Bang & Olufsen (http://www.bang-olufsen.com) has launched its first ever iPod/iPad/iPhone docking station. The US$999 BeoSound 8 features a two dimensional design, bold form, and a superior sound quality due to its custom-made conical speakers and high-performance amplifiers, says Zean Nielsen, president of Bang & Olufsen America.

Plus, it’s directly compatible with the iPad, without having to utilize any extra wires or adapters, ensuring a clean, minimalist design.

“BeoSound 8’s light and characteristic design makes it highly flexible in use. It is perfectly suited as a music system not only in a main room, but also in the kitchen, on the patio or even at the summerhouse,” says Nielsen. “BeoSound 8 can be placed on a wall bracket or any flat surface and still deliver fantastic premium quality sound. Additionally, BeoSound 8 has a manual room adaptation switch with three positions (i.e. mounted on the wall, placed in a corner or freestanding on a flat surface) which allows it to be placed anywhere without compromising the sound performance.”

What’s more, its sealed speaker cabinets, conical shaped speaker units, and custom made digital amplifiers allow for an impressive sonic range from lower bass tones (38 Hz) to higher frequencies (24,000 Hz), he adds. The BeoSound 8 offers one-step operation; you can dock your iOS device on the top of BeoSound 8 or connect it using the AUX line-in or USB port(s).

The BeoSound 8 can be controlled on the iPod/iPhone/iPad from the BeoSound 8 bridge, by using the dedicated remote that comes with the product. Or you can control it with one of Bang & Olufsen’s intelligent remote controls. The BeoSound 8 can also integrate into a home wifi network using the Apple Airport Express, which allows one’s music collection to be cstreamed wirelessly from any PC or Mac to the BeoSound 8.*

Additionally, Bang & Olufsen will launch a free BeoPlayer application that will offer access to Net Radio and an alarm clock functionality under one streamlined Bang & Olufsen interface. An upgraded application will also be made available for a $19.99 charge and will include over 10,000 internet radio stations, a music library browser, and an alarm clock feature. This application will be available at the Apple App Store next month.