Offers three AC outlets.
Dual port USB charger to charge multiple devices.
Ultra compact design for maximum portability.
Built-in surge protection and indicator LED.
Hidden swivel plug.
Ecopad Bamboo Lapdesk for Notebook Computers
Macally
Price: $29
Macally has a reputation for making computer accessories that combine form and function without sacrificing aesthetics. The Ecopad is a typical Macally product — minimalist in design, attractive to the eye and hand, and serving a useful function. The Ecopad is a bamboo lapdesk, suitable for any laptop.
Casestand
Company Macally
Price: $29.99
Are you looking for a case for the new fourth generation iPod Touch you just got as a present over the holidays? If you are, I suggest checking out Macally’s new Casestand.
iPad Accessories Roundup — STANDS — simple, elegant, or elaborate?
By Guest Reviewer Jackie Richards, and John “Nemo” Nemerovski
Loop Stand for iPad
Company: Griffin Technology
Price: $30
Product web page
By Guest Reviewer Jackie Richards, and John “Nemo” Nemerovski
BTKeyMini
Company: Macally
Price: $100
Product web site
Keyboard Socket
Company: Waterfield Designs
Price: $15
Product web site
Keyboard Slip
Company: Waterfield Designs
Price: $29
Product web site
Macally’s innovative BTKeyMini is a combination Bluetooth iPad keyboard with a stand that doubles as a protective cover shell for the keyboard. Jackie Richards thinks the stand could be less severely upright in its sole position, or somehow variable.
Jackie keeps her iPad in an iFrogz rubber sleeve that needs to be removed for the iPad to rest in Macally’s BTKeyMini stand. She doesn’t like having to slip this rubber cover off and on. Jackie was “very leery” of this stand, but she likes the way it covers and protects the Macally iPad Bluetooth keyboard.
AmpTune — Dual Dock Stereo Speakers + Charger for iPhone/iPod/iPod touch
Company: Macally
Price: $70 MSRP ($51.22 U.S. from Amazon.com—good value!)
http://www.macally.com/
Audiophiles: stop reading now. This product is not for you.
Normal music listeners: pay attention. You may overlook this unusual speaker system, which would be a mistake.
AmpTune, just released from Macally, is a small, compact, versatile, affordable, portable or powered way to hear music and view iPhone/iTouch videos with style and innovation. A handy remote control unit allows users to switch tracks and adjust volume, plus a couple of other tricks, from across the room. Audio quality is concentrated on the midrange spectrum, but by setting your player’s equalizer to Bass Booster the audio response is fine for typical listening situations.
Continue reading »
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We finally get to our 300th show! It’s a trip through the past as Guy talks about the long strange journey that led him to the MyMac.com podcast. Congratulatory messages from a whole bunch of people and we announce the winners of the 300th Podcast Contest! We get our first two callers on the Skype number (703-436-9501) and Gaz talks about sharing apps and folders on multiple devices and iTunes accounts.
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The 300th MyMac.com podcast is OVER! Stay tuned for possibly more contests in the future but if you didn’t enter , you already missed this one. Thanks again to our fantastic sponsors.
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Macally MSuit iPad Case
Company: Macally
Price: $19.99
www.macally.com
When you look at cases for the iPad, iPhone, or iPod one of the most popular case materials is silicone. It is great for protecting your device. The MSuit is a great silicone case by Macally that only costs $19.99. It is only available in black, so if you want a different color this one is not for you.
The MSuit seems very flimsy before putting it on the iPad. However, it fits snuggly around the iPad. It is very easy to get on and off. Once one it covers alls sides of the iPad, except the control openings. It also overlaps the front of the iPad by about 1/4 inch. The volume control is not open and the case is molded around those. This did not interfere with controlling the volume.
As for protecting the iPad, this will do the trick in most cases. I would think a light fall with the MSuit on will give you a better chance of survival. However, I think I’d feel even safer with something a little thicker.
One problem I have had with iPod cases (yes I meant iPod) is that many are too slippery, especially silicone cases. Macally solves this with a textured back which makes it much easier to hold.
Overall, this is a great case for the iPad at a great price. If you want a simple case that will offer some protection to your iPad, it is a good choice.
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Macally BookStand iPad Case
Price: $49.99
Company: Macally
www.macally.com
The iPad case market is booming and Macally is one of the companies diving right in with a bunch of offerings. The BookStand is one of their higher end cases coming in at a price of $49.99. Is it worth the money? Read on.
To start, the BookStand is a case that mimics a book. It has a front, a back, and a spine. It opens like a book, but instead of pages inside it has an iPad. The case itself covers the front and back of the iPad nicely (when closed). The only side that is covered is where you would have the spine of the case. When opened the only coverage on the iPad is the back and the four corners holding the iPad into the case. While this may not be the best protection, it does leave easy access to controls and connections. It also makes for easy installation, something I am finding is not common is many iPad cases.
When closed the case has a strap that holds the case closed when transporting. The material is a nice and soft and I have no worries about it scratching the iPad. The model I tested was gray, but a black model is on the way.
The great thing about the BookStand is that the cover folds back behind the iPad and becomes an easel. The strap straps in making it very secure. In my tests I have propped the iPad up on a stool using the BookStand and it works perfectly. When in this form the iPad can be propped almost straight up in landscape mode or more reclined to help with typing. This is the best feature of the BooksSand.
Overall, I really like the BookStand. IMy main complaint is that the sides are exposed when traveling. When the case is open it really doesn’t do much protecting. If you want a case for protecting your iPad from falls I suggest going with a different model.
If you are looking for an easel-like case for your iPad that is lightweight, great looking, and easy to use this one is worth checking out.
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Macally Metropad iPad Cases
Company: Macally
Price: $29.99
http://www.macally.com
Apple’s release of the iPad means that many of the biggest selling accessories right now are cases to protect your new addition to the family. With the bewildering number of cases already on the market, MyMac.com’s reviews over the coming weeks will help you come up with a choice of case that best suits your needs.
When you first open your iPad, it feels quite delicate and your first instinct is to want to treat it with kid gloves. Aside from protective films, there isn’t much that can be done to protect the glass front of the iPad. It seems to stay fairly scratch-free as it is. The back casing also needs attention. Being made from aluminum, it’s pretty tough, but none of us wants to see it become marred up and scratched from constant handling or laying your iPad down on various surfaces. Macally’s Metropad Series of iPad cases provide a simple, yet elegant solution to this problem.
Macally offers the Metropad cases in four varieties: clear (Metrocpad), clear with silicon grip (Metrolpad), chrome (Metrompad), and black (Metrobpad).
I received the three cases you see pictured above, and I find that all three cases provide excellent protection for your iPad in a thin and lightweight package. I’m partial to cases that have a slim profile and don’t take away from the aesthetic beauty of your Apple product. Macally’s Metropad cases do this very well.
After using the cases for several days, I’ve found that I prefer the black Metrobpad and the clear Metrocpad over the chrome Metrompad. The Metrompad looks really sharp, but it does get covered in fingerprints relatively quickly. If you don’t mind wiping it off as often as you do your screen, that’s no problem. The Metrobpad looks great too, and the Metrocpad maintains the iPad’s already great looks.
The Metrolpad isn’t pictured, but offers a secure silicon grip around the sides of your iPad with a clear plastic back that lets your iPad’s great looks show through.
The cases snap on without difficulty and stay on very well. Protection at the iPad’s corners is emphasized, leaving the sides and all controls/ports free to access. When you’re ready to take the case off, the case simply pops off and you’re ready to go.
The Metropad cases aren’t going to prevent much major damage if you should drop your iPad from any real height. Not many cases will, for that matter. The cases do a superb job of keeping the back of your iPad clean and scratch-free. Come to think about it, isn’t that the main reason most people buy cases for their electronics?
One subtle, yet very useful feature is the four small projections on the back of each Metropad case. This allows you to set your iPad down on a tabletop so it doesn’t rock around, remaining level as you work. The spacing is just right so you can type on your iPad without it tipping. It’s a feature you don’t really appreciate until you try it out and realize how useful it is.
Overall, I’m impressed with Macally’s first offerings in the iPad case market. They do a great job of protecting your investment, helping you enjoy your iPad well into the future.
MyMac.com Review Rating: 9 out of 10
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mCup
Macally
Price: $19.99
www.macally.com
Do you find yourself fumbling around while you drive to change what is playing on your iPod or iPhone? Do you need a holder for your iPhone while using GPS in the car? Are you like me and want a solution for your toddler to be able to watch videos on your iPod in the car? If you answered yes to any of these questions, Macally’s mCup is for you.
Small speakers don’t get any cooler than Ice from i.Sound. They are tiny, with a surprisingly robust audio. Power them via USB from your computer, or with a clever AC adapter
iVoice Pro
Company: MacAlly
Price: $50
http://www.macally.com
iVoiceIII
Company: MacAlly
Price: $40
http://www.macally.com
TuneTalk Stereo
Company: Belkin
Price: $70
http://catalog.belkin.com/
MacAlly PowerLink 3-In-1 Battery Pack/Data Sync/Flash Drive for iPhone and iPod
Company: MacAlly, Inc.
http://macally.com
US $49.99
Raise your hand if your iPhone battery does not last long enough, especially you iPhone 3G owners.
Have you ever been caught out in the wild with a dead, or nearly dead battery? Did you forget to bring the wall charger, or a cable to connect to your laptop to recharge? Do you need a flash drive to swap an important file with a co-worker?
If you answered yes to any of the above, take a look at MacAlly’s PowerLink for iPhone. It’s a small, easy to pack dongle that combines an emergency iPhone battery, a 2 GB flash drive, and a USB passthrough to connect the iPhone to a computer.
MacAlly TriHub 4 Port and 7 Port Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Hubs
Company: MacAlly
Price: 4-Port Unit $19.99 USD
7-Port Unit $29.99 USD
http://www.macally.com
If you are looking for a light weight, dependable, powered USB hub, then check out MacAlly’s TriHub 4 Port and 7 Port USB 2.0 hubs. Designed to be mobile for those on the go, MacAlly’s TriHub USB hubs fit the bill exactly right.
The 4-port unit is only 1 3/8″ x 1 3/8″ x 1 3/8″ by 3 1/4″ and comes with its own optional AC power supply adapter to provide DC power to the unit along with a USB cable. The 7-port unit is only 1 3/8″ x 1 3/8″ x 1 3/8″ by 5″ and likewise has the AC power adapter and USB cable for connection to your Mac or PC. If you wish, you can utilize the adhesive pads on the bottom of the units to secure them to a desired location on your desk or desktop. The 4-port unit provides one separated port for a larger sized USB device while the 7-port unit offers 2 separated ports for the same reason.
The TriHub’s provide the user with USB 2.0 capability or for those with an older system, it is usable as a USB 1.1 Hub. I personally have a preference for using a powered USB hub just based on past experience. MacAlly’s TriHub units provided me the flexibility of small size, ease of use and portability that I look for. To test out the Hubs, I used them with a G4 MDD 867 Dual running Leopard, a G5 PPC 2 GHz Dual running Leopard and a MacBook 2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo also running Leopard. I had absolutely no problems using them, although I will admit that I did prefer to use the Hubs with a system running USB 2.0.
Now I really gave both of them a workout with my MacBook. Why Apple only provided 2 USB ports is beyond me but having the TriHub, 4-port or 7-port was a real boon. I could sit and work on the computer, have my USB mouse plugged into one of the two slots and have the TriHub plugged into the second port. Using the Hub I was able to provide expanded capability where I could plug in my printer, or my camera or my iPod and not have to worry about what I was going to have to unplug so I could keep working. The Hub and even its power adapter take up very little space and fit easily into any laptop bag to make the trip with you. Working with them with a desktop system, the units are again small and easily positioned to be out of the way yet readily available when you need to plug something in without having to constantly poke around your computer.
So, if you are looking to expand your laptop’s or desktop’s USB capability, check out the MacAlly TriHub 4-port and 7-port USB hubs.
System Requirements:
Mac OS X – 10.2 to 10.5 and above
Windows 2000/XP/Vista and above
Any Desktop or laptop computer with a USB port
So to review:
Pro: Easy to use, Mac/PC compatible, low profile, reduced size, very light weight, provides 4 or 7 USB ports and has the optional power adapter for those who prefer it. Reasonably priced.
Cons: None that I encountered
Highly recommended!
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Bella, Divo, IceSuit, Metro, and Sportivo cases for iPod nano (3rd Generation)
Company: Macally
Price: Bella $29.99, Divo $29.99, IceSuit $19.99, Metro $29.99, Sportivo $29.99
http://www.macally.com/
The holiday decorations are put away, Macworld is over, and now it’s time to get down to buying a case for that new iPod nano that Santa left under the tree. December 2007 saw the arrival of Macally’s family of cases for the iPod nano: Bella, Divo, IceSuit, Metro, and Sportivo. Mirage and Masquerade were not yet available for review.
Our MyMac.com rankings blend objective quality with subjective personal experience. Your audio signal mileage may vary a lot from mine. If you can try before you buy, or return/exchange if not completely thrilled, you’ll eventually be satisfied by one of these units.
Three FM iPod car adapters:
iTrip Auto SmartScan FM Transmitter and Car Charger for iPod
Company: Griffin Technology
Price: $80
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/itripautoss
PowerTune iPod All-in-One Battery Pack / Speaker / Protective Case / Stand
for 5G (Video) or New Classic iPod
Company: MacAlly
Price: $50
http://www.macally.com
MacAlly’s versatile new PowerTune is the best $50 U.S. iPod accessory ever. As a case, its rigid plastic is snug and secure, with full access to iPod dial and headphone port, but not on/off/hold switch. The speakers are tiny with midrange emphasis, but with enough presence to keep you entertained or informed by whatever is playing on the iPod under most listening conditions. Charging is efficient and almost effortless, with enhanced built-in battery capacity for your iPod. As a stand, PowerTune is stable, with sensible positioning.
Speakers and charging indicator light are on lower front of PowerTune. Volume control, mini-USB port, and off/charge/play switch are lower rear. A clear front plate with circular hole hinges at the bottom and snaps shut at the top, onto the black rear business-end of the case. An iPod slips into a 30-pin dock connector that is just above the speaker section. MacAlly provides a self-adhesive foam shim to fill the gap between PowerTune’s black inner back and an iPod’s silver backside. Fit is snug, without much wiggle room.
There is not a lot more to know. You can play or charge an iPod with or without the assistance of a computer, or external speakers or headphones. PowerTune fits into most front pants pockets, or nearly all tote bags or purses. Indicator LEDs notify you when charging is complete. Syncing or recharging PowerTune via the included USB cable is straightforward.
Continue reading »
TunePro Flat Panel Stereo Speaker, AM/FM Clock Radio, and iPod Charger
Company: MacAlly
Price: $130
http://www.macally.com
MacAlly’s TunePro is as strange as it is brilliant. Once you’ve placed it into service, set its clock and radio, connected the antennas, docked your iPod, and peeled away a sheet of protective plastic, you’re looking at — yourself. The entire front panel is the mirrored surface of TunePro’s speaker, with the time of day and your audio input method displayed in discreet LEDs in the upper right corner. You can shave while listening and looking at TunePro, as it vibrates to the beat of Beethoven, Big Bill Broonzy, or Biggie Smalls.
Let’s see how accurate are this company’s promotional claims:
“The latest NXT flat panel loudspeaker technology coupled with SRS WOW technology for superior audio enhancement”
TunePro’s speaker design is a technological phenomenon, and the SRS WOW definitely enhances all audio output.
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MacAlly IP-A411 iPod charger
MacAlly Inc.
Price: US $19.95
http://macally.com/spec/ipod/ip-a411.html
When you buy an iPod, you get a wall charger, so you can charge ye olde iPod without hooking up to a computer.
Do you want another wall charger, so you can keep one in two locations?
Mother Apple will charge(r) you $29.99, and then you’ll still have to buy the requisite USB cable, as Apple does not supply a cable with the charger.
MacAlly will sell you their AC wall charger for a mere $19.95. It is virtually identical with the Apple wall charger, except it has a small LCD that glows when the iPod is charging. It is exactly the same size and color as Apple’s.
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Macally External Li-ion Battery for iPod
Company: Macally
$49.99
www.macally.com
Do you go on long trips and never have enough battery life for your iPod? If so, the Macally External Li-ion Battery for iPod is for you.
The Macally External Li-ion Battery is an external battery source for the iPod nano, iPod 5G, iPod Photo, iPod with color display, iPod 4G, iPod 3G, iPod Mini, and iPod shuffle. It is a black box about the size of the current 60GB iPod, but it weighs a lot less.
The battery has a standard USB port for connecting your iPod via the USB iPod cable. If you have an iPod Shuffle, the iPod connects directly to the battery through this port. There is also a port for an AC/DC 5v adapter (not included) for charging the battery, a mini USB port for charging the battery with the
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