Apple iPad Gear

iPad Accessory Review- Lapworks’ iPad Space Dock

I have had the opportunity to look at, and review, a wide range of iPad stands and today we’ll take a look at yet another one. Lapwork’s iPad Space Dock (we reviewed their Recliner for iPad a few months ago) is one of the smallest and low profile stands we have seen. If it looks a bit familiar that might be because it looks strikingly similar to Element Cases’ Joule for iPad that Judie first posted on back in April. There are some notable differences and we’ll get to those in a bit. The Space Dock is so low-profile that…


Griffin Party Dock Outed By FCC… Confuses Some, So Here’s the Deal With It

Apparently the FCC filing for Griffin’s new PartyDock got out before they were ready to totally share. Unsurprisingly, some of the information circulating about it based on that filing isn’t totally accurate. So thanks to Griffin, here’s the deal with the new dock. Games: You can play games designed specifically for PartyDock on it. Apparently up to four can play a mix of party and casual/family games from their iPad or iPhone right on their TV. PartyDock games will be available through iTunes and only games designed or adapted to the platform will work. (This makes sense since special functionality will…


The MoviePeg for iPad Review

There are a lot of stands currently available for the iPad. Many of them however, are both expensive and hard to carry. A while back I told you about the MoviePeg for the iPhone. This compact and easy to carry stand is not only inexpensive but small enough to be toted around almost anywhere. The new iPad version is now available in two distinct colors, black and a very limited edition orange and priced at only $19.95 it’s the perfect stand for every iPad owner. The iPad version of the MoviePeg consists of two similar pieces. On the back of…


iPad Accessory Review- InnoPocket HexaPose Stand for Apple iPad

So you love the look of your iMac… and you need a stand for your iPad… and you like it when things match… has InnoPocket got an iPad stand for you! The HexaPose Stand for the Apple iPad looks like a cute little Apple iMac that can hold your iPad in either landscape or portrait for handsfree use. And when paired with Apple’s Bluetooth keyboard… it is so darn cute… but it is functional too. Let’s take a look. From InnoPocket- InnoPocket HexaPose iPad Stand is made of solid aluminum and tough polycarbonate with a chic design tailor-made for the…


Homemade iPad Case from a Gear Diary Reader!

One of our loyal Gear Diary readers dropped me an email today sharing the homemade iPad cases she’s selling on Etsy. Sure, you can hit up one of the big case makers for a slipcover, but if you’re looking to support a fellow geek, this could be a fun option! As Dan pointed out, iPad cases come in all styles, from leather to metal to plastic snap ons and thin vinyl skins. And now with sites like Etsy, you can even get something homemade and custom designed just for you! Yasemin’s Etsy page can be found here, the iPad case…


I Reviewed It and Still Use It, the Dan-Edition

We were having a conversation among the site’s editors last week with regard to items that we reviewed. It’s one thing to use an item for a few days or a week or two (which is the average) and quite another thing to use it for a month or two or three. There are times when an item looks great in the initial review but then there are some issues that arise with it down the line. Of course, if there’s any radical change in our perception of an item after using it for a while we will update the…


TwelveSouth’s BookBook Adds Some Unique Leathery Goodness to Your Apple iPad

Perhaps you’d like the iPad to blend in with your collection of fine vintage  books, or maybe you just miss the feel of a solid leather hardback binding when reading the classics; either way TwelveSouth has an intriguing new iPad case which should satisfy your leather-lust. Introducing the new BookBook, a handmade leather case available in one of two hardback colors: brown with a black spine (Black) or vibrant brown with a red spine (Red). No two covers are alike, and the cover can even function as a stand for landscape-oriented viewing. The hardback cover and spine provide impact protection,…


iPad Accessory Review: monCarbone HoverCoat Carbon Fiber Shell

A few weeks ago we posted the news that a new series of carbon fiber shells were coming to market for the iPad and iPhone. The shells, called HoverCoat, come from monCarbone and are available for pre-order now. The iPad shells have an MSRP of $89.99. Is a shell that only protects the back and sides — but does nothing to protect the screen — worth close to $100??? Read on to find out. From The Company: Carbon fiber is the ideal material to appeal to high?end users in the electronic accessories market, according to monCarbone. The precision engineering of…


Ivyskin- A Case Study in How Not to Make Friends Nor Influence People

Here is the latest in a string of companies YOU may want to business with, but I will never again. I placed an order for an interesting-looking iPad case that will have the ability to snap on a backup battery for those days that seem to go on forever and run down the iPad’s charge. Note the date.   The next week I decided to buy a different case so I tried to cancel the order… Daniel Cohen to ivySkin Sales date Sun, May 16, 2010 at 10:29 PM subject Re: Ivyskin: New Order # Please cancel this order and…


iPad Accessory Review: the River Garden Oberon Design iPad Cover

Of all the cases that I tried when I was using the Kindle 2 and the Kindle DX, there was one brand that always stood out — not only because their Kindle covers were functional, but because they were also absolutely gorgeous. Of course I am talking about the cases made by  Oberon Design, the California based company which is well known for their leather folios and journals … and now for their eReader covers. When I eventually let go of both Kindles because Kevin and I had purchased iPads, I knew that as soon as an Oberon style iPad Cover was…


Scosche Releases reVIVE II Dual USB Car and Home Chargers for iPad

Sosche reVIVE II Dual USB car and home chargers let you charge two devices at the same time from a single power source. There’s one for home and one for the car and both are available now. The company notes that According to the Pew Research Center adults between 18 and 29 own four gadgets on average and those between 30 and 64 average just under three, making the need for a dual USB charger even more important. (Statistics for tech-bloggers weren’t offered since personal experience indicates it would totally skew the stats.) The chargers have both a 2.1 Amp…


Home Tech Accessory Review- IDAPT i4 Charging Station

I have way too many devices that need to be charged on a regular basis. There’s my iPhone, my iPod touch, my LiveScribe Echo smartpen, an assortment of Bluetooth headsets, the Motorola headset I use for running and more. The result is a jumble of wall chargers and a tangle of cables that is annoying, collects dust and just looks terrible. That’s why I was excited to check out IDAPT’s latest Universal charger, the IDAPT i4. The i4 looks similar to the i3 but with one significant, and useful change, it now has a USB port on the side that…


iPad Accessory Review- The JustMobile UpStand

The iPad is incredibly versatile. Much of the time when you use it you want to hold it in your hands but there are times when you want to put it down but have it stay at a particular angle. This is especially the case if you are watching a movie or using it to type when connected to Apple’s Bluetooth keyboard. That’s why cases with built-in stands such as the Case-Mate Venture and Sena Folio are so incredibly useful. There are times, however, when you want the iPad sans case but still held in a particular position. That’s why…


Sena Folio for Apple iPad… an Update to My Review

I love the Sena Folio iPad case I reviewed back in May. Larry does too! He recently picked one up and writes Wow am I impressed. First off, it’s plain gorgeous. Secondly the iPad fits inside perfectly. Finally, it doesn’t add much bulk but feels as though there’s enough to protect the iPad. I simply love it and it’s quickly become my case of choice. He’s right! It is gorgeous, doesn’t add too much bulk and offers nice protection. The interesting thing is, the Sena Folio he picked up at an Apple Retail Store isn’t the same case I reviewed…


iPad Case Review- ZAGG LEATHERskin

The other day Larry pointed out that, without my even thinking about it, I have a tendency to pull my iPad out of its case whenever I am using it in one place for an extended period. That makes it all the more important for me to make sure I have some permanent protection for the back of the device. Up until now that protection has come in the form of a Clear-Coat skin that I’ve had on the back, the screen, and the sides of the device since I first got it. It does a great job of protecting…


PDair Aluminum Metal Case for Apple iPad Review

Dan: iPad cases come in all types of materials. Ya got yer leather cases, ya got yer plastic cases, ya got yer cases made from cloth, and ya’ve got yer cases made from leatherette (aka plastic that kinda sorta looks like leather). But this is the first case we have checked out that’s made from… metal. Yup, this PDair case is made from shiny aluminum so you know it going to offer some serious protection. Judie: I’ve been a fan of metal cases all the way back to my first Rhinoskin Ti Slider when I was rocking a Palm III series; I even…


UpStand iPad Stand Looks OutStanding

The iPad is a runaway hit. We all know that. We use it at our desks. We use it in the kitchen. We use it in the living room. We use it everywhere. And it’s lack of a built-in stand is, at times, a pain. Let’s face it, you don’t want, or can’t, always hold the 1 1/2 pound device. Fortunately there are a growing number of excellent options out there. And those ranks just grew by one with the announcement of the UpStand from Just Mobile. As The Company Explains- The UpStand™ will float your iPad at just the…


iPad Accessory Review: 2 Of Dexim’s New Cases

Dexim is one of the leading manufacturers of accessories for a variety of mobile devices. The company has a wide range of products for the iPhone, iPod Touch, Blackberry, HTC and now the iPad. The company recently launched several cases for the Apple iPad and they were nice enough to send along two of their new offerings for me to review. The Dexim Durable Protection Sleeve for the iPad is made from thermoplastic polyurethane. Also known as TPU this material is harder than straight silicone and offers a fit that’s tight and form-fitting. The Sleeve is available in either black…


Speck SeeThru SATIN for iPad Review: It’s Smooth As Silk

I’ve been finding myself using the “snap-on-back-cover” style of case with my iPad more and more lately. I prefer the ease at which this style case allows me access to the iPad’s screen. There’s no cover to peel back and no annoying tab to push out of the way. The Speck SeeThru SATIN case has quickly become one of my favorite cases from this genre. The SATIN is made from a soft, grippy material. If you’re familiar with the See-Thru SATIN for the iPhone 3Gs, imagine it, just on a much larger scale. It’s fairly light-weight at 9.0 ounces and…


iPad Accessory Review: TwelveSouth Compass Mobile Stand for iPad

Here is an early draft of the email I sent to Apple accessory-maker TwelveSouth yesterday after opening their new Compass Mobile Stand for the Apple iPad. My name is Dan Cohen and I am one of Gear Diary’s Editors. I just bought a Compass and will be reviewing soon. It is by far one of, if not the, best accessories I have bought/received for my iPad. Beautifully built, thoughtfully designed and a great price-point. Well done. Dan Cohen Sent from my iPhone It kinda says it all… but why not read the rest of this review anyway? From TwelveSouth: Compass…


JAVOedge Axis Case for iPad: Don’t Judge a Book By Its Cover

JAVOedge has been churning out accessories for our “i” devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod) for quite some time.  I’ve been happy with many of them but their recently released “Axis” case for the iPad might be one of the most innovative cases I’ve had the opportunity to use. The Axis case looks like a traditional book style iPad case, but don’t judge a book by its cover.  The Axis allows you to prop up your iPad in both the vertical and horizontal positions, a feature I’ve not yet seen on any other iPad case. The case is available in three color…