Accessories

Smartphone Experts S&C retractable cable for iPhone and iPad - accessory review

By Georgia, Wednesday, May 12, 2010 a 5:44 pm

The Smartphone Experts S&C retractable sync and charging cable for iPhone and iPad [$4.95 - iMore Store Link] is for those who abhor long cables that always getting caught, tangled and the imposing clutter, the SmartPhone Experts S&C Retractable Cable for iPhone is the way to go. Small and lightweight, you can take it with you everywhere and charge/sync your iPhone through the USB connection on your laptop or computer with ease.

The Smartphone Experts S&C Retractable Cable for iPhone expands to a length of 2 ft. and has a locking feature which allows you to choose which length you would like the cable locked at. A light tug on the cable and it retracts back to its wound state. When wound, the Cable is only 4.5 inches long, making it very easy to bring with you. My regular usb S&C cable was always a tangled mess when I carried it loose in my briefcase. A good deal of time and effort was spent on untangling the cord from whatever it had become attached to. With the Smartphone Experts S&C Retractable Cable for iPhone, charging and syncing my iPhone is a snap, just take it out of my briefcase and plug it in and when I am done a quick tug and is thrown back into my bag. The cable is quite well constructed and after a month of use it is still working like new.

I would recommend getting this for everyone who charges and syncs their iPhone. I absolutely love this Cable and at $4.95 it is practically free (appeals to my Scottish side).

Pictures and video after the break!

Clamcase turns your iPad into a netbook

By Rene Ritchie, Thursday, May 6, 2010 a 8:15 am

With the iPad's support for keyboards via Bluetooth, the dock, and even low-power USB, we all the "turn your iPad into a netbook" accessories coming, right? Clamcase seems to be first out of the gate, with renders of what they claim will be shipping later this year.

The concept is simple, the "case" holds your iPad like a screen and is hinged to a Bluetooth keyboard. There's no Bluetooth trackpad functionality for the iPad, however, but that means you get extra space to rest your hands between screen swipes and pinches.

Since iPhone OS 4 includes keyboard support for the iPhone and iPod touch as well, I'm guessing we'll see similar products offering to turn those into clamshells or sliders as well.

Check out the video after the break and let us know -- you want?

[Clamcase via MacRumors]

iPad Camera Kit packs USB keyboard, headset support surprise?

By Rene Ritchie, Sunday, Apr 25, 2010 a 4:07 pm

The iPad Camera Kit has started showing up in the wild and while its name indicates it's intended use as a way to import digital camera pictures and video into the iPad, it looks like there's some surprise support for USB keyboards and audio headsets along for the ride.

For those unfamiliar with the Camera Kit, it's two small dongles, one of which is an SD/SDHC card reader and the other is a straight-up USB port. It's the latter of the two that's creating the stir.

Give-away: Joule stand for iPad by Element Case

By Rene Ritchie, Thursday, Apr 22, 2010 a 1:13 pm

We've already pointed you towards Element Case's Joule stand for iPad but now we've had some hands-on time with both the polished aluminum (with custom TiPb logo!) and anodized black versions and we can tell you ourselves -- they're stunners.

If you're looking for a high-end way to show off your new iPad, portrait or landscape, high for watching or low for typing, the Joule just might be it.

You can see the fancy retail packaging in the video below (online orders come in more practical mailers), but no matter how it arrives it includes the velvet lined base with cut-out for the iPad speakers and three position mounts for the support leg -- and a microfiber cleaning cloth (since Apple forgot to include it with the iPad).

Starting at $129 and with customizable options, it's not the cheapest solution but if you want something with high-quality material and workmanship to really show off your iPad, you get what you pay for.

Or, hey, if you want one for free Element Case has graciously offered to give a few away to our awesome TiPb readers. We're debuting our new iPad Live! podcast this Sunday night at 5pm PT/8pm ET and during the show we'll be giving away the Joule stands. So tune in Sunday, or head over to elementcase.com and order anytime!

Pics and video after the break!

How to apply a screen protector to your iPad [sponsored]

By Brent Zaniewski, Tuesday, Apr 20, 2010 a 2:10 pm

If you're looking to protect your big, beautiful iPad screen from scratches or just cut down on the glare, here's a quick how-to on applying a screen protector to your iPad.

It's a simple process but one that needs to be done right, so take your time and check out the step-by-steps and video after the break!

[Sponsored by the TiPb iPad accessory store]

Sprint makes the case for iPad 4G. Literally.

By Rene Ritchie, Saturday, Apr 17, 2010 a 7:11 pm

Sprint is making the case for an iPad 4G -- literally, in leather with pockets for both an iPad Wi-Fi and an Overdrive (think MiFi but with WiMax speed).

The 4G Case has a pocket to house an Overdrive3G/4G Mobile Hotspot, so you can simultaneously connect your iPad™ and four more Wi-Fi enabled devices at 4G speeds anywhere within 4G coverage areas. Meaning now you can use your iPad™ for everything it was built for, and then some.

TiPb Give-away: iMaxi iPad Case

By Georgia, Friday, Apr 16, 2010 a 1:09 pm

Remember the iMaxi iPad Case from Hiphandmaids that we took a look at just before the iPad launch? Well, Hip Handmaids were kind enough to send out one for editor extraordinaire, Rene! How did we select between the white and red 'lived in' versions? Our Twitter followers got to choose!

So stay with us after the break to see Rene unboxing the iMaxi iPad Case, to find out whether your votes got him the white or 'lived in' red version, and to see how you can get an iMaxi iPad Case of your very own. (That's right, we're doing a give-away!)

Quick Review: Apple iPad Case

By Rene Ritchie, Wednesday, Apr 14, 2010 a 7:41 am

Apple debuted their iPad Case [$39.00 - Apple Store link] alongside the iPad itself, and had it available for sale the very same day. An elegant black folder with subtle Apple logo meant to cover your iPad like a book, let it stand like a picture frame, or prop it like a keyboard. An attempt at both form and function. Attempt being the key word.

The material is "soft touch" -- designed to make it tackier and easier to grip -- and it really does make the iPad less-likely to slip from your hands or off you lap. However, as much as it sticks to you, dirt seems to stick to it. Smudges, streaks, and light colored stains cling to the thing.

There are the usual cutouts for buttons and rockers, speakers and mics, but a curious ridge that runs along the side almost as though no trimming was done at the factory. It's obviously meant to be there but it's annoying and oughtn't be.

A small flap on the back lets you tuck the cover in to create the triangular structure needed to stand it up in picture/movie mode or raise it up in typing mode. It fits well and securely.

Steve Jobs has reportedly responded to criticism of the case with a quick "we like it", and I guess we like it too -- we just don't love it.

TiPb Give-Away: 15 MusicSkins for iPad

By Georgia, Tuesday, Apr 13, 2010 a 2:50 pm

MusicSkins, who makes some of the hottest skins around, has just unveiled their new line up for the iPad. Among the high quality, perfectly rendered skins are some of your favorite artists including The Beatles, Black Eyed Peas, Jay Z, AC/DC, Rihanna, Madonna, Bob Marley, The Grateful Dead, Kiss, Linkin Park, Taylor Swift and more. They're easy to apply to the back of your iPad so you can get just the custom look you want.

What's more -- to celebrate the unveiling, MusicSkins has kindly offered to give away 15 of their MusicSkins to our TiPb readers! Just head on over the the TiPb Forums and tell us which MusicSkin you most want for your iPad. (Check the link above to see the selection).

The give away starts now and ends Sunday, April 18th at 12pm PST. We’ll randomly pick the winners and let you know via PM (so be sure to check your messages!).

More MusicSkins for iPad pics after the break!

Quick Review: Apple iPad Dock

By Chad Garrett, Friday, Apr 9, 2010 a 7:33 am

Picking up the iPad I was tasked with deciding the most useful accessory for the iPad. For me, that accessory was the iPad Dock. I just couldn't fathom the iPad just laying on my desk, I needed a place to set my iPad as well as take advantage of the other features it allowed me to display.

The dock comes by itself, no USB cable or charger; you just get the basics. The footprint is larger than the iPhone dock since the iPad is substantially heavier. The bottom of the dock has the typical "sticky" finish so it does not budge from its place. I would estimate the angle of the dock to be approximately 60 degrees so it is not exactly upright, but close. The back of the dock has the standard 30-pin connector. You can use the USB cable and charger included with the iPad to plug into the wall or computer for charging. You also have a Line Out to plug into a stereo tuner.

Once you have placed the iPad securely in the dock, it has the familiar green charging battery graphic. If enabled in Settings, you have the new picture frame button that turns the iPad into a beautiful digital photo showcase with animated slideshows.

If you don't want your iPad just laying on your desk, you can't go wrong with the iPad Dock. Oh, and don't forget, the dock just might come in handy when you start typing with the Apple Bluetooth keyboard...

Pictures and video after the break!