Larry and Dan serve up Gear Chat 16…
In this podcast we talk about Apple’s September 1 announcement hits and misses, the new Kindle, iPhone and iPad apps and a new iPhone case company that understands good customer service…
Intro Music- Lean On Me- Sounds From the Ground Solarstone’s Chill Out Remix…
There are a lot of options when it comes to protective films for the iPad. Wrapsol, Clear Coat, Invisible Shield, Body Guardz, Ghost Armor and more. How do you, the consumer, differentiate between one or the other? What makes one better? What it comes down to is two characteristics. First being ease of installation. With this type of skin you only get one shot at installing it correctly. Mess it up and you’ve wasted money. And second, clarity. How noticeable is the skin on your device once it’s been properly installed?
Wrapsol claims to be the “world’s strongest, cleanest and greenest scratch proof protection system for the iPad.” Their film set is meant to “provide scratch-proof protection from keys, sand, concrete mishaps and other daily wear and tear without adding bulk or changing the look of your device.”
The company was kind enough to send along two Apple iPad kits. One of which I’ll be reviewing here and the other giving away to one lucky reader. So check out the review below and read on through to the end to find out how to enter a chance to win a Wrapsol kit of your own.
The iPad kit comes along with one reusable, lint free microfiber towel, a mister bottle of application solution, a non-marking flexible squeegee and the film set.
One thing I noticed right away is the lack of any side pieces with the kit. After receiving feedback from their customers Wrapsol decided not to include them with their kits (they were at one time.) The company feels that many users like to use their iPad’s in conjunction with a case and that the side pieces, which are not easy to install, aren’t necessary. Although I tend to agree I think I’d still prefer the option of having side pieces. I don’t often use my iPad with a case (even when I have a kit like the Wrapsol on) but if I did I’d want every inch of the device protected, this includes the sides.
The kit includes both instructions as well as a diagram explaining which piece goes where. The horseshoe cutout for the home button looked strange to me at first but once I installed it I couldn’t even tell it wasn’t completely enclosed.
I’m admittedly the world’s worst “wet” skin installer. I’ve tried all the brands and always seem to mess them up somehow. Before I continue with the review I’ll say this, I installed the Wrapsol better than any of the other brands I’ve tried. I got it on looking 99% perfect. And if that’s not a ringing endorsement, I don’t know what is. A full body kit can have all the bells and whistles, sides pieces, cutouts etc. but if it’s hard to install and ends up looking like crap what good is it? By keeping it simple Wrapsol has created a product which is easy to apply and ends up looking good when it’s applied, that’s what really counts.
The installation process is similar to any wet install product. You use the mister to first spray your fingertips. This prevents the skin from sticking to your hands and then continue to spray the underside of the film as you peel it from the backing. I chose to install the back piece first.
Here’s one of the things that makes the Wrapsol skin different from its competition. The back portion of the skin has a matte finish. The unique matte back not only enhances grip but also eliminates fingerprints. Not only that, it looks really cool too!
The first, and perhaps most important step in the installation process is to completely power off your iPad. Many people I’ve talked to seem nervous or scared at the thought of allowing liquid, even the small amount used in this type of install, near their devices. If you follow the directions you have nothing to fear. I have never, not once, heard of someone damaging their device during a “wet” install, period.
I first made sure there was absolutely zero dust on the back of my iPad. I cleaned it with some electronic cleaner solution and used the microfiber towel to wipe it away. With any shield install dust is your number one enemy. One speck of dust trapped under a skin leads to a bubble.
After spraying a liberal amount of the application solution onto the skin I placed it onto the back of my iPad.
Then I used the included squeegee tool to push and pull all of the bubbles I could from under the skin. You’ll notice I placed the iPad onto a paper towel. I did this so that any solution would be absorbed by the towel and not pool on the iPad. You can see even after five minutes how great the back looks. I love the look of the matte back on the iPad. It mirrors the brushed metal body perfectly. The kit needs at least 24 hours to cure, but I was impressed at how it looked just after a few minutes.
Next I set out to tackle the screen. I knew this would be a little more challenging. I once again made sure there was no dust to be found anywhere on my screen. Then I followed the same procedure as I had done on the back, first spraying my fingertips, then the back of the skin. I then placed the skin onto my iPad.
And using the squeegee I pushed as many of the bubbles from under the skin as possible. While I was able to get most of the bubbles out there were many cloudy spots where the installation solution was still visible underneath the skin. This was to be expected though and the instructions warned to wait at least 24 hours for it to evaporate away.
I wrapped my iPad in the paper towel and let it sit for 2 hours. I figured the paper towel might catch any liquid still seeping out from under the skin and I didn’t need to use my iPad anyway. Be patient here. Make sure you choose a time to instal your Wrapsol when you know you won’t be anxious to use your iPad. This way you can leave it alone, untouched, to cure properly.
I took the paper towel off after 2 hours and powered on the iPad. I used it gingerly for the remainder of the day and then left it alone overnight. Before I went to bed there was still a significant amount of solution visible under the skin and even a few bubbles. When I woke they were all magically gone. The Wrapsol looks as if there is no shield on the front of my iPad at all and that’s exactly what you’d hope for when installing one. And it’ll only get better. After 48 hours any remaining cloudiness should be completely gone.
Like any skin of this type you’ll notice a slight change in texture on the screen of the iPad. No skin can stay as smooth as glass but the Wrapsol does a good of keeping the feel as close to glass as any of the other skins I’ve tried. Your finger still glides naturally along.
No matter how clear a skin claims to be, or how good their fit looks, if you can’t take it home and install it yourself perfectly what good is it? Full body protective skins are a great way to preserve the minty fresh look of your device for its lifetime. The Wrapsol kit was easily installed and looks as if it’s not even there. The matte back not only stops fingerprints but offers a nice grippy texture as well. While I’d prefer the option of installing side pieces I still think the Wrapsol kit is a great choice for DIY full body protection for your iPad.
Wrapsol is made in the USA, comes in recycled, reusable and 100% recyclable packaging. Each one of their kits also comes with a lifetime replacement warranty.
So about that giveaway. 
Want a chance to win a Wrapsol kit for your iPad? I’ve got one kit to give away. To enter leave me a comment below which includes your favorite iPad application and you’ll be automatically entered. In a few days we’ll pick one winner, at random, and post their name. The winner has a week after the post to contact us to receive their kit.
To learn more about Wrapsol and even order up a kit of your own head to the Wrapsol web site here.
M.S.R.P. – $34.95
What I like - Easy to install, matte back, clear front, lifetime warrantly.
What I don’t like - No side protection.
I am convinced that one of these days they are going to have a way to implant the music directly into our brains so that we have no wires to have to contend with. For now, the next best thing could be the Rock-It portable vibration speaker. It looks slightly like a speaker you might put under your pillow, except it has a pod that you stick on any flat surface. It could be a box, a window or the side of your file cabinet just so long as it’s flat and it will stick. Plug in your iPod, iPhone or anything that has a 3.5mm headphone jack and then that surface becomes your speaker. It is available now for only $29.99 direct from Pyramid Distribution.
(image courtesy MaximumPC)
Do you own a Kindle or a nook and feel like you’re reading more than usual? As it turns out, it’s not just in your head. A recent study has shown that 40% of ebook reader owners read more than before, while 58% read at least the same amount! No wonder ebooks are growing at triple digit rates!
There’s some fascinating statistics cited in the Wall Street Journal regarding ebook readers. Apparently some studies have shown that people reading ebooks on a Kindle or nook read SLOWER than readers of paper books. Even more interesting, there was a slowdown even with iPad users, so eInk was not the bottleneck. And yet people are still reading more on ebook readers than paper books, so the slowdown clearly isn’t enough to stop them! Personally I’ve never timed myself while reading paper versus Kindle, but my perception has always been that I read books more quickly on the Kindle.
The Wall Street Journal theorized the rise in readers was due to the portability of Kindles, nooks and iPads. I think that’s probably a big part of it, but the WSJ ignored another major factor in ebooks: PRICE! Even with higher prices from the “agency model”, ebooks still run 40-50% cheaper than their hardcover counterparts, and usually a few dollars cheaper than their paperback ones. When you can not only carry the NY Times bestseller list with you, but also buy it for half the cost of the paper counterparts, you’re bound to spend (and read) more with the same book budget.
I also wonder if increased sales of ebooks has to do with justifying the hardware purchase. If you buy a paper book and it sits on the shelf unread, you’re out a few dollars. If you don’t use your Kindle or nook, you’re out significantly more cash. So while the study didn’t specifically measure that, I wonder if there’s a drive to keep reading and buying ebooks to use the shiny, expensive new device. Well, that and it’s just incredibly convenient and easy!
In any case, more people buying ebooks and using ebook readers is definitely a good thing! In an age where it seems like reading is declining, it’s exciting to see spots of growth. And the success of the Kindle 3, the nook WiFi, and similar devices is proving there’s space for ebook readers and tablets in the marketplace. I’m curious: Do you read more with an ebook reader than you did before? And do you feel you read slower or faster on an electronic device?
Via the Wall Street Journal
In a recent interview Acer’s Chairman JT Wang predicted that the iPad’s near-100% market share in the tablet space would drop to between 20 and 30 percent.
Now PC World has posted an article entitled “Five Reasons to Pick an HP Tablet Over an iPad”.
So I thought I would add my voice into the mix and offer up Five Reasons They Should SHUT IT! No, actually I only need ONE!
Neither Acer nor HP has actually released a device and until they do there is NOTHING to talk about. Nothing! I mean, when we were at CES we saw TONS of tablets and all were promised in 2010. In fact most were promised in the first HALF of 2010. Then the iPad came out and all those projects were either scrapped or pushed back and retooled. Now it is the end of August and we still see nothing. Sure there are lots of rumors and promises but there is nothing actually in hand.
So predicting Apple’s share dropping to 20-30 percent when you haven’t actually released anything yourself is ridiculous. And pitting the iPad against a device that doesn’t even exist in the market place yet is just stupid. It is like announcing the birth of your daughter the doctor… it means nothing and just makes you look silly. So please… as Jon Stewart said on Crossfire a few years ago… “Please… Stop…”
I love Apple’s products. I really do. And as more and more of my family and friends are making the move to Apple’s offerings they too are realizing how great they are. I was chatting with a good friend last night. He and his wife both swapped their Windows boxes for MacBook Pros in the last month. I asked if they could see going back to Windows and both immediately offered a “NO!” loud enough to wake their four kids.
Apple’s products are great! They are a pleasure to look at. They are a pleasure to use. BUT PLEASE, enough with the hyperbole that each and every Apple product “Changes Everything”. They don’t.
The latest to jump on the “This changes everything” bandwagon is Kevin Rose who offered a blog post entitled “Why Apple’s iTV Will Change Everything”.
His argument? iTV will make use of iOS TV apps for video, news and games. It will offer “ala carte” app stations for specific news outlets. It will offer picture and video sharing and turn the iPad into a “big badass remote control”. And, perhaps most importantly, at a rumored price of $99 it will be inexpensive enough that everyone and their grandmother will jump in quickly. (Assuming Apple doesn’t run into yet another production bottleneck!)
Kevin certainly knows the tech space better than me but he was wrong about the first iPhone (A sliding keyboard? No one’s even talking about that being a possibility anymore.) and he’s wrong here. Look, unlike Larry, when (if??) Apple releases this thing I’m in. (And I don’t believe him for a second when he claims he won’t get one.) It will be cool. It will be fun. But “Change Everything”?? I don’t think so.
Heck, even Apple isn’t getting the “This Changes Everything” rhetoric right these days.
They used the line for the iPhone 4 and it just isn’t true. I love my iPhone 4. I love the form-factor, the speed, the fast app switching, the screen and the Face-Time functionality. And no, I’m not experiencing any death-grip issues. It is a GREAT PHONE! But it doesn’t CHANGE everything. An evolutionary step forward from the iPhone 3GS? Yup, a big one. But it didn’t “change everything”.
The iPad, on the other hand, HAS changed everything. It has me rarely carrying my MacBook It has people like my father-in-law using a tablet computer and actually checking his email himself (FINALLY!). It has all but replaced my use of paper for books, papers and documents. The iPad has truly Changed Everything… or at least it has “changed computing”. The iPhone 4… nope. And iTV? I think it will be a huge hit but change everything? I don’t think so.
Via 9to5Mac
I’ve had a Yahoo! Mail account since before Google became a verb – or a noun, for that matter – and I still use it for certain purposes, so when Yahoo! recently announced improvements to the service, it caught my attention. Available starting this week, Yahoo! has given iPad users of their Mail service a shot in the arm with a new, HTML5-driven mobile web interface. Yahoo! released a similar update for iPhone compatibility around the beginning of July, so it only makes sense that the iPhone’s bigger sibling is getting similar treatment.
As part of the update, Yahoo! promises:
· Faster and more reliable: If you’re offline, Yahoo! Mail uses local caching capabilities to help you access and search your messages even without an internet connection.
· Smart: You can find and organize your messages using Full Search, personal folders and Smart Folders with messages from your most important contacts and optimized views for photos and file attachments.
· Feature Rich: View rich photo attachments in their full form, or as previews directly in the inbox view. Also includes a dual-pane view to make reading and organizing a breeze.
If you want to see an overview of all of the improvements, head on over here. To check out the new experience yourself, simply go to http://mail.yahoo.com on your iPad.
I am a huge fan of diagramming applications. As a coach, I spend countless hours diagramming. X’s and O’s are much more than people think. Not only do we draw plays and defenses to explain to our athletes, but they are used heavily in planning. Football is a game of leverage and numbers. As a defensive coordinator, it is my job to devise a plan to out leverage the offense and get at least one unblocked defender to the point of attack according to the tendencies I have. The way these theories are tested is through diagramming. I spend hours every week drawing opponent formations and marking their favorite run holes and passing zones and test adjustments that put my players into the best opportunity to stop them. Coaches will draw on anything, paper, clip boards, dry erase boards or even napkins when socializing with other coaches. I am constantly on the lookout for apps I can use for this seeing that I am also a geek. I recently took a look at Instaviz for the iPad and iPhone. It is an awesome, beautiful application, but I needed something with more freedom in drawing diagrams so I looked at The Chalkpad. Lets take a look and see how it fared.
The Chalkpad presents users with a blank slate ready to draw a diagram. Virtually any shape or line combination is available along with text. Simply drag the shapes or lines from the bottom menu onto the board for a perfectly drawn item. Resize, adjust and change colors to your heart’s desire. One of the big differences between this app and Instaviz is the ability to add more customization. The shapes are able to move literally anywhere on the screen and can be just about any size.
Once the diagram starts to be built, everything may be customized. Double tapping an object reveals a pop up customization menu. From this menu text can be added and the item can be cut, copied, cloned or deleted. This feature alone makes this app perfect for my uses. While drawing the football plays, I am able to make one player representation, then clone it so that all of the items matched. My only complaint was moving the symbols. Maybe my finger was too big for them, but when I tried to move them on the screen I usually highlighted and changed size rather than move it. Large shapes are easy to use, but smaller items pose a problem.
Virtually all items can be adjusted to your preference with a double tap. There are multiple color combinations and font size is set with a slider. The UI is smooth and all of these controls work well with the iPad interface. Creating your diagram will be simple and fast even with plenty of custom needs. The background may also be changed with a simple tap as you can see from the screen shots. A nice choice of colors along with simple black or white.
Once a diagram is complete, several options are available. Saving the diagram will allow it to be opened later for editing. In theory, I could make a template with players already created and save that version. Then each defense or offensive play I want to work with could be opened and ready to be drawn. The Chalkpad can also be emailed straight from the app. The diagram arrives as an attractive .png file. The file size of the play I drew came out to 91k, so the files are simple to work with. To save a diagram without using a screen shot, save it to the photo album. This is a great way to save the picture as a finished product.
The Chalkpad has proven to be a wonderful solution to my diagramming needs. The ability to customize and move objects around the screen not only make it simple to use, but also a powerful tool. The interface is perfect for the iPad allowing for a seamless work experience. To me, this is much better than drawing on paper because the diagrams come out so precise and attractive and are easily saved and shared. I recommend taking a look at The Chalkpad for the iPad if you have any diagramming needs. Go get it here in the App Store for $2.99.
What I like: Simple intuitive interface and the customization possibilities make this a powerful tool.
What could be improved: I would like to see a “Save As” option, so Chalkpads can be saved leaving the original in its previous state.
In Gear Chat 14 Larry and Dan talk about the new Kindle… and why we ordered them. We also talk about Dragon NaturallySpeaking 11 and, of course, iPhone and iPads.
Intro Music- Lean On Me- Sounds From the Ground Solarstone’s Chill Out Remix…
Dexim is one of the leading manufacturers of accessories for a variety of mobile devices. The company has a wide range of products for the iPhone, iPod Touch, Blackberry, HTC and now the iPad. The company recently launched several cases for the Apple iPad and they were nice enough to send along two of their new offerings for me to review.
The Dexim Durable Protection Sleeve for the iPad is made from thermoplastic polyurethane. Also known as TPU this material is harder than straight silicone and offers a fit that’s tight and form-fitting.
The Sleeve is available in either black or white.
The case includes an anti-scratch screen protector, install card and cleaning cloth.
Inserting the iPad into this case couldn’t be much easier. Simply place the case around the back of the iPad and lift it around the corners. Although the case fits quite tight it stretches enough to allow you to get it onto your iPad. But once there you definitely get the feeling that the case isn’t going anywhere. It also offers a nice raised lip which give you a decent amount of “lay-on-the-table” protection should you choose to place your iPad down screen first.
On the bottom of the case you’ll find individual cutouts for the iPad’s speakers and 30-pin dock connector.
On the side there are also individual cutouts for the volume rocker and orientation lock switch.
Finally on the top you’ll find three more cutouts, this time for the sleep/awake button, secondary microphone and the headset jack. The last of which is not terribly recessed so you won’t have any issue getting most headphones to find inside.
One thing that separates Dexim’s sleeve from the other TPU cases for the iPad is swirling circular pattern on the back.
If you need some decent shock and impact protection for your iPad but you want to keep your screen free and clear and fully accessible at all times the Dexim Durable Protection Sleeve is worth a look.
M.S.R.P. - $29.00
What I like – Form fitting, good shock and impact protection.
What I don’t like - Might bubble some screen protectors.
The Colorful Silicone Sleeve for the iPad is made from 100% silicone and is available in 8 colors.
The orange version Dexim sent me really pops.
It also includes an anti-scratch screen protector, install card and cleaning cloth.
Inserting the iPad into the Silicon Sleeve is even easier than doing so with the TPU sleeve. The silicone is extremely flexible an stretches to accommodate the body of the iPad with ease. Once it’s on a good portion of the black part of the iPad’s screen gets covered by a nice “lay-on-the-table” design.
This case features individual cutouts on the bottom for the speakers and 30-pin dock connector.
On the side you’ll find cutout for the volume rocker and orientation lock.
And the top offers cutouts for the secondary microphone and headset jack. The sleep/awake button however remains covered by offers good feedback when pressed.
The back of the case is matte and features a small Dexim logo in the lower portion of the case. It doesn’t attract much lint, which can be a common issue with cases made from silicone.
The Dexim Silicone Sleeve offers a nice amount of shock and impact protection combined with some bright and vibrant colors to choose from. The case fits the iPad well and the included screen protector makes this combination a pretty nice deal.
M.S.R.P. – $19.90
What I like – Bright and vibrant colors, includes screen protection, inexpensive.
What I don’t like – As with many iPad Silicone cases front lip sometimes doesn’t sit properly.
To learn about the entire line of Dexim iPad accessories, including where you can purchase either of the cases in this review head to the company’s web site by clicking here.
I’ve been finding myself using the “snap-on-back-cover” style of case with my iPad more and more lately. I prefer the ease at which this style case allows me access to the iPad’s screen. There’s no cover to peel back and no annoying tab to push out of the way. The Speck SeeThru SATIN case has quickly become one of my favorite cases from this genre.
The SATIN is made from a soft, grippy material. If you’re familiar with the See-Thru SATIN for the iPhone 3Gs, imagine it, just on a much larger scale. It’s fairly light-weight at 9.0 ounces and is available in three color variations, Black, Blue and Purple.
Speck doesn’t include a screen shield with the SeeThru SATIN, so if you need one I suggest ordering up one of their ShieldView film kits when you order you case. The kits each include 2 screen films that are anti-fingerprint plus a cleaning cloth.
The case isn’t the easiest to get on. Since it’s all one piece it takes some work to get your iPad properly seated inside the case. But once it’s in the you appreciate the work it took it to get there. What you get is a super form-fitting case that doesn’t flex or creak from the iPad being inside it.
The lip of the SATIN is raised resulting in a nice “lay-on-the-table” design. This means if you happen to lay your iPad face down on your desk or table the screen will stay free and clear of any debris that might otherwise come in contact with it.
The volume rocker gets covered by a rubbery material yet you still get nice feedback when you press them
On the top of the case the sleep/awake button also gets covered with the same rubbery material and offers similar feedback when depressed. The headset jack and secondary microphone get their own cutout. The headset jack is shallow enough that most headphones should fit into the port without issue.
Where this case really shines is on the back. For starters the SATIN features a flip up back panel which allows you to dock your iPad into the Apple Dock or Apple Keyboard Dock without having to remove it from the case. I prefer the flip up panel design versus some of the other iPad cases that I’ve tried which have removable panels. This is just one less piece I have to worry about loosing.
The back of the case also features a raised traction pad which not only offers an incredible amount of grip but also helps with keeping the iPad in one place when it’s on a desk or counter top. At first glance I was somewhat turned off by the back panel. But after using it a few times I was immediately struck by how useful it is. I’ve yet to come across a case for my iPad that offers a more secure grip when holding it one-handed.
The Speck SeeThru SATIN is a perfect case for use while at your home or office, or once you’ve arrived at any destination. If you plan to take your iPad out on the road you’ll probably want to invest in something to protect the screen during transport, such as a carrying sleeve. Snap-on-back-covers are functional and easy to manage but they do worry me. The minimalistic look and feel they offer is great while you’re using it but you also do need to take care of your screen when you’re not.
You can learn more about the Speck SeeThru SATIN case for the iPad or order one of your own by visiting the product page on the Speck web site located here.
MSRP : $49.95
What I Like: Awesome grip, sleek and slender fit.
What Needs Improvement: Hard to get on and off.
When you think of maximum protection for your “i” device (iPhone, iPod etc.) generally one case comes to mind. The OtterBox Defender. I’ve used the Defender for both my iPhone 3G/3Gs and my iPod Touch. You don’t have to be a firefighter like me to need the type of protection the Defender offers. If you’re always dropping your device, have small children or pets that like to chew things around, well the Defender is probably right for you.
It was with great anticipation that I waited for the release of the Defender for the iPad. It recently arrived and I’ve had a chance to use it for several days. I’m now ready to offer my thoughts on this perennial favorite amongst those of us who are just a little tougher on our devices than most.
Each Defender comes with a little OtterBox goodie bag which contains one crystal clear scree shield, a generous cleaning cloth and an install tool to help get the screen shield properly installed. The case itself isn’t light weighing in at 12.0 ounces and measuring 9.99 x 7.89 x .094 inches.
Installing a screen shield onto the iPad is no easy task – well that is if you want to get it on perfectly. OtterBox includes a properly sized install card which greatly helps with the process and if you take your time and make sure to keep dust out from underneath the shield you end up with a screen that looks as good as the moment you pulled it from the box.
The Defender features three layers of protection for your iPad, the aforementioned screen shield, a thick silicone membrane and a hard plastic shell. The case also includes a handy cover that doubles as a stand.
To get your iPad into the Defender is a multistep process. You first start with the plastic inner shell. Your iPad slides into the bottom two-thirds of the shell.
And then you encapsulate it by popping on the top portion.
At this point the iPad is locked into the plastic portion of the case.
Once your iPad is locked into the shell you then are ready to wrap the heavy duty silicone skin around it. The inside of the shell is lined with felt so rest assured, the back of your iPad is safe.
The plastic shell has notches carved into it which match up to corresponding peg like ruts on the silicone piece. The two fit together locking the silicone to the shell.
Once both pieces are married together you’re left with a case that resembles a suit of armor and one that’s ready to take on all comers.
The bottom of the case features a removable cover. This allows your iPad to be charged and or synced via the Apple Dock or Apple Keyboard Dock. When it’s on the cover has matched cutouts that account for the speakers so that no sounds get muffled.
The volume rocker is fully protected by the silicone layer but offers good feedback when pressed. There’s a small tab that also covers the orientation switch. It can be easily moved to the side when you need to access the switch.
The headset jack and sleep/awake button are also covered by the silicone layer. Once again you get good feedback when you press the sleep/awake button and when you need to access the headset jack simply slide the port cover out of the way.
On the back there’s a cutout for the Apple logo but it’s protected by a clear membrane. This allows the logo to shine through but helps keep it looking minty fresh.
When it comes time to dock and or sync simply pop off the removable back cover.
This allows for complete access to the iPad’s 30-pin dock connector.
When you’re not using your iPad the Defender has a front cover that clips to the case via the four corners.
The inside of the cover houses a stand.
The stand allows for the iPad to be placed upright in landscape mode only.
But it does so at an angle that’s nice for typing.
Honestly the OtterBox Defender offers unparalleled protection. There really isn’t anything else like. If you’re someone who’s tough on your gadgets or someone who works in an environment that’s tough on them I strongly suggest you check out the Defender. Once you’ve got your iPad tucked inside the Defender’s three layers of protection you’ll rest easy knowing that when it comes time to remove it the iPad will look as good as it did the first time you peeled the plastic cover off.
You can learn more about the OtterBox Defender and even order yourself up one by visiting the Defender page of the OtterBox web site located here.
M.S.R.P. - $89.95
What I like – The best protection available for the iPad.
What I don’t like - Bulky.
If you’re familiar with OtterBox you know that their flagship case, the Defender, provides an paralleled level of protection for whatever device you choose to place inside it. However, that amount of protection doesn’t come without a price. The Defender is big, some might even call it bulky. It’s for this reason that OtterBox first offered the Commuter Series Case for the iPhone 3Gs and they’ve now released it for the iPad.
The Commuter Series is sort of like the Defender’s little brother. One look at it and you know right away it’s a OtterBox. It’s sturdy, attractive and offers a good amount of shock and impact protection, just not quite as much as the Defender and it’s because of this that the Commuter is slimmer.
The Commuter Series case comes packaged with a crystal clear front screen shield, cleaning cloth and install card. Many case manufacturers are simply choosing to enclose the screen shield install card they have on hand for their iPhone cases. These cards are too small for the iPad. OtterBox made the choice to create a larger install card which makes installing the screen shield onto the iPad much easier.
The crystal clear screen shield is of good quality and installation isn’t too difficult as long as you mind your dust.
The case features three levels of protection. The aforementioned screen protector, plus a silicone membrane and a hard plastic shell. It’s available in only black and weighs in at a somewhat hefty 6.5 ounces. It doesn’t add much in the way of bulk though measuring 9.84 x 7.73 x .079 inches which means it’s small enough to tote around inside a briefcase or purse or simply on its own freestyle.
The first step to placing the iPad into the Commuter is to wrap the silicone layer around your device. This is quite easy. The skin is thick and its rounded edges naturally hug the contours of the iPad.
Once you’ve got the silicone skin in place you’re ready to place the snap on back over it. Unlike the skin this isn’t as simple as it sounds. It’s a very tight fit. You start from the bottom and once it’s seated you move on to the sides. Those two steps aren’t challenging but getting the top portion of the back cover on can be. It takes a little work and a little finesse but once you’ve got everything in place the case fits like a glove.
When it’s fully installed the Commuter case offers a great “lay-on-the-table” design.
The top includes a cover for the headset port that you can move out of the way when you need access as well as a nubby cover for the sleep/awake button. The secondary microphone is left exposed.
The volume rocker also has similar nubby covers but the orientation lock switch remains fully accessible.
As for the bottom the Commuter features a snap off bottom piece that you remove when it’s time to sync and or charge your iPad. Not only does this allow you to use the standard iPad cable to do so but removing the cover allows you to charge and sync your iPad in the Apple iPad dock as well.
The Apple Keyboard Dock works with this case too.
Even with the snap off cover on the speakers are left open so that the device’s sounds are not effected.
On the back of the side you’ll notice a cutout revealing the iPad’s Apple logo. But the cutout is covered with a clear, screen shield like material which insures the logo will be protected.
OtterBox knows that the Defender style case isn’t for everyone. Those who don’t will appreciate the level of protection the Commuter Series offers while remaining sleek and slender. With three levels of protection the case should do a good job of combating whatever dings and bumps life throws at it. It’s not the most in-expensive iPad case on the market but really good things seldom are.
To learn more about the OtterBox Commuter Case for the iPad head to the OtterBox web site located here.
M.S.R.P. – $64.95
What I like – Great protection, still slender, Apple logo revealed but protected.
What I don’t like - Hard to get on.
(Image courtesy Thundafunda)
For this week’s “State of the eBook” I thought we should look at potential winners and losers in the ebook world. With competition and price wars getting fiercer, there’s a few major battles shaping up that may change the competitive landscape. One is (at this point) a slam dunk, while the others are subject to many variables. Without further ado, here are the matchups!
Borders vs B&N
B&N vs Amazon
Amazon vs B&N and Spring Design
Spring Design vs B&N
Amazon, B&N, Spring Design and Borders vs the iPad
Borders vs B&N
Let’s start with what I think is just going to be an absolute rout, unless we see a drastic change: B&N is going to hand Borders their butts on a platter in the ebook market. I already wrote about why Borders is likely destined for a painful failure, and it seems extra clear that B&N has more than just a first-mover advantage against Borders.
1) B&N’s ebook ecosystem is strongly tied to rewarding readers for entering the stores. Borders hasn’t really grasped how to handle that one yet, and with a dearth of interesting or even wireless readers available, it’s going to be that much tougher to entice people to stop by. Point: B&N
2) B&N owns their ebook strategy from top to bottom, while Borders has tied their fortunes to a 3rd party. It limits Borders flexibility and puts them at a disadvantage, especially since their primary competitors have direct relationships with publishers. Point: B&N
3) Borders has no “flagship” device. The Kobo Reader is a nice device, but it’s simple (and overpriced) in comparison to the nook and Kindle. Borders was supposed to carry the Alex Reader, but with dead silence on that partnership it’s safe to say that’s not happening anytime soon. And a handful of severely overpriced, non-wireless devices isn’t going to cut it against the $149/$199 wifi/3G nook being sold down the road at the competing B&N. Point: B&N
Winner, in an all-out rout: B&N
B&N vs Amazon
This one’s going to be a much tougher match to call. B&N came in later than Amazon to the ebook game, but they’re proving to be serious competitors in the ebook reader world. How do they look faced off?
1) B&N is leveraging their retail presence heavily, not only through bright, staffed kiosks in store, but through free wifi and in-store reading on your nook if you come back into the store. And they have Best Buy showcasing nooks as well. Amazon has struck back with a relationship with Target, but where are you more likely to find serious book fans….in the anemic book section of Target or in a bookstore? B&N earns some points on the retail front. Point: B&N
2) Amazon’s software, however, can hold it’s own quite nicely. Whispersync is a killer feature; if you own a Kindle and any device running Kindle software, with all the wireless radios on your apps all stay in perfect sync. B&N has promised something similar but it’s not here yet. Point: Amazon.
3) Price is a weird one. Yes, Amazon has undercut the nook by a whopping $10, but the nook has the advantage of a more budget-friendly wifi version as well. On the other hand, Amazon has better cash flow than B&N. In the event of another price war, Jeff Bezos and Co can undercut B&N all the way to the bottom, and it won’t hurt them at all. B&N, on the other hand, is struggling with disappointing brick and mortar sales, and they don’t have the same cushion as Amazon. This one is a draw, since it depends; nook wifi is a great value, but Amazon’s Kindle is cheaper on an all-around versatility basis. And it’s tough to award points depending on future price cuts. Points: Neither.
Winner: Tie (for now).
Amazon vs B&N and Spring Design
Apparently Amazon patented an eInk/LCD screen combination. Thanks to the US Patent Office taking four years to approve it, Amazon only received their patent now, almost nine months after the nook and the Alex reader were revealed. It’s unclear now if this is going to be a major patent fight, but we’ll be covering it if there is! Until then, it’s a draw, with the caveat that B&N and Spring Design’s lawyers are probably dancing with joy…
Winner: Lawyers
Spring Design vs B&N
The Alex Reader and the Nook certainly look like nearly identical twins, and Spring Design doesn’t think it’s a coincidence. B&N and Spring Design are still fighting it out in court, but Spring Design might want to think about putting some of that cash towards marketing. Even if they win in court, it won’t help them if no one knows their device, and so far the promised bookstore partnerships haven’t appeared. For now, B&N is the winner by default; it’s hard to have a successful competing product when your product is almost 3x as expensive and not available except direct from the company, without any retail bells and whistles like a commercial ebookstore.
Winner: B&N (pending litigation conclusion and the possible unicorn-like appearance of the Alex Reader at Borders).
Amazon, B&N, Sony and Borders vs the iPad
This is a pretty big battle. It’s not just the major ebook reading devices vs the iPad, it’s the idea of eInk, dedicated reading devices versus multipurpose LCD based devices. So how do they stack up?
1) Price. Yes, the iPad or similar tablets net you a great deal more functionality, but they also come with a significantly higher pricetag. With ebook readers dropping below $200, they become much more affordable choices if all you want to do is read. Point: eBook Readers
2) On the other hand, if you’ve ever tried browsing the web on a nook or a Kindle, you may have started researching more fulfulling hobbies, like firewalking in alcohol-doused socks. For sheer versatility and range, the iPad and related tablets are hands-down winners against eInk devices with low refresh rates. Point: iPad
3) All superheroes have kryptonite, though, and the overwhelming feedback is that an LCD screen is NOT what you want to be using on the beach or by the pool. Direct sunlight is not your friend in that case. eInk, on the other hand, shines in those circumstances, something I’ve seen Amazon promoting in some of their print magazine ads. Point: eBook Readers
4) Here’s where the iPad (and related tablets) have a major ace in the hole: variety. Buy a Kindle, and you’re locked into Amazon’s ecosystem. Same with a nook and a kobo reader (though there’s some wiggle room here which I’ll address below). If you’re using an iPad, though, you have several major options; the B&N reader, iBooks, Kindle, Kobo, Stanza…you have the flexibility to shop around for the best price/features/books you would like, all on one device. Point: iPad
Winner: Draw…since this one really comes down to personal preference. You could go back and forth all day, but the truth is, this fight really comes down to whether you want eInk or LCD, multipurpose or single purpose. For you, the winner might be the iPad, for someone else eBook readers are the clear winner.
Conclusion:
The real winner and loser in all of these is the consumer. We win because there’s a bounty of choices these days. If you want a tablet, you’ve got options. If you’re more of a traditional ebook reader type, there’s plenty, and at many price points. The downside, and the reason why consumers are still losers, is that without a universal DRM system you’re being tied into libraries tied to specific stores/programs/readers. There’s a handful of stores that have the ability to crossover because they use Adobe DRM (like Kobo) and readers like the nook can read Adobe DRM, but it’s still a very clunky process. Until a company is able to strike a deal with the publishers and release current, bestselling titles with no restrictions at all and without a major price hike, we’re all going to be wearing designer handcuffs embossed with our ebook store of choice.
What do you think of the winners and losers? Would you make different calls in these fights? Share your thoughts below!
Judie: Today TiPB posted an article entitled Amazon announces Kindle Editions with Audio/Video… for iPhone and iPad, which pointed out that Kindle is now not only offering media enhanced books, they are only available to users with iPads, iPhones and iPod touches. The list of currently available titles isn’t too extensive — yet, but if this catches on … who knows? It definitely seems like a natural next step for books being read from a multimedia-enabled device.
Dan: Doesn’t adding features that the Kindle itself does not have to the iPad Kindle app undermine Amazon’s own hardware, though? Seriously, this app allows the iPad (or iPhone & touch) to do things the Kindle hardware doesn’t and will never do. Strikes me as odd.
Judie: It strikes me as SMART. Amazon know the Kindle’s days are numbered — but they will sell books on iPads!
Dan: So then, this is a clear indication that while Apple is using content to sell hardware, Amazon is using hardware to sell content?
Judie: That’s exactly how I see it.
Carly: Agreed. I think it adds to the idea of the iPad/tablet as your “hub”, and Kindles (or other eReader only devices) as the spokes. Your iPad is your go-to device, the Kindle is for when you just need to read.
It’s got to be how they are positioning the Kindle; I saw an ad in a magazine for the Kindle that touted how great it is in sunlight.
Judie: That’s a good point about the sunlight, and I like the hub analogy. The thing is though, that I think many people will balk at buying a “YAD” – - yet another device. They’ll just stick a matte protector and a flip-style cover on their iPad and call it good. 
Dan: I brought my mother-in-law’s with me to the lake for just that reason
Judie: But would you BUY a Kindle now? Already owning an iPad?
Dan: At a lower price I might. We spend a week in Aruba each year and the iPad is not good in bright beach weather. I do a lot of reading on vacation and can’t borrow my mother-in-law’s Kindle since she’ll be there at the same time, so I just might need one of my own.
Judie: Interesting! Because we both had Kindles and sold them when we knew our iPads were coming. So … what’s a price that would compel you to buy another Kindle? $99? $150? $50?
Carly: Well consider that it’s $189…if you bought the $499 WiFi iPad and a kindle, that would only be $688; it doesn’t necessarily break the bank.
Judie: I don’t personally know many people who only bought the $499 iPad, although I realize that they are obviously out there. It actually seems less likely to me that I would buy an additional device – a Kindle in this instance – if I had only spent $499 on my iPad. I’d be more likely to take my chances dropping it in the lake than if I had the 64GB WiFi or 3G models. Does that make sense in a twisted sort of way?
Carly: Yes it does. I used $499 because it was the only price point I could remember off the top of my head. 
But you are right. There are rumors of a new Kindle in August…I am willing to bet that if it’s a WiFi only model as rumored, it will clock in at $99-$129.
Dan: At $99, I’d buy one tomorrow. The $189 price makes it attractive, but not a quick buy. I would still be worried about the $499 iPad, but even MORE worried about the 64GB 3G. So if there were a $99 WiFi only version, I would buy it in a second.
Judie: I can understand that. By the way … I just purchased Bird Songs: 250 North American Birds in Song for $9.99 (MSRP $50). This seems like a perfect way to use this emerging technology …
So when I am identifying a bird, all I’ll have to do is press the play button on the embedded pages and I’ll be able to hear their calls, as well. Ingenious!
Dan: When the iPad was released and it included both iBooks and the Kindle app, it was clear that the fight for the ultimate eBook reader was on. Then last week we saw a price war start that ended (for now) with the Kindle cut to $189, undercutting the nook even more with its large price drop. Yes, the summer isn’t the only thing heating up.
Now Amazon has taken another shot at its competitors, and in the process they have made the Kindle app more attractive than ever. Does it make you more likely to use the Kindle app on your iPad? Or will you stick with iBooks? Sound off below!
You can download the Kindle App for your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch here. You can read more about the new functions here, and you can see the list of available titles here.
Via TiPB
My kids finally are out of school. Believe it or not their last day was June 22nd. With all of the snow we got here on the East Coast this past winter, extra days had to be made up resulting in an additional week+ for them.
What’s the first thing my kids wanted to do when they got home yesterday? See Toy Story 3. I obliged and we enjoyed the third offering from Pixar. When we got home I treated the girls to the Toy Story 3 application on my iPad. Disney had been kind enough to send me a copy of the application for review and I’d been saving it on my iPad for the right time to share with the kids.
Here’s what Disney Publishing Worldwide has to say about the app.
Children can join Woody, Buzz, their pals, and a crew of new toys on the adventure of a lifetime in this fully interactive reading experience packed with eye-popping 3D effects, exciting games, sing-along tunes, multi-touch surprises, puzzles, and coloring pages. Children can hear the story read aloud, record their own narration, or explore at their own pace.
Toy Story 3 iPad Application Highlights:
· This cinematic, interactive storybook app features characters from Toy Story 3.
· Two interactive reading modes allow kids to follow along as the story is read aloud, or explore at their own pace. Children can also select ‘Younger Reading Mode’ to simplify page turning.
· Kids can see the story pop off the screen with fantastic 3D effects. Free 3D glasses are available at Disney Stores, available exclusively in the United States and Canada.
· Children can play exciting games based on scenes from Toy Story 3. Kids can watch Woody soar above the town, help him to safety in “Hang Glider,” and have a blast with Buzz as they overcome thrilling obstacles in “Falling with Style” – also in 3D.
· Children can record their voice reading the story and hear it played back as narration.
· Children can tap characters and objects for sound effects and fun surprises.
· An interactive coloring feature that lets kids finger-paint and share their masterpieces with friends and family.
· Kids can sing along to songs from the movie.
· A visual page index allows kids the ability to jump to their favorite page.
· Children can turn pages manually and move back and forth through the story as they wish.
Like the Princess and the Frog read along app. I reviewed a while back Toy Story 3 features a narrator who reads the story along to your children. Kids turn the pages by swiping on the screen.
You can also set the app. to “young reader mode” which makes page turning easier. Kids just simply tap arrows in the corners of the screen to advance.
At any point in the story tapping on the book/mouse ears brings up the menu. From here you can access the “activities” included in the app. There are coloring pages, music, games and puzzles.
If you want to advance to another point in the book, or go back to one you’ve already read the “pages” icon brings up a sliding, graphical interface that allows you to quickly jump to any location in the story.
Unlike the other Disney read along iPad apps, the Toy Story 3 app. has a 3-D feature, just like the real movie. You’ll need a pair of 3-D glasses to take advantage of this feature though. If you don’t own a pair all you have to do is visit a Disney retail store where you can pick up a pair for free.
Like all the other Disney Read-Along iPad apps I’ve tried Toy Story 3 doesn’t disappoint. The graphics are true to the movie, the sounds are clean and the app runs smooth as silk. Once you’ve read the book portion a few times your kids will keep coming back to the app to take on the games and puzzles, listen to the music or just color. The entire line of Disney Read-Along books are simply some of the best iPad apps for kids I’ve had the pleasure to review.
The Toy Story 3 Read-Along app for iPad is available for download in the iTunes App Store by clicking here (link opens iTunes.)
M.S.R.P. – $8.99
What I like – Beautiful graphics, smooth, 3-D option, extra activities.
What I don’t like - Like any children’s book the story gets repetitive.
Apple just announced that it has sold over 3 million units in just 80 days. That is… remarkable. (It is almost as remarkable as Apple getting over 600,000 pre-orders for the iPhone 4. And, no doubt, that number would be even higher if Apple hadn’t run out of the first run.)
As Sir Stevo notes-
People are loving iPad as it becomes a part of their daily lives. We’re working hard to get this magical product into the hands of even more people around the world, including those in nine more countries next month.
So why is the iPad such a hit? (At least beyond the obvious fact that it is a first generation device that is rock solid and most who try it agree is awesome?) Two main reasons come to mind. And those reasons are… the apps and the user base.
The Apps-
When the iPhone first came out, Steve Jobs was clear that part of what made the iPhone great was its almost complete lack of buttons. While some screamed about the virtual keyboard, Jobs was clear that the lack of a physical keyboard was one of the phone’s features, not a flaw. It was key, he said, because it meant that future developments for use on the device would not be limited by having to work around the physical set up of buttons. In other words, the iPhone was like a Rorschac inkblot that could become almost anything a developer wanted it to be.
And this has proven to be true.
The lack of a keyboard meant that a few enterprising developers found ways to let you hold the iPhone in landscape and, as a result, type on a far larger screen. It also meant that an OS update made this landscape feature global to the device. It meant developers were not limited on the kind, number or placement of a game’s controllers. It was all open and flexible thanks to the controls always being virtual controls. And once OS 2.0 was released, the sky was the limit. Over time the iPhone has become everything from a credit card reader to a flashcard study tool to a GPS. The more creative the developers, the more impressive the iPhone became.
The iPhone is so impressive now that it is hard to remember how apps only came into being by year 2, cut and paste and stereo Bluetooth only came in year 3, and multitasking and folders only came… YESTERDAY. And all because the iPhone was a powerful computing device with few hardware limitations to hamstring it.
The same goes with the iPad. When it was introduced 80 days ago, it was able to run iPhone apps but they were either small or looked horribly pixelated. Yes there were some apps developed specifically for the iPad, but they were somewhat unimpressive. Less than three months later the iPad now has over 11,000 apps designed specifically for it. And as more and more apps come out the iPad becomes more flexible and more powerful than ever. As a result it quickly becomes personalized to you and your needs/uses. Let me explain what I mean by that.
I have a friend who loves using the iPad almost exclusively as a media consumption device. They read eBooks using iBooks, read the NYTimes using the Time’s Editor’s choice app, listen to music using the iPod app or Pandora and watch video using either the video app or the ABC streaming app. They love the device but, really see it and use it in the same manner you might use an iPod touch. AND they are totally satisfied with their purchase.
I, on the other hand, use the device in a host of additional ways. Yes, I use my iPad as a media consumption device — using those type apps and more — but I also use it as a laptop replacement thanks to some amazing apps that have been released. Among the key apps for me are Documents To Go, LogMeIn ignition (for accessing and using my iMac), ToDo, Bento, Dragon Dictation, Evernote and DropBox. Each of these leverage the power of the iPad in a different manner and, thanks to the dearth of buttons the app is limited to the developer’s creativity (and Apple’s heavy handedness of course).
The point is, MY needs for the iPad are different than MY FRIEND’S needs, but thanks to the various apps that are available it serves BOTH our needs equally well.
And as more and more apps are released the iPad becomes more powerful, more flexibly, and more appealing to a larger and larger number of people.
And That Leads Us To The User Base…
I love my iPad. It fulfills the hopes I had for UMPC/Origami devices (which ended us pretty much sucking), it lets me get serious work done on the go in a device that weighs only 1 1/2 pounds, has over 10 hours of runtime, is pretty much always connected thanks to WiFi and 3G, and it even had a GPS for navigation and location awareness. I use it all the time and pretty much take full advantage of its power and utility. And I’ll be so bold as to say that is true for everyone who writes for Gear Diary and has an iPad. We love the thing. That’s saying a whole lot since all of us are pretty hardcore tech users who aren’t easily satisfied with our gadgets preferring, instead, to push them to the limit and highlight the shortcomings. For us to like our iPads as much or more now than we did then is saying a lot.
But tech-geeks don’t make a hit product. Sure, we can help promote a product, but while there are a lot of us who are gadget obsessed there aren’t nearly enough of us to make a product take off and take over. It takes people who are less enthusiastic about, and experienced with, gadgets adopting it to make it take off. And that is exactly what is happening.
The winner of the iPad Judie gave away let me know that she just had a flood and her laptop was fried. She wrote to let me know that she would have been more freaked out, except for the fact that she has the iPad she won and is using it most of the time already. Thing is, she reads the site but is, admittedly, NOT a techie. But there is more…
My father-in-law took an iPad to China with him last month. I made a deal before hand. I bought it and “lent it to him” for the 2 weeks. If he liked it he would buy it from me and if he did not like it I would take it back. It was a no-risk deal for him. And a week into the trip Elana and I got an email from my mother-in-law saying, “He loves this… thing.” They have been back for two weeks or so. I asked him yesterday if he is still using it and he said, “Oh yeah, I’m on it at least once or twice a day and I love it. It is definitely the right device for me.” (Side note, the guy is an engineer but he always had Elana check his email for him- now he can do it himself.)
So that’s one more device… or make that three… and counting.
They went to China with Elana’s Aunt Lynn and Uncle Phil. Phil’s iPad arrives tomorrow. And then we were with family friends for Father’s Day this Sunday, and now at least two of those people are now buying them. And my sister and her kids are coming to the lake for the weekend, and I have NO DOUBT their household will be getting one the week after.
Even Judie’s moms getting into the act. She was trying out Judie’s earlier today and was impressed. No doubt she’ll be the next in line for an iPad… Assuming Judie can find one for her since they are still sold out in her area.
Which is all a long-winded way of saying… the device appeals to Tech-lovers and non-techies alike and, as a result, has the potential to appeal to EVERYONE. It is that universal appeal, and the ability of techies to “sell it” to non-techies who in turn become “iPad ambassadors” that is making the device go viral in a way no prior device has.
Put those two items together- the power of apps to make the device usable to anyone depending on their unique interests and needs and the ability of the device to appeal to everyone from techie to pencil-pusher and what do you get??? Three million sold in 80 days… and counting…
The full release follow…
Apple Sells Three Million iPads in 80 Days
CUPERTINO, California—June 22, 2010—Apple® today announced that it sold its three millionth iPad™ yesterday, just 80 days after its introduction in the US. iPad is a revolutionary and magical product that allows users to connect with their apps, content and the Internet in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before.
“People are loving iPad as it becomes a part of their daily lives,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We’re working hard to get this magical product into the hands of even more people around the world, including those in nine more countries next month.”
Developers have created over 11,000 exciting new apps for iPad that take advantage of its Multi-Touch™ user interface, large screen and high-quality graphics. iPad will run almost all of the more than 225,000 apps on the App Store, including apps already purchased for your iPhone® or iPod touch®.
Users can browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, all using iPad’s revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface. iPad is 0.5 inches thin and weighs just 1.5 pounds—thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook—and delivers up to 10 hours of battery life.*
*Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution with the Apple II, then reinvented the personal computer with the Macintosh. Apple continues to lead the industry with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system, and iLife, iWork and professional applications. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store, has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.
White is the quintessential Apple color. Both my iPhone 3G and 3Gs are white and I’ve owned a bunch of white iPods too. White accessories just make me think Apple so it was with a certain amount of nostalgia that I began to test the iPad Leather Flip Case – White from GearZap.com.
Let’s face it, we all can’t afford $200+ Vaja leather cases for our iPads. For many the expense of the iPad alone just about breaks the bank. But you still need something to protect your invest and why shouldn’t it be something that looks good while doing so?
The iPad Leather Flip Case is a stylish case that offers a good amount of padding for your iPad and includes several interior slots to store credit cards, IDs and other items as well.
The case uses a magnetic closure method to secure the vertical flip over cover to the back side of the case.
The iPad slides into a large sleeve that’s lined with suede micro-fiber. It protects all of the non-viewable area of the iPad’s screen.
The exterior of the case features a “pebble” grain leather pattern that’s soft to the touch.
All of the iPad’s buttons and ports are accessible while the iPad is inside the case.
The credit card slot holder also acts as a had sleeve. It’s elastic and forms to your hand for grip when using the iPad off your desk.
Priced at €14.95 ($18.33 at time of review) this case won’t break your bank but what it will do it make sure you iPad doesn’t break while you tote it around town and it’ll look good while doing so. The white color probably will need some gentle cleaning every once and a while but that bright white, Apple like color, is sure to attract some attention.
Check out the iPad Leather Flip Case – White by visiting the GearZap web site here.
M.S.R.P. - €14.95 ($18.33 at time of review)
What I like - Apple White color, soft, padded.
What I don’t like – White color does get dirty.
Since I’m using my iPad as a notebook replacement most of the time I need a good solution for holding it at the right angle for reading and writing on it using a Bluetooth keyboard. Judie knew I was looking for something that would fit the bill so when LapWorks sent her a review sample of their iPad Recliner she forwarded it to me to use and review. (Thanks Judie!)
I’ve been using it in my home study for the last week and have gotten a good sense of its utility . Let’s take a look…
From LapWorks-
Well, now you’ve got your iPad – pretty cool device isn’t it? A device you can hold in one hand that can do sooooooo much. But you’re not going to hold your iPad in your hand all the time. . . . are you? Maybe, just maybe you might want to set it down every once in a while. And when you do why not set your iPad in its own little recliner? As you can see from the images, the iPad Recliner is an incredibly versatile easy chair for your iPad and will provide the prefect viewing angle when you just want to sit back and watch . . . . hands free! You choose the best angle that gives you the sharpest image and viola! Instant viewing clarity.
When you change your body position you can effortlessly adjust your iPad’s angle. The iPad Recliner is the Lazy Boy of iPad loungers. It quickly and easily adjusts to almost any incline from a laying down position to a sitting up position. Now there are no limitations to how you can view your iPad.
The iPad Recliner is made of high impact ABS structural plastic. It supports a generous rubber cushion rest for your iPad’s foot and a soft rubber strip across the top that’s your iPad’s headrest. Hard plastic never touches your iPad because it’s constantly supported by a soft comfy seat. The iPad Recliner has a foot rest width of 8” and a head rest height of 8”. If you want your iPad to be as comfortable as you are in an easy chair, then the iPad Recliner is your best choice. Treat your iPad as well as you treat yourself, treat your iPad to the iPad Recliner.
Features-
Versatile easy chair for your iPad for best ergonomic viewing
Adjusts quickly and easily to any viewing incline
Provides the prefect viewing angle when watching hands free
The iPad Recliner is the Lazy Boy of iPad loungers
Generous rubber cushion rest for your iPad’s foot
Soft rubber strip across the top for iPad’s headrest
Available in a two-tone color of silver and black
Read hands-free in any position and relax while reading
Carries a 6 month warranty against defects
When the iPad Recliner first came I was unimpressed. The unit is light plastic and the “mechanism” for adjusting the angle of the iPad is simply a hand-tightening screw. In fact, in order to change the angle you need to turn the unit over to loosen then tighten the screw. Finding the right angle is a matter of trial and error that involves turning the Recliner over, making an adjustment and then flipping it back repeatedly until you find the angle you want.
Yup, I was initially unimpressed by the unit.
Why then am I likely going to order a second one? Because the iPad Recliner does exactly what it promises to do and I’m finding it super useful.
The bottom “lip” of the recliner is thick and slightly rubbery. The result is that even when the iPad is at a rather steep angle there is no need to worry about it slipping out. It works just as well in portrait as it does in landscape.
In addition, the thick bottom lip means that it can be used even when the iPad is in a case.
Here it is at a steep pitch.
In all cases the sync/charger cable remains accessible during use.
The iPad Recliner does the job it sets out to do and it does it well. Mix in the fact that it is well priced, especially when it is on sale as it is now, and it is a good solution for using the iPad hands-free.
Here is a video to give you a sense of the iPad Recliner in action and to view how to set it up….
The bottom line is this– I was initially unimpressed with the LapWorks Recliner but having used it for a few days I’m sold on it and want one both at work and at home.
The LapWorks iPad Recliner has an MSRP of $44.95 but is currently available from LapWorks for $34.95. For more information or to order visit the LapWorks site.
What I Like–
Let’s the iPad sit at a variety of angles, works in both landscape and portrait, still able to sync and charge the iPad while using it, can be used with both a “naked” iPad and an iPad that is in a protective case, I’ve never had a concern the iPad would slip out during use.
What Needs Improvement–
Feels a bit on the cheap side, company logo is too prominent on the lower front edge of the Recliner, need to remove the iPad and turn the Recliner over in order to change the angle
For my final M-EDGE iPad case review I wanted to share a video from my YouTube channel.
The M-EDGE Touring Jacket is a neoprene sleeve that’s lined with gray fleece. It fits the iPad just about perfectly. Not so tight that you feel as though you need a crow bar to get your iPad in or out and not so loose so that the iPad gets jostled around.
Here’s what M-EDGE has to say about it:
The M-Edge Touring Sleeve for the Apple iPad is the must-have accessory sleeve for the active iPad user. The Sleeve, made of durable and easy-to-clean neoprene, provides superior device protection and includes a large exterior pocket for storage of your iPhone, charger, and other accessories. The Sleeve zips closed using a hidden double zipper, which allows users access to all ports and the ability to charge their device without removing it from the case. The Touring Sleeve offers full surface protection in a lushly padded case, while the soft grey polar fleece interior ensures your iPad will always be cushioned in comfort. The M-Edge Accessories Touring Sleeve is a sporty case that provides rugged protection for your tablet.
The case comes in five color choices, orange, black, green, blue and red and is currently on sale for $29.99.
Check it out on the M-EDGE website here after you watch my video review below.
