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Opening the Book(Book) on Twelve South: between the covers of a Mac-exclusive accessory maker
The year is 2009. In history books, it'll widely be recognized as the year that most of America -- heck, the world -- would prefer to forget. Job after job was lost, bank after bank fell, and humanity as we knew it plunged into "the worst recession since the Great Depression." It's also the year that Palm attempted a comeback with webOS, and as it turns out, the year that yet another accessory company was born. While such an occurrence may be forgettable on a macro scale, economic researchers and lovers of technology alike have reason to take notice -- and, indeed, ask questions. So, that's exactly what I did. Beyond growing a technology startup in a me-too field during the worst economy that I've personally been a part of, it's also not often that I find compelling consumer electronics companies far outside of New York City and San Francisco. Twelve South just so happens to be located in a nondescript nook in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina -- just a beautiful trip over the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge from historic Charleston. Three years after its founding, the company now fittingly counts a dozen employees on its roster, and despite entering a market flooded with iAccessory after iAccessory, it has somehow managed to grab its own slice of an increasingly large niche. As with all good success stories, this particular outfit has plenty of twists, turns and run-ins with Lady Luck to tell about; for those interested in seeing how the "stay small" mantra is keeping Twelve South firmly focused on the future ahead, take a peek beyond the break.
Hands on with the iKlip Studio stand for iPad
It's difficult to get excited about a stand for the iPad, unless it's something exceptional. But most of the time, a stand is to serve a very practical need. And with IK Multimedia producing a vast array of accessories and applications for musicians to use with their iPads and iPhones, it makes sense for them to make a stand for the iPad (like the iKlip for the iPhone and iPad -- attaching to a mic stand), but for the desktop. At US$29.99, the iKlip Studio for the iPad provides everything you need in a stand. It assembles in a matter of seconds and folds away virtually flat for transportation to your next studio session. It's made from shock-resistant thermoplastic, so it won't shatter if you drop it, or mark or scratch your iPad, either. Rubber foot pads are placed at the corners of the underside of the stand to make sure it doesn't go sliding and slipping about. Similarly, rubber foot pads are also found on the upper-side of the stand, which the iPad rests on, so your iPad won't fall out of the stand with a knock or jolt. The iKlip Studio has been well thought through. All your iPad's controls, buttons, connectors, and the camera are easily accessible. There's also ample space to accommodate a case for your iPad if you use one. When placed in portrait mode, there's a grill in the stand to allow sound from your iPad's speaker to come through as intended, without being muffled. If you have IK's iRig guitar adapter, there's a useful bracket that can be attached round the back to neatly house the adapter. Possibly the most useful feature is the flexible orientation of the iKlip Studio. You can tilt its position to a very low angle or have it just about vertically facing you, or anywhere in between. The iKlip Studio may not be the most aesthetically exciting stand around, but if you're looking for a stand which ticks all the practical boxes at a reasonable price, you won't go wrong with it.
IKEA Uppleva HDTV to retail for $960 in Europe beginning next month, US launch in 2013
Details continue to emerge as we approach the IKEA Uppleva's June launch. GigaOM has discovered that the set will be available in sizes ranging from 24 to 46 inches and will be priced "around $960" -- with a scale relative to the display size, we presume. The TV will feature a built-in Blu-ray player and a wireless subwoofer, and is being assembled by TCL Multimedia a manufacturer in China. Uppleva is expected to roll out to France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Sweden beginning next month, then to other European countries later in the year, followed by the US in 2013. There will also be a handful of applications that will vary based on region, including Dailymotion, Vimeo and YouTube, along with games, music playback and video-on-demand apps, and the Opera for TV web browser. There's a familiar sneak-peek vid awaiting you just past the break. Update: Due to an error at the source article, we originally identified the manufacturer as TLC, rather than TCL Multimedia. The text above has been updated to reflect the correction.
More images and details emerge about Ikea's Uppleva
Did you not get enough Swedish furniture pr0n yesterday with the announcement of Ikea's Uppleva? Well, we've got a slew of new images and some new details for you. As far as specs, it seems that the sets will be available in 24, 36, 40 and 46 inches and all are LED backlit. They'll also all sport WiFi and "smart TV" features including the Opera browser -- except for the 24-incher, which must accept its role as the runt of the litter. The TVs will also come attached to three different TV bench designs in six different finishes. While we weren't able to score our own units yet, M3 did and you can check out their hands-on out at the source link.
IKEA puts away your TV cables, tech credentials
If your abode has ever been touched by the space-saving hand of IKEA, you'll be familiar with its clever, wallet-friendly wares. Now, the Swedish furniture giant is bringing its quirky ideas into the technology market. Frustrated with cable spaghetti ruining the otherwise sharp lines of its TV storage units, the Scandinavian firm has taken it one step further, and built the TV right in to the furniture. Yup, "Uppleva" is an all-in-one TV and stand with storage built in co-operation with China's TCL Multimedia. Not only that, it also incorporates a Blu-ray / DVD player and surround sound (with wireless sub woofer.) Details on the TV itself are sparse, but there's a brace of USB inputs and four HDMI ports (so you can re-add in some wires), plus FM radio and internet connectivity, but beyond that we're left guessing. More importantly -- for the casual IKEA customer we assume -- will be the array of colors and designs it will ship in. The delivery man will be kicking up Autumn leaves by the time you can get your hands on one, with prices starting at 6,500 Swedish crowns (around $960). In the meantime you can unpack a video after the break, which just like those shelves you bought, doesn't seem to contain everything.
Kid Icarus: Uprising's 3DS stand holds up to scrutiny
To help players operate Kid Icarus: Uprising with its unconventional (and uncomfortable) circle-pad, L button, and stylus-based control scheme, Nintendo has packed a 3DS stand with every copy of the game. That way, you don't have to awkwardly support the whole weight of the system with your left hand while aiming with your right.The motivation may be unfortunate, but the accessory itself is quite nice, securely holding the 3DS in place when in use -- with rubber pads to keep the system from sliding around -- and folding flat when not. See for yourself in our gallery. Kid Icarus: Uprising (and this stand) arrive in North America this Friday.%Gallery-151019%
Magnus magnetic stand has a hold on your iPad 2
Sometimes the most simple accessories can be the most effective. When I received a tiny box from Ten One Design claiming to hold a stand that would support an iPad 2 in an upright position, I scoffed. But it turns out that the Magnus magnetic stand (US$49.95) really does work. The Magnus is a tiny sculpted piece of aluminum with a very powerful magnetic strip at the bottom. When you place an iPad 2 onto it in the designated landscape orientation (with the home button on the right side), the Magnus and iPad click together. Held in the magnetic clutch of the Magnus, the iPad is nicely balanced and stays securely perched. This is one of the smallest iPad stands I've reviewed so far ... and I've reviewed a lot of 'em. For anyone who wants a stand that will hold an iPad in landscape orientation and is virtually invisible at the same time, the Magnus is your product. On the other hand, if you like your iPad in the full, upright position (portrait) look elsewhere. For movie viewing or using the iPad with a Bluetooth keyboard, the Magnus is perfect. At 4.6 ounces, the Magnus won't load down your favorite iPad bag while in transit. And dang, it just looks good. There's not much more to say than that, so I'll just let you take a look at the gallery for more views of what could become your favorite slab of aluminum ... other than your iPad 2. %Gallery-147817%
Ten One Design premieres Pogo Sketch Plus and Magnus iPad stand at CES
It's always great to see the guys from Ten One Design at various trade shows and conventions we cover here at TUAW and seeing them again at CES was no exception. This time around, in addition to displaying the popular Fling joystick for iPhone and iPad, Ten One had two new products on display. The first as the Pogo Sketch Plus stylus, which is an updating version of the popular Pogo Sketch featuring an all-new tip. Personally, I'm not a huge stylus fan (I agree with Steve Sande: "If you see a stylus, they blew it"), but I do agree that the Plus is more accurate and a little smoother than the previous version. I don't know that it'll convince you to use a stylus on the iPhone or iPad when you don't already, but if you use another stylus or the standard Pogo Sketch, the new version is worth checking out. Ten One was also showing off the Magnus, a new iPad stand they're making. iPad stands are so CES 2011, but this one is actually pretty innovative: It includes a strong metal base outfitted with a magnet, so the iPad not only stands in place, but is held there with a magnetic charge (on the same edge that Apple's Smart Cover uses to stay on. The design of the Magnus is really impressive -- the iPad would fall over without that magnet, so the whole thing looks quite magical. The Pogo Sketch Plus is available for $14.95, and the Magnus is available for $49.95. Of course, it only works with the iPad 2 and its embedded magnet. Ten One also says the Fling continues to sell well. There are a few other joysticks out there, but Ten One says that no other competitors have borrowed the Fling's patented twisty design yet. They did say that a few "counterfeit" copies have appeared, but not enough to cause issue with Ten One's sales. We asked if there have been any major customer complaints yet, or any big improvements in the product customers have asked for, but they say that customers have been happy overall with the Fling. The only real issue so far? "It's kid-proof, but not dog-proof," says Ten One.
Kid Icarus: Uprising flies too close to the 3DS, gets bundled with a stand
D'ya know what'd make up for a nineteen-year wait? Well, Project Sora thinks the answer is a plastic peripheral. Yes the long, long awaited Kid Icarus: Uprising looks like it'll be bundled with an official "Nintendo 3DS Stand," according to a tweet by the game's maker. It's no doubt a practical addition, as those analog-plus-touchscreen controls look like they'd make your arms tired -- which is probably what got Icarus in trouble in the first place. No word on price for the goods at this time or even if it'll travel across the pacific, but we're keeping our primary feathers crossed. Update: We've gotten word that the stand will only be available in the bundle, at least for now. We'll let you know if we hear otherwise, but don't hold your breath for a standalone purchase option.
Kid Icarus: Uprising stays put with bundled stand [update: coming to all regions]
When I played Kid Icarus: Uprising at E3, I called the circle-pad/stylus-based controls "unwieldy" and "basically only possible if you've put the 3DS on some kind of stand." (I'm going to pretend) Nintendo was listening, as creator Masahiro Sakurai has revealed a stand peripheral, to be bundled with the Japanese release of the game. "Touching the screen works better if it's secured," he said (roughly translated). Nintendo has yet to make an announcement regarding the stand's inclusion with the American or European versions of the game, but given that this stand was designed to solve an identifiable problem, we'd be very surprised if any region left it out. Update: And we remain unsurprised! Nintendo tells 1UP the stand will be included with all copies of the game, not just in Japan.
Insert Coin: Kapsule Lightstand puts your Kindle Keyboard in the spotlight
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. There are plenty of benefits to e-ink displays, they're clean, easy on the eyes, light on the battery draining and can be read in direct sunlight, unlike their LCD brethren. There are a number of downsides as well, of course, including the lack of backlighting, making them tough to read in a dark room. Several companies have attempted to capitalize on this shortcoming, with clip-on accessories that are sometimes awkward and unwieldy when attached to tiny e-readers. Though, for the record, some have managed to get things right, like Amazon's own Lighted Leather Cover for the fourth-gen Kindle.
The Wallee: A complete iPad stand, mount, and case solution (Updated)
In the vast world of iPad accessories, there are few complete systems that provide a variety of ways to protect and mount your device. A new case system from Australia, The Wallee, comes with a set of sidekicks that make it one of the most versatile iPad accessories I've reviewed so far. Read on for a full look at this unique collection of items that work together to keep your iPad happily protected and mounted just about anywhere it goes. Design The system starts with the Wallee iPad Case (AUD$39.95 - about US$41 as of this writing), which is a white, black, or clear shell that snaps onto the back of your iPad or iPad 2. In the middle of this shell is a rounded X-shape that is the heart of the interchangeable accessories in the Wallee system. While it might seem like the price is a little high for the case, it does include free shipping to anywhere in the world. The case is compatible with Apple's Smart Cover, so between those two accessories your iPad 2 can be completely protected, back and front. Should you decide that you'd like more protection, there's the Glove (AUD$29.95), a 100% wool felt (totally renewable) sleeve that keeps your lovely Apple product from scratches. It looks and feels nice, too. %Gallery-141382% If you prefer something that's even more heavily padded, the Carry (AUD$39.95) is a memory foam-lined bag with a handle for carrying. It's finished in a waterproof silk fiber for durability and good looks. Now let's start talking about the various stands and mounts. For those who would like to mount their iPad on a wall, the AUD$10 Wall Mount Disk is a minimalist ABS plastic and stainless steel solution. Use one screw to attach it to a wall, cabinet, or door, and then quickly mount the iPad in its Wallee case on that surface. Your device can be twisted between landscape and portrait orientation in moments, or removed for travel. Have a VESA wall mount or arm that you'd like to attach the iPad to? There's a Wallee accessory for that. The AUD$14.95 VESA adapter opens the iPad to use with any of the many VESA mounts on the market. For propping up your iPad on a desk, Wallee offers two solutions. The first is a tiny brushed aluminum kickstand called (not surprisingly) the Kick (AUD$24.95). Using the standard Wallee X-mount, it snaps onto the back of the Wallee case to hold up the iPad in a variety of positions. The Kick is light and small enough to be portable. A mount that offers a lot more capability is the iMac-styled Pivot (AUD$59.95). It truly looks like the arm that holds up the iMac, complete with a hole for power or USB cable. As with the other accessories, it's adorned with the Wallee mount, and snapping your iPad onto the Pivot is a breeze. The Wallee folks have three more accessories in the works that use the Wallee case: there's the Headrest, a AUD$39.95 mount that uses aluminum fittings and that Wallee X-mount to secure the iPad to a headrest for back-row viewing of movies. The next is the Hand Strap (AUD$19.95), which brings the Wallee mount to a Velcro-adjustable strap for comfortable hand-carrying of your iPad. The final accessory that is forthcoming is the Wallee Lock (AUS$89.95), which uses the Wall Mount Disk, Wallee Case, and a special enclosure to attach your iPad securely to a surface. This would be perfect for kiosk-type applications where you'd like to keep your iPad from walking off... Functionality For multiple uses of a single case design, there's no equal to the Wallee products. The case took some real effort to install, but I finally got it to snap in on all four corners. That being said, the case didn't stand up to repeated installations. When I took off the case in order to take some photographs pre-and-post installation and tried to reinstall it, I had some issues getting it to snap on as it had the first time. While fiddling around with the white case, I managed to break the thin plastic piece between between the iPad 2 speaker opening and the front of the case. No problem, since Wallee had also sent a second case in black. I could never get that case to install onto the iPad, even when squeezing the corners with a death grip to try to get it to snap on. This is a problem I've never had with the AViiQ Smart Case, which is a thin aluminum snap-on shell. I've removed and installed the AViiQ case literally hundreds of times, and it always stays put on the iPad 2. What's the difference? The AViiQ case is made to hold flush to the back of the iPad, while the Wallee case has a small spacer in the middle to accommodate the thickness of the X-mount. The AViiQ case is also made of a much more rigid material than plastic, so it seems to hold its dimensions a lot better. As I could not get either Wallee Case to properly hold onto my iPad 2, all of the photographs accompanying this post are done without the iPad actually being attached. My advice? If you manage to get the Wallee Case installed on your iPad, don't take it off... The rest of the accessories are well-constructed. The Case is functional, yet attractive and thin. The Mount is a solid piece of hardware that I would have no problems installing on a kitchen wall. Both the Kick and the Pivot are solid brushed aluminum pieces that look as if they've come out of the design shop at Apple. I have no doubt that the Headrest, Hand Strap, and Wallee Lock are going to be equally well done. Conclusion The Wallee line of iPad accessories is a complete line of cases, mounts and stands for the iPad. My main concern is that the key component of the line -- the Case -- wasn't easy to install, and that a thin piece near the iPad speaker actually broke under moderate pressure as I was attempting to install it. I'm sure that if this is a concern for Wallee users other than myself, the company will work out the issues. I'm also happy to see that the company is working not only on future products, but also partnering with other companies like Tether Tools to make the Wallee X-mount work with photographic accessories. Update: According to a Wallee spokesperson, I was sent old case stock due to "pre-holiday shipping insanity." The case fit issues have been completely resolved, and you can purchase a Wallee with the assurance that the all-important case is going to fit your iPad or iPad 2 with no problems.
Insanely Great launches made-in-USA iPhone accessories with Cyber Monday deal
Whether your iPhone has been with you for years or you just picked one up this weekend during the holiday shopping rush, you're facing the same problem either way: getting it to stay where you put it, in the car or on your desk. Scores of companies offer lots of different "stick it and forget it" solutions to this challenge, but one newcomer is putting together some innovative and attractive products for iPhone car/counter mounting -- and doing it entirely in the USA, from design to hands-on manufacturing. Insanely Great Products' launch line includes six different mounting/stand solutions, all but one involving a powerful suction cup to attach the iPhone (or other flat-back device) to the mount. The Jack (image, right) and the Scooter are designed for desktop use, while the Willy (top image) and the Traveler can serve either in the car or in stationary settings. The light and flexible Clip-n-Go combines the suction cup with a customized binder clip for easy air vent attachment of a cased or naked phone, while the anodized aluminum Norm uses the same binder clip with side arms to hold a case-free phone to the dashboard vent. While the products are affordable (most of the line costs between US$10 and $20, with the aluminium Norm coming in at $35) they're set apart from most of the accessory market by their made-in-the-USA pedigree. IGP was founded with the intention of doing all manufacturing domestically; currently, all the products are assembled by hand (from US-sourced materials) in the company's Menlo Park facility. In fact, every IGP employee spends at least part of every day filling customer orders by making products themselves. This agile/all-hands manufacturing process is intended to help keep the entire team connected to the products; IG is also able to create customized or branded versions of all the items in the line, on request. It might seem a bit presumptuous for any new enterprise to call itself Insanely Great, but in this case the company at least comes by it honestly. IGP's marketing lead/co-founder Richard Ford spent several years at Apple in leadership roles on the product teams that built most of the Internet underpinnings in Mac OS 9. The other co-founder, company president Jeff Osborn, was formerly a VP at mega-ISP UUnet. For today, Cyber Monday, the company is offering 50% off three of its products -- the Jack, the Scooter and the Willy -- as long as you buy them in blue (the Monday blues, so clever) rather than the full line of colors shown above.
Germanmade handmade wood and leather g.2 iPad-Case for iPad 2
Most premium iPad cases are pretty similar. Some are bags, some flips cases, some sleeves -- Germanmade has done something a bit different with their book-style case. Construction and design Made from leather stretched over veneer, the case has a uniquely organic feel. From the outside it looks just like a leather-bound book. The sides resemble mottled pages, with the hardback cover completing the look. Both the wood veneer and surface cover material are exquisitely finished, giving a genuinely luxury feel. The inside of the case is finished in natural wood and an inlay color of your choice, in this case white. It's put together really well too, feeling pretty solid all round, yet reasonably light for the size and amount of material used. While I wouldn't want to drop the iPad in the case, it's likely to be held pretty well; although the case itself is likely to come off pretty knackered from a fall of any decent height. Use The case fits the iPad 2 very well, holding it securely in place with small rubber friction pads in the corners. The front flap is held in place by a thin strip of black elastic that reminds me of those gorgeous moleskine notebooks. In the lid are the required magnets to shut off the iPad 2 upon closing -- a nice touch. The wood of the case is shaped to give you access to all that the iPad does without taking it out of the case. Cut outs allow access to the side switch and volume rocker, dock connector port, headphones and power button; there's even a shaped cut out for the speaker on the back of the iPad 2, which projects the sound forward. There's no access to the back camera, but taking the iPad in and out of the case is a breeze thanks to thumb-sized cutouts for leverage The case also has two tricks up its sleeve. The first is that the front flap can be folded around the back to create a landscape support for typing. It provides just enough of an angle to make using the keyboard just that little bit easier on your wrists like Apple's Smart Cover does. The second trick is a vertical stand. Cut into the wood at the bottom left edge of the case are two grooves that you can place the naked iPad in, propping it up vertically in either landscape or portrait orientation. It's extremely stable and makes a nice desktop stand as long as you've got enough room for it. The case comes in two space variants. One of them just takes the iPad; the other is a little thicker and takes the iPad as well as an iPhone, a pen and a pad of paper, which are hidden behind the iPad in the case. It makes an excellent alternative to a small briefcase for light office duties and keeps everything nice and secure. %Gallery-139917% Verdict If you're looking for something a bit different, something sophisticated that doesn't look out of place on a desk full of books, then the Germanmade series of iPad and iPad 2 cases are just the ticket. They're not the most portable of protection for your tablet, but looking like a book you can just carry them on their own, without fear of them being pinched. They're available in both iPad and iPad 2 flavors, with and without the spaces for the iPhone and bits. They're well finished, hand made, and available in a plethora of different finishes and colors. They command a price that's well above average for iPad cases, but the unique styling and quality handmade fit and finish certainly set it apart from the rest. Be sure to check out the gallery above for some close-ups of the individual features. Germanmade cases can be had for between US$100 and $160 plus shipping depending on model and cover material.
iLuv WorkStation dock is for serious iPad typists
I'll be brutally honest: The iLuv WorkStation doesn't exactly win a lot of points for beauty -- it's a bulky device, as you can see above. But what it's lacking in subtlety, it tried hard to make up for in functionality, basically turning your iPad (or Samsung Galaxy, if you happen to swing that way) into a full-sized desktop computer. Plug the iPad in, and you get a tilting and rotating bracket, a keyboard (different models run with a connected or wireless Bluetooth keyboard), and a full set of speakers. If you need a dedicated station for your iPad, this doesn't look like a bad choice. Just make sure you have plenty of room on your desk. The models run from US$50 to $180, and all of the units are available on iLuv's website right now. Expect them in retail stores later this month.
Vogel's RingO iPad mounting system: The versatile iPad 2 mount (Updated)
Netherlands-based audio/video mount manufacturer Vogel's first introduced their iPad mounting solution in October of 2010. Now the company has brought its universal mounting system for the iPad 2 -- named RingO -- to American soil for the first time. I recently had an opportunity to try out the complete system, which consists of an iPad 2 holder, a wall mount, a car mount, and a table stand. How did RingO work as an all-around mount? Design I tested the RingO All-In-One Pack for iPad 2 (US$119.99), consisting of the four parts mentioned above. The company sells RingO through Amazon.com in the U.S., and the street price is correspondingly lower -- about $82. The individual components are also available separately, with the iPad 2 holder and wall mount going for $59.99, a separate wall mount for $29.99, the car mount for $59.99, and a table stand or flip stand for $19.99 each. Vogel's is also set to release a Flex Mount ($59.99, on an extendable arm) and an adhesive-backed wall mount ($29.99) in September of 2011. Update: According to a spokesperson for Vogel's, the only products currently available in the U.S. are the Starter Pack (wall mount and holder at $69.99) and the Car Pack ($99.99). The product is available in the physical and online Apple Stores today. The most important part of this system is the iPad 2 holder, so I'll look at it in detail first. As befitting a European design firm, Vogel's provides a very IKEA-like set of diagrammatic instructions showing how to install and remove the holder. Unlike the HandStand case, which I needed to force onto my iPad 2 with a spudger and muscle, the Vogel's case snapped right on. It's also open on the left side of the iPad 2, so the Apple Smart Cover still works. The holder is basically a hard plastic shell with cutouts for the various iPad controls and a circular cutout on the back where the various mounts click in. Let's talk about the functionality of those mounts. %Gallery-129428% Functionality The wall mount can be mounted anywhere that you can safely attach it to a surface with an included wood screw. It's a small aluminum and plastic cylinder -- pulling off the top of the cylinder reveals the hole for the screw. Once it's mounted on the wall, you put the top back on and there's just an unobtrusive aluminum fixture on the wall. The car mount is incredibly useful and absolutely the best (and safest) iPad car mount I've seen so far. It consists of a two-part tough plastic molding that locks to the headrest uprights in a car. One part has a RingO mount on a combination swivel and pivot, while the other can be released with the push of a large button to install or remove the mount from the seat. When the RingO car mount is installed, the iPad is held very steady and there's no concern about it flopping about in case of sudden car movements. Even if you're just in the market for a car mount, it would be worth it to buy the RingO Car Pack (about $70 on Amazon). The pack consists of a holder, the car mount, and the table stand. Seriously, this is an excellent car mount for iPad 2. The final piece is the Table Stand, which is the most overpriced piece of the product line. It's basically a $20 piece of plastic that snaps into the RingO holder. The Table Stand is well-designed, working in either landscape or portrait orientation, but $20? C'mon, Vogel's. Conclusion The Vogel's RingO mount system is incredibly well designed and manufactured. However, I have to wonder if the high price tag on the system compared to other stands and mounts might dampen the enthusiasm of some potential buyers. I like the fact that the Vogel's RingO mount is a system that makes it easy to go from room to table to car without having to remove the iPad 2 holder. The system will grow in September with the addition of the Flex Mount and the adhesive-backed wall mount -- the latter will be great for those who live in leased space where putting screw holes into walls might be frowned upon. As I noted before, the RingO Car Pack on its own would make an excellent solution for anyone who wants an easy-to-install and durable iPad car mount. Being able to install the mount securely in seconds is worth the cost.
Candy Convertible for iPad 2 combines case and stand in faux-nubuck
Folio-style cases are pretty popular for the iPad 2. They come in all sorts of designs, materials and thicknesses. Today we're going to be looking at the Candy Convertible from Hard Candy Cases. The first thing that strikes you about the Candy Convertible after you've prised it out of the packaging is just how nice it feels. Made from faux-nubuck, it feels just like the real thing, both smooth and velvety soft to the touch. It's available in red and white with a black version on the way. I got my hands on the black version of the case, which suits the style and form of the iPad 2 very well indeed. The iPad 2 slides into the case held in by a simple flap that tucks underneath the tablet holding it in place very securely. The beauty of the nubuck-style material is that it's pretty grippy, meaning such a simple mechanism can secure the iPad 2 without weight, bulk or any possibility of scratching your pristine tablet. The case frames the screen on the iPad 2 well -- a little too well in fact, covering too much of the front bezel of the screen. While the front facing camera and the majority of the Home button are easily accessible, the case's frame covers the iPad 2's ambient light sensor. Now we all know the automatic screen brightness adjustment in iOS can be frustrating at times, but to not have the option to use it was a real downer. With the sensor covered the iPad 2 assumes it's in the dark all the time, permanently keeping the screen dim. The only option is to disable automatic brightness adjustment and manually manage your screen brightness. On the iPad 2 it's not that much of a chore, with the brightness slider accessible from the multitasking bar, but all it needed was a small cut out from the top of the Candy Convertible's frame to accommodate the light sensor. Perhaps it's something that can be corrected in future shipping cases, but when questioned about this Hard Candy failed to reply. The rest of the iPad 2 is freely accessible within the case. The buttons, ports, mic, camera and speaker all have suitably sized cutouts in the side and back of the case. This does, however, expose parts of the iPad 2 even when the case is closed, leaving things like the camera especially vulnerable to damage. The screen itself, perhaps the most important part of the iPad, is well protected though with a rigid flap that covers the the screen. Unfortunately there is no clasp or strap to keep the Convertible closed when your iPad is not in use. In practice this didn't cause much of a problem in day-to-day operations, but if you were to put your iPad in a large bag, there is the possibility of the flap to opening leaving your iPad's screen exposed. Hard Candy also didn't see fit to bestow the Candy Convertible with the magnets required to automatically turn off the iPad 2's screen when you close the cover, something that meant I left the screen on by accident on many occasions having got used to the Smart Cover and many other cases that have that auto-sleep functionality built-in. The Candy Convertible is designed so the front flap also folds to support the iPad 2 in a landscape orientation, both stood up perpendicular to the table or propped up at about a 40-degree angle for easier typing. The front cover folds round the back and fits in a small flap on the back, which holds the cover in place. Unfortunately the arrangement means that the case will not stand up in portrait, but the landscape stand makes for a decent video watching experience. The inside of the front flap also has a little credit-card sized pocket, handy if you need to carry business cards or a credit card. Just don't expect to get the card out of there in a hurry because the faux-nubuck grips the card pretty hard. %Gallery-127625% Verdict The Candy Convertible is a decent all-rounder. It's well made and will last considerably longer than some of the cheaper no-name folio style cases out there. The case offers good protection while being thin enough to not add much extra bulk to the svelte frame of the iPad 2, with the tablet and case reaching about 1.4 cm thick at it's bulkiest point (dimension in the case 19.7 cm x 25.4 cm x 1.4 cm). It stands up reasonably well using the front cover as a support in landscape -- it's just a shame it won't stand up in a portrait orientation, and that Hard Candy failed to include magnets for auto-sleep and covered the ambient light sensor with the inside frame. If you can get over those drawbacks, however, then the Candy Convertible looks good, feels nice and will protect your iPad 2 reasonably well. The Candy Convertible is available for $44.95 plus shipping in red, black and white.
Mountkestrel DuoPod turns your shaky shoulders into a DSLR steadicam (video)
So you've got an expensive new DSLR that can shoot video, and you've seen all of the press about people using the things to make movies and music videos. But really, you're not going to become a DIY Kubrick without the proper accessories. The Mountkestrel DuoPod is a pretty solid looking option if you're looking to do the steadicam thing with your DSLR, slipping over your shoulders for on-the-go shots. It's a little unwieldy compared to a lot of consumer camera stands, but that's pretty par for the course for these sorts of rigs. As its name suggests, the DuoPod also doubles as a two-legged stand for those times when your shoulders need a break. Check out a fittingly shaky video of the stand in action after the jump.
iPad display stand adds Apple Store charm
This is cute. The iPad 2 display dock is a new product by a company called New PC Gadgets that's basically a dock for your iPad 2 that looks just like the ones holding the devices in Apple Stores. Sure, it'll hold your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad 2 with panache and allow you to use it at an angle, but more importantly, it looks just like the real thing! You, too, can pretend you live in an Apple Store, but without all of the employees and customers around. The stand is US$74.95, which is obviously pricy for a display dock of any kind, much less one with as little functionality as this one. But, and we're repeating ourselves here, it looks like an Apple Store stand. That's worth it, right? [via App Advice]
Reserve Power: Stand Off, Part 2
Ross Rubin contributes Reserve Power, a column focused on personal perspectives and products. Last week's Reserve Power introduced six handset stands for propping up your miniature movie theater. This week's column takes on a half-dozen more, names my favorites, and concludes with a chart detailing which phones fit which stands.
