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Wacom outs Intuos Creative Stylus with revamped Bamboo Paper app in tow for iPad sketching
If you're the type to digitally doodle on the slate that you already own rather opt for a professional-grade unit, Wacom just announced its latest accessory for doing just that. The Intuos Creative Stylus works in tandem with iPads for "a realistic pen-on-paper feel" for tablet-style drawing and painting with 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity alongside Bluethooth 4.0 and shortcut buttons. The brushed aluminum-clad device comes in black and blue color options with a case, spare nibs and a replacement battery all while resembling Wacom's Pro Pen more than previous Bamboo offerings. A new version of the company's Bamboo Paper app has been retooled for the peripheral that was designed for use on both third and fourth-generation iPads and the iPad mini. More specifically, version 2.0 of the software tacks on Tumblr and Dropbox sharing, premium notebooks, enhanced palm rejection, new tool collections and expanded color palettes. If all of that sounds too good to pass up, the stylus will hit Best Buy stores at the beginning of October with a $99 price tag and the free Bamboo Paper app is now available via iTunes.
EBay Deals ranks top tablets based on how you feel about them
In an attempt to further educate would-be tablet buyers on which tablets carry the most weight with consumers, EBay Deals has taken a rather exhaustive look at a variety of different social and retail metrics. As you can imagine, the iPad's dominant market share made the contest rather one-sided in some cases, but there are still some pretty interesting tidbits to be gleaned here. For starters, in a ranking of tablets based on the number of views each device received in "review" and "unboxing" videos, Google's Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 lead the charge, with the iPad mini coming in fourth and the standard iPad landing in eighth place. This result is likely skewed by the fact that only the first 500 videos for each tablet were counted for views, and the iPad has been around much longer than the relatively new Google Nexus slates. Perhaps the most interesting results came from a pair of measurements of how many tablet users "love" their devices. To examine this, the number of Twitter search results for the phrase "I love my [tablet]" were tallied. In this case, the iPad came in first, followed by the Kindle Fire and then the iPad mini, with Google's Nexus 10 and the Galaxy Note on its tail. For an even more accurate ranking of tablet adoration, 10,000 tweets about each device were collected and then analyzed for sentiment, whether positive, negative or unclear. Perhaps surprisingly, the iPad mini took the top spot, with the Kindle Fire again coming in second and -- brace yourself -- the BlackBerry PlayBook in third. The iPad landed in fourth place followed by the Nexus 7. For a full rundown of the results in several more categories, hit up EBay Deals.
Twelve South HiRise for iPhone 5/iPad mini: Adjustable, affordable, attractive
Design house Twelve South is dedicated to creating Apple accessories that you want to buy, and its latest product is no exception. The HiRise (US$34.99) is a charging desk stand created for two of Apple's mobile products -- the iPhone 5 and iPad mini -- and is different from most similar stands in that it is adjustable to fit a variety of iPhone cases. Design Like all Twelve South products, the HiRise comes to you in an attractive box with a sincere "Thank You." Some assembly is required, so instructions on setting up the HiRise are available in a small booklet, or you can choose to watch the process online. The HiRise is beautifully machined out of aluminum, featuring a flat stand that is sized to be stable under the load of an iPad mini, a short riser that contains one of three plastic clips (more on those later), and another taller riser that serves as a back rest for your device. The base has a rubber foundation to help keep it from moving; it also has the side benefit of toning down those loud buzzes when your iPhone is in vibrate mode and sitting on a hard surface. Functionality As mentioned earlier, the HiRise needs a wee bit of assembly. An Allen wrench is secreted under a plastic door on the bottom of the base; it's used to install a four screws later on. You need to provide your own Lightning cable as well, so if you want to keep your existing cable for mobile charges, head on out to your local Apple Store and purchase another one. Twelve South includes three custom plastic clips that are used to hold the Lightning connector at varying distances from the base. For situations where you aren't using a case with your iPhone 5 or iPad mini, you use the "0" clip. For a case with some extra depth -- the OtterBox Defender, for example -- the "5" clip is more appropriate. Thinner cases like the Griffin Reveal or Speck CandyShell use the intermediate "3" clip. I use a Mophie Juice Pack Helium and recharge my iPhone 5 with the bottom of the case removed, so I chose to install the "0" clip. Next, you install the rear support -- what I called the "back rest" -- and adjust it to match the thickness of the case. I wouldn't suggest using the HiRise with a case that's thicker than the Juice Pack Helium, as I had to move the rear support as far back as possible to accommodate the battery pack. Once everything is adjusted, the Lightning cable can be snugged into a channel on the bottom of the stand and the plastic door snapped back into place. And voila! You now have an attractive aluminum stand on which your iPhone 5 or iPad mini can stand in style while charging up. It's no secret that I really like Twelve South's products. It's also no secret that I usually think their products are overpriced. The HiRise is a refreshing exception to that rule -- it's well worth the $35 in terms of the quality of the materials, the custom fit, and the solid functionality. Conclusion For many people, just plopping their iPhone or iPad mini down on a desktop for charging is fine. But for those who would rather have an attractive stand that holds your device above the clutter, the Twelve South HiRise for iPhone 5/iPad mini is a solid performer. Pros Adjustable to fit a variety of iPhone 5 cases, also works with the iPad mini Well-written instructions for assembly backed by a short online video Price is right on target for a classy and well-built accessory Like many of Twelve South's products, it looks like something Apple would design Cons None to speak of Who is it for? Anyone who owns an iPhone 5 or iPad mini and is looking for a classy charging stand
New Trent Airbender Mini: Protective keyboard case for the iPad mini (updated)
A while back TUAW was on a roll with keyboard case reviews. While there were some really good ones for the iPad mini -- the US$99.99 Zagg Foiio for iPad mini being my favorite -- there was a paucity of keyboard cases that also provided decent protection for the device. New Trent's Airbender Mini ($39.95, Model NT31B) is the last of the keyboard cases we've received recently, making me wonder if there's a horrible M. Night Shyamalan movie waiting in the wings... (sorry, bad joke). Design The first thing that hits you after opening the Airbender Mini box is that this is a chunky little case. The second is the smell -- I'll get to that in a moment. In terms of the chunkiness of the Airbender Mini, it's because it not only includes a polycarbonate shell but also has a thick silicone protective layer on the outside. That silicone layer includes sealable "doors" for the Lightning adapter port, the mute/orientation lock switch, and the earphone port. The rear camera is covered with a small plastic window, and the on/off button is also covered with a pass-through silicone "bump." Now about the smell -- there's a strong chemical smell when you open this thing up. I'm not sure if it's outgassing from the silicone or the polycarbonate, but it was strong enough to give me a headache. If you win this case in our giveaway or buy one, be sure to let it sit unwrapped for a while to let the chemicals outgas away from you. Update (10/26/2013): New Trent followed up on my feedback about the chemical smell and has eradicated the problem. A new device that was sent to TUAW did not exhibit the strong odor, so obviously the company has eliminated the issue in manufacturing. Many thanks to New Trent for following up on this problem. The case also includes a nice little touch not found elsewhere: an aluminum arm on which the part of the case that holds the iPad mini can swivel. That's very nifty, as users can choose to place the screen in a portrait mode while typing if they wish. %Gallery-195772% The keyboard itself is a five-row design with the classic QWERTY layout, with some notable exceptions. The /? and \| keys have been moved from their traditional places on the far right of the keyboard and placed in the bottom row next to the space bar. Special iPad mini functions are enabled through a function key that is found on the bottom row. Charging of the Airbender Mini is done through a USB to micro-USB cable (included) that plugs into a port on the side of the case, once again equipped with a silicone cover "door." Finally, and probably the most important feature for those who are thinking about using this case in the great outdoors, the screen is covered with a transparent and touch-friendly plastic cover. The Airbender Mini is one of the few iPad mini cases I've seen that includes screen protection by default. Finally, the physical details: the Airbender Mini weighs 9.1 ounces (258 grams) and measures 8.22" x 5.67" x .98" (209mm x 144mm x 25mm). Functionality As with any keyboard cases, the most important factors to consider are ease of pairing with the device, how easy it is to type on it, and how the screen is placed in relation to the keyboard. To install the iPad mini into the Airbender Mini case, you must remove the silicone sleeve completely, then pop open the internal hard case. After dropping the iPad mini into the case, you reverse the procedure to keep the mini protected. Pairing is quite simple. There's a connect button to press, and when the iPad mini and keyboard recognize each other, you're prompted with a four-digit code to type on the keyboard to consummate the pairing. A blue, fast-flashing light indicates that the keyboard is in pairing mode. Other LEDs indicate charging (red for charging or green for charged) and the current caps lock status. I'd rate the protection, both from drops and accidental splashes, as very good for this keyboard case. The silicone sleeve and doors will keep the entire assembly in very good condition after most little accidents. I found the "arm" on which the screen sits to be a great idea, too. It's much more adjustable than a number of other keyboard cases I've tested, and I actually found portrait mode to be quite useful in some writing apps. Now, about the keyboard itself. You can see from the photo gallery that the physical keyboard is smaller than that on the excellent ZAGGkey Folio for iPad mini keyboard, due to a much larger bezel surrounding the keys. That little bit of space on either side makes for a keyboard that's about one inch thinner than the ZAGGkey keyboard, so the Airbender Mini keyboard is incredibly cramped. I also found, much to my dismay, that the frequently-used apostrophe (') and quote (") keys are in awkward locations and require a press of the function key to type. Still, anyone using the keyboard could possibly get used to the function key requirements and cramped spacing. For me, I'll stick with the ZAGGkey Folio. Conclusion The New Trent Airbender Mini keyboard case for iPad mini provides superior protection, a sub-par keyboard, and a unique rotating "arm" design, all at a discount price. Pros Very inexpensive Good build quality Adjustable arm allows iPad mini screen to be used in either portrait or landscape orientation Excellent protection against drops and splashes Simple setup, and well-written instructions Cons Keyboard is cramped and in a non-standard layout Several important punctuation signs require a function-key input Strong chemical smell when the keyboard case is removed from the box Silicone external sleeve has a tendency to collect dust Who is it for? The iPad mini user on a budget who only uses a keyboard on occasion, but would like a protective case as well. Giveaway Despite the cramped keyboard, the New Trent Airbender Mini still has a lot of things going for it. One of you lucky TUAW readers 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 August 12, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a New Trent Airbender Mini keyboard case for iPad mini valued at $39.95 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Twelve South HiRise for iPhone gives iOS devices an adjustable perch
There's an abundance of iOS device docks, but many aren't well-suited to deskside use when they sit too low and limit use of the audio jack. Twelve South's new HiRise for iPhone bucks that trend. The stand raises smaller iOS devices closer to eye level, where they're well-positioned for video chats and listening to music with headphones. Owners have to bring their own Lightning cables for power, but they won't have to worry about case or device compatibility thanks to an adjustable rear support. That flexibility helps justify the HiRise's relatively high $35 price -- it won't be obsolete the moment that Apple and accessory makers change form factors.
WSJ: Apple to use Samsung retina displays on next iPad mini
Earlier this month, there was a rumor that Apple was facing possible delays with its next-gen iPad mini due to supplier issues with an (also rumored) next generation Retina display. Now WSJ is reporting that Apple may have gotten around the problem thanks to, of all companies, Samsung. The ubiquitous "people familiar with the matter" told the journal that Cupertino originally wanted to be supplied solely by LG Display and Sharp for the high res screens (likely to be the same 7.9 inches as the current model). However, to ensure enough supply, Apple has reportedly been forced to resort to Samsung's display division for the next iPad mini, too. It bears noting that such supplier leaks are often unreliable, and as we've mentioned before, Apple frequently tests components before deciding on a final design. If true, though, it would show that despite its best efforts, Apple can't make a clean break from its frequent sparring partner.
Engadget's tablet buyer's guide: summer 2013 edition
Tablets are virtually tailor-made for our summer vacations, whether we're checking email at the hotel or watching movies during an airport layover. The manufacturers must know this, as there's a surge of new slates set to arrive while the weather's still scorching. Our 2013 summer tablet buyer's guide will help you decide which of these models is worth space in your travel bag. There are also several veteran tablets we recommend, although some of them could be obsolete soon -- we'll let you know when newer devices loom ahead. Whether or not you want the latest hardware, though, our guide should have the tablet you need.
iPad mini with Retina display rumored to be delayed until early next year
How could a product that hasn't seen an official announcement be facing delays? It's a puzzling tale, that's a certainty. Still, rumors of a pixel-packed iPad mini have been making the rounds for a while, and, frankly, we don't expect the stream to slow down anytime soon. Now, Taiwanese publication Economic Daily News is reporting that Apple's having trouble lining up displays that meet Retina standards, making it difficult for the company to launch its 7.9-inch tablet ahead of this year's upcoming holiday season. Interestingly enough, the publication also says Apple plans to release the iPad mini with different screen resolutions come next refresh -- one of them being a lower-end, non-Retina model. Will we see a new iPad mini around its first anniversary? Maybe two? Oh, the waiting game...
Belkin FastFit Keyboard Case for iPad mini: thin, light, and ready for typing
Accessory manufacturer Belkin has been rolling out new iOS products like crazy lately, and today I'm going to take a look at a new product that has just arrived for the iPad mini -- the Belkin FastFit Keyboard Case (US$79.99). And stick around after reading the review -- we're doing a giveaway! Design I have to admit that when I saw the box for the FastFit Keyboard Case, I was dubious that there was a keyboard in it. That's how thin this thing is -- a scant 7 mm (.28 inches). It's also one of the most lightweight keyboards I've tested at 195.6 grams (6.9 oz.). Installing the FastFit Keyboard Case onto your iPad mini is literally a snap. There's an auto clasp mechanism that works like Apple's Smart Cover to magnetically attach the mini to the keyboard -- place the edges of the mini and the FastFit in close proximity to each other and snap! They're connected just like that. When installed, the silver exterior of the case (which has either a white or black interior) matches the appearance of the back of the mini. %Gallery-192297% Unlike some of the true keyboard folios that we've reviewed for the mini (the backlit ZAGGkeys Folio, for example), the FastFit doesn't protect the back of your iPad mini. That's either a benefit, if you like showing off the Apple logo on the back of your device, or a detriment to keeping your mini scratch-free. For typing, you simply pull off the iPad mini and place one side into a slot in the keyboard. That slot is also equipped for magnetic latching, so there's little chance that your iPad mini is going to flop out of the keyboard unless you're really pounding on the keys. The keyboard layout is described in the next section, but for the most part, it's rather compact. The number keys are also used in concert with a function (fn) key to perform common iPad functions, and they're smaller than the letter keys. There are full-sized Shift, Enter, Tab and Caps Lock keys in the usual spots. Functionality Pairing the FastFit Keyboard Case to the iPad mini was fast and easy. You literally just turn the keyboard power on while in the Bluetooth settings on the iPad, and it pairs. That's it. Very fast, and no need to type in any characters. Once you're paired, it's time to start typing. I had a bit of a problem finding the "home keys" (F and J) as the usual telltale bumps were rather small, but once I got my fingers in the right place it was a fairly fast keyboard with a good feel. Belkin uses a keyboard layout called TruType that attempts to put most of the most-used keys in familiar places. Unfortunately, that means that some of the keys -- semicolon/colon, quotes, and question mark -- move away from their usual spots. This is a different layout than that used by ZAGG on their keyboard cover, where they left the keys in the usual locations but made them smaller. The keys on the Belkin FastFit are a bit smaller than those on the ZAGG Folio as well, which almost made the TruType keyboard seem cramped by comparison. I think in terms of usability, I found this keyboard to work well when I was just typing a lot of text without a lot of punctuation. Once I needed to start adding punctuation, my fingers tried to go to the familiar places and failed. As for battery life, Belkin claims that the FastFit can be used for up to 40 hours between charges or live up to 60 days in standby mode. The keyboard has magnets in all of the right places to shut off the iPad mini when it is "closed" over the screen. Conclusion iPad mini owners who are looking for an affordable and lightweight keyboard that also provides screen protection should consider the Belkin FastFit Keyboard Case. While the keyboard layout might not work for everyone, Belkin has come up with a way to put the most frequently-used keys in their proper position for easy typing. Pros Less expensive than some competitors Aluminum back matches the iPad mini's back perfectly Easy and fast Bluetooth pairing Lightweight and very thin Magnetic clasp makes installing the keyboard as a cover a snap Cons Some punctuation keys are in unfamiliar locations Who is it for? The iPad mini owner who wants an affordable Bluetooth keyboard that can also provide a measure of protection to the device screen Giveaway Have an iPad mini? TUAW and Belkin want you to put that little tablet together with a FastFit Keyboard 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 June 26, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Belkin FastFit Keyboard Case for iPad mini valued at $79.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
iPad mini finally goes on sale in Brazil tomorrow, June 25
According to MacworldBrasil, the iPad mini will finally go on sale in Brazil tomorrow, June 25. That's eight months after the iPad mini debuted. Brazil is an important market to Apple, in addition to Russia, China and India. Brazilian retailers FNAC and Saraiva each published the June 25 release date on their respective websites. There's no word on pricing for the iPad mini in Brazil yet, where Apple products are often costly due to import taxes. It's notable, however, that Apple has worked with Foxconn to open a factory in Brazil, which is now operational. If it's handling the iPad mini, prices could be lower than anticipated.
LifeProof Frē for iPad mini: Review and giveaway
Many people are finding that the iPad mini is the perfect combination of iPad power and light weight, so much so that the devices are finding use in a number of places where they can be exposed to inadvertent splashes, dirt and dust, extremes of hot or cold, and even dropped. LifeProof, the manufacturer of some of the best ruggedized iPhone and full-sized iPad cases on the planet, has just introduced the LifeProof Frē for iPad mini (US$99.99). Design For a case that can protect your iPad mini from a variety of calamities, the LifeProof Frē is surprisingly thin and lightweight -- about .66 inches (1.7 cm) at the thickest point, and weighing in at just 4.5 ounces (128 grams). The Frē comes in two colors; black and white/gray. The back is covered by a transparent polycarbonate shell allowing water resistance while keeping the Apple logo visible. A similar, but thinner material keeps the screen protected from scratches, dirt, and water. A white or black bezel frames the iPad mini's display, and the rest of the case consists of gray or black polycarbonate. %Gallery-192098% Pretty much everything is kept sealed tight. There's a removable plug over the headphone jack, a door that snaps shut over the Lightning port, pass-throughs for all buttons, and a mesh over the speakers that lets sound out but keeps water at bay -- at least temporarily. When LifeProof says that the Frē is fully submersible up to 6.6 feet, they mean for a short time. You don't want to bring your iPad mini into the hot tub and use it as a foot prop; most likely, you'll see some leakage into the case after a while. The Frē is meant for protection from accidental dips and splashes, not full-time underwater use. One final feature: LifeProof includes a detachable shoulder strap for the Frē. That's perfect if you wish to carry your iPad mini with you for capturing video or photos on a trip, but want to keep it protected from dust and weather. Functionality LifeProof water tests every case before it leaves the factory, but they recommend testing the seal at home prior to inserting your mini. To do so, you just snap the front and the back of the case together to ensure a tight seal, then close the headphone jack cover and charge port door. For the test, LifeProof suggests putting the case into a sink for 30 minutes with a coffee mug sitting on top to insure that it's not going to float. Once the time is up, you remove the case from the water, dry it off, open it up, and check for moisture. If it's dry, you can give your mini a new home; if it's wet, you want to contact LifeProof. Installation is easy. Once the charge port door is open, it's possible to pull the top and bottom case parts apart. On each side are a number of plastic "fingers" that hold the case parts tightly together; they'll make a kind of unzipping sound as you pry the halves of the case apart. Next, use the included cleaning cloth to get those icky fingerprints off of the mini before it's placed in the case. LifeProof reminds users to also remove any other screen protectors they may already have in place. Slide in your iPad mini, making sure to align the camera with port on the back of the case, and then start squeezing the sides together until you have a tight seal all the way around. It appears that LifeProof might be adding a Smart Cover-like accessory to the mini Frē, although it's not currently listed on the website. There's a listing in the owner's manual for an optional cover/stand, and a removable plastic strip on one side where it will be attached. Conclusion Anyone who needs the best possible protection for an iPad mini should invest in the LifeProof Frē for iPad mini. Like the company's other products, the Frē is solidly built, backed by a one-year warranty, and will definitely keep your investment safe regardless of where you choose to use your iPad mini. Pros Provides protection against snow, rain, accidental drops, dust and dirt Excellent warranty Pre-tested for watertightness Built quality is best in the industry Remarkably thin and lightweight for a tough protective case Cons None to speak of Who is it for? Anyone who wants to use an iPad mini while hiking, rock climbing, white water rafting, skiing, or just relaxing on the wet, sandy beach Giveaway It's summertime, and the perfect time to take that iPad mini with you anywhere you want to go. We're giving away a LifeProof Frē for iPad mini. 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 June 24, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a LifeProof Frē case for iPad mini valued at $99.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Apple wins Grand Prix for Press award for iPad mini print ads
Apple and its advertising firm TBWA Media Arts Lab have won the prestigious Grand Prix for Press award for a recent print campaign advertising the iPad mini. The ad's clever images depicted a life-sized iPad mini on the back cover of several magazines, which itself bore the cover of said magazine. The result gave readers an idea of what their magazine would look like on Apple's handheld device. The award was given at the Cannes Lion International Festival of Creativity in Cannes, France. The critically acclaimed print campaign ran last year on The New Yorker, Time and others. One of the jurors, Marcello Serpa, told Ad Age that Apple and TBWA won because the campaign "...has a kind of guerrilla feeling. It's a product that goes inside the media and says I'm going to kill you, [then] I'm going to save you. Let's embrace. It's redemption."
iPad and iPad mini coming to Rogers and Telus, iPhone 5 nano-SIMs reach Wind
While it's been easy for Canadians to get data plans for the iPad and iPad mini, they haven't had the luxury of picking one up at a carrier store like their American neighbors. They will soon, however: Rogers and Telus say they'll be selling the LTE versions of both iPads sometime in the "coming weeks." Details are scarce, although the two networks promise that they'll keep offering contract-free data plans. We've reached out to learn whether or not Bell is following suit. There isn't any talk of similar offerings with smaller providers, although Wind Mobile is offering an olive branch to iPhone owners. The carrier is now selling $25 nano-SIM cards for those who've bought an unlocked, AWS-friendly iPhone 5 through Apple. These customers won't have LTE, but they'll get HSPA+ data on less expensive (and less restricted) plans. Hit Wind's Facebook page to learn just which devices qualify.
ZAGGkeys Cover and Folio keyboards for iPad mini
April showers apparently brought May iPad Bluetooth keyboards, as I reviewed a ton of them during the month. The month of June is starting off with a duo of iPad mini keyboards from ZAGG, the ZAGGkeys Cover and ZAGGkeys Folio (both priced at US$99.99). While these two keyboards aren't available for purchase yet, this review may keep you from buying a competing iPad mini keyboard in the meantime. Design Let's talk about the difference between the Cover and the Folio first. The Cover is exactly what the name implies -- a keyboard that covers the screen of the iPad mini when not in use. The Folio, on the other hand, provides a keyboard and a back cover to shelter your mini. The ZAGGkey Cover is really a marvel of engineering. I was stunned with how thin it is -- 6.3 mm, or just less than a quarter inch thick. It's also lightweight at just .68 lb (308 grams), identical to the weight of the mini alone. The Cover is made of thin aluminum in black, although it looked more like a dark gunmetal blue to me. Nonetheless, it's quite attractive. When installed, it also works as a magnetic on/off switch for the iPad mini. It can be easily removed and placed behind the mini for "tablet mode" use. %Gallery-190150% Now here's the amazing thing; this little keyboard not only has a very usable layout, but it's backlit. And not only is it backlit, but you can choose from seven different backlight colors. The backlight automatically shuts off when you don't type for a few seconds, then power back up when you begin pounding the keys again. The Cover comes with a standard USB to micro-USB cable for recharging; battery life is expected to be about three months in normal usage. There are also four stick-on rubber pads to be installed in the corners of the Cover -- more on that in the Functionality section of this review. As for the ZAGGkeys Folio, it's a much more traditional folio type design with a leatherette cover that the iPad mini snaps into. Pop open the folio and the mini turns on, close it and it shuts off. As with the Cover, the Folio also has those amazing backlit keys. It weighs in at exactly .69 lb, just a tiny amount more than the aluminum Cover, and is only 6.9 mm (.27 inch) thick when installed on the iPad mini. Functionality There's really no better way to test a keyboard than to type up a review with it, so I used both the ZAGGkeys Cover and Folio to write this review. The keyboards are essentially the same in layout, backlighting, and feel. The layout is very traditional in most respects, which is probably why I took to typing on it very quickly. The only real difference from the standard Apple layout is that the caps lock and tab key are the same, and the Q key has been stretched to also provide access to the accent/tilde key that is usually to the left of the 1 key. Some other underused keys are also combined in special ways - the dash/underline key usually sits next to the equals/plus sign key, while on this keyboard they're all combined on one key. To access the equals sign, you use the function (fn) key in concert with this combination key, while a fn-shift gives you access to the plus key. It's the same way with the right brackets and slash keys; they're also combined into a larger key that works with the fn and shift key. What I like about this layout is that the delete key is now full-sized -- something that isn't true on some other iPad mini keyboards. I tend to use the delete key a lot when writing, so that's a big plus. The top row of the keyboard contains (from left to right) a home key, lock key, dictation/Siri key, keyboard key, copy and paste keys, and play and volume keys. The alt key is also used to check your battery level. Tap the fn and alt keys, and the power LED will flash green three times to indicate more than 50 percent charge, yellow three times to warn you that you're at between 25 and 50 percent, and red three times for less than 25 percent. When things get critical, the red light flashes once every five minutes. That LED is also used during the pairing process, which is fast and simple. I turned on the keyboards, tapped a tiny pairing button that is right next to the power button (the LED turns blue), and the pairing was complete as soon as I acknowledged it on the iPad mini. The ZAGGkeys Cover and Folio also have a set of arrow keys that are great for working on spreadsheets. Used in concert with the fn key, they're also used to turn the keyboard backlighting on or off, and to change the color of the backlight. Those colors include white, blue, cyan, green, yellow, red, and purple. I could almost get used to green backlighting... Oh, and I almost forgot -- there are three levels of brightness with the backlighting, so you can adjust it to a comfortable level. With the Cover, you have the option of taking the keyboard completely off, turning it around, and then plugging the mini back in so that it sits in front of the keyboard -- perfect for using the mini as Steve Jobs intended, as a tablet. You don't have that same freedom with the Folio, but it does protect the entire mini when closed. If you want to pop the iPad mini out of the Folio for game play, that's quite easy to do. I had one minor gripe with the Cover; I noticed after just a little bit of use that there were some bare spots on the anodized aluminum on the bottom. That's apparently where the rubberized feet are supposed to go; why ZAGG doesn't just install them at the factory is a mystery. When it ships this summer, the Cover will be available in silver or black. The Folio will initially be available in black or white, with more colors coming this fall. Conclusion ZAGG has a pair of winners on their hands with the upcoming ZAGGkeys Cover and ZAGGkeys Folio for iPad mini. By combining little-used keys and placing those that are used more frequently in the familiar places, the company has created a tiny keyboard that is exceptionally typist-friendly. Keyboard backlighting is the icing on the cake; the ability to adjust the brightness and color of the backlighting is the bright burning candle on that cake. At the time of publishing, these keyboards are not yet available for sale. If you have an iPad mini and want a keyboard, I'd suggest that you wait the Cover and Folio are in stores to buy one or the other. Seriously, I never thought that anyone would be able to design a keyboard for a device as small as the iPad mini that would be so usable -- congratulations to ZAGG on accomplishing what no netbook maker was ever able to do! Pros Extremely thin and lightweight Backlit keyboard can be adjusted to any one of seven colors and three brightness levels Excellent battery life Fast and easy Bluetooth pairing Typist-friendly feel and layout Both the ZAGGkeys Cover and Folio are stylish and really complement the design of the iPad mini Cons Rubber "feet" on the ZAGGkeys Cover should be pre-installed Who are they for? Any iPad mini owners who are looking for an affordable and comfortable keyboard
IRL: the iPad mini and racing the Lexus IS with Google Glass
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Like every good sitcom family, we've got friendly neighbors who sometimes drop in to say hello. This week, at least, that neighbor is none other than SlashGear Editor-in-chief Vincent Nguyen, who played wingman to Darren Murph as he attempted to use Google Glass to film a first-person test drive in the 2014 Lexus IS. Also after the break, Andy Bowen makes a case for why the 4G iPad mini makes a better hotspot than a run-of-the-mill MiFi device.
AT&T rolls out expanded 4G LTE coverage to 16 US markets
AT&T customers scattered around the US have something to be happy about today -- 4G LTE coverage was just switched on several market areas. The company announced that the following markets can now access the 4G LTE network with their iPhone 5s, LTE-compatible iPads or iPad minis and other compatible smartphones: Asheville, N.C. Casa Grande, Ariz. Culpepper, Va. Dover, Del. Fredericksburg, Va. Goldsboro, N.C. Leonardtown, Md. Linglestown, Pa. Longview, Wash. Ocean City, Md. Port Townsend-North Whidbey Island-Camano Island, Wash. Prince Frederick and Calvert County, Md. Roanoke, Va. Salem, Ore. Schenectady, N.Y. Shelton, Wash. AT&T plans to extend LTE to a total of 79 new markets by the start of summer, which is just a scant three weeks away. LTE is up to 10 times faster than the company's 3G data network, and TUAW editor Dave Caolo is anxiously awaiting its arrival on Cape Cod so he can rely less on slow WiFi service when he's having his car worked on. Soon, Dave, soon...
Switched On: Microsoft's small tablet trap
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. More Info Microsoft reiterates that Windows 8 could see small(er) devices soon Windows Phone sees big gains at the expense of BlackBerry and Symbian Microsoft releases Surface RT and Pro updates Based on last quarter's global PC shipment numbers, Microsoft continues to feel pain in making the case for Windows is a viable tablet operating system. Theoretically, the dual-identity (Windows 8/RT) operating system has everything it needs to be a contender, but the promise is ahead of the reality on three interdependent fronts: chip-level hardware, legacy support, and app software. For example, if x86 chips were more competitive with ARM processors from a performance-per-watt perspective, then Microsoft wouldn't be as reliant on Metro-style apps for functionality. And if more developers were creating Metro-style apps, then consumers wouldn't have to go to the legacy desktop mode as much to get things done. (Until the company releases a Metro-style Office, Microsoft really can't wag its finger too much at third parties.)
Review and giveaway: a trio of iPad mini cases (updated)
After a slow start, it appears that every accessory manufacturer on the planet is now up to speed on pumping out shiploads (that is spelled correctly, BTW) of iPad mini cases. Today, for your amusement and my employment, I'll take a look at three of the cases that have come to the attention of TUAW recently and give you a chance to win one. The three iPad mini cases of the week are: The Loop Attachment Mummy case for iPad mini (US$30) The Mapi Cases Milano Portfolio Leather Mini iPad Case ($200) The id America SmartFold Leatherette Portfolio for iPad mini ($39.95) %Gallery-186934% Loop Attachment Mummy Case for iPad mini To begin with, we'll look at the Loop Attachment Mummy case for iPad mini, a larger version of the Mummy case for iPhone 4/4S/5. That means that it's a silicone case made with a "mummy-like" pattern on the back mimicking bands of cloth swathed around the mini. The Mummy case comes in six different colors: the usual black and white, teal, red, blue and graphite. The case is easy to install and remove, and has openings for the speakers, Lightning port, mute/orientation lock switch, camera, microphone, and earphone port. There's also a trapezoidal cutout on the back that playfully frames the Apple logo on the iPad mini. As with the Mummy cases for iPhone, the Loop Attachment iPad mini cases are inexpensive, durable, and provide a good grip on what can be a slippery device to hold. There's nothing fancy about the Mummy case, but it does exactly what it's supposed to do -- protect your iPad mini from scratches and bumps. Update: <facepalm> time. I completely forgot to mention that the Mummy cases have two metal plates that are embedded in the silicone that provide a place for an Apple Smart Cover to stick on. Now you know! Mapi Cases Milano Portfolio Leather Mini iPad Case At the other end of the price spectrum from the Mummy case is the Milano Portfolio Leather Mini iPad Case from Mapi Cases. While I'm a huge fan of handmade leather cases, I can't help but think that the company is charging too much the Milano. This leather portfolio comes in four finishes: black, brown, tan and red. Yes, it's made with "100% premium leather", but as my late father-in-law probably would have said, "I don't want to pay for the whole cow." The case is closed with a zipper to keep your iPad mini locked away and has a fabric interior to avoid scratching the device. On the left side of the case are two slots for business or credit cards, as well as a larger pocket for travel documents or cash. The iPad mini is held into place by a leather "frame" with a tuck-under flap on one side. Don't try to take any photos with your iPad mini in the Milano, because there's no hole for the camera to peer through. While I appreciate the excellent workmanship that went into the Milano, I do honestly think it is overpriced. It doesn't include a stand, nor are there magnets to automatically turn the device on and off. A quick look on Amazon.com showed some $25 - $40 cases made of "PU leather", which is cheaper leather covered with a layer of polyurethane. At a glance, there isn't much of a difference in terms of looks, except for the fact that the $25 case is much more functional, including a camera hole, a folding stand, an elastic hand strap, a stylus holder, and more choices in color. If paying for "real leather" is a big thing for you, then by all means spend $200 on this case. If you're like most of our readers, though, you might want to think twice before spending that almost two-thirds of the price of an entry-level iPad mini for a case. id America SmartFold Leatherette Portfolio for iPad mini Finally we come to the SmartFold Leatherette Portfolio from id America. About the closest thing to compare this case to is Apple's very own iPad mini Smart Cover ($39), which is made of polyurethane rather than leatherette (a fabric made to simulate leather). So once again you have faux leather; if that is a big deal for you, then think about the Mapi case... The SmartFold comes in black, brown, gray, orange, red and white, and is probably the most functional of all the cases listed here. Like the Smart Cover, the SmartFold features a cover that can be folded into a stand for viewing or typing on the iPad mini. It also features auto-sleep and wake using magnets in the cover. The iPad mini is held into place by a frame of that same leatherette, and the inside surfaces are made of a felt-like material. I had no issues folding the SmartFold into the typing position, but for the life of me I couldn't get it to stand up in a viewing mode. Perhaps the cover needs to be flexed a bit more to loosen it up. Conclusion So what I've shown you today are three different iPad mini cases for three different types of people. For those who want inexpensive and fun protection, the Loop Attachment Mummy is perfect. Well-heeled iPad mini users who want real leather to match their shoes and not look out of place on the leather seats of their Tesla S, the Mapi Cases Milano Portfolio might be a good solution. And finally, someone who wants protection and functionality in an inexpensive case could not go wrong with the id America SmartFold. Giveaway Now it's time for you to enter to win one of the cases we have to give away. There are two Loop Attachment Mummy cases (one black, one blue), a black leather Mapi Cases Milano Portfolio, and a black id America SmartFold up for grabs. 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 Day, Month Year 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. Four winners will be selected. Two will receive Loop Attachment Mummy Cases for iPad mini valued at $30, one will receive a Mapi Cases Milano Portfolio Mini iPad case valued at $200, and one will receive an id America SmartFold case valued at $39.95. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Just Mobile's HeadStand, AluCup and AluFrame: Accessories that organize, protect
As the Northern Hemisphere of the planet wakes up from winter, accessory manufacturers are coming to life with some new or revised products. One of those companies, Just Mobile, has released a crop of accessories that can help to organize your workspace and protect your iPhone 5. There's the AluCup (a sturdy dock for your iPhone or iPad mini, US$29.95), the AluFrame iPhone 5 case ($69.95), and that place to neatly store your headphones -- the HeadStand ($49.95). You'll have an opportunity to win one of these hardy aluminum accessories, so be sure to check them out and then enter the giveaway. Design The AluCup is a delightfully simple dock for your iPhone or iPad tha's made of a machined aluminum cylinder sliced at an angle, lined with a colorful rubberized material, and sliced and diced for cable passthroughs. Just drop an iPhone into the black, yellow, red, or blue-lined cup and it is propped up for easy viewing while it charges or just "relaxes." That iPhone (or an iPad mini) can also be placed on top of the AluCup to make an attractive reclining pedestal. Moving on to the HeadStand, here's a product that was just waiting for someone to invent it. It answers the question of where to place your headphones when they're not on your head. For me, the answer was to wrap the cable around the headphones and then plant them on my Røde microphone stand, but a lot of people don't have that option. The HeadStand comes in either silver or black aluminum, requires some quick assembly, and not only has an arm on which to hang the headphones but a "cable tidy" in the circular base. It's a brilliant alternative to just laying headphones on a desktop. Finally, the third Just Mobile product we're reviewing today is the AluFrame iPhone 5 shield. Made of silver or black aerospace-grade aluminum, the AluFrame is a minimalist bumper that uses an smartly-designed catch mechanism to lock onto your iPhone 5 without the need for screws and tiny hex drivers. There's no need to worry about the AluFrame scratching your iPhone 5, as it uses a rubberized material inside to gently cradle your device. For added protection, the AluFrame includes front and back clear protectors to keep your baby from being scratched. Functionality Let's start with the AluCup. I'm impressed with this little stand, not only for its minimalist good looks, but the fact that it will happily hold my iPhone 5 that is encased in a mophie juice pack helium case. When the phone is dropped into the AluCup, the screen is perfectly angled so that you can see notifications coming in. If you need a bit more access to the iPhone screen, just lay it on top of the angled "cut" and you can tap away without having to worry about the iPhone moving. %Gallery-186833% Things weren't quite as nice with the iPad mini; it kept sliding off of the angled top of the AluCup. Only when I encased the iPad mini in a silicone sleeve from Loop Attachment did it stay in one place atop the AluCup. Still, if you're just looking for a handy stand for your iPhone or if you do have a silicone sleeve protecting your iPad mini, then you'll find the AluCup to be a winner. Moving on to the AluFrame, I found this aluminum bumper to be a cinch to install and remove. The latch mechanism keeps the frame locked on, but can be opened in a second should you decide to remove it. There's no need to search for a hex driver and no worry about dropping tiny screws. There are passthrough buttons for the volume toggle and on/off/sleep/wake button, with an open spot for the mute lock switch. The entire bottom of the AluFrame is wide open, providing unencumbered access to the speakers and Lightning port. Finally, the HeadStand assembles quickly with two regular Phillips-head screws and looks great. It works nicely, too -- my pair of V-Moda headphones sat comfortably on top and I was able to remove the headphone cable to wrap around the base of the HeadStand. It definitely looks like a lot better way to store headphones than the method I've been using. Conclusion Just Mobile has made a name for itself by creating good-looking and functional accessories for Apple products, imagined by talented European designers. With the HeadStand, AluFrame, and AluCup, the company has added three more products to a growing stable of reasonably-priced designer accessories. Pros HeadStand is a unique product that has been needed for a long time Aluminum construction of Just Mobile's accessories guarantees that they'll hold up for a while AluFrame latch mechanism makes the bumper fast and easy to install or remove AluCup takes up very little desktop space and works with many iPhone 5 cases Cons iPad mini wouldn't sit on top of the AluCup as advertised unless it was in a silicone sleeve Who are they for? Anyone who appreciates good design and solid construction in Apple accessories Giveaway We have an AluCup with a red liner, a black anodized aluminum HeadStand, and a black AluFrame to give away. 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 29, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Three winners will be selected. One will received a Just Mobile AluCup valued at $29.95, one will receive an AluFrame valued at $69.95, and one will receive a HeadStand valued at $49.95. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Logitech intros FabricSkin Keyboard Folio for iPad, Folio for iPad/iPad mini
Logitech's secret plans for dominating the iPad accessories market continue. Today, the company unveiled the new FabricSkin Keyboard Folio for iPad (US$149.95), a new line of attractive Bluetooth keyboards that provide full-sized keys that it says are "seamlessly fused into an interior fabric". At the same time, the company is also introducing the new Folio for iPad and iPad mini at $69.99 and $59.99 respectively. What's different about both of these products is that they're using high-end fabrics and contrasting colors to create a totally unique pair of folios. The FabricSkin Keyboard folio uses a "tray" to hold the iPad in place, in colors from Mars Orange (with a white contrasting keyboard) to deep Mystic Blue (with a red tray) or Sunflower Yellow with a tan keyboard. They're definitely eye-catching, and we'll be testing the keyboard soon to let readers know how the non-mechanical mechanism works for speed typing. %Gallery-186529% The FabricSkin Keyboard uses a set of powerful magnets to hold the iPad upright for typing or hold the cover closed during transit. That fabric coating on the keyboard? It's water-repellant. Logitech uses a similar design scheme for the Folio cases for iPad and iPad mini. These cases lack the keyboard of the higher-priced model, but use a similar tray to hold the iPad in place and are covered with similar fabrics. There's a bright Acid Yellow Folio, a staid and classy Carbon Black model and one that's nicely covered in Mystic Blue. All of the new Logitech products are expected to be available in May, and as soon as we can get our hands on them we'll have full reviews here. In the meanwhile, enjoy the gallery of product shots and check out the Logitech blog for more information.