ipadcase
Latest
Mapicases Orion for iPad: Elegant leather, amazing flexibility
Most of the cases that we receive at TUAW Labs fall into one of two categories: those that use plastic and silicone to create an ultra-protective shell, and those that use more natural materials like cloth or leather to provide style and a modicum of protection. The Mapicases Orion Leather Smart Case (US$160) for iPad 2-4 is one of the latter, turning leather into a good-looking case with a unique twist on flexibility. Design At first glance, the Orion looks vaguely similar to Apple's Smart Cover. After all, it does have the telltale lines on the cover where you can fold it origami-like into a stand. But that's where the similarity ends. The Orion features a stand design that works not only in landscape orientation like the Apple Smart Cover, but also in portrait as well. It does this handy trick by allowing the foldable cover to rotate a full 360 degrees. %Gallery-176219% The case comes in five different leather finishes: black, brown, tan, red and white. The leather has a nice pebbled finish to it, and the stitching is top-notch. Unlike some less-expensive leather cases that look like they've been cobbled together in a backstreet sweatshop on a broken sewing machine, the Mapicases Orion shows exquisite attention to detail. The Orion weighs in at 12.4 ounces, and has magnets in the "right places" to turn your device on and off. The inside of the cover is lined with a soft material to avoid screen scratches, and there are cutouts for all the buttons and ports on your iPad. Mapicases also provides a velvet-like bag to enclose the case if you're planning on giving it to someone as a gift. It's a nice touch. Functionality Of course, some cases look good but don't necessarily do the job in terms of protecting your iPad or holding it in a desired position. Fortunately, the Orion does its job well, looking smart while holding your iPad vertically or horizontally. The fit of this case is like a glove; nice and tight, with no gaps at all. It's probably one of the best leather iPad cases I've reviewed, which is saying a lot. Conclusion While it's a bit on the expensive side at $160, the Mapicases Orion for iPad is a classy and well-constructed case that will add style to any full-size iPad. Pros Beautifully constructed and brilliantly designed Works in both portrait and landscape orientation Magnetic iPad switch works perfectly even with cover opening/closing vertically Cons Expensive Who is it for? Anyone who likes the look and feel of leather cases; it's perfect for the well-heeled executive Giveaway OK, some lucky person out there in TUAW-land is going to get their hands on a brand new tan leather Mapicases Orion iPad case. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before January 17. 2013 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Mapicases Orion iPad case valued at $160 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Belkin introduces Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theater for iPad, we go hands-on (update)
While Belkin has long been at the forefront of Apple accessories, offering everything from keyboard cases to baby monitors, it somehow left the audio arena unexplored. That ends today with the introduction of the Belkin Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theater. Behind that mouthful of a product name is essentially a portable speaker dock for the iPad housed inside a protective case, which seems a lot more reasonable than Bang & Olufsen's pricey speaker "wedge." The Thunderstorm's front-facing speaker system boasts full-range drivers and integrated air channels for "immersive sound" and "deeper bass." All the internals are powered by Audifi, a mobile audio engineering outfit that Belkin specifically hired for the project. As for the cover, Belkin took a cue from Apple's own magnetic offering, but went a step further with the addition of multifold creases for different viewing angles. We spent a few days with the Thunderstorm and so far we're impressed with the volume and depth from such slim speakers. Though we didn't have a chance to test it, Belkin is also offering a free iOS app to accompany the product -- it essentially lets you fine-tune the audio with presets for music, movies and games. However the Thunderstorm is not without a few annoyances: the case adds an unsettling amount of bulk to the iPad and it's currently only available with the now-ancient 30-pin connector (we're told a Lightning-equipped version is due in Q2 2013). If you're happy with the ole universal dock though, you can pick this up in the coming weeks from Belkin's online store, Amazon.com or the Apple Store for $200 a pop. In the mean time, you can get a closer look at it with the galleries after the break. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Touchtype Case is the happy marriage of iPad and Apple Wireless Keyboard
I spend most of my day typing on an Apple Wireless Keyboard. I love the feel of the keys, the long battery life and the compact form factor. That's why I do all of my blogging and most of my other writing on my iMac -- I love this keyboard. And that, among some other reasons, is why I don't keep my iPad in a keyboard case. I just don't like the feel of 98 percent of the keyboards built into those cases, with Logitech's Ultrathin Keyboard Cover as the exception. So, what if someone made it easy to carry an Apple Wireless Keyboard with an iPad? That's exactly the story behind the Touchtype Case (US$49 and $99). The case started out as a Kickstarter project by Salman Sajid and received a lot of backing -- $45,749 compared to a $2,500 funding goal. Salid feels the same way I do about a lot of the iPad keyboard cases, so he decided to do something about it. The result is a very slender case that carries your iPad (any generation) and Apple Wireless Keyboard. Of course, the Touchtype Case also acts as a stand so your iPad can be propped into a good orientation (portrait or landscape) for viewing as you type. The Touchtype is currently out of stock, but one TUAW reader will get one as an early Christmas present. Check out the review, and then enter the giveaway. Design Rather than spend a lot of time explaining the design of the Touchtype Case, I'd prefer to let the inventor do that. Here's his Kickstarter video: How well did Sajid's design match his dream? Very well! I tested one of the gray polyurethane "pleather" models, and it's one of the thinnest iPad cases I've ever used. However, it still works well as an iPad stand as well, and I like that the iPad can be used in either portrait or landscape orientation. In case you're not thrilled about gray polyurethane, there are two more "real leather" versions -- one in a dark brown "Wild Espresso" tint and the other in Functionality Do you really need a case that can carry your iPad and an Apple Wireless Keyboard? That's the big question that you'll need to ask yourself. If you currently carry both in a backpack or bag and that's working out for you, then spending $49 or $99 for a case is probably an expense you don't need. But if you're carrying the iPad and keyboard loose and want a way to organize them, then the Touchtype case makes sense. %Gallery-172805% The workmanship on the Touchtype is probably some of the best I've seen on any iPad case. The keyboard fits snugly into its pocket on the case, but is easy to remove. Elastic and leather straps on iPad cases are usually poorly made -- here, Sajid obviously paid attention to detail, as the straps look good and are very usable. Any downsides to the Touchtype case? If anything, I have a bit of a concern that the product is out of stock with just a "get notified" email link available. Of course, there's no cost for giving Sajid your email address. Conclusion Anyone who likes to use an Apple Wireless Keyboard with their iPad should buy a Touchtype case when they become available. It's well designed and implemented, and a very compact way to carry the duo to wherever your computing will be done. Pros Beautiful design Top-quality construction Very reasonable pricing on the gray polyurethane model Ability to stand the iPad up in either portrait or landscape mode Cons Out of stock at the present time Who is it for? Those who love to use the Apple Wireless Keyboard who are unhappy with the current crop of iPad keyboard cases. Giveaway Now, here's your chance to win one of these great cases. Be sure to read the rules: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before December 9, 2012 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Touchtype iPad case valued at $49. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
IRL: Ballistic Tough Jacket, Dell UltraSharp U2412M and an argument for disposable AA batteries
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. What a week. What a month! So far this September, Amazon, Nokia, Motorola and Apple have announced new products, and HTC is up next, with a press event scheduled for Wednesday. We'll let you speak for yourselves -- maybe you want more liveblogs -- but we here at Engadget keen to take a break from the hands-on posts and breaking news posts and talk shop about the products we already own. This week, Jason tests a rugged tablet sleeve, Don rates his Dell monitor and Darren makes the case for disposable AAs (and yes, he has a favorite brand).
ZAGG intros a pair of Bluetooth keyboard cases for the iPad, three pairs of gaming headphones
Sometimes at trade shows we see funky-looking Windows 8 devices, other times we see bags filled with a morphing rainbow colors and sometimes we see things whose importance falls somewhere in the middle. That's the situation ZAGG finds itself in this week, as it tries to win attention at IFA amid dozens of laptop / tablet hybrids and 84-inch TVs. The company is in Berlin as we type this, showing off the new ZAGGkeys Pro and Pro Plus, two Bluetooth keyboard cases for the iPad. Both have a magnetic closure, but the Pro version adds backlighting. Those will be available at the end of September for $99 and $129, respectively. Additionally, the company announced a trio of Caliber gaming headphones, including the Stealth, a pair optimized for mobile devices, and the Axiom, which works with Macs, PCs, the Xbox and PS3. Both have in-line controls. Rounding out the list, there's the Vanguard, which offers 7.1 channel audio. Look for these in October, for $60, $90 and $130, respectively. The PR's embedded after the break, though you won't find much more detail there, sadly.
LaunchPort releasing AP.3 sleeve for juicing your new iPad the inductive way
LaunchPort is finally releasing a sleeve for the new iPad, which makes it compatible with the company's inductive charging gear. It goes on sale in September for a hefty $149, and of course, you'll also need at least one $199 tabletop or wall mount to connect it to. The sleeve also works with the iPad 2, and if you're thinking about getting one, be quick -- it's only a matter of time before resonance charging renders inductive juicing a little passé.
ThinkGeek offers retro Padintosh Case for iPad
Have an iPad 2 or third-generation iPad? Do you love retro Macs? If so, then you need to order the cool Padintosh Case for iPad (US$24.99). While it's the front of an original 1984 Mac pictured on the case, the Padintosh actually protects the back of your iPad. You can use a standard Apple Smart Cover to protect the screen on your iPad. The Padintosh is just too cool, and the use of MacPaint to make the screen of the "Mac" even more authentic is perfect. I couldn't help myself -- I just ordered one.
VestGuard UK Ballistic cover will protect your iPad from tablet-related gunplay
If you find yourself in the position of regularly having your iPad shot at, VestGuard UK sure has the tablet case for you. The Ballistic cover is made of "cutting edge uni-directional aramid fibers processed to a high tolerance in VestGuard's state of the art facility" that make it possible for the case to stop bullets from a 9mm handgun. In other words, the company's bulletproof claims are "not a metaphor," as stated in the post-script of its press materials. And judging from its current selection of products, which include body armor, de-mining helmets and Kevlar gloves, the company knows a thing or two about heavy duty protection. Not a lot in the way of information on availability at the moment, however, since the covers are not quite ready for sale.
Griffin outs Binder Insert case for the iPad, brings Trapper Keepers to the 21st century for $25
Just in case you're not quite ready to rid your studies of tree pulp, Griffin has announced the Binder Insert case for your Five Star zipper notebook. The enclosure secures the iPad 2 or third-generation model in a 3-ring binder for easy camouflage of those in-class Angry Birds habits -- or for switching back and forth between a slate and the blue-lined white stuff. A stylus loop and access to the dock connector, volume controls, headphone jack and camera are also taken into consideration around the case's edge. In order to get your learning setup just so, be ready to part with $24.99 in order to grab one.
iPad Smart Case hands-on
Surreptitiously introduced to Apple Stores in the midst of new MacBook introductions and hardware refreshes, the Smart Case is Apple's latest official option for iPad protection. It's teamed together the foldable Smart Cover of last year with a soft-touch rubbery shell to defend the other half of Apple's premier tablet. The case fits both the Retina display-decked new iPad and the iPad 2, so we decided to grab one to protect our iOS slab. Does it do the job? Well, it certainly protects the tablet from keys, spare change and other pointy objects, however, because it's made for two slightly different sized devices, it didn't fit as snugly as we'd hoped, with an especially wide rim around the front also reducing the premium feel of the Smart Cover-esque front flap. So, is it still worth the $50 price tag? That's a little trickier to say, so check out some more impressions and our verdict after the break.%Gallery-158414%
Apple intros new iPad Smart Case: clever enough to cover both sides, priced at $50
And we're still not done. A new iPad case has managed to sneak onto the Apple Store's online shelves, and it'll protect your precious slab on both the back and front. The Smart Case appears to augment last year's Smart Cover with an additional (polyurethane hardshell) coating for the back of your iPad. Priced at just under $50, the case fits both second and third-generation iPads and will arrive in six different color options. And yes, you can still get that ever-pressing message engraved onto it too. [Thanks Nikhil] For more coverage of WWDC 2012, please visit our event hub!
Etcher iPad case works like a real Etch A Sketch
We get to see all sorts of Kickstarter projects here at TUAW. There are the incredibly successful and "why didn't I think of that" projects like the Pebble e-paper watch (now at well above US$10 million in funding) or the Une Bobine iPhone cable (fully-funded, as discussed on TUAW TV Live). And then there are projects like the Etcher iPad case that might be technologically cool, but impractical as hell. The Etcher is an iPad case that looks and works like an Etch A Sketch. Sure, there are other Etch A Sketch cases for iPad, but how many of them work just like an Etch A Sketch? You can turn the knobs, which cause a line to be drawn on an app on the iPad. You can save and share your works of art, and then erase the Etcher app screen with a shake of the case. The Etcher iPad case has been developed by a crack team of tech wizards -- Ari Krupnik, who has developed a number of successful iPhone and iPad peripherals; Maarten Dinger, who was on the design team for the Flip camcorder; and Lee Felsenstein, one of the original members of the Homebrew Computer Club in the 1970s and designer of the original Osborne 1. Now, to get to the main point of my post. Yes, this is very cool. Yes, it's officially licensed by Ohio Art, the folks who make the "real" Etch A Sketch. But is it really practical? The Etcher will apparently sell for about US$45 provided it gets funded. For that amount, you can buy three original Etch A Sketch toys from Amazon and probably have enough change left over to buy a latte. Drop the original on the floor and break it (unlikely, since they seem indestructible), and you just have a mess to clean up -- not a broken iPad. At this early date, the Etcher has about $10,000 of a planned $75,000 goal, with almost a month left to go. And no, I am not going to back this project. How about you?
Crux360 keyboard case for the new iPad ships May 12th, preorder now for $150
Looking to grab a keyboard case for those heavy typing duties on your new iPad? CruxCase has revealed the latest version of its Crux360 built for the most recent Apple slate with some new features to boot. First, the clamshell now features a snap in front design that allows for quick access when the case isn't needed. There is also a "window cover" that now fully protects the rear panel of the iPad; however, if you really want to show off that Apple logo, the cover can easily be removed to do so. Connecting should be quick and easy too, as this model's power and Bluetooth buttons are one touch instead of the usual press-and-hold type deal. Magnets keep the folding kit shut -- preventing the case from opening up and exposing that precious Retina display to potential hazards. Keep in mind: the Crux360 features a hinge that allows you to rotate your slate all the way back on the keyboard for regular ol' tablet mode and everything in between. Need a bit more info before dropping your $150 on one? Hit the source link below, where you can preorder a unit for before the May 12th ship date. [Thanks, Brian]
Grove announces new iPad cases
Grove, a company from Portland, Oregon, has announced brand new iPad cases to go with the new iPad. Grove is able to start selling them immediately because it doesn't have to send off modified case specs to a factory in China. Grove's designers just go downstairs and prototype a new one. Every piece of the process, from sketching to shipping, all takes place in one building, so the turnaround time is really just the length of time it takes to travel the stairs. The newly announced cases are a hard bamboo shell around the back of the iPad, with a beautiful wraparound cover to protect the screen while not in use. Covers come in your choice of leather (black or brown), or a thick charcoal-colored wool. There's a super soft ultra-suede on the inside, much like the Smart Cover, and the same material is in the shell to protect the iPad's back. I got to touch the prototypes for the new cases recently, and they are gorgeous! They're lightweight while offering some protection, and beautifully crafted. I particularly like the leather covers because you can also get them with a design on them, and that design is put there with frickin' lasers. You can choose from a variety of artist designs or send off your own, and Grove will laser that onto a leather cover for you. You can use a memorable photo, a company logo, or anything else you'd like. Wool felt and plain leather cases are US$139, the Artist Series cases are $149, and the custom leather runs $179. However, for the rest of March, you get $20 off each of those prices. I assure you, they're worth every penny. I'm already saving mine!
Crapgadget: Spring Phling edition
As winter recedes, the Crapgadgets emerge from their hibernation as they attempt to separate fools and their money. Today's selection includes a ridiculous workaround to a ridiculous accessory, an iPad case that has lips like Jagger and a hook for, er, spinning your iPhone around like a Wild West gunslinger.Read - Our biggest regret in life is not being able to spin our $600 cellphone around on a $20 sticky coat hook.Read - We're expecting the iPad 3 to be able to recreate the title sequence of the Rocky Horror Picture Show without the aid of this case.Read - If you were into smartphones before they were cool and portable, you'll love the ability to carry around your over-sized retro handset on your jeans.Read - Nothing evokes the grace, beauty and power of Enzo Ferrari's engineering than these decade-old-spec flip-phones that kinda resemble a Ferrari 966, if you squint from a distance.Read - This "noiseless microphone" has two functions, and only one is to prevent your karaoke from annoying your neighbors.%Poll-73797%
Kensington's SecureBack case is like The Club for iPads (video)
Kensington already came out and admitted that employees don't actually use the locks handed to them on their first day of work. And yet, it's betting folks will want to swaddle their iPads in a thick layer of plastic and chain them to their desks. That, in a nutshell, is the idea behind the SecureBack, an iPad 2 case that allows you to lock down the tablet, armor and all, just as you would a laptop. That beaut you see up there is a three-part affair, with two pieces of plastic that come together to cover the back and are held together by a sliding slat. That's just the case, mind, you -- to lock it down you'll also need one of Kensington's ClickSafe locks, which the company already makes for laptops. It's up for pre-order now, with a standard version fetching $50 and a souped-up one with a kickstand going for $70. If you don't already have a compatible lock, you can also buy one bundled with the case, with that extra hardware adding thirty bucks to the cost. Full PR and a demo video after the break because really, what's more hypnotic than watching a set of hands dissemble a case? %Gallery-133544% %Gallery-133539%
Crux360 iPad 2 keyboard case review
Aluminum Keyboard Buddy Case cloaks your iPad 2 in a MacBook Air duvet Crux Loaded case almost turns your iPad into a laptop for $250 MacBook Air review (mid 2011) Yeah... we know. At this point you're probably clutching your funds tightly, eagerly anticipating the release of the iPad 3. But for those of you who recently purchased version 2.0, or perhaps just discovered your need for a Bluetooth keyboard, allow us to shed some light on the Crux360. Sure this isn't the first one of these we've seen, but the full range of motion in the hinge makes this a nice accessory for your Apple slate. We spent a couple weeks putting it through the wringer, so read on past the break to see what we discovered. %Gallery-131743%
Movie Mount turns your iPad 2 into a serious video-making machine
We're sure there's at least one person out there who has been itching to shoot boat-loads of video with their iPad 2. Perhaps even a short film or two. After we pointed out how crazy you are, we might suggest looking into a tripod-mountable case like Makayama's Movie Mount. This simple plastic frame adds a number of things that a budding iPad videographer might appreciate, including a pair of hot shoes for hooking up lights and mics, and a mount for lenses, just in case you prefer wide-angle or telephoto shots. You can even switch between the conversion lenses and the built-in one on the fly thanks to the sliding adapter. The Movie Mount is available to pre-order now for $69.95, with the first deliveries expected to ship in October. Before you go, check out the gallery below, as well as the video and PR after the break. %Gallery-132218%
Engadget's back to school guide 2011: accessories
Welcome to Engadget's Back to School guide! We know that this time of year can be pretty annoying and stressful for everyone, so we're here to help out with the heartbreaking process of gadget buying for the school-aged crowd. Today, we've got a slew of accessories -- and you can head to the Back to School hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here! Fall's slowly, but surely creeping back in, and we bet you've already started to gather up the necessary gear for your return to the residence hall. Sure, you've got the basics covered, with a computer, smartphone, MP3 player and even a tablet at the ready. But wouldn't it be nice to start the school year off in style with some handy accoutrements to trick out those digital crutches? Let's face it, you're going to need a lapdesk buffer zone between you and your laptop's scorching heat for those countless hours spent churning out term papers. Or, an external hard drive, so you can store those full seasons of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and bring the late night funny to your stressed-out friends. However you manage to make it through the year and snag that 4.0 GPA, we've got a selection of accessorized aids to match your collegiate budget. Oh, and don't forget, we're giving away $3,000 worth of essential back to school gear to 15 readers, and you can be among the chosen few simply by dropping a comment below! Click on past the break to start browsing.
iPad case helps you get into Bernie Madoff's pants
You know the old saying about not judging a man until you walk a mile in his shoes? Well, those who were quick to pass judgement on Bernie Madoff might want to try John Vaccaro's new iPad cases on for size. The pockets are made from the Ponzi scheme mastermind's pants, which were seized after his arrest. Vaccaro bought them up at auction and has begun making custom cases for the Apple tablet. At $350 each, they don't come cheap, but you do get a certificate of authenticity -- but with Madoff's name attached, how could you possibly go wrong?