Apple iPad Gear

How to Keep Your New Gear Looking Great

It’s 2013, and the year is off to a running start. No doubt someone in your home received some new gear over the holidays. And regardless of the brand all the gadgets have one thing in common — they need to be protected. This is especially so in 2013, when mobility is the name of the game. Think about it, a desktop computer that sits at home or in your office runs minimal risk of physical damage unless a natural disaster or a disastrous pet come into the picture. A laptop however, something that is specifically designed to be carried and…


Whooz? Are a Huge Hit at My House

On Christmas morning, as packages from under the tree were divided into piles and then opened, I got what would turn out to be one of my biggest Christmas surprises: the best gift was something I had stuck into the girls’ new Jon Hart bags, almost as an afterthought — Whooz iPhone and iPad Character Sets! Kev’s youngest daughter stopped everything to start installing a set on her iPad charger, and Kev’s oldest daughter was right there with her. Let me back up for just a moment. Everyone in my house has an iPhone or an iPad (or both), and…


Monitor2Go and iPad 3, a Gear Diary Video Look

A year and a half ago, I had the opportunity to review an incredibly useful mobile device that quickly and easily doubles your screen real-estate. The FieldMonitorPro is a large screen that, right out of the box, extends your computer to give you additional screen space or allows someone/s to look at your computer screen without having to crowd in next to you. It is terrific for on-the-go demonstrations. While reviewing the device, I was covering an Apple keynote and found my MacBook air to be too small for watching the video, checking feeds, and writing the post. I pulled…


Speck WanderFolio Luxe for iPad Review

Truth be told, I’ve always been a fan of Speck’s product design, though I haven’t owned any of their products for any of my devices.  So I was very excited when I got the opportunity to review their WanderFolio Luxe iPad case. The WanderFolio Luxe is made with top-grain leather and has pockets for your travel needs, like passports, cash, cards, etc.  It also has the always nice magnetic sleep/wake function that we all like to see on our iPad cases.  Speaking of magnets, there is also a magnetic latch that keeps your iPad closed.  Speck calls this a “smooth-close”…


Oberon Design iPad mini Cover Review

I’ve been a fan of Oberon Design’s products for several years, and it seems to go without saying (at least in my home) that if you have a new iPad or Kindle, you’ll probably want an Oberon Design cover to go with it. Kev has the Celtic Hounds cover in wine on his iPad 3, and I have the Van Gogh Sky cover in sky blue on my Kindle touch. I have found that there is no better leather cover available if you want to keep your device a book-style case. I was sent the latest Oberon Design cover for…


Twelve South BookBook for iPad mini Review

We are huge fans of Twelve South’s products. The company has a relatively limited — but rapidly growing — portfolio, and their entire line is specifically designed with us Apple-fans in mind. A quick search on Gear Diary will reveal reviews of almost all of their lineup. One of the Twelve South offerings that has been among the biggest hit with us is the Twelve South BookBook line of MacBook and iOS device cases. The BookBook line looks and feels like a classically bound book, but it protects your precious device. I reviewed the first version of the BookBook for iPad, but…


Just Mobile Gum Max Backup Battery Review

In the first post of this two-part series, we looked at the Just Mobile Gum Plus backup battery. (Read the review, here.) It provides 5200 mAh of battery life and lets you charge your iPhone a number of times. The Gum Plus is small and light enough for you to easily throw the battery into your gadget bag and carry it all the time. But what if you REALLY need extra battery life? What if you have an iPhone and an iPad you need to keep charged? What if you can’t be sure you’ll be near an outlet at all…


Just Mobile Gum Plus Back Up Battery Review

One of the main challenges for those of us who attend CES, is making sure our mobile devices stay charged. Year after year we find that, half way through the day, we are scrambling to find somewhere to plug in and repower. Not. This. Year. No, this year is going to be different; this year we are going to carry enough backup batteries to easily make it through the day. (Yeah, I know we said that last year but, this year, we mean it.) I reached out to our friends at Just Mobile, and asked if they might be willing…


The iPad Smart Case – Smart Protection for Your iPad Tablet

Photo courtesy of Apple.com The iPad Smart Case is a great way to protect your iPad without the added weight and bulk of other cases. Similar to the original iPad Smart Cover, the iPad Smart Case contains a magnet that automatically wakes the iPad upon opening and puts it to sleep when closing, helping to preserve your battery power. It can be configured to hold the iPad low to the desk to write emails or work on presentations or more upright to view movies and video clips. Transforming the cover into the stand takes some practice, as the flaps don’t…


Spigen SGP iPad Mini Hardbook Case Review

My iPad mini goes pretty much everywhere with me these days. And while it is true that I had my 9.7″ iPad with me much of the time previously, thanks to its smaller size and reduced weight I don’t think I have left the iPad mini behind a single time since it arrived. Yeah, I like it that much. That, however, means the iPad mini is seeing a lot of use. And THAT means it is more important than ever to keep my tablet well-protected. Thusfar I’ve been using the Bodyguardz Sentinel as my go-to case. (Read the review.) It…


Twelve South Releases the BookBook for iPad mini

I love my iPad mini. I love my Twelve South BookBook. Now I can bring my favorite tablet together with one of my favorite tablet accessories thanks to the new Twelve South BookBook for iPad mini. Here’s the news in the company’s own words. Twelve South is proud to introduce the latest BookBook volume – BookBook for iPad mini. Conceived exclusively for the smallest iPad, BookBook for iPad mini is a compact, genuine leather case that discreetly protects iPad mini from dings, scratches and sometimes even theft. New features include a spine that allows users to hold their iPad mini…


RHA MA450i Noise Isolating Aluminium Earphones with Remote and Microphone Review

Back in August, we took a look at $35 MA350 Noise Isolating Aluminium Earphones. I liked them, but I didn’t LOVE them. My conclusion read, What I Like: Good build-quality; Decent sounding; Fabric cord; Surprisingly low price for what they offer What Needs Improvement: Lacks in-line microphone and controls Recently the company was kind enough to send a pair of their RHA 450i Noise isolating aluminium earphones. Why are these different? Simple, they bring everything I liked about the MA350 and added in a remote and microphone. Even better, they managed to keep the price below $50. Let’s take a…


Knomo’s iPad mini Folio Looks Lovely

Knomo, makers of some of the more sophisticated laptop bags I’ve seen, has just introduced their newest accessory, the iPad mini Folio. Available in black, cognac, and red (or rather — teaberry), the iPad mini Folio is composed of “full-grain leather and tough moulded plastic”. Some of its features, beyond being slim and protective, are that it “can be used in 3 ways: to protect your iPad on the move, opened into upright position for viewing movies, folded into raised position for typing.” The form-fitted rubberized case provides easy access to the iPad mini’s headphone jack and speaker, as well as…


Bodyguardz Sentinel and Armor Carbon Fiber Protection for iPad mini Review, Part 2 of 2

In part one of this two-part review, we looked at the Bodyguardz Armor for iPad mini. It is my skin of choice because it lets me protect my iPad mini from scratches without adding bulk or weight to the smaller, slimmer iPad. The problem with the Armor is that it only protects the iPad from scratches; it doesn’t add any bump or drop protection and, other than the included BodyGuardz ScreenGuardz screen protector, the screen remains vulnerable. Fact is, if you use your iPad a lot you are going to need a case. My case of choice at the moment?…


Ogaco Gadgets Introduces the iKazoo

There are controllers for just about everything that utilize touch, motion, and breath. Now we get one that integrates all of these, and utilizes the latest Bluetooth protocols to interface with just about anything! The first thing you might think when you hear ‘iKazoo’ is … what IS it? Here is an explanation from the creators: iKazoo is basically a gadget compatible with any electronic device with a camera that lets anyone, from beginner to professional make and play music and a whole lot more. Music, games, art, sports and fitness are just some of the applications you can use…


New Sleek, Functional Designs From Tablet-Case Creator ‘Solid Gray’

I probably won’t be the first to admit that we don’t need anymore tablet or phone cases. There are already thousands of competitive products available in this category, many of them priced very reasonably. Walking into Best Buy, Verizon, or even Five Below becomes a sensory assault of competing, well-designed cases. As you know, the editors here at Gear Diary are prepared to handpick the best and most interesting products for inclusion on the site. So check out the latest from Netherlands-based design firm Solid Gray. While the studio’s earlier productions focused on creating unique, functional backpacks, it’s newest creation…


Skooba Photo:Tablet Traveler V.3, Video Review

We reviewed Skooba Design’s Skooba Tablet Messenger V3 and their Skooba Design Laptop Weekender V.3 . Both are well designed and well constructed ways to carry and protect your gear on the go. Now Skooba has added yet another item to their growing V.3 line. This time out we are taking a look at the new Skooba Photo:Tablet Traveler V.3. The bag has an MSRP of just under $100. and it is great if you want to carry and protect your DSLR, tablet and a few additional accessories. The bag is constructed from a Micro Ballistic Nylon exterior, while the…


Livescribe Sky Smartpen Review: One New Feature Makes a World of Difference

It has been a while since I have written about my Livescribe smartpen, but that doesn’t mean I rely on it any less. In fact, my experience has actually the opposite. My Livescribe smartpen is so much a part of my workflow that I simply take it for granted. If you aren’t familiar with the Livescribe smartpen system, let me offer a simple description. The Livescribe smartpen is a large pen with a traditional ink cartridge in its tip; it that takes writing to an entirely new level, thanks to the inclusion of a small camera sensor that also sits in…


JBL FLIP Portable Wireless Loudspeaker Review

The last year or two has seen a huge proliferation in the number of small battery-powered Bluetooth speakers. We’ve reviewed the Jabra SoleMate, took a look at the popular JawBone JamBox a shootout between the Braven 600 and the JamBox and, most recently, reviewed the SuperTooth Disco 2. When the JBL FLIP arrived for review it looked to be yet another in this long and growing line of portable speakers. At just $99 how good could it be? The answer might surprise you. From JBL: The JBL Flip with Bluetooth® capability is an ideal wireless stereo system for smartphones and…


Waterfield Slip Case for iPad mini Review

My last few Kindles have been stored and carried in a Waterfield Slip Case for Amazon Kindle. It is simple protection that does exactly what I need and no more. (Read the review.) Now Waterfield has released a Slip Case that is perfectly sized for the new iPad mini. In fact it is perfectly sized twice; once for the iPad on its own and the other for the iPad when you are using a Smart Cover. Both are simple, protective and, if the well-loved but “looks brand new” Kindle Slip Case is any indication, will last and last. Here’s a…


Gumdrop Case Drop Tech Series Case for the iPad Mini Review

We haven’t seen nearly as many cases for the iPad mini ship yet. Sure, we’ve already been looking at some great sleeves for the newest member of the iPad family, but when it comes to actual fitted cases we haven’t yet seen that many. One of the first cases to arrive for review was the Gumdrop Case Drop Tech Series Case for the iPad Mini. The case promises to add shock and drop protection to the iPad for under $60. Does that make it the best case for the small but potentially delicate tablet? Let’s take a look! From Gumdrop:…