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Opening the Book(Book) on Twelve South: between the covers of a Mac-exclusive accessory maker
The year is 2009. In history books, it'll widely be recognized as the year that most of America -- heck, the world -- would prefer to forget. Job after job was lost, bank after bank fell, and humanity as we knew it plunged into "the worst recession since the Great Depression." It's also the year that Palm attempted a comeback with webOS, and as it turns out, the year that yet another accessory company was born. While such an occurrence may be forgettable on a macro scale, economic researchers and lovers of technology alike have reason to take notice -- and, indeed, ask questions. So, that's exactly what I did. Beyond growing a technology startup in a me-too field during the worst economy that I've personally been a part of, it's also not often that I find compelling consumer electronics companies far outside of New York City and San Francisco. Twelve South just so happens to be located in a nondescript nook in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina -- just a beautiful trip over the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge from historic Charleston. Three years after its founding, the company now fittingly counts a dozen employees on its roster, and despite entering a market flooded with iAccessory after iAccessory, it has somehow managed to grab its own slice of an increasingly large niche. As with all good success stories, this particular outfit has plenty of twists, turns and run-ins with Lady Luck to tell about; for those interested in seeing how the "stay small" mantra is keeping Twelve South firmly focused on the future ahead, take a peek beyond the break.
Steelie looks like a simple way to hold your iPad up off the ground
The portability of the iPad and iPhone makes it easy to use these devices in your kitchen, at your desk and everywhere in between. One challenge to using your iPad in these locations is finding a case, holder or stand that protects your device from inadvertent spills or drops. One company with a novel stand for everywhere you go is Steelie, a small company out of Boulder, Colorado. The Steelie mobile device holder uses a ball and socket head which lets you position your iOS device at any orientation. The system has a tiny magnetic socket that sticks to the back of iOS device and a stand that attaches to the socket. The magnet lets you stick your device to the stand as well as other magnetic surfaces like a refrigerator. It's an easy to use holder as long as you don't mind attaching a magnet to your devices. Steelie says the magnet won't affect the flash storage inside the iOS device, but you may want to be careful if you often leave your iPad or iPhone on or near your MacBook Pro. I don't know how strong this magnet is, but a magnet strong enough could affect the hard drive inside your notebook. Steelie is available as a smaller stand for use in the car and a larger tablet version for use on a desk or counter. The smaller one retails for US$30 and the tabletop is $60.
New Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 holder comes with bike attached
For a tablet that prides itself in being thin and lightweight, the latest Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 accessory sure adds considerable heft to the device. The Korean manufacturer's UK branch has teamed up with 14 Bike Co to bring the world the Samsung Galaxy bicycle -- a mild-mannered bike with a custom paint job and a detachable holder for the Galaxy Tab 10.1 made from carbon fiber. So, why carry a tablet on a bicycle? For checking things like mileage planners and route trackers on the go, apparently. No word on pricing yet, but we're guessing that this'll be among the more expensive tablet accessories out there. Press information after the break.
Case-Mate's Creatures collection: Animal magnetism for your iPhone
iPhone 4 cases are a dime a dozen -- well, more like $25 each, to be specific -- but we do like to give props to any company that produces one in an imaginative and unique style. Two new styles by Case-Mate, part of the "Creature collection," fit our guidelines to a T. These covers boast your choice of scary monster (the Monsta) or cuddly penguin (the Waddler). We know, you're holding out for the adorable puppy case, right? Fortunately, there are more creature features ready to roll out in the coming months. But how can you turn down a case that has its own webbed feet keychain and raised flipper attached? We submit that you cannot. Full PR after the break.
The Vyne lets you wear your iPhone or iPod touch, whether you want to is still up for debate
It seems like wearing your gadgets is all the rage these days, and the Vyne is no exception. A belt-like flexible strip of plastic with a clip on the end for your iPod touch or iPhone (though we suppose it should work with any gadget that has the right dimensions), this product isn't wholly unlike the Gorillapod. There's no word on price or release date just yet, but just think of all the attention you'll get while using this in public. Then again, your hands will be free to do tons of other things -- like checking the time on your iPod nano wristwatch.
Snap an iPhone onto your Bugaboo
Uncertainty is a powerful marketing tool. When the stick turns blue and you find that you're pregnant, you assuage your anxiety at Babies R Us and little boutiques.* Bottle warmer meets wipe warmer and binkie sanitizer in a frenzy of pre-parenthood purchases meant to ensure Jr.'s future. Not only that, but the stuff is so darn cute. You lose control. You overspend. You buy a Bugaboo. In much the same way that Moleskine is the legendary notebook of Hemingway and Picasso, Bugaboo is the fabled stroller of Paltrow and Damon. While Gwyneth has an Apple inside her chariot, you can have one on top. An iPhone at least. Bugaboo has introduced an iPhone holder for their strollers. It easily clips onto the handle of the Bugaboo Cameleon and Bee models and swivels 360º. The silicon holder can be removed with the iPhone to double as a case when you're cavorting at Gymboree or scrubbing gnawed Arrowroot Biscuit from your Frog. If you do pick one up, Bugaboo will donate 1 percent of all proceeds to the Global Fund to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. The holder costs US$25 and will be available on May 1st. Of course, a chance to tweet Jr.'s every coo is priceless. * Unless you've been to the rodeo before. Then "sterilize the binkie" means "wipe it on your jeans" and "stroller" means "milk crate, skate board and some bungee cord."
Texthook holder puts your phone where it belongs: between you and your progeny
Finally, proper protection for your baby. The child, too.
The JerkStopper keeps your power cord in place, does little else
You. Yes, you. Someone knows your darkest fears, your deepest regrets, your most painful memories... and they know they're all related to your power cord being yanked violently out of your laptop. Well thankfully, that someone has taken the law into their own hands, and is attempting to halt further infractions against your personage and / or computers. Enter the JerkStopper: a tough, tempered steel ABS device that cannot be cut or broken... wait, it also keeps your cord in place. Apparently, all you needed to do was fasten the thing into an innocent USB, RJ11, or RJ45 port, and clamp it down with metal teeth. Sure, you won't get that annoying spark anymore when your power cord wiggles, but you might dislodge a USB jack from its rightful home (though the makers say it will pop out with ease). Hey -- that's the chance you take when you play with the JerkStopper.
New DS Lite stand is bendy
We thought we didn't like DS Lite stands that much. We were so, so wrong. It turns out we were just waiting for this one to come along and make our DS look more like an IKEA lamp. Where those other stands use ridiculous hinges and rectangular bases to sit on your table*, or magnets to stick to surfaces, the Game Stand Lite uses two real, proven scientific principles which naturally increase awesomeness: a big bendy arm, and a suction cup We don't think it comes with that transparent base, which is too bad. We like transparent things almost as much as we like bendy things. We do hope that suction cup is strong enough to stand up to the force of a few songs' worth of rhythm-action.*Okay, so there's a hinged stand in the linked GAME Watch accessory roundup that's actually really nice, if significantly less bendy.
RAM box doubles as DS game case
Jay over at Church of the Geek stumbled across an elegant solution to his DS storage problems -- a faux wood case designed to hold computer RAM sticks. The case, made by Ultra Products, snugly holds 16 DS games and snaps shut magnetically, according to Jay.Sure, the wooden design doesn't exactly scream modernity, and it doesn't look too portable, but it's still way classier than holding your DS games in a case of S'mints or or Altoids. What do you use to protect your oddly-shaped DS cards?
iSkin releases Claro case for 5G iPods with belt clip/kick stand
Now here is one of the more interesting and functional 5G iPod cases I've seen in a while: a clear plastic case with a belt clip that doubles as a kick stand. This iSkin Claro easily shows up my clear agent18 case, but the $39 sticker price is a tad steep. If a plain clear case doesn't get your credit card numbers flowing, iSkin also provides Claro slims, 3-packs of colored skins for $20 USD that can spice up any oh-so-yesterday black or white 5G iPod. Oh, and don't forget to spend an extra $20 to succumb to your accessorizing obsession with iSkin CERULEAN XLR Bass Enhancing Stereo Earphones, with eight color choices to make sure you get as far away from Apple's trademark white as possible.The iSkin Claro is available at present only for 30 GB 5G iPods and can be had at iSkin's site.[via Playlist]
Designer "Skulls" iPod holder from Muff
I don't usually post about iPod holders (unless they are DIY, interactive, or just plain silly), but the new designer series from Muff caught my eye. Muff showed up on TUAW back in October, but lacked this designer series. Despite their lack of a window or access to controls, I find them stylish and graphically pleasing. I have a weakness for skulls like the design shown here by Aussie designer Drunk Park, aka Seb Godfrey.[via iLounge]
Orbino: hand stitched leather iPod cases
I have never heard of Orbino until today, and I'm becoming perplexed as to why. They make what look like stellar hand stitched leather cases for all three of the current model iPods, offering a choice of styles, colors and unique clip and lanyard designs. Quickly browsing through their site, it looks like most of their cases run a respectable $39, which is a good price for a leather case (*ahem* Apple) that actually lets you use the iPod while it's wrapped up.Check out Orbino's offering, and if any of y'all TUAW readers have already snagged one, feel free to post your thoughts.
