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TwelveSouth BookBook for iPhone: Wallet and case in one little leather-bound book
I'm always intrigued when TwelveSouth's Andrew Green sends me an email telling me that something new is coming out. Sure enough, he warned me yesterday that something very cool was in the works, and this morning an email arrived touting the new BookBook for iPhone (US$59.99). By early this afternoon the FedEx guy brought one to the door, so I was able to try it out and write a review. If you're familiar with the BookBook for iPad, MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, you'll know that I'm talking about a distressed leather faux book that protects the outside of your device while looking very swanky. The new BookBook for iPhone takes care of your iPhone and also acts as a wallet, so you carry one beautiful leather case in your pocket instead of an iPhone and a wallet. %Gallery-129198% Design Like most TwelveSouth products, the BookBook for iPhone shows a lot of design smarts. I was happy to see that unlike the bigger BookBooks for iPad, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, the iPhone version doesn't have a zipped enclosure. When I reach into my pocket to answer a phone or grab a credit card, the last thing I want to do is unzip a case -- here I just pull out the BookBook and flip it open, and answer a call or grab some cash. The distressed leather exterior of the BookBook is beautiful, and should keep you from being concerned about scratching it. Any bumps, scratches, and stains will only add to the charm of the case. If you like leather, you'll love the smell of the BookBook when you pull it out of the box. It's that nice tanned leather smell, and the warm distressed leather feel that make this such a delightful iPhone case. Functionality Concerned about taking photos in a case like this? Don't be. With a pull on the bright red "bookmark" you can nudge the phone out just far enough to snap a quick photo and then push it back into the case. One feature that TwelveSouth doesn't advertise is that the BookBook brings "Find My Wallet" to life, since you'd be able to ping your iPhone and know exactly where it and your money are. You have immediate access to the Dock connector, the speakers are wide open to the world, and all of the other buttons and ports are easy to get to. For the volume toggle, there are actually + and - "buttons" embossed into the leather covering the switch. I have a lot of cards in my wallet -- mainly things like membership and "frequent flier" cards -- so I was worried that the BookBook wouldn't have the capacity for my collection of plastic and paper. I was right. I had to leave a lot of cards out of the wallet side of the BookBook, and even with eight cards (driver's license, medical card, credit cards, ATM card, etc...) the left side of the BookBook was bulging by the time I was done. I tried to slip some money into the slot allotted for it, and found that it doing that really made the BookBook swell up. I guess I'm one of those kids who "can't have anything nice," since I noticed after putting my cards into the wallet side that the seam between the leather card holders and the material lining the cash slot was pulling apart. The moral of the story? If you are going to use a BookBook for iPhone as your only wallet, don't carry a lot of cards. Conclusion If you have just a few credit or ID cards to carry and don't have a huge wad of cash in your wallet, then the BookBook for iPhone is an elegant and unique case for your phone. I love the look and feel of this, and it will certainly be a conversation starter. In fact, according to the promotional movie below, the BookBook is apparently quite useful in "getting lucky." Enjoy the fantasy!
Twelve South introduces BookBook for Macbook Air
Twelve South, proud maker of nifty Apple-only accessories, has added the MacBook Air to its BookBook line up of vintage-looking protective cases, alongside the BookBook for MacBook Pro and iPad. The BookBook for Air is designed to fit your MacBook Air perfectly. While transforming your laptop into the guise of an old, hand distressed, genuine-leather bound book that not many would think was worth stealing, the BookBook offers formidable protection from the surrounding environment, too. Your MacBook Air is surrounded by two hardback covers, reinforced corners and a sturdy spine as well as padded protection on the interior. The BookBook for Air isn't all that much thicker than the device itself, so it won't bloat the ultra-thin profile you've come to love about your MacBook Air. Weighing only 13.5 ounces, it won't add to your burden. The BookBook for Air is available to order now for US$79.99 We've previously covered some of Twelve South's other accessories (MagicWand, BookBook for iPad and MacBook Pro, Compass, BookArc, SurfacePad and BassJump subwoofer), and we've been delighted with what we've seen. We're sure to expect the same from the BookBook for Air. If you pick one up, let us know what you think.
iPad 2 case and stand roundup
Last year at the launch of the iPad, there were very few accessories available. Sure, you could pick up an Apple Case for the iPad, and I think there were a handful of third-party cases, but the variety wasn't exactly overwhelming. After the wildly successful first year of the iPad, everyone in the accessory business is going out of their way to make sure you have a choice of goodies at launch or shortly thereafter. In this article, I'll tell you about some of the cases and stands we've heard about so far. Targus 360° Rotating Stand / Case for iPad 2 This is the first iPad 2-specific product that I've actually received, and it's a beauty. The Targus 360° Rotating Stand / Case (US$59.99) features a unique design with a 360° swivel that allows the iPad 2 to be displayed in portrait or landscape orientations. Unlike other swiveling stands and cases, the Targus 360° is remarkably thin. The center of the swivel mechanism is open so that the Apple logo is clearly visible, there's a soft velour lining to gently caress your iPad 2 screen, and the exterior is a very attractive black faux leather. To hold the case closed while in transit, there's a wide elastic band similar to that used on Moleskine notebooks. The plastic "tray" that holds the iPad 2 has a hole in the proper spot for the rear-facing camera, although the device has to be swiveled into portrait mode for the camera to be able to "see." You can buy one now through Amazon, and Best Buy stores will have the cases available on March 11. Targus will also have the thin Protective TPU Skin for iPad 2 ($29.99) and Vuscape Cover and Stand ($39.99) available to protect that new iPad 2. Click the read more link to see more upcoming iPad 2 products.
TwelveSouth Magic Wand brings your keyboard and Magic Trackpad closer together
Kind of crazy that we haven't seen more accessories that combine the Apple Bluetooth keyboard with the Magic Trackpad yet, but TwelveSouth has it covered with the Magic Wand, a simple aluminum half-tube that takes your two Apple wireless peripherals and joins them as one. Cute. Of course you're still stuck with duplicate sets of batteries, and you'll have to somehow deal with the fact that you just spent $30 on a piece of metal that creates a godless keyboard chimera monster, but if you can get past that the Magic Wand is shipping now. Video after the break.
TwelveSouth MagicWand: Bring your keyboard and Magic Trackpad together as one
At Macworld Expo 2011, one of my personal highlights of the show was talking with Andrew Green, the CEO of Apple accessory design house TwelveSouth. It's always a pleasure to see what new toys the company is coming out with, so when Andrew reached into a bag and pulled out a MagicWand, I naturally paid attention. The US$29.99 MagicWand is a deceptively simple accessory with a purpose. If you have both the Apple Wireless Keyboard and the Magic Trackpad -- not included with the MagicWand, of course -- you know how sometimes the trackpad and keyboard can move around on your desk independently, making it annoying to find the trackpad with your mousing hand when you're working on something and don't want to look at the desk. The MagicWand consists of a hard plastic channel that both the keyboard and trackpad snap into, so that you appear to have a combo keyboard-trackpad that was "Designed by Apple in California." Lefties can be happy, since the trackpad can be placed on either side of the keyboard. Knowing that there wouldn't be a smooth seam between the two components, TwelveSouth provides a plastic "H-bar" and soft silicone insert to bridge the gap. When you need to change batteries in one of the components, it just takes a second to pop it out of the MagicWand. I really like the feel of the combo keyboard-trackpad. Sometimes when I'm really into the flow of writing, my keyboard would actually move due to finger impacts on the keys. Now with the extra weight provided by the trackpad and the "feet" on the bottom of the MagicWand, everything stays in place on my desk. As with all of the TwelveSouth products I've had the pleasure to review before, the MagicWand is one of those "Why didn't Apple think of this?" products that is a joy to use. If you already own an Apple Wireless Keyboard and a Magic Trackpad, the MagicWand is an accessory you're going to want to buy. %Gallery-117127%
Twelve South's BookArc for Air stand cozies up around your MacBook Air
Twelve South's made somewhat of a name for itself by crafting unexpected (and generally visually pleasing) accessories for everything Apple, but the ouftit's latest just seems particularly superfluous. The BookAir for Air is described as a vertical stand for the MacBook Air, enabling you to hoist your new ultraportable upright for use with a desktop monitor and keyboard. 'Course, we have to believe that only a smattering of individuals have any real interest in using their MBA as a desktop replacement, but hey, at least there's now a stand should you fit into that category. She'll be on sale soon for $39.99, with initial shipments to head out next month. %Gallery-115309%
TUAW review and giveaway: Twelve South BookBook for iPad
When fellow TUAW blogger Dave Caolo teased you with the news of Twelve South releasing the US$69.99 BookBook cover for iPad, you knew that a review and giveaway couldn't be far behind. We're happy to say that you'll have a chance to win one of these beautiful iPad covers. But first, let's give the BookBook for iPad a test flight. It's rather ironic that the sleek glass and aluminum iPad is inspiring a lot of old-school cases. The first out the door was the Dodo Case, a leather-bound tome that resembles a Moleskine in more ways than one. It has a hand-carved bamboo interior shell to hold the iPad in place, and an elastic band holds the cover closed when the iPad is not in use. These $59.95 cases have resulted in a resurgence in the book binding trade in San Francisco, and there's a long waiting list for them. Minneapolis-based Pad&Quill also has a similar case called "The Case, Vol. 1" with a hand-carved birch interior lining. The Dodo Case has spawned a host of imitators, including a number of blog posts from people who are creating their own Moleskine-type iPad cases by hand. A lot of iPad owners, however, were waiting to see what Twelve South would do for the iPad. This, after all, is the company that started the whole retro case market with the BookBook for MacBook Pro. Well, the wait is over, and now Twelve South is shipping their beautiful distressed leather book binding case for the iPad. %Gallery-100141%
Twelve South joins the fray of high-end iPad cases
Twelve South got our attention in January with the beautiful BookBook case for the MacBook Pro. Now they've done it again by offering a BookBook case for the iPad. The BookBook case resembles a vintage leather bound book with a hard cover and bookmark ribbon. It's a real standout among the huge pile of cases and sleeves that have sprung up around the iPad. Besides its good looks, there's one clever feature that makes the BookBook case interesting. Inside the case's front cover is a short string. With the case half open, you can pull that string around the underside and attaching it to a button on the opposite side, creating a clever stand.The interior is lined with soft material and will hold your iPad firmly in place. Each one is stitched by hand, so have patience after ordering and bring your wallet -- they sell for US$69.99. It's pricey but beautiful. Let us know if you pick one up.
TUAW review and giveaway: Twelve South Compass iPad stand
Yesterday we heard of a new iPad stand from Twelve South, and our initial reaction was a yawn -- everybody and their brother has come out with an iPad stand, and most of them are clunky, ugly, or weigh as much as the iPad. Upon further reading of the press release, we decided differently, and immediately worked with Twelve South to review and give away two of these amazing stands. They shipped a couple of the stands overnight, and we received them this morning. The Compass (US$39.99) gets its name from the drafting tool, not from the device you use to determine where magnetic north is. Folded into its travel case (included), the Compass takes up a space just 7 inches (17.8 cm) long and 1 inch (2.54 cm) wide. The Compass can be deployed in two modes. In the first, it looks like a tripod with the two compass-like legs holding the iPad and a third, thicker leg keeping the assembly upright. In this way, you can view the iPad in either portrait or landscape orientation. The second mode holds the iPad up in a slightly tilted configuration that is perfect for typing. %Gallery-97988%
My iPad workstation, your iPad workstation
I hadn't thought much about it when I put the picture up on Flickr, but there turned out to be some interest in the little iPad workstation/music center I've put together. I rather like it myself, so I thought I'd share it ... and put out a call to see what our readers have set up for their own docking stations. The setup isn't what you'd call inexpensive, but I had all of the hardware laying around anyway. This is mostly the result of my obsessive hunt for the perfect keyboard, and a penchant for new and different peripherals. Read on for the details.
TUAW First Look and Giveaway: Twelve South BookArc for iPad
There are a lot of Twelve South fans here at TUAW. The company makes nothing but Apple accessories, and they do it with a flair and panache that most other accessory makers seem to lack. We've reviewed or introduced a number of their products -- the BackPack shelves for iMac and Cinema Displays, the BookBook cases, BookArc desktop stand, and BassJump subwoofer for MacBooks -- and now we have another lovely aluminum arc to add to the list. The BookArc for iPad is a tabletop stand for the iPad. While we've seen everything from empty tape rolls and carry-out trays used as stands for the iPad, the BookArc is definitely one of the more stylish stands. The US$39.99 BookArc for iPad is a sleek arc of aluminum, outfitted with silicone rubber inserts to keep your iPad from getting scratched while it's sitting in the stand. Depending on which insert you use, you can orient the iPad in portrait or landscape mode, and either upright or tilted. In the tilted mode, the BookArc makes a wonderful dock for using the iPad with an external wireless keyboard. SInce the BookArc is open on the bottom, you can even use the standard Apple Dock Connector to USB cable to sync and charge your iPad while it's lookin' good.
New from TwelveSouth: SurfacePad Colors for MacBook
The Apple fans at TwelveSouth have done it again, this time with a product for the oft-neglected MacBook. SurfacePad Colors is a line of colorful leather pads that protect your glistening white MacBook from scratches and stains. The colors were well-researched by TwelveSouth. The Cyan Blue SurfacePad matches the current iPod nano blue, Perfect Pink is a perfect match to the Incase pink neoprene sleeve for the MacBook, Infinite Grey is identical to the grey on the base of the MacBook, and Orange Crush will make Clemson University, University of Tennessee, and Syracuse University fans and alums happy (hey, guys, you forgot that it also matches the orange in the Denver Broncos logo). The SurfacePad Colors pads are available now from TwelveSouth for US$29.99, and they're celebrating the release of this new product with free shipping. Be sure to check out the gallery on the TwelveSouth site for lots of sexy shots of SurfacePad Colors on a bevy of MacBooks.
TUAW review and giveaway -- BookArc from Twelve South
It's no surprise that TUAW bloggers like the products from Twelve South. They're made only for Macs, they have excellent quality and the company always sends us items to give away to our readers. We've previously had giveaways for the BackPack, BassJump, and now we're giving away a stylish BookArc. The US$49.00 BookArc takes advantage of the ability of Apple's MacBooks (Air and Pro included) to work as a desktop machine when the screen is closed and the computer is connected to an external mouse, keyboard, and monitor. You could just lay your MacBook on the desktop, but then it takes up valuable real estate. How about if you could just position your laptop vertically so it takes up a minimum amount of your desktop? That's what the BookArc is all about. Like the other products from Twelve South, the BookArc is attractively packaged, so it makes a wonderful gift for your favorite MacBook owner ... or yourself. After opening the box, you see the aluminum BookArc with one silicone insert installed, and deeper inside the box are two more inserts. These inserts grip and cushion your MacBook, so you'll want to make sure you have the correct one installed. Not to worry -- they're easy to install and remove. There's not too much more to say in terms of a review, other than the BookArc looks great and it does its job well. If you're not familiar with how to use your MacBook with the display closed, TwelveSouth thoughtfully provides a link to an Apple Knowledge Base page that has instructions. Now, it's time for a TUAW reader to win a BookArc. Here are the details: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 and older. To enter, leave a comment telling us what kind of MacBook you're going to use with the BookArc. The comment must be left before Wednesday, February 24, 2010, 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing. Prize: One Twelve South BookArc desktop stand for MacBook ($49 value) Click Here for complete Official Rules. Good luck! Check out the gallery below for some shots of the BookArc you may soon be using. %Gallery-86134%
BookBook: A classy way to protect and hide your MacBook
Curse you, TwelveSouth! You keep coming up with ways to make me spend my hard-earned money. This time, it's a wonderfully unique sleeve for the MacBook line, the BookBook. This US$79.99 sleeve looks like an antique leather-bound book, but it wraps around your Apple-made pride and joy to give it a level of class it hasn't had since it first shipped from the factory in China. The attention to detail is, as usual for TwelveSouth, incredible. Not only does it have the distressed leather appearance of an old book, but the leather zipper pulls look like bookmarks. The BookBook comes in red (seen above) and black, and in both 13" and 15" sizes. It's practical as well as beautiful. The rigid spine provides crush protection to the MacBook, the hardback covers protect the exterior of your laptop, and the unique look provides a level of stealth that could keep your MacBook from being stolen. After all, who wants to pick up something that looks like an old book that you picked up at a library sale? TwelveSouth is going to be sending one of these beauties along for a full review and giveaway, so keep your eyes open for a future post where you can win a BookBook from TUAW.
TUAW Review and Giveaway: Twelve South BassJump subwoofer for MacBook
It's no secret that I am an unabashed fanboy of Mac accessory design firm Twelve South. Their BackPack for the iMac and Apple Cinema Display is sleek and utilitarian, and the BookArc is a stylish way to stash that MacBook Pro when you want to use it with the cover closed. So it was with a great deal of interest that I read about another of the company's accessories, the BassJump portable subwoofer for MacBook. The idea behind the US$79.99 BassJump is simple -- the built-in speakers on the current MacBooks do a poor job of replicating the low-end of the sound spectrum, so why not add a USB-powered subwoofer to the mix to make the MacBook sound better? The BassJump portable subwoofer kind of reminds me of a shrunken Mac mini. Five inches on a side and a tiny bit over two inches tall, the speaker has a rubberized base to avoid sympathetic vibrations that could ruin sound quality. There's no power supply -- as noted earlier, this is a USB-powered accessory. You're not going to be able to use the BassJump as a replacement for a high-end audio system. The existing speakers in the MacBook line do an "OK" job of replicating the higher frequencies and the BassJump can fill in on the lower frequencies, but the combo still doesn't beat a dedicated audio system. But if you have a need to pump good-quality sound out of a MacBook for a presentation, or just don't want to be tied to a set of earbuds or headphones when listening to your iTunes library, the BassJump is a great solution.
Twelve South's BassJump subwoofer improves your MacBook experience via USB, not parachute
The speakers on the MacBook line are generally quite good -- for a laptop. Rock your world they won't, but Twelve South's BassJump might just add that low-frequency kick your unibody workhorse has been missing. The solitary speaker connects via USB and, through an analog-styled tuning app, augments the built-in speakers of the laptop with much-needed bass. If the styling didn't clue you in this is only for MacBooks and, at $80, seems to come at quite a premium over your average set of portable speakers. It's certainly nicer looking.
BackPack shelf for your iMac proves there are always more places to store clutter
Call us crazy (our parents sure have), but we think this thing is awesome in a "this can't be a real item for sale" kind of way. TwelveSouth's "Mac exclusive" BackPack shelf attaches to the back of iMac and Apple Cinema Displays, providing a place for your Mac mini, hard drive -- or your Dr. Beverly Crusher figurine. They run $29.99, or you can get a six-pack for $150. Yes, a six-pack.[Via Gizmodo]
