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Rain Design iSlider: a pocketable iPad stand
There's a problem with most really usable iPad stands: they're too big to be portable. Sure, you could always use an iPad case that doubles as a stand, but it many situations that ends up being somewhat of a compromise. The team at Rain Design put their formidable minds to work on the problem and demonstrated their solution at Macworld/iWorld 2013. That solution is now shipping: the iSlider (US$49.90), a lightweight and portable iPad stand that adjusts over a 55° range to make your iPad more comfortable to use. Design At first glance, the iSlider might be mistaken for an aluminum doorstop or a compact (5.5" deep by 3" wide by a maximum of 1" high) trackpad. Seriously, it doesn't look like any other iPad stand you've seen. But with a quick pull on one end of the device, a mechanism slides out of the half-pound aluminum body and you have your iPad stand. %Gallery-179965% iSlider is built to accomodate both "naked" iPads and iPad minis, and also those in cases that are less than 5/8" thick when installed on the device. A set of grooves on the back of a padded arm are used to provide precise and sturdy lift to your device. A folding foot at the bottom of the iSlider holds your device in place and also provides access for a charging cable. The iSlider works equally well at holding your digital toy in either landscape or portrait orientation, and a set of non-skid feet on the bottom keep the iPad and iSlider from ... well, sliding. Functionality Made out of brushed aluminum, iSlider is a nice match for your Apple devices and looks perfectly at home on a desk with your MacBook or iMac. One of the marketing images used by Rain shows an iSlider going into the front pocket of a pair of jeans, and I was surprised to see that I was actually able to plop it into a pocket without it looking too obvious. I use a fun "Padintosh" case from ThinkGeek to protect the back of my iPad, with a standard Apple Smart Cover over the front. When I folded the Smart Cover over the back of the iPad and placed the entire handful onto the iSlider, it fit perfectly. On the other hand, my iPad mini is unclothed at this time, so it is quite skinny. Unfortunately, that meant that there was plenty of space down in the foot at the bottom of the iSlider, so the iPad mini moves a little bit if you try typing on it or poke at icons. Fortunately, there's a solution right at your fingertips -- the iSlider comes with a small carrying bag, and I just put that behind the mini to keep it from moving. I suppose I really should just break down and order an iPad mini case, though... Conclusion Rain Design has solved the problem of carrying an adjustable iPad stand around by designing a unique folding mechanism for the iSlider. It looks good, it's built to last, and it provides both style and function in a pocketable design. Pros Rugged aluminum body should be able to survive drops and bumps Eminently pocketable and adjustable over a wide range Can accommodate iPads in a variety of cases and covers Non-slip feet keep your iPad and iSlider from moving Cons Somewhat expensive, but worth every penny Who is it for? Anyone who needs a portable and sturdy iPad stand that looks ... mahvelous!
Double Robotics gives your iPad wheels, brings telepresence to the masses (video)
Walking iPads aside, usable telepresence remains one of geekdom's purest goals. Being able to attend meetings, without the minor irritation of actually being there, has been a motivator for professionals and hobbyists alike. Double Robotics, on the other hand, feel that they've spotted an opportunity. By leveraging the computing power of the iPad, coupled with some smart design, it has created the "Double," a self-balancing motorized iPad stand. You'll need a pair of Apple slates to get going, one to peer into and use as a controller (via an app), another to project your face, and act as the seeing eye (via the front-facing camera). Best of all, this is much more affordable than many existing options, rolling in at $1,999 if you pre-order ($2,499 otherwise), shipping in December -- iPads not included. Facetime on wheels? Why didn't we think of that? Roll past the break for the video.
Ten One Design premieres Pogo Sketch Plus and Magnus iPad stand at CES
It's always great to see the guys from Ten One Design at various trade shows and conventions we cover here at TUAW and seeing them again at CES was no exception. This time around, in addition to displaying the popular Fling joystick for iPhone and iPad, Ten One had two new products on display. The first as the Pogo Sketch Plus stylus, which is an updating version of the popular Pogo Sketch featuring an all-new tip. Personally, I'm not a huge stylus fan (I agree with Steve Sande: "If you see a stylus, they blew it"), but I do agree that the Plus is more accurate and a little smoother than the previous version. I don't know that it'll convince you to use a stylus on the iPhone or iPad when you don't already, but if you use another stylus or the standard Pogo Sketch, the new version is worth checking out. Ten One was also showing off the Magnus, a new iPad stand they're making. iPad stands are so CES 2011, but this one is actually pretty innovative: It includes a strong metal base outfitted with a magnet, so the iPad not only stands in place, but is held there with a magnetic charge (on the same edge that Apple's Smart Cover uses to stay on. The design of the Magnus is really impressive -- the iPad would fall over without that magnet, so the whole thing looks quite magical. The Pogo Sketch Plus is available for $14.95, and the Magnus is available for $49.95. Of course, it only works with the iPad 2 and its embedded magnet. Ten One also says the Fling continues to sell well. There are a few other joysticks out there, but Ten One says that no other competitors have borrowed the Fling's patented twisty design yet. They did say that a few "counterfeit" copies have appeared, but not enough to cause issue with Ten One's sales. We asked if there have been any major customer complaints yet, or any big improvements in the product customers have asked for, but they say that customers have been happy overall with the Fling. The only real issue so far? "It's kid-proof, but not dog-proof," says Ten One.
miFrame makes your iPad picture perfect
I usually don't review iPad stands, but the people from Striped Sail sent me a miFrames for iPad 2 to try out, and I found it quite clever. Unlike traditional iPad stands, the miFrame doubles as a picture frame enclosure. Most people aren't going to buy an iPad just to use it as a digital picture frame, but those who use that feature (perhaps photo studios or graphic design offices that want to show off their work, not to mention grandmas) the miFrame is a nice choice. The frame/stand comes in black or silver precision-machined aluminum and can be positioned in portrait or landscape orientation. A five-foot USB cable runs from the base and can be plugged in to a power source, like an Apple USB charger, to keep the iPad charged. The long cable provides plenty of reach for positioning the stand just so. The miFrame doubles as a traditional picture frame. You can slide an 8x10 printed photograph into the frame which will be displayed when you remove the iPad. That way the frame is useful when it's holding an iPad and when it's not. One of the few drawbacks about the miFrame is that you actually have to snap the frame's border off to get the iPad in and out. It's easy to do and doesn't take too much time, but it would be nice if you could slide the iPad in without removing the frame. Also, the miFrame can't be hung on a wall, which some users might find limiting. The miFrame is available for the iPad 1 or 2 and costs US$79.99. You can purchase it directly from Striped Sail or through Amazon.
Bracketron iTilt: An inexpensive iPad stand that gets the job done
Since the debut of the iPad last year the TUAW blogger team has seen just about every type of iPad stand, from a cardboard tape roll with a slot on the cheap end of the spectrum to the heavy and somewhat expensive Stabile PRO stand on the opposite end. Now a new entrant, Bracketron (which sounds vaguely like it should be an NCAA basketball bracket picker app) has come out with an inexpensive and very functional iPad stand called the iTilt. The US$19.95 iTilt isn't the most beautiful iPad stand I've ever seen, but it does what it's supposed to do: hold up an iPad in a variety of positions so you can use it. You can use the iTilt with just about any case installed on your iPad or iPad 2, so if you've purchased that $260 Vaja iVolution Top Crystal case with the embedded Swarovski crystals, you still have a stand that will work for you. The stand is dead simple in design, and strangely enough it resembles this LEGO-based iPad stand.There's a fold-out plastic piece with grooves cut into it that sits flat on the table, and a hinged metal piece fits into the grooves to adjust the angle of the stand. To carry it in a backpack for school or a briefcase for the office, it folds flat. The iTilt isn't fancy, but it gets the job done. I'll take inexpensive functionality over pricey glitz any day. You can pick up an iTilt at an amazing array of retailers, including Best Buy, Target, and most office supply stores.
Roundup of Kickstarter Apple-related projects for 6/2
For many tech startups, Kickstarter is a great way to raise funding to get a new company off the ground. Each week, TUAW takes a close look at recent Apple-related Kickstarter projects for those of you interested in supporting one of the many entrepreneurs who are waiting to bring the next big thing to market. Send us information about your Kickstarter project by using the tips and feedback link at the top of this page, and include the word "Kickstarter" in the subject line. Artistree Dual-Tip Stylus Artists who use the iPad as a drawing pad often have to switch between using their fingers and styluses with different tip sizes to get just the effect they desire onto their digital canvas. Now Matt Geyster is trying to solve that problem with the Artistree Dual-Tip Stylus. One end of the capacitive stylus has a rounded tip that can be used for rough sketches, while the other has a thin, pointed tip for detail work. In between is an anodized aluminum body with soft silicone grips that looks much more like a comfortable pen than a typical iPad stylus. Geyster has plans to offer other interchangeable tips in the future to make the Artistree even more useful. Matt's project is a bit behind the eight-ball right now -- he needs $30,000 to start production, but currently has 36 backers and less than $1,000 with a little more than a month to go. If you're an iPad artist or just want a comfortable capacitive stylus to use for taking handwritten notes, look into backing the project.
A unique iPad stand for around the house and travel
I've been pretty frustrated with the iPad stands I've seen. The Apple Smart Cover is clever but leaves the back of the iPad unprotected. Some of the cases that double as stands tend to be a bit tippy, and if you try to type or actively use the screen, they just fall over. I like lots of options for the angle of the screen depending on where I am, but many of the cases don't give you all that many choices. Enter the Prop 'n Go from Padded Spaces in Seattle. It's a thickly padded case with 14 different screen angles. It's available in Microsuede or what's called Air Mesh. The case is designed to provide excellent airflow, and no matter how you push on the case, it's simply not going to slide around or collapse. The model I tested, the US$49.95 standard setup, contains a pocket you can slip your iPad into or use to store accessories. The accessory pocket is cleverly designed so your power cords, headphones and so on don't come in contact with your iPad. An upgraded case called the All-in-One ($59.95) includes a strap that turns the case into a backpack. A lite version of Prop 'n Go eliminates the internal storage and drops the cost to $39.95. The cases work with either model of the iPad and would store an e-reader, like a Kindle, if you don't use an iPad. I reviewed the original iPad stand from Padded Spaces (called the Prop it Up) last year. I liked it a lot, but I thought it was too big. The current model is much smaller in width and designed to fit the iPad dimensions. I think this newer model is a decided improvement over an already good product. %Gallery-125028%
iLog holds up your iPad while you watch Ren & Stimpy episodes
In the never-ending quest to merge nature and technology, an iPad stand has emerged that would make a lumberjack proud. iLog by Twistedtwee is an iPad stand made from "carefully chosen re-claimed London wood," and it makes your iPad feel at home in any log cabin. The stand accommodates an iPad vertically and horizontally, and it looks pretty cool when you run a fireplace app on your iPad. Yeah, some might say it's just a log, but doesn't everyone want a log? Best of all, if your place ever gets too cold, you can actually burn the stand in your fireplace. The iLog stand is £35.00 and ships from the UK. [via Swiss-Miss]
Element Case Joule Chroma iPad stand works with iPad 2
We've covered the Element Case Joule iPad stand several times here on TUAW, even giving away some specially-made TUAW-logoed stands to several of our readers. Now Element Case has partnered with us again to introduce the new Joule Chroma line of iPad stands, and yes, we will be giving one away. The Chroma line comes in six bright colors -- orange, red, blue, pink, grey and black -- and there's even a matching Ultrasuede liner to caress your iPad. The Joule stand is set up with rubber pads at the bottom to keep it from sliding across smooth surfaces as you tap on the iPad screen, and the tilt foot magnetically attaches to one of three ports to adjust the angle at which the iPad sits. Finally, there's a speaker port so that your tunes aren't muffled when the iPad is nestled in the stand in portrait mode. The Joule Chroma isn't for everyone; at US$149.99, it's definitely a luxury item. And you probably don't want to use it with the Smart Cover installed, as you'll want to use this when you're using the iPad 2. But if you're looking for a very classy and well-made machined aluminum product with which to prop up your iPad, the Joule Chroma is a heck of a choice.
The TabGrip Stand for the iPad, a decent stand with a major problem
At Macworld 2011, I was shown the TabGrip (US$39.99), which looked and felt like a great iPad stand; I didn't realize that it had a major problem until I got it home and installed it. It's a stand that works in either landscape or portrait orientation. It consists of four riveted hard plastic sides connected by a soft and pliable rubber backing that allows you to stretch it so that each side snaps onto each of the four sides of the iPad. The four riveted sides contain a hinged foot that allows you to stand your iPad just about any way you'd like. It is very uncomfortable on your lap, but it's meant to be stood on a table, so no problem there. The feet don't lock, so you really can't exert too much pressure on it before the feet slide down, but it's really not meant for use in that manner. For typing or viewing, the feet are sturdy enough. With the feet folded against the iPad, holding it feels great. It seems to make the iPad more rigid and adds very little weight. When you hold it, it makes the unit feel very sturdy, and the rubberized grips feel just about perfect. Holding the iPad by the top and sides can add a lot to gaming or just about anything else, and since it doesn't block any of the screen, the TabGrip adds a bit of well designed lightweight heft in any position. The grips are of a size that won't let the iPad touch the ground, either from the front or back, since they are slightly thicker than the tablet. When I held it in the TabGrip booth, I immediately noticed that it felt perfect and didn't let your fingers slide around due to the texture of the grips. In short -- I was quite impressed and thought that it was a great design that really improved the user experience of holding or standing an iPad any way you could imagine. At least until I got it home and installed it.
Apple patents suggest iPad "kickstand," graphics pen
Apple's R&D is always hard at work coming up with various ideas for Apple products, and when they do, Apple usually lays down the paperwork for patents on them, whether they're destined for actual release or not. A few of these wacky ideas have popped up in the USPTO lately, and while they'll likely never see the light of day as real products, they do show just how busy they are coming up with new ideas in Cupertino. First up, one of the patents describes a built-in stand for the iPad. We've certainly seen plenty of third-party stands for Apple's tablet, but Apple has apparently designed an official solution that bends out from the back and holds in two positions -- one for standing up straight and another for standing down lower, as you'd have it if you were typing out something on the keyboard. The stand would feature a dual hinge, and it could even be rotated around. Elsewhere in the patent office, Apple is also working on something surprising: a stylus for use on its touchscreen surfaces. Steve Jobs famously said that "if you see a stylus, they blew it," but apparently some of Apple's engineers disagree and are working on a prototype. The stylus would provide more exact interaction with the touchscreen (Apple's patent describes how to get the smaller stylus working with a touchscreen built for fingers), and it would likely make tasks like drawing and writing easier on the iPad and iPhone. Both patents are interesting, but don't hold your breath on seeing these on stage at the next event.
iKlip iPad microphone stand is now shipping, flute solos sold separately
Hard to say if it'll arrive in time for your Christmas Jam Session this Saturday, but IK Multimedia's iKlip is now shipping. For those who can't tell by the incredible image above (and below, for that matter), it's a microphone clip for your iPad. Plain and simple, simple and plain. Hit the source link to cut $39.99 (or €29.99) from your budget, and inject untold amounts of joy into your life. %Gallery-106756%
Laplog for iPad molds to your midsection
I get tons of people emailing me asking if they could send me samples of their product to review. Nowadays a lot of those requests come from people or companies that make some form of iPad stand or another. And lets be honest here, there's not much difference between one iPad stand and the next. Some are lighter than others, some have a sexier design, but they all do basically the same thing: they let you prop your iPad up on a flat surface. One stand that does do something the others can't is the Laplog. Think of it as a bean bag chair for your iPad. I'll be honest, when I first received the Laplog I took one look at it and thought it was designed in the 1970s. Its muted brown organic linen fabric and its salvaged wood iPad slot certainly scream anything but hi-tech. I actually thought I wouldn't even review it and threw it in a corner of my bedroom. But one night while laying in bed, I was sick of using my fingers to keep my usual iPad stand from sliding off my chest, so I grabbed the Laplog. From then on, I fell in love with it. It's now my favorite of the iPad stands that I've tested. Its bean bag design conforms to almost any surface, be it your desk, the curved arm of your couch or, indeed, your lap. The unique buckwheat hull filling of the Laplog also gives it a tremendous amount of malleability, which lets you easily mold the iPad to any viewing angle you want. The Laplog isn't thin, so if you're constantly on the go, it's not something you'll easily be able to fit into your laptop or iPad bag. But the adaptability of the Laplog makes it an ideal iPad stand to have around the house, especially for those of you who read books or watch movies on your iPad in bed. The Laplog also works exceptionally well in the car, whether it's the kids using it to support the iPad while watching a movie in the back seat on a road trip or for your driver's side passenger, so they can easily prop your iPad Wi-Fi+3G on the dashboard for easy viewing of satnav iPad apps. The Laplog is made in America. It's eco-friendly and available for US$29.95.
iKlip puts your iPad on a mic stand, Steven Tyler drapery sold separately
It's a microphone stand adapter for your iPad. It's made in Italy from darn-near-indestructible materials. It's $39.99 / €29.99, available to pre-order now, and will ship in December. And the white outlines in the gallery below demonstrate its uses far better than our mere words ever could. %Gallery-106756%
Trick or Treat with TUAW: Sherwood + Meister Block22 iPad stand
TUAW is giving away a gaggle of ghoulishly good gadgets over the next few days. The good part of the giveaways? You don't need to wear a costume to win 'em. Today's entry in this week's Trick or Treat with TUAW giveaway extravaganza is something that is both simple and classy, like that little black dress your girlfriend likes to wear. It's the Sherwood + Meister Block22 iPad stand, and we're giving one away. Caleb Larsen is the chief designer at Sherwood + Meister, and he described the Block22 to us as "an iPad stand that reads more as a piece of furniture than a gadget." Looking at the Block22 on my cherry wood office desk, I have to agree. It's beautiful and functional. %Gallery-106326%
SMK-Link PadDock 10 review
It's funny that the most interesting iPad accessories so far have been the ones that try to squeeze Apple's tablet into more traditional shapes -- we've seen a wave of rebranded Bluetooth keyboard cases that ape the netbook form factor, a number of cases that aim for a Moleskine vibe (including some from Moleskine itself), and even an official Etch-a-Sketch case. And now we've got SMK-Link's PadDock 10, an iPad stand that unapologetically turns your tablet into the tiny touchscreen iMac you've maybe always wanted. But is it worth $99 for a rotating stand and some speakers? We just got one to play with -- read on for our full review. %Gallery-105082%
Rockin' and rollin' with the PropUp iPad stand
A few weeks ago on TUAW TV Live, my guest Sam Levin of AppMinute podcast fame showed off an iPad stand that he was excited about -- the PropUp (US$24.95). At first I thought he was waving some sort of Nerf flying toy around, but then he showed me how it worked and I was impressed. As you can see in the video after the break, the PropUp is made of a black flexible open cell foam material and has little "bumpers" in the corners that hold the iPad in place. What's great about the material that is used in the PropUp is that you can take an iPad dressed in many of the sleeves and cases that are available on the market, and the PropUp flexes just enough that you can use it without removing the iPad case. I was able to take my wife's iPad, which lives in the standard Apple case, and use it with the PropUp. Where the PropUp really excels is in holding the screen up while you're sitting in a chair. You can put the PropUp and iPad into your lap, and it's just at the right angle for viewing. Due to the size of the iPad, the PropUp won't stand up unassisted when the iPad is in portrait orientation, but it works amazingly well in landscape mode. It can also serve as good screen protection in transit -- simply turn the iPad around and face it towards the center of the PropUp, and you now have almost two inches of foam and an inch of air protecting the screen. We're giving away one PropUp iPad stand, so click the Read More link to find out how to enter our giveaway.
The Wedgepad bean bag stand for the iPad
The Wedgepad ($27 shipping only to the US), taking a cue from Veronica Belmont's Cat stand, is a comfortable iPad stand comprised of a wedged bean bag and four white elastic straps. It's very light, weighing in at only five ounces. The straps hold your iPad securely and its pliability and microsuede bag make it feel quite nice on your lap, where it's meant to be used. When attached, it seems to become part of the iPad. I've been playing around with one for a few days and haven't taken it off my iPad yet. It only works in landscape mode and can be used in a 30 degree mode which stands the iPad nearly vertically. That's not a great angle for your lap but it's okay for viewing on a table, especially if you are watching a movie and don't need to tap any buttons. I've used it mainly in the 45 degree mode, which is a perfect viewing angle when on your lap. My only complaint is that the white straps make it look a bit cheap, and it appears that it's holding your iPad hostage, but that's nothing that a black Magic Marker can't fix. You may remember it being announced in May and then tumbling into obscurity. There were production problems, and a small number got shipped, but now there is adequate stock. Pick one up now and you'll get free shipping, too, at least until the end of August.
HyperMac Stand doubles as an external battery for your iPad
Why settle for a separate iPad stand and external battery when you can have both in one device? Why indeed. That's the thinking from the folks at Sanho at least, who have just rolled-out the first-of-its-kind HyperMac Stand. It packs two slots that can hold your iPad at either an 18 or 45-degree angle (with or without a case), and a built-in 40-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-ion battery that promises to extend your battery life by a full 16 hours. Of course, that combination does make this one of the more expensive iPad stands around at $129.95, but that's not exactly too out of line when compared to a standalone HyperMac battery. Head on past the break for the complete press release.
TUAW review and giveaway: Twelve South Compass iPad stand
Yesterday we heard of a new iPad stand from Twelve South, and our initial reaction was a yawn -- everybody and their brother has come out with an iPad stand, and most of them are clunky, ugly, or weigh as much as the iPad. Upon further reading of the press release, we decided differently, and immediately worked with Twelve South to review and give away two of these amazing stands. They shipped a couple of the stands overnight, and we received them this morning. The Compass (US$39.99) gets its name from the drafting tool, not from the device you use to determine where magnetic north is. Folded into its travel case (included), the Compass takes up a space just 7 inches (17.8 cm) long and 1 inch (2.54 cm) wide. The Compass can be deployed in two modes. In the first, it looks like a tripod with the two compass-like legs holding the iPad and a third, thicker leg keeping the assembly upright. In this way, you can view the iPad in either portrait or landscape orientation. The second mode holds the iPad up in a slightly tilted configuration that is perfect for typing. %Gallery-97988%
