iPad and iPad 2 Accessory Reviews

The iPad and iPad 2 are amazing and versatile devices. There are also a huge number of great iPad and iPad 2 accessories available from a wide range of vendors. There’s a huge array of iPad cases available, from skins and minimalist designs to full-protection options. There are also screen protectors, iPad case plus keyboard combos, and some great iPad stands. For the iPad 2 in particular, there is of course the Apple Smart Cover and a wide range of back cover cases that are compatible with it.

Review: iOstand for iPad

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iOSStand for iPad

iOstand is a sturdy, magnetic stand for the iPad and other tablets. The promo for it claims it ‘allows for instant mounting of your device and rotation in practically any direction’. I’ve been testing one out for a few weeks and I’m impressed with it.

Notes

The iOstand comes in three colors – Black Powdercoat, White Powdercoat, and stainless steel. I received the black model as a review unit.

The stand is roughly the height of an iPad in  portrait mode.  You use an additional piece called an iOadapt to attach your iPad to the magnetic core of the stand. Here’s a little background on the piece:

The razor-thin (.025″) iOadapt™ adheres instantly to your device and snaps to the iOcore™ adaptor. The iOcore provides nearly limitless viewing angles by allowing your device to rotate in any direction around the precision machined iOsphere™. Detaching your device is just as easy as snapping it on. Simply grab and pull it off from the iOcore™.

The iOadapt piece has  a high strength adhesive and is very difficult to remove, so the makers recommend installing it on a case rather than the iPad itself. I took their advice and applied it to my Padintosh back cover case for the iPad.  

iOSstand is priced at $100.

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Review: Brydge+ iPad Keyboard Case

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Brydge iPad Keyboard

The Brydge iPad Keyboard is one of many iPad related Kickstarter projects I backed this year. As some of you may have noted two recent ones were major disappointments: the Human Toolz Mobile Stand for iPad and the Facet iPad Stand. Brydge is touted as an effective and unique iPad keyboard that will give your iPad a MacBook Air like feel.

I’ve had my Brydge for a few weeks now and have recently had a chance to put it to some heavy use. I can tell you right off the bat that it is not a huge disappointment like the two products mentioned above. It hasn’t quite lived up to my, admittedly high, expectations for it though. Read on for some of the reasons why …

Notes

Brydge is a Bluetooth wireless keyboard for the iPad, made from ‘aerospace-grade aluminum that is machined and anodized to perfectly match the look and feel of an Apple iPad’. There’s also a black polycarbonate model available now. I got the standard aluminum model. Mine is a Brydge+ with the addition of a stereo speaker that’s placed at the top center of the keyboard.

It is compatible with the iPad 2 and iPad 3rd and 4th generations. My model came with friction clamps on its hinges that are made to fit the iPad 2, with additional friction clamps included to fit an iPad 3rd or 4th gen properly. I have the iPad 3 so I switched them out and it was a fairly easy process.

One of the Brydge’s big selling points is its hinges, described like so at the Brydge website:

Brydge’s patent-pending hinge holds the iPad secure and allows you to position your iPad at nearly any angle, even allowing you to close it up entirely for easy transportation. Once closed, both your iPad and Brydge go to sleep automatically.

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Quick Look: New Gelaskins for the iPad mini

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New Gelaskin for iPad mini

My iPad mini has a new best friend: a lovely new Gelaskin for the back of it – as you can see above. I’ve posted many times here about how much I enjoy using just an Apple Smart Cover and a Gelaskin as the ideal combination for my bigger iPads.

When I saw that Gelaskins had a range for the iPad mini, and a fresh new crop of designs, I was more than a little tempted and recently ordered ‘Life is Art’ for my iPad mini. It was delivered a couple days ago and was installed within minutes of arrival. During those few minutes I got a clear reminder of 3 things I love about Gelaskins for the iPad:

– Their designs are always creative, striking, and just a real pleasure to look at on the iPad.

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FACET iPad Stand: Not Safe for iPad Use

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Facet iPad Stand

The FACET iPad Stand started out as yet another iPad focused Kickstarter project. I backed the project and felt quite keen to see how this product turned out. It met its funding target and a couple days ago I received my Facet stand for the iPad.

iPad stands are not difficult or complex items to review, as they’re a very useful but quite basic sort of accessory most of the time. This one is even easier to review, for all the wrong reasons. In fact, for just one (very) wrong reason: it doesn’t work. It not only doesn’t work – it also puts your iPad at risk of getting damaged.

Facet is a pyramid shaped stand for the iPad that offers three slightly different viewing angles via its three sides – at 35°, 55° and 75°. The lowest angle that’s meant to be good for typing is not really low enough to be comfortable – but this is the least of your worries if you try this stand out.

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Review: Oberon Design Celtic Hounds iPad mini Cover

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Oberon Design Celtic Hounds iPad mini Cover

I’ve already mentioned the Oberon Design Celtic Hounds iPad mini Cover once on this site. I referred to it as, and titled my post, The Most Beautiful iPad Case. Ever. I published that post just a day after receiving the case. I’ve had it for a couple weeks now, and the shine has definitely not worn off at all; I still find this a stunningly gorgeous case.

Having spent some time with it, I’m now ready to review it on more than just its great looks.

Notes

The Celtic Hounds iPad mini Cover comes in three colors – green, wine, and walnut. I chose green and obviously I’m more than happy with my choice – and can also say that all three colors looks extremely handsome.

Here are some of its key features:

  • Covers have a camera lens opening (detail not currently shown on all cover images).
  • Corner straps provide ‘shake & drop’ security.
  • Cord & tab platform device for horizontal tabletop reading.
  • Built in slanted surface for iPad keyboard use.
  • Case easily folds & stays open.
  • 100% wool felt LED screen protector.
  • Large side pockets & a small pocket for I.D. or cards.
  • Matching Britannia Pewter button.
  • Marine grade replaceable mini bungee cords (includes extra bungee).

It’s also worth noting that Oberon’s products are handcrafted here in the USA – the story of the company and its founder’s history in this craft is actually a great read. Since I have some Irish ancestry, I was also interested to see some background on the Celtic Hounds pattern on this case:

The universal meaning attached to the spiritual knot work art of the Celtic culture is the symbol of the endless wheel, unending line or regeneration and the inter-connectedness of life. No recorded history attaches specific meanings to different knot work styles; however it is generally agreed that spirals honor the Goddess and reflect themes of consciousness and balance, interlacing knots the unending cycle of life and death, and key or maze patterns the twists and turns of life’s journey. Animal or bird images symbols, known as zoomorphic knots are more straightforward.

Hounds or dogs represent loyalty; dragons symbolize rebirth and bird’s purity or nobility.

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Review: Padintosh Case for iPad

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I thought the Padintosh Case for iPad was striking and fun looking the very first time I saw it, and I love the playful ‘Party Like It’s 1984’ strapline for it. It didn’t take me long at all to decide to order one. I’ve had mine for over a month now and it has been [...]

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