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LG Vu 3 teased with semi-transparent QuickView case, expected to launch in October
LG's oddly shaped Optimus Vu II is slated for an update next month, according to Korean site ETNews. The 4:3 large-format device, dubbed simply Vu 3 (LG has dropped the Optimus branding from flagship devices), has also appeared on an LG microsite, which serves to both confirm the handset's existence and tease a pair of semi-transparent QuickView cases. The phone covers, available in black or gray, appear to feature a see-through design, enabling some pretty spiffy animated notifications. As for the phone itself, you can expect a Snapdragon 800 chipset, a 13-megapixel rear camera and LTE-Advanced support. It's slated to hit KT Telecom, SK Telecom and LG U+ in Korea in the coming months.
Portenzo Alano SLIM and HardBack wallet cases for iPhone 5c/5s
I've got to admit that I've been really happy with the current trend of combining iPhone cases and wallets. They're both items that you carry around in your pockets, so why not take the functionality of an iPhone case -- protecting your iPhone -- and combine it with carrying around credit cards, IDs, and cash? Of the many wallet cases I've reviewed over the last couple of years, two of the nicest are the Alano SLIM (US$44.95 to $64.95, plus add-ons) and HardBack ($34.95, plus add-ons) from Portenzo. Let's take a look at these stylish cases, and then readers have a chance to win one from TUAW and Portenzo. The design of the Alano SLIM starts with a slim leather "booklet" that surrounds the iPhone. The cover is held closed in transit with a Moleskine-like elastic band, perfect for making sure that it's not going to flop open and expose your iPhone screen to scratches. The leather covers come in eleven different finishes, ranging from a faux antique American passport to a rich dark chocolate leather. The HardBack uses fabric on the outside instead of leather, but is just as nice -- some of the designs sport bright colors or patterns, while others are less flashy. One add-on feature of the HardBack case is the Intellistand, a way of folding the case origami-style to stand it up in landscape mode. Your iPhone isn't surrounded by plastic or wood, meaning that you have unfettered access to all ports and buttons at all times. So how does the phone stay in the Portenzo case? Simple -- there's a nanosuction GripPad (replaceable) on one side. Just align your iPhone and slap it onto the super-sticky material, and it is held in place. Need to remove your phone? No problem -- just give it a good tug and it comes off, leaving no residue. The Alano SLIM's wallet has two main pockets into which you can slide a couple of IDs, credit cards, and maybe even some cash. On the other hand, the HardBack wallet uses a "expandable folder" type of construction that can hold much more -- although you really don't want to overload it. Now, about those add-ons that are noted with the pricing. Portenzo uses a "build your own" model for these case/wallets, so the base price of the Alano SLIM cases does not include the wallet bits (that's an additional $20). The HardBack has two possible add-ons; the $20 wallet parts and the $4.95 Intellistand. That means that a decked-out Alano SLIM can cost as much as $84.90, while a fully-loaded HardBack checks in at $54.85. How do they look? Well, we received a "US Passport" model Alano Slim with all the trimmings and a Dark Blue HardBack with the Intellistand and wallet. Take a look at the images (I just placed the iPhone 5 on top of the GripPad instead of removing it) and you can see the amount of love put into the construction of the cases. Conclusion Portenzo's Alano SLIM and HardBack cases are well-built and beautiful, although somewhat pricy -- especially for the Alano SLIM. Pros Unique designs, especially for the Alano SLIM line Quality construction Easy to remove and re-install the iPhone HardBack's Intellistand works well to hold the iPhone in a landscape orientation HardBack's wallet expands to hold a lot of cards and cash Cons Alano SLIM is quite pricy once the wallet feature is added on Who is it for? The person who wants to ditch the wallet and do it in style Now it's your turn to have a chance to win one of these two cases. Note that the review cases are compatible with the iPhone 5 and 5c; the model for the iPhone 5s might need a slightly larger camera cutout on the back to house the True Tone flash. 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 20, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Two winners will be selected. One will receive a Portenzo Alano SLIM wallet case valued at $84.90, while the other gets a Portenzo HardBack wallet case valued at $54.85 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
New iPhones means new accessories: see the options right here
Welcome to the drama, the dilemmas, the sheer disbelief involved in picking accessories to go with your new iPhone. (Yes, an official 30-pin to Lightning adapter really costs that much). We can't promise to make the choices easy, but we can at least give you a glimpse of some of the bumpers and functional extras that Apple has revealed today, and link you up to the relevant pages on Apple's store (see the Source links below). Starting with the iPhone 5c, it's "unapologetically" plastic to start with, of course, but you can give it extra protection with an additional, colorful mesh-style plastic case. This costs $29 and comes in the same five colors as the phone itself, so you can either match the phone or mix it up with a secondary color. There's also a black option if you want to tone things down a bit. One more thing: the iPhone 5c gets it's own Lightning dock, which comes in plain white and costs $29. Next up: the iPhone 5s, which comes in very different color options -- silver, grey or gold -- and therefore gets a different set of bumper colors. These cost $49 $39 (correction: $49 is solely for the special (RED) charity case, regular cases are $39), they're made of leather on the outside and protective microfiber on the inside, and come in softer colors that are a bit tricky to describe (not least because this writer is red-green color blind): some kinda yellow, some kinda peach, some kinda... or just look at the image after the break. Lastly, Apple's website lists a $29 iPhone 5s dock too, which is cross-compatible with the regular iPhone 5.
Prong PocketPlug might be the most innovative iPhone 5 case of 2013
I've reviewed hundreds of cases and turned down requests to review thousands more. But when the good folks at Prong pitched the PocketPlug case for iPhone 5 (US$69.95), I jumped on the opportunity to review it. Why? Well, I've seen cases and battery cases, but never have I seen a case that actually connects directly to a wall socket for charging your iPhone. Let's take a look, and then one TUAW reader is going to win a Prong PocketPlug in a giveaway. If the Prong PocketPlug reminds you of any other case, it's probably one of the Mophie Juice Packs. The case installs easily by pulling it apart and separating the top and bottom, and it's a little bit chunky. The front of the case has ports for the speakers and mic on the iPhone 5, and there's a port (and included audio port extender) for the headphone cord on the bottom. The real difference -- and the innovative feature -- is on the back of the case. Folded flush to the back are two prongs (hence the name) for a plug that fits into a standard US power outlet. With a finger, you just flip up one of the two prongs and they both pop up. Plug the case into the wall, and your iPhone 5 is charging. You can still choose to charge your iPhone 5 from a USB port or charge adapter if you'd like, as Prong includes a USB to micro-USB cable as well. So what's so innovative about the PocketPlug? Well, for once you don't have to worry about losing a USB cable or charger. As long as you have the case on your iPhone 5 and you can find an open AC outlet, you can flip the plugs open and get a charge. The iPhone 5 also gains protection from accidental drops as well. While the PocketPlus is a bit thicker than your iPhone 5 at 18 mm (a bare iPhone 5 is just 7.6 mm thick), it's still fairly light at 2.5 ounces (71 grams). It comes in both black and white finishes to match your favorite iPhone, and the matte finish has a good soft feel that's easy to grip. Conclusion Tired of carrying around a cable and charge adapter all the time to keep your iPhone 5 topped off? Protect and power your iPhone 5 with one case -- the Prong PocketPlug. Pros PocketPlus is very well-constructed Innovative folding plug means there's always a charge adapter close at hand Easy to install and remove Grooved side panels provide a slip-proof grip Cons $69.95 price tag is a bit hard to swallow considering that, for $10 more, one could purchase a Mophie Juice Pack Helium and do away with the need for an AC outlet ... at least for a while Who is it for? The person who always carries a charge adapter and cable around with his / her iPhone 5 Giveaway Now it's your turn to get your hands on a Prong PocketPlug case for iPhone 5. 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 10, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Prong PocketPlug case for iPhone 5 valued at $69.95 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Designed by m's AL13 iPhone 5 bumper: Review and giveaway
The first time you know there's something special about the AL13 Aerospace Aluminum iPhone 5 bumper (US$59.99) from Designed by m is when you open the plain cardboard box. Slide off the top, and inside you find a slender, aircraft-grade aluminum (13 is the atomic number of aluminum, by the way...) bumper and a packet containing a screen protector. We've reviewed a ton of aluminum bumpers for the iPhone 5 over the past year, but just about all of them require some sort of special tool to install or remove the bumper. That's not true of the AL13, which features a slide cover -- like that on the brushed-aluminum box -- for assembly and removal. To install the bumper on the iPhone 5, you simply slide off the back, drop in the iPhone and then slide the back onto the bumper again. The inside of the AL13 features a thin liner to keep the bumper from scratching your precious phone, and there are precise cutouts for all of the various buttons and ports on your device. The edges are chamfered to match the general design of the iPhone 5, and the only ornamentations added by Designed by m are a tiny circled "m" logo on one side of the case and a diminutive AL13 logo on the other side. The AL13 comes in five different anodized finishes -- gunmetal, blue, slate, silver and red. As mentioned previously, there's a polyurethane screen protector to keep your display scratch-free, and for the back, there's a protective film. Designed by m notes that the design of the AL13 does cause a signal loss of about 5 to 10 percent, but counters with a comment that the average loss for other aluminum bumpers is about 25 percent. The top feature of the AL13, in addition to the no-tool installation, has got to be the weight. It's a feather-light 14 grams, or adding only about 12 percent to the weight of the iPhone 5. So, does it do what it should do -- protect your iPhone 5? Sure -- it will keep your baby from getting scratched on the sides; it provides some protection from drops on the sides; and the added protective films should help somewhat as well. Conclusion The Designed by m AL13 is a lightweight way to protect your iPhone 5 (or 4 / 4S) without hiding it in a thick plastic shell. Pros Very easy to install and remove, no tools required Reasonably priced at $60 (some other aluminum bumpers we've reviewed have cost as much as $150) Nicely packaged, would make a wonderful gift for a friend or relative Sleek, adds to the lines of the iPhone 5 rather than detracting or hiding them Cons A little bit of "play" in the case might be annoying to some people Who is it for? The iPhone 5 owner (there are also 4/4S versions available) who wants to protect his or her investment without compromising weight or the design of the device. Giveaway We have not one, but TWO AL13 bumpers to give away, both in the beautiful gunmetal finish seen in the photos accompanying this post. 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 10, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Two winners will be selected and each will receive a Designed by m AL13 Aerospace Aluminum Bumper for iPhone 5 valued at $59.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Logitech's IFA 2013 lineup includes tablet cases, mice and more, we go eyes-on
We've seen most of Logitech's latest products by way of press shots, but the company was clearly waiting for IFA to trot out the real deals. We caught the peripheral maker as it was in the process of setting of its booth for the show and got a quick tour of what it's working on. First up, the company's giving a little folio love to Android tablet owners, releasing a keyboard case for the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 and protective cases for the 10.1, 8.0 and 7.0. We also got a chance to check out that beefy G602 wireless gaming mouse, which'll give you around 250 hours of gaming on a charge. Speaking of mice, the Ultrathin Touch Mouse is a pretty nice looking peripheral -- one that pairs pretty nicely with its TK820 keyboard. Images below and press info for all of the above after the break. Follow all of our IFA 2013 coverage by heading to our event hub!
Logitech unveils two folio cases for Galaxy Tab 3 owners
Logitech is giving its Android tablet accessory line a welcome boost today by launching versions of its Ultrathin Keyboard Folio and Folio Protective Case for Samsung's Galaxy Tab 3 range. Both protectors are largely on par with their iPad counterparts, although there's varying levels of compatibility. The Ultrathin Keyboard Folio (shown above) is built solely for the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1, and centers on a Bluetooth keyboard that turns the tablet into a makeshift laptop. The Folio Protective Case (pictured after the break) drops the keyboard, but it's available for all three Galaxy Tab models. You'll find both cases in stores this October. The Folio Protective Case will cost $50 regardless of tablet size, while the Ultrathin Keyboard Folio will sell for $100.
Mophie Juice Pack for Galaxy S 4 now shipping, brings an extra 2,300mAh battery for $99
Galaxy S 4 users already benefit from solid battery life, but if your Life Companion has become more of a compulsion, you're probably in need of a power solution that can go the distance. Naturally, one option is to swap out batteries, but a new charging case from Mophie could be a simpler route. The Juice Pack -- also available for the HTC One and iPhone 5 -- wraps around the phone and connects via micro-USB, adding an additional 2,300mAh cell to the 2,600mAh battery within the GS4. The Mophie Juice Pack is available now for $99, and is currently offered in black or white (with pink and red versions to follow). As an unfortunate consequence, the extra bulk prevents NFC functionality, but it could be a minor sacrifice if your phone's battery life regularly comes up short.
Pad & Quill's Cartella Linen: A solid addition to an great line
Steve Sande is normally our Pad & Quill guru, but when the new Cartella Linen came along, he had one sent out to me for a test drive. Design I took a look at the leather-bound Cartella nearly a year ago with my smaller MacBook Air, and the larger linen-bound one is much the same. Instead of covered in leather, it features American Buckram cloth that's used in binding books. You have your choice of red or black. As with previous models, the interior tray is made of Baltic Birch, with cutouts to hold the MacBook Air in place and rubber bumpers to create a tight fit. The ports are easily accessed, and a slash pocket can hold papers. A thick elastic band secures the case. Like all their cases, the Cartella Linen is handmade in Minneapolis. %Gallery-195856% Functionality The Baltic Birch wood shell that holds the MacBook Air in place has been redesigned, and it's a lot more secure than the version I tried last year. When I knocked the case a bit too hard in the older model, the computer easily slid out. With the Cartella Linen, I was able to hold my MacBook Air in the case upside down, and it stayed put (note, do not try this at home.) It wouldn't come out unless I gave the case a really sharp shake. The linen Cartella also comes with extra bumpers in case you need to customize the fit, but I didn't need them. I carried the Cartella around my day job with the lid open all the time, something I hesitated to do when testing the older case. Folded back, the case is the perfect angle for typing, whether it's being held on a lap or sitting on a table. The one thing I do worry about with the linen model is the top half of the case curving. I do a lot of typing at home with my laptop in my lap, and after three days of testing, the top of the Cartella case has buckled a bit to account for the uneven surface. When you close the laptop, the case no longer lies flat over the lid. It's something that might bother some users, and I'm curious as to how the case is going to hold up over time as a result. The Cartella Linen folded back after regular lap use (bottom) vs. the regular Cartella There's enough airflow when the laptop is in the case that the MacBook Air is running much cooler. I've yet to have the fans kick on while using my MacBook Air while in the case, which is a huge bonus. Conclusion I've really enjoyed reviewing the Cartella Linen, in a lot of ways even more so than the original. The better-fitting wood shell makes the case rock-solid, though I am concerned about the cloth-bound top portion of the case giving out after long-term use. It's practical, sturdy and looks great in my bag when heading to work, the bookstore, the coffee shop, or any place you want to tote your MacBook Air. It's a solid addition to the Cartella line. The Cartella Linen comes in red and black. It'll fit all MacBook Air models produced since late 2010. The 11-inch version is US$89.99, and the 13-inch model is $99.99.
LG G2 QuickWindow case revealed ahead of phone's unveiling
The curtains on the LG G2 won't be pulled back until August 7th, but that hasn't stopped the South Korean firm from announcing a case for the smartphone. Dubbed QuickWindow, the sheath sports a slot on its front that reveals a portion of the device's screen à la Samsung's S View Cover. Just slide a finger against the exposed display and a special QuickView UI will light up the area with incoming call details, text messages, a clock, weather report, alarm or music player. Though a release date for the G2 is still MIA, the case is set to launch alongside the phone in black, blue, mint, pink, purple, white and yellow. In a world filled with case leaks for unannounced hardware, we can't help but feel strange seeing a bonafide cover before we've officially laid eyes on the device it's made for.
Patent troll strikes small indie MMO devs
Late last year, Treehouse Avatar Technologies filed a still-pending lawsuit against Turbine for copyright infringement claims surrounding the use of "character-enabled" and "character-attribute data linked with one or more character data." Well, they're back and claiming patent infringement on three more studios. This time, though, the studios are all small indie developers including Starpires developer Bad Pug Games, Minions of Mirth developer Prairie Games, Aces High developer HiTech Creations, and A Tale in the Desert developer eGenesis. The patent infringement claim centers on U.S Patent 8,180,858: "Methods for Presenting Data Over a Network Based Network User Choices and Collecting Real-time Data Related to Said Choices," which is the same patent infringement claimed against Turbine. Each letter looks to have been sent out on or around July 1st of this year. No word yet on any legal developments beyond these letters. [Thanks for the tip, Avaloner81!]
Truffol's iPhone 5 cases prove that luxury doesn't need to mean expensive
I've probably seen every iPhone case in the world at one point or another. For every ten or twenty low-cost plastic cases I see, I might see a single luxury case. These cases are different from the rest, often showing better workmanship, materials like wood, leather, and steel, and a higher price tag. A new entry into the crowded iPhone case market is a company named Truffol, and it appears that they're off to a good start by offering luxury cases that won't empty your wallet. The cases won't be available until July, but I'm going to try to stir up your interest by reviewing the Truffol Signature line of cases. There's the Minimalist (US$60), a beautiful stainless steel "bumper" for your iPhone 5, and the Classic ($75, seen above), which adds Italian leather for good looks and additional protection. Design Let's start with a look at the Minimalist. It truly is a minimalist case, adding only a thin stainless steel frame around the iPhone 5. It adds just .9 mm (.03 inch) to the thickness of an iPhone 5, yet protects the sides from accidental scratches or nicks. The Classic adds a leather backing to the design of the Minimalist. For those who want a bit more protection and a whole lot more Italian leather, the Classic is perfect. Both the Minimalist and Classic cases come in silver and navy, with different colored leather backing (red and navy). %Gallery-192443% Truffol notes that their manufacturing process runs the CNC-cut stainless steel through a nylon brushing process that produces a smooth and beautiful surface. Each one of the cases arrives in a pair of boxes that is worthy of an expensive watch -- one half contains the stainless steel frame and a separate mute button, while the other contains a slender steel bezel and screen protector (Minimalist) or the leather backing (Classic). Functionality One thing I always tend to get irritated about with luxury cases is the need to the manufacturers to ship tools for installation. Sure, it adds a bit of prestige to a product to add a tiny tool set that you use to lock the iPhone into a case, but it also adds unnecessary cost and (in many cases) frustration. Fortunately, neither of the Truffol Signature cases require tools for installation. In fact, of all of the luxury cases that I've reviewed, the Signature cases are about the easiest to install an iPhone 5 into. Opening one of the boxes, you remove the small mute button "cover" and place it into the corresponding hole on the iPhone 5. Then you just take the iPhone, align the mute button on it with the mute button cover on the frame, and drop it in. Next, you open up the other box where the back of the case is located. It has six small metal "fingers" on it -- you drop the back onto the back of your iPhone, then push it down towards the bottom of the iPhone to lock it into place. Now your iPhone is securely locked in the case. It was a pleasure to not have to insert tiny screws or press down on levers that felt like they were going to crack open the iPhone. A big thumbs-up to Truffol for thinking through the installation process. As for the cases, I like the look of the stainless steel. It adds protection all around the sides of the iPhone, and the workmanship is flawless. The leather back on the Classic is also well done, and incredibly thin. Fans of "naked" iPhones will love the Classic, as it adds protection without adding any bulk at all. Conclusion Truffol's entry into the luxury iPhone case market may have a positive effect for iPhone owners. Not only is the company producing high-quality cases, but it is also entering the market at a price point that may force down luxury case prices across the board. Between now and July 10, 2013, Truffol is giving away five Signature cases as part of a pre-launch celebration. You can enter by simply submitting your email address on the Truffol website. TUAW will also be giving away a both a Minimalist and a Classic Signature case later this summer. Pros Very thin and lightweight, while offering good side protection to the iPhone 5 Low price point for a luxury offering Excellent craftsmanship Easy to install or remove without tools Both Minimalist and Classic designs include a clear screen protector Cons None Who is it for? The iPhone 5 owner who wants classy protection but doesn't want to pay the exorbitant amounts charged by others in the luxury case market
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%
Review: CruxSKUNK iPad keyboard case
If there's one promise I hope I can make to TUAW readers, it's that this will be the last iPad keyboard case review you'll read for a while. We've had quite a few over the past few months, but the subject of this review – the CruxSKUNK (US$179 introductory pricing, $210 regular MSRP) -- has been touted as a contender for the top iPad keyboard case. Let's see how it does compared to the ClamCase Pro, the current recipient of the TUAW iPad keyboard case review crown. Design The CruxSKUNK was funded by a popular Kickstarter project; the project team was requesting $90,000 and the final backing was almost $250,000. What got the backers so excited about YAIKC (yet another iPad keyboard case)? Well, compared to most other cases, it's built like a tank – or more like a MacBook Air. Machined out of aluminum, it's only 19 mm thick. A MacBook Air, by comparison, is 17 mm thick at its widest, and the nearest competing iPad keyboard case – the ClamCase Pro is a bit chunkier than both at 21.6 mm. While the ClamCase Pro uses aluminum only stiffen the keyboard, the entire CruxSKUNK – except for a few pads, the keys, and some inserts – is made of aluminum. The CruxSKUNK case weighs in at 1 lb. 11.6 ounces (.782 kg), while the ClamCase Pro weighs 1 lb. 9 ounces (.709 kg). Those who are looking for a lighter weight case/iPad combo are going to prefer the ClamCase Pro. %Gallery-190687% Unlike the ClamCase Pro, the back of the iPad is unprotected. This is a plus if you want to display the back of your iPad to everyone, a minus if you want to protect your device from possible scratches. Like the ClamCase Pro, the CruxSKUNK has a hinge that allows the iPad to be flipped through a full 360 degrees. The CruxSKUNK has four "bumps" surrounding the keyboard that keeps it from pressing against a table when when the flipped underneath the iPad so it can be used as a tablet. This works great on a hard surface, but you should still consider turning the keyboard off when you flip it underneath the iPad. As for the keyboard itself, the CruxSKUNK uses a traditional layout with just a few variations. First, there's a "keyboard" key next to the leftmost control key that brings up the iPad's virtual keyboard. Next, the top row (above the numbers) consists of keys that control many of the iPad built-in functions without the need to press a "fn" key. From left to right, those keys bring up the iPad homepage, the iPad search page, start the slideshow, allow toggling through different keyboards, a lock key (which is odd, because it looks like a small monitor but acts the same as the lock key I'll mention in a moment), copy and paste keys, play/pause/fast forward/fast reverse keys, volume control/mute keys, and the lock key – which didn't actually function as a lock key when I pressed it (it did nothing). There is a set of arrow keys in the lower right hand side of the keyboard to round out the keys. Going to the controls specific to the CruxSKUNK, there's a recessed power button that glows blue when depressed for a few moments to let you know that the keyboard has been turned on or off. There's also a button that's next to a Bluetooth LED that is used to force pairing with the keyboard. No buttons are located on the sides of the device. The iPad itself – generation 2 through 4 – is held into an aluminum frame with the combination of an aluminum bar at the top fo the screen and a pair of small swivels at the bottom. Since these swivels might not be adjusted properly for your iPad, Crux includes a set of small hex wrenches to adjust them properly, as well as a few extras in case they fall out and are lost. Functionality The CruxSKUNK is certainly sturdy, and if that's what you're looking for in an iPad keyboard case, you've got it. However, I didn't particularly care for the fit and finish of the device compared to the ClamCase Pro. For example, as I type right now I can see through small gaps on the sides of the iPad. With the ClamCase Pro, there are no gaps as the iPad fits tightly into a plastic shell. In addition, I found the edges of the aluminum frame to be uncomfortable when carrying -- which might be the reason that Crux included a free zippered case with the CruxSKUNK. The feel of the keyboad is very good, and all of the keys are exactly where you'd expect them. For a writer, the CruxSKUNK is an excellent keyboard and fast touch-typists are going to love the feel and spacing of the keys. I wasn't particularly happy with the mechanism used to hold the iPad in place in the CruxSKUNK. With the ClamCase Pro, I simply popped the iPad into the plastic shell and went to work. Here, I had to loosen the two small swivels, move them into place, and then tighten them again with the included hex wrenches. During my review, one of the swivels came loose and had to be tightened again. That's an annoyance that CruxSKUNK owners should have to put up with. The hinge mechanism of the CruxSKUNK is much looser than that on the ClamCase Pro, which is both good and bad. It means that it's easier to move the screen around to "tablet mode", but it also means that a slight bump or jolt of the keyboard can knock the iPad out of position. I also found that the top of the case never quite closed all the way -- with many other iPad cases, there's a positive click that gives you feedback the the case is closed. With the CruxSKUNK I just never felt that sure that the case was closed and that my iPad was shut off. Pairing with the CruxSKUNK was quite simple, requiring only that a 4-digit code be entered once to confirm the pairing. Pairing the ClamCase Pro was even easier and didn't require the numeric entry. There were several times during my testing that I wanted to shut the keyboard off so that I could use the iPad in "tablet mode." To do this, I pressed the power button for a short amount of time until the Bluetooth indicator disappeared. Bringing the keyboard back on line required the same little press-and-hold movement. While this works, I found the plainly marked "on-off" switch on the left side of the ClamCase Pro to be a much better indicator of whether the keyboard was on or off. One thing I really liked about the CruxSKUNK was that when it was in a typing position, there's a full-width rubber strip on the front bottom of the keyboard that keeps the entire setup from moving across a slick table. In terms of the looks of the CruxSKUNK, I'm not impressed. Having the back open and surrounded by the aluminum frame gives it a kind of "unfinished" look. Sure, I can see the Apple logo on the bottom of my iPad, but the back of the CruxSKUNK just looks odd. That open back also leaves the iPad open to bumps and scratches, which is probably yet another reason why Crux includes a zippered bag with the CruxSKUNK. Conclusion While the CruxSKUNK offers a good typing feel, excellent battery life, and sturdy metal construction, there were several points that kept me from putting it at the top of my personal list of iPad keyboard case favorites. The CruxSKUNK is a bit more expensive than its nearest competitor (the ClamCase Pro), and its open back, while exposing the Apple logo on the back of the iPad, also leaves it open to possible damage. The lock key didn't seem to have any function, not working as it should on an iPad keyboard. In terms of looks (which are definitely a subjective review factor), I just prefer the smoother looks of the ClamCase Pro to the CruxSKUNK – your mileage, and opinons, may vary. Pros Definitely a typist's keyboard, with a good feel, properly spaced and positioned keys, and positive feedback Hinge mechanism makes it easy to move the iPad "display" into any position, although it's somewhat looser than on competing keyboard cases The aluminum structure will put up with a lot of wear and tear It's the thinnest iPad keyboard case out there, only a hair thicker than a MacBook Air Cons The manufacturer doesn't provide any numbers on battery life, leading me to wonder how it compares to competing products that do provide exact durations The open back design leaves the iPad open to possible damage The "swivels" used to lock the iPad into place at the bottom of the "screen" of the CruxSKUNK tend to loosen during use and require tightening with a tool. The company provides extra swivels, which makes me believe that they expect users to lose several during the life of the case While competing keyboard cases provide a very positive indication of closure, I was never quite sure that the CruxSKUNK was "closed" and that my iPad had turned off Price is higher than competing keyboard cases Who is it for? Fans of Jony Ive's favorite material, "aluminium", who need an iPad keyboard case
In Win's Tou desktop case has glass and class all over it
At Computex, Taiwan-based In Win has once again brought out its funky-looking desktop cases, but this time there's a new star on the stage. Dubbed the Tou (meaning "transparent" in Mandarin Chinese), this ATX full tower features several 3mm-thick tempered glass panels that are screwed onto an aluminum structure. And since the coated glass is semi-transparent, you can just about see the desktop's innards if you switch on the LEDs inside, which can be controlled via the touch panel above the two front USB 3.0 ports. When the internal lights are off, the desktop is pretty much just a mirror, but you'll want to degrease your fingers before touching any part of it. Sadly, at the moment the Tou is still at concept stage, so we couldn't squeeze a price or date out of the reps. When the chassis does become available, you'll know as soon as we do. %Gallery-190646%
Logitech acquires TT Design Labs, launches iPhone accessories
Many crowdfunded companies are just happy to get their products out the door, let alone to enter the big leagues -- yet that's where TT Design Labs finds itself today. As part of a move into mobile gear, Logitech has acquired TT Design Labs and is relaunching the young firm's iPhone accessories for a wider audience. The starting catalog includes the Tidytilt Case, a $35 iPhone 5 shell with a Smart Cover-style flap, and the JustMount, a $25 magnetic wall mount for the Tidytilt and other metallic gadgets. Pre-orders for the Logitech versions are available now, and we're told to expect deeper collaborations in the future.
Capcom encases 3DS, 3DS XL in vintage Mega Man look
Capcom has taken part in an ongoing observation of Mega Man's 25th anniversary with statues, soundtrack releases, USB drives, and even an officially promoted fan game. As we stretch into year two of the 25th anniversary celebration, Capcom is producing a Mega Man-themed case for 3DS and 3DS XL. At first blush, outfitting a 3DS in Mega Man garb seems like a cruel tease, after the death of Mega Man Legends 3. But Capcom is releasing all of the NES Mega Mans on the handheld's Virtual Console (it's up to 4 now), making an NES-style Mega Man motif appropriate. The case will be on sale at Comic-Con, as well as at Capcom's online store.
Ballistic's new Aspira case line for iPhone 5
This will be a rather quick review, not just because silicone iPhone 5 cases are quite commonplace, but because there are mainly just good things to say about these new cases from Ballistic Case. They're all members of the Ballistic Case Aspira series for the iPhone 5 (US$34.99), and three readers will have a chance to win one. Design The Aspira cases are lightweight, skinny, and colorful. Ballistic has come up with seven cases in the series that will attract the attention of just about everyone. There's a white case with imperial blue accents, a white case with a pink flower pattern, an eye-jarring mint green case with strawberry pink accents, a much more soothing raspberry case with gray accents, a black case with a charcoal gray hexagon pattern and accents, a black case with lime green accents and a black case with gray accents. All of the cases are made of a glossy material excecpt for those accents that cover the corners, ends, and front of the case -- those are made of regular silicone material for shock absorbency. The cases are really light, just a featherweight 0.9 ounce, and they add just a tiny bit of thickness to your sexy iPhone 5. The flower and hexagon pattern cases offer an extra measure of "grippiness" to an otherwise slick surface; something to think about if you want to keep a good grip on your investment. Functionality A good case should provide protection and add some style to your phone, and the Aspira series touches all the bases. Ballistic is well-known for putting a touch more thickness into the corners of their cases which really adds to the impact protection. The cases are all dual-layer, so the back of the case not only has that shiny surface for protection but an inner silicone layer of cushion as well. The non-patterned models use an anti-scratch coating to keep the glossy surface from getting beat up. I like the way that the Aspira cases fit on the iPhone 5. The cases are easy to install and take off, but the fit is snug enough to keep the cases from falling off. One of my pet peeves with some other silicone cases is that they can have a tendency to "sag" a little and look sloppy; that's definitely not the situation with these cases. Conclusion While I think the Aspira series cases might be a little more pricy than they should be, Ballistic has come up with a very functional and attractive line of cases. Pros Good protection for your iPhone 5, particularly on the corners where there is extra padding Fun and bright colors and patterns Textured cases provide a good gripping surface Shiny cases are treated with an anti-scratch coating Cons A bit on the expensive side for a silicone iPhone 5 case. Look here for generic silicone cases for less than $10. Who are they for? iPhone 5 owners who want a thin, lightweight, and attractive case that provides excellent protection. Giveaway Three TUAW readers are going to win an Aspira series iPhone 5 case from Ballistic. We have one white with the pink floral patter and accents, one black with the grey hexagon pattern and accents, and one black with green accents. 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 2, 2013, 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Three winners will be selected, each winning a Ballistic Aspira series iPhone 5 case valued at US$34.99. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Alleged budget iPhone shows off polycarbonate body, brings back good memories
The rumor about that more affordable iPhone just keeps coming back, but this time we're finally seeing some sort of progress. Courtesy of case manufacturer Tactus, we're apparently looking at the upcoming budget iPhone's polycarbonate shell, which was spotted at a factory that provides parts to Foxconn. It's the same story for the "iPad 5" case leak that Tactus published two days ago (the same day as our own scoop), so the company does seem to have a good contact for these kinds of goodies -- and it is a very competitive market, after all. Compared to the old polycarbonate iPhone 3G and 3GS, this mysterious shell appears to have a flat back instead of the old curved one, meaning it should reduce manufacturing complexity and therefore the cost as well. Another notable difference is that the old volume rocker is split into two, and then there's also the LED flash that was absent on the old polycarbonate iPhones. Tactus adds that this body is slightly taller, wider and thicker than the iPhone 4 and 4S, but what we do struggle to believe is that apparently the same factory is producing this shell in black and white as well as blue, red and yellow. A decoy, perhaps? Only time will tell.
Alleged 'iPad 5' case spotted in Hong Kong, hints at slimmer and narrower body
Rumors of an upcoming iPad sporting a similar design as the iPad mini go as far back as late January this year, when our reliable friends at 9to5Mac shared some clear photos of a leaked chassis (check them out at the "More Coverage" link below). This was followed by an alleged photo of the front panel sent around earlier this month. But as before, cases for this unreleased "iPad 5" have also been making the rounds in China, and we've managed to get our hands on one at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair earlier today. It's the same old story according to a staff at the booth: the case is based on a leaked mold. Oops! Compared to a similar case made for the two latest generations of the bigger iPad, this case again suggests a slimmer and narrower iPad is in the works, which would mean that this mysterious tablet is likely to have the same screen size but thinner left and right-side bezels -- just like the iPad mini. Similarly, the straighter edges support 9to5Mac's earlier leak of the iPad mini-like body. Let's just hope that Apple will still have a few surprises up its sleeves then, eh?
