Apple iPad Gear

Akron Portable Fold-Up Stand for Apple iPad Review

(Note: All the photos here but one are from Akron–since they matched my experience, and are of better quality, I used them instead.  Hope y’all don’t mind.) When I was planning what accessories–if any–to get for my iPad, one of the things I was pretty sure I was going to pick up was a stand.  I fly back and forth all the time between Austin and the San Francisco Bay Area, and while watching movies on my iPhone is okay, even with just an iPhone it gets fatiguing holding the durn thing up for two hours.  An iPad?  Nope; gotta…


iPhone/iPad Accessory Review: Speck and Zazzle Team Up for 1-of-a-Kind Cases

Inside this package is a one-of-a-kind iPhone 4 cases I have tried. It fits my iPhone perfectly, offers fantastic protection and… is completely and totally unique to me. It is a case that is an absolute please to use AND whenever I look at it it brings a smile to my face. What’s so special about this case? Read on to find out. The case is the result of a joint-project between Speck, maker of some of our favorite device cases, and Zazzle, a company that makes an assortment of unique, self-designed products. For all intents and purposes the case…


JAVOedge Editor Quantum Case iPad Case Review: Thin Is In

In case you haven’t heard, thin is in. Don’t believe me? Just look at the popularity of the new line of Mac Book Airs. The thinner a mobile device is, the easier it is to carry around. However, protection is important too. Not many of us want to sacrifice shock and impact protection for something that’s a little lighter in our gear bags. The JAVOedge Editor Quantum case seeks to satisfy both needs. It’s very thin and very light weight yet sturdy enough to provide ample protection from the dings everyday life throws your way. The outside of the case…


Just Mobile AluPen Wins Awards… Gets Color

We’ve reviewed a number of the offerings from Just Mobile in recent months. Among them are the Gum Plus external battery, the UpStand for holding your iPad securely and, most recently, Judie reviewed the AluPen stylus for touchscreen devices. Well the AluPen has now won some nice awards including the Spark Design Award and iF product design award 2011. The AluPen is a great accessory… or last minute gift… and it just got more interesting because now it comes in a variety of vivid colors. As the company explains… To thank all Just Mobile customers and friends, we decide to…


JAVOedge Editor Axis iPad Case Review

I reviewed the JAVOedge Axis case for the iPad back in July of this year. The case, which allows the user to view their iPad’s screen in either the portrait or the landscape position, is still one of the more unique designs on the market. The newly released Editor Axis Case builds on the original design and adds a few welcomed changes as well. The Editor Axis case is made from a synthetic leather that’s pebbled. In addition to looking good the pebbled texture offers a nice feel and added grip. It features a magnetic closure flap that secures the…


iPad Accessory Review: Skadoosh Stand for Apple iPad

We’ve reviewed numerous iPad stands here on Gear Diary, but of all the stands I have personally had the chance to review, the oddly named Skadoosh Stand for iPad just might be the most substantial and flexible of them all. The Skadoosh has a unique design that is rather unique and, as a result — well lets put it this way — this is the first time I’m traveling since I got my iPad, where I had no second-guessing about iPad stand I wanted to bring along. To start with the conclusion, I like this stand so much, and am…


iPad Accessory Review: Altec Lansing Octiv Stage iPad Speaker MP450

The saying goes that the cloths make the man. Along the same lines one could argue that apps and accessories make the iPad. Think about it… the iPad is a pretty remarkable device in and of itself but the “magical” experience truly takes off when Cupertino’s tablet is used in conjunction with some amazing apps and accessories. One of the key accessories for any iPad enthusiast is the iPad dock. The right dock can make it easier to watch video on the iPad, work on the iPad, charge and sync the iPad and much more. We’ve already had the opportunity…


Ingear Slim Nylon iPad Case Review

Do you like to use your iPad in its out of the box, naked form factor? Or do you choose to protect your Apple tablet with something as slim as just a full body skin? Even if you answered yes to either of those questions you probably still want some sort of case to protect your device while transporting it though. The ingear Slim Nylon case for the iPad is just about the slimmest, sleekest, case I’ve seen. The Slim Nylon Case includes a screen protector and installation card. A rare but very welcomed addition with iPad cases. This horizontal…


iPad Accessory Review: AUTUM Straight Jacket for Apple iPad

Let’s face it, you can tell a lot about a designer’s aesthetics within seconds of looking at a single product they have designed. That being the case, it is clear that the designers over at AUTUM, a company I had never before heard of, have AMAZING taste. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Judie recently reviewed a leather iPad pouch and was rather impressed. It is beautiful, heavy-duty, rugged leather that, to paraphrase her, holds the iPad in the same manner that a holster hold a gun … and there you have the difference between the frames of reference a…


iPad Accessory Review: ViewSticks iPad Car Mounting System

There are a growing number of us who want to use our iPads pretty much everywhere. And one of those places is in… the car. The iPad makes a great car entertainments system for kids in the backseat. The only thing is… you need a good, secure way to hold the iPad in place. ViewSticks offers one system for doing just that. Priced at just $19.95, the ViewSticks are a convenient, low profile way to hold your iPad in place behind the drivers or passenger seat for easy viewing. Here’s a look at them in action… From the Company: Compatible…


SHHHHH…. Don’t Tell Them But Joey and Talia Are Getting an iPad

It seems everyone wants an iPad. Oprah loves her’s… and so do the 270 audience members who each got one last week. Mayor Bloomberg loves his. And the President signed yet another iPad… Yes, the iPad is the “IT” gift this holiday season and a number of survey’s show that it tops kids’ “most wanted” list this year. Now it was only last spring that my niece and nephew each got an iPod touch. Talia likes hers… Joey… well let’s just say Joey and his uncle share the same obsession with iOS devices. What they don’t know… and please don’t…


SmirkAbout Skins Will Bring a Smile to Your Face

I recall seeing an interview with Penn Gillette one time during which they happened to show his laptop, which was covered with stickers.  All sorts of stickers.  It was garish, but yet it fascinated me in a way because it was so individual in appearance. While I usually just use a clear, protective skin on my devices (’cause I’m just boring that way), I appreciate decorative skins that allow the owner to really show off their personality and distinguish their gadget from all of the others around them.  SmirkAbout, an Australian company, is one of the newer companies putting out…


iPad Accessory News: ELEMENTS by Revena Product Line Looks Awesome and Flexible

I’ve had the chance to review a host of different ways to use your iPad hands free on a desk or attach it to a wall but the new ELEMENTS line from Revena looks to stand out from the pack thanks to its style and flexibility. As the company explains, This new system allows iPad users to experience and utilize their iPad in any room of their home, their garage, workshop, auto, plane, train, office, soccer field…. the options are endless! And this DOES indeed look to be the case. It starts with the AXIS, “an iPad case with a…


iPad Accessory- InnoPocket AluPose Metal iPad

The hot gift this holiday season?? Why the iPad of course. That is a good thing for Apple who are solidly on track for world domination at this point. It is also a good thing for the many companies who create iPad accessories. It is pretty amazing to think about the fact that there are SO many accessories now available for a device that did not exist at this time last year. Among the most useful iPad accessories you can get is one of the number iPad stands that are now available. You can pay a lot for a heavy,…


Speck Product’s A-Line Bag for Netbooks May Be the Best Looking Gear Bag Yet!

This is going to sound jaded and awful, but I am going to say it anyway: One of the absolute best things about being a product reviewer is that sometimes companies surprise you with packages containing items you didn’t know existed and you certainly didn’t expect to receive … and that you can’t wait to try out. But on the other hand, one of the absolute worst things about being a product reviewer is that sometimes companies surprise you with packages containing items you didn’t know existed and you certainly didn’t expect to receive … and you don’t necessarily even…


Proof of How Deeply Tablets Have Already Penetrated…

My friend David just pointed me toward some of the best proof of just how deeply tablets have already penetrated. (Or should I say… TABLET… singular) Take a look at this shot form the New York Times homepage… see something funny? Yes, as David pointed out the text says TAP not CLICK. TAP as in on an iPad… TAP as in TAP using the Livescribe Paper Tablet. TAP as in… I don’t need no stinking mouse…


iPad Accessory Review- Mophie workbook

I love Mophie’s products. Their batteries are among the best designed and most useful I have found. Last year at CES, the Mopie juicepack air saved us over and over and over when our iPhone batteries wore down as they searched for a signal on AT&T’s network. Now Mophie has extended their line to include their first ever case… the Mophie workbook. I’ve had one here for the last couple of weeks and really like the design. It takes all of the best features of other portfolio-style iPad cases and adds its own twist that makes the workbook unique. Here’s a…


AUTUM Releases “Straight Jacket” Leather Sleeve for Apple iPad and MacBook Air.

When it comes to protecting your precious gadgets you can’t beat simple, beautiful, well-constructed leather-goods. That’s exactly what AUTUM is offering with the Straight Jacket, their new line of premium leather sleeves for the iPad and the MacBook Air. As the company web site explains, We found ourselves searching for a leather sleeve deserving of the content it would be holding. Our relentless journey through the interwebs proved fruitless and we took it upon ourselves to build a sleek, minimal alternative to the plethora of cases out there. Custom fitted for iPad & Macbook Air. The Straight Jacket features- Domestically…



Mobile Phone Gear Review: iPazzPort Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard

One reason people tell me they do not choose to use an iPhone is that they would rather have a phone with a hardware keyboard.  Apple, among other companies, have produced Bluetooth keyboards that can be used with iPhones and iPads, but they are almost all full-sized offerings.  EFO Gadget Shop recently sent me the iPazzPort Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard to review with my IOS devices. Lets take a look. The iPazzPort is a Mini Bluetooth wireless keyboard for iPad, iPhone and a host of smartphones including Windows Mobile and Nokia operating systems.  Unfortunately Android is not compatible with this device. …


iPad Bluetooth Keyboard With Folding Leather Protective Case Released

I love my iPad, but have yet to use it for heavy work, including writing my Gear Diary posts.  Typing on the MacBook is just so much faster because of its full-size keyboard.  Later today I will post a review for a credit card size Bluetooth keyboard that works with the iPhone and iPad.  Although that keyboard works really well, I have a hard time using a phone sized qwerty keyboard.  The same company, EFO has recently released an iPad case that contains a full size Bluetooth keyboard.  Now, you can easily carry your iPad, flip it open and type…