Apple iPad Gear | Gear Diary

Reviews April 27, 2015

Twelve South HiRise Deluxe Is a Must-Have iOS Accessory

I love my iPhone 6 Plus but find the battery to be lacking. I’ve tried a host of settings tweaks to optimize battery life but still run low by early afternoon. Having a strategically-placed charging dock is key for me. The Twelve South HiRise Deluxe is just such a charging dock. I reviewed the original HiRise and was impressed. This deluxe model takes things to an entirely new level. I love it! Here’s what Twelve South has to say about it: “HiRise Deluxe is a beautiful metal pedestal for charging and hands-free use of your iPhone or iPad. Set HiRise…

Reviews April 21, 2015

Inateck Protection for iPad Air Has ‘Something Up Its Sleeve’

I found myself searching for a sleeve/case for my iPad Air recently and my efforts led me to Inateck. The Protection for iPad Air sleeve is a stylish gray felt sleeve that fits nicely over my device even when my Logitech Bluetooth keyboard is attached. Inateck also designed the sleeve to function as a nifty little device stand.

News & Features April 14, 2015

Juicies is Back on Kickstarter with Their XL and XS Juicies+ USB Cables

Juicies is back on Kickstarter again, this time for their Extra-Long and Extra-Short Juicies+ USB cables. These lightning or microUSB charging cables are tangle-proof, the ends are made of anodized aluminum, and have extended stress relief to prevent cable tears. You can pledge today to receive an XS (1 foot) or XL (10 feet) starting at $19 and $25 respectively.

Reviews April 10, 2015

The UWaterX3 Waterproof Wireless Action Speaker Is Ready for Anything

Fitness Technologies, Inc.’s UWaterX3 Wireless Action Speaker is a unique waterproof Bluetooth speaker that is ready for almost anything. This monster truck tire-looking speaker feels completely solid and indestructible. The UWaterX3 creates great sound with its 50mm driver and directional subwoofer. This speaker comes with a number of mounting options for many different types of activities and retails for $130.

Reviews April 6, 2015

Braven LUX HD Wireless Speaker Review: A Most Elegant Audio Source

Looking suspiciously like an evening clutch that I would love to own, the new Braven LUX HD Wireless Speaker is much more than a fashionable portable sound system. Measuring 6.5″ long x 2.6″ wide x 21.8″ deep, this 11.8 ounce speaker offers 12 hours continuous battery life and it can even top-off your phone’s battery.

News & Features April 5, 2015

Adonit Jot Script Evernote Edition – Exceptional Virtual Handwriting

I recently had a chance to check out the Adonit Jot Script Evernote Edition, an advanced stylus designed for iOS. Its Pixelpoint tip is the most precise tip on the market, and it provides an almost pen and paper feel. It takes AAA batteries and is compatible with all iOS devices, although the iPad is probably best for writing.

Reviews March 27, 2015

ZAGG Pocket is a Smartphone and Tablet Keyboard for People on the Go

Between my iPhone 6 Plus and my iPad, I am finding myself using my MacBook less and less, and while I am pretty good at typing on the screen having a keyboard with me is a huge productivity boost. The ZAGG Pocket Keyboard is a great way to do just that. Best of all, it folds up and is tiny!

News & Features March 17, 2015

Apple Reportedly Gearing Up for Online Television Service

In a new report from The Wall Street Journal, Apple seems to be in the talks to launch an slimmed-down online television service which would have around 25 channels with some major names like ABC, CBS, and Fox, and heavy hitter cable channels like E!, and Syfy.

Gear Bits, News & Features March 4, 2015

Zagg Introduces the Pocket Keyboard for Smartphones

When I see something cool in an email or RSS feed, I check to see if it was covered by Gear Diary and I just missed it! Today I got a pre-order email for the Zagg Pocket Keyboard, a great mobile physical keyboard without the usual compromises, I was interested and saw we had done a YouTube preview!

Reviews February 23, 2015

Logitech K480 Keyboard Is a Multi-Device Wonder

My main work devices are my iPhone 6 Plus, my iPad Air 2 and my 15″ MacBook Pro. At any given moment I might be working on any one of them. Having a keyboard that lets me quickly and easily switch between devices is something I have long wanted. Thanks to the Logitech K480 keyboard I now have exactly that keyboard.

Reviews February 18, 2015

Leef iBRIDGE Review: Brings Well Designed External Storage to iOS Devices

Judie wrote about the Leef iBRIDGE late last year, and at CES they provided us with a review sample to check out. I love the Leef Bridge USB 3.0 storage solution for Android, and was excited to check out the new iOS external solution. With an odd shape and requiring a special app, it still impresses and has become essential!

Events, Music Diary, News & Features January 27, 2015

IK Multimedia Announces iRig PowerBridge Universal Charging Solution

One thing I love about using IK Multimedia gear is how it enhances my ability to make music anywhere by drawing power from the 30-pin or Lightning port of my iPhone or iPad. The obvious problem is the power used by an accessory such as iRig Keys Pro comes from your phone, lowering already precious battery life. Enter iRig PowerBridge.

Events, Music Diary, News & Features January 26, 2015

Zivix Pioneers Breakthroughs in Bluetooth MIDI Tech with Jamstick+ & PUC+

Late in 2013 Zivix announced PUC, wireless MIDI interface that allowed use of traditional music gear with iOS devices. The original PUC created a local WiFi network to handle the MIDI interface, now they’re back with PUC+ using Bluetooth Low Energy to more efficiently communicate while allowing simultaneous WiFi connections. They also announced jamstik+, bringing BTLE to their smart guitar!

Events, Music Diary, News & Features January 26, 2015

IK Multimedia Announces iRig Mic Studio, Ultra-Portable Large Diaphragm Mic

Dan and Judie wrote about how the iRig Mic Field from IK Multimedia helped them cover NAIAS in Detroit as well as CES, and it illustrated another step in how far IK has evolved in their microphone offerings. Now IK Multimedia is announcing their next step with the iRig Mic Studio, an ultra-portable large-diaphragm mic for every platform.

Events, Music Diary, News & Features January 7, 2015

iRig Mic Field from IK Multimedia Now Shipping

Watching my son deal with audio recording issues as he completed his portfolio film project for film school applications (in at NYU, yay!), I got a new appreciation of the value of a quality microphone for even the most seemingly simple applications. The iPhone is great for capturing video, but the addition of the iRig Mic Field makes it better!

Events, Music Diary, News & Features January 6, 2015

IK Multimedia announces iRig 2 Next Generation Guitar Interface

Back in 2010 IK Multimedia introduced the first guitar/bass interface for iOS, iRig. Paired with Amplitube, the first amplifier & effects simulator for iOS, iRig provided a portable solution that turned iOS into a portable solution for all musicians. Since then they released the iRig HD, and now they’re back with the iRig 2, filled with improvements and new capabilities!

Events, Gear Bits January 5, 2015

Urbanears: Affordable Headphones Proving Good Sound Is Accessible for Everyone

Last night Dan and I had the chance to check out Urbanears new Plattan Wireless Headphones, No cord, 8 hour battery life, and they come in 12 different colors. They retail for $100, and you can swipe to adjust music and its volume. These are pretty freaking cool, and they will be out in June; take a look!

Events, News & Features January 5, 2015

Henge Docks Gives Us an Exclusive Pre-CES Hands On Demo with Their Wares

Henge Docks has been making Gravitas docks for some time; we’ve reviewed them, and Dan won’t part with his, no matter how much I beg. Today we got an exclusive Pre-CES look at their entire Gravitas line, their Clique Apple keyboard and Magic touchpad holder, as well as their amazing new Horizontal Dock for the 15″ MacBook Pro retina.

Reviews December 30, 2014

Beyzacases Folio F iPad Air and iPad Air 2 Case Review

The Beyzacases creation we’re looking at this time around is the Beyzacases Folio F iPad Air and iPad Air 2 Case. This formfitting case is absolutely gorgeous, designed to both protect the iPad and add functionality to it. While this $109.95 case isn’t inexpensive, it is a case that will turn heads and you will love to use it.

Reviews December 29, 2014

Beyzacases Thinvelope iPad Air and iPad Air 2 Case Review

We love Beyzacases products and have long been huge fans of their quality leather products. We have a few of their latest offerings and thought we would take a closer look at them. We’ll start this series with a classic, the Beyzacases Thinvelope iPad Air and iPad Air 2 Case. At $129.95 it is pricey, but it is also undeniably gorgeous.

Music Diary, Reviews December 14, 2014

Feel the Beat with iRig Pads Controller by IK Multimedia

IK Multimedia has had a great 2014, starting with the iRig Keys Pro, then the iRig Voice, iRing, iRig Pro and more. Now they are closing out the year by jumping into the pad controller ring with iRig Pads, a fully MIDI compliant controller for iOS and the Mac with multiple connectivity options and controller configurations.