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IRL: the accessories edition
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Darren Murph is the Tupac of our time. Kind of like a West Coast rapper releasing albums 10 years after his death, Darren Murph's byline is still appearing on Engadget a month after he left the site. After the break, we've got all his unpublished work: a series of four mini-reviews for various accessories. And be warned: there's a lot of iPhone and Mac stuff here, so if iDevices aren't your thing, you might want to show yourself out now.
iFrogz's Caliber Advantage iPhone 5 gaming case hands-on
It's no secret that iOS mobile gaming leaves us wanting when it comes to physical controls. Fortunately, at CES 2013, iFrogz is out to fill that void with the Caliber Advantage iPhone case-gone-console. The Caliber Advantage, an iPhone 5 and fifth-generation iPod touch accessory, uses Bluetooth 4.0 to connect to the corresponding enabled application rather than the phone itself. iFrogz mentions that a deal with Epic Games and Chair Entertainment to build the basis for the Caliber software powered by the Unreal Engine is in the works. In fact, later this April the company will host its own developer conference aimed at seriously expanding the platform and hopefully adding support for previously released titles. Marrying a case with a full-fledged controller certainly adds some bulk, but after handling the prototype, the approximate half inch of added girth honestly didn't incite any ill feelings. The chassis, while clearly heavy on the plastic, felt more sturdy than anticipated, and fairly natural to our hands. As for the buttons? Crisp and responsive, hard though that may be to believe. The unit is set to retail at $70, and curious iOS gamers can feel free to take a closer look in the gallery below. Kevin Wong contributed to this report.
The Ultimate iPad Case Review Roundup and Giveaway
As much as I love reviewing iPad cases, it sometimes becomes a bit overwhelming to handle all of the review requests we get from manufacturers. In the interest of getting a pile of overdue case reviews done and get these cool cases into the hands of our readers, I'm going to review and give away a dozen of these cases in one big post. Anyone looking for an iPad case can find something here to make them happy. Aranez Notebook K-Leather Case The most exotic case of the bunch has to be the Aranez Notebook K-Leather iPad Case (US$119.95). In case you're wondering what K-Leather is, it's leather made from kangaroos! This beautiful black folio-style case comes with leather conditioner and a fiber cloth to keep your K-Leather case looking good. When the case is opened, the left side reveals a small wallet -- there's room for a driver's license, some credit cards, and even a pouch for folding money. On the other side is a polycarbonate clip-in for your iPad 2 or third-generation iPad. Officially it's designed for the iPad 2 only, but my third-gen device fit into the case with no issues. The case has openings in the bottom for the Dock Connector and speaker, a cut-out on the side for the volume toggle and orientation/mute lock, and the top is wide open. The folio is held closed with a magnetic clasp, and the entire thing looks like something that would be entirely at home in an executive suite. With no offense to the many other manufacturers of folio cases, the Aranez Notebook K-Leather Case is probably the classiest case I've seen so far. Pad & Quill Contega, Octavo, Octavo Luxury, and Graduate Edition Cases for Third-Generation iPad I've raved about Pad & Quill's iPad and iPhone cases before, but this time I think they've outdone themselves. With each iteration of their products comes refinement, and the products just keep getting better. First, let's talk about the Octavo Luxury Case ($119.99). Rather than the bonded leather used in Pad & Quill's other cases, the Luxury Case features real soft-stitched leather in either black or mahogany brown. Like the other cases, the iPad is held into the case securely in a beautifully-machined lacquered Baltic birch frame. There are a variety of interior bookbinding cloth colors to choose from. Pad & Quill used to use those little sticky-backed pads in the corners a lá DODOcase, but now they use small rubber inserts that are more permanent, durable and attractive. They call this the Sure-Lock System; this makes sense, since the last name of the owners of Pad & Quill is Holmes (Get it? Sure-Lock Holmes? Wa-hahahaha!) Other features of the Octavo Luxury Case include an elastic band to hold the cover closed in transit, magnets in the cover to turn your iPad on and off, and a folder in the inside cover for important papers. If you like the combination of laminated wood, real leather, and traditional bookbinding techniques, you're going to love the Octavo Luxury Case. Next, the Octavo comes in a less-expensive ($69.99) version using bonded leather on the outside, but with the same Sure-Lock bumper system and magnetic on/off system. For wood and leather folio cases, the Octavo is probably the best bargain on the market. For our next case from Pad & Quill, we'll go to something that is a bit more like the DODOcase -- the Graduate Edition Case for iPad ($59.99). Rather than using leather, the exterior of the Graduate Edition is beautifully finished in traditional book bindery cloth. The one I received for this review was covered in a delicious forest green cloth with a "espresso" interior; there are also for deep blue and burgundy exteriors. I'd like to point out to anyone considering a DODOcase that they'll be missing out on the new Sure-Lock bumper system and will have to pay an extra five bucks just to get a camera hole that the Pad & Quill cases already have. Finally, the Contega case / iPad stand ($99.99) has been fully redesigned to add the Sure-Lock system and an improved magnetic switch system. The fold-out design of the Contega makes it an easy way to stand an iPad up in landscape orientation. Pad & Quill continues to be the innovative leader in leather-bound iPad folio cases. All of the cases are handcrafted in the exotic city of Minneapolis, MN. Booq Folio Fibre Collection for iPad 2 and 3rd-generation iPad Literally minutes before I was set to publish this iPad case roundup, my doorbell rang. Not only was there another case from Pad & Quill, but also another box containing two Booq Folios for iPad 2 and the third-generation iPad ($49.95). That was fortunate since I'm able to include these beautiful and functional cases in the review. What makes these cases so nice? They have a natural fibre exterior that not only has a good feel to it (good for holding onto your iPad), but also just plain looks nice. TUAW received both the black and sand colored cases, and they both stand out from the crowd. The cases include a folding front cover so that you can prop your iPad up in a variety of positions, and they also include the magnetic on/off capability that is common with most recent iPad cases. Powis iCase The Powis iCase ($79.95) is the case that unashamedly asks the question "what's your favorite position?" that's because it has a innovative design that offers "9+" viewing positions. The best feature, in my opinion, is that you can emblazon the exterior of the case with your very own photography. In the giveaway portion of this post, you'll get a chance to win a Powis iCase with one of my twilight photographs of Venice, Italy on the cover. Your iPad is held into the right side of the case in a plastic frame that securely holds your iPad in place. There's a large elastic band that serves to hold the case closed, and it's wide enough to also let you hold the case with the strap wrapped around your hand. As with the other iPad 2/3 cases, the Powis iCase has magnets embedded in the cover to automatically turn the device on and off. As I noted before, the best feature has to be the ability to create a totally customized case with your own art or photography. That means that you can have a completely unique case. The printing process is flawless; I honestly have no idea how Powis makes money selling a custom case for only $79.95. mophie workbook Yes, you read that correctly. This is a protective smart case made by mophie, the same company that makes those sweet battery packs. The mophie workbook ($49.95) comes in five different exterior colors (black, white, gray, brown, and purple) with four contrasting elastic bands that can be changed out depending on your taste or whims. The black case that we received for review came with straps in the standard printer's colors of cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK). While most of the other cases discussed in this post are made of real or bonded leather, the workbook is made of synthetic animal-friendly materials. As opposed to the other cases, the workbook doesn't use a rigid frame to hold the iPad in place. Instead, there's a "pleather" bezel that goes around the entire perimeter of the iPad to hold it steady. That method of securing the iPad makes it easy to install or remove the iPad from the case, but I did notice that the magnetic closures were rather inconsistent. Sometimes when I expected the iPad to shut off, I could see that it was still turned on when the cover was closed. I had to adjust the cover a bit to get the iPad to shut off. A unique feature of the workbook is its ability to adjust to just about any viewing angle. That can be very useful when you're using your iPad in your lap and want to change the angle depending on whether you're reading a book or watching a video. iFrogz Summit Last in this review in terms of full cases, but certainly not least in terms of capabilities, is the iFrogz Summit Case ($59.95). This case features a solid polycarbonate frame to hold an iPad 2 or third-generation iPad in place, and has a faux-leather exterior that should stand up to a lot of use. The Summit quickly adjusts to one of three positions in landscape orientation. You'll need to use a little muscle to get the Summit out of its usual folio position, though -- there's a big hunk of Velcro on the back of the polycarbonate frame that requires a good tug to overcome. For those of you who like to use styluses with your iPads, you'll be happy to know that the Summit comes with a stylus holder -- the only case of those reviewed today that has that feature. As with the other cases, the cover turns an iPad 2 or third-generation iPad on and off. There's a business card slot in the front cover, handy for those situations where you want to carry some cards with you but don't want them taking up wallet space. Happy Owl Studios Leather Shell for iPad 2 This item isn't a complete case; rather, it's a snap-on shell made to protect the back of your iPad 2. Unfortunately, it won't fit on a third-generation iPad -- I tried. The Leather Shell for iPad 2 ($39.99) snaps on easily and provides a luxurious thin leather feel to cover the cold aluminum back of the iPad. Like all of Happy Owl's other products, the Leather Shell is well-designed and constructed. This is the perfect product for the iPad 2 owner who is happy with Apple's Smart Cover but would like protection for the rest of the iPad as well. X-Doria Widge Your kids can't keep their hands off of your iPad, so what do you do? Protect it with an X-Doria Widge ($39.99). As the name sorta implies, the Widge is a wedge made of reddish-pinkish squishy foam. You push an iPad into it, and the kids have something fun to hold while they're playing Angry Birds on your device. Should they drop it, the foam padding will protect your precious from damage unless they manage to score a direct hit on your display. For parents, the Widge is a godsend, but it's not just for kids. A friend of mine liked the Widge that her kids were using so much that she gave one to a friend with bad arthritis in his hands. He loves being able to use his iPad while holding something soft in his aching hands. Giveaway Now, it's time to make room in my office for the next wave of iPad cases. Twelve TUAW readers will get one of the cases described in this review, courtesy of the manufacturers and TUAW. All you need to do to fill out the giveaway form below. Only one entry is allowed per reader. Personal information will not be used for any purpose other than contacting the winners, who will be selected in a random drawing of eligible entrants. 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 May 23, 2012 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. Twelve winners will be selected and will receive one of the following prizes: Aranez Notebook K-Leather Case ($119.95 value), Pad & Quill Contega iPad case/stand ($99.99 value), Pad & Quill Octavo Luxury Case ($119.99 value), Pad & Quill Octavo Case ($69.99 value), Pad & Quill Graduate Edition Case ($59.99), Powis iCase with Steve Sande personalized photo ($79.95 value), mophie workbook ($49.95 value), iFrogz Summit Case ($59.95 value), Happy Owl Studios Leather Shell for iPad 2 ($39.99 value), X-Doria Widge ($39.99 value), Booq Folio Fibre Collection iPad 2/3 Case ($49.99 value). Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
iFrogz' Boost speaker out now
Even a couple of months after the fact, I have to say that iFrogz' Boost speaker was one of the most interesting things I saw at CES this year. It's a little box speaker that works, more or less, like magic. There are no wires or hookups necessary. All you do is set the Boost speaker down, put your iPhone right on top of it as seen above, and then the speaker somehow amplifies your iPhone. It's not super loud, but it's more than enough for just a desk speaker, or maybe something small in the bedroom. As far as I can tell, it simply works by "listening in" to whatever is coming out of your iPhone's speaker with a really close-up microphone, and then just amplifying that audio as best it can (the device is powered with a few batteries, so that would make sense, if it's making more sound on its own). What's most surprising about all of this, however, is how exact the unit must be -- I moved the iPhone around quite a bit on the unit, and it really only works if the iPhone is sitting in exactly the right place, which means that mic, if that's indeed what's happening, must be very finely tuned. At any rate, the Boost is an interesting device -- there are quite a few speakers out there, but I haven't seen anything like this, that doesn't require any wires or hookups at all (aside from the old school megaphone style amplifiers, I mean). The Boost is available for $39.99, and if you have a place to use it, it might be worth picking up.
iFrogz releases Boost speaker, uses 'near field audio' to boost sound
iFrogz was back at CES this year. Last year, most of its new products were iPhone and iPad cases, but this year the company is branching out. In addition to a USB gaming headset called the Caliber (it vibrates when loud sounds are played, "enhancing" the audio), iFrogz also has a product called Boost, which is a little speaker about the size of the iPhone, which amplifies whatever you play. What's interesting is how it works. iFrogz calls it "near-field audio," but essentially what happens is that they've embedded a mic in the speaker itself, and whatever it "hears" coming in gets amplified and pushed out louder than before. It's actually pretty ingenious. As soon as you lay the iPhone (even in a case) on the speaker, any audio it puts out is amplified surprisingly well. Unfortunately, as you might imagine, the quality suffers quite a bit, so this isn't a device for audiophiles. You'll still hear the sound and even understand lyrics, but if you want your full range of highs and lows to come across, you'll probably just want a set of speakers you can plug into. Still, the novelty of just laying your iPhone on the speaker is neat, and the sound should work well for a desk situation, or even a quiet room. The speaker is US$39.99, which is actually a little pricey for what it is. But if the idea intrigues you anyway (and you can think of a good use for it), you can check out the Boost when it arrives at retail this Spring.
iFrogz BackBone pairs well with iPad 2 cover
There's a lot to love about the iPad 2's Smart Cover, from the fashionable colors to the multifunctional design to its magnetic personality. Unfortunately, the flappy front piece leaves your iPad's backside unprotected. For those of us who tend to drop our magical and revolutionary (yet not anti-gravity) devices, that's code for trouble. We last rounded up the Smart Cover-compatible case range in June, and not long after that post appeared the fine folks at iFrogz sent over the BackBone rear cover accessory. I've been using the cover for several weeks, and it does the job of protecting the iPad while remaining mostly unobtrusive and light. Like most of the products in this category, the BackBone's form closely tracks its function. It consists of a polycarbonate shell that snaps easily yet firmly onto the iPad's back, covering the corners completely along with the right/bottom edge (in portrait or landscape 'natural' orientation) while leaving the left/top edge clear for the Smart Cover's magnetic latch. There are cutouts for the microphone, headphone port, sleep switch and dock port, along with a gridded section for the speaker. The cover is only a few mils thick (in matching colors to Apple's cover), yet it's tough -- I accidentally dropped my iPad about a foot onto a stone floor, corner first, and not a mark on it. The cover has a pleasant, smooth feel that's still got some grip to it. You can get the cover direct from iFrogz for US$34.99, and possibly cheaper at retail. If you're looking for a simple layer of protection, it's a good option. TUAW's policy is to return or donate all hardware provided for review. For more details, see our policy page.
Big box earbuds put to a blind 'taste' test in the Engadget Labs
Hello, and welcome to yet another installment of Engadget Laboratories. This time around we're taking a pseudo scientific look at sub-$100 earbuds. We've all been caught out, headphoneless, and desperate to put some tunes in our ears. So, the question is, what exactly do you get for your money when you stumble into a Best Buy and pick up whatever happens to be hanging on the shelves? Clearly you're trading convenience for selection when you shuffle into a big box shop for your audio needs, but that doesn't necessarily mean you should just grab the cheapest thing hanging by the register, or the most expensive for that matter. We randomly selected four sets of phones, at four different price points, and put it to a group of average Joes and Janes to see if they could actually tell the difference between a $100 pair of buds and a $10 pair (while blindfolded and trapped inside a booth).
iFrogz iPhone 4 cases work with Verizon phones -- we're giving away four
No sooner had we heard about the minute differences in the design of the Verizon (CDMA) iPhone 4 than the TUAW inbox began filling up with news of cases that would work with both the original GSM/AT&T iPhone 4 and also with the Verizon models. Some of the first VZW-compatible iPhone 4 cases we've actually laid hands on come from iFrogz, one of the long-time iPhone accessory manufacturers. To celebrate the release of both the Verizon iPhone 4 and the ability of the iFrogz cases to work with any iPhone 4, TUAW is giving away four of the protective beauties. What do we have on hand? From left to right in the image above: For the car fanatic, there's the US$19.99 SiliconeTreadz case. It's a 100 percent silicone case with a tire tread pattern, and is treated with anti-dust technology. For someone who likes a soft feel to their iPhone case, there's the $29.99 Luxe Original. It's a hard plastic case in gray and black with a soft-touch finish. For the person who wants a hard case with an attractive etched pattern, consider the $24.99 Soft Gloss Phase. It's clear and blue with a spiraling pattern of dots, and the Apple logo on the back of the iPhone 4 shines through. For protection and style, the $29.99 Swerve may be the case for you. It has a nice sleek exterior and a colorful (powder blue to dark blue) hard plastic insert for two layers of protection.
iFrogz shows off cases and headphones at CES 2011
We stopped by the iFrogz booth at this week's CES 2011 here in Las Vegas to see the company's line of cases and headphones for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. We also got to hear some interesting behind-the-scenes information about the business of selling accessories for Apple's devices. The best-selling case color of all time? We heard from multiple companies, including iFrogz, that you can always bet on black. But iFrogz' cases come in a bevy of colors -- "you need something to attract the eye," iFrogz told us. Still, even though you need a whole slew of colors on the shelf, anyone who sells cases knows that black is what sells. iFrogz' most popular design is the Luxe case -- it's an iconic two-piece design that was released early in the iPhone's life cycle, and customers like the combination of a case that looks good and the function of being able to remove the bottom for easy access to the dock connector. Of course, the Luxe cases are also sold in AT&T stores, and iFrogz said that having cases available right when the device is purchased will always help sales.
iFrogz EarPollution DJ Style headphones urban-hipster review
Look at that will you, just look at it. That's a pair of $50 iFrogz EarPollution DJ Style (heavy on style, light on the DJ) headphones we've been testing for the last week. As you can tell by the colors, graphics, faux-chrome accents, and over-the-top bulk, these headphones are meant to communicate a statement just as tersely as they'll strum your cochlear nerve. If you don't care about posturing cool, if you're the type who walks the sidewalk wearing a Bluetooth headset in staunch oblivion to ridicule, well mister these aren't the headphones for you. For the rest, click through for our expert urban-hipster review honed by years of knee-jerked responses to trends, ironic facial hair, and a taste for thrift-store clothing. With cred like that, how could we be wrong?
Review: ifrogz iPhone 3G case
The folks at Dr. Bott were kind enough to send us an ifrogz Luxe case for the iPhone 3G to review. We drew straws (virtually) and I won the opportunity to kick the tires, so to speak, and give you my impressions. Personally, I'm not a big fan of cases on my phones and PDAs; they go in and out of my pocket so often that anything that adds bulk or friction ends up being more of a pain than its worth. That pretty much eliminates any silicone-style cases for my purposes. Thankfully, the Luxe case is made of a hard plastic with a satin finish, providing more grip than a naked iPhone, but not so much that it's a pain to get out of a tight pocket. The ifrogz Luxe case comes in a number of colors. My review case is a deep wine red color, which looks understated and quite appropriate. The case colors in pictures online look too bright and gaudy for my taste, but I can say that I am quite happy with the look of the red version in person, at least.The case is a two-piece affair, clamping together with a little round button on the back. While this is a clever way to hold the two halves of the case together, it unfortunately makes the iPhone much harder to use on a flat surface, as it rocks from side to side as you tap on the screen. My only other complaint is that the case fits maybe a bit too well, in that it can be a real pain to remove it once you have fit your iPhone snugly into it. If you rarely ever need to take your iPhone out of the case this will be more of a positive than a negative for you.The screen protector was a real surprise for me. I expected it to significantly interfere with the accuracy of my iPhone's screen, but after just a few minutes I forgot that it was even there. It is easy to apply, and easy to forget, which makes it darn near perfect in my opinion. My wife is currently in the market for a case for her iPhone, and were it not for the rocking on a flat surface problem, we'd almost certainly be getting her the Luxe for her phone. To be honest, nothing else we've seen really stands out as better, so there's still a good chance she'll end up with a Luxe on her phone, even though the rocking is more of an issue for her than it is for me. I plan on going out to get one of these cases for my iPhone 3G.
Win a bunch of iPod-waterproofing gear, just in time for pool season
What could be better than relaxing in the pool this summer? How about swimming to your favorite tunes? We first saw the H20 audio case and headphones at Macworld, soaking in a tub of bubbling water (see our pic in the gallery). Now you've got a chance to win the 3rd-gen nano-sized waterproof case and matching waterproof headphones for yourself. Both are waterproof up to 10 feet. As a bonus, we're throwing in a ifrogz ibagz case that'll fit pretty much any other flavor of iPod. The ifrogz case isn't waterproof, but it is water resistant and is perfect for taking your tunes to the beach without worries of getting sand in your teensy jukeboxes.There will only be one winner in this giveaway, and they will receive all three items (courtesy our friends at Dr. Bott). To enter, leave a comment on this post (and verify the comment so it appears on the page). The comment must be left before Monday, May 5 11:59pm Eastern Time. You may enter once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing. The winner will receive: ifrogz ibagz (retail $4), H20 Audio's waterproof housing for iPod nano 3G (retail $80), H20 Audio's H3 waterproof headphones (retail $50). Click here for complete Official Rules. %Gallery-21832%
Follow-up on the iFrogz Tadpole iPod case for kids
iFrogz finally has the Tadpole page and pics up and now that I see it it's even cooler than I'd expected! I'm impressed by the design and the intent and as an added bonus the Tadpole comes with the "Screenz" protective film for the front so the screen and clickwheel are covered as well. Screenz include your choice of stock or custom decals that tattoo the click-wheel, allowing you to to personalize the Tadpole any way you see fit with your own images.You can pre-order the Tadpole now for $20 ($5 off the regular price) and it's expected to ship on Nov 1. Unfortunately for my darling niece it currently comes in only orange and purple... not a pink Tadpole in sight :(
