Reviews

iJoy ZipConnect Massage Chair with Built-In Speakers & Subwoofer

The ZipConnect, made by Interactive Health for the Sharper Image retail chain, has gained some renown for its ability to connect to an iPod, MP3 player or other portable music player.

According to Sharper Image:

Luxurious iJoy ZipConnect Massage Chair blends music and massage into the ultimate relaxation experience!

iJoy ZipConnect includes a FREE ZipConnect module (with convenient retractable 18-inch cable and mini stereo plug) for playing any iPod, MP3, portable CD or satellite radio — any audio source with a headphone jack!

The universal FREE ZipConnect module is interchangeable with available Made for iPod modules that charge as they play.

Listen to your iPod or MP3 through the chair's excellent built-in stereo speakers in the headrest and a powered subwoofer in the base.

Incredibly realistic Human Touch Technology (HTT®) Robotic Massage feels amazingly like the hands of a skilled — and tireless — masseuse.

Replicates the actual back-massage techniques used by massage therapists and chiropractic professionals — smooth Rolling, deep Kneading, tapping Percussion and therapeutic Compression.

Engadget wrote:

You know, we think "massage" is a welcome newcomer into the realm of convergence devices. The iJoy ZipConnect Massage Chair has built-in speakers and subwoofer, and will connect to any portable audio player of choice via a standard 1/8-inch cable — or, add an iPod ZipConnect Charge+Play module to dock and charge your iPod while playing (surprise, surprise). As to the massage function, the chair apparently feels "amazingly like the hands of a skilled — and tireless — masseuse" — yeah, we definitely want that....It's undoubtedly a step up from pimping ourselves out as guinea pigs to our massage school friends, yet more expensive at $999. You've got a choice between blue, black and mocha on this chair, but if we may offer a humble word of advice — don't make it blue.

According to the Gadgetizer website:

The iJoy ZipConnect Massage Chair is basically a recliner that has built-in speakers and subwoofer, and will connect to any portable audio player of choice via a standard headphone jack, or you can add in an iPod ZipConnect Charge+Play module that will dock and charge your iPod while it’s playing. Things get kicked up a notch when we look at the massage feature, which apparently makes the chair feel “amazingly like the hands of a skilled and tireless masseuse”.

...Oh, and look! It’s only $999.95 USD! Comes in your choice of colour. That being blue, mocha or black, though unless you haven’t re-decorated your living room since the 70’s, I’m thinking the blue might clash.

[As of November 2006 this product was no longer on sale.]

April 7th, 2006