakers ($30) are similar to the new Marvel line.

A new Minnie Mouse fashion line includes headphones, earbuds, and a wireless speaker. No pricing or availability has been announced.

Disney rechargeable character speakers ($30) are similar to the new Marvel line. A new Minnie Mouse fashion line includes headphones, earbuds, and a wireless speaker. No pricing or availability has been announced.

A new Marvel line includes over-the-ear headphones ($25) and rechargeable character speakers ($25) that should appeal to kids and collectors.

iHome has a new, large collection of aggressively priced headphones inspired by Beats that have great feel and look for their price points; the iB45 headphones ($30) look particularly impressive for the price.

Based upon iHome’s earlier iW3 AirPlay speaker, the iBT30 ($150) is a less expensive, sonically near-identical 10 watt tower with Bluetooth, a rechargeable battery, and USB charging options. Leveraging one asset of AirPlay that was previously uncommon for a Bluetooth speaker, two iBT30 speakers can be paired wirelessly for expanded stereo separation. It will be released in April.