Virtuoso Metro Stylus & Pen for Tablets
Company: Kensington
Price: $17.99 MSRP
The ease of use of touch screens on iPhones, iPads and other similar products that utilize capacitive materials that allow the user to simply touch the screen to make changes or allow input have really changed the communications landscape in the past several years. Yet, there are still limitations that occur, especially when it is cold outside and the user is wearing gloves or other instances where, for whatever reason, that “human” capacitive touch is not occurring.
BlueAnt Embrace Stereo Headphones
Company: BlueAnt
Price: $199.99 MSRP
There are headphones and then there are just headphones. BlueAnt has set out to show how headphones should be done, and as far as I’m concerned, they have really succeeded with the Embrace Stereo headphones. Designed specifically for the iPod, iPhone and iPad, the Embrace Stereo headphones also do a fantastic job when plugged into your Mac or PC.
Reverb Headphones
Company: Wicked Audio
MSR Price: $30.00 USD
http://www.wickedheadphones.com
With iPods, iPhones and iPads everywhere, and they being the way that most people listen to their music, the use of headphones has skyrocketed; be they earbuds, in the ear, on the ear or over the ear models. Since I really enjoy the pleasure of listening to my music without infringing upon others, I am always on the lookout for new things to try out. When the chance came along to try out something new, I went for it and tried out Wicked Audio’s Reverb Headphones that promise music like you’ve never heard before.
iPad Extreme Sleeve
Company: G-Form LLC
Price: $59.95 USD
http://shop.g-form.com/products/ipad-extreme-sleeve
There are all types of different cases for the iPad; soft cases, hard cases, cases made from neoprene, leather, faux leather, plastic… the list goes on. They allow you to carry your iPad around and for the most part, protect your iPad from accidental harm. Now what would you think of a soft, flexible case that upon impact, becomes hard and protects your iPad?
iRest Lap Stand for iPad
Company: Rain Design
Price: $49.90 USD
There are now tons of cases for the iPad that allow you to protect, carry or even type. The thing is that when all is said and done and you want to relax and read something or work on your iPad while you are reclining, not all cases allow you to do so comfortably. Enter Rain Design’s iRest Lap Stand for the iPad.
C.E.O. Hybrid for iPad
Company: Marware
Price: $49.99 USD
http://www.marware.
Marware has produced cases for iPhones, Blackberries and of course, iPads. The one thing that comes across of all of this is that Marware produces products that the user will find are well thought out and designed to be stylish and functional without breaking the bank.
Folio with Keyboard for iPad
Company: Sena Cases
Price: $149.99 USD
There are cases for the iPad, and then there are “cases” for the iPad. Sena Cases has decided to produce one of the latter ones for the iPad. The Sena Folio with Keyboard is a handsomely designed and executed iPad case that provides the best possible case for the iPad and includes the additional bonus of a bluetooth keyboard that just fits beautifully into the unit and provides the user with the best possible working unit.
Black Wallet for iPad Case
Company: Happy Owl Studio
Price: $79.99 USD
The iPad has cases coming in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors and materials since its introduction. Happy Owl Studio has produced a new case for the iPad that encompasses providing a stylish case that still provides protection, flexibility to adjust the case to view or type and the additional functionality of enabling the user to store other items within the confines of the case without going too far overboard.
5-in-1 for iPad
Company: Brenthaven
Price: $59.95 USD
With the iPad, things changed, at least case-wise they did. Getting a case for your iPhone is relatively simple; you want something to protect the iPhone. With the iPad, things got a little bit more complicated. Do you want to just carry the iPad in the case, protect the back of the case, protect the front and back, or are there other things that you want the iPad to be able to do when you want to use it? Can you use the case to angle the iPad so you can type or watch a video? Do you want to protect as much of the iPad as you can without making things too complicated or too heavy to use? Brenthaven’s 5-in-1 for iPad may be the answer to your questions.
ZAGGmate with Keyboard for iPad
Company: ZAGG
Price: $99.99 USD
The iPad has turned out to be an enormous hit since its introduction in 2010, far surpassing what the estimates were for such a product. One of the things that has both worked for and against it has been the lack of a “regular” keyboard. Users have either loved the on-screen keyboard or have railed against it. One of the solutions that has popped up has been a keyboard linked to the iPad via Bluetooth connectivity. The ZAGGmate with keyboard case is one of those products.
iB969 Charging Station
Company: iHome
Price: $49.99 USD
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’ve found that I have my electronics scattered about in my house. My iPad was being charged overnight in the den, my iPhone was being charged in my bedroom and my iPod was relegated to another room. Another part of the problem was that the outlets in the each of the rooms already had other items plugged into them, like computers, lights, etc. The iB969 Charging Station has changed all of that for me.
STM Bags Micro Shoulder Bag for iPad
Company: STM Bags
Price: $45.00 USD MSRP
In the search for a bag to carry around my iPad, I wanted something that would carry the iPad and a few other items without going overboard. STM Bags has designed and produced the Micro Shoulder Bag for iPad that does this and does this very well. If you are looking for a bag to carry your iPad, I would recommend that you check out this bag.
STM Bags Jacket for iPad
Company: STM Bags
Price: $24.95 USD MSRP
The one thing that everyone immediately notices is that you cannot just stick your iPad in your pocket as you can with your iPhone or cellphone and go. You either need to place your iPad in a case or into a bag to transport it around. Besides, why offer you and your iPad up as possible targets for those who would love to get their hands on your iPad… free of charge, of course.
Commuter Series Case for iPad
Company: Otterbox
Price: $64.95 USD
I have been using Otterbox cases for my iPhones since I purchased my first iPhone. Solid and dependable, built to protect my iPhone, they have always presented a great product. When I purchased my iPad, one of the first things to cross my mind was “I know that Otterbox has to have a case for it.”
Eco-Envi + for iPad
Company: Marware
Price: $69.99 USD
Just in case you haven’t noticed, Apple’s iPad is appearing everywhere. Classrooms, stores, and more importantly, in business offices. Now since the iPad has been around for the past several months, cases of every design are everywhere. The question is what do you put your iPad in if you are going to be taking it to the office with you?
Might I suggest that you consider Marware’s Eco-Envi + for the iPad. First, the Eco-Envi + consists of two items; a clear polycarbonate MicroShell that covers the back of your iPad and a high-grain eco-leather case with a fleece interior to baby your iPad when you place it inside. With or without the polycarbonate rear shell, your iPad slips into the case like a hand into a brand new glove. After several weeks of use, the iPad continues to go into the case with really no expansion of the leather so there is very little chance that your iPad would accidentally slip out if you turned the case upside down. I have turned my case upside down and the iPad has not moved at all. The flap on the case keeps the iPad inside and the dirt/dust outside.
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BlueAnt S4 SpeakerPhone
Company: BlueAnt
Price: $99.99 MSRP
Just in case you live somewhere in the US where the law concerning the use of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle hasn’t been changed yet, you can expect that the days of holding your cell phone while you’re driving are probably going to be coming to an end soon. Between the push of concerned groups and the studies documenting the incidences of serious injuries and death because the driver was busy on the phone and not really paying attention to what they were doing, mainly driving a car, states and localities are requiring the use of hands-free devices for use when driving a car.
The question that one has to ask themselves is what type of hands-free device am I going to use. An earpiece, something along the lines of Apple’s earbuds, or something a bit more capable than that? BlueAnt may just have the answer to the question.
Book Review
iPhone 4 Portable Genius
by Paul McFedries
Price: $25.00 US $30.00 CAN
Wiley Books
ISBN 9780470642054
When one purchases a new iPhone, there are always those questions that begin to pop up in one’s mind; like how do I do this or that, is it just like the iPhone 3, is it better than my previous phone? That’s when the poser of the questions needs to consider bringing in an outside source of information to answer those question, like iPhone 4 Portable Genius.
Elan Holster Metal iPhone 4 Case
Company: Griffin Technology
Price: $34.99
When I was evaluating the Elan Form Graphite iPhone 4 case, I was also working on evaluating Griffin Technology’s Elan Holster Metal case for the iPhone 4. Unlike the Form Graphite, the Elan Holster Metal case is a case that sits horizontal on your belt and provides wrap-around protection for your iPhone 4.
Elan Form Graphite iPhone 4 Case
Company: Griffin Technology
Price: $34.99
We’re all aware of the infamous “Antennagate” media circus surrounding the debut of the iPhone 4. Hold it this way, don’t hold it that way, give me a bumper; it just goes on. iPhone 4 users clamored for cases to prevent the problem from occurring and Griffin Technology and others stepped up to the plate, providing an assortment of cases for iPhone 4 users. Among the cases offered by Griffin Technology is the Elan Form Graphite case.
Drive Genius 3
Company: Prosoft
Price: $99.95
http://www.prosofteng.com
Nothing is ever perfect, nor do things work perfectly all the time. When things go wrong with your computer, sometimes it’s something very simple that will only take a few minutes or one or two steps to correct. Other times, you aren’t so lucky and that’s when you have to bring out the right tools to find out what’s wrong with your computer. On the Mac you have Disk Utility or you can utilize applications developed by other companies, such as Disk Warrior or Tech Tool. Among the latter is also Prosoft’s Drive Genius 3, another tool that you might want to consider adding to your utility toolbox to help you out when things go bad.
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