Near the edge of the show floor near a booth that was showing off totally standard-looking kitchen appliances, was LifePop -- a small Brooklyn-based company that plans to challenge Osiris for the speaker-system-in-a-backpack crown. I haven't heard Osiris's bags, but LifePop's latest model actually sounded pretty decent even amidst the CES hubbub.
The 7 lb. LifePop Breakr Breakr 2.1 backpack ($340) features Velcro-attached speakers behind each shoulder blade, that face outwards and a subwoofer at the bottom of the bag that points down, providing the wearer with an extra bass felt through the lower back. The hollow straps hold a wire that can connect an MP3 player or cellphone to the amplifier, which rests against the middle upper back behind a clear panel that showcases LEDs, capacitors, resistors, etc. A 12V rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery powers the water-resistant bag for 8-10 hours, while a remote control on the left strap handles volume, power and -- if LifePop manages to secure and pay for Apple "Made for iPod" status -- iPod navigation. Future models may add such amenities as a microphone for freestyling, another nod to the backpack's targeted urban demographic.
I was asking VP and Co-Founder Heather Breen about the backpack when CES employee Donald Ketchel sauntered up to weigh in, saying, "Now this looks like something I could use." When I asked him if I could quote him and take his picture for this post, he replied, "You gonna get me one for free?" Sorry about that, Donald… - Eliot Van Buskirk
