Accessories

Review: Belkin Ultimate Keyboard Case for iPad

As someone who's relegated the full sized iPad to the back burner, it's admittedly a bit awkward to pull this thing back out. But the folks at Belkin have a new product for me to try, and it looks cool enough to convince me to dust off my iPad 3.

Belkin is no stranger when it comes to iOS accessories, but this — the Ultimate Keyboard Case for iPad — is perhaps its most thoughtful. The case, which officially launches in May, was created for people who want to get things done on their full sized iPads. It works with any currently available full-sized iPad, including the iPad 2, iPad 3, and iPad 4. It's not the prettiest keyboard case on the block, and perhaps not the most durable, but it screams functionality.

Belkin sent me a product sample about a month ago, and I decided that I was going to put this thing through the paces. Instead of using it for a few days and reviewing it, I wanted to see if the case actually lived up to its moniker.

iOS device dashboard mounts by ProClip USA are top shelf

Tired of fumbling around for your iPhone in the car? Why are we forced to pick up our device every time we hear a push notification? Why do we keep wasting money on suction cups and intrusive docking systems? ProClip USA does not know the answer to these questions, but it is providing a solution.

ProClip USA builds device holders for almost every make and model vehicle currently on the market. I stumbled across their website well over a year ago, but did not receive the opportunity to review a product until bumping into the team at CES in January.

Thankfully, they were kind enough to send over an iPhone 5 and iPad mini mount for my 2007 Nissan Altima. This review takes a quick look at installation and provides feedback about my experience with these two options...

Case-Mate’s Signature collection combines luxe, glamour and tech

Only a few hardware companies immediately come to mind when I think "Apple accessories" and Case-Mate is one of them. While browsing the new collection one morning at CES, the press rep walked me through their fanciful new collections. Correct me if I'm wrong, but just a short time back, I would not think "luxury" when I heard Case-Mate. I tend to envision plastic, but solid, durable cases, similar to the cases you would find on the early iPhone adopters devices. Perhaps something fun, or cute.

Well, the tides have turned and Case-Mate is now offering a completely new line of iPhone cases, flips, pouches, and sleeves. With new lines including Crafted, Refined, and Signature, the cute days are gone. Offering genuine leather and gem quality mother of pearl cases, luxe and glamour may be the new adjectives for Case-Mate.

Having just received the Signature Flip and Madison cases from a friend at Case-Mate, I gave them a run through for good measure. In this review we take a look at the new Case-Mate and determine if changing ways turned out for the better...

Logitech unveils Surface-like $149 FabricSkin Keyboard Folio

A month ago, accessory maker Logitech launched colorful new Keyboard Folios for iPads. Prior to that, the company announced the Ultrathin Keyboard for the iPad mini (our own Jeff Benjamin liked it) and a solar-powered Bluetooth keyboard which doubles as an iPad protective sleeve.

Tapping all that expertise and knowledge and taking a page from Microsoft's book, logitech today announced new iPad keyboard covers which behave a lot like Microsoft's Touch Cover and Type Cover for the Surface tablet.

These new covers are available with or without built-in keyboard, come in a range of colors and are billed as the first Bluetooth keyboard solution with keys seamlessly fused into its interior fabric.

I've included more information and two nice promo clips so jump past the fold to learn more about these Surface-like iPad cases...

Volkswagen unveils new ‘iBeetle’ with integrated iPhone dock

This is kind of interesting. Following a press release this weekend, Volkswagen has just unveiled the 'iBeetle' at the Shanghai Motor Show in the city's Pudong district. The vehicle is expected to launch early next year, and will come in both coupe and convertible models.

Why is it called the iBeetle? The car will feature a custom built-in iPhone docking station, as well as a companion app, that will allow you to sync your iPhone with its entertainment system for making phone calls, streaming music and more. More details after the fold...

Pre-orders for Nomad 3-inch USB-to-Lightning cable open, shipping in June

The three-inch Nomad Lightning cable made waves when it was announced back in November 2012. This handy little USB-to-Lighting accessory fits your key ring and comes to the rescue when you find yourself out and about with a dying iPhone and no charger in sight.

Originally a Kickstarter project, creators Kegan & Roberto developed the Nomad according to Apple's strict requirements in order to earn the sought-after Lightning accessory certification. The Nomad cable is available for pre-order now, priced at $24.99 a pop (no shipments expected until June)...

Customizable iPhone-controlled bionic hand arrives

Here's CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta reporting on the latest on prosthetic technology: a pair of bionic hands controlled from an iPhone app. 34-year-old Jason Koger in 2008 had a brush with death when he got jolted with 7,200 volts of electricity.

Doctors had to amputate his both hands and he's been trying out a variety of prosthetic hands ever since. Four years later, UK-based prosthetic developer Touch Bionics comes up with the i-Limb Ultra Revolution, an iPhone controlled bionic hand.

It offers "unparalleled dexterity and control, enabling wearers to more easily perform activities of daily living and thus increase their quality of life." The video is right after the break...

The iTorch, a portable iPhone charger that lights the way

Since my visit to CES 2013, a quest for a backup portable iPhone charger began. Running around the world's largest trade show peddling for power was pretty ugly. New Trent was kind enough to send one over for review and it fitted the bill for my charging woes. A simple, travel size device, the iTorch IMP52D provided a full charge in just under 2 hours for my iPhone 5...

Avid launches iOS-compatible audio interfaces

Avid, a highly regarded name among pro audio engineers, today announced a pair of mobile audio interfaces with native support for Apple's iOS platform and the iPad. The Avid Fast Track Solo and Fast Track Duo let you record your guitar, vocals and other instruments through a high-quality mic pres and inputs and tight integration with its Pro Tools Express suite for Mac or Windows PCs. Each interface has a bus-powered USB port on it and allows for a direct iPad connection without the need for Apple's iPad Camera Connection Kit interface...

Jony Ive envisions mail window, media controls and more for iPad’s Smart Cover

Who thought Apple's Smart Cover, first designed to simply protect the iPad screen without adding too much bulk to the device's form factor, would grow to become another platform for the firm's design guru, Jony Ive? A new patent application which identifies Ive as one of the inventors suggests the Smart Cover could become a mini screen, displaying new email and controlling music playback, among other possibilities.

In a patent filing published earlier this week by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Apple includes a redesigned Smart Cover which includes buttons to control your iTunes playback, along with a window where you can quickly check new e-mails or incoming texts...

Big Jawbone Jambox update improves streaming to iOS devices and more

When it comes to portable Bluetooth speakers, the Jambox is by far my favorite. It may not be the best-sounding, or give you the most bang for your buck, but I love its build quality and design, and the fact that Jawbone issues regular updates.

In fact, it just rolled out an update today for its Big Jambox line, bringing its firmware to version 2.0. The update features new AAC support for iOS 6.1, which will provide better audio streaming with less dropout, and improved battery life...

Analyst claims iPhone 5S has fingerprint sensor

What voice-recognition did for the iPhone 4S, fingerprints will do for Apple's upcoming iPhone 5S, one technology analyst is telling investors. For the second time, an Apple observer forecasts a fingerprint sensor as a key feature of a new iPhone expected this summer. Such a sensor would let iPhone 5S owners use their fingerprints instead of passwords, as well as open the possibility of mobile credit card payments, according to a Wednesday report...