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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
Twelve South HiRise: A stylish stand for your iPhone or iPad mini
The Twelve South labs in Charleston, SC are always brimming over with new ideas, and today one of those ideas came to light in the form of the HiRise (US$34.99), a metal pedestal stand for the iPhone 5 and iPad mini. When you're not running about with your iPhone 5 in your pocket, the HiRise is a place where it can perch. The stand charges your device using your Lightning charging cable, and positions the iPhone -- or iPad mini -- at a raised height so you can easily engage in FaceTime or Skype conversations hands-free. Twelve South notes that the HiRise can be used with many iPhone 5 cases installed, including the OtterBox Defender, Speck CandyShell and its own BookBook for iPhone. The rear support is adjustable forward and back to compensate for the different thicknesses of cases and shells, and since the devices are raised off the desk or table surface, sound is completely unimpeded. The HiRise is available for purchase today from the Twelve South website, and we'll have a full review soon.
Twelve South's SurfacePad for iPhone: sleek, slim and sleather
Yeah, sleather's not a word, but I'm going to use it anyway because I love alliteration. Twelve South, that wonderful company that has brought a gaggle of gorgeous Apple-only products to life, has just announced the SurfacePad for iPhone (US$34.99). Here's a quick review of this latest addition to the Twelve South family. Design I refused to put a case of any sort onto my iPhone 5 for one very personal reason; I love the sleek look of the phone. But, as expected, I got a little scratch on the anodized black aluminum as a result of my stubborn refusal to put the device into a case. At a meeting with Twelve South founders Andrew and Leigh-Ann Green last night, the company unveiled the SurfacePad for iPhone. The case immediately attracted my attention -- it's thin and it's genuine leather. The leather makes each case literally one of a kind, with a unique feel and look that improves with age. The company built upon experience from the SurfacePad leather cover for MacBook, creating a durable and thin cover that wraps your iPhone 4/4S or 5 in black, white or red leather. %Gallery-177774% Rather than making the case thick by adding a plastic or wood cradle, Twelve South simply attaches the leather back to the iPhone with a removable adhesive pad. It's very easy to take off and replace later, so if you wish to protect your iPhone with something like an OtterBox Defender while hiking and then switch back to the SurfacePad for dinner at a nice restaurant, you can. There are nice little touches; half of the adhesive backing is securely fastened to the leather, the other half isn't. That means that you can use the SurfacePad like a miniature Smart Cover to prop up your iPhone for watching video. On the "spine" of the case there are two small embossed buttons so you don't need to open the SurfacePad to adjust the volume of your iPhone. It's a nice detail that fellow TUAWer Megan Lavey-Heaton pointed out to me, and another example of the fine design work done by Twelve South. If you've been waiting for a classy protective iPhone case that doesn't add bulk to your device, your ship has come in. The SurfacePad for iPhone delivers a luxury feel and has great looks that compliment the sleek design of your device. As one would expect from a firm that includes a former fashion designer and marketer in the list of founders, Twelve South shot a high-fashion video that highlights the case. Check it out below.
Twelve South's PlugBug World: the little red gizmo goes international
Remember the Twelve South PlugBug? It's a cool little bright red adapter that adds a 2.1 Amp USB charger to your MacBook power adapter so you can charge both your MacBook and favorite iOS device at the same time. Today Twelve South unveiled PlugBug World (US$44.99), an international version of the charger that includes snap-on plugs for use in outlets around the world. Made with the traveler in mind, PlugBug World has snap-on plugs for use in US/Canada/Japan, UK/Hong Kong/Singapore, Continental Europe, Australia/New Zealand and China. They're available for purchase now, and Twelve South is picking up shipping costs in the US. International customers can get flat-rate shipping to most countries. We'll have a review of the Twelve South PlugBug World soon. It's too bad PlugBug World wasn't out a couple of weeks ago; our intrepid world traveler Mike Schramm could have used it on his trip to Marseilles, France this week.
BookBook for iPhone 5 now shipping, rear camera hole and all (hands-on)
It took a little longer than some of those other cases, but Twelve South's BookBook for iPhone 5 is now shipping en masse. Some of those who pre-ordered began receiving their units as early as last week, but if you missed that wave, there's no need to gesture for the panic button. The outfit's newest wallet / iPhone case is actually more than just a resized version of the prior one; indeed, it finally figured out how to add a rear camera hole without worry of flash echo, and there's a new snap-in mechanism that holds your phone in place. The clever exterior remains largely the same, and there's still room for your most important IDs and credit cards as you flip it open. We were pretty big fans of the prior build, but the addition of the camera hole makes this one a no-brainer for fans of the style. The gallery below is completely free to peruse -- those who hit the source link, however, will be asked to fork over $59.99 to get one of their own.
Twelve South introduces HiRise for MacBook stand, shipping now for $70
Hot on the heels of its HiRise for iMac release, the Mac-only accessory maker known as Twelve South is outing a similar riser for MacBook products. Engineered to hoist MacBooks from 11 to 15 inches up off of one's table, the HiRise for MacBook is a sleek, polished stand that serves a purpose much like the mStand from Rain Design. For avid MacBook users looking for a more ergonomic way to work, this is easily one of the best solutions out there. Unlike most rivals, Twelve South's offering is adjustable, allowing you to raise and lower your MacBook's keyboard and display to match the height of your eyes (or perhaps a nearby monitor). In our testing, we found the build quality to be exceptional, and it's most certainly a piece that you'd be pleased to have sitting alongside your other work peripherals. It's a bit heavy for travel -- but then again, you can't have that base being light enough to tip over -- but those still interested can nab one at the source link for $69.99.
Twelve South HiRise for MacBook
Twelve South just announced another of their good-looking and extremely functional products for Apple -- the Twelve South HiRise for MacBook (US$69.99). Like the other entry in the HiRise line, the HiRise for iMac and Cinema Display, the HiRise for MacBook is designed to lift up your device above a table or desk surface to give you a bit more space to put stuff. Design Like many of Apple's iconic products, the HiRise for MacBook is made out of aluminum. There's a "foot" that sits upon your desktop with an adjustable riser that ends in a "swept-wing vee" to hold your MacBook. That aluminum vee is covered with a non-slip material to keep your pride and joy from sliding off. It looks great and works with all of Apple's MacBooks from the 11" MacBook Air up to the 15" models. If you still have one of those monstrous 17" MacBook Pros, you're out of luck. The riser can be adjusted by up to six inches, allowing the MacBook's screen to be bottom-aligned with an external monitor. You won't be typing on your MacBook while it's on the stand. Instead, it's designed to work with an external and preferably wireless keyboard and mouse or trackpad. The HiRise for MacBook feels solid; that's one of the hallmarks of the Twelve South products we've reviewed previously. There's no need to feel like your MacBook is going to slide off of the HiRise -- it's not going anywhere. Functionality As with most products from Twelve South, the HiRise for MacBook is beautifully packaged. Popping open that package, you're greeted with a bright red liner and a thank you note. The HiRise is pre-assembled, so once you've removed it from the box it's ready to go. Adjusting the height is done by loosening a knurled screw by hand, moving the "wing" up or down, and then tightening the screw again. Once adjusted, the HiRise stays in place. While I don't have an external monitor to use with my MacBook Air, I could see how useful the HiRise would be to someone who does. Conclusion For anyone who uses their MacBook as a primary machine with an external monitor, keyboard and pointing device, the HiRise for MacBook is a perfect solution for aligning the monitors to the same height and giving you some additional storage space on your desktop. The HiRise for MacBook is another fine product from the design geniuses at Twelve South. Pros Extremely well-constructed Beautiful design that compliments any aluminum unibody MacBook Adjustable to align with almost any external monitor Cons None Who is it for? Anyone with a MacBook who uses it with an external monitor, keyboard, and pointing device. Giveaway Some lucky TUAW reader is going to get a free HiRise for MacBook valued at $69.99 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 Sunday, November 4, 2012 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Twelve South HiRise for MacBook valued at $69.99. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
TwelveSouth defies gravity with HiRise for iMac and Cinema Display
Pop quiz: What's holding up your iMac? As handsome as the metal foot design may be, many deskbound Mac mavens eventually find that the fixed-height screen position isn't quite high enough for comfortable ergonomics. In my experience, the same goes for the Cinema Display -- up until yesterday, my office setup included a dusty box set of big band standards deployed as a screen lifter to give me a boost. I've retired the CD box, though, since the Apple-exclusive accessory studio Twelve South sent over the cleverly designed, sleek HiRise adjustable stand for iMac and Cinema Display. This self-assembled unit includes an adjustable internal shelf, which you place at the height you like for supporting your computer's stand. Underneath the shelf (indeed, if you slot it low enough in the enclosure, atop the shelf as well) there's hideaway room for sundry items like keys, cash, USB drives and the like. If you're lucky enough to have both an iMac and a Thunderbolt display, there's a shelf position that will align the two devices' screens exactly. The HiRise includes Mac Pro-style front and back grating covers, which attach via magnets or tiny hex screws (Allen wrench thoughtfully included). The suggested assembly is to permanently attach the back panel, but to leave the front panel removably affixed with the magnets so that you can pull it off, retrieve your stuff and put it back. The enclosure works equally well with a Cinema Display / Mac mini combo, with room at the bottom for the entire computer if you want to stash it there -- in that setup, you can screw the front panel closed as well. Here's the thing, though, and no disrespect to the Twelve South product team (their PlugBug adapter is one of my favorite gadgets). The HiRise is sturdy and well-built, with a true "works with Mac" look in a premium, attractive package. It is also retailing for $79.99. If you find that you're $80 worth of concerned about how well-balanced and clean your desk looks... well, you know who you are, and you're probably already ordering a HiRise at this moment. For the rest of us, if you're considering spending 80 bucks on a display stand that doubles as a storage drawer, how about throwing in a few dollars more to buy yourself some actual storage? OWC's Mercury Pro drives have the same cheesegrater aesthetics, but also have handy USB or Firewire ports to connect you to 500+ GB of external drive capacity. In fact, the Newer Tech MiniStack ships for $89.99 in a bare kit configuration; throw in a spare SATA drive and tuck it under the iMac, problem solved. The HiRise is available now direct from Twelve South, with free ground shipping in the continental US.
Twelve South HiRise takes iMacs and Apple displays to new heights, tidies up in the process
Many of those who buy iMacs and Apple-designed displays are eager to avoid clutter in the first place, which makes an organizer all the more logical for those who'd like Desk Zero almost as much as Inbox Zero. Accessory maker Twelve South's newly available HiRise aims to clean it all up -- and lift it up. The aluminum-and-steel frame elevates Apple's modern all-in-ones and screens to any one of six points while conveniently leaving storage space that goes with the local computing decor, whether it's to hold external hard drives or car keys. Although the HiRise is no trivial expense at $80, it's better for propping up an iMac than an old college textbook, and arguably more useful as a whole.
Twelve South debuts BackPack 2 shelf accessory for iMac with three enhancements
By now, you're likely familiar with Twelve South, the Mac-minded accessory maker that prides itself on staying small. Well, three years after the debut of its first product, the BackPack, it's refining the shelf accessory in three ways that'll make you smile. If you'll remember, the BackPack originally began its life as an attachable storage shelf for the iMac and Apple Display, which sat discretely behind the unit. Now, not only can the BackPack 2 be attached in a forward-facing manner, but it also offers integrated cable management and vertical support pegs to properly hold equipment such as the MacBook Air and upright hard drives. In all, the BackPack 2 will accommodate up to 3.5 pounds of gear, and it's available now for $34.99. If you'd like to get acquainted with the redesign, just check the gallery below. %Gallery-161586%
Review and Giveaway: The new and improved Twelve South BookBook iPad case
Twelve South recently updated the design of the Twelve South BookBook iPad case, and the company wasted no time in getting TUAW a sample to review. The new BookBook Volume 2 for iPad (US$79.99) picks up where the earlier version (reviewed here) left off and adds some new features that you're sure to love. Read the review, decide if it's for you, and then enter our giveaway to win this classic iPad case or a BookBook for iPhone 4/4S. Design Like the original BookBook for iPad, the new model mimics the look of an old book. While most other iPad cases of this genre tend to use nice, new materials on the exterior, Twelve South has always made the BookBook look like something that you picked up at a library book sale twenty years ago and gave to the kids to beat up. That's not a bad thing -- the distressed leather exterior is designed to look like an old book and hopefully keep burglars from picking up your iPad. Of course, they may think it's a rare first edition of A Passage to India and try to sell it at a book auction for $10,000... %Gallery-159145% The BookBook Vol 2 comes in a nice little drawstring bag, although you may not see that packaging detail in retail stores. The case comes in three different finishes: classic black, vintage brown, and vibrant red. All have gold ink highlights on the cover and a realistic title and volume number on the spine. Frankly, I wasn't a fan of the cheesy straps that held the iPad in place with the original BookBook. Now TwelveSouth has replaced those straps with a snug leather enclosure that you slip the second- or third-generation iPad into. That enclosure has a new function as well -- there are two snaps that hold it into place for regular use, or you can unsnap the enclosure and flip it up to use a new leather kickstand to hold the iPad in a comfortable typing position. Take that, Microsoft Surface! Functionality When you've reviewed several hundred iPad cases, it's easy to become jaded. Let's face it; they all do the same thing -- protecting your iPad in one way or another. With a case like the BookBook, most of the value of the case comes not in the level of protection provided, but in how cool it looks on your iPad. The old BookBook for iPad, in my opinion, didn't do a very good job of holding the iPad in comfortable viewing positions. That has changed in the new BookBook, which props up nicely in landscape orientation and also (using that little leather kickstand) a typing position. The inside of the case has a soft, fuzzy material that also serves to pad and protect the screen of the iPad. If you like retro or antique-looking materials, then you're going to fall in love with the BookBook for iPad. The best way to describe it? Beautiful. Conclusion The few gripes I had about the original BookBook for iPad have been addressed. I honestly can't think of any negatives about this case -- it's beautiful and functional, it gracefully ages with scuffs to the exterior, and it's priced perfectly for the type of quality you're getting. Twelve South has created a top-notch iPad case at a reasonable price point. Pros Beautiful faux antique leather book-type case Attention to details on the exterior Does a great job of propping up the iPad for typing or viewing video Easy to install or remove iPad Cons None -- except that I have to give away this case! Who is it for? The owner of a second- or third-generation iPad who wants a classy and beautiful case for protection Giveaway It is our policy here at TUAW to give away all equipment and peripherals that we review. That's good for many reasons -- it keeps us honest, it gives us a chance to "share the wealth" with our readers, and it keeps our offices from looking like a hoarder's home. You can enter to win a classic black BookBook Volume 2 for iPad or a classic black BookBook for iPhone 4/4S by filling out and submitting 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 June 28, 2012 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Two winners will be selected. One will receive a Twelve South BookBook Volume 2 for iPad valued at US$79.99, while the other will receive a Twelve South BookBook for iPhone 4/4S valued at $59.99. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Twelve South launches redesigned BookBook for iPad and BookBook for iPhone cases
During a visit to Twelve South's headquarters earlier in the year, we learned that its heralded BookBook lines would be getting a refresh for the iPad and iPhone. Today, we're able to actually talk about 'em. Both products are getting a gentle facelift, and better still, both products are shipping immediately to those interested. The star of the show is quite clearly the iPad edition, which has been "completely redesigned" in order to be some 33 percent thinner while weighing 358 grams. The interior is refreshed, too, with a rigid casing that hides a slip-in cover and a built-in stand. Reportedly in response to popular demand, a black and a red version are joining the classic brown edition, with each one constructed from leather and offering up a dual zipper system. The BookBook for iPad ($79.99) is built to support both the iPad 2 and the new Retina-equipped iPad, while the slightly tweaked BookBook for iPhone ($59.99; now available in brown and black) will comfortably house the iPhone 4 or 4S. Word hounds can find more where this came from in the PR past the break. %Gallery-158569%
Twelve South SurfacePad for Air: Hands-on luxury
Twelve South is maintaining its record of success with Apple-only accessories with a new twist on an existing product. The company has made soft leather pads for the area around the trackpad on a MacBook Pro for several years; now they're shipping a MacBook Air-specific version of their venerable SurfacePad product. SurfacePad for Air (US$29.99) comes in sizes to fit the 11" and 13" MacBook Air, and in two classic colors -- Jet Black and Pop Red. Made from soft Napa leather, the thin SurfacePad provides a way to pad your hands on the cold aluminum surface of the MacBook Air and protect the device from skin oils and potential scratches. I had an opportunity to try out the SurfacePad for Air on an 11" MacBook Air recently. Twelve South's innovative and classy packaging continues; the SurfacePad is boxed in a thin wedge designed to be hung from a wall display and features a small strip of the leather material on the outside to not only give potential buyers an idea of the color of the product, but the soft feel as well. Inside the box is a strip of cardboard with instructions on the back. During shipping, the adhesive back of the SurfacePad is covered with a two thin plastic sheets, which are removed just prior to sticking the SurfacePad to your MacBook Air. To ensure that the SurfacePad sticks properly to the laptop, Twelve South recommends cleaning the surface first. For that, I used a Qmadix Smudge-Free Cleaning Kit ($14.99), which comes with a cleaning foam and Microfiber cloths to keep your tech toys clean from smears and stains. The SurfacePad installed easily, and according to Twelve South it can also be removed with no residue staying behind. The feel of the SurfacePad is nice -- much better than the cold metal -- and it softens the impact of your palms on the MacBook Air by giving them another layer of "skin" (leather) to lay against. The SurfacePad is a simple product, but one that adds so much comfort for the MacBook Air user. If you spend a good portion of your day typing on a MacBook Air, indulge a little for the simple pleasure of the SurfacePad.
Twelve South unveils SurfacePad: leather wrist pad for MacBook Air
In line with its Mac-exclusive focus, Twelve South's pulled back the curtain on SurfacePad, a genuine leather wrist rest protector just for MacBook Airs. The leather strip aims to keep the notebook's casing unscathed by watches or jewelry and the undersides of hands comfortable. Need some added cushion and panache for your slice of computing aluminum? You can snag a SurfacePad in Jet Black or Pop Red for $29.99.
Engadget speaks with Twelve South on keeping the company small
Engadget has posted a must-read writeup on one of our favorite companies here at TUAW, Twelve South, the makers of the popular BookBook cases and the PlugBug power accessory for Apple devices. It's long, but it shows how Twelve South is a lesson in focused vision: Making really great high quality products for the Apple audience. It doesn't hurt, of course, that Apple buyers tend to appreciate quality with their wallets, but Twelve South has carved out a really excellent niche for itself over the years. It's also wild to hear the story behind the company: They nabbed a sales deal with Apple even before a production deal was made for their products, and they only solidified that by happening across an extra contact in China. And Twelve South's philosophy of staying Apple is maybe the most interesting thing in the whole writeup. "Every time I'd walk into an Apple Store, I'd see heaps of 'Mac-compatible' accessories," says co-founder Andrew Green. "Mac users don't want compatible. They want exclusive." Twelve South made the commitment to serve Apple users on their own terms, keeping his company small and focused for exactly that reason, and that's partly why Twelve South has seen so much success with its products.
Opening the Book(Book) on Twelve South: between the covers of a Mac-exclusive accessory maker
The year is 2009. In history books, it'll widely be recognized as the year that most of America -- heck, the world -- would prefer to forget. Job after job was lost, bank after bank fell, and humanity as we knew it plunged into "the worst recession since the Great Depression." It's also the year that Palm attempted a comeback with webOS, and as it turns out, the year that yet another accessory company was born. While such an occurrence may be forgettable on a macro scale, economic researchers and lovers of technology alike have reason to take notice -- and, indeed, ask questions. So, that's exactly what I did. Beyond growing a technology startup in a me-too field during the worst economy that I've personally been a part of, it's also not often that I find compelling consumer electronics companies far outside of New York City and San Francisco. Twelve South just so happens to be located in a nondescript nook in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina -- just a beautiful trip over the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge from historic Charleston. Three years after its founding, the company now fittingly counts a dozen employees on its roster, and despite entering a market flooded with iAccessory after iAccessory, it has somehow managed to grab its own slice of an increasingly large niche. As with all good success stories, this particular outfit has plenty of twists, turns and run-ins with Lady Luck to tell about; for those interested in seeing how the "stay small" mantra is keeping Twelve South firmly focused on the future ahead, take a peek beyond the break.
Distro Issue 41: a visit to the Lowcountry's Twelve South, TiVo Premiere XL4 and HTC EVO 4G LTE
It's the most wonderful time of the week once again, pals. Like most seven-day periods, this one comes to a close with the latest issue of our e-magazine for your gadget reading pleasure. Front and center this time around, our own Darren Murph pays a visit to the South Carolina HQ of accessory maker Twelve South to chat about making a big splash while staying small. On the review side of things, we take a gander at the TiVo Premiere XL4 and the HTC EVO 4G LTE to see how they stack up and we go hands-on with the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon and Sounder's iOS app. Reaction Time makes an appearance too -- taking a long look at Max Payne 3 while listing this week's must-have game releases. The usual suspects fall in line as well, as you might expect. Switched On discusses RIM and Nokia, IRL sneaks a look in at our gear collections, former Doctor Who script editor Christopher H. Bidmead pauses for the Q&A and Dustin Harbin has the Last Word on what killed dinosaurs. Go ahead. Grab the device of your choice and hit the appropriate download link to grab a copy of this week's e-publication. Distro Issue 41 PDF Distro in the iTunes App Store Distro in the Google Play Store Distro APK (For sideloading) Like Distro on Facebook Follow Distro on Twitter
Twelve South HoverBar: Review and giveaway
Every once in a while I receive hardware for review that ends up becoming such an integral part of my setup that I forget to write the review, and that's been the case with the Twelve South HoverBar (US$79.99). The HoverBar is a unique product that's meant to mount an iPad to a desk, a cubicle wall, an iMac or an Apple Display. Let's take a look at the HoverBar, and then you'll have an opportunity to win one from Twelve South and TUAW. Design Twelve South is well-known for two things: the fact that they make accessories for Apple products only and their great design sense. In the case of the HoverBar, the product can actually be used with two Apple products. During my review, I used it with an iPad 2 and a 27" iMac to create a unique side-by-side layout of those two devices. The HoverBar is currently designed to hold only an iPad 2, not the new iPad or the original model. However, the company is working on the design of a clip that works with the new iPad and will be available at a price to current HoverBar owners. The HoverBar is perfect for those situations where you want an iPad easily at hand but don't necessarily want to hold onto it. It becomes a third arm and hand to hold the iPad in place. I used the HoverBar with Avatron's Air Display to turn my iPad 2 into a small Mac monitor. Installing the HoverBar is quite simple. You attach a clamp that is used to "grab" onto a desktop or the upright of an iMac to a flexible arm. The other end of the arm has a ball and socket joint that is connected to a plastic iPad clip. Pop the iPad into the clip, adjust the arm to the location where you want the iPad to sit, and you're ready to go. Functionality Due to the weight of the iPad, I found that the flexible arm tended to sag a little bit after I put the iPad into the clip. That was easily remedied by bending the flexible arm up slightly. I also found that tapping on the iPad to bring up an app tended to cause the iPad to move a bit; once again, there was a simple workaround -- I started holding the iPad clip with one hand when tapping on the iPad screen to keep it from moving. The clamp that attaches to your desktop, display, or iMac needs to be tightened down good; an iPad on the end of a flexible arm creates a bit of torque, and you'll want to make sure that you use the included hex wrench to tighten the vise-like clamp as much as possible. I neglected to do this the first time I attached the HoverBar to my iMac, and unfortunately it slipped off the iMac. My iPad was OK, but the flexible arm flipped up and destroyed a small Zuni fetish sculpture carved out of stone that was adorning my desk. Ooops. For those who need to use an iPad and Mac in close proximity, the HoverBar is unequaled. As usual, Twelve South hit the market first with a product that is beautiful, functional and well-built. Giveaway And now, a chance to win our review HoverBar! Note that this particular model is designed for the iPad 2 -- if you have a third-generation iPad you'll need to wait until the new iPad clip is available, and the purchase of that piece is on your dime. But if you have an iPad 2, this HoverBar is just what you want. Here are the rules: 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 2, 2012 at 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Twelve South HoverBar valued at $79.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Twelve South HoverBar a unique way to marry iPad and iMac
The design wizards at Twelve South have come up with another unique and useful accessory for Apple gear. This time, they're introducing the HoverBar (US$79.99), a mounting clamp and flexible bar that floats an iPad 2 (or several) next to your iMac or Apple monitor. The HoverBar can be clamped onto the upright of an iMac or Apple display, to a tabletop, or any other surface up to an inch thick. Your iPad 2 sits in a plastic clip that's mounted on a swivel ball so it can be turned to any angle. In the video below, one idle youth taking time out from doing his homework uses the iPad / HoverBar combo as a steering wheel for Real Racing. That's a different use case! Many people will want to use the HoverBar-mounted iPad as a communications device, displaying email or providing a way to do FaceTime conferencing without the dreaded "nose vision" view. Used with an app like Air Display ($9.99), you can even have a Mac window displayed on your iPad. We hope to get a HoverBar soon for a full review. Until then, enjoy the video and visit the Twelve South website.
TUAW Best of 2011: Vote for the best iPhone accessory
The nominations are in, and the poll is ready to go! The TUAW Best of 2011 awards are all about you -- the readers -- and what you think is the cream of the crop of Apple or third-party products and software. To vote, select one entry from the top nominations made by readers. We'll be announcing the winner in just a few days. Vote early and often! Today TUAW is asking for your vote for the best iPhone accessory of 2011. What accessories excited our readers in 2011? One was an Apple product -- the second-generation Apple TV (US$99). Yes, it is an iPhone accessory, since you can beam video, photos, and music to the device from your iPhone. Your iPhone is even a remote control for the Apple TV, so the little connection to your HDTV is a natural match for the iPhone. Cases are another popular iPhone accessory, and four cases received notice from our readers. The incredible LifeProof case for iPhone 4 / 4S ($79.99) is waterproof, shockproof, dirtproof, and snowproof. For my review of the LifeProof case in August, my iPhone 4 got to go for a dip, and TUAW readers got to see a video from the viewpoint of the iPhone underwater in my sink. Another nominated case was the Twelve South BookBook Case for iPhone 4/4S ($59.99). It's a combination wallet -- provided you're not carrying more than your license and a credit card -- and book-like iPhone case. The BookBook case was one of the most unique iPhone cases reviewed by TUAW all year. For those of us who use our iPhones constantly, power can be an issue. One of the most popular cases with a built-in battery is the Mophie Juice Pack Air ($79.95). It's the case and battery extender that I personally use. Finally, athletes find the Wahoo Fitness products which wirelessly connect iPhones to fitness sensors like stride sensors and heart rate straps. Part of the ANT+ alliance, the Wahoo Fitness products work with a variety of iPhone apps and hardware from a number of vendors. The product we've chosen from the spectrum of Wahoo Fitness devices is the Wahoo Run/Gym Pack for iPhone ($119.99). Be sure to vote for the iPhone accessory that you think is the top for 2011. I'll announce the winner in a few days. %Poll-72045%
