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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%
Twelve South BackPack gets a nice update for its third birthday
When Apple accessory design shop Twelve South first got into business three years ago, its fate rode on the success of one product -- the BackPack. This product consists of a shelf with tool-free clips that can be used on the "arm" of any iMac or Apple Thunderbolt (or Cinema) Display, and it's been a hot seller since day one. Now Twelve South has given the three-year-old product a new look and new capabilities. The new BackPack (US$34.99) now adds vertical support pegs, cable management rails, and the ability to use the BackPack as a front-facing shelf. The support pegs can be used to hold a MacBook Air vertically on the back of a ThunderBolt Display or provide additional support for a vertically-standing hard disk drive. The built-in cable management rails keep cables handy -- unplug a drive, computer, or peripheral, and the cable stays put for you to plug back in later. One of the biggest changes is the ability to use the BackPack as a forward-facing shelf. Up to this point, the shelves always faced away from the front of the device. Now you can use it as a place to store your iPhone, your wallet, a SecureID fob, or anything else that needs to be above the desk clutter. Of course, you can always use the shelves in their original back-facing position like I do -- I have two that are used to display small art works to people who are standing at my desk. It's nice to see a good product get an update. You can purchase the new BackPack directly from the TwelveSouth website. For more information, read our review of the original product.
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 iPad case
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! TUAW is asking for your votes for the best iPad case of 2011. Very few iPad owners seem to keep their devices "naked," instead choosing to wrap them in a case of some sort. Much to my surprise, all of the cases were folio type cases, with the "book style" case being the most popular. Our nominees for this are the Twelve South BookBook for iPad (US$69.99), the Portenzo cases (Customized, Composition, Italian Bonded Leather and Premium Genuine Leather -- $59.95 to $124.95 depending on model, options not included), San Francisco's own DODOcase ($59.95), the Bear Motion folio ($59.95 MSRP), and the Zaggfolio keyboard case ($99.99). And now, let the voting begin! The results will be announced on December 29, 2011. %Poll-72320%
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%
Henge Docks Clique: A new way to merge your Wireless Keyboard and Magic Trackpad
Many Mac users use a combination of an Apple Wireless Keyboard and a Magic Trackpad for their typing and pointing pleasure. Twelve South came up with a lovely way to merge the two devices into a single unit with the MagicWand (US$29.99). Now Henge Docks has developed a less expensive and more functional device called the Clique ($24.99) that should be a fierce competitor to the MagicWand. Design and Functionality Three minor issues with the MagicWand have been addressed with the Clique. First, I felt that $29.99 was a bit expensive for what is essentially two pieces of plastic and a tiny piece of silicone. Second, if I want to use the keyboard and trackpad in my lap, I'm out of luck with the MagicWand as there's no physical support for those peripherals. Finally, if I'm going to be away from my iMac for a while and wish to turn off the keyboard, I have to take it out of the MagicWand to have access to the power button on the right side. The Clique is actually a thin, bright white plastic rigid tray into which your Apple Wireless Keyboard and Magic Trackpad "click," hence the clever name. When the peripherals are snapped into the Clique, they form a rigid unit that can easily be used in a lap. I found this to be wonderful -- when I'm using the MagicWand, I have to place it onto my desktop and sit closer to the screen of my iMac. Now I'm able to place the keyboard and trackpad on my legs and move back a bit into a much more comfortable position in my chair. %Gallery-141081% Turning off the keyboard or trackpad is also easy. Henge Docks designed a small spring-loaded button into the right side of the Clique that can be depressed to power the trackpad on and off. In addition, there's a small slider underneath the keyboard that is used to turn the keyboard on and off without taking the keyboard out of the Clique. I was a bit concerned that the Clique would be uncomfortable for typing, as it adds a bit of thickness to the keyboard that doesn't exist with the Magic Wand. That concern went away as soon as I started using the Clique -- if you hold your hands in a proper position for typing, that extra 1/16th of an inch doesn't cause any problem. Conclusion I type a lot (I've written well over one million words for TUAW during my three-plus years here), and anything that makes typing and pointing more comfortable gets a thumbs-up from me. The Clique works very well and moves my keyboard and trackpad to a much more comfortable typing position. Now that turning off the keyboard is going to be easier, I'll probably get better life from my batteries. With the help of Henge Docks and the Clique, I think I'll be able to crank out another couple million words without too much damage to my arms and hands. The Clique would also make a wonderful holiday gift for anyone who wants a rigid keyboard/trackpad combo that they can use to make their daily Mac user more comfortable.
Twelve South PlugBug: Hands-on review
I'm not sure if there's something in the water that's making manufacturers come out with a lot of new power accessories for Apple devices these days, but it seems like a lot of new products like the XtremeMac Slim 10W USB Wall Charger and others are being announced. None of the announcements really provided quite the excitement that the Twelve South PlugBug (US$34.99) did. Why? Well, Twelve South is well-known for producing accessories for Apple products that are usually as well-designed and constructed as the goods from Cupertino. In this case, Twelve South took a rather pedestrian piece of equipment -- a charger -- and used the Apple adage to "Think Different" to create something that is extremely useful and attractive. What makes the PlugBug so different? It looks a lot like an Apple iPad charger, although it is made of bright red plastic instead of white. When you plug it into the wall as-is, you can charge an iPhone or iPad with it. No big deal there. But the cool factor comes into play when you slide off the bottom of the PlugBug and slide on a charger -- sans plug -- from a MacBook Pro or Air. Suddenly, you're charging two devices with one power socket. %Gallery-139110% The PlugBug is rated for 10 Watts of power and 2.1 Amps of current, perfect for charging up your iPad. With the unique design, you take the "duck head" (removable plastic piece with the plug blades) off of the MacBook charger (not included) and slide it onto the bottom of the PlugBug. Now you have a way to charge your MacBook Pro/Air and iPad/iPhone at the same time while taking up only one wall socket. I'm often in a situation where I need to charge both an iPad and a MacBook Air at the same time, and up until now I've carried two AC adapters with me. If I know I'm going to be using both devices, I can now just throw one "brick" (the top of the PlugBug and the attached MacBook Air adapter) into my bag. Less weight to carry, by a few ounces, but one less item to worry about losing as well. However, you can't use the brick inline, so the USB port isn't available when you use the longer cord with the adapter. As with most of the Twelve South products I've reviewed in the past, the PlugBug is well-made, attractively packaged, and will make any Apple fan with both an iPad and a MacBook Air or Pro very happy. You can purchase the PlugBug at the Apple Store online (and at Apple retail outlets), or from the Twelve South website.
PlugBug adds an iPad / iPod / iPhone USB charging port to your MacBook power adapter
Twelve South, the same South Carolina-based outfit that's been keeping the Bass(Jump) coming, has just outed the best MacBook power adapter accessory... ever. Almost. The PlugBug is an iPad / iPhone / iPod / USB-based-whatever charger that snaps right on top of your existing MacBook or MacBook Pro AC adapter, allowing you to charge your Mac laptop as well as a single USB-based device at the same time. It's a ten-watt adapter, so your iPad and those other high-powered gizmos should take take to it just fine, and it's actually capable of acting on its own should you ever need to dismount it. Unfortunately, those in need of a non-US adapter will be out of luck, but on the upside, this converts international adapters for US use should you head over this way. It's on sale now for $34.99 at the source link below, and if it only had more than one USB port, we'd recommend it without hesitation. Ah well -- there's always version 2.0, right? Promo vid's after the break. %Gallery-138088%
Twelve South's PlugBug solves all your charging needs
We've appreciated TwelveSouth's work before -- the BookBook especially has earned some praise from various members of the TUAW staff. But I definitely like this new item, called the PlugBug. Yes, it's a standard charger, designed to combine both your iPhone or iPad and your MacBook (Air, standard, or Pro) into one outlet. There are a few devices that will do that, including, you know, just a usual power strip. But I really like the look of this one, and the fact that it seamlessly combines with all of Apple's usual cords and hardware. That top red part is essentially a USB charger (which is helpful -- I've had to use the wall chargers much more often since picking up my iPad, especially while traveling), and then of course that bottom part above is just the usual MacBook charger, with the wall plug segment pulled off (note that the PlugBug only includes the red part, not the MagSafe charger itself). I like it -- simple, easy to use, and as versatile as I need it for charging while on a trip. The PlugBug is available for $34.99 right now.
Twelve South BassJump 2 USB Subwoofer now available, further bumps your Mac's thump (update)
At a glance, one could confuse Twelve South's BassJump 2 for a 2011 Mac Mini -- don't be fooled though, this USB subwoofer aims for sound that's anything but. Much like the original BassJump, this guy's aimed at aiding MacBook speakers by adding extra low end boost, and employing proprietary software to keep it in all in check. Improving on the original, however, the BassJump 2 pumps out eight extra decibels of volume and comes with "remastered software," notably featuring iMac and Thunderbolt Display support. If it piques your fancy, the BassJump 2 is now available for about $70 -- much like a pair of utilitarian Grado headphones (or similar), but we digress. Full press release past the break. Update: For clarification, the BassJump 2 is physically identical the first. According to Twelve South, its updated software is the key new feature and can be downloaded for free if you already own a BassJump. [Thanks, Brendan]
BookBook iPhone 4 case doubles as wallet, attempts to fool miniature luddites
So, you've finally accepted the reality that smartphones aren't a passing fad, but you're no less concerned that the special tech-hater in your life might get hip that you've abandoned reading books for flinging unhappy fowl. You're further concerned that you won't have space in your skinny jeans for both a wallet and an iPhone. Well, it sounds like Twelve South's BookBook iPhone 4 case has you and your ridiculous smartphone-conversion anxiety covered. The little leather-bound sleeve not only masks your iPhone in what looks like a miniature Bible binding, but also acts as host to your wallet's contents. If you're looking to fool folks into thinking you're really reading a tiny tome titled BookBook, the case can be yours for $60 at the source link. Full PR after the break.
