Apple iPad Gear


Papernomad Little Tootsie for iPad Mini Review: Expensive Nostalgia

There are all kinds of cases out there for tablets these days-rugged, leather, pleather, vinyl, rubber, folio-style…if it’s a material that can be tablet-sized, chances are someone’s made a case out of it. Papernomad has an interesting twist with cases made from brown paper and felt, allowing you to feel like your iPad is a childhood textbook.


Speck DuraFolio for iPad Air Review

As you may have read here on Gear Diary, Speck was recently purchased by Samsonite. I’m curious to see what new products begin to appear as a result. Even before this happened however the lineup of Speck cases continued to increase. One of the newest cases is the Speck DuraFolio for iPad Air; it comes in five different color combinations.


Element Case Ducati Soft-Tec Folio Review

If you are a fan of Element Case, you know their products are always impressive. And if you are into motorcycles, you likely know about the partnership between Element Case and Ducati. The two companies have been co-branding some amazing cases. The Element Case Ducati Soft-Tec Folio for Apple iPad Air is a great example of what they have created.


Griffin Slim Keyboard Folio for the iPad Mini

I am a huge fan of writing via my iPad. Since I rarely sit at a desk or table except at work, I love the flexibility of writing on the go or from my couch. Basically, I’m the perfect candidate for something like the Griffin Slim Keyboard Folio for the iPad Mini. But will it dethrone my existing keyboard options?


Get to Work, the Belkin QODE Thin Type Keyboard Case for iPad Air

If you do a lot of writing on your iPad, and find the on-screen keyboard to be insufficient, the Belkin QODE Thin Type Keyboard Case for iPad Air is the iPad keyboard for you. This keyboard cover is thin, light, and gets incredible battery life. Perhaps most importantly, it offers a phenomenally good typing experience that rivals most laptop keyboards.


Ready for Work and Play, the Booqpad for iPad Air

If your iPad is more than just a toy you’ll want to check out the Booqpad for iPad Air. Among the most flexible cases we have seen, it combines a protective folio with the iPad on one side and a paper tablet on the other. The iPad and protective shell can even be separated and used on their own.


Cheero is Bringing its DANBOARD Mobile Chargers to the US Market

cheero, USA has just announced its new Power Plus version of the DANBOARD mobile charging device, packing 10,400 mAh of battery power into a small, and mighty cute package. Also available is the DANBOARD Mini, which is no slouch, packing 6,000 mAh of batter power. Cheero’s DANBOARD mobile battery packs are now available on Amazon.


Quick Video Look at Three Upcoming iPad Air Case Reviews

We’ve got three iPad Air case reviews coming this week and thought we might take an early look at video reviews of each. The three premium cases come from some of our favorite case companies and each offers some unique qualities that make it an intriguing option if you are looking to protect and add functionality to your iPad Air.


Survive Anything with the Griffin Survivor for iPad Air Case!

In my house, we joke that every case I review needs to meet the “destructo-dog and tiny terror” tests. Most cases are no match for a 100 pound labrador and a 10 month old boy, but my wife Sarah hasn’t worried once about her iPad since we started testing the new Griffin Survivor for iPad Air!


Felix TwoHands II: A New Handle on Tablet Stands

Using tablets in all aspects of life mean they are viewed at every angle, on every surface, and in both portrait and landscape orientations. Having a stand to accommodate all of these needs is important, and the Felix TwoHands II stand provides a handy and unique way to hold tablets. Read on to see how it fared.


IK Multimedia iRing Now Shipping, Review Coming Soon!

Every year at CES and NAMM IK Multimedia presents a bunch of great new technology for music and media aimed largely at the consumer electronics market. This year was no exception, and now we have gotten word from IK multimedia that the iRing music motion controller is shipping! We will have a review soon, but here are some details.


HyperJuice 2 External Battery for MacBook Pro: Power When You Need It

I’ve written many reviews on extended battery packs for mobile devices, but this is the first time I’ve had an external battery that was capable of charging my MacBook Air or MacBook Pro along with all my other mobile devices at the same time. Why would anyone need or want something as big and powerful as the HyperJuice? Well …


STM Bags Drifter Laptop Backpack, Relaxed Looks but Serious Business

STM Bags offers an impressive array of different bags and cases to help protect your gear. One of their newest products is the STM Bags Drifter Laptop Backpack. I’ve been using it on and off for a couple of weeks, and I am impressed. Don’t let its relaxed, casual looks fool you, this is a serious laptop backpack!


Get a Handle on the Skooba Design iPad/Tablet Courier V.3

I was impressed by the Skooba Design iPad/Tablet Courier V.3. (Read our review.) The $89.95 bag is Skooba Design’s first north/south bag, is a great way to carry your tablet, a keyboard and a few extras. It offers great organization and will last a lifetime. I had one major complaint and with Rev2 of the bag it has been addressed.


Beyzacases Executive S for iPad Mini with Retina – Beautiful and Protective

If you work in extreme conditions, have a toddler, or have concerns that your iPad might be crushed or cracked due to general klutziness or negligence, then it probably makes sense that you keep yours in a bulky plastic exoskeleton. But if you prefer something protective yet visually appealing and refined, then the Beyzacases Executive S is worth considering.


Kanex Multi-Sync Bluetooth Keyboard Review – Keyboard Multitasking!

Bluetooth keyboards are a dime a dozen; we’ve covered scores of them here at Gear Diary. Most are variations on the same old keyboard, but the Kanex Multi-Sync Bluetooth Keyboard falls into the “how did I live without this” category very quickly. Do you have an iPad and a Mac or PC? Then you need this keyboard.


Harman Kardon Onyx Studio – Power, Quality, & Good Looks

We recently took a first look at the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio Wireless Bluetooth speaker system with rechargeable battery. The power, the audio quality, and its sharp looks immediately impressed me. I’ve been using the speaker almost full-time at home since receiving it, and I wanted to do a more complete review. Short version: I love it!


The Bluelounge Kii Unlocks the Key to My Gear

Last week my keyring got a new addition — the Bluelounge Kii Micro-USB. The Kii is a small sync/charge adapter looks like a simple key but opens to reveal a short but very practical USB-to-MicroUSB cable. At $24.95 (the Lightning Connector version is even more) it is a pricey accessory, but the convenience can’t be beat.


iBatzz Battstation Optimus 20400 Extended Battery: Enough Power to Share

It’s become a running joke that I always have to one-up my friend Helena when comparing our extended batteries at tech events. While I am certainly not consciously competing over which of us can carry the biggest battery, there is truth to the fact that I prefer larger extended batteries; the new iBatzz Battstation Optimus 20400 certainly fits this bill.


The Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad mini Is Almost Awesome

I’m a huge fan of Logitech’s various keyboard cases and covers for the iPad, and because I am seriously considering putting my iPad Air up on eBay, I decided to check out the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad mini. I hoped it would be a great productivity tool as my iPad mini becomes even more central to my workflow.