iTree: The High-End Docking Station Made from Logs
Not long ago, docking stations for iPhones were the newest trend in music technology. Now they are everywhere, including hotel rooms when you’re away from home. While there are several different varieties out there, one thing that most of them lack is style. After all, how inspiring is a basic black phone speaker?
The idea for the iTree began as a submission to a 2009 art show in Graz, Austria. There, the sculptural docking station drew the attention of both business partners and potential customers. After a year of research and prototyping, the product became a reality on the consumer market.
The studio uses speaker systems developed by Trenner & Friedl, each one of which includes a docking port for iPhones and (for all you “old-school” audiophiles out there) iPods. They also rely on a few other partners for the project, including artisan Tischlerei Lenz, who shapes each trunk from its raw form into an iTree by hand. The process begins by scraping the bark from the surface. Several steps are then taken to properly hollow out the trunk, with careful consideration given to where each component will sit.
When it comes to selecting the electrical components themselves, customers have the option to equip their iTree with either a built-in or external amplifier. The former intensifies the sound for private rooms, while the latter provides a solid commercial option for businesses, restaurants, lounges, and lobbies so hundreds of people can enjoy the experience.
To suit all needs, the iTree can be installed a number of different ways. It’s most commonly placed on a self-containing stand, where it can either remain in one location or be moved to different areas. It can also be mounted to a wall or placed on a flat surface, such as a TV stand or long dresser. However the customer decides to mount their iTree, they should always remember to consider its weight, which registers at a whopping 175 pounds for even the smallest models.
Ready to swap out your run-of-the-mill docking station yet?