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Belkin Qode Ultimate Pro Keyboard Case for iPad Air 2: Review and giveaway
The transformation of the iPad Air into the iPad Air 2 forced case manufacturers to go back to the drawing board, but that's not always a bad thing. With each iteration of case, the product usually gets better. That's the situation with Belkin's Qode Ultimate Pro Keyboard Case for iPad Air 2 (US$149.99), which has emerged from a redesign truly deserving of the name "Ultimate Pro". Let's take a look, then enter for an opportunity to win a Qode Ultimate Pro Keyboard Case for your iPad Air 2. Specifications Dimensions: 9.72 x 7.09 x .71 inches(24.7 x 18 x 1.8 cm) Weight: 17.28 ounces (490 grams) Bluetooth Pairing: Bluetooth Smart pairing with up to 2 devices Battery Life: Up to one year Design The Qode Ultimate Pro looks like a pretty standard iPad keyboard case until you examine it closely. The iPad Air 2 is encased in a polycarbonate shell (white or black) for protection, and that shell can be removed from the keyboard by simply pulling the iPad away - magnets hold the two together. Bring the iPad Air 2 back in the vicinity of the "hinge" and they stick together, either in landscape or portrait orientation. The magnets that are built into the iPad Air 2 are used to keep the tablet in one of several positions. The keyboard/screen protector is made of aluminum, and there are rubber "feet" that keep the keys from touching the iPad screen. Inside the case is a battery that's designed to give you almost a year between charges in normal usage. One thing that I was happy to see is that there is no power switch on the keyboard as it's designed to turn on and off automatically. This seems to be a feature that is becoming common with the better keyboard cases on the market. The keyboard has all of the keys in the traditional locations, but does not use a separate row for the iPad function keys - instead, those keys share space with the number key row. The caps lock and tab keys are rather small and may be an issue for some users. The keyboard is backlit, with three possible brightness settings. I found the feel of the keyboard to be acceptable, but a bit more "springy" than other keyboards with less of a positive feedback. As with all keyboards, you may wish to try out the Qode Ultimate Pro for yourself prior to purchase since everyone has their own take on what the "perfect" keyboard feels like. Functionality Unfortunately, I don't have an iPad Air 2 nor is my employer going to purchase one for me, so I had to do all of my testing with an ancient, fat and heavy iPad Air. The Qode Ultimate Pro Case can be used as a standalone Bluetooth keyboard simply by removing the device, then folding the "hinge" flap under the keyboard. That made it quite easy to try out the keyboard with my original iPad Air. One thing I find interesting is that if you decide you don't need to use the keyboard and you happen to have an Apple Smart Cover, you can pull the keyboard off and replace it with the Smart Cover. I like the fact that the case can be used in either portrait or landscape orientation. I've often thought that writing in apps like Pages or Microsoft Word for iPad in portrait mode would be much more "natural looking". The Ultimate Pro Keyboard Case is a bit heavier than other keyboard cases for the iPad Air, so if carrying a few more ounces is an issue for you, it might be a good idea to look into some of our other keyboard case reviews to find a lighter model. The dual pairing feature is definitely a nifty idea - I found it fun to switch between iPad Air and iPhone 6 Plus with the push of the function key and one of two Bluetooth keys. Conclusion The Belkin Qode Ultimate Pro Keyboard Case for iPad Air 2 provides amazing battery life, dual device Bluetooth pairing, the ability to type in either landscape or portrait orientation, and backlit keys. It's a bit heavy, though, so those who are concerned about carrying extra ounces might want to peruse other keyboard cases before buying. Small caps lock and tab keys may also be an issue for some users. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Have a nice new iPad Air 2 that you'd like to pair up with a Belkin Qode Ultimate Pro Keyboard Case? TUAW and Belkin want you to have one. 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 December 12, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Belkin Qode Ultimate Pro Keyboard Case valued at $149.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Test driving Belkin's Thunderbolt 2 Express Dock HD
A number of other Apple-related websites have announced the release of Elgato's Thunderbolt 2 dock today; here at TUAW, we'll be doing a full hands-on review of the Belkin Thunderbolt 2 Express Dock HD (US$299.99) as well as a giveaway of our review unit. If you use a Thunderbolt 2-equipped MacBook Pro with Retina Display, Mac Pro, or Mac mini, or you're planning for a future with Thunderbolt 2, check out Belkin's latest expansion dock. Specifications Ports: Gigabit Ethernet, headphone, headphone/microphone, 3x USB 3.0 SuperSpeed ports, 2x Thunderbolt 2 ports, HDMI port. Display support: Supports dual displays and 4K cinema resolution Design Like its predecessor the Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock, the Thunderbolt 2 Express Dock HD is made out of a shiny piece of aluminum designed to match the finish of your Mac and Thunderbolt Display. On the back of the device you'll find most of the ports - Ethernet, headphone, two USB 3.0 ports, the two Thunderbolt 2 ports, the HDMI port and a power connection. On the front are two ports - USB 3.0 and a microphone/headphone port. I found the placement of the USB 3.0 port on the front to be quite odd - why not make that a Thunderbolt 2 port, since many users would want to use the shortest possible cable connection between the side of a MacBook Pro with Retina display and the Express Dock. While the dock does support dual displays and 4K displays, it can only handle a single 4K display at one time. If you're running two displays, at least one of them has to be Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 compatible, while the other can connect via HDMI. If you have a Mini DisplayPort-compatible monitor, it can be plugged into a Thunderbolt 2 port ... but you can only have one Mini DisplayPort monitor or an HDMI display, not both at the same time. And one nice little feature to end of the design portion of this review - Belkin includes a 1M (3 foot) Thunderbolt cable with the dock. Functionality I tested the Thunderbolt 2 Express Dock HD with a MacBook Pro with Retina Display, the CalDigit T4 RAID I reviewed yesterday, an external HDMI monitor, and a USB 3.0 hard disk drive. The device is very much plug-and-play; you just plug things into the proper ports, and everything is taken care of. Some simple testing of file transfer speeds both to the CalDigit T4 and my external USB 3.0 drive showed absolutely no drop in throughput as the result of having the Express Dock HD "in the middle". Likewise, the external monitor came up immediately when connected to the HDMI port. There were no issues, even when unplugging the HDMI cable and plugging it back in shortly thereafter. It was just like plugging an HDMI cable right into the MacBook Pro. The Ethernet port also worked with no extra driver required. When plugged into the Express Dock HD, the Ethernet port immediately showed up as another network adapter. If you're going to use the Express Dock HD Ethernet adapter as your primary method of connectivity, it's useful to move it to the top of the "service order" by going to System Preferences > Network and selecting "Set Service Order" from the pop-up menu found below the list of network services. The testing was done with the MacBook Pro running OS X 10.10 Yosemite; the device will also work with OS X 10.9 Mavericks, but 4K resolution monitors aren't supported with the older OS. Conclusion The Belkin Thunderbolt 2 Express Dock HD is a well-designed unit that's perfect for anyone who needs to connect a Mac with a variety of peripherals with a single Thunderbolt cable. However, the price of the Belkin unit is $70 higher than the almost-identical Elgato dock introduced today, which makes the Elgato product immediately more attractive to potential buyers. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Now, let's give a TUAW reader the opportunity for connectivity! Belkin and TUAW are giving away a Thunderbolt 2 Express Dock HD. 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 December 6, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Belkin Thunderbolt 2 Express Dock HD valued at $299.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
WeMo Maker brings the fun of experimentation to iOS
Belkin's WeMo line of connected devices has been around for a few years now, and I've had fun fiddling around with the various switches, wall outlets, motion sensors, and light bulbs that are part of the line. More recently, I've had the pleasure of using the free WeMo app to test out remote control of the new Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker and Mr. Coffee 10-Cup Smart Optimal Brew Coffeemaker. Both of those appliances use WeMo connectivity to let you turn the devices on or off, make changes to cooking or brewing, and even set up a schedule to start cooking or brewing. The one thing that was missing was a way to just play around with connecting other devices and sensors to the WeMo world. Enter WeMo Maker (US$79.99), a new entry to the WeMo family that opens the door to inventors and others who want to experiment with connected devices. The device is deceptively simple: it's a 3 by 3 by 1.5 inch box with an adjustable 3.5 inch antenna on top. The front is dominated by a large pushbutton, the back features a power cycle button, a restore button for resetting to factory default settings, a power light and a "relay" light. But it's the connection blocks on the bottom of the device that make the big difference. One is marked "Relay" and features two connectors, while the other is marked "Sensor" and features three connectors. The relay can be used to mimic a momentary or toggle switch. The momentary switch can be used in those situations where you need to mimic punching a button. Think of the wired button for a garage door opener - you punch the button, which sends a momentary signal to the opener to either open or close the door depending on its current state. The toggle switch, on the other hand, could be used to turn on a heater until a temperature setting is reached, at which time it is turned off. That garage door example? It just happens to be what I'm going to use the WeMo Maker for, since I have a really old garage door opener that could use a bit of Internet connectivity. How about the sensor connector block? Well, just about any 5V digital sensor can be used with it. I bought a cheap ($3.50) magnetic switch sensor from Adafruit that I'll use to determine whether my garage door is open or closed, but I could just as easily have purchased a visual sensor of some sort. WeMo Maker is controlled by the free WeMo app, which sees the Maker and adds it to a device list. Editing the device, you can change its name, add a picture, set the type of switch (momentary or toggle), and tell the app whether or not a sensor is attached. Back in the monitor/control view of the app, you'll see a button allowing you to trigger the relay as well as a "subtitle" that shows whether or not the sensor has been triggered. In my example, tapping the button would let the relay send a momentary signal to the garage door opener to open or close the door, while showing the sensor as "triggered" would tell me that the door is currently open. The WeMo Maker itself requires power; the company thoughtfully provides a USB to micro-USB cable with a USB-out AC plug, as well as a 3-foot cable. As for the wires connecting the Maker and the garage door opener? Well, I had to find my own. My choice probably wouldn't pass muster with a electrician, but since the relay sends out low voltage and amperage, I probably can't get into too much trouble, right? Sure enough, after attaching the relay leads to the two screw contacts on the garage door opener, plugging the Maker in and then letting it "find" the Wi-Fi network, I was able to tap the "Garage Door Opener" button in the WeMo app and open the garage door. Success! The remainder of the installation involved mounting the WeMo Maker with a pair of screws so that it wasn't just dangling from the garage ceiling outlet and connecting the sensor in such a way that it can tell me via the app whether my garage door is opened or closed. What's my next step? Well, there's a WeMo Maker Channel in IFTTT, meaning that I can start writing recipes that can do some really cool things. For example, I can write a recipe to have IFTTT check to see if the garage door is open at 10 PM at night (when it should be closed) and if it is, close the door. Or I could write a recipe for opening the garage door when I'm within a certain geofence. I'm not an "inventor" or electronics whiz by any stretch of the imagination, which is why I find the WeMo Maker to be so useful. If you already have a few WeMo devices but want to play with hooking up something other than lamps and appliances, you owe it to yourself to buy WeMo Maker.
Belkin and Mr. Coffee want to brew your first pot via WiFi
Belkin is no stranger to home automation, introducing several products in that vein through its WeMo line. We already put the company's Crock-Pot through its paces, and now there's a WiFi-enabled coffee option, too. The Mr. Coffee smart coffee maker brews 10 cups of joe, controlled from the handy WeMo app on a phone or tablet. Using the mobile software, you can schedule brewing, monitor its status, turn the unit off/on and get alerts when it's time for a proper cleaning. It also boasts Optimal Brew tech that's said to brew faster while packing in more flavor (we'll be the judge of that). If you're itchin' to get the coffee going before you roll out of bed in the morning, the $150 kitchen gadget is available now. Of course, if money's no object, and you have serious caffeine habit, there's a semi-automated pour-over option that we're a bit fond of.
Belkin intros new Thunderbolt 2 Express Dock HD
Mac users who have those speedy Thunderbolt 2 ports on their MacBook Pro with Retina display or Mac Pro now have a wonderful new way to increase the connectivity of their devices. Belkin today released the Thunderbolt 2 Express Dock HD (US$299.99), which allows up to eight separate devices to be connected to a Mac through a single Thunderbolt cable. Thunderbolt 2 is twice as fast as Thunderbolt, four times faster than USB 3.0, and a whopping 25 times faster than FireWire 800. The Thunderbolt 2 Express Dock HD features two Thunderbolt 2 ports, one HDMI port, three USB 3.0 ports with charging support, one audio port, another audio out port with mic support, and a gigabit Ethernet port. There's also one AC/DC power input. The dock will support dual displays when one display is a Thunderbolt display, and can support 4K cinema resolution on one display. Up to five Thunderbolt devices can be daisy-chained from the Thunderbolt 2 Express Dock HD. If the Thunderbolt 2 Express Dock HD sounds like it's right up your alley, it's available for pre-order today and should be in Apple Stores in October. Belkin expects the dock to be available in other retail stores in November.
Belkin WeMo Smart LED Bulbs take on Philips hue lux in smart lightbulb market
The home automation market keeps heating up, and one of the biggest players in that market -- Belkin, with its WeMo line -- has added a new product that may be the entry into home control for a lot of new customers. The WeMo LED Lighting Starter Kit (US$99.99 -- comes with two bulbs and a hub, extra bulbs $29.99 each) works with the company's proven WeMo app, allowing control from anywhere with a tap on of a screen. In the past, the WeMo devices -- light switches, wall sockets, motion sensors, and appliances -- haven't required a hub of any sort as they simply added themselves to a Wi-Fi network for easy control. With the new Smart LED Bulbs, a starter kit containing the WeMo Link is required. Although WeMo Link runs on the popular Zigbee home automation standard, it doesn't need to be plugged directly into a Wi-Fi router like so many other hubs. Instead, it can just be plugged into a convenient empty wall socket and can control up to 50 individual LED bulbs. For someone like me who has a literal pile of various home automation hubs plugged into a router, this is a godsend. The bulbs can be controlled individually from the app, or users can create groups that can turn on or off all of the lights in a room simultaneously. There are rules in the app that make it simple to turn a light on automatically at sunset and off at sunrise, and a 10-watt bulb (which are about as bright as 60 watt incandescent bulbs at 800 lumens) will save an average of $26 over its lifetime in electricity costs. The bulbs can also be dimmed for more romantic lighting, or even programmed to dim or brighten slowly over a period of time. The app also has an away mode that will automatically turn lights on and off randomly to simulate an occupied home. One of my favorite features of the WeMo ecosystem is the support for IFTTT. At this time, IFTTT integration is not provided for the Smart LED Bulbs, so it's not possible at this time to create recipes that allow actions outside of the WeMo app. Belkin notes that the WeMo and IFTTT teams are working together to provide this capability in the near future. Probably the closest competition to the WeMo Smart LED Bulbs at this time are the Philips hue lux LED bulbs, which uses a small hub that must be plugged directly into a router. To start out with the non-color hue lux bulbs, you need a $99 starter kit that includes the hub and two bulbs. Those bulbs sell for approximately the same price at the WeMo bulbs, at $29.95 a pop. How do the bulbs work in real life? To test the setup, I followed the easy instructions in the box. First, you plug the hub into a wall socket where you have at least two bars of Wi-Fi signal strength on your iPhone. Next, you take the two bulbs and plug them into fixtures, making sure that they're turned on. The third step is to connect to the WeMo.Link Wi-Fi network. Once you're connected, you fire up the WeMo app, which asks you to select your home Wi-Fi network and then sign into it. The WeMo Link hub connects to your Wi-Fi network and if you have Remote Access enabled (allows access to turn those lights on and off from anywhere on the Internet) for other WeMo devices, it is enabled for your bulbs. The app allows you to edit the names of the bulbs, and provides controls -- not only an on/off button, but also a dimming slider. When you turn the bulb off, it doesn't just cut off; instead, it dims down and off within about two seconds. The light from these bulbs is very "incandescent-like"; in other words, the light is warm, not a cold bluish light. Belkin notes that the bulbs will be available in a variety of socket types for worldwide use. While the WeMo Smart LED Bulbs don't provide the ability to create color combinations like the original Philips hue bulbs, I found that I don't use those color bulbs that much anyway, except in the standard "warm white" color scheme. I haven't had an opportunity to try the hue lux bulbs, which are very similar to the WeMo bulbs. I do have to admit to preferring the WeMo app over the Philips app, as it's just a lot more stable, easier to use, and it's doing much more than just changing color schemes with its built-in rules capability. Belkin is slowly, but surely expanding the world of home automation with a series of products that are all controlled from one app. It would be interesting to find out what the company is doing in terms of integration with Apple's HomeKit framework... With everything from a WeMo-enabled Crock Pot Slow Cooker to a Smart Room Humidifier, as well as NetCams, switches, and now light bulbs in the ecosystem, Belkin is moving home control and monitoring into some unique new areas. Conclusion With the addition of the Belkin WeMo Smart LED Bulbs, homeowners can now control lights other than lamps. These efficient bulbs, combined with a truly wireless hub, easy setup, and a powerful iOS app, are a great addendum to an already impressive home automation ecosystem. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible
Belkin Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker review: Can WiFi make cooking easier?
Frying, baking, grilling, searing, boiling, roasting -- whatever the method, I love to cook. It's not always easy, and sometimes it's just plain hard work, but at least it's the kind of work I enjoy. Even so, I've never used a slow cooker, and have always been a little jealous of my friends who have one. Put ingredients in and deliciousness comes out. It seems so easy! Since I hadn't yet run out to my nearest Target to add a slow cooker to my kitchen collection, I jumped at the chance to try the Belkin Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker with WeMo. The name is a bit of a mouthful, but the idea of a slow cooker I could monitor remotely seemed like a definite plus -- using it to check on the things I cook and making adjustments as needed. And in this case, I could do it from my phone, even while riding on the train or walking to my apartment. Convenient!
Belkin's MIXIT Lightning to USB cables: A better Lightning cable?
You might think that there's not much you can do to improve on the standard old Lightning to USB cables that you get with new iPhones and iPads, but you're wrong. For one thing, the plastic-coated standard Apple cables have a tendency to fray and crack, the plastic shells can crack if the cables are dropped, and the plain white exterior just doesn't match Jony Ive's design sensibilities. Belkin went to the drawing board and came back with MIXIT Lightning to USB cables. Today I'm taking a quick look at the Metallic Cables (US$24.99 for 6-inch, $29.99 for 4-foot) designed for the iPhone 5s. Specifications Type: USB to Lightning Length: 6 inches or 4 feet (15 or 122 cm) Colors: Space Gray, Silver, Gold MFi-certified by Apple Aluminum tips, braided cable Design Highlights Hey, a USB to Lightning cable isn't all that exciting, but the MIXIT cables immediately demonstrate some advantages: first, the cable has a nice braided surface that flexes more easily than a plastic sheath will, hopefully keeping the cables from cracking or splitting for a longer prior of time. Next, they're in colors that match your iPhone 5s. I know that sounds like another non-big deal, but I am so bored of plain white and black (or sometimes pink or orange) plastic cables. These just look a lot classier, and if they happen to accentuate just how sweet that iPhone 5s looks, so much the better. The Lightning end of the cable has a plastic end that is slightly larger than that of the standard Apple cable; I think it makes it a bit easier to grab. The USB end is pretty much identical to the Apple cable in both width and length. Functionality Highlights Are you kidding me? It's a USB to Lightning cable. Plug it in, it works. It's no faster or slower, but it does look better. And if it happens to last a bit longer than the standard Apple cable because of the construction, then it's worth the money. Frankly, the stress-relief plastic on the Apple cables is longer, although that on the Belkin cables has a larger diameter. Speaking of price, the 4-foot Belkin MIXIT cable is the same price as Apple's 2 meter (over 6 foot long) cable. Apple's boring white cable is $19.99 in the 1 meter length, $29.99 in the 2 meter length. If you're just looking for cheap and don't care about the looks, I'd recommend heading over to Monoprice where you can get perfectly serviceable and inexpensive USB to Lightning cables for less than what you'd spend for either the Belkin MIXIT or Apple units. The 6-inch cable is really quite overpriced. I use a similar short cable for charging my iPhone while I'm sitting at my desk; I bought it for $12 at Monoprice. Conclusion Pricey and good-looking, like me. If you're looking for a Lightning to USB cable that's a bit more stylish than your average one, then you're going to love Belkin's MIXIT Metallic Cables. If price is more important than looks, then these are not the cables you're looking for. Move along. Rating: 2-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible
Belkin's QODE Thin Type Keyboard Case for iPad Air
There's a battle raging among the manufacturers of keyboard cases for the iPad to see who can make the thinnest and/or lightest, and the most recent salvo in the war has been fired by Belkin with the new QODE Thin Type Keyboard Case for iPad Air (US$99.99). While we still haven't been able to compare it to the current generation of Logitech's similar Ultrathin Keyboard Cover (also $99.99), we were able to give Belkin's new thin keyboard a workout. How did it fare? Read on! Specifications Dimensions: 6.6 inches wide x 9.4 inches tall (169.5 mm x 240 mm). Thickness varies from .16 inches (4 mm) over most of the keyboard to a maximum of .39 inches (10 mm). Weight: 12.6 ounces (357.2 grams) Materials: Aluminum and polycarbonate Estimated battery life: 79 hours active, 3100 hours standby Charging cable: USB to micro-USB (included) Design Highlights When looking at the keyboard, the QODE Thin Type Keyboard Case is surprisingly similar in looks to the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover in that there is a horizontal slot above the keys where the iPad Air is placed. There's also a hinged piece that connects the Keyboard Case magnetically to the iPad Air as a cover (the magnets are in the iPad Air, of course). Note that the black keyboard seen in the review photos is the previous generation Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cove and is used for comparison purposes. Rather than sporting power and pairing buttons on the side like the Logitech Ultrathin (previous generation), there's a small switch in the slot on the keyboard that is pressed when the iPad is put in place for typing. That switch turns the keyboard on, then shuts it off when the iPad Air is removed. There's never a need to remember whether or not the keyboard is turned off; by default, if the iPad Air is removed, the keyboard is off. For first-time pairing, there's a Pair button on the top row of keys on the QODE Thin Type. As you'd expect, there are other design differences as well. The bottom of the Logitech Ultrathin is perfectly flat, which can make it somewhat slippery to hold. The QODE Thin Type has a "bump" across the back where the slot for the iPad Air is located, and there's also another larger bump for the battery. Those offer a bit more grip than that available on the Logitech Ultrathin. The majority of the keyboard is less than 4 mm thick, which makes for a very lightweight and downright skinny case. Of course, the back of your iPad is bare to the world, but at least the display is covered when in transit. The QODE Thin Type comes in two colors to match the white ("silver") and black ("space gray") iPad Air models. There is no backlight for the keys. Functionality Highlights I really like the idea of the automatic on/off switch. I've had situations where the Logitech Ultrathin cover has come off in a bag, turning on the iPad Air and sucking the batteries dry as it believes someone is pushing a key. That's not going to happen with the Belkin -- take the iPad out of the slot and it's off. Put it back in, and it turns on and pairs. Nice. Belkin chose to go with somewhat larger keys on the QODE Thin Type Keyboard Case, which has both good and bad points associated with it. While the larger keys are somewhat easier to type on, their size means that some special keys are relegated to non-standard places on the keyboard. For example, the colon and semicolon are to the right of the space bar, and the greater than/less than/forward slash keys that normally take up three keys on the "z" row of a keyboard are compressed into two keys. On the plus side, Belkin put a completely separate row of keys onto the top of the QODE for iPad special functions -- those keys aren't shared with with the number row as on the Logitech Ultrathin so there's no need to hold down the Fn key to get them to work. For me, the primary factors that make up the rating for a keyboard cover case like the QODE Thin Type are ease of typing and protection of the display. For typing, this keyboard excels with just a few problems that occur due to the non-standard location of the keys. The keys that caused the most problems were the question mark, quotes, and colon/semicolon. The rest of the time I found myself typing quickly and accurately. The QODE Thin Type works well in your lap or on a desktop surface. I personally found the QODE Thin Type to work better as a display cover than the last-generation Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover. The magnetic latching to the hinge seems stronger, and there is less lateral movement of the cover -- that ensures that the iPad properly lines up with the keyboard and turns it on or off when you open or close the combo. Finally, there's a feeling of solidity with the QODE Thin Type that is really surprising considering the thin and lightweight construction of the device. It just feels like it's going to hold together for a long time Conclusion The Belkin QODE Thin Type Keyboard Case for iPad Air has plenty of competition out there, particularly from Logitech's similar Ultrathin Keyboard Cover. The QODE, despite some odd key placement, is a worthy competitor to the last generation of the Logitech Ultrathin. The slightly larger keys and precise key response almost make up for combining other keys in non-standard ways, and the solidity of the construction is a plus. Knowing for sure that the keyboard is really shut off when the iPad Air is removed from it? Priceless. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible
Daily Update for January 6, 2014
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get some of the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the player at the top of the page. The Daily Update has been moved to a new podcast host in the past few days. Current listeners should delete the old podcast subscription and subscribe to the new feed in the iTunes Store here.
Belkin pumps up WeMo home automation line with lights, maker kit, and Smart Crock-Pot
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is upon us, and a number of companies are making announcements before the show starts in earnest tomorrow. Among the companies spilling the beans early is Belkin, with some important announcements about additions to its app-controlled WeMo home automation devices. To start with, Belkin is adding Smart LED Bulbs to the WeMo lineup. The bulbs, which are 60W equivalents that last up to 23 years, work through the WeMo Link device that controls up to 50 Smart Bulbs. Each one of the bulbs is fully dimmable, controlled through the WeMo app, and even has a vacation mode that turns lights on and off to simulate an occupied home. The WeMo LED Lighting Starter Set with two Smart Bulbs and a WeMo Link sells for US$129.99, while individual bulbs are available for $39.99 each. For those do-it-yourselfers who want to create their own WeMo solutions, Belkin offers the WeMo Maker Kit (price not available at press time). It adds Internet connectivity and WeMo app controllability to any device controlled with a DC switch. You can also use WeMo Maker to monitor and manage 5V DC sensors from the app. Like many of the existing WeMo products, WeMo Maker works with IFTTT.com, opening a world of specialized recipes. Finally, Belkin and Jarden Consumer Solutions are announcing the first smartphone controllable slow cooker, the Crock-Pot WeMo Smart Slow Cooker ($99.99). This allows you to receive reminders from the slow cooker, change cooking times, adjust temperature, or even check the status of your dish while you're away. While the WeMo Slow Cooker will be highlighted at CES, the Belkin booth will also display four other WeMo-enabled devices, including the Mr. Coffee Smart Coffee Maker, the HOLMES Smart Console Heater, the HOLMES Smart Console Humidifier, and the HOLMES Smart Air Purifier. The WeMo LED Lighting Starter Set, Smart Bulbs, Crock-Pot Slow Cooker, and Maker Kit will be available this spring. An updated version of the WeMo app, which includes a customizable long press gesture for the WeMo Light Switch, enhanced sunrise/sunset rules, a vacation mode, and a countdown timer, will be available in February.
A closer look at Belkin's Crock-Pot WeMo Slow Cooker (hands-on)
After light bulbs and smart outlets, Belkin is looking to tackle small appliances with its WeMo home automation line. The company just announced the Crock-Pot WeMo Slow Cooker and we've already stopped by to see what's... cooking. Those familiar with the popular culinary tool can expect a similar form factor to the current non-connected wares. The silver-and-black color scheme does offer a bit of sophistication though, just in case you were worried. Simplified controls are situated on the front with a single button for toggling warm, low and high settings. With the WeMo app, users can adjust temperature and set timers to ensure proper doneness. Around back, there's a slot for clipping on a lid holder to keep the mess to a minimum when that batch of meatballs needs a stirring. Belkin tells us that this is the first of many partner WeMo devices with items like space heaters and more on the way. If the idea of smart slow cooking already has you sold, this Crock-Pot will hit kitchen counters in the spring for $99.
Belkin announces a remote-controllable slow cooker, smart LED light bulbs
Last year, if you recall, Belkin announced a partnership with Jarden (the company behind brands like Mr. Coffee, Sunbeam and Crock-Pot), promising we'd eventually see kitchen appliances with Belkin's WeMo home automation control built in. Now, at CES 2014, Belkin finally has a real product to show for it: The company just announced the Crock-Pot WeMo Slow Cooker (how's that for a name?). Being a smart product and all, you can use the WeMo app for iOS or Android to remotely turn it on or off, adjust the temperature or change the time settings. You can also receive reminders so that you don't let it sit too long. Look for it to ship this spring for $100, with an air purifier, space heater and coffee maker to follow later this year. Additionally, Belkin introduced the WeMo Smart LED Bulb, a dimmable light that can be controlled remotely using the same WeMo app you'd use to control the slow cooker. In particular, you can control the bulbs individually or in groups, and also set them to dim as you sleep and wake up. Once it goes on sale this spring, you'll need to shell out $130 for the starter kit, which includes two bulbs (60W-equivalent) and a bridge that plugs into an outlet. Thereafter, the lights cost $40 apiece and are said to last up to 23 years. Also, the bridge can connect to up to 50 bulbs, so odds are you'll never have to buy another. Last up, there's the WeMo Maker kit, which lets modders manage anything with a simple DC switch -- gates, garage doors, blinds, AC units, you name it. That will also arrive this spring, but no word on price.
Belkin's LEGO Builder Case for iPad mini arrives in time for Christmas
One of the more unique cases I've had the opportunity to review over the past year was the LEGO Builder Case for iPhone 5 from Belkin. The case literally turns your iPhone 5 into a brick -- well, a base for building LEGO brick-based creations for a totally customizable look. It might not be the most comfortable iPhone 5 case you've ever used, especially if you've made a LEGO creation with lots of pointy edges, but it's certainly different! Now Belkin is going big with the LEGO Builder Case with a version for the iPad mini (US$59.99). Coming in base colors of red, green and yellow, the LEGO Builder Case for iPad mini not only provides a fun play surface when you become bored playing LEGO Lord of the Rings, LEGO Batman or LEGO Harry Potter, but it's also quite protective. The case uses a Smart Case-like cover to turn the iPad mini on and off, and it can also fold over to provide a stand for watching episodes of LEGO Legends of Chima. Our review case is the beautiful green and blue model, featuring a bright green case with a blue cover and LEGO brick pad. As you'd expect, LEGO bricks snap right onto the case and turn your iPad mini into an anchor for your construction efforts. If there's one gift that you should consider for that LEGO-loving iPad mini user on your shopping list, it's the LEGO Builder Case for iPad mini. We might be able to even help you out with holiday gift-giving, as we're giving away our review case to one lucky TUAW reader. 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 November 29, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Belkin LEGO Builder Case for iPad mini valued at $59.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Belkin's usage-tracking WeMo Insight Switch ships today for 60 bucks
Belkin's WeMo line of connected outlets, motion sensors and wireless switches has been a solid solution for building out a (relatively basic) home-automation system on the cheap, and now there's a new product to add to the mix. The WeMo Insight Switch can turn lights and appliances on and off just like its older sibling, but this year's flavor is significantly smaller and more powerful, too. The Insight adds a nifty consumption-tracking feature, letting you monitor uptime and electricity usage for connected devices. Through the bundled Android or iOS app, you can see how long your television, washing machine or space heater have been operating, and just how much they'll cost you each month. WeMo Insight is available today for $60.
Test-driving Belkin's new iPad Air keyboard cases
Accessory manufacturer Belkin wasted no time at all getting a new series of iPad Air cases and keyboards out to the public, and they all look quite nice. TUAW was able to get two of the keyboards -- the QODE Ultimate Keyboard for iPad Air (US$129.99, will be available from AT&T for $99.99 with the purchase of a new device) and the QODE Slim Style Keyboard Case for iPad Air ($79.99). Let's take a closer look at these two "fresh from manufacturing" keyboard cases and how they work with Apple's slim iPad Air. QODE Ultimate Keyboard for iPad Air The QODE Ultimate Keyboard is -- hands-down -- one of the nicer keyboard case designs I've seen. It's quite slender, made of aluminum with some rubberized parts where the case needs to flex. It's also one of the easiest keyboard cases to use, with no power switches or pairing buttons. You literally just snap your iPad Air into the case where it's held by two neatly-designed clips on one side and a precisely-molded protective surrounding. Once the case is installed, just turn on your iPad Air, flip it up so that the left side snaps into one of three magnet-enhanced locking positions ready for typing. The keyboard turns on, with a small blue LED giving you the thumbs-up to begin typing. Of course, you'll need to do a one-time pairing from Settings > Bluetooth to establish the relationship between the two devices. The case is remarkably thin, and weighs just 14.6 oz (413 gm). There are cutouts for all of the switches and ports on the iPad Air, giving you full access without having to remove the case. A small micro-USB port is visible on the right side of the case, giving you an easy way to charge the internal battery through an included cable. Magnets are really the secret to this case. As mentioned earlier, the screen is locked into place in three separate positions by magnets. Magnets also help keep the case closed when you're not typing, and flipping the iPad Air into the typing position turns both the keyboard and iPad Air on. The case provides a good amount of protection, although it's not designed to protect your iPad Air from extreme drops and falls. So, how's the keyboard? I found it very acceptable and fast, with comfortable well-spaced keys and a good layout. As opposed to some keyboards that provide six rows of keys to give a separate row for function and iPad-specific keys, Belkin's layout combines those function keys into the number row at the top of the keyboard. I actually don't find this to be too much of an issue, as I will generally use touch gestures or screen taps to perform many of the functions that those keys perform. My only gripe about the layout is that it's slightly non-standard, with the colon/semicolon key being moved from its traditional spot next to the "L" down to the space bar row. While this isn't too big an issue for writers, it could cause a developer trying to code some real heartburn. In my case, I found that just about every time I wanted to hit an apostrophe, my finger ended up hitting the return key instead. It will take a little getting used to... I did enjoy the placement of a Siri button on the left side of the space bar row. Rather than reaching up and double-tapping the home button, I can now just tap that button to invoke Apple's intelligent assistant. The back of the case flops around so that if you want to use your iPad Air in one hand as strictly a "handheld" device, you can. Of course, having the case installed adds considerably to the thickness of the iPad Air. Fortunately it's quite simple and fast to just remove the iPad Air from the keyboard case for one-handed use. The QODE Ultimate Keyboard Case for iPad Air is available for pre-order in white, silver, or black. QODE Slim Style Keyboard Case for iPad Air The "Style" in Slim Style is the main selling point for this keyboard case, as it's actually a bit thicker than the Ultimate Keyboard Case. As befitting a stylish case, it comes in five fashion-friendly color combos: white/topaz, black/black, white/purple, black/red, and white/sorbet. The Slim Style Keyboard Case isn't as user-friendly as the Ultimate Keyboard Case in that it doesn't have strong magnets to hold the screen into place upright. Instead, there's a prop that flips out of the back of the case to hold the iPad Air up. While I found typing on the Ultimate Keyboard Case with the assembly in my lap to be quite easy, it wasn't as easy to do so with the Slim Style case. Likewise, there's an actual on/off button on the Slim Style Keyboard Case so you will need to go through the effort of physically switching it on and off. There's also a pairing button that needs to be depressed in order to initiate the pairing of the keyboard to your iPad Air. Surprisingly, the keyboard layout is somewhat different on the Slim Style case. Instead of having just just five rows of keys, it has six. The top row consists of dedicated function keys for the purpose of controlling the iPad Air's functions. If you use special keyboard buttons like those on an existing iPad keyboard, then you may like the layout of the Slim Style keyboard better than that on the Ultimate Keyboard Case. There's also more of a wrist rest on this keyboard. While the keys on the Ultimate Keyboard don't leave any room for your palms or wrists to rest on the keyboard, there's about a two-inch gap at the bottom of the Slim Style keyboard. Weight-wise, the Slim Style Keyboard Case is a bit more bulky at 1 lb., 1 oz (482 gm). The iPad Air itself is held into the Slim Style case with a decidedly less high-tech method as well. Rather than the clip and magnet method used on the Ultimate Keyboard Case, the Slim Style uses a pair of faux leather "straps" to hold the iPad Air in place. Maybe it's just my champagne tastes talking, but I really preferred the design and implementation of the Ultimate Keyboard Case much more than that of the Slim Style. Conclusion With the iPad Air only available for one week, it's amazing that Belkin was able to start production of these cases as quickly as they did. The Ultimate Keyboard Case for iPad Air is truly a well-designed companion for your slim new tablet, with light weight, strong materials, and intelligent integration being the points in its favor. For those who want something a bit more stylish, the Slim Style Keyboard Case for iPad Air provides a variety of color combos, but is a bit more pedestrian in terms of implementation. My recommendation would be to go for the Ultimate Keyboard Case, as it can be used in a lap, is much more adjustable, and doesn't require all of the button-pushing of the Slim Style Keyboard Case. If most of your work is done on a desk or table top instead, then the Slim Style case is a solid and less expensive alternative. Giveaway We have a Slim Style Keyboard Case in the black/black color combo available for one of our readers to win. The winner will not only have protection for his or her iPad Air, but will be able to type quickly and efficiently on this Belkin keyboard. 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 November 12, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Belkin Slim Style Keyboard Case for iPad Air valued at $79.99. Click Here for complete Official Rules Loading...
Belkin announces keyboards, cases and folios for iPad Air, iPad mini
Not to be outdone by rival accessory manufacturer Logitech's recent announcement of new keyboards and cases for the iPad Air, Belkin has announced the new Qode line of keyboard cases for the iPad Air as well as a number of cases and folios designed to protect and enhance the iPad Air and iPad mini. The Qode line is new, using Belkin's TruType keyboard design for great typing accuracy with a laptop-like feel. At the top of the line is the aluminum-encased Qode Ultimate Keyboard Case (US$129.99), designed for those who are considering using the iPad Air to replace the need for a laptop. Next is the ultra-thin Qode Thin Type Keyboard Case ($99.99), an incredibly thin keyboard cover that looks like it will be one of the lightest keyboards available for the iPad Air. Finally, those who want protection, style and a keyboard can get the Qode Slim Style Keyboard Case ($79.99), which provides a keyboard, a folio case and five different colors -- black, red, topaz, sorbet and purple. For those who are "just" looking for protection, the Apex 360 Advanced Protection Case for iPad mini ($69.99) is perfect for those who want to play rough, but keep their mini in one piece. The Apex 360 handles the US military's six-foot drop test with ease, and is made of a rubberized material. Next, the FreeStyle Cover for iPad Air ($59.99) is perfect for those who want a thin case and stand. It's available in blacktop, slate and sorbet. And last but not least, the LapStand Cover for iPad Air ($59.99) is perfect for using your new tablet in your lap, and it's available in blacktop, purple and stone microfiber or charcoal, red, cream or sorbet twill. According to our friends at Belkin, these accessories will be available online at Belkin.com and select retailers beginning in November or December. We'll be doing a full review of several of these accessories as soon as they arrive.
Belkin brandishes iPad Air keyboard cases and accessories
You'll likely need a new keyboard case to go with that iPad Air, and Belkin's just revealed some of the very first options. The Qode Ultimate Keyboard Case leads the brand's parade of new accessories, and sports a black or silver aluminum body and an impressive 264 hours of active battery life for $130. If shelling out that cash after buying an iPad Air is hard to swallow, cast your eyes upon the Qode ThinType Keyboard Case. Spending $30 less ($100) nets you just 79 hours of active use, but still preserves an aluminum build. Meanwhile, if you'd rather get something less business-like and more whimsical, the $80 Qode Slim Style keyboard case (in black, red, topaz, purple and delicious-sounding sorbet) is likely more your style. These three, along with Belkin's stands and keyboardless cases for Apple's newest slate, will be available starting November. For now, a closer look at each of them awaits in the videos after the break.
Belkin YourType Wireless Keypad: Review and giveaway
Yesterday I reviewed Belkin's new Express Dock for iPad, a well-designed aluminum charging and sync dock that works with Lightning connector devices. Today, my attention has been captured a useful accessory for any Bluetooth-equipped Mac -- the Belkin YourType Wireless Keypad (US$59.99). As I noted in an earlier review of another Bluetooth numeric keypad, the usual market for this type of device consists of accountants and others who need to input a lot of numbers quickly. Apple's default Bluetooth keyboard for the Mac does not include a numeric keypad, so it's fallen on those in the accessory business to create this useful accessory. I wasn't overwhelmed with Satechi's entry in the numeric keypad market due to several design factors -- its use of AAA batteries instead of a built-in battery pack, an unnecessary built-in calculator and the form factor of the keypad. Here, Belkin sticks to the basics. The keypad matches Apple's Wireless Keyboard in size and design; in fact, it's exactly the same size as the Magic Trackpad. I think this is brilliant, since several manufacturers (Henge Docks for one) make "holders" that merge a Magic Trackpad and Wireless Keyboard into one big assembly. One could remove the Magic Trackpad from a Henge Clique and place the Belkin YourType Wireless Keypad directly into the vacated spot for a top-notch keyboard/numeric keypad combo. Like the Satechi keypad, the Belkin keypad also uses batteries -- in this case, two AA batteries (included), like those that come with Apple's Battery Charger, fit into the cylindrical battery holder. The keypad adds the standard numeric keys (the zero is double-width), a large enter key, a decimal point, a clear key, the mathematical operators and an equals key. In addition, there are F13 through F16 keys to add more programmable function keys, as well as home, end, Spotlight, page up, page down and delete keys. While the keys are shaped a bit differently from those on the Apple Wireless Keyboard, they're very close and the feel and feedback of the keys is extremely similar. Pairing with both an iMac and then a MacBook Pro was fast and simple. Conclusion Number-crunchers who would like a numeric keypad that matches their Apple Wireless Keyboard don't need to look any further. The Belkin YourType Wireless Keypad looks as if it could have been designed by Apple, and it works well. Pros Design is nearly identical to that of Apple's Wireless Keyboard. A very useful layout of keys for those who use numeric keypads. Easy and fast Bluetooth pairing. Same size as the Magic Trackpad. Cons A built-in rechargeable battery pack might be more useful. Who is it for? Anyone with an Apple Wireless Keyboard who is looking for a matching numeric keypad. Giveaway 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 October 19, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Belkin YourType Wireless Keypad valued at $59.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Belkin Express Dock for iPad: Review and giveaway
Belkin continues to roll out an impressive array of Apple accessories, with the new US$59.99 Express Dock for iPad (and any other device with a Lightning connector) being the latest in a series of new products. The Express Dock comes with a 4-foot USB cable and is primarily designed for use with a Lightning-equipped iPad. Made out of a good chunk of aluminum that weighs about 13.1 ounces (371.4 gm), the Express Dock is not going to tip over when you pop on iPad onto it for recharging. There's also a rubberized material on the bottom of the dock to prevent it from sliding. The most useful feature of the Express Dock is a dial located on the back of the dock that provides a way to extend or retract the Lightning adapter so that it works with just about any case. There are iPhone cases (the Twelve South HiRise is an example) that have the ability to be adjusted during setup, but not "on the fly" -- and so far, this is the only adjustable iPad dock I'm aware of. Since the Lightning adapter and cable are built into the Express Dock, there's no need for you to use one of your own or buy another for use with the dock. The Express Dock is tilted at a nice angle for reading, perfect for those situations where you're reading an iBook and want something to hold and charge your iPad. The Express Dock base is a rounded square about 3.25 inches (8.26 cm) on a side, making it a bit of overkill for an iPhone 5/5c/5s or iPod touch (fifth-generation). For those smaller devices, Belkin makes a less expensive ($39.99) and more colorful (six colors) dock called the MIXIT ChargeSync Dock Conclusion Belkin has designed and built a very useful charge and sync dock for any Lightning-equipped iPad or iPad mini. Pros Very well-built and sturdy. Weight of the base means that the dock is stable even when a full-sized iPad in a case is placed onto it. Four-foot cable is nice as it allows users to get a bit of space between their computer (or wall outlet) and the iPad. Lightning adapter vertical adjustment allows the Express Dock to work with just about any iPad case. Cons None. Who is it for? Any person with an iPad (fourth generation) or iPad mini who would like a stable and sturdy charging and sync dock. Giveaway 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 October 18, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Belkin Express Dock for iPad valued at US$59.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
