Conran: What’s going on in the Conran windows..?

There’s usually something of interest going on in the large, airy reception space at our Head Office here in Shad Thames.

Whether it’s fully made up beds to promote new designs from our Bed by Conran bedlinen collection or a window full of fresh, flowering plants and shrubs to highlight Terence’s PLANTING and Eco House books, we always like to do something to inspire clients, staff, guests and passers-by – showing everyone what we have been up to.

This time it’s the turn of our exciting new iPod dock, the first product in the Conran Audio range.

As well as looking great – unsuprisingly they sound pretty good too. Developed with industry leaders Armour Home Electronics the docks have fabulous sound quality and a load of user-friendly settings including a magnetic remote control (so you’ll never lose it again!), Bluetooth streaming and a pivoting cradle allowing both portrait and landscape screen options.

The docks and packaging were designed by Studio Conran. Cute speech bubbles containing each of the dock’s easy-to-use characteristics are a feature of the box.

We thought we would blow these bubbles up – so to speak- and have them on our windows – above a shelf of docks and their carry-case boxes.

Of course we had to actually play something on these fabulous docks – and who best to choose than people from our very own building!

Three brave souls stepped forward to showcase their musical talents; Josh Beach, Head of Conran Contracts – a bit of a whizz on the ivories; Tania Betley, from The Conran Shop – and her band, Austin; and Conran Holdings Financial Director Joshua Mwatsama – who’s likely to be spinning decks as a DJ when he’s not getting stuck into spreadsheets…

Find out more about their music…

http://www.reverbnation.com/joshbeach

www.myspace.com/austinsounds

If you like the look of the dock you can buy one here or feel free to pop by and check out the sound quality for yourself! Conran, 22 Shad Thames, London SE1 2YU

Conran: New Conran Audio iPod dock is here

We’ve been talking about our brand new Conran iPod dock for a while now but have had to wait patiently until the first batch hit the UK before we could finally get our hands on one.

Well, we are pleased to report they are now here!  And they are looking – and sounding – absolutely fantastic.

Available in sleek black – for techno-lovers –  or bright white – to fit in with a stylish, modern Conran-esque interior – they have been designed by Studio Conran.

Their fabulous sound has been engineered by Q Acoustics and what’s more  not only can you dock your iPod/iPhone in the neat holster (which rotates for both a portrait and landscape view of the screen) but Bluetooth™ connectivity also allows the docks to be used wirelessly with any compatible device. Easy.

As Terence says…

“You can choose your song selection from the comfort of an armchair or, if it’s your thing, while dancing around the room.” Absolutely.

If the technology side of things doesn’t mean much to you then simply revel in the dock’s clean lines, ease of use (there’s even a little magnetic docking station for the remote control) and maybe even the lovely little dial at the side which lights up in different colours for different settings – seriously it’s some people’s favourite bit…

Watch the video via the link below to have a look at all the docks fabulous features…

Watch Video

Click to buy on conranshop.co.uk

Conran Audio is a new range developed in partnership with audio experts Armour Home Electronics – read more about the range here.

Read our post about the press launch of the dock

Conran: A lunch to launch the Conran iPod dock

Last Friday the festive season came early as the latest in our CONRAN branded products was officially unveiled to the press. Our partners in this project, Armour Home, really know how to throw a good party.

A CONRAN AUDIO iPod dock in one of the bedrooms at Boundary

A few of the Conran team, along with a vast number of journalists from Technological and Lifestyle titles alike converged on Boundary Restaurant for a wonderful meal and some very spirited quiz answering. Someone really should stop Glenn McClelland, the Armour Group MD from giving away all the answers. Still, our team wasnt complaining.

Glenn toasting the press

Despite all the jolliness the event of course had a serious side – to showcase some great new products – amoung them the Conran iPod dock – the first product in the Conran Audio range. Everyone seemed very impressed.

It was also a great opportunity for Terence to present an award to Santiago Haboud, winner of the Tivoli Audio Prize.

The prize relates to a worldwide design competition to produce a design to celebrate Tivoli Audio’s tenth anniversary and new ‘Model 10′ DAB Radio. The overall winner receives not only a cash prize but also has their winning design displayed on a giant billboard in New York’s Times Square throughout December 2010, including the world famous New Year’s Eve celebrations.

The competition received many thousands of entries from all around the world and Santiago came 1st out of the UK entries and was placed 3rd worldwide.
Terence was happy to take the microphone and congratulate him for his idea ‘Crayons’ which he called ‘Charming, clever and full of fun’

They will be meeting again in June at the graduation ceremony for the Royal College of Art, where Santiago studies and where Terence, always a huge supporter of education in design, is currently Provost.