A startup named Ampple takes to Indiegogo to launch an iPad case promising to boost the audio capabilities of the tablet with "HD sound" up to three times louder than the built-in iPad speakers.

Also named Ampple, the case features a pair of front-facing speakers, an "innovative" innovative inner sound channel design and a 5000mAh allowing for 10 hours of use. Further improving audio is CONEQ, a sound correction algorithm found in a number of Panasonic and Toshiba audio products.

Construction is in polycarbonate material adding just 12-14mm to the tablet, and the makers say it does not inhibit button, camera or microphone functions. The actual case can be worn on 9.7-inch iPad models, but since it uses Bluetooth connectivity the speakers can be paired with just about every other Bluetooth-enabled device, including iPhones and the iPad mini.

Accessory maker Satechi announces the Aluminium Mini Docking Station-- a compact hub ideal for use with the latest MacBooks, able to expand the USB-C port into x4 USB 3.0 ports while adding networking and A/V ports.

The hub provides x USB 3.0 ports and a 3.5mm jack in the front, and x2 USB 3.0 ports, ethernet port, HDMI port and DVI port in the back. The company says the HDMI port supports 4K output or multiple monitors via the DVI out.

Griffin adds MagSafe to the 12-inch MacBook with the BreakSafe Power Cable-- a quick-release magnetic connector customer plug in the USB-C port to allow safe disconnection of the rest of the cable when under stress or strain.

The latest MacBook, being dependent on USB-C for just about every feature (including power) lack MagSafe, the proprietary Apple technology first introduced in 2006. As Griffin puts it, such a feature protects laptops in case of accidents such as tripping over the power cord.

The Logi Base is an iPad Pro accessory Apple itself is still to produce-- a charging dock using the tablet's Smart Connector port to take care of charging and syncing duties.

The Base supports both 12.9- and 9.7-inch versions of the iPad Pro. It features aluminium construction, a rubber anti-slip base, and the charging cradle uses magnets to align the device with the charging pins. Actual power comes through connecting a Lighting cable and power brick to the back of the Base.

The Raspberry Pi Foundation announces an update of the camera board accessory for the popular micro-PC-- one available in visible-light and infrared options featuring an 8MP Sony IMX219 sensor.

The original Pi camera board launched in 2013 and packed a 5MP OmniVision OV5647 sensor. Stocks of the sensor are "almost completely depleted," bringing about a need for an upgraded version. As such, the new camera accessory has a fixed-focus sensor capable of shooting 3280 x 2434 resolution still photos and 1080p video at 30fps.

The Philips Speech Processing Solutions unit presents the SpeechAir-- a voice recorder the company describes as the first deserving the "smart" descriptor through the inclusion of wifi connectivity and a touchscreen.

Described as "the missing link between the worlds of smartphones and dictation recorders," the SpeechAir is a smartphone-style touchscreen device running on Android. It features wifi and Bluetooth connectivity and a camera allowing the scanning of barcodes as well as the quick snapping of photos.

The actual hardware is also fairly tough, with a Gorilla glass display and a shock-proof housing complete with antimicrobial qualities for use in medical environments.

In a move surprising to nobody Huawei presents a take on the smartphone-powered VR headset-- the simply named Huawei VR, a headset designed for use with either the P9 or Mate 8 handsets.

The headset looks like the Samsung Gear VR, and works in a similar manner. Users simply need to slot the smartphone in the headset before connecting the two devices via USB-C cable to provide controls via touchpanel, back button and volume keys on the right of the headset.

The USB 3.0 Promoter Group announces a means to confirm whether a USB-C device or charger is authentic or not-- cryptographic-based authentication able to check product capabilities and certification status.

The process takes place as soon as a wired connection is made, before the transfer of power or data. As such it should both protect against non-compliant chargers and the risks involved with maliciously embedded hardware or software. Such a system can be useful in applications such as phones only allowing charging from certified chargers, or a company setting a PC policy granting access solely to verified USB storage devices.