CES 2013: Belkin's Thunderstorm turns iPads into mini home theatres

CES may be all about consumer electronics but the show is also the biggest iOS peripheral and accessory show with the iLounge Pavilion being the temple of all things iPhone, iPad and iPod. Belkin blows open the doors this year with their Thunderstorm Home Theatre Dock that converts any iPad into a compact but powerful home theatre system for $199.

Powered by mobile sound leader Audifi, the Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theater features high-efficiency, front-facing speakers that project cinematic-quality sound. Ported speakers and integrated air channels in the design allow optimal airflow so bass frequencies come alive. The free, downloadable Thunderstorm App provides extended control with customized soundscapes for music, movies and games, so your content always sounds its best.

“Belkin tapped us to engineer the sound performance of the Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theater from the inside out, and we’re happy to see end results that deliver an immersive mobile audio experience,” said Bruce Lancaster, general manager and vice president at Audifi. “Through the design of core circuits, sound processing, custom speakers and a surprisingly thin acoustic enclosure, Audifi engineered a level of sonic depth and precision that was, until now, impossible to achieve in mobile devices.”

Designed to fit flush around an iPad, the Belkin Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theater connects directly through the iPad dock connector for a seamless, unified experience. A direct connection eliminates the possibility of dropping the connection to the speaker and provides optimal calibration for the audio sound effects. It also features a multifold cover for a variety of comfortable viewing angles and screen protection.