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Ten One Design Magnus Air: All iPad Air stand, no bulk
When an accessory PR rep says she's going to send me an iPad Air stand, I usually expect to receive a heavy package in the mail a few days later. That's why the new Ten One Design Magnus Air (US$39.95) surprised me so much when it showed up in a small padded envelope. Ten One Design touts the Magnus Air as a low-profile designer stand, but how does something with this little weight prop up an iPad Air? Read on to find out the secret to the Magnus Air. Specifications DImensions: Approximately 5.75" wide x 2.75" deep x 1" tall (146 x 69.85 x 35.4 mm) Viewing angle: 22 degrees Weight: 1.8 ounces (51 grams) Design Highlights OK, the secret to the Magnus Air is magnets. Really powerful magnets. You just place the Magnus Air near the left side of the iPad Air and it sticks to it like glue. Now you can flop the iPad Air onto its side and it is held in landscape orientation at a very comfortable viewing angle. By building those powerful magnets into the Magnus Air, sticking the stand onto an iPad Air is like gluing a leg onto it. The stand isn't going to move, and if you need something to prop up your iPad Air that adds just a hint of weight, the Magnus Air is for you. The bottom of the stand is covered with a non-slip material, so the iPad Air and stand are going to stay put on a table, too. Functionality Highlights Ten One Design's Magnus Air is designed to do one thing -- hold an iPad Air at a comfortable viewing angle in landscape orientation -- and it does that task perfectly. The Magnus Air is minimalism at its finest, adding functionality without being ostentatious or weighting down your backpack or briefcase. I found the stand to be extremely useful in the kitchen. The 22° angle is perfect for viewing recipes while cooking, and the non-slip base ensured that I was going to be able to tap and swipe the iPad Air without having to chase it around my countertops. One added touch to the Magnus Air over earlier versions of the Magnus stand is that you can also easily flip your iPad Air over to have it propped up in a very comfortable typing position. This horizontal option is great for people who like to use the virtual keyboard of the iPad Air. Any gripes about the Magnus Air? Sure, I wish it was less expensive so more people would be tempted to pick one up. You can order 'em on the Ten One Design website, and they'll be in your local Apple Store soon. Conclusion Ten One Design's Magnus Air is a handy little accessory for anyone who owns an iPad Air and would like to be able to use it hands-free. It adds a ton of functionality to your favorite tablet without weighing you down. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible
Vizio recalls 245,000 HDTVs to fix stands that might let them tip over
Vizio's E-Series has been excellent cheap option for big HDTVs with full-array LED backlighting that enhances picture quality, but several versions are being recalled for a serious safety issue. According to the details posted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 39- and 42-inch models sold since late last year have a stand that can fail and lead to the TV tipping over. Vizio says there haven't been any injuries as a result of 51 tipovers reported among the recalled sets, but HDGuru points out stats indicating thousands are injured every year in such accidents -- meaning we should probably all take a second look at our TV stands, or consider a wall-mount. If you have one of the 245,000 or so TVs being recalled, the recommendation is to detach the stand immediately and request a replacement (even if yours is wall-mounted you should request one, just in case it's taken down later). Vizio is notifying owners, and has a website where they can check their set's serial number to see if it's affected before requesting the fix.
IDAPT accessories: Style and substance from Barcelona
IDAPT is a design company in Barcelona, Spain that reflects a lot of the character of the city that's seen in the image above. While some products such as the US$9.99 Sutra channel the quirky and playful side of the architecture of Barcelona, others like the $49.99 Universal Charger i4 are as industrious and flexible as the residents of the city. Today I'm taking a look at three products from the company, all three of which one TUAW reader will win in a giveaway. Universal Holder Sutra Normally I'm skeptical of anything advertising itself as "Universal", but in the case of the Universal Holder Sutra, the name seems to be very appropriate. This is a very inexpensive stand that works with your iPhone or iPad to prop it up in a variety of positions. It's lightweight at 1.3 ounces (36.85 grams), and made of bright white plastic with accents available in six different colors (red, blue, gray, green, orange, magenta). When standing vertically, Sutra props your iPhone or iPad up in either portrait or landscape orientation. For typing on an iPad, simply place the Sutra on its side, put the iPad on top of it, and it's tilted at a slight angle that's perfect for typing. There's one more trick to the Sutra as well: one side of the case opens up to reveal a "storage trunk" inside which a pair of earphones, a connection cable, or whatever you'd like to keep neatly tucked away can reside. Smart design, low cost, multiple uses. A very smart little product! Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible IDAPT Universal Charger i4+ We see a lot of charging docks around here, the majority of which are designed to be used with one or maybe two devices of a certain type. For example, you'll get docks that have a 30-pin Dock connector, others that have a Lightning connector, and some that just provide empty USB ports into which you plug cables for a messy-looking charger. The IDAPT Universal Charger i4+ is indicative of the flexibility that the company builds into its products, as it is compatible with over 5,000 different devices. It does this by offering a variety of tips (some included, some extra) that plug into the base unit. For example, the unit I tested included tips for 30-pin Dock connector, Lightning connector, mini-USB, and two for micro-USB. Three of those tips can be plugged into the base unit at a time, meaning that you could theoretically charge an iPhone in a Mophie Juice Pack case (micro-USB), an iPhone 4S (30-pin Dock connector) and an iPad mini (Lightning connector) simultaneously. Oh, and there's a USB port on the side, so if you happen to have one more device to charge, you're set. There are are a huge number of other tips available for everything from AA/AAA batteries, the iPod shuffle, a Qi wireless charging module, even Palm devices. Just about anything you want to charge can be connected to this truly universal charger. The IDAPT Universal Charger i4+ is a 25 W charger, so every tip is getting full power even when you're charging four different devices. Every device charges just as quickly as if you've connected it to the original manufacturer charging adapter. Design-wise, the i4+ is kind of an inverted truncated pyramid in shape, and comes in a choice of black, white, cyan, magenta, yellow, and green. At $49.99, this is also a very reasonably-priced product compared to some single port units we've tested in the past. Once again, the low cost, design, and flexibility give this IDAPT product a top score from me. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible IDAPT Universal Holder HUG Desk OK, now let's see if we can go for the review trifecta here. The final product I'm looking at is the IDAPT Universal Holder HUG Desk. In comparison to the little IDAPT Sutra, which is designed for portable use, the HUG Desk is designed to take up residence on a desk or table. When IDAPT says that this is a "universal holder", they mean it. It can hold any smartphone or tablet made today. It gains this flexibility by using an elastic double strap to hold onto two diagonally-opposite corners of your device. That strap is affixed to your device through a micro-suction pad, meaning that you can take it off of one device and slap it onto another without any sticky residue staying behind. IDAPT also notes that the HUG Desk works with many smartphone and tablet cases, so you don't even have to remove those protective cases to mount your iPhone or iPad on the HUG Desk. That strap, by the way, is held by a heavy steel base outfitted with non-slip materials. I tried the HUG Desk with two devices; my iPhone 5s in a Mophie Juice Pack Helium case and an iPad Air without a case. Note that while you're attaching the elastic double strap with the micro-suction pad, you'll want to be sure to hold that pad into place as any shearing motion caused by pulling on one of the straps will definitely cause the pad to pop off. The pad is meant to have strong "stickiness" in the vertical direction, holding it into place. The swivel mechanism on the top of the HUG Desk can be placed into just about any position from vertical to completely horizontal, making it one of the more adjustable iPad/iPhone stands I've ever tested. And IDAPT did it again with the pricing -- the Universal Holder HUG Desk has a price tag of $29.99, which is much less than many of the competing stands that aren't have as flexible in terms of use with a number of different devices and in a variety of positions. Once again, the company from Barcelona has pleasantly surprised me with another low-cost accessory that can be used a lot of different ways. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway And now it's time for a TUAW reader to win a package containing all three of these top-rated accessories from IDAPT. 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 12, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive three IDAPT accessories (Universal Holder HUG Desk, Universal Holder Sutra, Universal Charger i4+) valued at US$89.97 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Emergency Father's Day gift for iPad-owning plumbers
What started out as a joke, apparently has turned into a thing. If you can't find the official "iPlunge," I'm sure the US$10 household toilet model with a bit of paint will work just as well.
A Macintosh Plus repurposed for the iPad
I'm strangely OK with this, as long as it's slightly more well-aligned. [Photo Credit: Hassan Hodges]
Just Mobile unveils its fine-point capacitive stylus, expands dock and battery lineup
Just Mobile was back at CES to sprinkle some magic dust on its new accessories, and this time it involves a mixture of batteries, Lightning docks, cables and styli. We're most excited by the company's AluPen Digital, a fine-point capacitive stylus that works on any modern mobile device, without the need of Bluetooth or any additional sensor. We also got an exclusive look at the upcoming AluBolt Pro Lightning dock for the iPad, along with the Lounge Pro and Lounge Ice iPhone docks, the AluCable Flat and the aluminum refresh of the Gum++ battery. Read on to check them out.
Nimblstand: Making the Apple Wireless Keyboard even more useful
The Apple Wireless Keyboard is great for use with a Mac, with long battery life, a great key feel and a compact size that makes it unobtrusive on a desktop. So why not use it with your iPhone or iPad? Unless you have some way to prop up the device behind the keyboard, it's going to be pretty uncomfortable to use. That's the reason behind the Nimblstand (US$39.99, or $56.99 with a Wacom Bamboo Stylus included), a device stand that's designed to make it easy to use the Apple Wireless Keyboard and the Wacom Bamboo Stylus with your favorite tablet or smartphone. Specifications Dimensions: 11" wide x 5.85" deep x .85" max thickness (27.9 x 14.9 x 2.2 cm) Weight: 7.05 ounces (200 grams) with stylus, 6.20 ounces (17.8 grams) without stylus Material: Made of recyclable ABS plastic. Packaging is simple cardboard and paper, and is recyclable as well. Design Highlights The Nimblstand was designed prior to the release of the iPad Air with its much thinner bezel. Rather than change the design, the manufacturers include an "iPad Air Sustainability Kit" consisting of four adhesive pads that give the iPad Air a bit more height when used in landscape mode in the Nimblstand. The stand works with devices that are protected by an Apple Smart Case or Smart Cover. For transport or use as a stand with the Wacom Bamboo Stylus, the back portion (extension wedge) of the Nimblstand is removable and can be stored underneath the Apple Wireless Keyboard out of sight. When using the stylus, there's even an "inkwell" where you can place it when you're using the keyboard, and it clips into a special channel for transport. Why did the manufacturers design this for the Apple Wireless Keyboard and Wacom Bamboo Stylus? Easy -- they rightly consider those to be "best in class" products in their respective categories. There are some little details that are quite amazing on the Nimblstand, like the fact that there's a tiny hole in the top side so you can see the power light on the keyboard, or the slight curve in the center for the home button when your device is in portrait orientation. Functionality Highlights The Nimblstand is extremely sturdy, yet lightweight. It doesn't use any gimmicks to hold your device in place, just good old gravity. It makes the Apple Wireless Keyboard wonderfully usable with your iOS device on desktop or in your lap. Conclusion The Nimblstand is one of those products that you look at and ask "Why didn't somebody think of this before?" The simple design works perfectly with your existing Apple Wireless Keyboard to let you use that keyboard with your iPad or iPhone, providing a stable and easily transportable stand for the iOS device. It will work with future devices, although it would need to be redesigned if the Apple Wireless Keyboard is ever changed. It's reasonably priced as well, particularly when the Wacom Bamboo Stylus is included. Rating: 4 stars (out of 4 stars possible) For Comparison: Felix TwoHands II (Nov. 15, 2013) Slope iPad Stand (Nov. 4, 2013) The Coburns (Nov. 15, 2013) Bracketron Nanotek Stand (June 17, 2013) Boomerang (July 31, 2013) Rain Design iSlider (Feb. 26, 2013) Chef Sleeve Dishwasher Safe iPad Stand (Feb. 8, 2013) Giveaway: In keeping with our editorial policy, we are giving away our review Nimblstand. 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 6, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Nimblstand with Wacom Bamboo Stylus valued at $56.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
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The 12 Days of iMas, Day 5: Is your iPhone full of crap? This should help
Today is the fifth day of a 12-day feature where we'll show you the strangest Apple-flavored gifts we can find. Check out the previous days here: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4 Day 5: A mini plunger for your iPhone There are so many things laying around your house that can prop your iPhone up, it's amazing that there's even a market for retail products that perform the task at all -- but there are, and boy are there a lot of them. Here we have a "stand" designed to keep your iPhone at a desirable angle for watching videos or playing games, and it's less than US$2. Wait, did I not mention it's a plunger? The diminutive bathroom tool is made out of silicone and wood, just like the real thing, which only makes it even more strange. I mean, I suppose it serves its purpose just fine, and it's probably even pretty handy if you happen to have any tiny toilets laying around, so why not give one to someone you love?
Haier's new OLED TV is harder to push over than most
Eye control is all well and good, but what Haier was really pumped about at this year's IFA was its new 55-inch OLED set. And, granted, the set is nice and thin at four millimeters, with a 1.5 millimeter bezel. What the company was really excited about, however, was the built-in stand. Yep, it's a four millimeter thick TV that can stand on its own, making it really difficult to push over in one direction, at least. We appreciate the sentiment, but we'll be more excited when we can start controlling the thing with our brains. Follow all of our IFA 2013 coverage by heading to our event hub!
Twelve South HiRise for iPhone gives iOS devices an adjustable perch
There's an abundance of iOS device docks, but many aren't well-suited to deskside use when they sit too low and limit use of the audio jack. Twelve South's new HiRise for iPhone bucks that trend. The stand raises smaller iOS devices closer to eye level, where they're well-positioned for video chats and listening to music with headphones. Owners have to bring their own Lightning cables for power, but they won't have to worry about case or device compatibility thanks to an adjustable rear support. That flexibility helps justify the HiRise's relatively high $35 price -- it won't be obsolete the moment that Apple and accessory makers change form factors.
Stylish Boomerang iPad mount/stand now shipping
Nothing makes me happier than to see a Kickstarter or Indiegogo project not only get funded, but make it to the newly-redesigned BiteMyApple.co online store. That means that even if you didn't have an opportunity to back the project, you can purchase the product outright. That's the case with the über-cool Boomerang (US$79.99 with one Multi Mount), a mounting/stand design with legs that mimic the shape of the classic Australian weapon/toy. Whether you're using the Boomerang as a table stand for your iPad (as shown above), sticking it to a Multi Mount attached to a window or the wall, or decide to attach it to the optional Desk Stand seen below ($89.99, requires Boomerang), the unique magnetic mounting interface will keep your iPad close at hand. You can also use one or two "legs" of the Boomerang as a hand grip for iPad photography. The original Boomerang Kickstarter project had 516 backers and raised a total of over $50,000. Xvida, the company that's producing the Boomerang, also has an air vent mount, a suction cup mount, and a headrest mount available as options for $24.99 each. Additional Multi Mounts are also available directly from the company for $24.99 for a package of two. The Boomerang works with the second through fourth generation iPads.
Bracketron NanoTek Stand: minimalistic design by 1.0 Innovations, functional standout
You may read this review of the Bracketron NanoTek Stand (US$29.95) and ask yourself "What's so exciting about a angled piece of aluminum with some sticky pads on it?" Well, many times smartphone stands are tied to a particular generation of a smartphone, so when the next big thing appears on the market, it's time to toss the stand for a newer model. The Bracketron NanoTek Stand is a design that works now and will keep your iPhone happy for the foreseeable future. Design The NanoTek Stand began life as the SETA Smartphone Stand, a Kickstarter project by 1.0 Innovations that is still underway and has so far pulled in almost four times the funding goal. It appears that Bracketron saw just how successful the Kickstarter project was and they've now licensed the design. The Bracketron product is available now, and can be purchased online or from a number of retailers. For more information about the Kickstarter project, check out the video below: The NanoTek Stand/SETA Smartphone Stand is a piece of aluminum weighing in at 2.2 ounces, bent so that there's a little "foot" on the bottom to allow it to stand up on a desk and adorned with a t-shaped slot cut through the lower part for a charging cable to snake through. On the bottom of the "foot" there's a NanoSuction™ pad so that your phone and the stand aren't going to topple if you happen to bump it. Another NanoSuction pad is on the front of the stand, and that's what you slap your iPhone onto. %Gallery-191622% As noted, the t-slot in the front of the stand is perfect for feeding through a 30-pin Dock or Lightning connector for charging. The NanoTek is currently being sold in either white or silver. Functionality NanoSuction pads are amazing; they work well for sticking items to flat surfaces, and then letting you remove them without damaging either surface. That material is not sticky to the touch, and it doesn't pick up a lot of dust or grime The 1.0 Innovations folks who set up the original Kickstarter project for this stand even have the idea of selling some super-sized NanoSuction pads for attaching iPads to surfaces like walls, refrigerators or windows. With a naked iPhone or -- believe it or not -- iPad mini, the device stuck right to the stand and stayed in one place. Especially with the iPad mini, it's a great way to have access to the device on a desktop without taking up a lot of space. Well, there appears to be one material that isn't NanoSuction-friendly, and that's the material that Mophie juice pack battery packs are made out of. That's what I use to keep my iPhone 5 charged up, and it just won't stick to the stand. Pull off the case and the iPhone sticks like glue, put it back onto the stand and it falls off. Bracketron does include a second pad that's supposed to work better with silicone or textured cases. I tried to remove the original pad to place the second pad onto the stand, and that was nigh impossible considering the adhesive used. I ended up placing the new pad on top of the old, and it didn't work with the Mophie case either. Note to Bracketron and 1.0 Innovations: apparently Mophie uses Kryptonite to make its cases... Conclusion The modern miracle of nano-suction pads strikes again in this minimalist smartphone stand from the design team at 1.0 Innovations. Buyer beware, though -- this stand doesn't work with every case on the market. Pros Unobtrusive design that looks at home anywhere NanoSuction pads work well to grip tightly to most flat surfaces and "naked" smartphones, and it's easy to remove the devices or move the stand The cable management system (i.e., t-slot) built into the stand is a stroke of genius Price is reasonable Cons NanoSuction pads do not stick to some case materials Who is it for? Anyone who wants to support an iPhone in a slightly angle vertical position on their desk or desktop
Flickr Find: iPad on a G4 iMac base
Remember the G4 iMac, lovingly called the iLamp because of its unique design that resembled Luxor Jr. of Pixar fame? Spotted on Flickr is this clever iPad stand that uses the base of the G4 as its centerpiece. It was created a few years ago by Flickr member Jamie37211, who documented the process of creating it in a 16-picture photo set. It's a great piece; I wonder if he still uses it?
Chef Sleeve Dishwasher Safe iPad Stand a welcome addition to the kitchen
Long-time TUAW readers may remember that spring day a few years ago when I cracked open an egg on my iPad. I wasn't worried -- the iPad was protected by a Chef Sleeve, an ultra-thin splash- and grease-proof reusable bag that keeps cooking goo from sullying your favorite kitchen device. The company was at Macworld/iWorld 2013 with a couple of new products, but the one that caught my eye was their Dishwasher Safe iPad Stand (US$34.99). Like the original Chef Sleeve, which basically took some specially designed Ziploc-type plastic bags and did some clever packaging, the iPad stand is pretty generic. Any kid in wood shop could cut out a piece of wood, sand it nicely and route some slots into it. But if you don't have a kid in wood shop and just want something that is going to hold your iPad in one place while you cook, look no further. %Gallery-178371% The best feature of the Dishwasher Safe iPad Stand is the first two words of the name -- dishwasher safe. If this gets a little grease or sauce splashed on it, you just toss it into the dishwasher with the rest of the dirty goods and it comes out nicely sanitized. The product even has an NSF (National Sanitary Foundation) approval stamp; probably the first iPad accessory I've reviewed that has that distinction. The stand has two slots with two very different viewing angles, and is designed to be used with iPad generations 2 through 4 and the mini. There are nonskid feet on the bottom to keep things from moving as you tap through recipes on the iPad, and the weight (a little over a half pound) is helpful for keeping things stable. Chef Sleeve partnered with kitchen utensil design firm Epicurean on the design of the iPad Stand, and it shows in the professional construction. Those with an eye out for green products will love the stand as well, since it's made from Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood fibers that are compressed with a food-safe resin. Sure, it doesn't do much than to just hold your iPad while you're cooking, but I think the Chef Sleeve Dishwasher Safe iPad Stand is going to end up in a surprisingly large number of kitchens worldwide. If you have a Target store nearby, you can pick one up along with a box of Chef Sleeves today. While you're at it, also take a look at their Cutting Board with iPad Stand ($69.99).
Just Mobile's early-2013 range: AluCup, black HeadStand, AluFrame, AluPocket and Gum Max Duo
What we love about CES is that we get to see so many familiar faces in one week, and Just Mobile was one of them this year. Since our visit to its Taiwan office a few months ago, the award-winning accessory maker had been preparing several new products for CES: (from left to right in the above picture) AluCup, black HeadStand, AluFrame, AluPocket and Gum Max Duo. Starting in chronological order we have the black edition of the minimalistic aluminum HeadStand headphone stand, which will join its silver-colored sibling for the same $49.95 price tag at the end of this month. As before, the HeadStand's base comes in two layers for cable management, as well as a spun-metal finish. Check out the rest of the product range after the break.
Stands du jour: TwoHands & MonkeyDo iPad stands impress
When it comes to iPad stands, there are more options out there in the market than you can shake a stick at. If you're just looking for utility, you needn't look farther than a used roll of duct tape. Ugly but it works. Today's market is about combining utility with beautiful design and I found a couple of items from Staples that are sure to please. Of the two, the felix MonkeyDo is by far the cuter. Available from Staples for US$19.99 ($14.99 sale price until December 15), this is a stand that will fit the quirkiest aesthetics. Made of strong plastic, the stand fits classic iPads in landscape and portrait positions. (I tested with the iPad 1 and 2. I was unable to test with a mini.) As adorable as the MonkeyDo is, you can't really see the cute monkey after inserting the iPad. Only its little toes and fingers show in practical use. So a lot of the kawaii goes away when the unit is used as designed. In terms of fit, the portrait position worked a lot better than landscape for repeated removal and insertion. You really need to make your monkey streeeeeeeeetch to get the landscape iPad in place. In both orientations, the presentation was secure and the fingers did not interfere with the screen. I found the MonkeyDo to be a cute, solid product; one I have no qualms recommending. I liked the MonkeyDo; I adored the Felix TwoHands. Retailing at $29.99 at Staples (and on sale for $14.99 until December 15), this stand works like a dream. Based on a springed hinge, you open the stand with a simple squeeze. It adapts to nearly every tablet you throw at it (I tested with iPads, Kindles and an iPhone), and it's so easy to use. Its two arms have the same kind of cute hand detail used for the MonkeyDo, but with much sturdier plastic. They grasp a tablet at any height you choose, so you can set angles from super-shallow to completely upright. When not in use, the stand snaps shut, with a minimal profile that you can store away in your desk or even a super-generous pencil cup. After a few days of use by myself and my family, I picked up the phone, confirmed that I could buy at my local Denver store at the online price and ran out and bought a few to keep. Highly recommended.
Review: Joule II iPad stand
The original Joule was nice and simple, featuring a channel for your iPad and an arm to prop up the tube in which that channel was cut. The Joule II doesn't reinvent the original, but improves upon its design in a couple of places. Like most Element Case products, the Joule isn't the cheapest stand by far (US$109.99), but it's one of the nicest. Design The Joule's base has always been a solid aluminum cylinder, machined to precision to hold your iPad (or other tablet) in portrait or landscape. In portrait, there is even a vent port for audio. On the original Joule, the arm had 3 positions, and was held in place by a magnet. With the Joule II, Element Case has eliminated the magnet in favor of a simple threaded armature and a hole that moves with some resistance, so you have a bit more control over the angle. There's a new vent port for audio, this time a series of holes cut through the beefy aluminum base cylinder. The channel is less specific to the iPad these days, but it's clearly designed with the iPad as one of the primary target customers. The channel for your tablet is generous without feeling like your iPad could flop out somehow. Also, the suede interior slightly grips, and avoids the scratching of aluminum on glass. Functionality It's an iPad stand and it does what it says. The Joule II comes with a handy zippered case, and the heft of the base makes it ideal in a number of situations where you need a stable base, but may need to grab the iPad easily. The rear armature's mechanism works very well, and in several days of use I didn't notice it getting looser. While I worry a bit about longevity (versus the previous design), it feels sturdy enough to last for years. Who is it for? Anyone with the cash available who needs a sturdy, attractive and useful stand. It's capable of being packed easily but looks great, so I could see some business and commercial applications as well.
GroovBoard is a clever, useful laptop desk for iPad
When Steve Jobs introduced the iPad to the world, he sat in a cozy chair to emphasize the informal, relaxed ease of using the device. Years later, I'd wager that many customers use their iPads in a similar way. Curled up on a couch or chair. It's comfortable but not always convenient. The GroovBoard lapdesk for iPad is here to help. This hardwood, iPad-friendly lapdesk accommodates an iPad (in several orientations), an Apple Bluetooth keyboard and a stylus, all while looking good. I've been using it for a week and found it convenient and comfortable, if not a little bulky. Here's my look at the GroovBoard lapdesk and stand for iPad. I'm also giving away my review unit, plus a protective bag, six self-adhesive feet (unused - the adhesive is still good!), a quickstart leaflet and a nice microfiber cloth. Details follow the review. %Gallery-171143% Construction The GroovBoard is available in six hardwoods: alder, apple, ash, cherry, maple, oak, plum (very distinctive looking) and walnut. The dimensions are 11.8 x 9 x 0.95 inches, and it weighs just about two pounds. The whole thing feels nice (each piece is finished with linseed oil for a silky feel) and the edges have been routed ever so slightly, just to remove the hard edge. The grooves are nicely cut and do their job well, but more on that later. What's interesting is the removable extender. It's held in place by four magnets and to posts and snaps on and off easily. I was certain I was about to break something the first time I removed it, as it feels odd to pick this thing up and snap the last few inches off, but no, it's supposed to work like that. When assembled, it's in place nice and tight, so you needn't worry about it falling off when you don't want it to. Use Here's the fun part. There are three main ways to use the GroovBoard with your iPad. The first is as a simple stand. Place your iPad in the groove towards the front. You'll find that it's held at a nice angle for touching and tapping. You can type in this orientation, tough I found the extender to be in the way. You can remove it, of course, or move the iPad to the rear groove. The groove at the back of the GroovBoard holds it at a less sharp angle and frees up the front groove to hold an Apple Bluetooth keyboard, which it accommodates perfectly. In my week of testing, this is how I used the GroovBoard most often. The keyboard's rounded battery compartment fits perfectly into the frontmost groove (neat that it holds the keyboard or an iPad just as ably) and the rest of it sits nicely on the extender. It's at home on a desk or your lap in this configuration. Finally, you can tip the GroovBoard up on its end and find a third groove at the very top of the device. Put the iPad in there if your slouching back with your knees up. It's quite comfortable resting against your thighs, and you can remove the extender to find the best viewing angle. I've also got to mention the stylus slots. There are four in total, two on each side. The GroovBoard holds several models of stylus (full list here; my Cosmonaut was too big) in either the lapdesk or "slouching back" position. Conclusion The GroovBoard is very nice. It's also kind of big. At two pounds, it's heavier than my iPad 2 (1.33 pounds). It's also noticeably thicker, and takes up a lot of room in my small bag. It also got a couple of scratches on the bottom, but that could be because I'm using a European Cherry GroovBoard, which is the softest model. The GroovBoard is a great device. It's clear that a lot of thought went into its design and construction. The fact that it can accommodate the iPad in a variety of ways, hold a stylus for a lefty or a righty and secure an Apple keyboard so well makes it a very useful lapdesk/stand indeed. Plus, it's just good-looking. Prices vary between US$89 and $119. If you're looking to buy one as a gift, get your order in now. Or, win our giveaway! Giveaway I'm giving away the ash GroovBoard I tested for this article. Here are the details: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter leave a comment . The comment must be left before MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2012, 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing. Prize: Ash GroovBoard + accessories described above (Value: US$99 ) Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Twelve South introduces HiRise for MacBook stand, shipping now for $70
Hot on the heels of its HiRise for iMac release, the Mac-only accessory maker known as Twelve South is outing a similar riser for MacBook products. Engineered to hoist MacBooks from 11 to 15 inches up off of one's table, the HiRise for MacBook is a sleek, polished stand that serves a purpose much like the mStand from Rain Design. For avid MacBook users looking for a more ergonomic way to work, this is easily one of the best solutions out there. Unlike most rivals, Twelve South's offering is adjustable, allowing you to raise and lower your MacBook's keyboard and display to match the height of your eyes (or perhaps a nearby monitor). In our testing, we found the build quality to be exceptional, and it's most certainly a piece that you'd be pleased to have sitting alongside your other work peripherals. It's a bit heavy for travel -- but then again, you can't have that base being light enough to tip over -- but those still interested can nab one at the source link for $69.99.
Twelve South HiRise takes iMacs and Apple displays to new heights, tidies up in the process
Many of those who buy iMacs and Apple-designed displays are eager to avoid clutter in the first place, which makes an organizer all the more logical for those who'd like Desk Zero almost as much as Inbox Zero. Accessory maker Twelve South's newly available HiRise aims to clean it all up -- and lift it up. The aluminum-and-steel frame elevates Apple's modern all-in-ones and screens to any one of six points while conveniently leaving storage space that goes with the local computing decor, whether it's to hold external hard drives or car keys. Although the HiRise is no trivial expense at $80, it's better for propping up an iMac than an old college textbook, and arguably more useful as a whole.
