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Felix FlipBook Air is a delightfully different iPad case/stand
So many of the iPad cases and stands that I review here at TUAW are so alike in looks and functionality that it's hard to get excited about them. When something different shows up, I definitely take notice. That's the situation with the Felix FlipBook Air (US$59.99), a very book-like iPad case that shows off its versatility by being able to prop up your iPad Air at any of ten different viewing angles. Let's take a look, then be sure to enter our giveaway. Specifications Dimensions: 9.5 x 7 x .65 inches (241.3 x 177.8 x 16.5 mm) Weight: 8.6 ounces (243.8 grams) Colors: Black, Tan Design Highlights The FlipBook Air brings to mind any number of book-like iPad cases, from DODOCase's original to the perfected craftsmanship of the cases from Pad & Quill. But the FlipBook Air is completely different in that it doesn't require a wood frame to hold the iPad Air in place, so it's lighter and thinner than the competition. The leather-like cover of the FlipBook Air is flexible and folds back behind your iPad easily to get out of the way. The "spine" of the "book" is has magnets that grab onto the iPad air and hold it securely into place, but let you remove the iPad when needed. It's probably one of the easiest iPad Air cases to install a tablet into, since there's no need to squeeze it into a silicone or wood frame. When it's time to watch something on your iPad Air or use it, the FlipBook Air magically adjusts to ten different angles with the iPad being held up by a prop that slides into horizontal slots in the back cover. It works very well, and as a result the FlipBook Air is one of the most adjustable cases I've seen. Functionality Highlights I found nothing to dislike about the FlipBook Air. While it's not a super-protective case, it does ensure that the front and back of your device won't get scratched or dinged while in transit. When you begin to use the FlipBook Air, you begin to appreciate just how simplicity of design makes this an excellent case. It just gets out of the way, with the front cover folding easily under the back. The stand feature also works intuitively and easily, letting you adjust the angle of your iPad Air through a wide range. Installation and removal of the case is as simple as sliding the iPad Air in and out of the "spine." As with most iPad Air cases and covers, the FlipBook Air will wake and sleep your tablet as you open and close the front cover. Conclusion I absolutely love the minimalism of design and the maximization of functionality that the Felix FlipBook Air provides. My only gripe is the price point, which seems a bit excessive considering that a Pad & Quill Walden case made with bonded leather sells for $10 less and comes in a choice of finishes. On the other hand, the FlipBook Air is much more functional. It's up to you to decide if that functionality is worth the extra bucks. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway TUAW and Felix are teaming up to give one TUAW reader a Felix FlipBook Air. 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 July 27, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Felix FlipBook Air valued at $59.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Pad & Quill Walden Collection for iPad Air: TUAW Video Review
Many of the leather Pad & Quill iPad cases that we've reviewed over the years have had one thing in common -- they're all rather thick when you take the Baltic birch frame into account. The Pad & Quill designers went back to the drawing board for the new Walden Collection case for iPad Air (US$49.99, introductory price of $44.99), and have created a case that proves that classy leather protection doesn't need to be thick or expensive. Conclusion It's light, it's skinny, and it is also one of the more affordable leather covers for the iPad Air. While it doesn't protect the sides of the iPad as well as the more expensive and thicker wood-framed cases from Pad & Quill, the Walden Collection case is perfect for keeping your iPad Air safe while in transit. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Loading...
Acme Made Ergo Book for iPad mini: A TUAW Video Review
San Francisco is known as a hotbed of design savvy, and Acme Made uses the city as inspiration for its cases and bags. Today I'll be looking at a new product from the company that combines ultra-thin design and surprising functionality. The Ergo Book can currently be had for the bargain price of $40 (for iPad Air) or just $35 for the iPad mini through a Kickstarter project that is about 60 percent funded with 25 days to go. Expect those prices to double when the Ergo Book is available for sale. Check out the specs, watch the video, then enter to win one of the first Ergo Book cases for iPad mini. Specifications Compatibility - iPad mini, iPad mini Retina display, iPad Air SatinShell Ergo Book Material - Polyurethane Satin Fabric outer casing with Polycarbonate protective inner shell Leather Ergo Book Material - 100% Genuine Leather outer casing with Polycarbonate protective inner shell iPad mini Ergo Book Dimensions (US) - 5.5" x .7" x 8.1" (14 x 1.7 x 20.5 cm) iPad mini Ergo Book Weight - 6 oz (170 grams) iPad Air Ergo Book Dimensions (US) - 7" x .7" x 9.6" (17.9 x 1.7 x 24.5 cm) iPad Air Ergo Book Weight - 8 oz (226.8 grams) Conclusion The Acme Made Ergo Book is lightweight, thin, and quite flexible. While it's still in development -- the actual product is expected to ship in September of 2014 -- the Ergo Book looks like it will be a winner for both iPad Air and iPad mini owners. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible
Kensington Portafolio Me: Customizable iPad mini protection
We've seen plenty of customizable cases for iPhones; everything from cases with a clear rear window for photos to our favorite LEGO case, but the Portafolio Me from Kensington (US$39.99) is the first iPad mini case we're aware of that can be customized with a photo or decal to make it specifically yours. Specifications Dimensions: 5.5 inches wide x 8.25 inches high x 0.75 inches thick (139.7 x 209.6 x 19.05 mm) Weight: 5.4 ounces (153.1 grams) Colors: Smoke / Red Design Highlights As an iPad mini folio case, the Portafolio Me is a bit of a one-trick pony: it has that space in the back (the "removable personal panel") that allows you to pop in a photo, artwork or decal to customize the look of the case. Other than that, it provides a measure of protection for your investment, can be used as a stand, and also has the wake/sleep capability that most iPad covers provide. The description on Kensington's website notes that the Portafolio Me can be customized with a free Skinit decal "to make it your own", yet doesn't provide any information on how to acquire the decal. The marketing materials on the Kensington site show a sticker on the box case, so I'm assuming that Portafolio cases purchased in retail outlets will have that info. One other design feature is the Soundwave channels that port audio from the downward-facing speakers on the iPad mini to the front of the device to improve audio. The inside of the cover is lined with a microfiber-type material to help keep your mini's screen free from smudges. There are no other design features that really stand out on the Portafolio Me and make me want to recommend this over any other iPad mini cover or case; it's quite a plain-Jane design with no outstanding features. Functionality Highlights The Portafolio Me is a perfectly serviceable iPad mini case. At $39.99, the Kensington case is $30 less expensive than Apple's own iPad mini Smart Case about about $10 less than the Logitech Folio Protective Case for the mini. What I found with photos was that it was best to use 5 x 7 inch images, then use the plastic insert as a template to trim around the edge of the photos to get it sized just right for the "window" on the case. You'll probably want to have those images printed on photo paper rather than just on traditional printer paper. Of course, should you decide to have one of the budding artists in your home create a masterpiece to grace the back of your Portafolio Me, you might want to consider using the plastic insert as a template for the kiddos to draw within the lines of. I honestly didn't feel that the Soundwave channels helped the sound quality all that much -- in fact, at the highest volume on my iPad mini, the case actually resonated at certain frequencies and made an annoying buzz. If I had one major functionality concern, it is that the entire case feels somewhat floppy and flimsy. After reviewing hundreds of iPad cases, I expect a certain rigidity to a protective case that is just plain missing from the Portafolio Me. Conclusion The Portafolio Me has a somewhat unique clear plastic window on the back for displaying pictures or decals and is also bargain-priced, offering a small level of protection for your iPad mini in transit. Other than those two attributes, though, this Kensington case does not have a lot to recommend it over other more sturdy cases. Rating: 2 stars out of 4 stars possible
Booqpad: Combining iPad tech with good old paper
Booq makes some nice products for Apple fans, and one of the more recent announcements from the company was for the Booqpad for iPad Air (US$60 for grey, $95 for black/stone). While it looks like just a plain-Jane folio case for the newest iPad, it actually has some more tricks hidden inside. Let's take a look: Specifications Dimensions: 7 x 9.5 x 0.9 inches (178 x 242 x 24 mm) Weight: 1.19 lbs (.54 kg) Materials: Nubuck lining, polyurethane exterior Paper: 50-sheet A5-format pad Design Highlights So what's the difference with the Booqpad compared to all of the bazillions of other folios for iPad Air? For one, when you open it up there's a good old paper notebook on one side of the folio with your iPad Air on the other. This is great for those of us who -- despite years of using our iPads -- still sketch or take notes with pen and paper. The outside of the Booqpad has a nice soft finish to it, and in either grey or black it's at home in the executive boardroom. The grey version has a wide magnetic latch that keeps everything closed when you're on the move, while the black/stone version appears to have a single snap button. What's wonderful about this design is that it's completely symmetrical, meaning that it can be set up for right-handed users (iPad on the left, notepad on the right) or left-handed users (notepad on the left, iPad on the right). It's all done with magnets. The tray that holds the iPad can be lifted off of the folio, turned 180°, and then slapped into place. There are slits on the paper side of the Booqpad that can hold the pad in two positions as well. When in use as a stand, the Booqpad is quite the contortionist! It can be set up to hold your iPad in a number of positions: Functionality Highlights I have to admit that I like the Booqpad a lot. It offers solid protection, a flexible stand, and the ability to take notes on paper (or at least make paper airplanes if you're bored in a meeting). There's no cheesy Velcro holding things in place, or complex pivot mechanisms that have a tendency to break or jam. Using strong magnets in strategic positions allows the Booqpad to be set up to be comfortable for you. Booq provides a screen protector with the Booqpad as well to keep your iPad Air looking new as long as possible. Sure, the Booqpad doesn't have a built-in battery pack or keyboard, nor is it made of exotic materials. But if you're looking for a reasonably-priced, solid iPad Air case that can be used in a number of orientations, you've come to the right place. Conclusion Booq hit the sweet spot of iPad case design with the Booqpad. While many iPad Air cases only seem to hit two of the three criteria for a really good case -- those being flexibility, looks, and price -- the Booqpad wins the trifecta. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Someone out there is going to give our review sample a good home. 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 April 22, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Booqpad for iPad Air valued at US$60. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Pelican ProGear Vault: Some serious protection for the iPad Air
Now that the iPad Air has been out for a while, we're starting to see a handful of specialty cases for the newest iPad. For anyone who uses an iPad Air in the "real world" -- at a construction site, in the battlefield, or even in the classroom -- there's a need for cases that can handle assaults from dust, water, drops, and shocks. Pelican ProGear is now shipping the Vault (US$99.95), also known to its closest friends by the name "Pelican ProGear™ CE2180 Vault Series Tablet Case for iPad Air™". Specifications Dimensions: 10.30" x 8.48" x 0.75" (26.2 x 21.5 x 1.9 cm) Weight: 16.02 oz (454.16 g) Case Material: Outside is made of polycarbonate and aluminum, inside of elastomeric copolymer rubber for shock protection. iPad camera lens is covered with shatterproof optical-grade Asahi DragonTrail glass. Amazon reviews: 5 stars (only one reviewer as this is a fairly new product) Design Highlights If you've ever seen one of the "real" Pelican cases, you know how sturdy they are. They're made to hold delicate equipment for travel, so it's not uncommon these days to see cubesats packed into Pelican Cases for shipment to a launch site. Since the Vault is a real Pelican case, it's built like a tank. It's not the lightest iPad Air case in existence at just over a pound in weight. One interesting thing is although the Vault has an IPS4 rating for "protection from momentary immersion and wind-driven rain", it does that without having a separate glass or plastic shield over the face of the iPad Air. Instead, all of the various ports and buttons on the device are neatly sealed away, while the liquids just splash on the bare iPad Air screen. The Vault also meets IPS4 dust ingress protection the same way, while the case provides MIL-STD810G protection against drops. Lest you think that the Vault's protection makes it impossible to listen to any sounds coming from your iPad Air, you're wrong -- there are specially designed ports that provide excellent audio. Functionalty HIghlights The Vault is not an iPad Air case for the timid, as you will need tools to install it onto your device. There's a small hex driver included (it's taped to the back of the IKEA-like instruction card), and there are a whopping fifteen hex screws that need to be removed and then re-inserted. Once the iPad Air is locked into the case, it's not coming out unless you decide to remove all of those screws. There's a latching "door" that closes over the screen while in transit, keeping your iPad Air screen from getting splashed on or cracked if you drop something on it. That door folds all the way around behind the back of the iPad Air on a metal hinge; likewise, that hinge makes it possible to stand the iPad Air up for viewing. The rubber-like covers over the home button, volume toggle, mute/orientation lock, and headphone ports work well, snapping shut (for the ones that open) tightly. The Vault comes in two "colors" -- white and gray or black and gray. There's also a model for the iPad mini with Retina display that comes in additional hues. One final note: the Vault is guaranteed for life. If it fails before your iPad Air is either completely out of date or can no longer hold a charge, you get another one. That being said, I don't think TUAW readers should try to test the capabilities of the Vault by driving over it with a tank, going scuba diving, or performing any other action it's not designed for. Conclusion The Pelican ProGear Vault is not an iPad Air case for everyone, but for anyone who needs good field protection for their tablet it's a winner. The price is reasonable, the case is well-designed and constructed, and it's going to provide the protection you crave. That protection, however, comes at the cost of bulk and weight. If you don't need the powerful protection the Vault can provide, you'll probably be better served by a case that can provide less protection but weigh less. If I have one big complaint, it's that the case requires the removal and re-insertion of fifteen hex screws for installation. Other manufacturers have designed protective cases that use interlocking "fingers" of plastic to snap the case together and hold the pieces in place, and they take much less time to install (although they're a pain to remove). Rating: 3-1/2 stars (out of 4 stars possible) Giveaway Of course we can't do a review here at TUAW without giving away the goods to one of our readers! 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 January 13, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Pelican ProGear Vault case for iPad Air valued at $99.95 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
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.
Props Power Case for iPad and iPad mini: Review and giveaway
One of the big questions I always hear from newbies to the iOS world is "Why are there battery pack cases for the iPhone but not for the iPad?". That's a really good question, and one that I couldn't honestly answer. Now Digital Treasures has done the inevitable and created the Props Power Case for iPad mini ($79.95) as well as two larger versions for your full-sized iPad ($89.95 for 8000 mAh battery, $119.95 for 12000 mAh battery). In this review, I'll take a look at the Props Power Case for iPad mini to give you an idea of the usefulness of these juiced-up cases. Design The Props Power Cases use the tried-and-true folio case design with a prop (hence the name) for watching videos hands-free in an upright landscape orientation. The material covering the outside is a black leatherette with red stitching that looks pretty good, and there's a magnetic strap to hold the case cover closed. The inside of the case a stippled rubber-like material that makes propping the iPad at a number of angles a snap. The iPad is held into place by flexible plastic corner pieces. On the iPad mini cases there are four of these pieces, while the full-sized iPad case includes a fifth piece on the right side of the iPad to help hold it into place. As you'd expect, all of the cases include a hole for the rear-looking camera. The big difference with the Props Power Cases is the thickness of the cover. That's because it holds a flat battery pack. On the bottom of the battery pack you'll find an input port (used to charge up the battery from any standard USB power source), four status LEDs indicating the level of charge, an on button to test the battery level and start charging your iPad, and a micro-USB power output port. %Gallery-185672% With the battery pack, the case weighs a bit more than your standard lightweight iPad mini case. The Props Power Case for iPad mini weighed in at 0.945 lb, more than doubling the weight of the standard mini (0.68 lb). A USB to input port cable is included for charging, and there's a micro-USB to female USB adapter cable that can be used with your usual iOS device charging cable to plug it into the battery. Note that you can use the Props Power Case to not only charge up your iPad or iPad mini, but just about any other electronic device. Functionality When plugged into a USB power adapter (in my case, I attached it to a powered USB 3.0 hub), the blue power level LEDs light up to indicate that charging is occurring. As the battery charges, each of those lights will blink in sequence until the pack is fully charged, at which time all four blue LEDs remain steady. I found that getting the iPad mini into and out of the plastic corner pieces was quite easy. Each of the pieces has a slight "lip" on it that holds the iPad securely in place. Remember the magnetic strap I described above that holds the case closed? It also sticks to the back of the case when you are using it as a stand, perfect for keeping it from flopping over onto the screen while you're watching a movie. As with most folio-type iPad cases, the Props Power Case includes magnets in the cover to turn the iPad on when you open the cover and off when you close the cover. I found that whether or not this worked was highly dependent on making sure that the cover was aligned properly on the right side when closed, and that it often didn't line up the way it should. That's not too much of an issue for me, as I enabled the lock sound so I could hear when the screen was being turned off. The battery pack in the iPad mini has a capacity of 4400 mAh according to iFixit.com, which means that the pack should be able to provide about 1.8 charges to a mini. That's different from what the back of the Props Power Case box says; it notes that it will provide "up to a 100% power boost for your iPad mini." I'm not sure exactly which number is correct, but it should be reassuring that you can at least bring an "empty" iPad mini up to a full charge. The Props Power Case specifications are a bit shaky on the expected lifetime of the battery pack as well. For the iPad mini, the user guide listed the battery as being able to handle 300 - 500 charge / discharge cycles. Conclusion The Props Power Cases for iPad and iPad mini look like they're fairly solid and well constructed battery folio cases that can add anywhere from 50 to 130 percent more power to your device depending on the model. While they're not the most stunning cases I've ever seen, if you need on-the-go power and protection for your iPad, the Props Power Cases are definitely worth looking at. Pros Good capacity, providing anywhere from 50 to 130 percent more power to your iPad depending on the model Well-constructed, with very good protection from drops and falls all around the iPad Status LEDs are very useful in determining charge and discharge levels Cons Not sure why Digital Treasures picked white cables for a black case Cover magnets may not necessarily turn off your iPad when the cover is closed due to issues with getting it properly aligned Who is it for? The hard core iPad user who needs additional power for his or her device Giveaway Have an iPad mini? Here's your opportunity to win a Props Power Case for iPad mini from TUAW and Digital Treasures. Loading...
Audojo is a twin-stick iPad case on Kickstarter
Audojo is the latest hopeful in the burgeoning "aftermarket physical interfaces for touchscreen devices" sector of the gaming world, adding two analog sticks, two triggers and a pair of external speakers to any iPad model 2 or newer. Or at least, it will, provided that its $240,000 Kickstarter goal is reached in time.Rather than interfacing with the iPad via Bluetooth, Audojo plugs directly into the headphone jack and communicates that way, with a second headphone jack provided on its own backside for private listening. Battery life, when used with headphones, is said to be in the weeks, though it's worth noting that the Audojo does nothing to charge the iPad itself.Games will need to be made compatible with the Audojo, though integration is "super simple" thanks to the device's foundation in Unity, according to its Kickstarter video. Meanwhile, an Objective C SDK is already available for developers.If it hits retail, the device is expected to cost around $100, though 200 Kickstarter supporters can receive one by pledging $55. Once those are gone, however, pre-orders can still be placed for $80.Update: Audojo co-founder Matt Tullis contacted us to clarify that the device is not founded on Unity, but rather that a Unity package is available to ease integration for developers that work in that environment.
Mapicases Orion for iPad: Elegant leather, amazing flexibility
Most of the cases that we receive at TUAW Labs fall into one of two categories: those that use plastic and silicone to create an ultra-protective shell, and those that use more natural materials like cloth or leather to provide style and a modicum of protection. The Mapicases Orion Leather Smart Case (US$160) for iPad 2-4 is one of the latter, turning leather into a good-looking case with a unique twist on flexibility. Design At first glance, the Orion looks vaguely similar to Apple's Smart Cover. After all, it does have the telltale lines on the cover where you can fold it origami-like into a stand. But that's where the similarity ends. The Orion features a stand design that works not only in landscape orientation like the Apple Smart Cover, but also in portrait as well. It does this handy trick by allowing the foldable cover to rotate a full 360 degrees. %Gallery-176219% The case comes in five different leather finishes: black, brown, tan, red and white. The leather has a nice pebbled finish to it, and the stitching is top-notch. Unlike some less-expensive leather cases that look like they've been cobbled together in a backstreet sweatshop on a broken sewing machine, the Mapicases Orion shows exquisite attention to detail. The Orion weighs in at 12.4 ounces, and has magnets in the "right places" to turn your device on and off. The inside of the cover is lined with a soft material to avoid screen scratches, and there are cutouts for all the buttons and ports on your iPad. Mapicases also provides a velvet-like bag to enclose the case if you're planning on giving it to someone as a gift. It's a nice touch. Functionality Of course, some cases look good but don't necessarily do the job in terms of protecting your iPad or holding it in a desired position. Fortunately, the Orion does its job well, looking smart while holding your iPad vertically or horizontally. The fit of this case is like a glove; nice and tight, with no gaps at all. It's probably one of the best leather iPad cases I've reviewed, which is saying a lot. Conclusion While it's a bit on the expensive side at $160, the Mapicases Orion for iPad is a classy and well-constructed case that will add style to any full-size iPad. Pros Beautifully constructed and brilliantly designed Works in both portrait and landscape orientation Magnetic iPad switch works perfectly even with cover opening/closing vertically Cons Expensive Who is it for? Anyone who likes the look and feel of leather cases; it's perfect for the well-heeled executive Giveaway OK, some lucky person out there in TUAW-land is going to get their hands on a brand new tan leather Mapicases Orion iPad case. 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 January 17. 2013 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Mapicases Orion iPad case valued at $160 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Street Fighter X Sanrio line from Mad Catz includes arcade stick, iPhone/iPad cases
We're not entirely sure why Street Fighter's 25th anniversary equates to a cross-promotional merchandising deal with Sanrio, but man are we glad that it does. Not only do we get adorable figures and plushies out of the partnership, but now Mad Catz has introduced a line of Street Fighter X Sanrio products that are both the cutest and have practical applications beyond said cuteness.Obviously, the Street Fighter X Sanrio Fighstick Pro (above) tugs at a very, very specific part of our heart, even if it does cost $160. While not stated specifically in any of its promotional materials, we feel it's safe to assume the arcade stick uses the same Sanwa Denshi parts as the Street Fighter X Tekken Fightstick Pro models it's based on. Just, you know, very pink.The line also includes iPhone 5 and iPad 2/3 cases in your choice of Hello Kitty Chun-Li or Hello Kitty Ryu flavors, which run for $35 and $45 respectively and can be seen in the gallery below.%Gallery-173109%
Touchtype Case is the happy marriage of iPad and Apple Wireless Keyboard
I spend most of my day typing on an Apple Wireless Keyboard. I love the feel of the keys, the long battery life and the compact form factor. That's why I do all of my blogging and most of my other writing on my iMac -- I love this keyboard. And that, among some other reasons, is why I don't keep my iPad in a keyboard case. I just don't like the feel of 98 percent of the keyboards built into those cases, with Logitech's Ultrathin Keyboard Cover as the exception. So, what if someone made it easy to carry an Apple Wireless Keyboard with an iPad? That's exactly the story behind the Touchtype Case (US$49 and $99). The case started out as a Kickstarter project by Salman Sajid and received a lot of backing -- $45,749 compared to a $2,500 funding goal. Salid feels the same way I do about a lot of the iPad keyboard cases, so he decided to do something about it. The result is a very slender case that carries your iPad (any generation) and Apple Wireless Keyboard. Of course, the Touchtype Case also acts as a stand so your iPad can be propped into a good orientation (portrait or landscape) for viewing as you type. The Touchtype is currently out of stock, but one TUAW reader will get one as an early Christmas present. Check out the review, and then enter the giveaway. Design Rather than spend a lot of time explaining the design of the Touchtype Case, I'd prefer to let the inventor do that. Here's his Kickstarter video: How well did Sajid's design match his dream? Very well! I tested one of the gray polyurethane "pleather" models, and it's one of the thinnest iPad cases I've ever used. However, it still works well as an iPad stand as well, and I like that the iPad can be used in either portrait or landscape orientation. In case you're not thrilled about gray polyurethane, there are two more "real leather" versions -- one in a dark brown "Wild Espresso" tint and the other in Functionality Do you really need a case that can carry your iPad and an Apple Wireless Keyboard? That's the big question that you'll need to ask yourself. If you currently carry both in a backpack or bag and that's working out for you, then spending $49 or $99 for a case is probably an expense you don't need. But if you're carrying the iPad and keyboard loose and want a way to organize them, then the Touchtype case makes sense. %Gallery-172805% The workmanship on the Touchtype is probably some of the best I've seen on any iPad case. The keyboard fits snugly into its pocket on the case, but is easy to remove. Elastic and leather straps on iPad cases are usually poorly made -- here, Sajid obviously paid attention to detail, as the straps look good and are very usable. Any downsides to the Touchtype case? If anything, I have a bit of a concern that the product is out of stock with just a "get notified" email link available. Of course, there's no cost for giving Sajid your email address. Conclusion Anyone who likes to use an Apple Wireless Keyboard with their iPad should buy a Touchtype case when they become available. It's well designed and implemented, and a very compact way to carry the duo to wherever your computing will be done. Pros Beautiful design Top-quality construction Very reasonable pricing on the gray polyurethane model Ability to stand the iPad up in either portrait or landscape mode Cons Out of stock at the present time Who is it for? Those who love to use the Apple Wireless Keyboard who are unhappy with the current crop of iPad keyboard cases. Giveaway Now, here's your chance to win one of these great cases. Be sure to read the 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 December 9, 2012 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Touchtype iPad case valued at $49. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
IRL: Ballistic Tough Jacket, Dell UltraSharp U2412M and an argument for disposable AA batteries
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. What a week. What a month! So far this September, Amazon, Nokia, Motorola and Apple have announced new products, and HTC is up next, with a press event scheduled for Wednesday. We'll let you speak for yourselves -- maybe you want more liveblogs -- but we here at Engadget keen to take a break from the hands-on posts and breaking news posts and talk shop about the products we already own. This week, Jason tests a rugged tablet sleeve, Don rates his Dell monitor and Darren makes the case for disposable AAs (and yes, he has a favorite brand).
ZAGG intros a pair of Bluetooth keyboard cases for the iPad, three pairs of gaming headphones
Sometimes at trade shows we see funky-looking Windows 8 devices, other times we see bags filled with a morphing rainbow colors and sometimes we see things whose importance falls somewhere in the middle. That's the situation ZAGG finds itself in this week, as it tries to win attention at IFA amid dozens of laptop / tablet hybrids and 84-inch TVs. The company is in Berlin as we type this, showing off the new ZAGGkeys Pro and Pro Plus, two Bluetooth keyboard cases for the iPad. Both have a magnetic closure, but the Pro version adds backlighting. Those will be available at the end of September for $99 and $129, respectively. Additionally, the company announced a trio of Caliber gaming headphones, including the Stealth, a pair optimized for mobile devices, and the Axiom, which works with Macs, PCs, the Xbox and PS3. Both have in-line controls. Rounding out the list, there's the Vanguard, which offers 7.1 channel audio. Look for these in October, for $60, $90 and $130, respectively. The PR's embedded after the break, though you won't find much more detail there, sadly.
LaunchPort releasing AP.3 sleeve for juicing your new iPad the inductive way
LaunchPort is finally releasing a sleeve for the new iPad, which makes it compatible with the company's inductive charging gear. It goes on sale in September for a hefty $149, and of course, you'll also need at least one $199 tabletop or wall mount to connect it to. The sleeve also works with the iPad 2, and if you're thinking about getting one, be quick -- it's only a matter of time before resonance charging renders inductive juicing a little passé.
ThinkGeek offers retro Padintosh Case for iPad
Have an iPad 2 or third-generation iPad? Do you love retro Macs? If so, then you need to order the cool Padintosh Case for iPad (US$24.99). While it's the front of an original 1984 Mac pictured on the case, the Padintosh actually protects the back of your iPad. You can use a standard Apple Smart Cover to protect the screen on your iPad. The Padintosh is just too cool, and the use of MacPaint to make the screen of the "Mac" even more authentic is perfect. I couldn't help myself -- I just ordered one.
Portenzo's limited-run Alano iPad cases stand out ... and stand up (updated)
Sometimes I really love my work, and this week has been one of those times where the love of good craftsmanship has made my job a lot of fun. First, I highlighted the latest in a series of amazing iPad cases from the folks at DODOcase, and now I get to tell you about the handmade leather Alano iPad cases now available from Portenzo. These cases start at US$124.95, and the pricing goes up depending on the finish and options that you select. As such, the Portenzo Alano iPad cases are really in a class of their own -- they're the Lexus of iPad cases. Design As I mentioned, there are options that you can request when ordering your Alano. Those options are what make the case so unique. For example, you can start out with just a plain-Jane black leather cover at no extra cost. If you'd prefer the awesome Tesoro design, which features an old map of the Mediterranean tooled into the leather, you'll pay a premium of $29.95. %Gallery-162012% There are six finishes available, three of which are showing a status of "sold out" right now. The three available finishes are the Midnight Black, Black Widow Wingtip, and Tesoro. For the elastic band that holds the case closed in transit, there's a choice of nine different colors. If you'd like to have the case personally embossed in one of four styles, that's an additional $14.95 charge. Get the IntelliStand feature, which I'll discuss shortly, and you'll add another $19.95. Want an opening for the rear-facing camera? Add $4.95. A stylus and a stylus compartment can be added for another $9.95 each, and you can even have the stylus personalized for another $4.95. Adding options to a Portenzo Alano case is just like adding options to a car. You can start out with a fairly reasonable price tag that suddenly balloons to a lot of money. In the case of the Tesoro case that I'm reviewing, the available options bring the price up to $179.80. So, are you getting your money's worth with this case? In my opinion, yes. First, the Tesoro design is very eye-catching and people will ask about it. Next, the IntelliStand feature is something that you won't want to miss, as it provides an extra bit of flexibility in how you can prop up your iPad. Rather than describe the ways that you can bend, fold, and otherwise flex your Alano case, here's a short video from the folks at Portenzo: Pretty cool, huh? If you read my review of the revised DODOcase the other day, you'll note that the lack of a more flexible stand was one of my criticisms. The IntelliStand is a great way to add the flexibility of more mundane cases to a beautifully rendered leather case. Portenzo's iPad tray is also a work of art. It uses laminated wood strips to fully encase the iPad, with specially-designed rubber-like inserts that cushion the corners. There's a specially designed cutout that encloses the speaker area on the iPad 2 and new iPad, and it does a much better job of allowing sound "out" than other similar cases I've reviewed. Both this cutout and the camera hole cutout are lined with neoprene pads. The camera hole is cleverly sized and placed so that the iPad camera lens is protected by the elastic band while in transit. How do these cases look? They use one solid piece of leather as the cover, so you see the leather both on the inside and outside. The Tesoro case is just breathtaking -- it's honestly one of the most beautiful iPad cases I've ever seen. The cases are made in the USA (Saint Louis, MO for those who are wondering), and the attention to customer service is awesome. Each case comes with a hand-signed wrapper on the outside describing how leather products will change in appearance over time, as well as a personalized tag showing the custom features of your case. One more thing: if you want a special piece of art or a corporate logo on the cover, contact the staff at Portenzo and they can give you pricing on creating a laser-engraved special edition. Functionality Enough of my gushing over the looks of these cases; how about how they work? The cases come with the traditional magnetized cover to turn your second- or third-generation iPad on and off. Due to the natural flexibility of the leather, you'll want to make sure that you use the elastic band to keep the cover closed as it has a tendency to open up and turn on your iPad if you don't. All buttons and ports are easily accessible on your iPad with the exception of one -- the on/off sleep/wake switch. To access that, you'll need to remove your iPad from the case. I was surprised by this omission, since I do a lot of screenshots of my iPad screen for reviews and I need access to that button. Update: This video shows that there's no need for an external power button like the one on DODOcases. There's a "hot spot" that you push to turn the iPad on and off. The IntelliStand function is wonderful. When you just want the case to do its job of protecting the iPad, it's out of the way. When you want to stand the iPad up for viewing a movie or something, you just pull the cover behind the iPad out a little ways and the magnets holding the flexible part in place give way. Find your favorite iPad position, and let go, and it stays in place. Your iPad will definitely be protected in style in the Alano cases. Conclusion Of all of the iPad cases that I've reviewed over the past two and a half years, the Portenzo Alano cases are without a doubt the most unique. They are literally one of a kind, with each case being hand made of a unique piece of leather, and the details are outstanding. You'll pay a bit more for the quality and the style, but you are definitely getting your money's worth. Pros High-quality construction of leather, wood, and other materials Does not use stick-on pads in the corners of the iPad tray (still a problem with DODOcase) IntelliStand option is a clever and well-implemented way to have more flexibility in using the case as a stand Many ways to customize your order, including outside finish, addition of IntelliStand or camera hole, different elastic band colors, embossing or custom laser engraving (contact Portenzo for details) Good warranty and return policy if you're not completely happy with the case Extremely easy to put the iPad into and take the iPad out of the case Made in the USA Cons No access to the on/off sleep/wake button on the top of the iPad Who is it for? iPad owners who are willing to pay a premium for a truly luxury iPad case Giveaway Regrettably, I have to loosen my grip on the Portenzo Alano Tesoro case and another one with a plain black leather finish, as I need to give them away to two lucky TUAW readers. 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 August 11, 2012 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Two winners will be selected. One receives a Portenzo Alano Tesoro custom iPad 2/3 case valued at US$179.80, while the other receives a Portenzo Alano Midnight Black custom iPad 2/3 case valued at $149.85. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
VestGuard UK Ballistic cover will protect your iPad from tablet-related gunplay
If you find yourself in the position of regularly having your iPad shot at, VestGuard UK sure has the tablet case for you. The Ballistic cover is made of "cutting edge uni-directional aramid fibers processed to a high tolerance in VestGuard's state of the art facility" that make it possible for the case to stop bullets from a 9mm handgun. In other words, the company's bulletproof claims are "not a metaphor," as stated in the post-script of its press materials. And judging from its current selection of products, which include body armor, de-mining helmets and Kevlar gloves, the company knows a thing or two about heavy duty protection. Not a lot in the way of information on availability at the moment, however, since the covers are not quite ready for sale.
Griffin outs Binder Insert case for the iPad, brings Trapper Keepers to the 21st century for $25
Just in case you're not quite ready to rid your studies of tree pulp, Griffin has announced the Binder Insert case for your Five Star zipper notebook. The enclosure secures the iPad 2 or third-generation model in a 3-ring binder for easy camouflage of those in-class Angry Birds habits -- or for switching back and forth between a slate and the blue-lined white stuff. A stylus loop and access to the dock connector, volume controls, headphone jack and camera are also taken into consideration around the case's edge. In order to get your learning setup just so, be ready to part with $24.99 in order to grab one.
iPad Smart Case hands-on
Surreptitiously introduced to Apple Stores in the midst of new MacBook introductions and hardware refreshes, the Smart Case is Apple's latest official option for iPad protection. It's teamed together the foldable Smart Cover of last year with a soft-touch rubbery shell to defend the other half of Apple's premier tablet. The case fits both the Retina display-decked new iPad and the iPad 2, so we decided to grab one to protect our iOS slab. Does it do the job? Well, it certainly protects the tablet from keys, spare change and other pointy objects, however, because it's made for two slightly different sized devices, it didn't fit as snugly as we'd hoped, with an especially wide rim around the front also reducing the premium feel of the Smart Cover-esque front flap. So, is it still worth the $50 price tag? That's a little trickier to say, so check out some more impressions and our verdict after the break.%Gallery-158414%
