The Sharper Image at one time employed 2500 people and had a thriving catalog business along with what were, at the time, innovative retail stores specializing in high-end electronics and gifts. Early in 2008 the 30 year-old company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, closed all its stores and continued to operate as a remnant of its former self, distributing a limited number of items through retailers such as Macy’s and Dillards, and as a department under the Amazon brand.
The company released a new product on Thursday that may – or may not – signal brighter days ahead for the former cutting edge gear purveyor. Their breakout product, slated to demo at Macworld 2009, is called the “SoundBag,” a top-of-the-line backpack designed to transform the listening experience for commuters, travelers and digital music lovers.
Featuring patented “flatpanel” sound technology designed by The EnE Group, “the SoundBag embodies The Sharper Image’s reputation for innovation, form and function that translates to a terrific user experience,” according to Federico de Bellegarde, vice president of Licensing at The Sharper Image.
With marketing material using terms such as “audiophile” and “surround sound,” the backpack can store and connect any portable digital device — including MP3 players, iPods and iPhone units — to a patented flat panel speaker, which is cleverly both part of the backpack or may be detached and used independently.
A 3.5mm mini-plug in the shoulder strap links the media player to the speaker and a protective clear covering allows access to the player’s controls without having to remove it. The detachable speaker also features a built-in stand and auxiliary input that enables users to play other audio sources, such as a portable DVD players and notebook computers. The speaker offers 8-10 hours of playback powered by three AA batteries.
Suggested retail for the SoundBag is $99. If it produces “audiophile” quality sound at that price, perhaps the Sharper Image will live again.
Via PRNewsWire
8 responses to “Sharper Image Brings a New Bag to Mobile Sound”
If anyone was walking down the street blaring their music from that backpack I would just do everyone the favor of punching them in the face.
After how they screwed their customers who purchased Gift Cards in good faith and then they wouldn’t honor them… I wouldn’t buy ANYTHING from Sharper Image!
Think this is pretty awesome!!!! Previous comment OMG so Violent “punching them in the face” ONE WORD “RELAX”
plus, this isn’t a product meant for blairing on the street, that would be a douche move and it probably will be used for that, but i take mine on hikes, and its great to be able to listen to music with your friends on a hike without everyone being anti-social with their little headphones.