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Dollar Store Accessories: USB car charger
For a dollar, this USB car charger is quite adorable. Rated at 1 amp and surprisingly well built, I could find nothing to fault with this unit except that I bought it at the Dollar Store. Let me back up for a second here. Almost none of the other US$1 accessories I have purchased to date have an equal potential to utterly and completely mess up[1] my precious iPhone. That's because I cannot stop thinking about what will happen if things go wrong. Several TUAW staffers had to talk me through the testing because I was a complete nervous Nellie trying it out. (Skipping to the chase? It worked; it worked fine; I kept my testing really short.) Of course, in the end, it was Steve Sande who gave the best advice. "Open it up," he said, "and see if it has a fuse. If it doesn't, run away, run away." I pulled out my tiny Phillips screwdriver, opened it up and sure enough, there was a fuse and some other fancy electronics in it. For $1, this charger felt pretty well built and, given that it had a fuse to prevent stray power surges from frying my iPhone, a reasonable value. And I tell you now, I would have tossed it or given it away if I hadn't destroyed it looking for a fuse. That's because I have little or no quality trust established with my dollar store. Some of the accessories I've tested have been unexpected delights. Quite a lot of them have been utter crap[2]. When it comes to this kind of intimate relationship between your phone and amps, you may want to stick with a brand name. Give me a "name" provider, particularly one with hundreds if not thousands of reviews on Amazon. It's not as if the name versions cost all that much these days. [1] A "family-friendly" and "suitable for work" way of saying what I think it could do to my iPhone. [2] See [1], but referring to the quality and value of the review item.
Belkin TrueClear InvisiGlass screen protector covers your glass... with glass
Belkin will soon be shipping a new product for your favorite Apple device that should be perfect for protecting that new iPhone 5c or 5s from scratches and breakage from day one. The new TrueClear InvisiGlass screen protectors (US$39.99 for iPhone 5) don't use plastic like competing products. Instead, they're made of a flexible glass that's only 0.2mm thick. Belkin says that the TrueClear InvisiGlass protector is nine times stronger than the plastic competition, yet is 2.5 times smoother. It won't stand in the way of protecting the rest of your investment with a case, and the company includes a cleaning wipe and dust-removal film to make sure that no lint or dust gets between your screen and the protector. The TrueClear InvisiGlass protectors are available for the iPhone 4 / 4S and the iPhone 5. Since the iPhone 5, 5c and 5s share the same 4-inch diagonal screen, your new phone can get the same level of protection. While Belkin's website still shows the TrueClear InvisiGlass Screen Protector as "coming soon," TUAW and Belkin are giving one away. 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 September 16, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Belkin TrueClear InvisiGlass screen protector for iPhone 5 valued at $39.95 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
gdgt's best deals for September 11: Samsung Galaxy S 4, Belkin Surge Protector
Ready to save some cash on your tech buys? Then you've come to the right place. Our sister site gdgt tracks price drops on thousands of products every day, and twice a week they feature some of the best deals they've found right here. But act fast! Many of these are limited-time offers, and won't last long. Today's hottest deals are the highly-praised Samsung Galaxy S 4 at the lowest price we've seen, as well as a Belkin Surge Protector available for a song. Join gdgt and add the gadgets you're shopping for to your "Want" list. Every time there's a price cut, you'll get an email alert!
Belkin's LEGO Builder Case for iPhone 5 is too much fun
When you've done hundreds of reviews of iPhone cases, you tend to get a little jaded. I mean, how many different ways can someone make an iPhone case, right? Sure, you can make them out of different materials -- leather, aluminum, wood, all three of the previous ingredients together and various types of plastic -- and they can come in a variety of colors, but a case is just a case. Unless it is Belkin's new LEGO Builder Case for iPhone 5 (US$39.99), that is. The case is made of brightly colored plastic, so there's nothing new there. But when you take a gander at the back of the case, that's where you find an official LEGO base plate. If you are a LEGO fan, you can just start snapping those bricks and other components (not included) to the base plate and create the case of your dreams. TUAW Editor-In-Chief Victor Agreda, Jr. and I were both given cases and a bin of parts with which to create our own awesome LEGO Builder Case masterpieces. These were tweeted to a special Twitter hashtag (#LEGOxBELKIN), where some pretty impressive entries have appeared in the past few days. Belkin's going to pick an entry as a winner, and one blogger is going to get 50 of the LEGO Builder Cases to give away to readers. Let's hope it's one of the TUAW gang! The LEGO Builder Case is just a lot of fun, and the fact that it also happens to protect your iPhone 5 at the same time is just icing on the cake. If you love LEGO, this is the case to buy. The LEGO Builder Case also comes in an iPod touch (fifth generation) version for just $29.99. If you're a LEGO fan -- and who isn't? -- you'll have a chance to take part in a Twitter chat today (August 27) at 4 PM PST on the @belkin Twitter page with Master Builder Chris Steininger. He's one of only seven Master Builders in the US, and the youngest Master Builder in the world. And now, behold the LEGO Belkin Stealth Antenna Extender Case for iPhone 5 in all of its glory (my entry in the contest):
Belkin ships WeMo Light Switch for $50, launches matching Android app
Belkin promised a simple approach to connected lighting when it unveiled the WeMo Light Switch back at CES, and the company is making good on its word by releasing the switch today. The WiFi-based controller is now available both online and at retail shops for $50. It isn't arriving alone, either -- Belkin is simultaneously launching the finished version of its free WeMo app for Android to complement the existing iOS release. If you'd rather have smart switches than smart light bulbs, the new WeMo hardware awaits at the source link; the companion Android app should be available shortly.
Belkin FastFit Keyboard Case for iPad mini: thin, light, and ready for typing
Accessory manufacturer Belkin has been rolling out new iOS products like crazy lately, and today I'm going to take a look at a new product that has just arrived for the iPad mini -- the Belkin FastFit Keyboard Case (US$79.99). And stick around after reading the review -- we're doing a giveaway! Design I have to admit that when I saw the box for the FastFit Keyboard Case, I was dubious that there was a keyboard in it. That's how thin this thing is -- a scant 7 mm (.28 inches). It's also one of the most lightweight keyboards I've tested at 195.6 grams (6.9 oz.). Installing the FastFit Keyboard Case onto your iPad mini is literally a snap. There's an auto clasp mechanism that works like Apple's Smart Cover to magnetically attach the mini to the keyboard -- place the edges of the mini and the FastFit in close proximity to each other and snap! They're connected just like that. When installed, the silver exterior of the case (which has either a white or black interior) matches the appearance of the back of the mini. %Gallery-192297% Unlike some of the true keyboard folios that we've reviewed for the mini (the backlit ZAGGkeys Folio, for example), the FastFit doesn't protect the back of your iPad mini. That's either a benefit, if you like showing off the Apple logo on the back of your device, or a detriment to keeping your mini scratch-free. For typing, you simply pull off the iPad mini and place one side into a slot in the keyboard. That slot is also equipped for magnetic latching, so there's little chance that your iPad mini is going to flop out of the keyboard unless you're really pounding on the keys. The keyboard layout is described in the next section, but for the most part, it's rather compact. The number keys are also used in concert with a function (fn) key to perform common iPad functions, and they're smaller than the letter keys. There are full-sized Shift, Enter, Tab and Caps Lock keys in the usual spots. Functionality Pairing the FastFit Keyboard Case to the iPad mini was fast and easy. You literally just turn the keyboard power on while in the Bluetooth settings on the iPad, and it pairs. That's it. Very fast, and no need to type in any characters. Once you're paired, it's time to start typing. I had a bit of a problem finding the "home keys" (F and J) as the usual telltale bumps were rather small, but once I got my fingers in the right place it was a fairly fast keyboard with a good feel. Belkin uses a keyboard layout called TruType that attempts to put most of the most-used keys in familiar places. Unfortunately, that means that some of the keys -- semicolon/colon, quotes, and question mark -- move away from their usual spots. This is a different layout than that used by ZAGG on their keyboard cover, where they left the keys in the usual locations but made them smaller. The keys on the Belkin FastFit are a bit smaller than those on the ZAGG Folio as well, which almost made the TruType keyboard seem cramped by comparison. I think in terms of usability, I found this keyboard to work well when I was just typing a lot of text without a lot of punctuation. Once I needed to start adding punctuation, my fingers tried to go to the familiar places and failed. As for battery life, Belkin claims that the FastFit can be used for up to 40 hours between charges or live up to 60 days in standby mode. The keyboard has magnets in all of the right places to shut off the iPad mini when it is "closed" over the screen. Conclusion iPad mini owners who are looking for an affordable and lightweight keyboard that also provides screen protection should consider the Belkin FastFit Keyboard Case. While the keyboard layout might not work for everyone, Belkin has come up with a way to put the most frequently-used keys in their proper position for easy typing. Pros Less expensive than some competitors Aluminum back matches the iPad mini's back perfectly Easy and fast Bluetooth pairing Lightweight and very thin Magnetic clasp makes installing the keyboard as a cover a snap Cons Some punctuation keys are in unfamiliar locations Who is it for? The iPad mini owner who wants an affordable Bluetooth keyboard that can also provide a measure of protection to the device screen Giveaway Have an iPad mini? TUAW and Belkin want you to put that little tablet together with a FastFit Keyboard 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 June 26, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Belkin FastFit Keyboard Case for iPad mini valued at $79.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
iPad keyboard case roundup: Logitech Folio vs. Belkin Ultimate vs. ClamCase Pro
Listen, you probably shouldn't be here. The iPad is a pure and carefully honed machine. If its designers wanted you to use some kind of ludicrous hybrid contraption that fused a tablet with a physical keyboard and doubled the weight, they'd have built one for you. But they didn't. So go away and don't come back until you've saved enough money to buy a MacBook Air. (Still here? Good, because we're about to compare three of the latest iPad keyboard cases: the ClamCase Pro, Logitech's Folio and Belkin's Ultimate Keyboard, designed to fit 2nd, 3rd and 4th-gen tablets. Read on for more.)%Gallery-186229%%Gallery-185199%%Gallery-186230%
Belkin Grip Battery Case for iPhone 5: a colorful way to stay charged up
In the world of iPhone battery cases, Mophie seems to have the majority of the mindshare and market with their line of Juice Packs. That may change in the near future, as accessory manufacturer Belkin has just announced the Grip Battery Case for iPhone 5 (US$99.99). The Grip packs a lot of extra power -- a whopping 2,000 mAh of capacity -- into a colorful case that also protects your favorite iPhone. Colorful means four different designs -- purple lightning and fountain blue, civic blue and stone, whiteout and blacktop, and blacktop and gravel. Rather than the two-part top/bottom case design used by Mophie, the Grip uses a slide-in battery shell with a Lightning adapter to provide the power, with a shock-resistant bumper to protect the shiny metal sides of your iPhone. The Grip charges up with an included USB to micro-USB cable, as well as a headphone adapter to attach your earpods to the iPhone through the wall of the case. TUAW will review the Grip case as soon as possible. In the meantime, you can order one directly from Belkin or pick one up at Best Buy.
Daily Update for May 15, 2013
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
Belkin releases Dyle receivers for iPhone and iPad
With ABC adding live streaming to its iPad app and the growth of live TV services via iOS in the past few months, the time is right for Belkin to announce Dyle mobile TV receivers for the iPhone and iPad. The US$129.99 device is about the size of a half a deck of cards, weighs around six ounces and includes a carrying case. It's only compatible with devices with 30-pin dock connectors at the moment. It'll bring live TV to an iOS device without the need for an internet connection. However, as Victor pointed out in his review of the Dyle receiver created by Elgato, is still pretty limiting. If you're in an area where the service is pretty strong, the receiver might be of use to you. But, it could be worth it to wait a few more months for Dyle to get stronger. The Belkin receiver is available through its website and is up for pre-order on Amazon. [via 9to5Mac]
Belkin WeMo rolls out IFTTT multi-device control
TUAW readers know of my affinity for Belkin WeMo home automation tools, whether I'm using them to get Siri to turn on the Christmas tree or keep my cat cool in the summer. Today Belkin announced IFTTT multi-device control for WeMo switches. What does that mean? It means that you can now control more than just one WeMo switch in your house with IFTTT recipes. Previously, you could only control one of those devices at a time through IFTTT. Now it's simple to write recipes for multiple switches as seen in the image at the top of this post. Belkin announced that since the IFTTT.com WeMo Channels launched over 30,000 recipes have been created and over 400 shared recipes are available online. Now I just need to get one more WeMo switch so I can water my garden remotely through Siri...
Belkin Ultimate Keyboard Case for iPad: Review and giveaway
The next entry in our seemingly endless parade of new iPad keyboard cases is the Belkin Ultimate Keyboard Case for iPad (US$129.99). This case, which works with the second- through fourth-generation iPads, has some new features that make it attractive as a full-time companion for your tablet. Design Like the the recently-reviewed iPad Keyboard Folios from Logitech, the Ultimate Keyboard Case is designed for full-time use on your iPad, protecting the back of the device while providing a flip-out keyboard for easy data entry. The keyboard in this case is backed with a nicely-designed aluminum shell, and uses black keys with white lettering. The iPad cover is kind of an odd affair -- it's made of what feels like hard polyurethane around the sides, but the "hinge" that connects it to the keyboard and allows the iPad to be placed into three different positions is made of a much thinner flexible plastic with a faux leather look. That thin plastic makes it possible for this keyboard to be only 6.4 mm thick. That's pretty incredible, beating the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover at 9.96 mm. There are generous openings around the camera, switches and ports, and a nice touch for those who want to be able to hear sound from their iPad while typing -- a small channel for directing sound from the speaker to the ears of the typist. Like the Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio, the Ultimate Keyboard Case automatically senses when the iPad is flipped into typing position and turns on the keyboard. When the iPad is moved to a "tablet" position or closed, the keyboard turns off. This helps the battery run for up to 160 hours between charges and stay viable for up to 1,900 hours (6 months) in standby mode. It uses a USB to microUSB cable for charging. As mentioned earlier, the iPad can be magnetically "locked" into three different positions (all in landscape mode) for typing, so getting the screen adjusted to resolve a reflection is a piece of cake. Functionality Weight-wise, the Ultimate Keyboard Case tops the scales at 14.7 ounces. That means the iPad/case combo is almost exactly the same weight as an 11" MacBook Air -- 2.39 pounds versus 2.38 pounds. That's quite a bit lighter than the Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio (2.69 pounds) and the needs-to-go-on-a-diet Logitech Keyboard Folio for iPad (2.82 pounds). If the amount of weight you lug around is important to you, the Ultimate Keyboard Case might make your day. When using the Ultimate Keyboard Case on a table or desktop, I found it to work just fine. The keys seem to be spaced almost identically to the ones on my Apple Wireless Keyboard, and unlike the keys on the Logitech keyboard folios they are much more standard. In other words, I don't need to type a fn-Q to hit the tab key, nor does going into Caps Lock require a fn-A. Using the Ultimate Keyboard Case in my lap was a different matter. I found that even the slightest jar made the iPad flop down into my lap. The magnets that hold the iPad in place just don't seem to be as strong as those on the Logitech cases. That, coupled with the rather flimsy plastic "hinge", seems to be a strong warning to users to keep this thing on a table or desk. One feature I did like a lot was the addition of three keys to the bottom row -- a microphone key for use with Siri dictation on the iPad, an @ key next to the space bar (perfect for typing internet URLs), and a key to change to an alternative virtual keyboard like the popular Emoji keyboard. I was very impressed with the SoundFlow design of the iPad holder. At the same volume level, the perceived volume was noticeably louder with the case installed than when it was off. That's a real plus if you like listening to music while working on your iPad. Conclusion While the support of the Belkin Ultimate Keyboard Case seems a bit wobbly for laptop use, this is a strong competitor to Logitech's recent product launches. The slightly lower price tag, ability to prop the screen in three different positions, SoundFlow design and keyboard layout are all points in favor of Belkin's latest keyboard folio. Pros Lighter than the Logitech Keyboard Folios recently reviewed by TUAW Ultrathin; it's hard to believe it's a keyboard case Excellent feel to the keyboard, with no function key required to use tab or caps lock functions Helpful keys for Siri dictation and changing keyboards Less expensive than the Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio Can be "locked" into any one of three positions while typing Auto on/off feature works very well Cons Thin plastic prop on the back of the iPad case doesn't work well when using the case in a lap Does not offer as much protection as the Logitech folios we recently reviewed Who is it for? Anyone who wants a fairly lightweight iPad keyboard folio case with good keyboard feel, automatic on/off features and a standard keyboard layout. Giveaway We're giving away our review Ultimate Keyboard Case to a lucky TUAW reader. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before May 17, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Belkin Ultimate Keyboard Case for iPad valued at $129.99. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Belkin's Thunderbolt dock delivers plug-and-play flexibility
It's dock o'clock, thank goodness, as Belkin's long incubation period of the Thunderbolt Express Dock closed out last month. The US$299 expansion peripheral is now shipping to customers; is it worth your attention? We've had a week to put it through its paces. The most direct product comparison for the Express Dock is Matrox's $249 DS1, which we reviewed a few weeks ago. Like the Matrox unit, the Belkin dock requires but does not include a Thunderbolt cable -- so you should mentally add at least $30 to the price of each unit if you don't already have one. (Kanex sells Thunderbolt cables in lengths ranging from three meters down to one-half meter.) Design The Express Dock's industrial design went through several iterations after its original "stapler-style" preview first appeared in January of 2012. Since then the unit has gained a passthrough Thunderbolt port, lost its HDMI port, and seen an eSATA port added, then dropped, from the configuration. The unit comes with an external power brick that uses a standard three-prong plug, rather than an outlet-hogging adapter. With the Express Dock you get all the ports you need, and more. Dual Thunderbolt ports (one in, one out) line up with three super-speed USB 3 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, analog audio in and out, and a Firewire 800 port. Compared to the Matrox DS1, Belkin has delivered quite a bit more flexibility and speed, particularly for Firewire users; being able to chain several FW800 drives off the dock means one less adapter to manage, and one less Thunderbolt port on the computer tied up. I'd tag maxing out the USB 3 ports versus the Matrox unit "nice but not a blockbuster," as there's always the option of attaching a USB 3 hub to the DS1's single superspeed port if you need that expandability; I would expect that users with a lot of USB 3 devices have probably already invested in a hub to cover that need. The passthrough Thunderbolt port, on the other hand, is a big deal, and good on Belkin for sticking with this design choice through the process. Yes, you're most likely going to terminate the chain with a Mini DisplayPort adapter or connecting to a Thunderbolt monitor; still, if you have other Thunderbolt devices that can sit mid-chain (like LaCie's eSATA hub) you are going to get more mileage out of Belkin's dock than you will from the DS1. The final shipping instance of the Express Dock is low and lean, with a convenient cable passthrough that lets you run your Thunderbolt cable through the front of the device to the ports in the back. This may reduce wire clutter compared to the DS1, where the only TB connection is in the front. The rounded, unobtrusive case design on the Express Dock would be at home on most desks. It's noticeably lower-profile than the Matrox, and quite a bit less boxy and industrial-looking. I do miss Matrox's front-facing USB port a bit, as it's convenient for plugging in flash drives and other quick-use devices. Performance The best thing that can be said about a Thunderbolt dock is that you don't really have to think about it once you plug it in; that's certainly true of the Express Dock. It's completely plug-and-play, with no device issues that I could see. File transfer performance on Firewire, USB 3 and Thunderbolt was pretty much indistinguishable from directly-connected devices; I tested with a Buffalo TB/USB3 drive, an Elgato SSD and a LaCie Firewire 800 drive and didn't see any substantive differences between docked and directly-connected performance. Macworld's lab testing showed similar performance parity on file transfers. Display performance was also remarkably unremarkable, with the dock immediately syncing up to my external display via my mDP to DVI adapter. Although the Matrox DS1 dock has shown some rare loss-of-sync issues where external displays needed to be reset or reconnected to show up, I haven't seen that at all in a week of testing the "pure Thunderbolt" path on the Belkin. The Ethernet port on the dock requires no additional software or driver install to be recognized; it just shows up, as you'd expect. Since it's recognized as a new network adapter, if you want your Mac to use it as the primary connection rather than WiFi or USB Ethernet you should make sure to move it to the top of the network connection priority list. The dock does require OS X 10.8.3, so if you don't get every port behaving properly at first you might check your system version. Wrap-up Thunderbolt docks may not be the sexiest peripheral sector, but Belkin's done a solid job delivering the Express Dock to the market with enough standout features to make it worth a look. With Firewire, plenty of USB 3 ports and the flexibility of passthrough Thunderbolt, it's packing plenty of value to cover that $50 premium versus the competition. Pros Plug and play performance Thunderbolt passthrough port for flexibility Firewire 800, 3x USB 3 Cons Not inexpensive No front-facing convenience USB port Who is it for? Thunderbolt Mac owners starved for expansion ports, especially those with investments in Firewire or USB 3 devices. Here's a quick promo video from the Belkin team:
Belkin begins shipping Thunderbolt Express Dock
Mac power users will rejoice -- or be relieved -- that Belkin has announced it is officially shipping the Thunderbolt Express Dock. The dock allows users to expand to a wide range of ports via a single Thunderbolt connection on their Mac. The dock offers two Thunderbolt ports (one for input, the second for passthrough to as many as five downstream devices), one gigabit Ethernet port, one FireWire 800 port, stereo headphone and microphone jacks and three USB 3.0 ports. Belkin officially announced the Thunderbolt Express Dock back in January of 2012; since then, it has seen numerous delays and design changes. In the meantime, another Mac accessory vendor, Matrox, released the DS1, a docking port that offers fewer ports, but may provide enough connectivity for the average user (and at US$50 less than the Belkin offering). Still, those that like Belkin's products and have a wide array of peripherals they need plugged into their Mac will no doubt welcome the availability of the Thunderbolt Express Dock. The Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock lists at $299, and is available now from Belkin's site.
Belkin's Thunderbolt Express dock is finally shipping, offers its ports for $299
Remember the Belkin Thunderbolt Express dock that we first laid our peepers on back at CES 2012? Well, the device that looks to lend a hand to your desktop setup is now available. After upgrading the unit back in the summer of 2012, pre-orders went live in February with a ship date expected shortly thereafter. No word on the cause of the delay, but the $299 dock still offers dual Thunderbolt ports for daisy-chaining up to five gadgets, FireWire 800, Ethernet, and both 3.5mm audio input and output. If the wait hasn't swayed your interest, grab one immediately via the source link below, and in stores before the end of May.
iPad keyboard case wars: Belkin fires back with the Ultimate Keyboard Case
Just yesterday Logitech announced a pair of new keyboard cases: the Keyboard Folios for iPad and iPad mini. Not to be ignored, today Belkin announced its new Ultimate Keyboard Case (US$99.99 for black, $129.99 for white), which is also a combination Bluetooth keyboard and protective folio case. Belkin's Ultimate Keyboard Case is ultra-thin at just 6.4 mm and weighs just 411 grams -- a real lightweight compared to the 639 grams of the Logitech Keyboard Folio. The Belkin case is made of aircraft-grade aluminum rather than polycarbonate and fabric, and can be placed into three specific viewing angles with magnets holding the iPad into place. The battery in the Ultimate Keyboard Case offers up to 160 hours of battery life between charges, and a special "SoundFlow" design enhances audio from your iPad. The device is available for pre-order now and will have general availability in May. Show full PR text Playa Vista, Calif. (March 27, 2013)-People-inspired tech brand Belkin announced today the availability of a breakthrough new iPad keyboard case-the Ultimate Keyboard Case. Using a revolutionary aluminum alloy and magnet construction, Belkin's Ultimate Keyboard Case is now the slimmest and lightest keyboard folio of its kind on the market, with a keyboard that is just 6.4mm thin and weighing 17 ounces. Consumers can pre-order the Ultimate Keyboard Case at belkin.com or purchase at select retail locations in May. "We believe the Belkin Ultimate Keyboard Case will reinvent the iPad user experience," says Jamie Elgie, senior director of product management at Belkin. "It gives the iPad all of the functionality of a laptop, while maintaining the sleek appeal of a tablet." Unveiled at the 2013 International CES in January, the Belkin Ultimate Keyboard Case marries upgraded features such as a durable aluminum alloy base with a precise iPad keyboard, all in a compact package. The Ultimate Keyboard Case conveniently folds flat to hide the keyboard when watching movies or reading. When not in use, the keyboard automatically shuts off, to offer instant access to the iPad's onscreen keyboard and help save battery life. View the product video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIGQPScbVPo for an overview of features. Featuring Belkin's award-winning TruType keys, the Ultimate Keyboard Case provides a smooth, laptop-like typing experience to minimize errors and maintain typing speed. It also offers a fully protective back cover to keep your iPad safe from scratches, scuffs and everyday wear and tear when the keyboard is attached. An additional enhancement is its SoundFlow design, which enhances audio clarity and directs the sound toward you for superior movie watching or game playing. Features of the New Belkin Ultimate Keyboard Case (F5L149) - $99.99/Black; $129.99/White Specially machined aluminum alloy base reduces thickness while improving durability Keyboard is only 6.4mm thin and 17 ounces in weight providing a slim ¾" profile that highlights iPad's design and minimizes bulk Magnet sensors automatically turn keyboard on or off Media Mode flat-fold hides the keyboard away for reading, watching movies or playing games Well-spaced, TruType™ keys for comfortable, laptop-like typing experience Three viewing and typing angles, with magnets that hold the iPad in place SoundFlow design for enhanced audio power Auto-awake magnets wake up your iPad when opened Shortcut keys for easy media control Bluetooth® 2.0 connectivity 160-hour battery life under constant use, 6-month standby battery life Rechargeable battery uses included Micro USB cable Pricing & Availability The Ultimate Keyboard Case is available in two color options-black ($99.99) and white ($129.99). Belkin's Ultimate Keyboard Case for iPad is available for pre-order sale online at http://www.belkin.com/us/Ultimate-Keyboard-Case-for-iPad and will be available at select retailers in May.
Daily Update for March 27, 2013
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Belkin's Thunderstorm case cranks your iPad to 11
In my office I tend to rock out to a 300-watt stereo system. When I go to wash dishes and have to use my iPad's native speaker, well, there's no comparison. Belkin's Thunderstorm case won't crank up to the level of a really large stereo, but it is loud enough to punch through very noisy environments with ease. At CES I tried one on the show floor where the sound level (according to my iPhone) was close to 100 decibels and the Thunderstorm was not only loud enough to hear, the audio actually sounded good. It's not perfect, however, as I'll explain below. It also retails for US$199, so this is not a budget case or speaker. Design Like any iPad case that surrounds the iPad, the Thunderstorm cradles your iPad in a large plastic shell and provides a cover somewhat like Apple's Smart Cover -- but with no magnetic actuation of the iPad itself, like the Smart Cover. The iPad slides into the case, and is secured by a 30-pin dock connection which clicks into place, and provides the power and audio output needed. Of course you simply can't get around physics, so the drivers for the Thunderbolt are heavy. The case is heavy. Your iPad inside will make all of this very heavy, but this is not a case for casual use if you tend to mostly read iBooks on your iPad. This case is designed to stand up and be loud. There's a shockingly small speaker port on the front, along with a small light under the grill to indicate when the charger (included) is plugged in. The case uses ports to enhance the sound, much as a full size speaker would, and they work very well. I had a little trouble with the charger at first, until I realized there's just a delay from when you plug it in to when the iPad begins to charge. Still, it is a wall wart and not the most convenient AC adapter to carry around. I wouldn't say it charges slowly, but it is not a fast charge by any means. A bigger problem in the cover flap. It's one of those origami-style flaps that pinches together to provide a "stand" for viewing the iPad mostly upright. You can roll up the case like Apple's cover, which provides a more upright angle, or fold the case into a bit of a triangle, putting the iPad at almost 45 degrees. That viewing angle is a bit odd, as I felt it leaned back a little far, and you cannot adjust it, but there's the other option, which I felt isn't as stable. The good news is the flap, when folded as a support, is very sturdy and I never really had it fall down. The bad news is it is loosely secured at the hinge, and if you're used to the relatively strong magnets on the Smart Cover, you will find these magnets aren't as strong. Often while closing the flap I would yank the cover off -- and I'm a wimp. There are pass-through (mechanical) buttons for power, rotation and volume, plus a large hole for headphones and even a speaker vent at the bottom where the iPad's speaker resides. Functionality It's loud. Really loud. Without exception, when I would demonstrate the volume on this thing their eyebrows would raise and they would say "wow." You won't believe so much sound can come from a small package -- unless you've used a Bose Smartwave, which is similar in a way. Loudness is the distinguishing feature here, however. This is not a protective case, and it's not designed to do much more than cradle your iPad and make it much louder. Luckily it does that job admirably. It's worth noting that audio quality does not suffer at the hands of volume, and even at the highest setting the highs were crystal clear while the bass punched through loud environments admirably. There's also a companion app which does boring stuff like handle registration and check firmware, but it also allows you to control the stereo separation. That's a neat trick, but unless you have the device pointed at your face, you lose the spread pretty quickly. Sound, again, is bound by the laws of physics. Conclusion If you need a very loud speaker for the iPad but don't want something huge like a dock or external stereo, and you want this speaker embedded in a case, the Thunderstorm is perfect. Belkin's Thunderstorm is the loudest iPad case I've ever heard, and the audio quality doesn't suffer as you crank up the volume. The price, at $199, may turn off some customers, but if you compare to large boombox docks (like JBL's OnStage) it's pretty reasonable. I feel that you're getting your money's worth if you frequently need your iPad to be heard in loud environments or you just want ear-blasting noise from your tablet.
Belkin acquires Linksys, plans to continue marketing products under both brands
Linksys and Cisco are no longer one. The enterprise infrastructure giant, which acquired the home networking line in 2003, has officially passed the baton to Belkin. Under the new arrangement, Linksys devices and services, such as routers and Smart WiFi products, will fall under the Belkin umbrella. CEO Chet Pipkin announced plans to maintain both brands, adding that Linksys "will continue to exist and evolve to include even richer user experiences and network management functionality." Going forward, teams from both Linksys and Belkin may work together to create certain products, so we might begin to see new innovations that wouldn't have been possible otherwise. Consumers are unlikely to experience any hiccups during the transition -- the Linksys website will remain intact and support services will be available as always. Hit up the press release after the break for a few more details surrounding the acquisition.
Matrox DS1 is a practical, powerful Thunderbolt dock
During my perambulations on the Macworld/iWorld show floor in February, I chatted face-to-face with a Belkin representative who bravely asserted that the company's $299.99 Thunderbolt Express Dock would be shipping "this month." This would be the same Express Dock that was originally seen in an Intel booth in September of 2011, announced in January of 2012, "upgraded" with an eSATA port in June 2012, and opened for pre-orders with a "shipping next week!" alert (minus its eSATA port) in mid-February 2013. If you've got a calendar nearby, you may have noticed that it's March now -- and the Belkin dock product page still sports a "sign up to be notified when the Express Dock is shipping." So it goes. Meanwhile, the graphics-centric peripheral vendor Matrox has quietly been shipping its Thunderbolt dock block, the DS1, in two flavors (for HDMI or DVI video-out) since the end of 2012. With a sticker price of $249, $50 lower than the vapory Belkin dock -- and with some key feature differences -- it's a worthwhile port expander that you can order today and use with your Thunderbolt-equipped Mac. Design Matrox's expansion kit is a bit boxier and taller than the Belkin design, but keeps the brushed metal look that helps it seem at home alongside a MacBook Air or a Cinema Display. The unit has a sturdy feel, and I wouldn't be concerned about perching a monitor on top of it (a flatscreen monitor, to be sure -- no CRTs, please). The single Thunderbolt port is easily accessible on the front of the device, next to the sole USB 3.0 SuperSpeed port. On the back of the unit, the DS1 is all business. Both models connect to power on the right side, with gigabit Ethernet, two USB 2.0 ports and convenient audio in & out 1/8" plugs lined up as well. The only difference between the two DS1 models is on the left side of the back panel: you'll get an HDMI port on the HDMI model, and a single-link DVI-D port on the DVI model. The DS1, like most Thunderbolt peripherals, does not ship with a Thunderbolt cable; it works well with Apple's 1.5' (0.5m) $29 jumper. Functionality The DS1 is a fine example of true "plug and play" hardware; no drivers, no configuration and no hassles. My DVI Cinema Display connected cleanly and immediately, with the Mac laptop recognizing its native resolution as though it was connected directly. The front-facing USB 3 port is fully capable of supporting and powering fast USB 3 peripherals, although it's easy to forget that you've got an external drive plugged in when you pull the Thunderbolt cable out of your laptop to hit the road. The Ethernet port shows up just as expected in the Network preference pane, and both audio ports work great with headsets that normally would use a Plantronics USB to audio adapter. The back USB 2 ports also serve their intended function with a minimum of fuss. Build quality was excellent on my review unit, with no rattles or sharp edges. Comparing the Matrox to the Belkin unit, the biggest difference is in the number and variety of ports. Belkin's dock is intended to ship with SuperSpeed 3.0 on all three of its USB ports, compared to the Matrox's lineup of one 3.0 and two older 2.0 ports. The Belkin dock adds a single Firewire 800 port to its bag of tricks as well. Most importantly, Belkin has chosen to make its dock a dual-port Thunderbolt device, allowing passthrough to additional peripherals; Matrox's dock must be the final Thunderbolt device in the chain. This is not as big a disadvantage as it appears, however; the Belkin dock has no video-out option to compare with the Matrox DVI or HDMI port, so a pass-thru is a must for anyone wanting to connect a monitor on the same Thunderbolt chain. On the Matrox side, it's assumed that you'll connect your display to the DS1, which would normally be the terminal Thunderbolt or DisplayPort device anyway. Conclusion If you're already stocking up on USB 3 devices or still have a stock of Firewire drives hanging around, then perhaps the Belkin dock's additional flexibility will merit the higher cost for you. If not, the Matrox DS1 has a solid port lineup and a trouble-free connection story to tell. Pros True plug-and-play Offers most used port lineup Includes video out DVI or HDMI Single front-facing USB 3 port for high-speed peripherals Slightly more affordable Cons No Firewire port No Thunderbolt pass-through Slower USB 2 ports for remaining connections Front-facing Thunderbolt port may cause cable clutter Who is it for Anyone who has been frustrated by cable clutter with Thunderbolt adapters, or who wants the simplicity of plugging in a single connection when docking a MacBook Air or Pro for use at a workstation.
