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HTC EVO 4G Shift accessories start rolling into Best Buy
Sprint's keyboard-equipped EVO 4G doppelganger -- the EVO 4G Shift -- is certainly looking like a lock for CES next week, and more evidence of that is literally showing up at Best Buy locations as we speak. Seems that Zagg's InvisibleSHIELDs are being delivered now, confirming both the name of the phone and the appearance of the device itself -- though Zagg isn't shy about using a photo of the phone gussied up in what we presume to bone of its own cases. Who's buying? [Thanks, anonymous tipster]
Zaggmate iPad keyboard case joins the fray
Have an iPad but still feel the need to have a case and/or keyboard to go with it? While we have certainly seen similar iPad cases with keyboards and even some cases made out of wood, you may want to check out the newest addition to the "iPad case with keyboard" category from Zagg. While there are two different versions of this new Zaggmate case, one with a built-in QWERTY keyboard and one without, I imagine the one with the keyboard will be the bigger seller of the two, especially for those looking to make their iPad their travel computer. Made from anodized aluminum and packed with military grade high-density padding, the keyboard connects with your iPad via Bluetooth, enabling horizontal or vertical use. Priced at US$99.99 with the keyboard and $69.99 without, Zagg says the cases are "Coming Soon" but you can sign up to get an email notification when they are available for sale. Check out videos of both models below. [via Engadget]
Zaggmate iPad keyboard case saturates a market in record time
Alright, folks -- we get it. There's a market for iPad cases with accompanying keyboards. If none of the other options that have emerged over the past few months tickled your fancy, Zagg is introducing yet another to mull over. The Zaggmate actually does manage to differentiate itself fairly well from the competition, with two models being available: one with a keyboard and one without. This clip-on stand can elevate your iPad (positioned horizontally or vertically) for easier viewing, and the "with keyboard" model obviously throws out a full QWERTY set to make those Pages creations somewhat easier to bang out. Currently, Zagg's got this one listed as 'Coming Soon,' with the standard model carrying a $69.99 price tag and the keyboard edition demanding an extra $30. Peek 'em both in their YouTube debuts just after the break. Update: The Zaggmate was actually hanging around at the CES New York Press Preview last night -- we caught a couple of hands-on shots below, but as you'd expect it's a pretty cheap feeling, plastic keyboard / case. %Gallery-107122% [Thanks, Adrian]
Best Buy to offer free invisibleSHIELD 4fix to aggravated iPhone 4 owners
It's hard to say for certain what exactly this flyer means, but it sure looks as if at least some iPhone 4 owners will be able to snatch a free invisibleSHIELD 4fix (valued at $9.99 or so) from their local Best Buy. Based on a number of tips that we've received, we're getting the impression that the yellow-tagged retailer could be handing out (and installing) completely free side coverings for any iPhone 4 owner that waltzes into a store, presumably as a proactive measure to fend off returns or to upsell consumers on an entire invisibleSHIELD / separate case. Nothing about this notice makes clear that you actually have to buy your iPhone 4 from Best Buy in order to take advantage, but we probably wouldn't waste a lunch break giving this a go without a verbal confirmation from your local store manager. Until it's made official, of course. Update: We've heard from another tipster that the deal is indeed legitimate, and it's for any human with an iPhone 4, not just those who purchased their phone from Best Buy. We'd recommend calling your local store to double check, but things are looking up. Update 2: Ah, so we've finally received the full skinny from another tipster. The offer only applies to those who purchased their iPhone 4 from Best Buy / Best Buy Mobile or for Best Buy Reward Zone members. Granted, it's pretty easy to sign up for the aforementioned reward program, but those are the stipulations. The official BB name for the product you'll be getting is the Zagg SideShield, which would cost you $9.99 otherwise. [Thanks, Anonymous] %Gallery-98383%
Charge your iPhone, or any two USB devices with ZAGGsparq
In the never ending saga of finding the best battery backup for your iPhone or iPod touch, Zagg has taken a different approach in releasing the ZAGGsparq [US $99.95]. Instead of a dongle or a snap in case, The ZAGGsparq is a big honking block, around the size of an Airport Express that contains the largest lithium polymer backup battery I've seen weighing in at 6000 mAh. For reference, the two Monoprice pieces we covered contain 2200 mAh batteries. The battery in an iPhone is 1150 mAh, so the ZAGGsparq is good for up to four iPhone/iPod touch charges. Running the numbers it seems like it should be about 5 charges, but I never said that I understood electricity. The beauty of the piece is that it can charge two USB devices at the same time. So along with your iPhone, it's also good for your Bluetooth headset, video camera or just about any USB device that needs some juice. Four LED lights tell you how much power remains. You can also plug the ZAGGsparq into a wall, plug in two USB devices, and all three will charge at the same time. This gives you quite a bit of flexibility and helps explain the fairly high price of the unit. Currently ZAGG is sold out, but you can score one on eBay where they seem to be quite plentiful. [via Unplggd] Take a look at the video on the next page (click "Read More") to see it in action:
ZAGGsparq portable USB charger gets reviewed, adored
Imagine a HyperMac, but one that's highly portable and engineered specifically to rejuvenate your USB-connecting gizmos. That, our friends, is the ZAGGsparq. Our good pals over at Gadling had a chance to sit down with the portable charger recently, and as expected, they came away duly impressed. At its core, this is little more than a portable 6000mAh battery with a pair of USB inputs; you simply plug whatever USB gizmo you've got into it (a smartphone, portable media player, e-reader, GPS system or anything else that can be charged over USB) and watch as it provides life where there was none. It also supports international power sockets (which you'll have to provide separately), and it packs enough juice when fully charged to bring five dead iPhones back to full capacity. At just under a Benjamin, it's hard to not recommend for the avid traveler, but feel free to give the source link a glance if you need more proof.
ZAGGbox media center / streamer now available for pre-order
ZAGG has been dropping a few hints about its ZAGGbox media center for a little while now, but it's so far been keeping a relatively low profile -- it even managed to slip under our radar at CES. It was at the show, however, and its now finally announced that the ZAGGbox is available to pre-order for $799. Not exactly the cheapest set-top box around, to be sure, but that price will get you a few fairly unique features, not the least of which is simultaneous transcoding of captured video for easy viewing on both your TV and the mobile device of your choice (it also comes with its own iPhone app). Otherwise, you'll get an ample 1TB of storage, a full range of A/V inputs and outputs, built-in 802.11n WiFi, and some Slingbox-like streaming to any device, anywhere you like. Unfortunately, ZAGG still isn't making any firm promises about a release date, although it will supposedly be out sometime in the second quarter of this year.
