With the Satechi Bluetooth Multi-Media Remote, you can control any iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, MacBook Air or Pro, Mac Mini, or iMac.  The Bluetooth Multi-Media Remote supports the Bluetooth 3.0 HID, Class II profile. You’ll be able to control media playback while your device is connected to a TV, dock station, or even your car’s stereo from up to 33 feet away.  The remote’s Home button activates Siri, and the volume up button can trigger your device’s camera.  The remote works with Keynote on Bluetooth-enabled Mac computers. You can start the presentation with play button, and go to next and previous slides with forward and rewind buttons. The Bluetooth Multi-Media Remote is $39.99 at Satechi.

Filed in categories: Bluetooth Gear, iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: Bluetooth remote control

Satechi Bluetooth Multi-Media Remote for All Apple Bluetooth Devices originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 26, 2012 at 2:02 pm.

Not every iPad user lives a cushy life and not every iPad has a soft function.  Sometimes iPad must be taken into dangerous, rugged or rustic situations and needs far more protection than any nylon fashion case can give it.  Pelican cases help you take your iPad where most people wouldn’t think to.  Let’s give a look at their i1075 iPad Case for iPad and iPad 2.

iPads aren’t for coffee houses or random surfing anymore.  iPads are now seen in every industry even those where life is not all emo music and soy lattes.  Construction, military, mining, sports, outdoor photography – pretty much any occupation or hobby or pastime that gives new meaning to the term “roughing it” – is now using technology like the iPad.  And black nylon cases from Big Box Stores are not going to keep this equipment safe from dirt, water, and the most punishing elements.

Pelican doesn’t just make cases to hold computer electronics.  You can find Pelican cases being used by professional photographers, marketing people who carry their gear from trade show to trade show.  Mike Rowe from the show “Dirty Jobs” has seen more than his share of Pelican cases as he profiles hard jobs from painting suspension bridges to cleaning out train cars.   Tools, gear, electronics, it all has to be transported somehow and Pelican appears to be the go-to case to carry it in.

Strong nylon strap attaches securely to the case allowing you to sling it across your body and do what it is you need to do.

Made of rugged, almost indestructible polycarbonate, good luck killing this thing.  It’s waterproof, dustproof, chemical resistant, corrosion resistant – you can’t kill.  I guess you COULD back over it in your SUV and see if it smashes your iPad inside, but I’ll forgo that part of the testing.

iPad fits nice and snug.

My iPad fits inside nice and comfy.  But I can also carry my wireless keyboard and my charger and cable all together nice and happy.  Nothing’s moving around, no rattling parts, no broken bits.

A few highlights:

• Watertight, airtight, dust proof, chemical resistant, and corrosion resistant.
• Custom molded for the ipad
• Easy to open latch
• O-ring seal
• Automatic Pressure Equalization Valve
• Lockable with small pad lock or Pelican TSA lock
• Custom molded liner protects your iPad from impact and will not scratch
• Integrated easel for hands-free viewing
• Storage for accessories such as power cords and headphones below keyboard
• Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee

Check out the seals...waterproof, dustproof...nothing's getting in.

iPad, wireless keyboard, charger...it all fits. Not seen: charging cable hidden snugly underneath the keyboard.

Hardcase closed. Pun intended.

As with everything else, whether or not this product is for you is dependent on what you hope to get out of it.  For me, this case serves quite a few purposes given that I take my iPad everywhere with me.  Maybe I don’t need this much protective power, but I like the fact that I have it.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, Reviews

Tagged: iPad case

Pelican i1075 Case for iPad and iPad 2 Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 25, 2012 at 11:53 am.

If you’re looking to skin your iPad or iPhone, you’ve probably already been shopping various sites that offer ho-hum skins that are far from unique. Never fear, we’re here to make sure you don’t blend in. Stick them on and stick out with BCO Skins. They offer military skins, glow in the dark skins, metal, wood, chrome and three types of carbon fiber skins. If you’re a “hero” (active military, police, or firemen) they will even give you a 50% discount.Don’t be boring. Go check them out.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: Skins

BCO Skins – Not just the same old skins originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 24, 2012 at 2:00 pm.

Incase makes a great iPad kit, called the Travel Kit Plus.  Now, they’ve turned their attention to the iPod and iPhone.  The Dop Kit for iPod and iPhone is made of weather-resistant nylon with heavy-duty YKK zipper pulls with closed-seam construction.  Inside is a velour-lined pocket for the device and mesh pockets for charging cables, earbuds, and other accessories.  There’s even more room in the exterior zippered pocket.  The Dop measures 7.25″ x 5.5″ x 2.25″, and you may find that other smartphones fit inside, too.  The Dop Kit for iPod and iPhone is available in graphite gray for $34.99.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: iPhone/iPod case

Incase Dop Kit for iPod and iPhone originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 24, 2012 at 1:00 pm.

The wristwatch seems to be making a comeback for smart phone owning geeks. Just last month the Pebble E-Paper Watch set a Kickstarter record when it reached 1 million dollars of funding in 28hrs. Now we have another smart phone extension watch looking for backing on Kickstarter. It’s the Cookoo, an Android and iOS compatible watch that will put simple notifications on your wrist. The watch face has small  icons to let you know when you have a new tweet, email, text message, call, appointment or need to charge your phone. A $50 pledge will get you one of the first edition Cookoo watches.

Filed in categories: Android related, Bluetooth Gear, iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News, Watches and Clocks

Tagged: Watch

Extend your Smart Phone with the Cookoo Watch originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 24, 2012 at 8:00 am.

Mujjo, a Dutch design brand, introduces The Originals, a new line of handcrafted sleeves made from natural wool felt and organic tanned leather for Apple devices.  Each case has a leather flap, except for the leather iPhone sleeve, and a felt body.  Each bag also has a smart storage compartment for earbuds, papers, and the like.  They are available in brown leather/black felt or white leather/gray felt.  Cases are designed to fit the iPhone, iPad, 13″ MacBook Air, and 13″ MacBook Pro.  They are available for pre-order now at Mujjo and will be available in European stores in June.  There’s a US distributor that will hopefully have them at the same time.  Prices range from €29.95 to €59.95  ($38-$76).

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: Cases and covers

Mujjo Introduces The Originals Collection for Apple Devices originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 23, 2012 at 1:00 pm.

More solar solutions with the Solar KudoCase for the iPad 1, 2 and 3 but with a few extras this time.  While most solar iPad cases only charge your iPad, the KudoCase also has an extended 10A battery and  includes a USB outlet, HDMI port and whistle locator.  The indoor/outdoor solar panel  gives up to an additional 10 days of use based on 2 hours use per day with average light. The case allows multiple viewing angles and is  7/8″ thick and while the extended battery must add some weight,  I can’t find the exact weight on the site.

Keeping with the green solar theme, the case uses organic solar panels, the housing is made of biodegradable grain, and for each unit sold online KudoCase will plant a tree via the Arbor Day Foundation.

Available in black, grey, pink, green and  blue for $199.95 from Kudocase.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: iPad case, solar charger

KudoCase Solar Charges Your iPad with Green Power originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 23, 2012 at 10:00 am.

The Cubit Case from X-Doria fits iPhone 4 or 4S.  The body is shatterproof polycarbonate, available in black or white.  The back of the case has an open grid that can be filled with colored TPU squares that are decorative and cushioning.  The squares can be arranged as desired.  Someone suggested this was a good case for parents, because they could pop the case off and the kid could play with and arrange the TPU squares.  I think you should reserve the toy mode for older kids, because the TPU squares are a choking hazard for younger kids.  The Cubit is $24.99.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: Cases and covers, iPhone 4/4S

Is the X-Doria Cubit Case for iPhone 4/4S Also a Toy? originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 22, 2012 at 1:00 pm.

Adonit has a Writer Plus Case for iPad 2, and they’ll soon have a tweaked version for the new iPad.  The Writer Plus has a removable aluminum Bluetooth keyboard with scissor-action keys.  The folio case has a suede interior and a rubber exterior.  The iPad is held in a shell that leaves buttons and connectors exposed, and it works with the folio case to form a stand for the iPad.  The keyboard is removable for greater typing comfort.  The cases have magnets to sleep/wake the iPad and to hold the cover closed.  Adjustments to the magnets is the biggest tweak needed for the new iPad case.  The iPad 2 case is available in black for $99.99, or red or blue for $109.99.  The new iPad case is available only in black right now for $99.99.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: iPad case with Bluetooth keyboard

Adonit Writer Plus Keyboard Case for iPad originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 22, 2012 at 12:00 pm.

The Stem Innovation iZON Remote Room Monitor is a WiFi based camera that has been designed to work specifically with iOS devices. The idea is to place the iZON camera in a desired location and then view it remotely using your iPhone or iPad. I’ve been trying one out for a couple of weeks now and am ready to share my opinion on its features and performance.

Note: Click the images in this review to see a larger view.

Package Contents

iZON camera & base
2 screws/wall anchors
Power supply
6ft USB cable
4in USB extension cable
Quick Start Guide

The iZON is a White tube shaped plastic camera with a microphone and status LED on the front.

On the back you’ll find a reset switch and USB connector.

A magnetic base allows you to position the camera on any flat surface either freestanding or by permanently attaching the base with the included screws. Since the base is magnetic, you can easily adjust the angle of the camera. It’s possible to attach the base to a wall, but it’s not easy to position the viewing angle. Attaching it to the ceiling is a better idea as there is an option to flip the video. I actually think that  Vue has a better design of this same domed magnetic base idea.

Setting up  the camera is simple. First connect the iZON camera with the included USB cable and AC adapter into a outlet. Make sure your WiFi network is operational and then download and install the free Stem:Connect app on your iPhone or iPad and follow the prompts.

Once setup, you will see a thumbnail view of your camera in the app. The icons next to the thumbnail allow you to toggle motion detection, audio detection and the LED status light on the front of the camera. Tapping the thumbnail takes you into the live view.

With the current app, the iZON captures QVGA resolution video at 10fps. QVGA is 320×240 resolution. A planned update to the app this summer is supposed to boost video to VGA (640×480) 30fps. While the video looks semi decent, the problem is that it’s EXTREMELY laggy. I’m not talking 1 or 5 seconds, which would be completely forgivable. I’m talking 20-30 seconds and even long at times. I’ve reviewed a few different WiFi cameras and this is the first one that I’ve tested that is that slow. Stem Innovation states that a 802.11n network with upload speeds of 2 Mbps (384Kbps required) is recommended. I have a T1 line, which is 1.5 Mbps up/down and have no trouble with the Dropcam, Dlink or Vue cams.

If you can deal with the streaming lag, there is still more that may disappoint you. First of all you can only watch live video on your iPhone or iPad. There’s no way to watch it on a webpage via your laptop, desktop computer or other non-iOS device. I guess this isn’t a huge deal, but what is annoying is that you can only watch video for 5 minutes at a time when you’re not watching it through the same network that the camera is connected to. They call the iZON a room monitor, but you can’t really do serious monitoring if you can only watch it for 5 minutes at a time. You only run into this limitation when you’re accessing the camera from your iPhone or iPad using 3G or another WiFi network.

The app has the ability to notify you when it detects motion, audio or if it goes offline. The notification is just a popup message on your iPhone or iPad.

The motion detection feature can be customized to detect motion in a specific area of the camera’s “vision”.

If you have a private YouTube account, you can have the motion alerts upload 30 seconds of video. Otherwise, the alerts are pretty useless because all they show you is the date and time the alert was detected. It doesn’t show you the actual video clip unless you have YouTube uploading configured. That said, I connected the iZON to my regular YouTube acct and couldn’t get it to upload video. I’ve even tried manually recording a clip by tapping the REC button on the streaming screen. Still nothing.

I finally decided to create a brand new YouTube account and try that, and it finally started working. But now I have another problem… I can’t turn off video uploading because it keeps telling me it can’t login to my YouTube account even though it’s continuing to upload video every time motion is detected.

Here’s an example of an uploaded video.

Watching the uploaded YouTube videos through the Stem:Connect app is painful as it continues to require me to type in my username and password each time I want to view a video. If that wasn’t bad enough, after I type that info in, it takes another 15 or so seconds to connect.

Just a note… The only settings that you can change remotely (when you’re not on the same network as the camera) is to toggle the audio, motion and power notifications. You can’t change any of the other settings, which is strange. And 7 times out of 10, I have problems  changing the other settings as the app crashes whenever I’d try to go into the advanced settings list.

The iZON has some potential, but as is, the iOS application is buggy and video is too way laggy. My advice is to skip the iZON for now and go for the Dropcam or Dlink, which have iOS, Android apps and can also be accessed through any web browser on any computer. My personal favorite is the Dropcam. See links for these other WiFi cameras below.

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear, iPhone, iPad, iPod related, Reviews

Tagged: Surveillance

Stem Innovation iZON Remote Room Monitor Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 21, 2012 at 8:23 pm.

We’ve told you about a lot of iPad products from Levenger, but this is the first I’ve seen that incorporates the iPad with their line of Circa notebooks.  The Circa iPad Foldover Notebook looks like one of Levenger’s normal Foldover Notebooks.  It has a black leather cover with 1″ black Circa rings, and it contains 60 sheets of letter-sized annotation-ruled 90-gsm paper.  A removable iPad cover fits inside the front cover; it’s designed to fit “any iPad design, without other covers or lids.”  The iPad covers is held to the Circa notebook with strong Velcro, and it has a camera cutout on the back.  The Circa iPad Foldover Notebook is $159.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: Circa notebook, iPad cases and covers

Levenger’s Circa iPad Foldover Notebook originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 21, 2012 at 8:16 am.

I love cases, covers, and bags more than most people, but I require a lot from any case or cover.  They can’t just look nice and offer protection.  They have to also not detract from the looks of the gadget, and they need to either add no bulk or weight or have some fabulous feature that compensates for it.  I’ve been very picky about cases for my iPhone 4.  I’ve tried quite a few, but none of them compared to the Apple Bumper Case, which added a pop of color and some protection but not much else.  I thought it was my perfect case, until I saw the Retro iPhone 4/4S Case from Musubo.  I was very happy to be selected to review the case and find out if it was more than just a pretty face.

Click on any of the following images for an enlarged view.

I have strange tastes.  I like houses that look like they either grew out of the ground or were dropped here from outer space.  That carries over into design for other objects, too.  The Retro case falls into the “dropped here from outer space” category.  It reminds me of the Streamline designs from the 1930s and 1940s.  The Retro looks like it was inspired by the designs used for car radiator grills and even for microphones from the period.

The case is compatible with iPhone 4 and 4S.  It comes in black, blue, red, silver, white, and yellow.  The Retro is a two part case, with a hard shell covering a silicone cover.

The outer shell is made of polycarbonate.  It has an open bottom and top, and one side has round holes for the volume buttons and an opening for the mute slider.  The back has a opening for the camera lens and flash, and there’s a round hole in the middle that exposes the Apple logo on the back of the phone.

The silicone inner sleeve is the same dark gray for all shell colors.  Visible between the ribs of the polycarbonate shell is a dotted pattern.  There are openings for the camera and Apple logo on the back, and the bottom is open to expose the phone microphone, 30-pin connector, and the speaker.  The side has an opening for the mute slider, and the top has an opening for the headphone.  Both the volume buttons and the sleep/wake button have raised areas to cover them.

You’ll notice from the pictures that the silicone is a bit of a dust magnet.

The case weighs about 1.25 oz, compared to the 0.35 oz that my Apple Bumper weighs.  It measures about 2.35″ wide X 4.65″ tall X 0.5″ thick, compared to 2.15″ X 4.35″ X 0.35″ for the naked iPhone 4.  It does add noticeable bulk and weight to the iPhone.

But that added bulk is compensated for by the beauty of this case.  I absolutely love the way it looks.  I like how the exposed Apple design looks like the logo badge for an old car, or something.  And I love the rounded edges of the case; it feels comfortable in my hand.

I like the way the silicone case wraps over onto the front to keep the screen lifted off the tabletop if I should lay it face down.  It covers up almost all of the horizontal bezel (which is very narrow anyway), but leaves the Home button, phone speaker, ambient light/proximity sensor, and front facing camera fully exposed.  I find the three colors – red and gray of the case and the white bezel – very pleasing together.

The covered volume buttons are easy to find and use.  The mute button is recessed, but useable.  You won’t accidentally set your phone on mute while it’s wearing the Retro case.

I was easily able to use my headphones and my wired phone handset.  The power button is easy to use.

There is no opening for the top microphone.  I tried making a voice memo, and my voice didn’t seem too muffled by the silicone.

It’s easy to charge the phone using the charging cable, but I don’t think the Retro case will fit into most docks.  The phone microphone and the external speaker are completely exposed, and the case doesn’t interfere with them at all.  The one thing I don’t like is the bar of silicone that extends along the bottom of the screen.  With nothing along the bottom to support it, this bar is easily stretched away from the phone.  There’s no way the phone can fall out of the case, but the flimsiness bothers me.

The Retro case comes with a fold-away stand.  It’s made of black plastic, and it folds down to 2″ wide X 4.15″ long X 0.25″ thick. An oval opening on one end fits over one of the three hooks to fold the stand into an A-shape.  The three hooks allow you to adjust the viewing angle.  When in use, the flap (on the left, bottom photo) folds up to hold the iPhone on the stand.

The stand holds the iPhone in either the vertical or horizontal orientation.  You can see the front flap holding the phone in place in both of these photos.

I absolutely love the Musubo Retro case.  It’s been on my iPhone since I received it, and it has permanently replaced my Apple Bumper.  It’s attractive, protective, and comfortable to hold.  It adds some bulk and weight, but I don’t care because I love the way it looks.  It’s often “monkey see, monkey do” in the Cloninger household, and I had to purchase Retro cases for both Butch and Rachel – blue and silver, respectively.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, Reviews

Tagged: iPhone 4/4S, iPhone Case

Musubo Retro Case for iPhone 4/4S Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 20, 2012 at 10:00 am.

A while back, I told you about some beautiful embossed smart covers for iPad from an Etsy store called Handiwork by punkassjim.  Inspired by the cover of an old electrical handbook, Jim Thorpe set about creating a cover for his iPad that incorporated the cover design of the handbook.  Luckily for us, he realized his process lent itself to making more cases.  When I first found his Electric Library covers back in February this year, I was disappointed that he didn’t have a cover in the bright red that I love.  I kept looking, and I placed an order the moment I saw he had added a true red. 

Click the images in this review to enlarge.

The cover is hand-assembled for you when you place an order.  Jim says a cover is usually ready to ship in a couple of days, but circumstances can sometimes require a week or so.  Because of a shipping problem, it took a while longer than that to get my cover.  As you can tell from the top photo, it was worth the wait.

Jim has a YouTube video discussing his covers.  He also has a series of photos on Flickr that show his process.  The short story is that he found and purchased the old book, copied the cover design, and created an embossing plate by hand-carving the design into a linoleum block.  I don’t know if he still does it the same, but his photos show him using the weight of his car to emboss the leather.

In his early efforts, he bought some knock-off Smart Covers and used the hinges and magnets in his covers.  Jim quickly found a source of damaged or otherwise unsaleable official Apple Smart Covers and scavenges parts from them, now.

He builds the Electric Library covers with a backing board inside to give the cover structure.  He also buries the magnets from the Apple cover in his backing board, so his cover will sleep/wake the iPad.  There are other magnets to hold the cover closed.

Here’s a comparison of the Electric Library cover and the official Apple Smart Cover in red leather.  They have essentially the same measurements, so they both fit the iPad perfectly.  The Electric Library cover weighs 4.6 oz on my digital kitchen scale; the Apple leather cover weighed 4.8 oz.

The cover I received is nicely embossed, with all parts of the design clear and uniformly deep.  The leather has a slight grainy texture to it.  The red stain is evenly applied.  The website info says that the “red veg-tanned leather has no need for treatment or protectant. Color will not easily run or stain.”  I did experience some dry crocking, which is the transfer of the colorant to lighter surface when rubbed together.  I’ll probably be careful not to allow much contact between the cover and a white or light-colored clothing.

Despite weighing a bit less, the Electric Library cover is a bit thicker than the Apple cover.  Here I’m comparing it to a green polyurethane Smart Cover so it’s easier to see the differences.

The backing board is a solid piece, meaning this cover will not fold into a stand.  Because there are no channels where the cover folds, you won’t find any dirty stripes on your screen like you see with the official cover.

The description with most of the other colors specify a microfiber lining fabric, but the red cover has a real suede lining.  The suede wraps up over the front leather where it wraps around the magnetic hinge.

The leather in the hinge area is cut evenly and smoothly.  You can see the finished edge of the cover at the right.  The edges are “pinched” together.  In the video, Jim says he uses epoxy to bind the cover together.

Here’s the hinge attached to my new iPad.  It fits just like the official Smart Cover fits.

The Electric Library cover folds around to lay flat against the back of my iPad.  I removed it for these pictures, but I usually have a clear back cover on my iPad, and the cover still lays flat with that in place.  Because the cover doesn’t fold, it doesn’t flop around and fold down as you hold the iPad in the horizontal orientation.

The Electric Library cover sleeps and wakes my iPad flawlessly.  Jim notes that he’s always paid attention to the polarity of the magnets as he places them, so you shouldn’t experience a problem like some people have had with other iPad covers and cases.

The magnets also hold my new cover closed against the screen.  Between the magnets and the “attraction” of the suede to the glass, the cover holds closed better than the official Smart Covers.

I think the Electric Library cover is utterly beautiful.  It’s well made, and it works just like the official Smart Cover.  If you don’t use the stand function and you’d like something unique and retro, give the Electric Library cover a try.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, Reviews

Tagged: iPad cases and covers

“Electric Library” Embossed iPad 2 and new iPad Smart Cover Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 19, 2012 at 10:00 am.

I have been trying out another stylus with my iPad. This one is the BoxWave EverTouch Capacitive stylus with a new type of tip that I’ve not seen before called FiberMesh. Is the BoxWave EverTouch stylus just another clone of the Targus stylus or is it a step up? Let’s take a look.

Note: Click the images in this review to see a larger view.

The BoxWave certainly looks very similar to the Targus stylus. Side by side you can see that the BoxWave is slightly longer and has a slightly wider diameter. Other than the size differences, my first impression of the BoxWave is that it is very light weight. Almost too light weight in my opinion. On my digital scale, the BoxWave comes in at .4 ounces, while the Targus comes in at .6 ounces. .2 ounces doesn’t sound like much, but in hand, it’s noticeable. Although I prefer a stylus with a little bit more weight to it, the fact that the BoxWave is feather light isn’t really a deal breaker.

Both have a pocket clip and a loop on the top for a lanyard.

Included with the BoxWave are 3 different lanyards. A 2 inch lanyard that has a small plastic plug that can be inserted into the headphone jack of your device, a 12 inch lanyard with an elastic coil and a plastic plug for the headphone jack and a charm ring for attaching to key chains. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I wouldn’t use any of these lanyard thingies…

The biggest difference between the BoxWave EverTouch stylus and the Targus stylus is the stylus tip itself. The Targus has a very familiar hollow Black rubber tip and the BoxWave has a FiberMesh tip.  The FiberMesh tip is still hollow like the Targus rubber tip. I think it’s just a rubber tip with a capacitive knit material covering it. After switching back and forth between the BoxWave and a Targus stylus in various drawing and note taking apps, I found only a slight difference in the way this stylus feels on the iPad compared to the Targus. The rubber tip of the Targus has a slight drag to it that I never really noticed till I compared it with the BoxWave. The BoxWave stylus glides a little smoother across the screen. It’s a very subtle difference that really doesn’t make me want to run out and buy several of these styluses for future use.

Bottom line… the BoxWave EverTouch stylus is fine for playing drawing games, making quick sketches and notes. But I would not recommend it for extended note taking and detailed drawings because the tip is too large to see what you’re writing/drawing.

Filed in categories: Android related, iPhone, iPad, iPod related, Reviews, Tablet Computers and Gear

Tagged:

BoxWave EverTouch Capacitive Stylus Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 17, 2012 at 6:12 pm.

Samson’s new Carbon 49 USB MIDI Controller is piano style keyboard with 49 velocity-sensitive keys, dedicated Transpose and Octave buttons, as well as Pitch Bend and Modulation wheels. Designed with the iPad in mind, the Carbon 49 features an integrated iPad slot and can be used with your favorite MIDI apps via Apple’s iPad Camera Connection Kit. The Carbon 49 can even be directly powered by the iPad. In addition, this keyboard comes with Native Instruments’ Komplete Elements software, offers a comprehensive selection of studio-quality sounds, effects and tools for modern music production, composition and sound design for your Mac OS X or Windows desktop. The Carbon 49 is available today for $89 at retailers like Best Buy. For more information check www.SamsonTech.com.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, Musical Gear, News

Tagged: iPad, Music

Carbon 49 – A Fullsized Piano Keyboard Designed With the iPad in Mind originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 17, 2012 at 1:00 pm.

Apple TVs are great – you can stream video from iTunes, Netflix, your home computer, and you can display content from your iPad to your TV using AirPlay and AirPlay Mirroring.  But Apple TVs have only HDMI output, so you can’t use it with every display.  The ATV Pro from Kanex is an HDMI to VGA adapter with audio support (3.5mm audio-out).  Plug it between your Apple TV and a VGA projector or a monitor and skip expensive upgrades to HDMI equipment.  It supports 480i/576i/480p/576i/720p/720i/1080i/1080p video resolutions.  You can use the ATV Pro at home, in the classroom, or in the boardroom.  The ATV Pro is $59.00.

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear, iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: HDMI converter, Video Streaming

Kanex ATV Pro Adapter for Apple TV originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 16, 2012 at 1:00 pm.

If you have trouble finding where you parked, there’s an app – and a dongle – for that.  The Find My Car Smarter device and an iPhone app (for iPhone 4S only) can mark where you parked your car and help you get back there.  The Find My Car Smarter Bluetooth Smart device ($25, or $30 with car power adapter) plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter, and the app on your iPhone (works with 4S only) notices when it loses power when you turn off your car and marks the location.  The Find My Car Smarter app ($0.99) can show you the location of your car, how far away from it you are, and how long you’ve been parked there.  With Dropbox syncing, a group can share information about a communal car.  You can also set automatic reminders for parking meters and street sweeping schedules.

Filed in categories: GPS, iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: car accessory, GPS accessory, iPhone 4S app

Find My Car Smarter for iPhone originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 16, 2012 at 12:00 pm.

Like most folio cases, the Pad Stash case from Nau opens like a book, holds your iPad in a frame, and folds into a viewing stand.  Unlike most other cases on the market, the Pad Stash gives back 2% of every sale to humanitarian and environmental Partners for Change.  They also “source natural, renewable fibers produced in a sustainable manner,” use certified organic cotton, use synthetic fabrics with a high percentage of recycled materials, and take many other steps to minimize adverse effects to the Earth and their customers.  The Pad Stash is made of wool felt, and it has openings for the iPad’s connectors and controls.  It also has four accessory pockets to hold cards or your passport; it also has a SIM card slot.  The Pad Stash is available in a color called “Caviar Heather” for $75.00.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: iPad cases and covers

Nau Pad Stash Adds Storage to Your iPad originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 15, 2012 at 10:00 am.

Who needs a fancy and expensive smartphone stand when you can have a Limb.al ? Another Kickstarter project that’s already been fully funded with over 20 days to go, the Limb.al  is a rigid yet flexible USB to Apple/Micro-SD cable that allows you to position your smartphone directly in your USB port while charging and syncing your device at the same time. No more annoying cables across your desk or having to worry if your docking station will fit the next generation device

A microUSB one can be yours for $17 or an Apple one for $19 from their funding page.

Filed in categories: Android related, iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: Android accessory, iPhone and iPod accessories, USB charging cables

The Limb.al Charging Cable and Stand in One originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 15, 2012 at 8:00 am.

The Bowden and Sheffield Minimalist iPad Cases are another Kickstarter project.  These cases are made from natural materials, and they are designed to be “sturdy enough to take a beating, but sleek enough for any setting.”  They’ll fit the iPad 2 or new iPad.  The Bowden is made of bead-blasted, aircraft-grade aluminum, walnut or cherry wood, and black or brown leather.  The Sheffield is made of polycarbonate, walnut or cherry wood, and 100% natural wool felt.  The felt panel on the Sheffield can even be used as a typing stand.  Pledge $100 for a Sheffield or $120 for a Bowden case.  Funding is at almost 50% with only 9 days left.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: iPad cases and covers

BOWDEN + SHEFFIELD Minimalist iPad Cases originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 14, 2012 at 12:00 pm.

If you feel like you sit on a brick all day, check the Q Card Case for iPhone 4/4S from CM4 for a slim, light replacement.  The Q Card Case has an integrated wallet on the back that holds 3 cards and some cash.  The front has a raised rim that protects your screen by keeping it raised off the surface you lay it on.  The case is made of “patent-pending soft-touch rubber and premium fabric, allowing the case to easily pull out of pockets and purses.”  “Natural Throw™” button covers protect the sleep/wake button and volume rocker, and all connectors are open.  The Q Card Case is available now in black, and white will launch 5/29.  It sells for $39.99.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News, Wallets

Tagged: iPhone 4/4S, Smartphone wallet

The Q Card Case for iPhone 4/4S from CM4 is a Cure for the Fat Wallet Syndrome originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 14, 2012 at 10:00 am.

You’ve probably noticed by now that I love my iPad, and I use it for everything.  As each new generation arrives, I’ve passed along our old iPads to family members.  Those family members are usually college students who can hopefully use the iPad to help them with their school work and with taking notes in class.  To make taking notes easier, I always give them a keyboard case.  I really don’t like using the iPad’s on-screen keyboard, and external Bluetooth keyboards are usually a bit easier to type on.  The problem I have with most keyboard cases is that they add a lot of bulk to the svelte iPad.  They’re often large folio-style cases that make the iPad hard to hold when you just want to interact with the iPad.  I was interested to try the Aluminum Bluetooth Keyboard Case for New iPad and iPad 2 from Cirago.  (You’ll notice the review unit I received arrived in packaging that hadn’t been updated to show the new iPad, but the item number on the box matches the new item number.)  This keyboard can just be popped off when you don’t need to type.  Let’s give it a closer look.

The Cirago comes with an instruction booklet and a microUSB charging cable.

The Cirago case measures about 9.5″ X 7.35″ X 0.35″.  It weighed 14.5 ounces on my digital kitchen scale.

The Cirago Bluetooth keyboard case is different from all the other keyboard cases I’ve tried.  It’s not a folio case that stays on the iPad; it’s an aluminum cover that snaps over the front of the iPad 2 or new iPad.  It protects the screen while you’re carrying the iPad in your bag, but it pops off so you use the iPad without a cover – the way Steve Jobs intended.  To fit into the Cirago, the iPad must be caseless.  You can’t use a Smart Cover or a back shield.  The iPad 2 used in this review did have a ZAGG invisibleShield skin on the back.

Click on the above picture, and you’ll see that the front of the Cirago keyboard has a cutout, where your wrists will fit as you type.  The keys are made of black plastic, and they have a nice, springy feel when pressed.  Operation is quiet and smooth.

There’s also a cutout at the location for the 30-pin connector.  You’ll be able to charge the iPad while it’s in the Cirago keyboard case.

Also visible in this photo are strips of high-density foam padding that will cushion and protect the iPad’s screen.  There’s a strip right at the wrist cutout, another along the top of the keyboard, and one at the back, where the iPad stand folds away for storage.

The Cirago has an internal battery that’s charged with the included microUSB cable.  (I didn’t find anything on Cirago’s website or on the packaging to specify the type of battery used.) I couldn’t find any information about how many hours of typing you can expect from a charge, but the keyboard will go into sleep mode if it’s left idle for a while.

I plugged the Cirago case to a USB port on my laptop and left it charging while I worked for a few hours.  The status lights near the power button turned off when the internal battery was fully charged.

The case is made of “precision cut, aircraft-grade aluminum.”  The back of the keyboard is engraved with the Cirago logo.  The booklet says the keyboard comes with four optional rubber feet that can be adhered to this side of the case, but I didn’t find any in my package.  The rubber feet are to prevent scratching the matte finish, but they might also make the case a bit less likely to slide around while you’re using it.  I didn’t find that the keyboard case moved around while I was using it, though.

You can see that there are cutouts in the Cirago keyboard case that leave all ports and controls on the iPad available.  You’ll be able to charge the iPad without removing it from the case.  The headphone jack and volume rocker are accessible, so you’ll be able to start up the Music app, put the iPad in the Cirago, stow it in your bag, and listen to music while you’re on the move.

There’s a built-in, adjustable stand that folds away when it’s not needed. There are three sets of slots that the hinged stand fits into, so you’ll have three viewing angles for the iPad.  The bottom of the iPad fits into a channel between the hinged stand and the bar holding the power button.

The iPad is in the horizontal orientation in this picture, but the stand will also support the iPad in the vertical orientation.  I always use my iPad in landscape (horizontal) mode, but I tried out the case with the iPad in the portrait orientation, too.  I found both to be very stable.  I didn’t feel like my iPad was about to tip over in either orientation.

Because of the adjustable hinge, both my husband and I were able to find a comfortable viewing angle for using the Cirago Bluetooth keyboard.

Pairing up the Cirago keyboard with my iPad was as easy as anything I’ve tried to connect with my iPad via Bluetooth.  My iPad found the keyboard as soon as I turned it on.  Pairing was completed by entering a 4 digit code on the keyboard.  I didn’t have any trouble reconnecting the keyboard and iPad.  Whether I simply slept the iPad or turned Bluetooth off (and back on, of course), they connected as soon as both were turned on.

The keyboard has a QWERTY layout, and the left side has all the keys that my MacBook Pro’s keyboard has.  The right side is a bit different, though.  Just like every other iPad keyboard, the right side has a non-standard arrangement to fit all the keys into the smaller space.

As I mentioned earlier, the movement of the keys was smooth and had a good feedback.  Even though the keyboard isn’t full sized, I had a surprisingly easy time typing.  I didn’t feel that my wrists were twisted into the wrong angle, and I didn’t hit the wrong key because of spacing.  I could touch type surprisingly fast, so long as I was using only the letter keys.  I was slowed down by the position of the return, delete, and right-side shift key.

Even though the keys were sunken into the bottom of the “pan”, the large cutout along the front gave me plenty of room for my wrists.  The biggest problem I had with this keyboard was the padded bar (to support and protect the iPad when it is in the case) along the wrist cutout interfered with using the spacebar.  Every time I tried to type a space, my thumb hit the padded bar, and I couldn’t quite depress the spacebar far enough.

Like most Bluetooth keyboards for iPad, the Cirago has special function keys for the iPad.  There are keys to adjust the screen brightness, volume, and a home key that works just like the Home button on the iPad.  Another key sleeps/wakes the iPad, another will pop up the on-screen keyboard, and there’s even one to start a photo slideshow.  Other keys perform editing functions, like select, copy, paste, and cut, and arrow keys will move the cursor around the screen.  I found these keys worked well with my iPad.

I tried the Cirago keyboard case with my new iPad and with an iPad 2 I haven’t yet passed along.  It worked equally well with both iPads.  It also fit both iPads very snugly, since both have exactly the same footprint dimensions.  The slightly different thickness of the new iPad doesn’t matter;  most of the back of the iPad extends out of the Cirago anyway.

I find that the Cirago Aluminum Bluetooth Keyboard Case for New iPad and iPad 2 works extremely well.  The Bluetooth keyboard pairs like a dream.  The keyboard is surprisingly easy to type on, considering it’s undersized to fit into the iPad case. and the special iPad-specific function keys make it easy to control the iPad.  I especially like that the iPad just lifts out of the Cirago, so you can use it without having a heavy, cumbersome case always attached to your iPad – even when you don’t need the keyboard.  If you are looking for a keyboard case for your iPad, you can’t go wrong with the Cirago.

Filed in categories: Bluetooth Gear, iPhone, iPad, iPod related, Reviews

Tagged: Bluetooth keyboard and case for iPad

Cirago Aluminum Bluetooth Keyboard Case for New iPad and iPad 2 Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 12, 2012 at 10:00 am.

Sanofi has what’s probably the  first FDA-approved iPod/iPhone accessory with its iBGStar Blood Glucose Monitoring System. But to make best use of it, you’ll probably have to be a diabetic.  The compact iBGStar module plugs directly into the iPhone or iPod touch and can immediately displays results.  The iBGStar Diabetes Manager app  allows users to analyze their glucose patterns, record and track readings, monitor intake and insulin doses, and easily share the data with their healthcare professional.

Available from Walgreens and Diabetic Care Services for $74.99 for the meter and $64.99 for 50 test strips, the app is free from the the App Store. It’s also available at Apple.com ($99.95) and will be available in Apple stores soon.

Filed in categories: Health Related Gadgets, iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: Diabetes, Health

Sanofi iBGStar Blood Glucose Meter – FDA approved iPhone/iPod Accessory originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 11, 2012 at 8:00 am.

Choose your restaurant, make your selection and see your nutritional information. I still say the cheesecake is worth it.

Unified Lifestyle features an application for SmartPhone and iPad that will help you stay on your diet track while dining out.  Restaurant Nutrition features the nutrition information for meals in over 60,000 restaurants, convenience stores and markets.

Here in California, almost every restaurant, fast food establishment, or market that sells cooked foods has to, by law, display the caloric contents of the items sold.  The state’s reason is saving people from themselves rather than require them to use common sense, and the law was passed in the face of current obesity rates and a rise in Type II diabetes among school children.

As much as I dislike the motivation behind this law, I will admit that I find it to be very useful when ordering in restaurants. The menus state the caloric limits of each meal lunch and/or dinner size.  But not every state has passed this law, and still people struggle to decide what to order  while dining out and still keep on their diets.  This app solves a lot of those problems.

The free version of this application lists various restaurants, convenience stores, and markets like Whole Foods.  Once you select the particular restaurant, you can scroll through the menu of choices to find the nutrition information for the particular meal you’ve selected. The app will find you the closest restaurant of your choice.

If you’re on a points-based diet such as Weight Watchers, you can get the points assigned to that particular meal, but only if you upgrade to the $3.99  version (in-app purchase).

Filed in categories: Health Related Gadgets, iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: iOS app, nutirition

Restaurant Nutrition App – Free App of the Day! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 10, 2012 at 10:00 am.

There’s been some discussion recently on The Gadgeteer about alternative keyboard cases for the iPad – something to accommodate the full-sized Apple wireless keyboard and that can be used on your lap as well as a tabletop.  There’s a Kickstarter project that addresses part of this wishlist; unfortunately, it’s not going to work on your lap.  The Touchtype case carries both your iPad and Apple keyboard in one sleek folio.  The keyboard stows under the iPad until it’s needed.  The iPad is held in by elastic straps, which will stretch to hold any version of the iPad.  The Touchtype folds to form a horizontal stand for the iPad (even while the keyboard is stored inside), and an extra set of straps allows you to orient the iPad vertically.  The Touchtype is available in gray polyurethane or in black or espresso leather.

The Touchtype case is already fully funded, with 29 days left to go.  There are still “early backer specials” available, so you can get a gray polyurethane case for $47;  when these are gone, you’ll have to pledge $52 for this version.  A pledge of $85 is required for the espresso leather or $95 for the black leather.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: iPad, keyboard case

Touchtype Case for iPad and the Apple Wireless Keyboard originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 9, 2012 at 1:00 pm.