twelve south
Latest
Twelve South’s HiRise Pro is a slick height-adjustable laptop stand
Twelve South has long made premium, stylish peripherals, cases and more for almost anything Apple. This follow-up stand is compatible with all MacBooks (and other laptops), adding a degree of adjustability to the screen height while remaining sturdy, It even includes a MagSafe charging platform – although you have to provide your own MagSafe puck.
The best Memorial Day tech sales we could find
The best Memorial Day 2022 tech deals include Apple AirPods for $150, Google's Nest Audio for $65, up to $350 off Solo Stove fire pits and 20 percent off Ooni pizza ovens.
This week's best deals: $200 off the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and more
Here's a list of the best tech deals from this week, including up to $200 off Samsung Galaxy S21 smartphones.
Twelve South’s HiRise Wireless charger is made for your desk or on-the-go
Twelve South has released a new wireless charger that essentially functions as three chargers in one. The HiRise Wireless has a desktop charging stand for your smartphone and a removable USB-C wireless charging pad for when you're on-the-go. That pad will also power up accessories, like your AirPods (assuming they have the new wireless charging case, of course).
Twelve South ParcSlope stand for MacBook provides style and comfort
One of our favorite accessory design shops here at TUAW is Twelve South, and they're our heroes for a couple of reasons. First, they design and manufacture useful and stylish accessories for Apple products only. The second reason? Everything they make is top quality. The latest product to emerge from Charleston, SC is the ParcSlope desktop stand for MacBook (US$49.99). Check out our review, then enter for an opportunity to win a ParcSlope from TUAW and Twelve South. Specifications Dimensions: 2.8" high x 8.3" wide x 9.6" deep (7.1 x 21.1 x 24.3 cm) Weight: 2 pounds (.91 kg) Angle: 18 degrees Design ParcSlope was designed as a hybrid laptop stand instead of the traditional stand that lifts the MacBook off of your desk, requiring you to acquire and use a totally separate keyboard and pointing device. Instead, ParcSlope lifts the back of your MacBook up off of the table, bringing the screen up a bit higher for more comfortable viewing and typing. Made of solid aluminum, ParcSlope works with any MacBook. It doesn't matter if you have a current 11-inch MacBook Air or one of the discontinued 17-inch MacBook Pro monsters, it's going to work for you. As with all other Twelve South accessories, ParcSlope is designed specifically with Apple products in mind. There are some ridges on the top of the unit that allow for screen clearance when the screen is opened on an 11, 13, or 15-inch MacBook (the 17-incher will be off the top of the ParcSlope, so it doesn't need a ridge). There's a silicone lip holding the MacBook in place, and rubber feet on the bottom to keep your desk or table from being scratched. In case you're wondering about the "ParcSlope" name, well - Park Slope is a trendy neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY, and the "Parc" pays respect to Xerox's Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), where Steve Jobs and other Apple employees had their first look at a graphical user interface for a computer. Function My test of the ParcSlope was done with a 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro. Setup of the stand is drop-dead simple; you just put it on the table. You're done. Plop the MacBook Pro on top, open the screen, and get to work. There's some cable management built into ParcSlope as well - there's a hole in the back of the aluminum through which you can weave your power cable, USB cables, Thunderbolt cables (this is perfect with a second display, by the way), you name it. The cables are held in place by the stand when disconnected from the MacBook. Since I usually type on a gently angled Apple Wireless Keyboard that's placed flat onto a desktop, I wasn't sure how I was going to like the steeper angle provided by the ParcSlope. As it was, the higher placement of both the MacBook's screen and having my arms and hands a bit higher up actually felt better than typing on a flat MacBook keyboard. Your mileage may vary; you can get a feel for how the ParcSlope holds the MacBook by grabbing something just under 3 inches in height and sticking it under the back edge of the computer. Conclusion As usual, Twelve South has knocked another one out of the park (or should I say "parc"?) with the ParcSlope. It's solid and should last you through the next ten generations of MacBook, and it makes any MacBook a more comfortable and usable member of the Mac family. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway C'mon, you know you want a ParcSlope of your very own. All you have to do to have a chance at winning one is to fill out the form below. 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 January 30, 2015 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Twelve South ParcSlope valued at $49.95. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Twelve South loves you and is giving you a Christmas present
Those of you who have dual-screen setups for your Macs are going to love the nice Christmas gift that accessory manufacturer Twelve South is sending your way. The company has partnered with San Francisco photographer Scott Gordon to create sets of dual-screen backgrounds that you can download and install for free. According to Twelve South Creative Director and Co-founder Andrew Green, "I've always enjoyed the dual-screen experience with my Macs, and the best way to make the most of that setup is with gorgeous dual-screen backgrounds. In the spirit of the holiday season, we've partnered with San Francisco photographer Scott Gordon to share a stunning set of dual-screen backgrounds with you. Happy Holidays from everyone at Twelve South." The collection of backgrounds is titled "Collection 1: Fall in San Francisco", which seems to be a subtle hint that there will be future collections coming from Gordon and Twelve South. Visiting the page for the collection, you have your choice of four different wallpaper duos -- Golden Gate, Nightscape, Cloudveil, and Soma -- all of which come in a variety of sizes and resolutions. Frankly, this is tempting me to get a 27-inch iMac with Retina display to sit next to my "old" 27-inch iMac so I can get a stunning set of San Francisco images... Many thanks to Andrew Green, Twelve South, and Scott Gordon for this fun and useful gift.
Hands-on with the Twelve South BookBook for iPhone 6 Plus
Twelve South has released its iconic BookBook for the iPhone 6 Plus (US$59.99), and if you're looking for something to replace your thin protective case, your stand case, and your wallet, you've come to the right place. Check out the review, then enter for a chance to win a beautiful vintage brown BookBook for your iPhone 6 Plus. Specifications Dimensions: 6.3 x 3.34 x .79 inches (160 x 85 x 20 mm) Weight: 3.2 ounces (91 grams) Materials: Leather, polycarbonate (for removable shell case) Design All of the members of the BookBook line from Twelve South look like ... books. Not just any books, though - they resemble those old leatherbound tomes that were on the shelf in that one dusty corner of the university library. The covers are beautiful vintage brown or black leather, while the spine of the BookBook is red and black with gold embellishments. Inside the case you'll find a distressed leather wallet with an ID slot, four credit card slots, and a big pocket for cash and receipts. It's probably the first time any manufacturer has actually made an iPhone wallet case that can really replace your old wallet! The surprise is the thin polycarbonate protective shell that the iPhone 6 Plus slides into. Once it's inside the shell, you just slide the entire assembly onto some plastic pins inside the BookBook and it's held securely in place. If you decide the entire BookBook is too big for your current purposes - say, sliding the phone into your skinny jeans - you can pop the shell and iPhone out of the leather structure. That shell and the "pins" also make it possible for the BookBook for iPhone 6 Plus (and the iPhone 6 version as well) to do something no other iPhone BookBook has done before - act as a hands-free viewing stand. The design for the new BookBook for iPhone 6 Plus is not only just as beautiful as before, but adds much more practicality to the case. Functionality The Twelve South BookBook for iPhone 6 Plus has it all: good looks, protection, a built-in stand, and a capacious wallet. There's no need to say much more than that, other than at $60 it's a bargain. Conclusion While the BookBook for iPhone 6 Plus might not be for everyone - I mean, it IS hard to put the whole ball of wax into a single pants pocket - it's perfect for the person who carries a purse, briefcase or computer bag. Between the timeless design and the ability to use the BookBook as a wallet, stand, and protective case, this case is a winner. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway As much as I drooled over this case (not literally, OK?), it's not for me as I really need an iPhone 6 Plus case that I can stick into my pants pocket all the time. So one of you lucky devils out there is going to get a beautiful vintage brown BookBook for iPhone 6 Plus. I envy you. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before December 20, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Twelve South BookBook for iPhone 6 Plus valued at $59.99. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Twelve South announces BookBook for iPhone 6 / 6 Plus
Twelve South's BookBook iPhone case has been a popular choice for years, and now the company has announced that it is releasing the case in sizes for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. While the case may look the same from the outside, it's actually different from its predecessors. First, the BookBook now features a distressed internal wallet with five (iPhone 6) or six (iPhone 6 Plus) slots for credit cards. There's a window pocket for your ID, and a full-size pocket for cash - you do remember what cash is, don't you? - or receipts. Next, the BookBook used to use a leather holder to keep the iPhone in case, which I found to be rather floppy in practice. The company has replaced that with a thin plastic shell for the iPhone that can be easily removed from the BookBook for more lightweight use or charging. Finally, the "old" BookBook design of three years ago was just a leather case that ... flopped open. The new one? It can be used as a stand for all sorts of fun hands-free purposes! As seen in the video below, the BookBook can still apparently help you get dates if you're young and good-looking. That's one feature that hasn't changed at all. We'll have a full review of the BookBook for iPhone 6/6 Plus soon.
Twelve South SurfacePad for iPhone 6 / 6 Plus: Review and giveaway
Twelve South produces a lot of really impressive accessories that are designed for Apple products alone. A while back, the company developed the sleek SurfacePad for iPhone, a leather folio case with a difference - it's incredibly thin and light. Now the company has started shipping the SurfacePad for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus (US$39.99 and $49.99 respectively), and TUAW's not only going to review the new model, but give away two of the cases each for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Specifications iPhone 6: Thickness - .07 inches (2 mm), Weight - 1.02 ounces (29 gm) iPhone 6 Plus: Thickness - .07 inches (2 mm), Weight - 1.48 ounces (42 gm) Material: Napa leather Colors: Black, Red, White, Camel Design The design of the SurfacePad hasn't changed from our first review in early 2013, but the size has of course increased to match Apple's new, larger iPhones. The folio is one piece of luscious leather, with a pad of what's called SurfaceGrip on the back inside. It's an amazingly sticky material that holds the iPhone 6 or 6 Plus securely in place, but you can remove your phone in seconds with a firm pull and then reattach the case again later. The leather comes in four different colors. The black is rich and deep, the red is bright, white is very ... white, and the new camel is a nice tan leather finish. All are professionally stitched with coordinated thread. The cover of the folio folds over to protect the screen of your device, and it's also equipped with two slots for ID or credit cards that aren't yet compatible with Apple Pay. The folio also folds into a nice landscape-mode stand for your device, perfect for shooting images or watching your favorite movie. Functionality Twelve South has been making the SurfacePad for quite a few years now, both for iPad and iPhone. The design makes for one of the most functional cases for an iPhone, basically doing it all - protecting the front and back of the phone, acting as a mini wallet, and providing a stand when you really need it. The SurfaceGrip technology works very well; I've had one of the iPad cases for a few years and have removed and reapplied it many times in order to try out other cases. While I've seen issues with some of the other "sticky back" materials wearing out, SurfaceGrip seems to keep on going without fail. Conclusion A lot of companies have basically hijacked Twelve South's design for the SurfacePad, but the original is still the best lightweight folio case out there. It's thin, light, and very well made, and sold at a price won't break the bank. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway We have four of these lovely cases to give away to TUAW readers. For the iPhone 6 owners, there is the choice of camel or black leather, while iPhone 6 Plus owners get the choice of white or red. 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 November 10, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. Four winners will be selected in a random drawing. Two will win the SurfacePad for iPhone 6 valued at $39.99, while two will win the SurfacePad for iPhone 6 Plus valued at $49.99. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Twelve South announces the BookArc Stand for Mac Pro
Mac Pro owners now have another choice at how to position their beautiful cylindrical powerhouse on a desktop. Twelve South today announced the BookArc Stand for Mac Pro (US$59.99), a shiny little chrome-plated rack onto which you gently place your computer on its side. What's nice about the design is that by placing the Mac Pro on its side, it takes up only 7.5 inches of vertical space rather than 14 inches when it is placed upright. That means that you can place the Mac Pro inside a studio rack if you want, getting it out of the way, yet cradling it securely atop other gear. The BookArc Stand for Mac Pro joins Twelve South's other useful and stylish stands for the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and iPad. It's available immediately, and I'm sure that any of your friends or co-workers who own Mac Pros would appreciate a BookArc Stand for the holidays.
Twelve South HoverBar 3: A TUAW Video Review
Twelve South's HoverBar is one of those accessories that seems bizarre until you use it for the first time, and then you understand just how useful it can be. Now the company has unveiled the HoverBar 3, retailing at US$99.99. In today's video review, I'll take a look at the HoverBar 3 -- and then you have an opportunity to win one of your very own. What is the HoverBar used for? Mounting an iPad or iPad mini so that you can have it in front of you without having to hold it in your hand. The sky's the limit with how this mount can be used -- I've seen people use them to hold an iPad next to a monitor for a "second screen", mount them to tables so that they can read an ebook without holding the iPad, or even attach them to cabinets in a kitchen to hold an iPad at eye level for cooking. Specifications Maximum thickness of two-way clamp: 1 inch (25.4 mm) Length of HoverBar arm: 22 inches (559 mm) Compatibility: iPad Air, iPad mini, iPad (2nd - 4th generation) Conclusion If you have a need for hands-off "floating" of an iPad or iPad mini near your Mac or even just near your favorite comfy chair, then the HoverBar 3 is one of the best solutions I've seen for keeping your tablet under control. Top-notch hardware that won't mar your furniture or your iPad makes the HoverBar 3 a no-brainer for hands-free mounting of your iPad. However, if cost is an issue, you may wish to look at some less expensive solutions that are on the market. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Twelve South makes amazing gear for Apple devices, and the HoverBar 3 is no exception. Want a chance to win one? Just enter our giveaway. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before May 31, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Twelve South HoverBar 3 valued at $99.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Twelve South BookArc möd steps away from metal, embraces wood
Just yesterday we announced Twelve South's new HiRise stand Tactical Black finish and are giving one away; today we're going to take a look at a new take on the venerable BookArc MacBook stand. It's called the BookArc möd (US$79.99) and bring the warm look and feel of wood to a great accessory. Read on for details, then enter a giveaway for a classy walnut BookArc möd from Twelve South and TUAW. Specifications Dimensions: 3 x 5 x 10.15 inches (7.5 x 12.75 x 25.8 cm) Weight: 0.5 pounds (.22 kg) Available finishes: Birch, Walnut, Espresso Compatible with: MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, MacBook Pro with Retina display Design Highlights Like the original BookArc that we first reviewed back in early 2010, the BookArc möd uses a graceful curved design with a slot in the middle to hold a MacBook in clamshell (closed cover) mode. This is perfect for those situations where you'd like to use a MacBook with a large screen display, a full keyboard, and a mouse or trackpad. To hold the MacBook securely, each BookArc möd comes with a pair of inserts designed for specific MacBook models. But rather than continuing to follow in the footsteps of Apple design guru Jony Ive, Twelve South's newest BookArc uses wood as a primary material rather than aluminum. The result is very attractive and functional. Functionality Highlights The BookArc möd does a simple job, holding your closed MacBook vertically on a flat surface. It performs that task admirably, with no wobble at all. You should note that you might need to swap out the inserts to get the perfect fit -- although the instructions said that I should use the "7" insert for the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display, I have a Speck SeeThru Satin Case on my device that adds just a little bit of width and a lot of protection. The result? I had to use the "5" insert to get more space and it worked just fine. To keep the BookArc möd from scratching your desktop, there are four small cork pads located on the "feet". With a MacBook loaded onto the BookArc, those feet also keep it from moving thanks to additional friction between the surfaces. Conclusion Twelve South makes beautiful and useful products for Apple devices, and they've hit another home run with the BookArc möd. The natural wood finishes give the stand a nice look against the stark metal of the MacBook, and the design ensures a nice tight fit to whatever Apple laptop you're using. My only concern is the price, which seems a tad exorbitant considering the materials. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Someone out there has a beautiful office and a MacBook, and we're going to give 'em a BookArc möd in the walnut finish. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before May 13, 2014 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Twelve South BookArc möd MacBook Stand valued at $79.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Twelve South HiRise gets a new finish; TUAW's giving one away
The stylish and functional Twelve South HiRise iPhone 5/iPad mini stand (US$34.99) has been available since last year, so it was quite surprising when the company announced a change to that product. When I reviewed it last year, I found the HiRise to be both appealing and reasonably priced -- a true winner in my book. Well, what could the company do to make a great product even better? They've announced a new finish on the HiRise -- Tactical Black. Designed to look great with that Space Gray iPhone 5s or iPad, the new HiRise also looks darned good with a colorful iPhone 5c onboard. As with the previous HiRise, the new one adjusts to fit iPhones in cases so you don't have to "undress" your phone to charge it. It's compatible with any iPhone 5, iPad mini, or iPod touch that sports a Lightning port. The best iPhone stand on the market just got better, and we're going to celebrate by giving one away courtesy of Twelve South. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before May 12, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Twelve South HiRise iPhone 5/iPad mini stand in Tactical Black Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Twelve South's Travel Journal is a Trapper Keeper for your iPad
While Steve Sande was taking his cruise around the Southern Hemisphere, the folks at Twelve South sent over a couple of their latest products for me to try in his stead. First up is their handsome BookBook Travel Journal for the iPad. Specifications Price: US$99.99 Dimensions: 8" x 10.3" x 1.9" (203 x 262 x 49 mm) Weight: 16 oz. (453 grams) Compatible: Any full-sized iPad or iPad mini Colors: Brown Design Highlights If you're familiar with the BookBook line from Twelve South, the Travel Journal is the chunky brother alongside its svelte siblings. The leatherbound case features an array of pockets for holding everything from your iPad to your iPhone and any accessories you can pair with either device. There's one closed pouch, several mesh ones and several velcro straps on the right side. You can store your iPad in either the padded pouch on the left or leave it exposed on the right. Functionality Highlights I had no issue putting my iPad mini with a case on the back into the padded pouch, and it's where I preferred to keep it when trying the case out. I tucked my phone into the closable pocket, added my plug-in battery charger, mophie powerstation, and several cables to round out the package. This is all gear I have stashed in various pouches on my messenger that I carry with me on a day-to-day basis. The end result, however, was surprisingly bulky and heavy. I switched out the battery charger and mophie with my Bose headphones and a spare iPad power brick and still had the bulk. It took up most of the room in my normal daypack and my messenger. Granted, I carry smaller bags, but it's something you need to consider if you're going to tote a laptop alongside it. I also can't just stash the Travel Journal in one of my purses the way I can with just my iPad mini in the case. The size and heft remind me of those Mead Five-Star zipper binders I used to use in school or an overstuffed Trapper Keeper. Conclusion If you're primarily traveling with just an iPad and want a place to keep it any anything you might use with it, the Travel Journal is perfect. It's sturdy and will protect your iPad and anything you put in it well. But if you're trying to integrate it as part of a mobile office and it needs to jockey for space alongside books and laptops in your bag, this might not fit your needs unless you have a really large backpack or messenger. Rating: Three stars out of four Want the Travel Journal I just reviewed? It's in a box making its way to Steve Sande at Macworld/iWorld 2014, where he will be giving it away at TUAW's informal meetup on Friday!
Twelve South's Rutledge BookBook for MacBook: Uniquely yours
The team at Twelve South has done it again; yesterday, they released the Rutledge BookBook for MacBook, an "artisan leather case" for MacBook. Using the familiar antique book format of the classic BookBook, the Rutledge BookBook uses a special process to make each case subtly different. Buying one, you can be assured that you have a completely unique way of protecting your MacBook. According to Twelve South" "We developed an entirely new technique for applying multiple layers of color, then carefully removing selected elements - revealing a radiant tapestry of hues and patterns. Each cover reveals a slightly different finish, as the brilliant tones follow the natural grain of the leather itself." Specifications Price: US$99.99 Dimensions: 11" MacBook Air - 12.3" x 8.3" x 1.25" (312mm x 211mm x 32mm) 13" MacBook Air / MacBook Pro - 13.4" x 9.8" x 1.25" (340mm x 249mm x 32mm) 13" MacBook Pro w/Retina Display - 13.0" x 9.3" x 1.25" (330mm x 236mm x 32mm) 15" MacBook Pro w/Retina Display - 14.9" x 10.5" x 1.25" (378mm x 266mm x 32mm) Design Highlights Twelve South is known for its design work, with products like the BookArc, the Compass 2 for iPad and iPad mini, the BackPack for iMac, and PlugBug all having a signature style and class that make them stand out. The Rutledge BookBook for MacBook is no exception. While it's essentially a riff on the original BookBook case (still available for $79.99), the Rutledge BookBook adds a gorgeous patina to the leather cover that just can't be described. There's a depth and warmth to the finish of the cover that makes it look like a museum piece. But you won't want to hang the Rutledge BookBook on the wall; it makes a great protective cover for your MacBook as well. I always wondered if "hiding" a MacBook or other device in a book-like cover would keep the electronics from being stolen; now the Twelve South site specifically points out that they have many letters from customers who have had a house or car broken into, but the BookBook-disguised MacBook wasn't taken. The inside of the case is covered with a black, somewhat spongy material that should protect your electronics from the occasional bang or drop, and there's a set of small elastic bands to hold the case onto the MacBook's display. A zipper runs around all but the spine of the BookBook, with two leather zipper pulls making it easy to open and close. Finally, on the spine of the Rutledge BookBook is embossed with gold foil highlights, a title and volume number. In a word, it's beautiful. Functionality Highlights The Rutledge BookBook may look great, but it's also an excellent way to keep your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro looking new. You should note that if you're going to stow the BookBook and MacBook in a bag for travel, you'll need to get a bag that can carry a MacBook "one size larger" than the one you have. For example, for a 13" MacBook Pro w/Retina display, you will want to make sure that your bag can hold a 15" MacBook Pro. For a 15" MacBook Pro, get a bag that holds a 17" laptop. Conclusion Anyone looking for a unique and beautiful way to protect a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro should consider the Twelve South Rutledge BookBook for MacBook. It's classy, each case is literally one-of-a-kind, and it might just disguise your MacBook enough to keep it from being a target for theft. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible
The TUAW Daily Update Podcast for March 13, 2014
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get some the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the player at the top of the page. The Daily Update has been moved to a new podcast host in the past few days. Current listeners should delete the old podcast subscription and subscribe to the new feed in the iTunes Store here.
Twelve South SurfacePad for iPad mini: Slim, protective, and versatile
Apple's little iPad has no shortage of ways to be protected from the elements. There are cases, waterproof cases, keyboard cases, sleeves, and more from a variety of manufacturers. However, some of the cases and sleeves leave a lot to be desired in terms of their looks and in what functionality they provide. Twelve South is now shipping the SurfacePad for iPad mini, and if you're looking for a stylish protective case that also works well as a stand, it may be just the cover and stand for you. Specifications Price: US$69.99 Dimensions: 7.8" x 5.2" x 0.1" (198 x 133 x 3 mm) Weight: 5.9 ounces (168 grams) Material: Napa leather Colors: Black, White, Red Design Highlights Twelve South makes Apple accessories that would make Jony Ive happy, and they've continued their run with the SurfacePad for iPad mini. This cover/stand features a thin leather cover that is attached to your iPad mini or mini with Retina display with an adhesive pad. That pad can be attached and detached any number of times without losing stickiness, so if you need to pop your mini into a waterproof case, just slip the SurfacePad off and go for it. The review SurfacePad was made of a rich red leather. I'm usually not a fan of red accessories, but this just looked too good to pass up. The SurfacePad is designed in such a way that the edge of the iPad mini is still visible, nice if you like to show off the thin contoured lines of the tablet. The SurfacePad folds easily into one of three positions as a stand. It uses a small "kickstand" that folds out to hold the iPad mini in a position for typing, or magnets hold the iPad in one of two upright positions for watching videos. The leather gives the SurfacePad a nice grip, so your chances of dropping that slick little iPad mini are reduced. As you'd expect, there is a cutout on one corner for the back-facing camera, as well as a small hole for the noise cancellation microphone. Functionality Highlights Installing the SurfacePad is pretty easy; you just need to wipe off the back of your iPad mini with something to make sure there's no dust, dirt or oily finger residue back there, pull a plastic protective cover off of the sticky material, and then place the SurfacePad onto the back of the mini. If you don't align the SurfacePad properly the first time, don't get worried. It can be pulled off easily and reinstalled. For protection, you should be aware that the SurfacePad does not cover the edges of the iPad mini, so a drop onto one of the edges could result in damage. However, it does provide good protection for the screen and back of the iPad mini, and as mentioned earlier the leather surface should provide enough of a grip to keep you from dropping the tablet in the first place. Magnets in the SurfacePad turn your iPad mini on and off, and when used as a stand they ensure that the iPad/SurfacePad is going to stay in an upright and locked position. Both of the viewing positions for video use the magnets to full advantage, and they work really well. However, in the typing position the magnet didn't seem to line up properly so that the kickstand was in place as a prop while the magnet was grabbing the edge of the iPad mini. The kickstand apparently needs to be "broken in", as after I bent it into position a few times, it began to work the way it should. I still found on occasion that the kickstand would collapse and leave the iPad flat on its leather-wrapped back until I propped it up again. Conclusion Anyone looking for a slim, lightweight, stylish and fairly functional cover/stand for their iPad mini should consider the SurfacePad. While it doesn't offer much protection for the edges of the iPad mini, it does protect the rest of the body and works well as a stand, especially for watching videos. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible
Twelve South BookBook Travel Journal: Beautiful leatherbound travel case
As a frequent reviewer of Apple accessories, one of the joys of my job is to receive an email from a manufacturer that makes me just say "Wow! I must have one of those!" That was the situation this morning when I received an email from Charleston, SC-based Twelve South about its new BookBook Travel Journal (US$99.99). For those of us who travel a lot, this book-like travel case is the perfect answer to the age-old question of "Where do I put all of my stuff?" It's designed for use with an iPad or iPad mini, and has space for everything you might need for an extended trip with your gizmo. A place to put the headphones? Check. A place for a charger brick or two? Yep. How about a place for a battery pack to keep everything going during an extended flight or drive? Got it. All of this is built around a nice padded and lined slot for your iPad buddy, and four pockets -- one of which is hidden. It's all in a beautiful leatherbound "book" measuring 8 x 10.3 x 1.9 inches. Twelve South has made other BookBook cases for everything from the iPhone to the MacBook, and they're all well-designed and sturdily built. We hope to get the BookBook Travel Journal for a review soon.
Hands-on with Twelve South's GhostStand for MacBook
Apple-only accessory design shop Twelve South announced the new GhostStand for MacBook (US$34.99) last week, and TUAW received one of the sleek, clear polycarbonate stands soon afterward for review. The GhostStand is a perfect accompaniment to a MacBook and external keyboard, lifting the laptop up to an ergonomically superior level. The GhostStand is packaged in Twelve South's classy traditional "gift box" and upon opening, you're greeted with the view of the two clear pieces that make up the X-shaped stand. In case you're wondering about the name, the stand is inspired by designer Phillipe Starck's Ghost Chair, a clear polycarbonate chair that seems to almost disappear from sight. Much in the same way, the GhostStand just "gets out of the way." The MacBook (any model) seems, from a distance, to be just floating in air. The GhostStand requires one-time assembly; what you put together, Twelve South suggests "let no man put asunder." The two pieces are carefully machined with some pretty tight tolerances and assembly requires that one piece slides inside the other, then two slots align. It takes a little bit of force, and taking it apart again might cause issues. When we first ran the news about the release of the GhostStand, one of our bloggers asked what kept the MacBook from just sliding off. Good question! It turns out that on the angled top surface, there are thin aluminum strips lined with silicone that are machined into place. Similar strips are located on the bottom of the pieces as well so that the GhostStand doesn't slide on hard surfaces. I usually split out the design and functionality pieces of my reviews, but in the case of the GhostStand, the two are intricately linked. This stand is a perfect example of architect Louis Sullivan's credo that "Form follows function." The function: hold a MacBook above a desk or table where it can be viewed more easily and used with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse/trackpad. The form: an incredibly sturdy, yet almost invisible X of plastic. The open X design allows cooling air to flow all around the MacBook, perfect for older devices that had a tendency to overheat on occasion. To see the GhostStand in action, be sure to check out the gallery above. Twelve South has definitely done it again with a MacBook accessory that's beautiful, functional and very reasonably priced.
Twelve South introduces GhostStand for MacBook
Now here's a way to make your MacBook look almost like it's floating in mid-air: the design wizards at Twelve South have announced GhostStand (US$34.99), a transparent Lucite platform that elevates a MacBook about six inches off of the desktop for easy viewing. The two blades that make up the GhostStand have double-inlaid brushed-metal rails that are lined with silicone to both grip and protect the MacBook and desk surface. The stand is a wonderful way to elevate a MacBook screen to improve dual-monitor use, and also offers a more ergonomic arrangement for any MacBook user. As with Twelve South's previous recent addition to the family, the HiRise for iPhone 5 / iPad mini, the pricing on this attractive stand is quite reasonable. We're happy to see that Twelve South is making more affordable products that still offer beautiful design and top-quality construction. TUAW will feature a full review of the GhostStand in the near future.
