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Lunecase harvests excess iPhone energy to light up LED notifications
iPhone cases are a dime a dozen, but the creators of Lunecase claim their masterpiece can do something special. While it looks just like any other case on the surface, Lunecase can apparently harness the electromagnetic energy the iPhone emits and use it to light up its LED call or message indicators. It's not even connected to the phone via wires or any other means -- if what its Kickstarter page says is true, it'll work as soon as you snap it on. Sound familiar? That's because Lunecase's creators, Ukrainian company Concepter, showed it off at CES 2014, albeit in a different form. The prototype presented during the event looked a lot different from the current offering, but at least it worked just as advertised. If this sounds more useful than a case that can track your blood pressure, you can get one for the iPhone 5, 5s and 5c from its Kickstarter page for a minimum pledge of $35. Just note that you'll have to make do without its icon-like indicators until it ships, which the company aims to do sometime in August.
The case that turns your iPhone into an iDroid
Leave it to a game designer to dream up the bulkiest, most awkward iPhone case ever: This is the iDroid. Made to mimic the look of an in-game communicator in the game Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, the case has a bunch of goofy features. For starters, it has a lid over the camera lens, which opens to reveal the camera itself and a "MAINTENANCE ALERT" warning label. There's a bright blue LED in a blue sphere situated in the center of the case which can be rotated, and the massive, faux antenna can be detached from the case itself and used as a stylus pen for the iPhone screen. The case pairs up with a free Ground Zeroes app that will be released alongside the case later this year. The initial launch will be in October, though that's only for Japan. There's no official word on a stateside release, so you may have to import your own if you can't live without it. The price has been set at around US$70.
LifeProof frē for iPad mini with Retina display: Overprotective, but that's a good thing
When picking out a case for your tablet, you typically have to choose between all-encompassing protection or ease of use, and these two groups rarely overlap. But sometimes they do, and in that thin sliver where form and function marry, there's the LifeProof frē case. Specs Dimensions: 8.5" x 5.8" x 0.63" Weight: 0.29 lbs Waterproof up to 6.6 ft Price: US$99.99 Design I love nearly everything about my iPad mini w/ Retina, but most of all I love the design. It's tiny, sleek, and eye-catching, so if I'm going to slap a case on it, I want it to fit that aesthetic as closely as possible. LifeProof's claims that "You may forget it's there!" are a bit silly, but all-told, the case stays out of the way enough that I wouldn't mind keeping it equipped permanently. The front of the case is of course transparent, but unlike many cases, this is mirrored on the back of the case as well. The edges of the case are thicker thanks to the rubber bumper that keeps the case locked shut and provides a water-tight seal and protection from bumps, but with just two thin membranes on the front and back, the iPad retains its thinner-than-thin feel. Small loopholes are located on all four corners allowing you to equip the included lanyard in a number of different ways, and a small door on the bottom of the case provides direct access to the Lightning port for charging. Functionality Touchscreen functionality is of course the most important thing of all, and it works nearly perfectly through the frē's front cover. Taps and swipes are registered promptly and I didn't notice any missed touches. I do, however, have a mild complaint with the plastic membrane itself in that it doesn't lay perfectly flat on all areas of the screen. In the corners especially, the membrane tends to lift off of the screen ever so slightly, creating a strange "bubbly" feeling when pressing down. It's not necessarily troublesome, but it's definitely noticeable, and may take a little bit of getting used to if you use a particularly light touch when navigating Another plus for the LifeProof frē case is that it allows all external buttons to be used just as intended. The click-through buttons on the top and over the volume controls work well despite being housed in the thick bumper, and an external lock switch carries your commands through to the built-in button on the iPad beneath. After a dip in the sink, the water resistant properties of the case held true, though it's not recommended past a depth of 6.6 feet and I certainly wasn't about to test that. I could see it being a lot of fun during a day at the beach, and the case is small enough that it wouldn't be a bother. Conclusion The LifeProof frē lives up to its billing as an ultra-thin case with ultra-protective properties, and if your iPad mini is regularly in danger from bumps, falls, or up to 6 feet of water, I can't imagine you'd find a case better suited to your needs. Rating: 3.5 out of 4 possible stars Giveaway Taking your iPad on a hike or trip to the lakeside? How about a LifeProof frē for free? 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 13 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before April 10th, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a LifeProof frē case for iPad mini w/Retina valued at $99.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
The myCharge Freedom 2000 gives you twice the battery life with a little less bulk
If you're considering an iPhone case that includes a battery pack, you've already decided that increasing the size of your device is a fair trade-off for more life, but that doesn't mean that all battery cases are created equal. The iBattz Mojo Refuel I reviewed previously increased the overall footprint of the device quite a bit, and while the myCharge Freedom 2000 also creates an overall more bulky handset, it's not quite as dramatic as some of its competitors. Specs Capacity: 2000mAh Price: US$79.99 Design Like many of the battery pack cases, the myCharge Freedom 2000 slaps the majority of its weight onto the rear of the device. The iPhone clicks into place easily and the case keeps a relatively firm grip on your phone. There are cutouts for the camera, volume buttons, and silent switch, and a built-in lock button that, in theory, carries your button push through to the device below. Unfortunately, the button is flush with the case and can be a bit of a challenge to push. This is the one big issue I have with the case in terms of design, but it's not a deal breaker. The sides of the case are a semi-flexible hard plastic, while the rear of the case has either a matte feel or a slightly textured, glossy paint, if you choose one of the more colorful case options. The fit and finish of the case itself is very high, and it doesn't have the cheap toy feel that some cases fall victim to. The most unique aspect of the Freedom 2000 case is that it has an open-bottom design, exposing the entirety of the device's bottom ports and speakers. This is great for people who want to recharge just the phone and not the case, and even allows the use of some docks without removing the case. On the bottom of the case there is a small built-in cord that plugs into the iPhone's Lightning port to allow the extra battery to recharge the device. There's also a MicroUSB port on the bottom of the case to recharge the case itself. Functionality This case works slightly different than most; Rather than being permanently plugged into the iPhone's charging port, the Freedom 2000 requires you to plug the case into your phone whenever you need a little extra juice. Once you've connect the case to the phone, you initiate the charge by pressing and holding the battery button on the back of the case. A quick tap of the battery button reveals how much charge you have left in reserve. Conclusion As far as iPhone charging cases go, the myCharge Freedom 2000 is one of the more unique options. The open-bottom design is great for users of docks and those who want to still get some use out of their lightning cables, and the exposed speakers means no muffled music or game sounds. The lock button is my single sticking point, but it's a small price to pay for having what is essentially a full battery recharge available any time you need it. Rating: 3 out of a possible 4 stars Giveaway Your iPhone always needs more juice, so follow the giveaway rules: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before February 23, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a myCharge Freedom 2000 case valued at US$79. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
This iPhone case lets you answer calls while it's closed
Both LG and Samsung have phone cases that let you take calls without exposing your screen to the elements, but what if you have an iPhone? As of today, you can check out Moshi's SenseCover. The iPhone 5 and 5s flip case includes both a preview window as well as a touch strip that lets you answer the phone or silence alarms while the device remains safe. It's not the cheapest design at $45, but it may be worthwhile if you'd rather not risk a shattered display just to start a conversation.
This case will turn your iPhone into a mobile wallet for $70
After a brief tease earlier this week, Incipio has officially unveiled its iPhone mobile payment case. The Cashwrap Mobile Wallet gives most iPhone users NFC payment support at any place that accepts Isis; beyond the case, all you need is a compatible account and a free app. If you're eager to stop paying with plastic cards, the Cashwrap should be available online for $70. AT&T is only due to launch the peripheral at retail on January 31st, although the recent in-store sighting hints that you might have a chance at scoring a retail unit ahead of schedule.
Canopy's Sensus app enhancing case hands-on
We saw Canopy and its Sensus last year at CES with what appears to be similar hardware, but really isn't. In our conversation with Sensus' VP of Software Engineering Joel Stewart this evening, he explained that the company was caught in the iPhone 5 Lightning connector storm and rather than push out a product that would almost assuredly fail, they took time to regroup and even redesign. As a reminder, the Sensus case augments the iPhone's input by adding input on the back and sides of the case via capacitive touch. Gone is capacitive input on the case; it's been replaced by pressure-sensitive pads on the back and down the sides. App choice has improved in some ways due to the pressure-sensitive pads. For example, flipping the case over and putting a cup on the case when the weighing app is running will see the case read out the weight of the cup on it. Follow on for some pics of the new packaging, case and a short demo video.
Logitech rolls out full-size keyboard case for Samsung's Galaxy Note Pro and Tab Pro
Are you already planning to buy a Samsung Galaxy Note Pro or Tab Pro, but are worried that your mammoth tablet might go unprotected? Never fear, as Logitech has just unveiled a new Pro keyboard case that will shelter the 12.2-inch versions of both slates. While the design will look familiar to anyone who has seen one of Logitech's earlier folios, the Pro's extra space allows for a full, laptop-sized keyboard with a dedicated row of app shortcut keys. You will be paying a premium for going big, though, as the case will sell for $130 when it ships to the US in February.
Griffin launches iPhone 5 case for merchants who use Square card readers
Need a durable way to carry that Square card reader while you're raking in those small business bucks? Griffin has a case for that. Teaming up with Square for CES 2014, the case manufacturer has announced an iPhone 5 case designed specifically for businesses on the go. For the most part, the Merchant Case is little more than your standard silicone phone sleeve, but a few minor tweaks make it particularly suited to Square users. The case's bottom edge, for instance, is designed to hold the reader in place, while also providing a credit card shaped groove to help glide customer plastic into the Square. The backside of the phone also has a recessed storage area that can hold on to the reader when it's not in use, making it easier to carry around. The case looks a little bulky, but it does seem to be a simple solution to a simple problem. The cost? $20 on Griffin's website. Not bad.
PhoneSuit Elite 5 is a beautiful battery case that keeps your iPhone running for days
I've been a fan of PhoneSuit's products for a few years now, which is why I was excited to get my hands on its latest PhoneSuit Elite 5 battery case that powers the iPhone 5 and 5s. Before I get to the main function of the case -- keeping your iPhone charged -- let me talk about design, because that's where this case really shines. Most battery cases I've tried are capable, but ugly. The PhoneSuit Elite 5, on the other hand, looks great. It's only 15.5mm thick, which means it doesn't triple the bulk of the iPhone 5 and 5s like many other battery cases do. It weighs 79 grams. The case itself comes in two colors, metallic black and ice silver, and is made of a polycarbonate composite with a scratch-resistant coating. With my iPhone in the case, I felt like it could take a beating. I wasn't brave enough to drop my US$600 phone on the ground, but part of me was confident that if I did, it would be protected. PhoneSuit also seems to have given a lot of thought not to just the design of the case, but also to the design of the iPhone itself. The PhoneSuit Elite 5 doesn't block the headphone jack, the Lightning port (due to the pass-through port) or the camera and its flash. Matter of fact, it doesn't even make it hard for one to plug in the included USB cable that allows pass-through charging to the Lightning port, or a headphone cord -- something that can't be said for a lot of cases. As for the opening around the iSight camera, the PhoneSuit Elite 5 was designed so that it doubles as a lens hood, which helps eliminate flares from the sun and other lighting sources when you are snapping pics. But the real point of a battery case isn't its looks. It's to prolong the use of your iPhone between charges. At that, the PhoneSuit Elite 5 performed exceedingly well. For the first time ever, I used my iPhone 5s for 36 hours straight without plugging it in. It was a totally different experience for me because, as a heavy iPhone user, I find myself usually looking for a power source by the afternoon. The power benefits come courtesy of the integrated high-capacity, 2,100 mAh battery found in the rear of the case. PhoneSuit says it can provide a full 100 percent charge to the iPhone 5 and 5s in less than two hours and in my tests, I found that accurate. The company also advertises up to 20 hours talk time, up to 20 hours video time and up to 80 hours music time with the case. I didn't have the time to test each of those metrics individually, but as I said, doing a mix of all those things and more with this case on gave me a running time of 36 hours on my iPhone. If you're looking for an iPhone battery case for yourself or your loved ones this holiday season, I highly recommend you check this one out. The PhoneSuit Elite 5 costs US$99.99. Post edited to correct spelling of PhoneSuit.
Flashing iPhone cases are a sight to behold
There is no shortage of clever and interesting iPhone cases out there, but VanD's line of polycarbonate light-up cases may just take the cake. The cases take advantage of a toggle in iOS that allows users to set the LED light on their device to flash upon receipt of an incoming call or text message. In iOS 7, this can be enabled by going to Settings > General > Accessibility and then toggling on "LED Flash for Alerts." Gizmodo writes: Using the same principles as fiber-optic tables, these clear plastic cases from VanD harness the light from your iPhone's flash to internally illuminate, revealing etched patterns and designs. But as is typically the case, you really have to see these babies in action to fully appreciate their unique appeal. The cases, compatible with both the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5, cost US$19.99 and feature an assortment of designs just begging to be lit up. Below is an example of what a VanD case looks like when not illuminated.
Ryan Seacrest's keyboard case turns your iPhone into a BlackBerry (video)
The market for keyboard-equipped phones may be on the wane, but don't tell that to Ryan Seacrest -- the American Idol host is convinced that messaging mavens need real buttons. To that end, he's jumping into hardware and launching the Typo Keyboard for the iPhone 5 and 5s. The Bluetooth case turns an Apple handset into a makeshift BlackBerry Q10, complete with backlit, sculpted keys that cover up the iPhone's home button (there's a small substitute key); we hope you don't need multitasking, folks. The Typo Keyboard will make its formal debut at CES in early January, and it should ship that month for $99. Thankfully, that means we'll escape a sales pitch during New Year's Rockin' Eve.
Like Moleskine? You'll love the BUKcase iPad case
There's an iPad case out there for everyone: slim ones, waterproof ones, cases covered in gold bling. iPad cases nowadays are as much about style and taste as about protecting Apple's tablet. If you're into a case that's more artisan than most -- or just a fan of Moleskine notebooks -- you might want to check out the BUKcase iPad case. Design The BUKcase 'ORIGINALS' iPad case is designed to look like the famous notebook when closed. It has a faux black leather cover and a vinyl inside cover that comes in blue, purple, red, or grey. The model I tested was the one with the purple interior cover. Attached to the back of the case is an elastic band that is wound around it when closed -- securing the cover of the case just like a Moleskine notebook. A dime-sized hole is cut into the upper right rear of the case so you can use the iPad's camera without taking it out. Each case is made by a small team of people in Manchester, England and every unit made is labeled with a unique number stating the birthdate of the case. Build The top, right, and bottom sides of the the case are made of a birch plywood wooden frame with four studs that act as a Tommy lock system, keeping your iPad securely in place. The fourth-generation iPad I tested with it fit securely without rattling around. The case also features a smart sleep-wake function that wakes your iPad when you open the case cover -- just like Apple's Smart Cases do. The case also doubles as an iPad stand. Fold the front cover all the way back and lay it on a table to set the iPad at an angle; that's something people who like to use drawing apps will appreciate. Cost At £40.00 GBP (about US$65.00) the BUKcase 'ORIGINALS' iPad case isn't priced badly. The thing is, the case won't appeal to everyone, especially those that want a case to make their iPad feel protected. But this case isn't designed with a form-fitting mission in mind. It's designed for those artistic iPad owners out there who enjoy craftsmanship and want an iPad case that can make their tablet blend into the surround of other items they frequently carry -- like Moleskine notebooks. If you're one of these people, then I think this could be the case for you. For American readers, you may also wish to consider cases made by DODOcase and Pad & Quill.
This Germanmade sleeve is the best MacBook Pro case you can buy
I just got a new 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display, and it's the best Apple product I've ever bought. It's also the most expensive. Being so thin and having such a beautiful hi-res display, it feels more vulnerable than my older MacBook Pro. That's why I take my sleeve and cases very seriously from a design and build perspective. Thankfully, I stumbled upon a German company called Germanmade. I can confidently say its MacBook Pro with Retina display sleeve is the best MacBook sleeve on the market. Design The Germanmade MacBook Pro 15'' Retina sleeve is made from an "exclusive" leather the company sources. The interior lining of the case is made from a natural, anthracite-colored felt and the entire sleeve is stitched with contrast stitching. The sleeve comes in four colors: night (black), magma (red), earth (dark brown) and vintage (light brown). I chose the night color because I like my sleeves dark, so any dirt or stains don't show up. The interior felt lining is only available in black. Build While design is probably the most important thing many of us care about when choosing a sleeve, when you have a US$3,000 laptop, the build of the case becomes just as -- if not more -- important. Sliding my MacBook Pro into the sleeve requires just the right amount of effort. It doesn't just fall in like some other sleeves I've tried. You need to apply pressure to get it in all the way. This means the interior dimensions of the sleeve are fitted just right, and the MacBook fits snugly inside. The leather is of a high-quality range that, once you have your MacBook in this sleeve, makes it feel like it's protected by an impenetrable skin. I feel totally comfortable with my MacBook Pro protected in nothing but this sleeve when I throw it into my backpack with other books, my e-reader and the odd grocery item. But the thing I really love about this sleeve is the wide flap that Velcros around the middle part of the sleeve's opening. This gives you an extra bit of added security. This is probably not needed, since the sleeve fits so well, but it adds great peace of mind and also looks cool. Cost The Germanmade MacBook Pro 15'' Retina sleeve is €89.95 (about $121.00) plus shipping. Yes, it's pricey for a sleeve, but you are paying for the excellent materials, build and design. Whether it's for your MacBook Pro or a loved one's, this sleeve makes the perfect gift this holiday season.
Joli Originals iPad Air sleeve is all style
I've been a fan of Joli Originals products for a few years now, and its latest round of sleeves and cases for Apple gadgets doesn't disappoint. Particularly, if you're looking for a thin and light sleeve to house your thin, light iPad Air, consider the Smooth iPad sleeve from Joli. Design The Smooth iPad sleeve is so named because it's made from smooth leather (as opposed to the textured leather Joli also offers). I like the smooth leather better because it feels thinner and more in tune with the design aesthetics of the iPad Air. The leather is premium Italian, full-grain waxed leather and available in brown or gray. The sleeve is lined with a Dutch wool felt that is 100 percent wool. If you buy the gray sleeve (as I did), then your only choice of felt color is red. However, if you opt for the brown sleeve, you can choose from aqua, pink or brown felt. For my tastes, I went with the gray and red sleeve because I thought that looked best. Build The thing I love about Joli sleeves is the craftsmanship. So much love and care goes into each and every handmade sleeve, including the packaging. Sleeves are delivered wrapped in tissue paper with a hand-drawn sketch on them. All Joli Originals sleeves are handmade in the company's studio in Amsterdam. The leather used in the sleeve is top-notch and, most importantly, the folks at Joli Originals got the dimensions of the sleeve's interiors just right. You'll need to apply just a little bit of pressure to get your iPad into the sleeve, which ensures a snug fit so you know it won't fall out if you pick it up from the wrong end. I opted for the Joli sleeve that covers the iPad Air only, but they make sleeves that fit the iPad Air with Smart Covers attached. Cost At €69.00 (about US$93.00) the Smooth iPad sleeve isn't the cheapest, but it's one of the best. It's a high-quality sleeve made with love and care. It's also my top recommendation for iPad sleeves this holiday season.
Pad & Quill's beautiful, functional iPhone 5/5s wallet cases (Updated)
Whenever I open a package from Minnesota-based Pad & Quill, it's always a pleasure. While I'm not sure that every order from P&Q is hand-wrapped in brown paper and sealed with a red wax seal, it heightens the anticipation of wondering what's inside the package. This week the surprise was a pair of wallet cases for the iPhone 5/5s: the Luxury Pocket Book (US$84.99) and the Bella Fino ($54.99). The Bella Fino also works with Apple's colorful iPhone 5c. Let's take a look at these gorgeous cases to get you ready to beg a friend or loved one to give you one for the holidays ... and to enter our giveaway. Update: Pad & Quill was nice enough to offer TUAW readers 10 percent off of ANY order, including the Luxury Pocket Book, Bella Fino, and the rest of the P&Q line. Just enter the code TW9M when checking out to receive your discount. Luxury Pocket Book The Luxury Pocket Book is the latest in the Pocket Book series from Pad & Quill. The key word for this product is luxury -- it comes in one of two exterior finishes, either Whiskey or Dark Chocolate, both of which sound delicious and look even better. The leather has a 25-year warranty, so you know that when you put your iPhone 5s into the "ancient technology museum" the Luxury Pocket Book is still going to look awesome. That leather also has French hemmed seams, which meant nothing to me until I Googled the phrase and found that it's a way to produce a beautifully smooth edge on garments and bags. Finally, the exterior has some subtle embossing on the "spine" and back just to add class. Inside the Luxury Pocket Book is one of Pad & Quill's signature pieces, a wood frame that holds the iPhone in place. For this case, the company used Baltic birch with a satin finish, and all edges have been rounded for smoothness. Across from the iPhone is the wallet. Pad & Quill uses a variety of interior leathers for this area, with slate gray, forest green, or deep sea blue available. The wallet has a "see-through" space for an ID, complete with a slot for using a thumb to pop the ID out for closer inspection. There are two other pockets for credit cards, as well as a full-sized pocket to put cash into. Holding the case closed is an brown elastic band. All in all, the Luxury Pocket Book is deserving of the name. It's a very nicely constructed wallet case that will accentuate any iPhone 5s. Bella Fino Bella Fino means "pretty up" in Italian, and that's exactly what this slimline wallet case will do for your iPhone 5/5s/5c. While still using the same leather materials of the Luxury Pocket Book, the Bella Fino dispenses with the wooden frame, instead using a washable and reusable sticky-backed adhesive material from none other than 3M. The result is a stunning case that cradles your favorite member of the iPhone 5 family in luxurious materials, while quickly releasing it if you need to pop it into a sport case for a run. Like the Luxury Pocket Book -- and all of Pad & Quill's products for that matter -- the leather has a 25 year warranty. If I was going to choose between the Luxury Pocket Book and the Bella Fino, I'd personally take the Bella Fino for two reasons -- I can see the sides of my "champagne" iPhone 5s in this case, and it would be easier to remove the case in order to "try on" all of the other cases we receive during the year. Both the Bella Fino and Luxury Pocket Book are only going to get better looking with age. Leather tends to weather and age very nicely; I have a zipped leather wallet from San Francisco-based Waterfield Design that is just starting to get that leather patina, and it looks better now than the day I bought it. Conclusion A case for an iPhone is a very personal decision, but if you've spent the money on a new iPhone 5s or 5c, you might want to make sure that you give it a case that is worthy of protecting and accenting the Apple design. Pad & Quill's husband and wife owners, Brian and Kari Holmes, are absolutely dedicated to quality and back their products with pride. The Bella Fino and Luxury Pocket Book are both examples of what sets Pad & Quill apart from the competition. Pros Classic design, beautiful construction from top materials 25 year leather warranty, 30-day no-questions-asked return policy Ample space for credit cards, identification, and cash Two of the few iPhone cases that look as good on the inside as the outside Worth every penny in terms of the quality and utility of the product Cons None Who are they for? The Pad & Quill Luxury Pocket Book and Bella Fino wallet cases for the iPhone 5 family will excite and please anyone who appreciates top quality materials and hand-crafted construction Giveaway As much as I'd love to cover my iPhone 5s in that fine little Bella Fino case, TUAW's policies prevent us from keeping review materials. My loss is your gain; one reader is going to win the Luxury Pocket Book, while another is going to receive the Bella Fino. 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 16, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. Two winners will be selected. One will receive a Pad & Quill Luxury Pocket Book wallet case for iPhone 5/5s valued at $84.99, while the other receives the Pad & Quill Bella Fino wallet case valued at $54.99. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Logitech reveals iPad Air keyboard cases starting at $99
While Belkin hit the ground running with its iPad Air keyboards and covers first, Logitech has just announced its own bounty of four such accessories. The $149 (£129) Fabricskin Keyboard Folio tops the list with its two-sided case that supports the Air at two angles, housing a water-resistant Bluetooth fabric keyboard with up to three months of battery life. It also uses the SecureLock entry system and comes in red, black or yellow. The Ultrathin Keyboard Folio, meanwhile, has similar features and comes in four colors, but eschews the water-resistant case and keyboard for a lesser sum, $99 (£89). The $99 (£89) Ultrathin Keyboard aluminum cover, meanwhile, protects only the front side of the iPad Air while supporting it as a stand. Available in black, white or a combo of the two, it provides instant sleep/wake functionality and about three months of battery life for the Bluetooth keyboard. Finally, Logitech's $49 (£39) Folio Protective case offers two-sided, water-resistant protection without a keyboard, along with an adjustable stand that can support the Air at almost any angle. Sure, Apple went to a lot of trouble to slim down its flagship tablet, but if you can't resist the siren call of turning it into a notebook, Logitech's new goodies will be available in early November.
Change the look of your iPhone 5c case with CaseCollage app
With the iPhone 5c, Apple for the first time introduced color to its iPhone lineup. What's more, Apple upped the color ante by concurrently releasing perforated iPhone 5c cases in an assortment of colors. While some folks seem to enjoy the tremendous number of color options afforded by the 5c and the accompanying cases, not everyone shares that enthusiasm. The solution? A new app called CaseCollage that allows users to create and print iPhone 5c backings to fill up the circular openings which result from the iPhone 5c case. The app description reads: CaseCollage for iPhone 5c provides an interactive way to add personality and design for the new 5c case. Use the case holes as frames for your artwork, friends, and interests. Merely create and print for endless custom cases. Features: • Add and arrange photos from your phone, Facebook, Instagram, Flickr, or Picasa • 250+ colors, letters, patterns, and clipart • 35 circle-spaces to arrange and create your design • Share your CaseCollage with friends and family • Print a copy for your own case or for others The app is free and provides a neat way for users to really customize their 5c device to their liking. Check out a video demo of the app in action below.
Intel NUC case competition showcases creative modding in miniature
Intel's latest NUC is a wee marvel of PC tech, but the design of its case calls to mind, well, every other fanless PC we've ever seen. To its credit, though, the chip giant is sponsoring a case modding competition through enthusiast site Bit-Tech to liven things up. The finalists have definitely taken a 180 degree tack design-wise, with one version resembling a bizarre retro projector (complete with a screen), and another that looks like the love child of a wiffle ball and a pumpkin. All four entries are at the source, where you can help pick the winner with your own vote.
Amazon offering up Origami covers for those fancy new Kindle Fires
So, imagine you just shelled out $200 or $300 for one of those new Kindle Fire HDXs, only to have it scratch in your backpack as you pull it out to gloat to one of your friends. Oh, you poor, poor soul. If only you'd had the foresight to pick up an Origami cover. Like the new tablets, the case goes up for pre-order today -- and will start shipping at the same time as their respective devices. Jeff Bezos was pretty keen to show the accessories off today, demonstrating how built-in magnets allow them to fold together in such a way that the tablets can be positioned in either landscape or portrait modes. Neater still for the 8.9-inch version (the one with the rear-facing camera, mind), is a feature that triggers the photo app when the cover is slid down on the slate. Behold, magnetic magic that would leave the Insane Clown Posse pondering scientific inquiry for months to come. Amazon's made cases for both HDX models and the new HD. The polyurethane versions of the 7- and 8.9-inch HDX cases run $50 and $55, respectively, with the leather versions coming in at $65 and $70. The covers for the HD run $45 and $60. Philip Palermo contributed to this report.
