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iBackFlip TabKeeper 360: The adaptable carrying case for every tablet (Updated)
Two things that keep people from buying protection for their iPads are price and the inability to use the case with a different model of tablet. With iBackFlip's new TabKeeper 360 (US$54.95), both of those barriers to entry have been demolished. Be sure to check out iBackFlip's discount pricing on the iBackFlip Somersault, as well as our giveaway of a TabKeeper 360 at the end of this review. Update: It helps when you actually remember to add the giveaway form... it's now at the end of the post Florida-based iBackFlip first caught our attention a while back with their totally innovative Somersault iPad case. What made it innovative? The fact that it could be used as a backpack, a briefcase-like carry case, or as a hands-free "table" for holding an iPad in front of you while standing or walking. Well, the TabKeeper 360 improves on that design in several ways -- it's less expensive, it can be used with just about any tablet with up to a 10.1" diagonal screen, and it's usable as a sling-style backpack, messenger bag, or carry bag. How does this all work? The bag itself is quite small, measuring in at 12" x 9" and about 2" thick. One half of the case features a snap-closed spot for carrying accessories, pens, business cards, and even small notebooks. The other half of the TabKeeper 360 is a padded space where the iPad, iPad mini or other tablet resides. In the bottom of that space are four large Velcro® pads that are used to hold the tablet into place. No, you don't glue Velcro onto the back of your iPad as the other part of the installation -- instead, iBackFlip comes with two universal adapters that each consist of four Velcro-backed paddles that have a elastic band that goes around a corner of the tablet. Those paddles are connected with other elastics in a crosswise fashion. Simply slip those bands over the corners of your iPad, then slap the Velcro pads onto their counterparts in the case, and it stays put. One of the adapters is made for large tablets, the other for smaller models. As with the other iBackFlip products, it's the mounting system on the outside that adds a huge amount of versatility. When you first get your TabKeeper 360, you don't see the straps or the connectors. The straps are in an plastic bag inside, and the connectors are tucked away neatly into four small pockets on the back of the case. You can use the TabKeeper 360 in this configuration, carried with a handle just like a tiny briefcase. Now, pull out the shoulder strap and connect it to any two of the connectors for a really adaptable bag. The following video, featuring iBackFlip's CEO Ryan Chavis, shows you exactly how versatile this bag really is. Starting for a limited time on December 18, 2013, iBackFlip is offering a 20 percent discount off of the Somersault series of bags. You can also like company on Facebook, tweet them, or share your purchase on Google+ for an additional 10 percent discount. Or you can choose to enter our giveaway and have a chance to win an iBackFlip TabKeeper 360 of your very own! Conclusion For about half of what you'd pay for a good iPad case, you can get something much more versatile and useful -- the iBackFlip TabKeeper 360. This well-built carrying case not only provides protection, but a variety of carrying modes and a way to work on an iPad easily while standing up. Pros Inexpensive, yet extremely well-constructed Fits just about any tablet you may have now or in the future Waterproof zipper keeps the rain and snow from harming your iPad A number of different carrying modes for different folks Cons None to speak of Who is it for? Anyone who changes tablets about as often as they change socks and wants a case that will last for years Outdoor workers who need to work on an iPad or iPad mini while they stand Giveaway Yup, we're giving our review sample away, dang it. 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 December 23, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a iBackFlip TabKeeper 360 valued at $54.95 Click here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
iBackFlip launches the TabKeeper 360 iPad case; Somersault on sale
iBackFlip has been making the popular and versatile Somersault iPad case for quite a while, and earlier this summer announced the TabKeeper 360 (US$54.95). The TabKeeper 360 (above) is now available on the iBackFlip website, and if anything, it's even more of a multi-tasker than the Somersault. The TabKeeper 360 works as a carry case (with comfortable handles), a messenger bag, or a backpack, and even folds over to work as an iPad stand for typing. One thing that has always been a hallmark of the Somersault is the ability to hold an iPad hands-free by flipping the case open while it's strapped onto your body, and the TabKeeper 360 has that same useful capability. The company developed and patented a way of holding a tablet in most popular sizes that's called the X-Grip, which adjusts quickly between an iPad mini and regular-sized iPad. If you have both varieties of iPad, you might only need to buy one TabKeeper 360 for both devices (provided you only carry one at a time). iBackFlip has also been having a summer sale on the Somersault, which provides a bit more carrying capacity than the TabKeeper. At this time, you can buy the Somersault for just $64.95 ($25 off the usual price) or the Somersault Slim at $59.95 ($20 off regular price). TUAW will have a full review of the TabKeeper 360 in the near future. In the meantime, be sure to watch the video below that demonstrates all of the features of this compact and useful carrying bag.
iBackFlip Somersault: A versatile high-quality bag for your iPad
Back at Macworld | iWorld 2012, TUAW editor-in-chief Victor Agreda had a chance to talk with the creator of the iBackFlip Somersault (US$89.95). Now that this iPad bag has been in the wild for a time and has gone through a few design revisions, we thought it would be a perfect opportunity to review the Somersault. Be sure to read through to the end of the post for details on entering to win an iBackFlip Somersault in a TUAW giveaway. Of all of the myriad bags that we receive at the TUAW Labs, I have to say that the iBackFlip Somersault is one of the most unique I've seen. At first glance, it appears to be a sling-type backpack just big enough for an iPad or perhaps a MacBook Air. It can actually carry both of those Apple products (up to a 13" MacBook Air) at the same with no problem. The real difference shows up when you open the main fold-out pocket on the Somersault. On one side is a slide-in holder for an iPad, complete with a hole for the rear-facing camera (more about that later) and not one, but two stylus holders. In that same pocket are two thin straps that can either be unlatched so that the iPad can be folded out flat for TSA inspection or folded over to sit on your lap or a desktop, or latched to let the case hold your iPad as if it's on a portable desk in front of you. %Gallery-156245% This is the killer feature of the Somersault, and the thing that really makes it stand out in the crowd. Who would use something like this? Let's say you're in the oil business and you're using an iPad to look at well logs (yes, there's an app for that) -- while you're standing near a drilling rig, you can be looking at the logs hands-free. Or you're taking surveys at a theme park using an iPad. You can be standing with a customer talking to them, and typing with both hands on the iPad entering data. I can see where the Somersault would be even more useful in the medical field, where nurses and doctors might have an iPad with them on rounds. The iPad can be hidden away in the backpack while they're working with a patient, then flipped out to type on to take notes or check prior readings. That cool little fold-out "desk" panel isn't the only feature of the iBackFlip Somersault, though. Starting at the front of the bag, there's a medium sized zippered pocket into which you can fit things like cables or an extended battery pack. There's also a full-sized zippered pocket that reveals a hole for the iPad camera to peek through if you need to take pictures. It's big enough to hide paperwork or a dead-tree book. Moving beyond the iPad fold-out compartment, there's another padded full-sized zippered pocket, perfect for carrying another iPad or a MacBook Air. Even the sling strap is chock-full of useful features -- there's a zippered pocket for an iPhone, six elastic bands for either routing a cable from an iPad to earphones or to clip things to, a loop for hanging the bag from a coat hook, and two key hooks. You might think that all of this capability would come with a big weight penalty, but the bag weighs in at just a hair under two pounds. The back of the Somersault is covered with a perforated material to keep your back cool even in muggy conditions. And if that mugginess turns into a torrential downpour, you'll be happy to know that the case is water resistant. Conclusion What impresses me the most is how iBackFlip managed to pack so much carrying capacity into such a slim and lightweight case. I have some back issues that have been causing me some pain when I carry a couple of iPads in a standard over-the-shoulder bag; the iBackFlip Somersault is much more comfortable, and I don't have to scrunch up a shoulder to keep the strap is going to falling off. Sure, the Somersault doesn't have the carrying capacity of some larger bags I own that can handle two DSLRs, tons of cables and power bricks, etc... But those bags are also bulky and uncomfortable, and I don't need the extra capacity all the time. For anyone who just needs to carry an iPad and a MacBook Air, with a few cables and accessories, and wants the ability to use their device while standing up, the Somersault is the perfect solution. It's hands-down the most versatile iPad bag I've had the pleasure of reviewing. Giveaway One of the great regrets of being a reviewer at TUAW is that we don't keep review items. However, our loss is your gain -- we're giving away our review Somersault to a lucky TUAW reader. Just fill out the form below (one entry per person only), click or tap Submit, and you'll be entered into our giveaway. 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 30, 2012 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive an iBackFlip Somersault valued at $89.95 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
iBackFlip Somersault available for preorder; watch creator explain improvements
I met up with the guys behind iBackflip while at Macworld, and was impressed with their passion for design. Their first iBackflip was a pretty straightforward flip-down arm sling for the iPad. Using Velcro, it offered a basic black design and minimal extras. The new iBackflip Somersault, now available for pre-order, is a thoroughly updated version. At $99, I got to see one of the final versions, fresh from their factory. The Somersault's main feature is the ability to position the iPad in front of you while being securely fastened to your body via an ample sling. The flip-down panel securing the iPad is no longer Velcro, it is a sturdy YKK zipper now, and the iPad is more securely fastened in its own pocket. In addition to an iPad, the Somersault has room for an 11" MacBook Air, pockets for your headphones, ID, etc. and several loops on the shoulder strap. This is made of durable ballistic nylon in the USA and looks terrific. I can't believe they're only charging $99 for them, but I'm not complaining. Take it from someone who is a bit of a luggage/case nut, the Somersault is an excellent case for your iPad or small computer if you don't need to carry a full backpack and want a great deal on a quality on-the-go style bag. Check out the designer giving a demo below.
