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WiMAX case brings 4G speed to iPhone in South Korea
South Koreans with an iPhone 4 on wireless provider KT will be able to browse the mobile internet at 4G speeds thanks to KT's new KWF-B2500 WiMAX sleeve for the iPhone. Dubbed the Egg, the sleeve contains an extended battery to boost the iPhone's juice, providing up to five hours of 4G mobile broadband usage. As with any sleeve, the Egg will add 2.4 ounces (68 g) of weight and 8 mm of extra bulk to the iPhone 4. If you prefer to keep your iPhone 4 slim, KT also released the new KM-MR100 mobile hotspot which provides 4 hours of WiMAX connectivity on a single charge. Both the iPhone 4 sleeve and the mobile hotspot are available for 128,000 South Korean Won (US$120). [Via Engadget]
WiMAX sleeve brings 4G speeds to the iPhone 4 in South Korea
This is exactly how we humans got out of the trees five million years ago. We spot a problem, like the iPhone 4's lack of 4G data, and we solve it. In fact, Korean Telecom's new Egg sleeve not only brings WiMAX to the iPhone 4 but also incorporates an extra battery to allow five hours of 4G surfing. It could make bipedalism slightly uncomfortable however, by bulking your pocket out with 2.4 ounces (68g) in added weight plus a third of an inch (8mm) in extra thickness. Primates outside of South Korea can't buy the ₩129,800 ($120) Egg right now, but problem-solving minds can always use 4G mobile hotspots instead -- like the Sprint Overdrive or Verizon's new LTE-based MiFi. That's why we're the jungle VIP.
G-Form Extreme Sleeve gives new reasons to throw a MacBook out a window (video)
Extreme products make people do extreme things -- take, for example, all of those phones we've dumped in glasses of water and various things we've run over with cars. When it comes to demonstrating ruggedness, G-Form is no slouch. After dropping a bowling ball on its iPad case (iPad inside, naturally), the company hit YouTube again to toss a MacBook encased in a new Extreme Sleeve from a 20 foot balcony -- a fall it survived unscathed. These heavy-duty cases are made up of PORON XRD, a flexible material that absorbs 90 percent of impact energy, which the company also uses it to make things like skateboarding knee pads and biking accessories. The laptop case starts shipping on May 31st for $69.95, so heads up when walking under windows this summer. Extreme press release and video of gadget abuse after the break.
Grantwood Technology MacVelope for MacBook Air: Review and giveaway
I've said it before, and I'll say it again -- being a TUAW blogger is dangerous in that I see way too much cool stuff that I end up wanting to purchase. The Grantwood Technology MacVelope for MacBook Air is precisely what I'm talking about. Fortunately, these fun interoffice envelope lookalike sleeves have a nice light price tag of US$21.99 (sale price, they're usually $29.99), so I'll be able to spend my January paycheck on it (just kidding). The MacVelope is a play on what Steve Jobs did at the introduction of the original MacBook Air at Macworld Expo 2008 -- he fished it out of a manila envelope before waving it at the crowd. The MacVelopes come in two flavors, one for the 11" Air and another for the "big" 13" model. Both are made of a yellow vinyl material that's actually a bit more yellow than most manila envelopes I've ever seen, with a velcro closure and a fun red string closure that adds to the illusion. The inside is lined with a soft ballistic nylon that makes sliding the MacBook Air into and out of the case a breeze. One commenter in Grantwood's online store noted that "the best part is the look on people's faces when a computer comes out of such a small envelope," while another said "it offers a BIT of protection-from-theft in that most casual observers wouldn't assume it contains a laptop." The company also offers a companion bag for $10 that the MacVelope snugs into, but I think I'd just carry my Air in the MacVelope. Click Read More to learn how to enter our giveaway.
TUAW Review: ColcaSac sleeve for iPad
I've never understood people who keep their iPads bound up in cases. I get that they want to protect their iPads, but I never understood why they choose cases which just add to the bulk of the beautifully thin device. I've always been a sleeve guy myself -- something to keep the iPad scratch-free while transporting, yet which easily allows you to slide it out and hold it in your hands the way Jobs intended. That being said, I've searched for months for a good iPad sleeve. Most of the sleeves out there are very sterile and bland in appearance. Their designs are fit for mass production, but not much else. My search for the perfect iPad sleeve ended when I discovered the ColcaSac iPad sleeve. ColcaSac is a small company in Salt Lake City, Utah that makes five different iPad sleeves, plus numerous iPhone and MacBook sleeves. Their designs are simple, yet different. The ColcaSac I have is the Hanakapiai model. It's got a soft cotton interior that gives the iPad's screen a nice wipe every time it's taken out of the sleeve, helping wipe away fingerprint smears. The outside of the sleeve is made of a beautiful basketweave hemp canvas that gives it a slightly rugged look. But one of the things I like most about the ColcaSac is the sleeve's outside pocket (which so many sleeves lack), perfect for carrying a USB cable and charger. And best of all, the iPad fits snugly into the sleeve. I've tried many iPad sleeves, and most of them don't hold the iPad tight. With the ColcaSac sleeve I can open the sleeve (it uses a Velcro fold to close), hold it upside down, and have the iPad slide out slowly. Considering the design and quality materials they use, the $35 price tag for the ColcaSac is a steal. It's also a beautiful choice for iPad owners who want something aesthetically different than the usual offerings of iPad sleeves found on Amazon or in Apple Stores. If you're looking for a great sleeve, I highly recommend this one. Broke? Can't afford one? Not to worry! The guys at ColcaSac have been good enough to provide a sleeve for one of our lucky TUAW readers. Check back in the next few days for the giveaway post!
TUAW review and giveaway: RadTech RadSleevz for iPad
Happy Independence Day! TUAW continues a weekend of giveaways with the RadTech RadSleevz sleeve case for iPad. We're all aware of the huge ecosystem that has built up around accessories for all of the iProducts: iPod, iPhone, and now iPad. One of the largest categories in the market is for protective covers and cases, and here at TUAW we receive a lot of requests to review these products. Sometimes they're fancy and expensive, other times inexpensive but still functional. RadTech's new RadSleevz for iPad, available for US$24.95, is the perfect example of the latter. I've used RadTech's products for years, particularly their ScreenSaverz, which I used with various MacBook models over the years. Those are made of a micro-fiber material called Optex, which has a nice, almost flannel feel to it but is much tougher. Optex is a wonderfully soft material and doesn't scratch, so when my ScreenSaverz weren't keeping my MacBook displays from those little keyboard marks, I was using them to wipe smears off the displays. Optex is the same material being used in the RadSleevz sleeve case for iPad, although it appears that the RadSleevz material is thicker than that used for the ScreenSaverz. Like the ScreenSaverz, RadTech ships the RadSleevz in plastic tubes which I always end up repurposing to store cables and connectors.
Engadget T-shirt iPad sleeve completes a nerdy + heartwarming loop
Somewhere out there there's a naked, shivering Engadget reader who loves his iPad very much. His name is Colin, and he scored the shirt at Engadget Show 008, which was fashioned into this case by the fine folks at HelloRewind, which he naturally heard about on Engadget.
A tale of two iPad cases: the Dodocase and M-Edge Trip Jacket
If you're like us, one of the first things you wanted to do after getting your iPad was to find a great case for it. Right off the bat, we weren't really that into Apple's offering, which is strangely 90's in its design aesthetic, though it does have a number of decent features if you're looking for a do-it-all scenario and don't have strong feelings on looks. For us, however, the goal was finding something that kept a low profile, shielded the slate from unnecessary grime, and made it easier to deal with. Oh, and we wanted it to look like a book. After reviewing the options, we've come up with two choices that we think are your best bets for turning your iPad into something a little more familiar, so here's our quick take on M-Edge's Trip Jacket, and the stunning, hand-made Dodocase. %Gallery-92232%
Hello Rewind laptop sleeve hands-on
Hey, we just got our Hello Rewind laptop sleeve in the mail, and we're pretty psyched about it. If you'll recall, Hello Rewind is a startup in New York City dedicated to helping the survivors of sex trafficking learn new skills by running a business turning old T-shirts into laptop sleeves, and all of the proceeds are used to sustain the enterprise and help more survivors. Pretty neat, especially since helping out just requires you to donate a favorite old shirt and $49 -- and the sleeve itself is actually quite nice. Be warned, though: it fits pretty snugly around 15-inch MacBook Pros, and it wasn't even an option for our bruiser 15-inch HP Elitebook, so you might want to get a size up if you've got a bigger machine. Of course, that pales in comparison to the bigger problem: what T-shirt are you going to use? %Gallery-92150%
DIY coolness: a duct tape iPad sleeve and two clever docks
Ahhhh, the refreshing ingenuity of TUAW readers! Frank Hsueh might have been out of quid after buying his iPad, or he perhaps he just likes the texture of duct tape. As Frank noted in an email to TUAW this morning, he made an iPad sleeve out of nothing but a bubble envelope, duct tape, double-sided tape, and an Apple sticker from an iPod shuffle. Frank used up his roll of double-sided tape securing the inner bubble padding, so he used the tape core to make an iPad stand. As Frank said, it's "perfect for movie watching or notes typing (with wireless keyboard) in landscape mode." Another TUAW reader, Wilson Lam, had an even more green solution for an iPad stand -- while he's waiting for a stand from Quirky, Wilson found that a cardboard cup holder from a fast-food restaurant could be turned into a utilitarian iPad stand. Check out the gallery below for more photographic evidence of these fun DIY projects. %Gallery-90207%
Targus tempts the wallet with a new line of iPad cases
Targus has been making cases and accessories for Apple products for 25 years, so it's not surprising that, today, the company has announced a line of iPad cases, all of which look very nice. The top of the line case is the Hughes Leather Portfolio Slipcase (at right) for iPad, which is made of beautiful oil-tanned leather and has a soft twill inner lining. It uses a magnetic closure, and comes in black and brown. This executive-styled slipcase is going to run US$59.99. Next, Targus announced the Crave Slipcase for iPad (below). It's made of a durable and weatherproof material, and has a stain-guard coating for protection. The Crave is available in black and silver, and has stow-away top handles as well as an accessory pocket for other goodies. This slipcase has a midrange price of $34.99. Finally, the third new case for iPad from Targus is the A7 Neoprene Sleeve. The A7 comes in four colors: plum, brown, black, and blue. The A7 sleeve uses the Targus Tri-Cell Cushion System, which incorporates layers of foam, neoprene, and mesh for protection. This model will be available for $24.99. All of the new iPad cases will be available some time in April of 2010.
Quick review of Apple's overpriced iPad case
This is going to be a quick review because we don't review cases that often -- there are simply too many! However, Apple seems quite proud of their case for the iPad, so I wanted to touch upon my early impressions. No torture test this time as we'll give this guy away, but below are some notable aspects of the sleeve. The material is soft and rubbery, not unlike neoprene but denser and quite durable. Nail scratches didn't seem to faze it, but anything white or gray will appear quite brilliantly because the surface is black. Really, really black -- like the ship in 'Restaurant At the End of the Universe' black. The seams appear to be held together by some heat-sealing or glue, but in time they could conceivably come apart. There's some flexible plastic around the part of the sleeve that holds the edges of the iPad, however, and I mashed on the seams a bit and the rubber/plastic just stretched, so the seam appears quite sturdy. That extra plastic ensures a snug fit around the bezel and keeps the iPad from shifting. There's a stiffer piece of plastic for the cover (which folds back to become a base) which I was able to bend over 45 degrees without worry. It is sturdy and flexible, perhaps magical too? Finally there's a little flap that holds the iPad in, just inside the part that will be folding over and back repeatedly. This is the one fail point, in my opinion. There's no real remedy other than some mechanical hinge, but the hinged portion of this case will just keep flexing until the materials wear out. That will likely be 4 iPad revisions from now, but there it is. The iPad took a bit of squeezing the first time, but once you figure out that even pressure is required on both sides of the pad you won't be regretting that dock you bought. While it could be easier to remove the iPad from the sleeve, it would make it flimsier too, I think. The only downsides to this case, aside from the hefty $39 price tag are the unavoidables: it isn't waterproof (Apple doesn't really do waterproof cases) and many apps (iPhone and iPad) are lessened by the angle of repose this case provides. In other words, if you fold the cover back to the intended angle for resting the iPad on your lap, many iPhone apps that rotate will be upside-down, or at the wrong angle for comfort. There are even some iPad apps (Game Table, for one) that aren't rotating in that direction! That's a bummer, but not really Apple's fault. I see an uptick in Otterbox case sales for iPad, if you happen to be an avid reader at the beach. Either way, you will want a case for you iPad. If you can spare the nearly 40 bucks, get this one. It'll last at least until they move a switch 30cm and make it obsolete. To see some close-ups of the case in various seated positions, plus seams and build quality check out the gallery below. To see how to get the iPad in and out of the sleeve, check out the video on the next page. %Gallery-89780%
The iMaxi: someone had to do it
What can I say? Who didn't see this one coming? Hip Handmaidens, a company that sells handcrafted wares "born out of a bizarre group of talented housewives," has created the iMaxi -- the only Apple iPad case with protective wings. You know, I could describe the case to you, but I think Hip Handmaidens have hit all the puns and innuendo possible: "With its durable vinyl outer layer and plush, quilted-cotton sleeve, the iMaxi helps keep your iPad clean and dry. Plus, the iMaxi's Velcro-latched, advanced wing design wraps snugly around your device, so your iPad always stays where it should. Best of all, it shields it from all those unsightly and embarrassing data leaks that would make any motherboard worry!" Want to hear something even more disturbing? They offer the option of a special blood red threading for that "lived in" look. The perfect Mother's Day gift anyone? I didn't think so. UPDATE: Some of the commenters mistakenly believe the "blood red" iMaxi was Photoshopped by TUAW as some childish joke. It was not. Please see here and here.
Hello Rewind transforms old shirts into swank laptop sleeves, helps humanity
Look, we've got no qualms with the litany of existing laptop sleeves on the market today. Many are fine, fine pieces of kit. But if you're in the market for something to cover up your shiny new 13-, 15- or 17-inch machine, you owe it to yourself (and your fellow Earthlings) to check out what Hello Rewind is offering. Put simply, this company accepts your order for a new sleeve, sends you a pre-paid envelope, awaits the arrival of your used tee of choice, and then mails you a soft, personalized wrapping for your precious workhorse. During the process, the outfit uses the proceeds to fight sex trafficking and assist women that were formerly sex trafficked in New York City, which is just about as noble a mission as we can think of. Be sure to give the source link a visit if you're interested, where each sleeve can be procured for $49 with free shipping on both ends. [Thanks, Greg] %Gallery-85132%
Ask Engadget: Best TSA-approved laptop bag?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Addison, who now needs a shiny new laptop bag to house that shiny new laptop that arrived for Christmas. The kicker? TSA approval is passionately desired. "I was lucky enough to receive a new Laptop (ASUS UL80Vt-A1) this Christmahanukwanzaakah. Hurray! The only problem is, my old LL Bean Messenger bag just isn't going to cut it anymore now that I'll be carrying around my precious laptop along with school books and a whole gaggle of cables. Perhaps your readers could suggest to me a replacement? I would prefer a messenger / shoulder style bag, but if there is an especially cool backpack out there, I wouldn't turn my nose up at it. TSA compliance would be an added bonus since I have to fly quite a bit nowadays. What do you think, could you and the hive-mind give me a hand?" Air travel just gets worse and worse these days, so we're emphasizing that "TSA-approved" bit for Addison's own good. We know the bulk of 'em ain't that pretty, but for the jetsetters out there who have had a chance to weed through and pick the best, we're hoping they'll share their secrets down below.
iTwinge: the perfectly named iPhone keyboard
Um, where to begin? How about a definition: twinge n. A brief experience of emotion, typically an unpleasant one. Funny, that's the reaction we had when first laying eyes on Mobile Mechatronics' iTwinge iPhone keyboard. At the moment, we're unclear if the iTwinge electronically docks to the base of the iPhone or if it's just a $30 (plus shipping) sleeve with Pogo-like coating for capacitive touchscreens. According to the FAQ, the ultra-low power iTwinge "uses the phones power" but doesn't require any software to work with Apple's iPhone 3G or 3GS handsets. Regardless, after 4 hours of usage an "average user" will increase typing speed by 30% to 40% with 70% to 80% fewer typing errors. Golly! If you pre-order now you can expect shipment in November. So go ahead, we dare ya. Another pic after the break. [Via ChipChick]
The bacon iPhone sleeve: for discerning eyes only
Are you a classy sort of lady or gent? Looking for something understated and sophisticated to adorn your iPhone that says, 'Hey world, I've got refinement to spare'? You're in luck then, as German artist and rising accessories star Antje has created the bacon iPhone sleeve with which to adorn your precious, high-society gadget. It's the perfect thing to go with your meat iPod case, and your actual meat cellphone. Get them while they last for only €25 (or around $31), you foppish bon vivants![Thanks, Jesse]
Back to School: RadTech backpacks and cases 20% off
TUAW's going Back to School! We'll be bringing you tips and reviews for students, parents and teachers right up until the bell rings in September. Read on for nifty supplies for any student. Today only, RadTech is offering 20 percent off regularly-priced backpacks, cases, laptop bags and sleeves, including bags with photovoltaic cells to help charge your electronic devices. Solar panels on the bag can provide up to four watts of power for your iPod or phone. Make sure to use the promo code SCHOOL88 when you check out to take advantage of the offer.
Marware C.E.O. Envi Sleeve for MacBook Air
Playing on the MacBook-Air-in-a-manila-envelope meme started by Steve Jobs at Macworld Expo 2008, Marware has announced the sexy leather C.E.O. Envi sleeve for the MBA. The $89.99 C.E.O. Envi features a premium leather exterior and a soft lining, and is designed to be used either on its own or in another bag. A magnetic closure keeps the sleeve safely shut, while the interior lining protects the exterior of the MacBook Air from scratches.Of course, it's too late for my MacBook Air, which is beginning to look a bit scuffed up on the bottom. But I may still look into one of these sleeves as a way of preventing even more scratches.
iPod sleeve takes fashion to its logical, meaty conclusion
What's better than having a nice leather or cloth iPod sleeve to show off to your friends? If you're thinking one made of imitation meat -- you're dead right! Apparently, a company in Japan is under the impression that you want to wrap your music player in a grade A lookalike, undoubtedly to the thrill of your vegetarian friends and family. Of course, don't just get one for the shock value -- this thing oozes pure, sophisticated style. If you've got ¥6,800 (or about $66) and dignity to spare, it can be all yours.[Via DVICE]
