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Apple patents "Smart Covers" for devices
Apple has patented a new kind of cover or skin for devices like the iPhone and iPad. The "smart covers" deliver a paradigm shift for electronic device covers, according to the patent. Apple notes that traditional skins and covers only provide protection from dents and scratches. A smart device cover would add at least one electronic function to traditional skins, allowing not only protection of the device, but augmentation of the devices capabilities. Force sensors, solar grids, lighting effects, illuminated bezels, and even video conferencing are among the myriad uses the patent discusses for various smart covers. Additionally the patent discusses adding a physical keyboard and game pad smart cover to touch screen devices. As always, just because Apple patents a device doesn't mean it will ever see the light of day. One is also left to wonder about the practicality of some of the skins (like a keyboard cover) that would obstruct part of the screen. [via 9to5]
HTC EVO 4G shows up in Sprint inventory, shots of the accessories surface
Need something to wash that Kin marketing out of your mouth? How about some new tidbits on the superphone to end all superphones? For whatever reason, the HTC EVO 4G has showed up in Sprint's inventory, a couple months early by all accounts. It's carrying a completely reasonable $5,555 pricetag, and the appropriate HTC A9292 model number. If that doesn't quite satiate your EVO 4G thirst, LeakDroid has managed to get shots of those EVO 4G accessories we've been hearing about, including a home dock, extended battery case, colored silicon sleeves, and a car dock. Hit up the source link for the shots. [Thanks to an anonymous tipster for the inventory screen]
Road tested: The Apple-branded iPad case
I'm going to come right out and say it. I hate the Apple iPad case. I thought I'd like the fact that it protects the iPad and works as a stand. I don't. For US$39, I really thought Apple would deliver a protective case that perfectly augmented the iPad using experience. It didn't. Unfortunately, I pre-ordered my case before Victor gave the case his once over. How do I hate the case? Let me count the ways. I hate the hard edges that constantly catch my fingers whenever I pull the case out of my handbag. I hate the folding bit that never folds back quite flat. I hate how the bottom of the case keeps me from easily putting in or pulling out the docking cable. I hate how unstable the whole thing is, especially when I try to stand it in portrait mode or in full-up landscape (rather than laying down-ish landscape) orientations. For the $40 I paid, I was hoping for more. Or at least...better. I've tried giving the case a shot on a day to day basis, but after using it for a while I'm just giving up. For now, I'm going back to a padded envelope--at least until more and better cases hit the market. As Mike Rose puts it, "Padded envelopes are cheap, readily available, and involve no labor." If the same-old-same-old ennui drags you down, you can apply duct tape and an Apple label to spice things up.
Targus tempts the wallet with a new line of iPad cases
Targus has been making cases and accessories for Apple products for 25 years, so it's not surprising that, today, the company has announced a line of iPad cases, all of which look very nice. The top of the line case is the Hughes Leather Portfolio Slipcase (at right) for iPad, which is made of beautiful oil-tanned leather and has a soft twill inner lining. It uses a magnetic closure, and comes in black and brown. This executive-styled slipcase is going to run US$59.99. Next, Targus announced the Crave Slipcase for iPad (below). It's made of a durable and weatherproof material, and has a stain-guard coating for protection. The Crave is available in black and silver, and has stow-away top handles as well as an accessory pocket for other goodies. This slipcase has a midrange price of $34.99. Finally, the third new case for iPad from Targus is the A7 Neoprene Sleeve. The A7 comes in four colors: plum, brown, black, and blue. The A7 sleeve uses the Targus Tri-Cell Cushion System, which incorporates layers of foam, neoprene, and mesh for protection. This model will be available for $24.99. All of the new iPad cases will be available some time in April of 2010.
Vaja now selling iPad cases
Out of all of the iPod or iPhone cases I've seen, Vaja makes my personal favorites -- I bought one of their cases for my 80gb iPod, and it's still the best gadget case I've ever owned. They're a little pricier than some cases, but the exquisite leather, custom design, and solid crafting makes the purchase worth it. And now they've introduced an iPad case as well. Of course, the iPad's use chart looks a little different -- it doesn't necessarily seem like the kind of device you'll be pulling out while walking around, and you probably don't need a great leather case if you're just going to use it as a satellite computer around your home (not that anyone knows for sure how they're going to use their iPad yet). But Vaja makes some quality cases, and while they haven't announced all of their iPad options yet (the Retro Slim Jacket is the only one available right now), it might be worth looking at if you'd rather put a little leather on your new Apple tablet. Customization is not yet announced but likely -- when I ordered my iPod's case, there were a whole bunch of different case styles and colors to choose from. Cost on the one they've got is $120, and they're saying it takes about 25 days to get each custom-made case put together. A Vaja case isn't something to be purchased lightly, but quality like this doesn't come cheap or fast.
iPad keyboard dock, power adapter delayed until May
Earlier today, Apple pushed back the availability of some iPad accessories, per Electronista; namely, the iPad Keyboard Dock and the 10W USB Power Adapter. Additionally, the Apple-branded iPad case won't ship until mid-April. Which Apple accessories will be available when the Wi-Fi iPad ships? The non-keyboard dock and the Dock Connector To VGA Adapter. There's still no word on the much-anticipated camera connection kit. As with the iPhone and the iPod before it, a cottage industry of accessories is rapidly growing around the iPad. We saw some cool cases at Macworld Expo, another that looks an awful lot like a plastic bag, a vest with a huge pocket, several bags and a scarf. Notable accessory manufacturers Griffin and Belkin have also announced their initial offerings. They're mostly cases for now, but it won't be long before we see something like this.
Macworld 2010: Armpocket cases are a family affair
We stopped by the Armpocket booth at Macworld last week, and while we expected to find just another accessory sales pitch, we found something surprising: a family. The product was actually designed by a couple named Jyette Nielsen and Mark Morgan, and as Mark explained the cases to us (which are made from high-quality, renewable materials like recycled bottle plastic and natural bamboo), we could see that this was a product with real people behind it. He's a retired military guy, and he and his "significant other" ("She's too smart to marry me," he joked) simply had a problem and came up with a solution: they're both runners, and they needed a sweat-proof, secure case to keep their iPods and cell phones in. Armpocket was the case they came up with. Morgan told me he didn't have any significant manufacturing experience -- the couple just went around to various trade shows and chose materials and designs based on what worked for them, and now they go around and sell their cases in retail and at the trade shows (their son was in attendance at Macworld also, selling and demoing the cases). And the Armpockets are impressive -- while they're a little bigger than the standard case, the material is all moisture resistant, the padding grips your arm well while holding your phone securely in place, and there's even something called a "flexi-lock" audio port for holding the headphone cord. The cases are US$22.95 for the regular iPod versions, up to $32.95 for more extensive models. Obviously, we didn't get to go running around the Macworld floor, so in terms of testing, I can't recommend this case over any other sturdy iPhone armbands out there. Still, it was nice to find some real people behind these often faceless accessory vendors.
Tom Bihn announces two iPad bags
And let the accessorizing begin! Tom Bihn, maker of messenger bags and laptop bags, has already announced two bags that will fit the iPad. One is a sleeve called the "Cache" that will come in a size specific to iPad, and the other is a vertical messenger bag, called the "Ristretto" that adds a shoulder strap for all your iPad-carrying needs. We're quite sure that the market for iPad cases, covers, and accessories will be as swift as it was for the iPhone (Ed: Probably swifter, given all the excitement for the tablet). If nothing else, Apple's zealous regard for industrial design has led to some gorgeous and stylish accessories for its products. I can't wait to see what else is in store for the iPad.
SlipCover helps make case icons for your media
Here's a cool app we haven't mentioned yet here on TUAW -- SlipCover is an app that will help you put together some beautiful icons for your Mac's media files, from DVDs to video games or anything else that needs a cool looking icon. The app itself revolves around "case" files, which are basically templates like the Blu-ray, PS3, and Xbox 360 branding on their DVD cases, to which you can then drag and drop other media on to (for example, put a Watchmen movie poster on a Blu-ray "case," and you've got an icon that looks exactly like a Blu-ray version of the DVD), and then your media files on there to apply the icon automatically. No more hunting around through file names or weird previews of your media -- you can just browse through a Delicious Library-style set of thumbnails to find whatever you want to watch. Now, you may say that you just get all your media from iTunes, and that those come with thumbnails and covers already, and that's a fair point. But for those of us who obtain media from all over the place, it's nice to have a way to make it look all professional and purty. Slipcover is a free download over on their website. [via Lifehacker]
Case-Mate at CES 2010: it's (mostly) about power
Case-Mate is set up within the new iLounge Pavilion in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, and among the displays chockfull of silicon skins there was some new gear we wouldn't mind bringing home. On hand were a ton of their Fuel models (you know, the cases that charge your device while they're on) for a boatload of phones -- including multiple BlackBerry models as well as for the iPhone. Also new were the very artsy iPhone cases featuring various designs on the back. Finally, Case-Mate was showing off its first foray into the increasingly crowded induction charging space with a matching iPhone jacket that was a bit bulky for our tastes. Case-Mate has always been one of our favorite case companies, and we're definitely excited to see where they're headed into the future. %Gallery-82181%
Power Mac G5 turned time-teller
This is great, and highly appropriate for the tick-tocking away of the year -- Japanese modder Nobon had an old Power Mac G5 (case, it looks like, though this would be cool on a working Mac as well) sitting around, and he wanted to know what time it was, so he installed a little clock in there. As mods go, it's pretty simple, but man that looks great. Like most users, I usually hide my actual boxes under the desk or in a cabinet, but if any of my computer cases were as beautiful and functional as that, I'd put them out front and center. There's a sequence of pictures on his site showing how he did it. It's all in Japanese, so you'll only be able to read it if you happen to be fluent. But it looks pretty simple -- drill a hole in the side of the case, install a battery operated clock, shine a light on it, and voila, instant Mac centerpiece. Apple products don't die, they just change function! [Via Cult of Mac]
iBike Rider case for iPhone aims at bikers, people with their arms full
The iBike Rider is a wrist-mounted iPhone case designed to give you easy access to your handset as you cruise around town looking for fights. When paired with its heaphone / mouthpiece, you can listen to tunes or accept calls via the headset. Of course, if you actually wanted to place a phone call it's a simple matter of stopping the bike, removing the phone from its case, removing your gloves, and then dialing away. But once you've done all that, jump back on your "hog," look both ways before entering traffic, and you're an Easy Rider once again! This bad boy is also useful for turn-by-turn GPS instructions -- but if you don't know your way to Bass Lake by now, what kind of a Hell's Angel are you? Available now for £34.10 (about $54).[Via So Easy GPS]%Gallery-75131%
From Berlin with love: Hama cases for rumored iPod touch with camera
It's no secret that next week's Apple event is built around the iPod, and all signs point towards new iPod touch and iPod nano models with a marquee new feature: cameras. As the cavalcade of case manufacturer leaks continues, Engadget visited with case builder Hama at the IFA trade show in Berlin and got plenty of pictures of the new cases for both models, complete with camera ports. Even allowing for the possibility of mass hysteria among scores of accessory vendors, one thing to keep in mind here is that this same firm -- Hama -- was among the first to show new cases for the iPod nano 4G, last year at this very same event. Check out the gallery of images from Germany and let us know what you think.
Hama cases foreshadow 5G iPod nano, 3G iPod touch at IFA: hands-on
We know you don't really need any more evidence that Apple is gearing up to unveil at least two new iPod revisions at its forthcoming 'rock and roll' event, but are you seriously going to hit the ignore button on these? If you'll recall, last year's visit to Hama's IFA booth gave us early access to cases of Apple's then-upcoming round of iPod nanos, and this year the company seems to be disclosing all of Cupertino's secrets once more. On hand were cases for Apple's fifth-generation iPod nano and the third-generation iPod touch, both of which seem to make room for a built-in camera. Of course, these lovely peripherals could be nothing more than a complete waste of company resources, but we'd encourage you to browse the gallery below before jumping to that conclusion.
Rumor: Chinese manufacturers building cases (with cameras) for new iPod touch, nano
Here's a story that, strangely, makes sense. Cult of Mac is saying that these cases above are already being made by Chinese manufacturers, in advance of what they call the "worst-kept secret in China": that Apple will be announcing new versions of the iPod touch and the iPod nano in September, complete with cameras on both. These aren't cases comissioned by Apple, they're Chinese companies that have supposedly heard about the dimensions and feature placement of Apple's next products, and are making third-party accessories to match, even before the official announcement here in the US.Apparently these guys heard about the dimensions back in May, and they're so certain of the information that they're shipping samples and taking orders from US retailers. True or not? We have no idea -- certainly there's enough photos of the new cases on Cult of Mac's site to be convinced, and that Apple would release new versions of popular iPods right before back to school and the holidays isn't just believable, it's business as usual.But the camera on there is the interesting move -- is it a video or still camera? Why is the iPod touch's camera centered instead of offset like every other iPhone camera? Will there be new software capabilities for taking and sharing pictures on these devices? That's all still up in the air. We guess we'll find out in a few months.[via Silicon Alley Insider]
Road Tested: Tom Bihn Checkpoint Flyer laptop bag
After I traveled to Africa in February with a Tom Bihn Western Flyer bag loaded with geek gear, I wrote a post talking about how I packed that bag for the trip. It was the perfect bag on that vacation, as it allowed me to pack all of my gear into various little nooks and crannies, and it converted to a backpack for easy lugging through airports. However, it wasn't the best bag for my many business trips in the USA. Happy with the products that Tom Bihn makes, I decided to get their Checkpoint Flyer briefcase for my business travel. What makes this bag so special is that it is specially designed to take advantage of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rules that allow you to keep a laptop inside a case as it's going through the x-ray machine, provided that case contains nothing else. That, of course, can be a huge problem if you're carrying backup drives, cables, backup cell phones, an Amazon Kindle 2, and other digital effluvia.
Road Tested: Otterbox's serious iPhone case
I bought my 4GB iPhone way back on June 29th, 2007, release day for the US. Upon removing it from its box, all shiny and smooth, I thought, "I need a case for this thing." I'm what you call scratch-phobic. But then I saw the rigorous torture test that PCWorld subjected their unit to, and was persuaded to go commando. Here it is nearly two years later and my iPhone's display still looks great. There's a single nick next to the earpiece but other than that it looks fantastic. The back is another story.I have two kids aged 4 years and 6 years. Occasionally, I'll hand over the iPhone to keep them entertained. For instance, at the end of a day of boring errands when their patience is at an end, I'll whip out a little Wheels On The Bus [App Store link] or Pocket God. As any parent of young kids will tell you, one of the things they love to do is drop stuff.My iPhone has seen the floor of the mall, Dunkin Donuts and my Saturn Vue. It's been in sand and sun. In other words, it needs protection. I picked up an Otterbox.%Gallery-50564%
A tweet for a case
We're not sure what someone has been putting in the water lately, but two separate vendors pinged us with case giveaways within minutes of each other. They're both using Twitter as the entry mechanism for the giveaways.The first giveaway is from our buddies at Evernote, who want you to win one of ten Griffin Clarifi iPhone 3G cases every Friday in March. The Clarifi is pretty sweet, with a built-in closeup lens for taking snaps that are perfect for Evernote.To enter, all you need to do is send a Twitter message containing the #EvernoteClarifiGiveaway hash tag.Not to be out-cased, RadTech is doing a giveaway of 5 NeoCases. These are sweet form-fitting sleeve cases for MacBooks, iBooks, and PowerBooks. How do you enter? Tweet @radtech with a clever statement including the word "Neocase", and you're entered. The drawing will be held Monday, March 9, 2008, and you'll be able to choose the size of NeoCase for your favorite Mac notebook. What are you waiting for? Get tweeting and win a case!
TUAW Tips: Packing your gadgetry for travel to faraway lands
In case you've missed me, I've been in Africa for the last couple of weeks. On top of all the business traveling I do, I also love traveling to exotic or fun locations with my wife several times a year. One question I often hear from friends, clients, and TUAW readers is "How do you pack all of your techie gear for traveling?" The Africa trip gave me the perfect opportunity to answer that question, since I not only had to take a computer with me, but two digital cameras, two iPhones, a backup drive, a snakes nest of cables, power cables and plug converters, a handful of memory cards, an Amazon Kindle, and an HD camcorder as well. The picture at the top of this post shows you just about everything I needed to pack. Click the Read More link below for tips on how to travel with all of your stuff... without going crazy in the process.
MacMods of the Year for 2008 announced
MacMod.com has announced their honorees for the best mods on Macs that they saw last year, and you can see all of the hacks and mods over at their site right now. Most of the mods are case modifications, like the very slick iPhone custom, and the "Xbox G4," as seen above, which is a Powerbook G4 modded into the case of an Xbox 360 (with working ring of light!).I find it interesting that despite all of the slick case designs and gadget melds, the winner ends up being a software hack (well, it's actually more than a software hack, but still, you won't find any neon tubing in this mod, just a beige case): Leopard running on a PowerMac 8500. The mod itself ends up being a fine trip over the history of Apple's current software, its past machines, and all of the gooey chips and hardware inside. Very cool. Kudos to all the modders for their work -- we can't wait to see what 2009 brings to the mod community.
