iPad

If you are shopping for iPad scratch protection film this TiPb comparison test may help you decide where to throw your money.

Embedded below it a video recording of the test – TiPb uses screws, rocks and some not-so-gentle female touch to decide who wins: InvisibleSHIELD or BodyGuardz… Spoiler alert: the test is inconclusive, yet fun to watch…

It has been less than six months since the release of the iPad and the marketplace is already saturated with probably hundreds of different accessories for the device. Needless to say, aside from several Apple designed products the rest of the offering is a hit/miss adventure.

Now moving onto the case issue – I have (just like most of you) purchased the genuine case (Apple Store Link) – I liked it in the beginning, yet after several weeks of use the wear/tear because noticeable and my love with the product started to vain (see the user comments at the Apple site – most complaints are directed towards quick material wear and noticeable degradation of the visual appeal after moderate and short use).

Enter the ACASE (link below)…


(Click to Enlarge)

I’ve got the product via Amazon (around $25 shipped via Amazon Prime) – and I have been super happy with the product (this ain’t Orbino Padova though).

Here is my take on Pros/Cons:
PROs:
- The ability to snap the case close (very helpful to avoid it accidently opening while in transit).
- The stand functionality
- The overall protection provided to the iPad is very good with good padding.
- Solid and strong physical build (see a Con on the material)
- Four different angles to open up the case
- Easy to take the iPad out (and to put it in)
- Horizontal/Vertical Stand Position
Cons:
- Misleading advertising (Touted as a “Leather” product – yet, it’s a synthetic leather product – or as the advertiser notes a “Real leather-like” product)
- Thicker than the Apple case (~1/8 in thicker)

If you like the product you can get it from Amazon here (*Disclaimer – this is my Amazon affiliate link and I get modest proceeds from a sale): Acase Leather Flip Book Jacket/folio for Apple Ipad 3g Tablet/wifi Model 16gb, 32gb, 64gb (Black)


iHome has a new toy ready for us – the company recently announced the first clock radio with a functioning iPad docking capabilities. The device will have all clock radio features but you will also get a Bluetooth connection to use with your iPad. The user will be able to synchronize the proper time from an iPhone, and in turn, the alarm settings from the radio may be synced to your iPad. Finally, you can also pair the physical device with the free iHome+Sleep app, which will eventually gain iPad optimization. You will be able to use both iPhones and iPods with the dock…

iHome did not disclose price (or price range) – the company is silent about the release date as well. Several blogs have discussed possible sticker price iHome may attach to the unit – the general consensus seems to be in the $150 range…

There is a leaked Best Buy document outlining details about exclusive sales of the iPad at Best Buy Apple Stores. Hit the links below for source documents and see the text/images for a short summary.

Best Buy’s Apple iPad Sales Playbook:
Apple is launching their new iPad on staturday, April 3 and best buy Stores with Apple Shops (about 575 stores) will begin selling them on this day. A future solution for all Best Buy stores is being discussed. At the time of launch, these products won’t be sold on BestBuy.com. At the time of launch, the iPad will only be sold at Apple retail stores, Apple.com and Best Buy Apple Shops.

April 11 ad insert nationwide
On April 11, the iPad will be on the front cover of the ad for all stores even though al stores won’t be carying the units at launch. Stores that don’t carry the iPad at launch should direct customers to the nearest Best Buy Apple Shop.

Apple Ipad SKU List
Best Buy will be selling the following products in the Apple shops:

iPad Accessories

Source:

For the full write-up hit Engadget and Tuaw.

It seems that many players, from big (NYT) to small (see below) are jockeying for a piece of the iPad pie. Yet, nobody should be surprised given the success of the iPod product line and multi-billion accessory/software/content industry that it spawned.

The rush is not contained to the States – judging from the visitor logs to this blog the interest is simply global – every continent and (I believe)) every country sent visitors to this blog (Google Analytics lists over 200 countries in my visitors log).

I just got an email from the folks at Guangzhou Treetop Trading Co., Ltd., China and they are seeking distributors in the States – if someone has interest hit the link above – I cannot vouch for the company as I never did business with them and I am not affiliated with them… I simply am surprised with the speed of reaction of the global accessory manufacturers though.

Tree Top’s Accessory Offering

• TPU case
• Real leather sleeve
• Genuine leather cover
• PU leather cover
• PU leather case
• Neoprene sleeve

Cheers,

IO

Orbino, a maker of fine leather goods has come up with a glutinous yet awesome looking leather case (product line Padova) for your new iPad – here is the list of features as listed on Orbino’s site:

• Form Fitting: Made to measure for your iPad
• Hand Stitched with waxed thread for tailored fit and tactile grip.
• Premium Leather: Crafted from fine leathers and exotic skins.
• Brushed Metal home button.
• Sleek Protective Cover and Viewing Stand – with secure magnetic closure. Opens to become a viewing stand in both vertical and horizontal orientation.
• Cutouts: for volume, dock connector, speakers, screen rotation lock and headphone jack.
• Dockable: Compatible with the iPad dock and the iPad keyboard dock.

Premium Bark Tanned Italian Leathers will set you back $209: Black, Brown, Pecan, Deep Red
Special Edition Exotic Skins will damage your budget approximately $600: Brown Crocodile ($689), Cognac Ostrich ($569), Black Ostrich ($569), Mocha Ostrich ($569) and Red Ostrich ($569)

Some of the iPad accessories initialy announced by Apple will not be imediately avaliable on 4/3 when the first unit ship. The iPad USB Power adapter, keyboard dock and camera connection kit are not currently available for purchase via apple.com – I can hardly see this becoming a decision factor for any potential buyer – yet, some folks may be disapointed for a month or two… On the other hand check out Amazon store as it currently offers a inexpensive (yet generic) iPad USB charger for less than ten bucks… Click on the similar products link and you’ll be able to see a slew of relating products, some of the accessories are even already refurbished…

This kind of brings me to another point here – it’s amazing how many Amazon sellers are already offering iPad related accessories and jockeying for a slice of a huge Amazon iPad accessories pie that is to be sliced pretty soon… Folks are already selling bags, screen protectors, sleeves, cables, chargers, and god knows what – even though not a single iPad unit has been shipped (what’s even more interesting is that most of the items are on sale with discounts of over 30% – I certainly did not expect such an early discounted and even refurbished product offering). Yet – such a quick accessory offering growth (even though discounted) is, in my eyes, an early indication that the markeplace has awarded it’s approval and acceptance to the upcoming device.

We all know it was coming and here it is, the king of all accessories: a Diamond iPad (drop it into a shopping cart here: Mervis Diamond iPad)! The thing has 11+ carats of micro paved Tacori diamonds (Color: G/H; Clarity: VS2/SI1) and is designed/produced by Mervis Diamond. This puppy carries a $20K price tag and will be available Jun/1/10. No word on the tech spec though

About Mervis:

Mervis is the authority for diamonds, engagement rings, wedding bands, and diamond studs in Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland. We carry the largest selection of Tacori, Verragio, Martin Flyer, Ritani, and Claude Thibaudeau diamond jewelry.

About Tacori:

The extraordinary level of care that goes into the creation of Tacori’s exquisitely hand-crafted jewelry also guides the careful selection of Tacori Diamonds. Tacori Diamonds are hand-selected by the world’s foremost gemology experts to ensure the highest quality. This uncompromising level of care and attention to detail is known as the Tacori Touch, and it reflects the passion of the Tacori Family for providing beautiful heirlooms to be treasured for generations. This personal touch means you can be confident that each and every Tacori jewelry piece, and each Tacori Diamond, is a uniquely timeless work of art.

It’s just a dock, but hey, you might want another one? Anyhow, it’s a dock with a standard 30 pin thingy and it allows you to sync w/a Mac or PC. Just like the iPod dock – it’ll allow you to hook up to a stereo via the 3.5mm audio jack. Here is Apple’s write-up:

This iPad Dock lets you dock and fill the thing with the electric juice. The rear 30-pin connector lets you connect the iPad Dock to an electrical outlet using the USB Power Adapter, sync to your computer, and use accessories like the Camera Connection Kit. An audio jack lets you connect to a stereo or powered speakers.

One of the supporting items (accessories) announced by Apple is the USB Power charger and connector (Provides 10W of power). I generally hate to see even more wires in my tech drawer – yet, here is the photo and a blurb from Apples writers:

The 10W USB Power Adapter lets you charge your iPad directly through an electrical outlet. And the 6-foot-long power cable allows you to charge it from an even greater distance.