Apple iPad Gear

What's Round, Covered In Wool, and Promises Awesome Sound? The Brand New Libratone Loop

Gear Bits

What’s Round, Covered In Wool, and Promises Awesome Sound? The Brand New Libratone Loop

I loved the Libratone Zipp I reviewed, and Elana still uses it daily. Now Libratone is introducing the Loop. This $499.95 wireless speaker packs AirPlay, DNLA, and Libratone’s PlayDirect when WiFi isn’t available. Set on the floor, a table, or hung on the wall it promises a great look and sound great. Features: Works wirelessly with iPad, iPhone and Android or Mac/PC, enabling awesome sound through AirPlay or DNLA Can be used without a Wi-Fi network router through Libratone’s patented PlayDirect™ technology Streams wirelessly from Internet radio stations and services such as Pandora and Spotify, as well as integrating with…

Padcaster Launches iPad Mini Kickstarter Campaign Releases Padcaster 2.0!

Crowdfunding

Padcaster Launches iPad Mini Kickstarter Campaign Releases Padcaster 2.0!

The original Padcaster demonstrated once again that dismissing the iPad as a media creation device is wrong-headed – it allowed iPad owners to attach their tablet to a tripod and then use lights, lenses, external microphones and more. Now they have launched a new Kickstarter to help fund the creation of an iPad Mini version! Why are they seeking funding now? Well, they only introduced the Padcaster in April and started selling it in June so it is just starting to get rolling through production. As they note: “The Original Padcaster is already in production, having been funded almost entirely…

Think Tank Photo My 2nd Brain Tablet Review - Small, Organized, and Ready for Business

Reviews

Think Tank Photo My 2nd Brain Tablet Review – Small, Organized, and Ready for Business

The other day we took a look at Think Tank Photo’s new My 2nd Brain 13 laptop bag. Designed to carry a 13″ MacBook air or MacBook Pro, an iPad, an iPhone and assorted accessories, it is a small but impressive bag. The company also offers a smaller, $74.75 version for those who just carry an iPad. Check it out. Think Tank Photo explains the My 2nd Brain Tablet this way: This slim, soft case fits an iPad + iPhone® in individual padded pockets. Additional dedicated pockets provide easy access to power adapters and memory cards, down to the tiniest…

Oh Siri … I Missed You

Editorials

Oh Siri … I Missed You

I had not realized just how much I missed having global voice recognition until I went to Elana’s iPhone 4S while waiting for my iPhone 5S. Some background: I sold my iPhone 5 and had been using Judie’s spare iPhone 4 for the past few weeks. It worked fine, but the 4 doesn’t have Siri or voice recognition. Well, I’m baaack. I was using Dragon Dictation for the month I was on the 4, but having gone to the 4S and using Siri and global voice recognition since yesterday has reminded me of how much I missed it. It is…

Think Tank Photo My 2nd Brain 13 Review- Made Especially for Apple Devices!

Reviews

Think Tank Photo My 2nd Brain 13 Review- Made Especially for Apple Devices!

Think Tank Photo makes awesome camera bags. We’ve reviewed many of them, and you can see all our video reviews here. Now they have rolled out a new line of bags for Apple devices. They come in a range of sizes including a My 2nd Brain 13 that will fit a 13″ MacBook, an iPad, an iPhone, and assorted accessories. See them! Think Tank Photo’s new My 2nd Brain 13 is a slim, soft case that is just 2.4 inches thick. It is specifically designed to hold a 13″ MacBook Pro or MacBook air, an iPad, an iPhone, and additional…

The MagiCable Duo with Lightning Connector - a First World Problem Solved

Gear Bits

The MagiCable Duo with Lightning Connector – a First World Problem Solved

My phone has a Lightning Connector for charging. My headset uses a microUSB connection for charging. My desk looks like a snake pit of cables. That’s where the MagiCable Duo with Lightning Connector comes in. This $29.99 cable features a unique 2-in-1 design and works with both Apple Lightning and Micro USB tips. Check it out. You can file this one under “Solutions to First World Problems”

Keizus Quadropod + Clamp Review - a New Way to Hold Your Smartphone

Reviews

Keizus Quadropod + Clamp Review – a New Way to Hold Your Smartphone

As smartphone photography has gotten better and better, it has become increasingly clear that the right accessories will help take things to an entirely new level. The Quadropod + Clamp is a tripod-like stand and mount. Easy to use and flexible enough to hold your smartphone or tablet in pretty much any position, it is just $39.95. As you can see the Keizus Quadropod + Clamp is going up against the likes of the Joby Gorillapod line. It offers some significant differences, such as the quad legs rather than the tripod legs, and it makes deciding which small camera and…

Think Tank Photo Releases MY 2ND BRAIN Laptop Bag and Accessory Line

News & Features

Think Tank Photo Releases MY 2ND BRAIN Laptop Bag and Accessory Line

Think Tank Photo had taken its expertise in creating fantastic camera bags and applied it to a new line of bags and accessories for people using Apple Devices. MY 2ND BRAIN is a series of bags for tablets and laptops. Powerhouse is a line of accessory pouches. The MY 2ND BRAIN bags start at $74.75 for the tablet version and goes up to $99.75 for the MacBook Pro bag. Each bag comes in Black, Harbor Blue, and Mist Green and features: Easily accessible iPhone mobile digital device pocket with plush lining and earbud pouch Front pocket with plush pouch for…

PUC Bringings MIDI-Over-WiFi Project to Indiegogo

Gear Bits

PUC Bringings MIDI-Over-WiFi Project to Indiegogo

You want to make music with your iPad but being tethered to your keyboard is dragging you down, despair no longer – PUC has arrived! PUC connects to MIDI gear with a cable, then to your iOS device wirelessly. Once connected, apps don’t know the difference! Head to Indiegogo to support this project with a special $69 level ending 9/11!

Orbino Padova mini for iPad mini Review Redux

Reviews

Orbino Padova mini for iPad mini Review Redux

  When it became clear Judie was going all-in with the iPad mini she dropped over $200 on an Orbino Padova mini leather case. I thought she was nuts to spend that much… until I saw it. The case is gorgeous and I absolutely love the review sample Orbino was kind enough to send over for a second-look review.   Let’s first take a look at the images Judie shot of her Padova mini and then take a look at it on camera. So that’s the Orbino Padova mini leather case Judie has been using for almost a year. I…

Case Logic Reflexion DSLR and iPad Backpack Review

Reviews

Case Logic Reflexion DSLR and iPad Backpack Review

Case Logic’s Reflexion DSLR and iPad Backpack stands out thanks to its “split-pack opening” design and a zipper tha runs around the middle like a jagged belt. It opens and allows the top half of the pack folds down and out of the way. This leaves the camera and tablet compartment open and accessible. Check out the $99.99 pack. As you can see this is a rather unusual camera backpack. The Case Logic Reflexion DSLR and iPad Backpack lets you carry a camera, a few accessories, a tablet and some additional gear in something that looks cool and will cost you…

IK Multimedia Unveils iRig Pro, an All-in-One Interface for iOS Devices!

Music Diary, News & Features

IK Multimedia Unveils iRig Pro, an All-in-One Interface for iOS Devices!

Covering technology means never being surprised, except when you are. Today we get the surprising announcement of iRig Pro, an all-in-one interface that my son described as ‘every iRig interface you’re reviewed stuffed into one small box’. That is about right, and at $149.99 I think they have a real winner with iRig Pro shipping later this month! IK Multimedia is marketing iRig Pro based on three major strengths: Universal Inputs, Universal Compatibility, and Universal Apps. Universal Inputs: For me this is HUGE. In our house we have guitars, basses, multiple microphone types and a myriad of MIDI gear. Currently…

iKlip Stand for iPad by IK Multimedia Hands-On Review

Music Diary, Reviews

iKlip Stand for iPad by IK Multimedia Hands-On Review

The iKlip Stand is the next in the line of high-quality iPad stands for musical applications. The original was a microphone stand attachment for iPad and iPhone, and the iKlip Studio provides a portable stand for the iPad. The new iKlip Stand is a robust desk stand that is the best of all worlds, just use caution when assembling! Description Here are some of the features: •iKlip Stand for iPad: Desktop riser stand for iPad 2 & iPad 3rd and 4th Generation •iKlip Stand for iPad mini: Desktop riser stand for the iPad mini •Sturdy, robust thermoplastic with metal reinforced…

Jabra 510 UC and the Plantronics Calisto 620 UC Speakerphones Go Head to Head

News & Features

Jabra 510 UC and the Plantronics Calisto 620 UC Speakerphones Go Head to Head

A few months ago we reviewed the Jabra 510 UC and the Plantronics Calisto 620 UC speakerphones. Both come from companies with years of mobile audio experience and do a great job of instantly transforming a laptop or smartphone into a conferencing device. Both have an MSRP of $149 and go for less on Amazon. Which is right for you? I am impressed with both of them and can honestly say either is a good choice for someone in the market for such a device. Still, they are two different devices and you need only one. So lets run down…

New Cable Transfers Photos From iPhone 5 to iPad 1, 2, or 3 in a Flash

Gear Bits

New Cable Transfers Photos From iPhone 5 to iPad 1, 2, or 3 in a Flash

USB-Fever.com has just released a new cable to directly connect your iPhone 5 to your iPad 1, 2, or 3.  The cable has a lightning connector on one side and a dock connector on the other.  Once you plug in your iDevices, you can transfer your photos back and forth with ease.  This cable retails for $12.99. If you want to physically transfer your photos from a lightning connector device to a 30 pin dock connector device, without using Photo Stream, this appears to be a very easy way to accomplish that.  There are ways to email multiple photos, as…

iLuv Mo'Beats Bluetooth Speaker Review - Mo'Music for Less Money

Reviews

iLuv Mo’Beats Bluetooth Speaker Review – Mo’Music for Less Money

There’s a lot to like about the iLuv Mo’Beats HD Bluetooth Speaker. It boasts Bluetooth and NFC connectivity, works as a desk and a battery-powered on-the-go speaker, packs SRS WOW audio technology and has a hidden universal tablet and smartphone stand hidden in the top. Best of all it has a price under $100. We’ve been looking at a huge number of Bluetooth speakers in recent months, and the flow of wirelessly connected audio devices doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon. The latest unit we’ve had the chance to check out is the iLuv Mo’Beats Bluetooth Speaker….

Keith McMillen QuNeo 3D Pad Controller Review

Music Diary, Reviews

Keith McMillen QuNeo 3D Pad Controller Review

Being a Kickstarter darling has its ups and downs. QuNeo earned more than 10 times its funding goal of $15,000 then struggled through manufacturing problems, partner changes, and delays before finally launching. The end result shows that being patient and steadfast paid off with a product that is iPad compatible, high quality, affordable, and totally musical! Description QuNeo is the next generation of pad controller. As small as an iPad and more powerful than any other MIDI controller you’ve ever played, QuNeo makes beats, launches clips, remixes and reinvents your musical world. 44 pads, sliders, rotaries & switches Pressure, velocity…

Plantronics Gaming Throws Down with Their New RIG Headset

News & Features

Plantronics Gaming Throws Down with Their New RIG Headset

Plantronics has a message to gamers: “If you’re into your games AND your mobile devices, we’ve got the headset for you!” The RIG headset and mixer audio system let you play interactive video games, take calls, and listen to music from your smartphone or tablet. It’s the first member of the RIG family of gaming devices, and it is coming this fall for $129.

Twelve South HiRise Review - A Perch for Your iPhone 5 and iPad mini

Reviews

Twelve South HiRise Review – A Perch for Your iPhone 5 and iPad mini

Twelve South only makes products for Apple devices, and their newest offering is a fantastic addition to their lineup. The HiRise is under $35 ,and it is a dock that works with both the iPhone 5 and the iPad mini. It also lets you use either device with most cases! Check it out here. The HiRise is an elegant way to raise your iPhone 5 or iPad mini up off your desk or countertop, and it will securely hold, charge and, if so desired, sync with your computer. I love the look of the HiRise and it works exactly as promised. I…

TOBAGO PEAR - desk organizer & tablet stand

Gear Bits

The Traktorfahrn Tobago Pear Desk Organizer & Tablet Stand

This is the $79 Tobago pear – desk organizer & tablet stand by ETSY seller Traktorfahrn. It will hold your tablet and a few other desktop items, and it is made to work in several configurations. Evidently the maker discovered an unexpected benefit to the stand, too — the solid wood base “amplifies musik if  [the] speaker is facing [the] bottom.” Handcrafted in Dusseldorf Germany from pear wood, which has a beautiful reddish grain, the Tobago Pear Desk Organizer & Tablet Stand measures 20 x 12 x 3 cm (7.9” x 4.7” x 1.2”), and it will fit the iPad2, iPad3, Samsung Tablet, ASUS Tablet as well…