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Ask Engadget: Best sub-$100 camera/laptop bag?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Joseph (he's from Atlanta) who needs a camera bag for his semi-professional photography enterprise. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "I've recently gotten into semi-pro photography and I've come to the problem of how to transport all my gear. I'm looking for a camera / laptop bag that has enough space for a DSLR body (Nikon D90), a 15-inch laptop, 3 or 4 lenses and a speedlight or two. My budget can't stretch beyond $100 and I need it to be durable and weather-proof. I don't have any preferences with style (backpack, messenger bag etc), I just need a large, affordable bag to carry all of my gear. Thanks for the help and keep the gadget passion guys!"We don't think you should scrimp too much on a bag, given it'll be carrying $3,000 worth of kit. Your host uses a Lowepro Fastpack 250, costing $99.95, its only drawback that it has no space for a tripod or cables, so you have to sacrifice a couple of lens slots just to tote your power lead. Other staffers suggested using a standard bag with individual Crumpler pouches (a suitable Crumpler like the "7 Million Dollar Home" is $150) or the KataKTD, which sadly doesn't pack a laptop sleeve. How about you, commenters? What's the budget bag you wouldn't let your DSLR venture away from? Together, we can work it out.
The iDevice cases of CES
If you review cases I have to feel bad for you. With so many to choose from, it must be like reviewing bags of sugar. By now there are also only so many ways to skin an iPhone, so the cases you see tend to be decorative, protective or novelty. That's about it. And we saw hundreds of cases at CES. In the gallery below there's a sampling of some of the hundreds of cases we saw. From scented and minimal to sporty and sturdy to gaudy and impractical, there's a case out there for each and every one of you. Walk among the aisles and wind up with the same thousand-yard stare we did after seeing such choice. Now you realize why they only carry so many in your favorite retailer's iOS accessory section. Retailers make the tough decisions of which of these cases might actually sell -- and I don't envy them in that task. %Gallery-145275%
Pad & Quill's cases: Classy covers for iPhone, iPad and MacBook Air
Pad & Quill has been making book-bound iPad and iPhone cases for a couple of years. By book-bound, I mean that the cases made using traditional book-binding materials and techniques. Like DODOcase, the cases have evolved a bit over the years to meet the requirements of new devices; unlike DODOcase, Pad & Quill has created a complete line of cases to protect many of your Apple mobile devices. In this review, I'll take a look at Pad & Quill's Little Black Book for iPhone, the Contega and Octavo iPad cases, and the new Cartella case for the MacBook Air. Little Black Book for iPhone 4/4S Let's start with the smallest member of the Pad & Quill family, the Little Black Book case for iPhone 4/4S (US$44.99). A number of small book-type and wallet cases have been announced for the iPhone 4S in the last few months, but of those I've reviewed, I feel that the LBB is the best made product out there. Like all of the Pad & Quill cases, the device sits nestled in a CNC-machined wood frame with small pads in the corners that make sure that your iPhone isn't going to plop out. Unlike the DODOcase products (which don't include an iPhone case), you don't have to send off for additional pads -- Pad & Quill includes extra material for cutting your own pads. The case also has the standard Moleskine-like elastic cord for securing the cover when you're on the move, as well as a unique feature -- a red ribbon "bookmark" that is used to help pop out the iPhone when you want it in your hand. You probably want to use that lovely 8 MP camera on the iPhone 4S, so the Little Black Book includes a port for the camera to look out of. That's not the case with the Twelve South BookBook ($59.99) or Hex Code Wallet ($49.95), where you need to remove the iPhone from the case to take a picture. Using the Little Black Book as a wallet really means that you're only going to be carrying a minimal amount of stuff, like a driver's license and a credit card or two. These items slide into a little "envelope" in the front inside cover of the LBB. The Little Black Book is well-built, less expensive than its competitors, and just plain cool. Now let's take a look at its bigger brothers. %Gallery-145138% Octavo iPad 2 Case The Octavo iPad 2 case ($59.99) is extremely similar to the DODOcase, even priced the same as the San Francisco treat. However, like the Little Black Book it has the "bookmark" to make removing the iPad from the case fast and easy, adds a hole for the iPad 2 rear camera, and includes a folder on the inside front cover of the case for important papers. Doing a side-by-side comparison with the DODOcase, I have to say that I think the Pad & Quill Octavo shows much more expertise in construction. While the DODOcase is basically wide open on the top and bottom, the Octavo provides more protection by just providing openings where needed. For the top microphone of the iPad, there's a sound-conducting channel. For the speakers on the bottom, there's a nicely-machined slot that directs sounds to the front. The wood frame extends more into the back of the Octavo, giving the case a bit more stiffness. I've placed some comparison photos in the gallery that show the DODOcase and Octavo side by side. I think the pictures tell the story of just how well-made the Pad & Quill cases are. Contega iPad 2 Case Pad & Quill's Contega iPad 2 case ($89.99) is a hybrid of a standard iPad folio case with a built-in stand and the Octavo. Think of the Octavo with a cover that folds into a handy landscape-mode stand, and you've got the Contega. Since the front cover is used for helping prop up the stand, there's no folder pocket as there is on the Octavo. Still, I'd much rather have the convenience of the stand than a folder pocket that I'd stuff with old receipts and product brochures. As with the other cases, the Contega features Italian bonded leather on the exterior and that nicely-machined wood frame on the inside. Check out the gallery for images of the Contega in all of its stand-up glory. Cartella MacBook Air case The Pad & Quill line wouldn't be complete without the Cartella ($79.99 for the 11" model, $89.99 for the 13"), their MacBook Air case. Pad & Quill sent an 11" model for testing with my 11" MacBook Air, and once again the design is excellent. The bottom of the MacBook Air is placed into the Cartella's wood frame with the trackpad pointing "out". The back of the wood frame is carefully sculpted to allow the hinged display to have free movement and there are cutouts on either side for the various ports. Twelve South also sells a book-like MacBook Air case -- the BookBook ($79.99). It has one feature that is missing from the Cartella case, that being a pair of elastic bands that hold the cover onto the display on the MacBook Air. The BookBook uses a zipper to close up the case; I felt that the Cartella's elastic band made it much easier to open and close the case. Conclusion If you have a hankering for a book-like cover for your iPhone, iPod touch, iPad (either first-generation or iPad 2), or MacBook Air, you owe it to yourself to take a look at the Pad & Quill line. The quality of these cases is outstanding, the prices are reasonable, and if being made in the good ol' USA means something to you, they're a product of the grand state of Minnesota. All of the Pad & Quill cases used in the review will be part of the giveaways at the TUAW Meetup at Macworld | iWorld 2012 next Thursday night, so be sure to drop by if you're in San Francisco to have a chance at winning one of these classy protectors.
Nissan Scratch Shield iPhone case uses self-healing paint, won't un-crack your screen
Well hey there, butterfingers. Do your smartphone cases often slip from grip, hitting the deck and resulting in a bevy of tiny nicks that leave you self-conscious about your inability to maintain a firm grasp? Well, Nissan (yes, that Nissan) may just have an answer, in the form of a self-healing iPhone case. Naturally, the Scratch Shield -- which we first heard of back in 2009 -- protects your device from garnering unwanted blemishes, but it also features a polyrotaxane-based finish that helps maintain the case itself, covering over small scratches in as little as an hour. Nissan is keeping its magic paint on home turf for the time being, licensing the material to Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo, though the Leaf-maker is also said to be considering a commercial launch later this year. Until then, you'll need to stay strong (gripped), though a self-mend solution may well be in your future.
Incipio shows off licensed, interchangeable, and battery charger cases at CES
Incipio had a nice booth on the show floor at CES this year, and kindly showed TUAW some of its new offerings in the world of iPhone cases and spare batteries. The latest and greatest news from Incipio is licensed cases -- the company has secured licenses to print cases with art from Magic: The Gathering, Hasbro, Alpine Stars, and gaming accessory company Gunnar, so we got to see those cases displayed at the show. Incipio told us that while licensed cases don't normally sell quite as well as plain cases (we heard last year that black is always the best-selling color for iPhone and iPad cases), licenses can often bring in interest to the company, from consumer buyers to retailers and other companies. Some of the licensed cases from Incipio Elsewhere in the booth, Incipio was also showing off its popular NGP case, which consists of two different pieces: a hardshell back that fits directly on the iPhone, and then a silicone case that snaps onto that one. Customers have really been drawn to the case, Incipio told us, because it's pretty easy to remove and change up. That's a trend they've noticed recently: That more and more customers are looking for iPhone cases that can come off easily, either because they want to try on multiple different cases for their iPhone, or just to allow the iPhone to connect to or sit in a dock. Incipio was also displaying the Off Grid Pro, which is a battery pack that follows up on its Off Grid series. The Off Grid Pro kicks up the juice to 1700 mAh, and it features a very slim set of batteries that can be replaced inside the iPhone case itself. I thought it was surprisingly thin, so users looking for a extra battery boost that doesn't take up a lot of room might be interested in checking it out. The Off Grid Pro will be out at the end of February for $89.99. Finally, Incipio showed us a prototype case it was working on that had both rigid and flexible parts. The rigid parts looked like an "X" and reached out to the corners of the iPhone, while the sides were flexible and allows for protection without making the iPhone much larger. That case was still in the making, a designer for the company told us, so it may never actually see store shelves in its current form. But Incipio and all of the other various case companies on the floor at CES are innovating as best they can, trying to both come up with new options and respond to consumer taste as quickly as possible. A case prototype Incipio's cases definitely stood out from the flood of similar accessories at the show this year. And just like last year, it was interesting to hear what kinds of trends and patterns are showing up in the world of iPhone and iPad add-ons.
TUAW Best of 2011: Vote for the best iPad case
The nominations are in, and the poll is ready to go! The TUAW Best of 2011 awards are all about you -- the readers -- and what you think is the cream of the crop of Apple or third-party products and software. To vote, select one entry from the top nominations made by readers. We'll be announcing the winner in just a few days. Vote early and often! TUAW is asking for your votes for the best iPad case of 2011. Very few iPad owners seem to keep their devices "naked," instead choosing to wrap them in a case of some sort. Much to my surprise, all of the cases were folio type cases, with the "book style" case being the most popular. Our nominees for this are the Twelve South BookBook for iPad (US$69.99), the Portenzo cases (Customized, Composition, Italian Bonded Leather and Premium Genuine Leather -- $59.95 to $124.95 depending on model, options not included), San Francisco's own DODOcase ($59.95), the Bear Motion folio ($59.95 MSRP), and the Zaggfolio keyboard case ($99.99). And now, let the voting begin! The results will be announced on December 29, 2011. %Poll-72320%
Nominate your favorite iPad case for TUAW's Best of 2011 awards
During December and January, The Unofficial Apple Weblog is soliciting your nominations and votes for the best products for Mac, iPhone/iPod touch, and iPad. We'll start with nominations in a category, and then tally your votes for the top-nominated products a few days later. The winner in each category receives the highly-coveted title of TUAW Best of 2011. The nominations are closed for iPhone apps and accessories, and now the TUAW Best of 2011 awards move to everybody's favorite tablet, the iPad. Today's category for nominations in the TUAW Best of 2011 awards is iPad cases. There are literally hundreds of different cases, most of which have been reviewed here on TUAW during the past year. Whether it's Apple's own Smart Cover (US$39 - $69) that is protecting the screen of your iPad 2, or the Otterbox Defender Series Case ($89.95) creating a zone of protection around the entire device, readers are sure to be vocal about their favorites. Of course there's the entire world of iPad folio cases and keyboard cases to think about. Could it be the luxurious Logitech Fold-Up Bluetooth Keyboard ($129.99) that is the Apple of your eye? Or maybe it's the IPEVO Typi folio ($79) with its removable keyboard and leather highlights? TUAW wants to hear from you -- what's your favorite iPad case? Leave your nomination in the comments below. Voting will start soon! Nominations close at 11:59 PM ET on December 24, 2011.
Apple alleges more Samsung IP infringement in Oz over copycat tablet and phone cases
In case you hadn't heard, relations between Apple and Samsung aren't exactly peachy keen these days. Their global legal conflict has been particularly fierce in the land down under, and it seems Apple just poured a bit more gas on the fire by alleging that Sammy's infringing its designs for tablet and phone cases. According to Bloomberg, Cupertino informed the Australian court of its latest legal allegations in a hearing in which it was attempting to push back the case's March trial date. Apple's already issued a notice of this newly alleged infringement to the Korean company, and a statement of its new claims is forthcoming, so details of the infringed-upon IP aren't yet available. What we do know is that it looks like Samsung's attorneys in Oz just got a lot more work to do over the holidays.
Best of 2011 Nominations: iPhone accessories
During December and January, The Unofficial Apple Weblog is soliciting your nominations and votes for the best products for Mac, iPhone/iPod touch, and iPad. We'll start with nominations in a category, and then tally your votes for the top-nominated products a few days later. The winner in each category receives the highly-coveted title of TUAW Best of 2011. The Mac nominations are done, and now we're shifting our attention to iPhones. Today's category for Best of 2011 nominations is iPhone accessories. This is a huge category, including protective cases from thin skins to completely waterproof cases that can take a dunking or a drop off the top of a moving car; battery packs; alarm and speaker docks; radio controlled cars and helicopters; car chargers; keyboards; guitar inputs; you name it! To get an idea of what's in this category, just take a look at the Apple Store iPhone accessory listings to see what's in there. Whatever your favorite iPhone accessory is, we want to hear about it. Leave your nomination in the comments below. Voting will start soon! Nominations close at 11:59 PM ET on December 16, 2011.
Mofone iPhone case puts old school grip on a new school dialer
I remember back when the iPhone was so new that you had to build your own retro handset for it, even before little companies started making their own products. But the retro handset trend has fully moved into the mainstream at this point, with the Mofone case now being sold at none other than Urban Outfitters. Yes, the Mofone obviously fits right around your iPhone 4 or 4S, and though it doesn't actually do anything electronically, it essentially creates a grip for your iPhone that will have you feeling like you're back at home in the 80s, ringing up your friends after school to talk for hours on the phone. At $45 a pop, these are a little pricey to just buy for yourself, I think, but if there's a friend or loved one with an iPhone who might appreciate a little extra handle on it, this might be a nice holiday gift. Just make sure you don't slam it down after you're done talking -- that glass could crack. [via iPhone Savior]
Holiday Gift Guide: Portable cases
Welcome to TUAW's 2011 Holiday Gift Guide! We're here to help you choose the best gifts this holiday season, and once you've received your gifts we'll tell you what apps and accessories we think are best for your new Apple gear. Stay tuned every weekday from now until the end of the year for our picks and helpful guides and check our Gift Guide hub to see our guides as they become available. For even more holiday fun, check out sister site Engadget's gift guide. One of the first purchases to make for your new MacBook Air or MacBook Pro is a good case. It'll be invaluable both for storage at home or toting it around town while keeping your precious portable safe. There are several styles to use from, and don't be surprised if you find yourself alternating between a couple of them. Backpacks A backpack should be the first choice to consider if you're a student, deal with a lot of books and papers on a regular basis, or find yourself needing to tote a lot of gear and needing to run through an airport. My current backpack of choice is the Tom Bihn Synapse (US$130). The entire Tom Bihn line is fantastic, and this particular backpack is the smallest on offer. It holds my 11-inch MacBook Air, iPad, Kindle, gear and books with ease. I've carried a full load in the Synapse on daytrips in New York City and have flown internationally with the Synapse with no weight issues. All of Tom Bihn's bags are built extremely well, and my Synapse still looks like new nine months after buying it. There are no built-in laptop pockets here, so you'll need to pick up a sleeve (covered below) to protect your MacBook. The Synapse is good for up to a 13-inch laptop, which means it covers both MacBook Airs and the smallest of the MacBook Pros. If you want more capacity for a 15-inch or 17-inch MacBook Pro, the $150 Brain Bag can fit up to two laptops and the $140 Smart Alec is the midrange bag between the Synapse and Brain Bag. I'm also a fan of Incase backpacks, which also wear well and have an insane number of pockets. The Apple Store sells the Incase Compact Backpack for $79.95, which appears to be the successor to an older Incase backpack I used for several years. The bag was well-padded and protected my electronics well. This particular model will carry a 15-inch or smaller MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. Messenger A pick from Engadget's list is the Timbuk2 Snoop, which is a fantastic multitasker for keeping a lot of gear at your fingertips. The company bills this bag as a camera bag, and it also has a laptop sleeve. If you tote a camera around, the different compartments are good for its accessories, or you can tailor the pockets to suit your own needs. It's $150 through its site or you can find it starting around $103 on Amazon. If you have the money to spend, a Muzetto from WaterField Designs is worth considering. These sumptuous vertical messengers maintain a slim profile and are good if you're toting the basics and want to look stylish. They range from $219 for the MacBook Air to $259 for 15-inch MacBook Pros. For 13-inch and 15-inch laptops, however, you will need a protective sleeve like with some of the Tom Bihn bags. Briefcase If you're heading to a business meeting and want to look your most professional, these cases are the ones to check out. Space is sacrificed for a slim profile. Brenthaven has a number of briefcases for a good price that are durable and fit an office setting. The ProStyle III-XF is one of these and can be custom fit up to a 17-inch MacBook Pro. It has an X-Ray Friendly design, meaning you do not have to remove your laptop while going through airport security. These bags range from $99.95 to $119.95. For more rugged gear, Thule has a line of attache cases available through the Apple Store that allows you to use your Mac while still in the case. These run about $79.95. Sleeve For the absolute basic protection, picking up a good sleeve will allow you to toss your laptop in any bag. If you want to grab something while still at the Apple Store, the Incase line is there for you to peruse, and the cases cost roughly $40. If you're willing to wait a few days and want to order something online, the Tom Bihn Cache is $30 and dispenses with zippers. Waterfield has elegant-looking Sleevecases ranging from $37-45 and has a number of other sleeves geared toward the MacBook Air. Or, if you want your laptop to blend in with the books on your coffee table, TwelveSouth's BookBook cases are always a conversation piece.
Holiday Gift Guide: the ideal iPod
Welcome to TUAW's 2011 Holiday Gift Guide! We're here to help you choose the best gifts this holiday season, and once you've received your gifts we'll tell you what apps and accessories we think are best for your new Apple gear. Stay tuned every weekday from now until the end of the year for our picks and helpful guides and check our Gift Guide hub to see our guides as they become available. For even more holiday fun, check out sister site Engadget's gift guide. If you're planning to pick up an iPod for your loved one this holiday season, which one would you buy? Apple has a variety of models, and they are all very different. We will help you navigate the buying process and get you all the best accessories, so you can give your recipient the ideal iPod. iPod 101 The iPod is Apple's line of media players, and they come in different sizes and colors. The smallest and least expensive is the iPod shuffle. It's tiny, so tiny it doesn't even have a screen. It's just a cube with a scroll wheel and a clip. The shuffle is perfect for folks who want music with a minimal weight and size. Next up is the iPod nano. The nano is bigger than the shuffle and has a display, which makes it very easy to use, with on-screen controls. Its solid construction and weight and feel make it great for exercising. There's a lot of accessories for this model, including wrist bands that'll let you wear the nano as a watch. It's a great all-purpose media player, with an integrated FM radio, accelerometer (with support for Nike + iPod and screen rotation) and a variety of fun watch faces. Third in the line is the iPod classic. This model includes a hard drive and offers a relatively large 160 GB of storage. It also has the classic scroll wheel that defined Apple's early iPod players. Unfortunately, the hard drive limits its usefulness and its battery. Running may be out of the question as the hard drive isn't as resilient to movement as the rest of the iPod line. The iPod Classic is perfect for someone who wants to carry a large library of music, photos and videos around with them, but doesn't need a player for exercising. Finally there's the iPod touch. This is one of Apple's most popular iPods because it's a phone-less, GPS-less version of the iPhone. It runs iOS and is a bit smaller than the iPhone. If you want the iPhone experience without the phone part, then the iPod touch is your best choice. Headphones If you want to get the most out of your iPod, then you need a good pair of headphones. The iPods ship with a pair of mediocre ear buds that'll work in a pinch, but most people will want to upgrade to a better pair. Covering all the variety of styles of headphones is beyond the scope of this guide, but I will highlight a few that we have reviewed, and give you some tips on buying a new pair. The first decision when you shop for headphones is whether you want a traditional over-the-ear model or ear buds that fit in your ear canal. You also need to decide whether you want wired or wireless. Wireless headphones are a popular option for folks that hate messing with cords. Many connect to your device via Bluetooth and are available as ear buds or over-the-ear cans. The iPod touch is the only player that can support Bluetooth headphones natively. The iPod nano, classic and shuffle can be retro-fitted with Bluetooth if you plug in a Bluetooth adapter like this one from Sony. A Bluetooth adapter is useful, but it will add bulk and weight to your player. There's a wide variety of Bluetooth headphones including the popular Sennheiser PX210BT ($150), the Sony Ericsson HBH-IS800 bluetooth earbuds ($80), the Creative WP-300 ($80) and the Jaybird Sportsband ($89). Many manufacturers also offer stereo Bluetooth headsets, which can be used for audio on the iPod and later with your iPhone for holding a conversation. We recently looked at the NuForce BT-860 ($79) and found a lot to like about this headset. There's also a thread at Engadget that discusses the best BT headset for music and calls. Wired headphones and ear buds are also popular options, as they tend to be less expensive and can have exceptional sound quality. If you can deal with the wire, you can get more bang for your buck. You also don't have to worry about interference with a wired headset. There are tons of wired models, but you can't go wrong if you stick with Sennheiser, Grado, Klipsch, Etymotic or Shure. Cases People like the iPod because of its large selection of accessories. If you want a particular color or style of case, you will likely find it among the hundreds that are available. Most cases that you find will fit the iPod touch and the classic. The iPod nano is so small that the case selection is not as robust, and the iPod shuffle has its own clip which makes having a case not as important. There are some folio-style and silicone cases for the nano and shuffle, but you will mostly find zippered pouches or arm bands for these smaller players. Some of our favorite cases for the iPod touch and classic include the premium Vaja cases. They are pricey ($75), but are beautifully designed and hand-crafted from fine leather. A little lower on the price scale is Speck. I've owned a few Speck cases for the iPod touch and found them to be durable and reasonably priced (under $30). DLO makes a variety of inexpensive hard shell cases, folio cases and silicon cases. And, of course, there's Griffin with a large selection of hard shell, folio and Crystal Clear cases. One of my favorite Griffin cases is the Wristlet ($10) for the iPod nano. It has a wrist strap that makes it easy to find the nano in your bag, and it lets you hang the player on the arm of a treadmill. These cases are just a small sampling of what's available for the iPods. If you have a case you absolutely love, please mention it in the comments. Armbands and Watch Bands The nano and shuffle are small enough that you can slip them into an armband and wear them while you exercise. Similar to the iPod's case selection, there are many different armbands from which to choose. When shopping for an arm band, look for one that's easy to take on and off. It should also let you access the controls of the player without difficulty. There's nothing worse than an arm band that requires you to remove the iPod in order to adjust the volume. Many of the same manufacturers that make cases for the iPod, also make armbands. If you like your DLO or Griffin case, you may want to look at their armband selection, too. If your looking for a basic armband, Grantwood Technology makes a nice one called the TuneBand ($20). There's a Tuneband for every iPod touch, 1G-5G nano and the classic. It has a nice fit and feel and is compatible with the Nike + exercise system. There's also speciality armbands like the RunWallet ($13), also from Grantwood technology, and the Amphibx Fit from H20 Audio. The RunWallet lets you carry your keys, ID, credit/bank Cards, and money; while the Amphibx Fit ($50) is a waterproof armband and headphone combo for nano and shuffle owners. If you have an iPod nano, you also have the option of using your media player as a watch. The nano ships with several clock faces, and manufacturers like Hex and iWatchz are selling fashionable watch bands that complement the styling of the nano. These watch bands turn your media player into a fashion accessory, and are a compelling reason to choose a nano over the other iPod models. Docks Docks are another must-have accessory for your home or office. They let you charge and sync your iPod while keeping it safely in one location. Most pull double duty and function as a speaker or an alarm clock. Docks are one area that the iPod touch excels because it piggybacks on the success of the iPhone. Most specialty iPhone docks, like iHealth's Blood Pressure Dock, are compatible with the iPod touch because the iPhone and the touch share the same dock connector and the same operating system. If all you need is an all-purpose dock to charge, sync and listen to music, then you'll want to take a look at Apple's Universal dock. It will charge, sync and let you connect the audio out to a speaker. It'll also pipe video out to a monitor or TV if you have the appropriate cable. The dock ships with an Apple remote that'll let you control media playback from across the room. The dock uses inserts that'll fit the entire iPod lineup and all the iPhone models. It ships with five inserts for the iPhone 4/4S, iPhone 3G/3GS, iPod touch (2nd, 3rd, and 4th generations) and the 5th generation iPod nano. You will have to buy an insert separately if you have a model that's not included in the list above. There's a variety of other docks like the JBL On Stage IV ($150) and the Altec Lansing Octiv Duo M202 ($100), both of which are speaker docks and perfect for a living room. The Octiv Duo adds a bit of a twist, as it has slots for two players and software that lets you mix songs from both devices. If you want a dock to use in your bedroom, you should consider the Sony CD Clock Radio ($100) which has an alarm clock and a radio. There's also the reviveLITE II ($35), a basic dock from Scosche that's both a LED nightlight and a charger. Portable Speakers We covered some speaker options for the iPod in the section about docks, now it's time to look at speakers you can use outside the home. If you want to travel with your speakers, you'll have to shed the dock and look for a small speaker setup that's battery powered. Almost all portable speakers easily fit in a handbag or backpack and are usually inexpensively priced. You won't get Bose quality sound out of them, but they're perfect for watching a movie on your iPod touch or listening some tunes on your nano. One of my favorites is the Altec Lansing Orbit ($30) which has been around for a while and is a solid performer both in durability and sound quality. If you hate dealing with single-use batteries, there's the iHome IHM79 ($50), which has a rechargeable battery and a magnetic base that lets you stick the two speakers together when you travel. Earlier this year, we reviewed the iMainGo X ($70) which is a case-style speaker system. The speaker splits open, and the iPod fits inside a zippered compartment. Once the speaker is closed, the iPod is safe from the elements. It's designed so you can control and view your device without opening the speaker again. Lastly, I couldn't resist mentioning the GOgroove Panda Pal ($20) and its companion the Koala Pal ($20). They are two portable speakers that GOgroove says "look cute, sound incredible." Other Accessories If headphones, a dock, a case, an armband and a wristband are not enough for you, there are even more accessories you can add to your iPod. iPod touch owners may like Seagate's GoFlex satellite ($200), a portable drive which lets you stream media stored on the drive to your iPod touch and other WiFi devices. A must-have for travelers is the Mophie juice pack ($35-80 depending on model), a portable battery that'll charge any iPod you own. There's also the Nike+ iPod fitness system ($30 for the Sport kit) which uses a sensor and your iPod touch or nano to keep track of your running stats. It's also works with Nike + iPod compatible gym equipment that has a connector for your iPod. We hope this list of accessories helps you find the perfect gift for the iPod fan in your life. If you have a favorite product that we missed, please share it in the comments.
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: accessories
Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! We're well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties surrounding the seasonal shopping experience, so we're here to help you sort out this year's tech treasures. Below is today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. As any technophile will tell you, accessories make the getup when it comes to complementing your favorite gadgets. Whether you're decking out a smartphone, computer, tablet, gaming system or just looking for some good old-fashioned holiday kicks, we're here to help you pick from our favorite accessories of 2011. Jump past the break to find out which ones made the "Nice" list.
Holiday Gift Guide: Accessories for all
Welcome to TUAW's 2011 Holiday Gift Guide! We're here to help you choose the best gifts this holiday season, and once you've received your gifts we'll tell you what apps and accessories we think are best for your new Apple gear. Stay tuned every weekday from now until the end of the year for our picks and helpful guides and check our Gift Guide hub to see our guides as they become available. For even more holiday fun, check out sister site Engadget's gift guide. Let's be honest -- while you might plunk down the cash for a MacBook Air or iPad for your loved ones, you're probably not going to go all out on a brand new device for your co-workers and acquaintances. But that doesn't mean you can't still support the various Macheads in your life -- no matter how many Apple devices someone might have, there are many more accessories for those various devices lining the shelves at Best Buy. Cases, plug-ins, covers, and stick-ons, oh my! Let us take you on a quick tour through the Mac accessory landscape, and help you find some really great recommendations of all different prices for all of the Apple devices in your life. Even if there isn't a Mac fanatic around you who needs some of this stuff, no worries. Just bookmark this page, and come back after the holidays, whenever you yourself have unwrapped that big package "designed in California" that's sitting underneath your tree this year. The PlugBug Perhaps the hottest Mac-cessory this year, the PlugBug turned all kinds of heads when TwelveSouth finally released it earlier this month. Yes, it's just a charger, but no, it's not just a charger -- it's a super useful and well-designed accessory that already works with those cords you got in the Apple box. You can charge both a MacBook (or Air or Pro) and a USB device like an iPhone or iPad from just one outlet, and all you need to pack in your bag is the usual cords and this little red adapter. It's a great, smart device that adds just a little bit of color to an already very Apple way of thinking. ($34.99 from TwelveSouth) The iCade There were a few arcade cabinets for the iPad out this year, but the original iCade by ThinkGeek and Ion Audio. It originally started up as an April Fool's joke, and then was made real: An actual miniature arcade cabinet, complete with buttons and a joystick, that you can plug your iPad in to play arcade games on. The list of compatible titles is long and growing, so anyone in the house who loves playing old-school games on the iPad will really enjoy this one.($79.99 by ThinkGeek) TenOne's Fling and Fling mini for iPad and iPhone Again, there have been some very similar competitors pop up in this space, but when it comes to attaching a physical joystick to Apple's touch screens, the Fling is the original and the best. It's suprisingly simple, but feels and works great, especially on games where you'd normally use a virtual joystick, but it provides the tactile feedback that Apple's no buttons policy just can't match. Go ahead and buy a two-pack -- you'll need them both. (Two-pack is $29.95 for the iPad, $24.95 for the iPhone at TenOne Design) Keyboard covers by KB Covers Whether you're typing on a MacBook or a wireless Apple keyboard, a good keyboard cover can keep things clean and make your keyboard last longer and work better, no matter what your fingers have been touching lately. And KB Covers are the best we've seen -- not only are they made of a nice tough, stretchy plastic, but they're extremely useful, providing easy visual access to custom shortcuts for almost any app or International keyboard layout you'd ever want. No matter what Mac or keyboard model you have, or what you're doing with it (from editing in Avid to playing World of Warcraft), there's a KB Cover for you or your gift-getter. (Various prices, at KB Covers) The Peel The Peel system can be complicated, so it's not necessarily for everybody. But for just the right person on your gift list, it might be perfect. The Peel consists of both a "fruit" unit that sits on your home entertainment system and plugs into your television, and then an app that runs on your iOS device, and can be used to not only control your A/V setup, but also find various shows and things to watch according to your tastes. We didn't think the Peel would work as your usual remote, unfortunately, but for the right gadgethead interested in using an iOS device to make their TV watching experience a little better, it would be a great gift. ($99 at Peel) A case! Yes, there will undoubtedly be a lot of iPhones and iPads sold this year, and odds are that everyone who gets a new one under their tree will also need to find an excellent case for it. Many times, this tends to be a very personal choice, so you might want to think twice about getting a case for some one, or at least remember to be gracious when you find out it's not exactly what they wanted. But still, there are plenty of great cases out there, from cases that make your device look like a book, to something you can use with a little more functionality as an actual wallet. Cases can be as individual as the people who buy them, so be a little careful as to which one you pick out, but the right choice for the right person can be a terrific and memorable gift. (Various) Remote-controlled fun Sure, functionality can be important, but sometimes you just want to have a little bit of remote fun with your Mac. How about a remote-controlled USB missle launcher that can even be activated over the Internet? One of those Ar.Drone quadricopters that can be controlled with your iOS device? Or you can even be the first to nab a Sphero, a little remote-controlled ball that's arriving just in time for Christmas later on this year. There's lots of kooky fun to be had with your Apple devices -- sure, it may not be too practical, but if you've already got all of the power Apple has put into these machines, why not put a little bit of it to work in real life? (Various) A hard drive Finally, we'll leave you with a choice that's a little more practical than those toys: Even with the advent of iCloud, the one thing any Mac user will always love getting is more hard drive space. With all of the apps coming out all of the time, and lots and lots of content being made and edited, anyone with a Mac or even an iPhone or iPad could probably use a few more gigabytes (or even terabytes) in their lives. Western Digital has released a few excellent standalone hard drives meant for Mac this year, but especially during Black Friday and the holiday season afterwards, Best Buy or any of the other big box electronics stores are usually running some great deals on external hard drives, so you can easily pick one up for around $50 or even under that some times. If you want to go a little more fancy, you can check out the Iomega Mac Companion, meant specifically to work with a Mac as a high-capacity backup drive. But whatever kind of storage you choose, there's no question that the Mac fan in your life will appreciate the extra digital storage space. Happy holidays! Here's hoping you find just the right gift for the Mac lover in your life this year!
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: bags and cases
Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! We're well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties surrounding the seasonal shopping experience, so we're here to help you sort out this year's tech treasures. Below is today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. Santa may be able to toss a few thousand laptops in his bright red sack with nary a scratch to be seen -- but you sure can't. You'll want to keep those goods sparkly and new for as long as possible, and that's what today's gift selections are all about - getting your tech from A to B in the safest, most stylish way possible. There's plenty of choice for transporting your goodies, ranging from the bland to the bizarre, from rucksacks to courier bags, silicone to silk -- there is literally something for everyone. Finding a one-size-fits-all solution is going to be nigh-on impossible, but we're hopeful that what we've got here will be just the ticket to re-wrap what you just unboxed.
Photojojo intros iPhone Lens Dial for fisheye, telephoto and wide-angle shooting
Annie Leibovitz seems to love the camera in the iPhone 4S as is, but if you'd ever hoped the snapshot darling were a bit more flexible, then Photojojo's new Lens Dial may be the solution. Available as a case that's compatible with the iPhone 4 and 4S, users are able to rotate between three different lenses -- including fisheye, telephoto and wide-angle -- to achieve their desired effect. Naturally, the enclosure will add quite a bit of thickness and heft to your handset (it weighs ten ounces, or twice that of the iPhone), but it also piles on flexibility, too, such as tripod mounts for landscape or portrait scenes. Shipping now for $250, the iPhone Lens Dial seems like the logical step after you've taken Holga's option for a spin.
The costly gamble of designing iOS cases based on rumors
Bloomberg's Businessweek has a nice writeup on one of the shadier practices around a new Apple launch like the iPhone 4S this week: case manufacturers building their entire product lines off of leaked or sometimes illicitly obtained information. Businessweek profiles Tim Hickman of Hard Candy Cases (who's been forthcoming with us here at TUAW in the past about how he manufactures cases to be ready for new Apple products as soon as possible), and talks about how he and other manufacturers often build cases on leaked or incomplete information, always hoping to be the first to market to go around the latest and greatest iPhone. Hickman is probably the most open about this practice (for better or worse -- someone in the article suggests his investors should be "nervous") but I've seen lots of other companies do this, even if specifics about it are off the record. As Hickman says in the article, Apple frowns on the practice, and Apple's blessing is what lands case products on Apple Store shelves, so it's obvious why most companies wouldn't be all that forthcoming about it. Still, in the competitive world of iPhone and iPad cases, every advantage counts, so these companies will build cases based on whatever information they can get. Gambling even as much as $50,000, which Hickman says he spent on cases for what he hoped would be a thinner iPhone 4S (all wasted when the exterior design turned out to be the same as the iPhone 4), can be worth it, whether in terms of future research or early profit when the guesses are right.
NTT DoCoMo's mobile accessories smell your breath, tell you to put the burger down (video)
Sick of your friends saying you look fat in those jeans? Apparently, NTT DoCoMo feels your pain and aims to swap out the peer criticism with smartphone objectivity. Shown off in advance of CEATEC Japan 2011 (an annual electronics trade show), the operator took the wraps off several mobile-based accessories, ranging from gamma ray and UV light monitoring phone cases to a breathalyzer-like add-on for measuring body fat (you paying attention, HTC Rhyme?). There were also a couple of applications on hand for checking photos of food against a calorie database à la Google Goggles, and an AR implementation for weather services on tablets. It's not clear whether the Japanese carrier actually intends to release these innovations to the mass-consuming public, but as with all things tech in that corner of the world, they're sure to get it before we ever do. Jump past the break for a video peek at Nippon's creep towards a Hitchhiker Guide-style wireless world.
Kensington's SecureBack case is like The Club for iPads (video)
Kensington already came out and admitted that employees don't actually use the locks handed to them on their first day of work. And yet, it's betting folks will want to swaddle their iPads in a thick layer of plastic and chain them to their desks. That, in a nutshell, is the idea behind the SecureBack, an iPad 2 case that allows you to lock down the tablet, armor and all, just as you would a laptop. That beaut you see up there is a three-part affair, with two pieces of plastic that come together to cover the back and are held together by a sliding slat. That's just the case, mind, you -- to lock it down you'll also need one of Kensington's ClickSafe locks, which the company already makes for laptops. It's up for pre-order now, with a standard version fetching $50 and a souped-up one with a kickstand going for $70. If you don't already have a compatible lock, you can also buy one bundled with the case, with that extra hardware adding thirty bucks to the cost. Full PR and a demo video after the break because really, what's more hypnotic than watching a set of hands dissemble a case? %Gallery-133544% %Gallery-133539%
Graft Concepts' fancy Leverage iPhone case is probably fancier than your fancy case (video)
So you spent all of that money on an iPhone 4 -- do you really want to cover it up with some discount protection? Graft Concepts' new case is nearly as snazzy as the handset it was designed to protect. The Leverage is made out of polycarbonate with a matte finish and features a metal latch that secures it to the handset. The case is up for sale now, at a fittingly pricey $60. You can pick up additional backplates for $7 a piece.
