All Entries in the "Accessories" Category

Digizoid zO2 Personal Subwoofer in Review – who let the dogs out?

Indeed. Digizoid dub this diminutive piece of plastic a ‘personal subwoofer’. I’d dub it a personal wolf pack – that is, if wolfs were known for barking. They probably growl, so maybe the metaphor stands. Which is more than I could do the first time I heard the zO2, which floored me.

I’ve been mopping up ever since.

Care to discuss this in our forums? Go ahead!

A Smarter Smart Cover: The Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover

Likely the first of its kind, Logitech has revealed an upcoming external keyboard for the iPad that attaches itself to the device much like Apple’s Smart Cover – via “clever” magnetic strips. Dubbed the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover, this bluetooth keyboard has an instant on/off feature, a 6 month battery life (based on 2 hours of use/day) and is compatible with both the iPad 2 and new iPad. Similar to the ZAGGmate, the iPad will slide into a groove for both horizontal or vertical use, though with only one viewing angle. The Ultrathin Keyboard Cover will be available later this month in both the US and Europe and will retail for $99 (pre-orders can now be made online). Promo video and press release after the gap.

Gizmon iCa iPhone camera case in Review – Barnack would be proud

Steve Jobs (RIP) may have publicly glibbed that the iPhone 4 was “like a beautiful old Leica camera”, but he never saw the Gizmon iCa coming…

No one did. And I’m glad. Perfectly succinct designs, such as the iPhone and the iCa, are obvious only after debut. Why is that? As I sip diluted tea at my dining table and type, scenes from the past two weeks flood over me. These few weeks have seen me skipping, happy, snappy, and experimenting. I’ve found a love for digital photography. Finally.

SlingShot gives your iPhone better video stabilization for under $20

Fancy yourself as an i-videographer? Well, this Kickstarter project should go on your list of must-have accessories while shooting those critical scenes. Created by professional photographer and design engineer Charles Waugh, the SlingShot’s a video stabilization gizmo that not only works with the iPhone, but a whole range of smartphones as well. Made with industrial grade acetal resin, the unique cradle can stretch out and securely grip even the Samsung Galaxy Note (a whooping 5.3″ screen). A ball-mount lets you swivel your device and the handle hides a set of legs that’ll turn it into a handy table-top tripod (the cradle can also be removed and mounted onto any standard tripod).

The project has currently reached nearly $10,000 of its of goal of $20,000, with 41 days to go. A pledge of only $14 and you’ll receive the SlingShot with free shipping in the US (international orders add $10). Check out the video and production description below.

Magnus Magnetic iPad 2 stand now shipping

The Magnus Magnetic Stand for the iPad 2, first announced last week, is now available for shipping. Created by the masterminds at Ten One Design – makers of the Fling Game Controller and Pogo Sketch Stylus - the gorgeous and unique stand holds the iPad 2 in place using magnets, resulting in a low-profile and aesthetically pleasing design.

Magnus is first machine-crafted from pure aluminum and then hand-finished using the latest manufacturing techniques. After that, customized magnets are installed into the base, and rubberized feet are fitted to the bottom surface.

Our designers targeted a reduced silhouette. Viewed from the side, you see only the iPad’s tilt, and a flat plate on the desk. From there, the engineering took over. Magnus may look like it’s defying gravity, but it feels like a permanent attachment. You may need two hands to separate Magnus from your iPad.

The one downside to the stand is that it only works in landscape orientation (due to location of the iPad 2′s magnets), but if you can live with that, the Magnus retails for $49.95. Basic shipping (First Class Mail) in the US starts at $4.99, and International orders will set you back another $29.99 for Fedex priority shipping. More images of the stand in various angles after the break.

iPad survives 100,000 feet fall from outer space

No doubt we’ve all worried about accidentally dropping our iPads whilst using it. But rest assured, it’s a whole lot more resistant  to sudden impacts – at least that’s what G-Form wants you to believe. Promoting their  Extreme Edge protector for the iPad, G-Form drops the iTablet from 100,000 feet up to see if the device can survive the extreme drop. Surprisingly, the iPad’s still in pretty good shape, and more importantly, it continues to work after the free fall.

[Mashable]

TidyTilt, a mini smartcover for your iPhone 4/4S

The iPhone will soon have its own Smart Cover like its iPad sibling – well, sort of. Brought to you by two design students in Chicago, the TidyTilt is a 3-in-1 Smart Cover look-alike that acts as an earbud cord wrap, multi-position kickstand and mount for the iPhone 4/4S. What it doesn’t do however, is protect your screen or wake up the device upon opening/closing.

iPhone case makes room for USB stick

Korean accessories maker ego&company has unveiled what could be one of the more useful iPhone cases around. Dubbed the ego USB and part of the their “Hybrid Series”, this snap on iPhone 4/4S case has room for one ultraslim usb stick that slides in from the bottom. The sticks come in 5 colors and it appears the capacity is tied in with the actual color: skyblue (2GB), pink (4GB), red (8GB), yellow (16GB) and black (32GB). Pricing and availability info have yet to be released, but seeing how this clever combo could eliminate the need for carrying around an extra usb, we’ll be keeping a close eye on this one.

[iLounge]

DIY mod makes your iPhone 4 Apple logo glow

Recently, we saw iFixit’s Transparent Rear Panel replacement give your iPhone 4S a bare-it-all look. While the hack was simple enough to do, I’d imagine not too many casual owners would want to stare at the honking battery all day. But what if a somewhat similar DIY kit uses the same glass back of your iPhone 4/4S AND gives the Apple logo a nice healthy glow? Sold by K.O Gadgets, this hack takes 5 minutes to complete and involves removing several screws, replacing the back cover, and adding in the “light panel”. The kit sells for $42 and comes in both black and white, though only for a very limited time (57 hours left as of writing). There’s even an option to choose the standard Apple logo or the Steve Jobs Tribute logo designed by Jonathan Mak. Check out the demo video below and see how this nifty mod is installed.

Griffin releases iPhone 4S Case made from 7” Vinyl Record

Accessories maker Griffin Technology has teamed up with Nashville based Third Man Records to create one of the more unique iPhone cases around. Dubbed the The Third Man 45, the iPhone 4S accessory is made from a genuine 7” vinyl record, which has been custom-cut into a protective case.

To create the Griffin and Third Man Records Case for iPhone 4S, the team incorporated a genuine 7″ vinyl record, pressed by United Record Pressing in Nashville, Tennessee, then die-cut to form the protective back of the case. A molded frame snaps around the iPhone, holding the record insert in place and protecting the controls, edges, and screen, with cutouts for volume, headphone, hold switch and dock connector.

The Third Man 45 Case sells for $29.99 and comes in three available colors: White, Yellow and Black. Additionally, a separate interchangeable Vinyl Insert 3 pack  – inspired by the bands The White Stripes (white), The Raconteurs (black) and The Dead Weather (yellow) — can be purchased for $19.99. If you’re tired of the same old cases for your iPhone 4S, this vinyl case from Griffin is well worth a look. Check out the video on how the case is made and full press release after the break.