Category: Gear Reviews

Dragon Moss Zen Bamboo iPad Case – Accessory Review

By Bill | October 2, 2010 | No comment yet

Lots of people like to customize their iPad to reflect their personality and their individuality. An iPad case is a great way to quickly and easily change the look of your favorite gadget and what better way to stick out than with a case made entirely of bamboo?

The two guys behind Dragon Moss started the company with the goal to “realize the potential of the iPad protective casing as a canvas to showcase their creativity and personality.” After playing around with their Dragon Moss Zen Bamboo iPad Case the past few weeks I think they have definitely achieved their goal.

By Bill | September 29, 2010 | 2 comments

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If you’re anything like me, you usually carry your iPad back and forth to work or school along with your laptop computer. I like having the two devices with me when I’m in the office or traveling and have been looking for a good bag with specific storage slots for each device.

I’m a frequent traveler so I’m very particular when it comes to my bags and travel habits, just ask any of my coworkers and they’ll tell you I’m a stickler for the one bag rule when flying on business trips. So when I heard Everki was coming out with their new Track Laptop Messenger with iPad Pocket, I was instantly interested in taking a closer look.

By dag | September 26, 2010 | No comment yet

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If you happen to be a frequent traveler, making sure all your devices are fully charged before leaving is one of the chores you are likely used to dealing with. Additionally, making sure you have all your chargers and power cables with you is crucial, as rushing to the airport store to find a pricey spare charger is not exactly the best way to start your vacations or a business trip.

PADACS recently came up with a new portable charger that will help make all these issues passé. Called the UltraCharge, the charger is a 12,000mAh lithium polymer portable battery designed to charge up to two devices simultaneously. Once fully charged, the UltraCharge will help you “resuscitate” and even fully charge your devices while on the go, without the need of a power socket.

By Roberto | September 26, 2010 | 5 comments

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We’ve featured several iPad cases and accessories at PadGadget. A new iPad case system that is quite interesting and somewhat different from others is the ModulR iPad Case system.

The ModulR iPad case is the foundation of the entire system. ModulR designed an accessory system that consists of an ergonomic protective case and unique, interchangeable accessory attachments that fit your active and mobile lifestyle. When we decided to review this unique case system we wanted to test the different scenarios in which you could use the iPad, especially without getting multiple accessories from different companies.

By Roberto | September 20, 2010 | No comment yet

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CEDIA EXPO starts this week (September 22-26). As expected, there will be plenty of companies showcasing their new technology targeted at the residential market. In case you’re not familiar with CEDIA, it’s a very well known trade-show in the residential electronic systems industry.

I expect several companies to expose new products during CEDIA that will showcase how they’re taking advantage of some of the new gadgets you’re familiar with, including the iPad. After all, tablets and smartphones have infiltrated the residential market by the way of applications that allow you to interact with home entertainment, environmental control, energy management, green technology, home health, security, and more.

By Cristi | September 16, 2010 | 6 comments

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Well known in the Apple community for its cases and bags, it comes as no surprise that Brenthaven has expanded its collection to include accessories for the iPad and the 5-in-1 iPad Protection System is the latest addition to its line-up. A combination case/stand solution, the 5-in-1 system offers plenty of versatility to iPad owners.

Brenthaven’s 5-in-1 system includes a case, a cover and two straps. The case comes in two parts which slide together to fit the iPad. Made of a polycarbonate with a rubberized texture, this case protects iPads from the bumps and bruises of day-to-day use.

Once you have the iPad in the case, the cover slides snugly over the front to protect the screen or the back for use with the hand strap. Use of the cover on the back of the case allows users to slide their hand under an elastic strap and hold their iPad without actually gripping it with their hand. This configuration provides a secure hold for users doing everything from presentations to playing games.

By Roberto | September 9, 2010 | 1 comment

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If you’re a big music fan, you’ve probably heard about MusicSkins. But, if you haven’t, MusicSkins is well known for making vinyl skin merchandise for a multitude of electronic devices. They make music-related premium vinyl skin products for the iPad, iPods, MP3 players, cell phones, PDAs, laptops, and gaming accessories.

We recently tried some of the vinyl skin products from MusicSkins on our iPads. One of the first things that impressed me is the quality of the design on each skin. It brings a great vibe to the iPad. If you like to be fashionable with your mobile devices, MusicSkins certainly offers many options for music lovers.

Their line of fully removable entertainment-themed skins for the iPad covers many musical genres like rock, rap, country, R&B, pop and reggae, as well as fashion, art, models and other media themes. You can buy skins from some of the hottest artists in the industry, including Aerosmith, The Beatles, Jay Z, Black Eyed Peas, AC/DC, Madonna, Kiss, Lil Wayne, Bob Marley, Taylor Swift, Pink Floyd, Linkin Park and many more.

I had the chance to try MusicSkins from two of my favorite rock bands, Aerosmith and Linkin Park. The skins are made from anti-scratch, anti-UV coated vinyl with a residue-free 3M adhesive, and come packed with cleaning cloths. These skins will certainly protect your iPad from unwanted scratches.

Pictures and more details after the break >>

iEcostand for iPad – Gear Review

By Cristi | August 25, 2010 | 1 comment

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Are you an environmentally conscious iPad owner looking for a stand? If so, you need to take a look at the iEcostand from Design Visionaries. As its name implies, eco-friendly is the name of the game for this stand. From the packaging to the stand, Design Visionaries means business. We were immediately impressed not only by the solid wood and sturdy construction of the iEcostand but by the eco-friendly cardboard envelope and shredded wood packaging as well.

Designed and crafted in California by local craftsmen, the iEcostand is simple and easy to use. It has a groove cut from one end to the other allowing you to use your iPad in three different positions (landscape, portrait and keyboard). A hinged arm also folds in and out of the back of the stand to provide added stability for easy viewing around the house or portability when you’re on the go.

We’ve used the iEcostand for a couple of days now and really like its small size and portability. It easily slips into a bag when necessary but its sturdy enough to support your iPad when you need it. We found our iEcostand with iPad would stand without the hinged arm in place but we preferred the extra stability for our high tech devices.

By Bill | August 21, 2010 | 1 comment

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Keeping your iPad’s large glass screen clean can be a challenge. With its touch based interface, the iPad is a magnet for fingerprints and smears which come from daily use. We were intrigued to hear about a new iPad sleeve from iShine which touts itself as the “sleeve that protects and cleans.” So does the iShine sleeve live up to its motto? Read on.

I’ve been using the iShine for the past few days and carried it with me to test its abilities. Our iShine evaluation unit was well made and had a nice simple design. The entire sleeve is made of a soft glass-cleaning microfiber cloth that provides a comfy home for your iPad while its not in use. The sleeve fit snugly on my iPad and protected it from scratches while I carried it in my main computer bag. The iShine sleeve is not padded, so it does not protect your iPad from bangs or falls, but it is ideal for storing your iPad in a purse or a computer bag, which is the way I normally travel with mine.

To test out the iShine’s cleaning ability, we did a few unscientific tests. For the first test, I put my iPad into the sleeve after using it for a few hours and then put the whole thing in to my computer bag for the commute home. When I arrived home and removed my iPad form the iShine, the fingerprints were gone. The movement in the bag was enough to wipe away normal fingerprints but what about heavy duty smears?

By Cristi | August 9, 2010 | 7 comments

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Yesterday we looked at the Commuter Series Case and today we’ll take on the Defender. Read on and find out what we had to say about it.

If you work in construction or need an iPad case that will provide great protection in a rough environment, give the Defender case a try. This heavy duty case is made of polycarbonate and silicon materials. Installation is more involved requiring the removal of a silicon outer casing, disassembly of the inner polycarbonate shell and then reassembly of all pieces around the iPad. Ports and buttons are also covered for protection. Two additional features of the Defender case include a protective film and a polycarbonate cover for the iPad screen. The screen cover snaps easily on both sides of the cases: on front to protect the screen or on back for storage when not in use. It also doubles as a stand whenever you should need one. Raised silicon edges and a plastic lip provides screen protection like no other.

After a couple of weeks using the Defender case, we realized the great potential this design offered. Installation was more involved but also provided the significant iPad protection required for more intense on the job use. The clip on screen cover and stand were also added bonuses. We found the Defender case to be the most rugged case we’ve reviewed.

By Cristi | August 8, 2010 | 1 comment

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If you’re in the market for a heavy duty case to protect your iPad from the rough and tumble bumps and bruises of everyday life, then take a look at the Commuter and Defender cases from OtterBox. Known for its high quality rugged phone cases, OtterBox has now got your iPad covered too. We received these cases from OtterBox for review and were quite impressed. Today we’ll cover the Commuter Series Case and tomorrow we’ll take on the Defender. Continue on to read our review.

The C ommuter Case is a well constructed combination of materials. Its thin profile packs powerful protection with raised rubber edges around the screen and hard plastic in back. The power button, volume control and headphone jack are all covered but still easily accessible. Need a charge? A snap off back panel provides access to the dock connector and also supports the use of Apple’s iPad dock. An added bonus provided with the Commuter case is the protective screen film with installation supplies. Not only are you able to protect the back of your iPad from nicks and scratches with this case, but your screen as well.

After using the Commuter Series case for a couple of weeks, we really like the thin profile but sturdy construction. Our iPad with case easily slipped in and out of a number of different bags while providing protection from everyday bumps and bruises.

By Roberto | August 7, 2010 | 1 comment

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If you’re looking for iPad stands, getting a good one can be a daunting proposition. There are a lot of varieties out there, and all with different specifications and different prices. Over the last few weeks, I’ve come to the conclusion that there are many folks that would like to use an iPad stand.

But, why? The iPad gets heavy, and almost everyone I have talked to, eventually want to put it down. Some of the comments I’ve heard recently go from – “If you lay it flat, it’s hard to type on”, or “I would like an easy way to position my iPad at different angles when I need to”.

We’ve covered many good accessories at PadGadget, including iPad stands. The following review introduces you to another product that can be a good fit for your needs, especially when you’re looking to position your iPad at multiple angles rather than one fixed angle.

LapWorks, a company that has been selling laptop desks and desktop stands since 2000, has recently introduced the iPad Recliner. The Recliner is one of their latest products and one that allows you to comfortably anchor, adjust, and view your iPad screen.

Video, pictures and more details after the break >>

SeeThru Satin Speck Case – Gear Review

By Cristi | August 4, 2010 | No comment yet

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Yesterday, I looked at the PixelSkin case from Speck and today it’s time for the SeeThru Satin.

Speck’s SeeThru Satin is a sleeker, more sophisticated looking iPad case and its seamless hard shell offers a snug fit and good protection. Its satin coating and rubberized raised front edge, button covers and back traction grip make it easy to grip and comfortable to hold. Installation of the SeeThru Satin is not difficult, but takes a little more effort than the PixelSkin because of its hard shell. A small flip back allows you to easily use the Apple dock or keyboard dock without removing the case from your iPad.

Like the PixelSkin, I also used this case for several days and although I liked it, I think the $49.95 price tag will be more than most people want to pay. The design of the SeeThru Satin is obviously different from the PixelSkin but many of the comments I made yesterday still apply. It’s light-weight and easy to grip during game play. Some of the iPad’s buttons have a rubber covering however, it did not limit functionality. I was able to use my iPad and case in both the Twelve South BookArc and Scott Snyder stands.

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PixelSkin Speck Case – Gear Review

By Cristi | August 3, 2010 | 3 comments

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We’ve reviewed a number of iPad cases here at PadGadget and products from Speck are among our favorites. After receiving and using the PixelSkin and SeeThru Satin cases, they are next in line for review. Check out my review of the PixelSkin below and the SeeThru Satin tomorrow.

The rubberized PixelSkin case is delightfully squishy and fun to use. Installation is easy, just line up the ports/buttons of your iPad with the appropriate positions on the case, slip the bottom of the iPad into the case and pull the top part of the case around your device. The snug fit of the PixelSkin provides great protection and allows easy access to all ports and buttons. The soft rubber material with the cutout square pattern also makes it comfortable to hold and use.

After using the PixelSkin for several days, a few things pop to mind when I think about it. First, I like the casual design and soft feel of this case. It’s light-weight and easy to grip when playing games. Although some of the iPad’s buttons are covered, I never had a problem with functionality. If you like to use the Apple dock or Keyboard dock for your iPad, you won’t be able to do it with this case on, but I was able to use it with two of the stands we reviewed a couple months ago: the Twelve South BookArc and Scott Snyder.

By dag | August 1, 2010 | 4 comments

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Since the announcement of the iPad, dozens of companies have launched their very own iPad stand. A good chunk of them are just ok, some are good, and very few are outstanding. The Compass from TwelveSouth, a stylish compact folding stand, falls in this last category.

Like the drafting tool it is inspired from, the Compass is a multi-legged stand that can be folded in order to carry it easily. The stand is only 7 inches long and 1 inch wide when folded, which makes it the perfect travel companion. The Compass is also versatile, as it can be used in two different modes:
- Upright: the Compass looks just like a tripod, and holds your iPad in either portrait or landscape mode, almost vertically.
- Tilted: the stands is almost horizontal, and holds your iPad up at a slight angle for typing.

In either mode, it only takes seconds to deploy the stand. We actually used it in a Starbucks, and most patrons came to ask us where we bought it – most people seem to instantly love the stand as soon as they see it in use.