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ClamCase Pro for iPad Air: The best keyboard just got better
With all of the Bluetooth keyboards that have appeared over the years for the iPad, there was one that really stuck out in my mind as the best overall and that was the ClamCase Pro. When it came to letting me type quickly on an iPad, have flexibility in how I viewed the iPad screen, and overall build quality, ClamCase did an amazing job. It took a while for the ClamCase Pro to show up in a version for the iPad Air, but it is now available to order for US$169 directly from the manufacturer. How does it stack up to the original? Read on. Specifications Dimensions: 9.74 x 7.30 x 0.75 inches (247.40 x 185.42 x 19.05 mm) Weight: 1.2 pounds (0.54 kg) Materials: White polycarbonate, aluminum Hinge range: 360° Battery life: 6 month standby time, 100 hours use time, recharge in 120 minutes, battery life indicator Special function keys: Home, search, on-screen keyboard, media controls, lock, cut, copy, paste, volume controls, caps lock, Siri, battery, Bluetooth Design Highlights Design-wise, the ClamCase Pro hasn't changed much from the previous version that worked with the iPad 2, 3 and 4. It's still made of white polycarbonate, has an aluminum base portion for solidity, and a unique hinge design that makes it simple to hold the iPad screen at any angle. Want to fold the keyboard out of the way for gaming? Not a problem. Want the screen at less than a 90° angle for "tummy typing" in a cramped seat somewhere? That works too. There are four small rubber feet on the bottom of the ClamCase Pro to ensure that your iPad doesn't go sliding across a table while you're typing. There's only one switch on the device; an on-off switch if you wish to shut the keyboard off for longterm storage. Other than that, the keyboard wakes up when you open the ClamCase Pro, and goes to sleep when you close it. Yes, this is a feature that many iPad keyboards provide, but I've found that the ClamCase Pro wakes and sleeps every time, while it's a hit-or-miss proposition for most of the other keyboards. The ClamCase Pro has a small opening for the Lightning port, speaker grilles on the bottom, an opening for the mute/orientation lock switch, holes for microphones and earphones, and pass-through switches for volume and wake/sleep. About my only gripe with the ClamCase Pro is that it's rather plain-Jane, but Apple's recent "Stickers" ad has given me a solution for that -- just cover the outside with colorful stickers. Functionality Highlights People who buy the ClamCase Pro for iPad Air are probably getting it for the protection that it provides for your tablet. Of all of the many iPad keyboard cases I've reviewed, I think the ClamCase Pro does the best job of keeping your iPad safe. Installing your iPad Air into the case is a cinch. It slips into the polycarbonate shell of the "back" easily, but is then held securely. My previous ClamCase Pro was dropped several times and even had some dings in it, but my iPad was spared from damage. I have confidence that the new ClamCase Pro will provide the same protection for the iPad Air. I've always felt that the ClamCase Pro provided me with the most "laptop-like" typing experience of any iPad keyboard, and the iPad Air version is no different. In fact, ABC News tested the maximum typing speed on various keyboard cases for iPad and found the ClamCase to allow typing at 76 words per minute (WPM), 3 WPM more than a Zagg keyboard and 5 WPM more than a Logitech keyboard. Above the top of the keyboard is just one tiny LED that is used for a lot of purposes: it tells you when you're connected via Bluetooth, it flashes to give you the battery level when you press the battery function key, and it turns on when you press the caps lock key. The keyboard layout is very standard -- a good thing, since some iPad keyboards do crazy things like cram multiple keys onto one key, change the width or placement of keys, and more. With this keyboard, my fingers always know where to go. If you're used to typing on an Apple Wireless Keyboard, your hands will feel at home here. What doesn't the ClamCase Pro have? No backlighting (which I've found fairly useless anyway since I rarely look at the keyboard). That's about it -- every other function you might want is built into this keyboard case. My only complaint -- and it's a minor one -- is that the price of the ClamCase Pro for iPad Air is more than just about any other keyboard on the market. At $169, the only keyboard case that comes even close is the Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio at $149.99. Is the ClamCase Pro worth the extra money? If you want protection and the best keyboard feel in the market, the answer is yes. Conclusion My personal opinion is that the feel of the ClamCase Pro keyboard case for iPad Air is actually improved over the original ClamCase Pro. As a longtime fan of the Apple Wireless Keyboard, I have to say that I actually prefer the ClamCase Pro keyboard now -- that's saying a lot. It's pretty much the perfect keyboard case for the iPad Air at this point. I'm not even going to deduct a half-star for the premium price tag. The ClamCase Pro for iPad Air is that good. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible
BioShock port syncs Rapture to your iPad and iPhone
Get it? PORT? [Umm, no, the pun is on "sync." But that's still terrible. - Ed.] Oh. Anyway, Rapture is an ambitious city wrapped in the ocean but undone by the arrogance of its haughty, genetically naughty citizens. The stunning setting of Irrational's 2007 game, BioShock, along with its moody opening, zap-and-whack combat and notorious plot, is being ported to iOS devices by 2K China – the same team that handled the portable version of Firaxis' tense strategy game, XCOM: Enemy Unknown.
Battle of the Airs: MacBook or iPad?
If you had just enough money to buy one or the other, would you buy a MacBook Air or an iPad Air?
Felix FlipBook Air is a delightfully different iPad case/stand
So many of the iPad cases and stands that I review here at TUAW are so alike in looks and functionality that it's hard to get excited about them. When something different shows up, I definitely take notice. That's the situation with the Felix FlipBook Air (US$59.99), a very book-like iPad case that shows off its versatility by being able to prop up your iPad Air at any of ten different viewing angles. Let's take a look, then be sure to enter our giveaway. Specifications Dimensions: 9.5 x 7 x .65 inches (241.3 x 177.8 x 16.5 mm) Weight: 8.6 ounces (243.8 grams) Colors: Black, Tan Design Highlights The FlipBook Air brings to mind any number of book-like iPad cases, from DODOCase's original to the perfected craftsmanship of the cases from Pad & Quill. But the FlipBook Air is completely different in that it doesn't require a wood frame to hold the iPad Air in place, so it's lighter and thinner than the competition. The leather-like cover of the FlipBook Air is flexible and folds back behind your iPad easily to get out of the way. The "spine" of the "book" is has magnets that grab onto the iPad air and hold it securely into place, but let you remove the iPad when needed. It's probably one of the easiest iPad Air cases to install a tablet into, since there's no need to squeeze it into a silicone or wood frame. When it's time to watch something on your iPad Air or use it, the FlipBook Air magically adjusts to ten different angles with the iPad being held up by a prop that slides into horizontal slots in the back cover. It works very well, and as a result the FlipBook Air is one of the most adjustable cases I've seen. Functionality Highlights I found nothing to dislike about the FlipBook Air. While it's not a super-protective case, it does ensure that the front and back of your device won't get scratched or dinged while in transit. When you begin to use the FlipBook Air, you begin to appreciate just how simplicity of design makes this an excellent case. It just gets out of the way, with the front cover folding easily under the back. The stand feature also works intuitively and easily, letting you adjust the angle of your iPad Air through a wide range. Installation and removal of the case is as simple as sliding the iPad Air in and out of the "spine." As with most iPad Air cases and covers, the FlipBook Air will wake and sleep your tablet as you open and close the front cover. Conclusion I absolutely love the minimalism of design and the maximization of functionality that the Felix FlipBook Air provides. My only gripe is the price point, which seems a bit excessive considering that a Pad & Quill Walden case made with bonded leather sells for $10 less and comes in a choice of finishes. On the other hand, the FlipBook Air is much more functional. It's up to you to decide if that functionality is worth the extra bucks. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway TUAW and Felix are teaming up to give one TUAW reader a Felix FlipBook Air. 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 July 27, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Felix FlipBook Air valued at $59.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Avatron's Air Stylus shows promise for artists
Avatron's new Air Stylus (US$19.99) app transforms third generation or newer iPads into pressure-sensitive drawing surfaces compatible with desktop graphic design apps. The app is an outgrowth of Avatron's Air Display app. Air Display extends your computer's desktop to your iPad or iPhone to provide an extra screen. Air Stylus layers pressure-sensitive drawing on top of that display functionality. Not only can you view items on the secondary screen, you can draw on them too and in a meaningful way. Think of a Wacom tablet that you can place in your lap and draw onto, but one that shows the image you're drawing and not just a blank surface. There were a few gotchas. First, for an app to work with Air Stylus, it must be pressure-ready. On the Mac, that means working with apps like Acorn, Pixelmator, Manga Studio 5, Art Range, Intensify Pro, Mischief, and Photoshop Elements. Acorn is a terrific app that I happened to have on my system available for testing. Avatron has posted Photoshop how-to for those who wish to follow through with frame buffers and GPU settings, but don't think that the app will produce out-of-the-box pressure input for all drawing apps. Second, there is lag. Although a slight lag usually isn't a problem with Air Display -- especially when you're using the extra screen space for something not time critical such as Twitter -- when drawing, even a half-second of lag can really throw a wrench in things. This does not appear to be a problem for the artists highlighted in Avatron's shiny video and there were times in testing when reaction time was excellent, but at others I experienced a noticeable, albeit slight lag between drawing and the app responding. It was irritating. Third, there is sensitivity. I encountered difficulty when trying to consistently draw a line that changed pressure. You can see a subset of my attempts recorded here. The video shows the Reflector capture session of my iPad Air as I used both the brush and pencil tools. Eventually, I learned to put a bit of pressure onto the stylus to get the sensitivity going and then back off or press harder. I am never going to be a calligrapher and the process of learning to draw with pressure using the stylus was harder than I expected. I tested Air Stylus using a Wacom stylus, a Pogo Connect, and a cheap no-pressure stylus from the dollar store. The app worked well with all three. For pressure testing, I stuck with the Wacom as it was the only one that worked for those tests (Avatron plans to update its support for Pogo Connect soon). While I personally found Air Stylus difficult to use gracefully, I did love how well I could zoom and pan to focus my drawing space exactly where and how I wanted it. I suspect many of my difficulties stem from my ham handed lack of any sophisticated drawing abilities. I also liked how the desktop client offered to save my extra window state until I was ready to pick up and draw again. Unlike other screen extension apps, Air Stylus didn't revert my window configuration until I told it to. That's a great feature. At US$20, Air Stylus isn't going to be an impulse buy for most people -- especially when you take the stylus and drawing app prerequisites into account. However, if you're a serious artist and have mad pressure-sensitive skills, I think the app has the potential to really grab you. Be aware that the app is new and growing. Reaction on the App Store has been mixed. From an admittedly small sample, it's currently middling in ratings and has at least two very unhappy customers. I was more apparently impressed then they were, and I look forward to seeing how this app evolves.
Kensington KeyFolio Thin X3 keyboard: TUAW Video Review
It's great to see some multitasking accessories starting to come out for iPad Air. Today's TUAW Video Review takes a look at Kensington's new KeyFolio Thin X3 keyboard folio for the iPad Air, which not only acts as a protective folio case and stand with a keyboard, but can also provide a charge to your iPhone. Specifications and Features PowerLift™ internal keyboard battery can be used to charge your phone Ultra-thin, form-fitting cradle maintains tablet's sleek profile with enhanced drop protection Integrated Bluetooth® keyboard with 6 rows of high-performance scissor keys QuickFold™ design hides keyboard to enable streamlined viewing mode KeySense™ Power Channel automatically turns the keyboard on and off Automatic tablet wake and sleep modes when cover opens or closes Magnetic closure for a safe and secure fit Weight: 15.5 ounces (439.4 grams) Thickness: .75 inches (1.9 cm) . Conclusion Between the extensive protection the case provides, the nice keyboard, the external battery pack capability, and a number of other features highlighted in the video, I found the Kensington KeyFolio Thin X3 keyboard to be an excellent choice for protection and versatility. My only complaint is that the "Thin" is a bit chunky and heavy compared to other keyboard cases on the market. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible
Pad & Quill Walden Collection for iPad Air: TUAW Video Review
Many of the leather Pad & Quill iPad cases that we've reviewed over the years have had one thing in common -- they're all rather thick when you take the Baltic birch frame into account. The Pad & Quill designers went back to the drawing board for the new Walden Collection case for iPad Air (US$49.99, introductory price of $44.99), and have created a case that proves that classy leather protection doesn't need to be thick or expensive. Conclusion It's light, it's skinny, and it is also one of the more affordable leather covers for the iPad Air. While it doesn't protect the sides of the iPad as well as the more expensive and thicker wood-framed cases from Pad & Quill, the Walden Collection case is perfect for keeping your iPad Air safe while in transit. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Loading...
TUAW takes a second look at The Padcaster
Way back in 2012, I reviewed a pre-production version of The Padcaster, an amazing pro tool that's used to equip an iPad with all sorts of accessories for professional-quality video or photography. You probably remember seeing a Padcaster in one of Apple's "What will your verse be?" advertisements, being used to shoot video of Iguazú Falls in Argentina. The person in that segment of the ad was Josh Apter, the brain behind the Padcaster and the president and founder of Manhattan Edit Workshop. The Padcaster is now in full production and available for the iPad Air (US$159), iPad mini ($99), and 2nd through 4th generation iPads ($149), so I decided to take another look at this versatile filmmaking and photography accessory. Design Highlights The Padcaster was obviously designed by a filmmaker who saw the potential of using the iPad for capturing video or stills. As such, it consists of a very solid aluminum frame with a flexible silicone insert that holds the iPad in place. The Padcaster we had for the original review was marked up with measurements and looked obviously like a prototype, with random holes drilled in places that seemed convenient. Not so with the final version, which is sleek, well-made and quite sturdy. Around the outside of the Padcaster for iPad are at least fifteen 1/4-inch threaded holes, along with nine smaller threaded holes. If you can't get all of your equipment loaded onto a Padcaster, then you may need to rethink your filming strategy. The Padcaster also comes with the Lenscaster, a precise threaded lens mount (58 mm) that is positioned over the camera on your iPad. For testing purposes, Josh thoughtfully provided a Vivitar .43X wide-angle lens to mount on the Lenscaster. A quick look at Amazon showed that 58mm threaded lenses from Vivitar are inexpensive -- the wide-angle lens runs $11.95, while a 2.2X telephoto lens is available for $11. Even a fisheye lens can be had for wild effects -- $40. So, now you have your camera (the iPad), an editing suite (iMovie or one of the other video apps like Vizzywig), and a way to make titles (IntroMate). Add a sturdy tripod or monopod (I used my trusty Manfrotto monopod with quick-release mount), some of those inexpensive lenses and some add-on filters, lights and a good directional microphone, and you're ready to go. What's more, rather than looking like a total fool waving your naked iPad around trying to take video, The Padcaster and accessories really make you look like a pro -- even if you're not. Appearances are everything, so having this piece of equipment with you might open doors that are closed to amateurs. Functionality Highlights One thing that can easily drive me nuts is having equipment that takes forever to set up. That's fortunately not the case with the Padcaster. I plopped an iPad into the frame, screwed on the Lenscaster and the wide-angle lens, added an external LED light and a Røde directional mic, and put the entire assembly onto the Manfrotto monopod in about five minutes. All of the threaded holes were flawless with no binding, and there are cutouts in all the right places on The Padcaster in case you need access to an iPad port. When you purchase a Padcaster, you are actually getting a full kit that includes the Padcaster, Lenscaster, 72mm-58mm step-down ring (the adapter for those screw mount lenses), two 1/4-20 screws, two 3/8-16 screws, one custom camera mount screw and one cold shoe adapter. That's a surprising amount of good stuff for such a reasonable price. If you already purchased a Padcaster for the 2nd- through 4th-generation iPad and want to use a new iPad Air with it, no problem -- there's a $24.95 Padcaster Air clip available that works not only to mount the iPad Air in the "old" Padcaster, but also works with an included handstrap for handheld use of the iPad Air. So who is The Padcaster for? Basically anyone who wants to make a quantum leap in their iPad photography or videography by adding lenses, filters, professional microphones and audio equipment, lights, and more. Professionals who are considering using an iPad for shooting need a Padcaster, no questions asked. Advanced amateurs may just find that adding all of those accessories to their iPad bumps up their work to professional level. Conclusion I was glad that I had a chance to look at The Padcaster again, so that I could see what a production version of the device looks like, how it fit the iPad, and how the entire accessory kit comes together. Josh Apter did the iPad videography community a huge favor by inventing this device, and I look forward to watching The Padcaster evolve. I personally plan on getting the iPad mini version for doing both TUAW work and personal videography. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible
NTT DOCOMO to get iPad Air, mini and more news for May 28, 2014
The iPad is in the news twice this morning, plus an app update from the BBC. Finally! Japanese carrier NTT DOCOMO is scheduled to get the iPad Air and Retina iPad mini on June 10, according to a press release from Apple. As of June 2, customers can pre-register for an iPad Air or a Retina iPad mini via DOCOMO's website. The BBC has released a major update to its iPlayer app for iOS. The company surprised a few folks when it made its latest iPlayer update available for Windows phones first. Now it's finally available in the iOS flavour (Android, too). I do wish it'd be available here in the States, but I suspect that'd require slashing through a jungle of red tape. Apple has released education pricing for the iPad Air and Retina iPad mini (Google translation). The Air and Retina mini, typically US$499 and $399 respectively are selling for $469 and $379 to qualified education customers.
Acme Made Ergo Book for iPad mini: A TUAW Video Review
San Francisco is known as a hotbed of design savvy, and Acme Made uses the city as inspiration for its cases and bags. Today I'll be looking at a new product from the company that combines ultra-thin design and surprising functionality. The Ergo Book can currently be had for the bargain price of $40 (for iPad Air) or just $35 for the iPad mini through a Kickstarter project that is about 60 percent funded with 25 days to go. Expect those prices to double when the Ergo Book is available for sale. Check out the specs, watch the video, then enter to win one of the first Ergo Book cases for iPad mini. Specifications Compatibility - iPad mini, iPad mini Retina display, iPad Air SatinShell Ergo Book Material - Polyurethane Satin Fabric outer casing with Polycarbonate protective inner shell Leather Ergo Book Material - 100% Genuine Leather outer casing with Polycarbonate protective inner shell iPad mini Ergo Book Dimensions (US) - 5.5" x .7" x 8.1" (14 x 1.7 x 20.5 cm) iPad mini Ergo Book Weight - 6 oz (170 grams) iPad Air Ergo Book Dimensions (US) - 7" x .7" x 9.6" (17.9 x 1.7 x 24.5 cm) iPad Air Ergo Book Weight - 8 oz (226.8 grams) Conclusion The Acme Made Ergo Book is lightweight, thin, and quite flexible. While it's still in development -- the actual product is expected to ship in September of 2014 -- the Ergo Book looks like it will be a winner for both iPad Air and iPad mini owners. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible
Dear Aunt TUAW: Are pixels doomed?
Dear Aunt TUAW, Today I've been reading rumors of new iPhones all over the interwebs. Everyone's talking about 3x resolutions and 1704 x 960 displays. Help me, Aunt TUAW -- is my Retina display doomed? Thanks, Your Nephew David X. Dear David, Your Retina iPhone is not doomed. Apple's Retina technology packs in tight pixels for resolution excellence and has been a certain winner. Uncle Rich's coverage of what Retina means is a must-read if you're interested in learning more about the subject. Today's rumor suggests that Apple might pack a new iPhone with even more pixels than ever. Auntie is not going to take a position one way or the other on whether it makes sense to introduce another resolution style. All the developers she talked with this morning reacted with horror tinged with a certain intrigue when approached on the matter. Here are some basic facts... If the iPhone 5 had used a non-retina display, its screen would have presented 181,760 pixels at a time, a quarter of the 727,040 it actually uses and a ninth of the 1,635,840 rumored pixels for the iPhone 6. But compared to a current iPad air with its 3,145,728 pixels that's just pocket change. What developers are particularly worried about is having to stuff yet another image resolution into their already bloated applications. With the baseline iPad air packing only 16 GB, and apps having to already support image assets for non-retina and retina distributions on both tablet and phone families, it's hard to think that Apple would force yet another set of images into everyone's distributions. Auntie is hoping that Apple will introduce native vector support for the "UIImage" class in iOS 8. Describing images as rescalable vectors would massively shrink those app bundles. Sure it takes a bit more processing time to scale and display vectors than to present simple images, but they'd provide a great way to design images that would automatically scale without blurriness no matter what kind of screen was thrown at them. In fact, popular developer icon resource Glyphish just announced a "Complete" bundle with full vector icon support, to scale up the art as needed. (Photographic images would still pose an issue, and they're never going to go away, unless Apple throws in some kind of magic fractal compression solution as well.) Auntie suggests you wait a few weeks and then poke a developer after WWDC. The image APIs introduced this year will probably deliver some strong hints as to whether the rumored August product launches will stretch the definition of Retina or not. Hugs, Auntie T.
The MacBook Air is directly competing with iPad pricing for the first time
The iPad and MacBook Air have always competed with each other in terms of on-the-go computing, but the two have always been separated by price. No matter the specs of your dreamy iPad, you could never get an ultra-slim MacBook for the same price - until today, that is. With the 11" MacBook Air dropping down to US$899, it's now cheaper than a fully fleshed-out 128 GB, cellular-enabled iPad. That's kind of crazy. Let's compare specs: 11" MacBook Air iPad Air w/Cellular Display 11.6", 1366x768px 9.7", 2048x1536px Storage 128GB flash 128GB flash Processor 1.4GHz Core i5 64-bit A7 w/ M7 coprocessor Camera 720p FaceTime HD 720p FaceTime, 1080p video, 5MP iSight camera Battery 9 hours wireless web 10 hours web on Wi-Fi Price $899 $929 The story that a spec comparison doesn't tell is the usability of these two machines. A physical keyboard, mouse support, and USB ports make the Air the choice for productivity, while the iPad Air is home to many more cheap apps and games than the Mac App Store could ever dream of. It is, of course, still far too early to know whether this pricing shift will affect the popularity of either of the product lines. But with iPad sales beginning to show signs of a plateau, a bargain-priced MacBook could further exacerbate the issue. We're at an interesting crossroads, where potential customers wanting the most capable Apple tablet can pick up a MacBook and save a few bucks along the way. But when you have customers deciding between two $900 Apple products, the company wins either way.
Raindrops on roses, Lightning adapters, and whiskers on kittens
I own roughly a billion-and-one old-style iPhone and iPod cables, most of them not strictly "Made for iPhone" (MFi). They have seen hard use over the years, but they've been cheap and easy to replace. In February, I finally made the jump to Lightning when I purchased a refurbished pair of an iPad Air and a latest generation iPod touch. I love my new babies, with their lightness and bright screens (and, in the case of the touch, modern Wi-Fi and a 4" screen that is terrific for iOS development). However, their new cable system has been driving me nuts. That's because the ease and cheapness of my existing stock of connectors no longer works with the new Lightning-based models. Purchasing extra MFi cables starts at about $14 for an Amazon Basics 3-foot cord. I tend to use my portable battery packs with tiny 6-inch cables, which make less of a clutter in my backpack. Fortunately, a couple of weeks ago, I stumbled across adapters on Amazon that convert Lightning to good old Euro-standard Micro-USB, which I normally use with my Kindle Fire. These adapters cost only about $2 each or less and slide onto the end of the Micro-USB cables, turning them into Lightning cables. I was pretty wary about these adapters since iOS has become very picky with regards to non-MFI products, and some reviews state they have pretty high fail rates. Regardless, I plopped down my $6 and ordered a set of three, hoping that at least one adapter would pan out. Instead, I was delighted to find that all three worked fine. I have tested these adapters with a variety of battery packs (from Antec, HyperJuice, and one that my husband picked up at the grocery store of all places...) and found that if the output amperage is sufficient to charge the device, the Lightning adapters work fine. I do caution you to carry a small pillbox or envelope for those times when you need to use the battery pack without the adapter, as they are quite small and easy to lose. I'm pleased that my portable Lightning needs have been met for the time being with a minimum of cash outlay and a satisfying reliability. Given how widespread complaints have been about Lightning connector failures due to wear and use, I'll be keeping an eye on these adapters over time to see how they last.
Logitech announces thinner Ultrathin Keyboard Cover, 3 new iPad cases (Updated)
Not content to rest on its laurels as one of the top iPad accessory manufacturers in the world, Logitech today announced an array of new products and a new version of its best-selling Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad Air and iPad mini. The new products include the Logitech Hinge (US$59.99 for iPad Air, $49.99 for iPad mini), the rugged Logitech Big Bang (US$99.99 for iPad Air, $79.99 for iPad mini), and the Logitech Turnaround (US$59.99 for iPad Air, $49.99 for iPad mini). Two lucky TUAW readers will get a chance to win the brand new Hinge or Turnaround at the end of this post, so read on. Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover The Ultrathin is the world's best-selling keyboard cover for iPad, and beginning next month iPad owners in the US and Europe can get their hands on the new version of the device. Believe it or not, Logitech was able to make the new Ultrathin even thinner and lighter that the existing model; it's now only 6.4 mm thick and weighs in at about two-thirds of the weight of the iPad. The cover attaches with a magnetic clip and features aluminum construction to match the exterior of the iPad. Another new feature of the revised Ultrathin is the ability to adjust the iPad to a number of different viewing angles instead of just one. The result should give iPad Air and iPad mini owners the flexibility to use the keyboard/iPad combo in a lot more situations. Pricing for the revamped Ultrathin will be $99.99 for the iPad Air model and $89.99 for the iPad mini version. Be sure to keep an eye on TUAW for a full review of the new version soon. Logitech Big Bang The Big Bang is designed to keep your iPad Air or iPad mini protected from "drops, screen impacts, bumps, scratches and spills." The Big Bang has a shock-absorbent shell and case cover made of materials that are liquid-repellant and wipeable, and the built-in stand provides a range of display angles for comfortable viewing. Logitech says that the Big Bang actually exceeds the US Military Drop Standard, so that should provide some peace of mind when the kids are playing with your iPad Air. For the iPad Air, the Big Bang weighs 14.53 ounces (412 grams) and has outside dimensions of 9.74 x 7.09 x .62 inches (247.3 x 180 x 15.86 mm). The iPad mini version weighs just 9.74 ounces (276 grams) and dimensions of 8.19 x 5.69 x .62 inches (208.01 x 144.61 x 15.62 mm). The Big Bang will be shipping next month in two colors, Super Fluo and Graphite Logitech Turnaround The Turnaround is the versatile member of the Logitech iPad case family. A rotating frame makes it possible to prop your iPad up in portrait or landscape mode. The exterior is made of a water repellant plastic material that has the appearance of black brushed aluminum, and there's a magnetic closure to keep the case closed while in transit. Dimensions of the iPad Air version are 9.65 x 6.97 x .75 inches (245 x 177 x 19 mm), and it weighs just 12.2 ounces (346 grams). The smaller iPad mini version measures just 7.99 x 5.55 x .75 inches (203 x 141 x 19 mm) and weighs 8.1 ounces (230 grams). So, how does the Turnaround work in real life? The iPad pops into a thin but strong plastic shell that has cutouts in all the right places for the camera, speakers, switches and ports. The swivel of the Turnaround works very smoothly, and placing the iPad into either portrait or landscape orientation is swift and easy. There's enough friction between the inside of the Turnaround and the side of the plastic shell to hold the iPad in place in a variety of angles. The pricing for the Turnaround is very reasonable considering the quality of the product and the warranty that comes with it. Logitech offers a 1-year limited hardware warranty in the US and Asia, 2 years in EMEA. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Logitech HInge The new Hinge is more of a traditional folio-style iPad case than the Turnaround, which begs the question of why it is priced the same. Part of the pricing could involve the materials used on the Hinge, which (on the review case) included a nice fabric exterior and purple microfiber interior. Dimensions of the iPad Air version are 9.64 x 6.91 x .57 inches (244.8 x 175.6 x 14.5 mm), and it weighs just 11.8 ounces (335 grams). The smaller iPad mini version measures just 8.07 x 5.55 x .57 inches (205 x 141 x 19 mm) and weighs 8.0 ounces (227 grams). The iPad fits into a slender plastic tray that holds it into place, once again with cutouts at the appropriate places. The cover is equipped with a magnet to turn the iPad on or off when opened or closed, and the friction between the plastic tray and the microfiber interior is perfect for keeping the iPad stationary at a variety of viewing angles. Update: Logitech pointed out that it's the design of the hinge that allows adjustments between 15 and 65 degrees. Once the "perfect angle" is discovered, the hinge fixes the case firmly at that angle. While the Hinge isn't as versatile as the Turnaround, it has quite a warm "high touch" feel to it. If you don't need to view your iPad in portrait mode, the Hinge is perfectly suited to keeping you amused while your device is in landscape orientation. My only gripe is that the pricing is a bit high for the Hinge and should be lowered by $10 to $15 to reflect the pricing of competitive folio covers. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway It's not often that TUAW is able to announce a giveaway for a new product the same day it's announced, but that's the situation here! We have both a Logitech Turnaround Case and a Hinge Case available, and all you need to do is enter to have a chance of winning one of the two. 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 April 25, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Two winners will be selected in a random drawing. One will receive a Logitech Hinge Case for iPad Air valued at $59.99 while the other will receive a Logitech Turnaround Case for iPad Air also valued at $59.99. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Speck DuraFolio iPad cases: Slim, tough and adjustable
iPad folios and cases seem to always pick two of the three off of the feature menu of slim, tough, or adjustable. Case pioneer Speck is now shipping their new DuraFolio iPad cases for iPad Air and iPad mini (with or without Retina display), and it appears that they've managed to check all three boxes with the new products. Specifications Price (iPad Air): US$69.95 Dimensions (iPad Air): 9.6" x 6.9" x 0.6" (24.5 x 17.6 x 1.5 cm) Weight (iPad Air): 10.4 ounces (294.8 grams) Available Colors (iPad Air): Black/Poppy Red, Deep Sea/Mykonos/Slate, Black/Slate, Fuchsia/White, Slate/Peacock Price (iPad mini): US$59.95 Dimensions (iPad mini): 8.1" x 5.6" x 0.6" (20.5 x 14.2 x 1.5 cm) Weight (iPad mini): 6.5 ounces (184.27 grams) Available Colors (iPad mini): Black/Poppy Red, Deep Sea/Mykonos/Slate, Black/Slate, Fuchsia/White, Slate/Peacock Available at speckproducts.com and Target Design Highlights The first thing you notice is just how thin the DuraFolio cases are, adding only .3" of depth to your iPad Air or mini. That's a bit different from many protective folios that seem to be quite bulky and thick. But don't let the lack of bulk scare you away from the DuraFolio, as it meets or exceeds MIL-STD_810G standards. In addition, the DuraFolio passed temperature cycle thermal shock tests, ASTM3389 abrasion testing, chemical resistance tests, and force exerted tests. The mechanical design of the case provides a good basis for a one-year warranty. The cover can be set up to prop the iPad display at a number of different angles including a typing mode. There are magnets in the front and rear cover panels to enable auto sleep/wake and also insure a tight magnetic closure of the case. The outside of the case has a diamond pattern to it, making it easy to grip. There are open ports for the microphones, Lightning port, orientation lock, headphones and camera, while the on/off switch and volume toggles are covered by pass-through switch covers. Speck also built protective speaker grills into the bottom of the cases. While the DuraFolios aren't exactly the most beautiful-looking cases I've ever seen, they are very functional and some of the color combinations are actually quite striking. Functionality Highlights Putting the case onto an iPad Air or iPad mini is fast and easy. The tablet just snaps into a molded polycarbonate shell in seconds. If you need to take it off for any reason, the shell is just flexible enough to let you bend it a little and pop out one corner to start the removal process. The stand that's built into the case is quite adjustable; there are a number of positions in the "video viewing" landscape mode, as well as a way to fold the cover back under the stand to put it into a sturdy typing mode. The inside of the cover is lined with a felt-like material, perfect for protecting the iPad display. Unlike some folios I've tested, the DuraFolios both shut off the display when the cover was shut and turned the device back on when opened. It's apparent that Speck got that design detail right, when others who have promised magnetic on/off haven't been able to get it working well. Conclusion While Speck's DuraFolio iPad cases are rather pedestrian in design, they make up for that in terms of being thin and sturdy. Add a fairly reasonable price point to the mix, and you've got an above average line of cases that should last as long as your iPad Air or iPad mini. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Now's the time to protect that new iPad Air or iPad mini! We have one of each size Speck DuraFolio to give away to readers. 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 April 7 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Two winners will be selected. One will receive a Speck DuraFolio for iPad Air valued at $69.95, while the other will receive a Speck DuraFolio for iPad mini (and mini with Retina display) valued at $59.95. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Apple kills iPad 2 in favor of 4th-gen Retina display model
When Apple launched the iPad Air, it swiftly kicked the fourth-generation iPad to the curb, but kept the iPad 2 around as an "entry level" option. At the same time as the company has tweaked the iPhone lineup, it's also pulling a switcheroo in the tablet space -- dumping the iPad 2 and replacing it with the Retina-and-Lightning model. The unit is back on the Apple store for the same price as the Retina iPad Mini, so now it's just a decision as to what size slab your hands can carry.
Refurbished iPad Airs now available and other news from March 14, 2014
Apple now has refurbished iPad Airs for $419 for 16 GB and $509 for 32 GB. As always, this comes with a year of AppleCare, new shell and a new battery. As 9to5Mac points out, Wal-Mart does have refurbished iPads for lower prices, but it doesn't come with AppleCare. Other news from Friday afternoon includes: A minor update to the Apple Store app includes in-store in-app notifications for the iPhone version thanks to iBeacon technology being deployed and gift-card purchasing for the iPad version. 9to5Mac noted that Serbia and Lebanon will be gaining the iPhone, along with Canadian carrier Vidéotron. Macworld has a great look at the release of the new "Veronica Mars" movie to Kickstarter backers and how it only made people even more angry with the UltraViolet distribution method. And kick back with these features: Titanfall developer wants to see game on OS X Here's a neat new physics feature in iOS 7.1 control center Is it too early to call Facebook Paper a failure? Help a child in need by not touching your iPhone Dear Apple, please let us delete whole albums from our iPhones again
Transformer-like Dock-It Pro provides quirky iPad keyboard case
To call the Dock-It Pro (US$159) quirky is to understate the oddness of this product. This Parle Innovation device offers a flip-case that enables users to treat their iPad as either a mini laptop or a very, very heavy tablet. A well-designed keyboard represents its strongest feature, but the weight, compatibility issues, and awkward usability let a promising product down. If you own an iPad air, this is not the product for you. It works only with the iPad 2, 3, and 4 form factor. To use, you slide the top element in a few directions (there are hints printed onto the product because it doesn't quite open like a laptop) and place your iPad inside. In my testing, this process went very smoothly and I was delighted to find a notch that allows me to connect my old-style charging cable to my iPad 2, even while docked to the unit. The built-in Bluetooth keyboard is battery powered, using a standard micro-USB charger -- which is exactly as hard to plug in as any other similar device. It helps to have good eyes and a steady hand. Now that I own Lightning products, I'm finding my patience wearing thin with some of these USB ports. Your iPad and your case charge independently. Unfortunately in "laptop" mode, the battery connector and the charging port notch are on opposite sides of the product, making cord organization a bit of a hassle. This is especially notable because in "laptop" mode represents the times when you're most likely to make extended use of the product. The built-in keyboard is my favorite part of this unit. Yes, the keyboard is small -- but so are all keyboard cases for iPads. And yes, the keyboard is chickleted, but it's a pretty decent chicklet keyboard with decent travel. There will probably never be a portable keyboard with proper mechanical switches and high key travel, so my evaluation was limited to: "Is this usable?" and "Does it feel pretty okay?" It certainly does. How good? About as good as it gets in the as the top of the middle to the bottom of the top of the keyboard case keyboard product pack. Decent. A set of handy function keys lines the top of the keyboard. At the very left, where the ESC key normally sits, is a home key equivalent -- very handy. Other built-ins include brightness control, volume control with mute key, and a lock key. The product is most suited to someone who needs to move between the touch world and text entry world, presumably in work areas where dictation is out of the question. Compared to my MacBook Air, which I bought refurbished, it's heavier, and less capable, and with the iPad, costs about the same. The target market that would best benefit from a device like this -- such as medical personnel and sales persons on the road -- would probably balk at the weight and awkward use. The product is not ruggedized in any way, so I wouldn't imagine taking it into a construction zone. In the end, I think the Dock-It Pro is probably a much better product concept than an actual product for sale despite its appealing keyboard and fun transformer screen.
Poll: Tim Cook promises new product categories
The Wall Street Journal recently interviewed Tim Cook, who revealed "that Apple plans to enter a new category this year." "There will be new categories. We're not ready to talk about it, but we're working on some really great stuff," Mr. Cook said. When asked whether a new product category could mean an improvement on an existing product like an iPad Air, a lighter version of its tablet computer, or new services such as mobile payments, Mr. Cook declined to comment. He said that anyone "reasonable" would consider what Apple is working on as new categories. Cook has promised new categories in the past, making us wonder have we seen these new categories already (like the iPad Retina mini) or is he talking about new new categories rather than referring to old new categories that have been under development since at least last year but are yet to appear. What do you think? Vote in our poll. %Poll-87348%
New Trent Airbender Pro: The Swiss Army Knife of iPad Air keyboard cases
There are a lot of keyboard cases available for the iPad Air, and we've reviewed most of them at one point or another. That's why I was so surprised with the New Trent Airbender Pro -- it's a rugged iPad case, swivel stand, and keyboard case in one package. Check out my review of this versatile bargain-priced keyboard case, and then enter our giveaway. Specifications Price: US$79.95 Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.0 x 1.1 inches (24.89 x 17.78 x 2.8 cm) Weight: 1 lb, 9 oz (0.71 kg) Materials: Polycarbonate thermoplastic, silicone wrap Power input: Micro USB 5V at 0.5 to 1 A Battery: Lithium ion polymer Design Highlights Probably my only gripe about the design of the Airbender Pro is that it takes the incredibly thin iPad Air and wraps it in a bulky case. Of course, bulk is needed for protection, and if you look at how New Trent protects your device in the display portion of the case, you get the feeling that you could drop this thing all day without damaging your iPad Air. The protection comes in two layers -- a silicone shell surrounding a polycarbonate hard case. There's also a screen protector that covers the Air's display, doors over the Lightning port, mute/orientation lock and earphone jack, and covers on the power/sleep switch and home button. There are openings for the microphones and speakers on your iPad Air, so the case isn't exactly waterproof but it does offer more protection than any other keyboard case. A silicone tab keeps the case securely closed in transit, and there's a plastic window over the iPad camera. Like the other members of the Airbender family, the Airbender Pro uses a hinged "arm" with a 360-degree swivel on one end to hold the iPad in place while you're using the keyboard. What makes this so useful is that it is possible to type on an iPad Air with the screen in portrait orientation, something that's rare among iPad keyboard cases. The keyboard is truly a full-function keyboard. It has all of the keys that you'd find on an Apple Wireless Keyboard in exactly the same places, along with a top row of iOS function keys that include screen brightness adjustment, cut, copy and paste, and music controls. At the top of the keyboard are three LEDs indicating caps lock, charging, and Bluetooth pairing, as well as buttons for connecting the keyboard to a paired device and another switch for turning the keyboard off. Functionality Highlights When it comes to keyboard cases, my primary consideration is just how good the keyboard is for doing everyday work. The Airbender Pro is tops in that area, with a keyboard that is amazingly usable. It has a good feel to it, the keys are (although smaller than those on the Apple Wireless Keyboard) well-spaced and good sized, and it's possible to touch-type at full speed on this keyboard. I love the fact that New Trent decided to include a caps lock light, as I've had a tendency on other keyboards to accidentally hit the caps lock key and then get infuriated when I type a line of text that's capitalized. The "arm and pivot" mechanism of the Airbender Pro works very well in terms of keeping the iPad Air oriented the way you want it. What's really nice about this setup is that even if you don't want to use the keyboard, you still have a nice iPad stand since you can flip the screen over to the opposite side of the keyboard. It also pivots into portrait mode, which is perfect for hands-free reading of ebooks. The arm can be separated from the keyboard and used as a separate stand if you want your iPad Air to sit away from you. I actually found this to work better for typing, as in certain orientations the iPad unbalanced the assembly and it tipped backwards. The Airbender Pro really does provide a lot of protection to your iPad Air; I can see this as the perfect in-kitchen iPad case, as it can swivel to orient recipes to a comfortable viewing angle and the screen protector will keep splashes and spills from messing up your device. As noted at the beginning of this review, the Airbender Pro does make your skinny iPad Air look fat, but if you're more concerned about being able to type comfortably and protecting your investment at the same time, you might not be too worried about the extra inches. Installing the Airbender Pro onto your iPad Air takes a bit of doing; you need to separate the keyboard from the case, then remove the silicone exterior from the two-piece polycarbonate case. Once that's done, you pry open a number of clips, slide the iPad in place, and then reverse the process. It's not something you want to do every day... Conclusion With every iteration of their keyboard cases, New Trent seems to be getting rid of annoyances and adding features. The Airbender Pro is an amazingly affordable iPad Air keyboard case that offers protection, flexibility, and efficient typing, even if it does skimp a bit on style. If the company could find a way to make the Airbender Pro a bit more svelte and would offer more color or exterior finish options, it would probably be the perfect iPad Air keyboard case. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Do you need the combination of protection and convenience provided by the New Trent Airbender Pro? One TUAW reader is going to win this case. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before March 2, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a New Trent Airbender Pro keyboard case for iPad Air valued at $79.95 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
