Enigma for iPad mini

The Enigma is a flexi-folding folio case for the iPad mini. The flexi-folding aspect is almost an origami like design where you bend the front cover back and fold the cover so that you can stand the iPad up. You can prop up the iPad in both portrait and landscape positions. The Enigma comes in 3 colors for you to choose from: black, blue, and pink.



The Enigma is crafted of 3 different materials: the back is a hard plastic, the front is a rubber, and the inside is a microfiber material. The Enigma will offer almost total protection of your iPad from scratches. The top of the iPad mini will still remain exposed though as the entire section of the Enigma is one giant cutout versus a cutout for each individual button/hole.

The front cover of the Enigma is pretty awesome with the exception of one small detail. It does not include the magnets that will wake/sleep your iPad mini. That is my only negative about the case, I really wish Cygnett would have included that feature when they launched the product. Even though it is a negative it is not a deal breaker. I would still highly recommend the Enigma to anyone with an iPad mini who is looking for simple protection of their device. The Enigma will not offer much protection from drops, it is more designed to protect your iPad from scratches and bruises.

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Getting the iPad mini into the Enigma is really easy, the mini just snaps into place in the 4 corners of the case. Once it is snapped into the 4 corners it feels really sturdy while in the Enigma. I never once have felt like the iPad mini will slide out of the case, it is designed well and will do a great job of protecting my iPad mini.

All of the buttons and ports line up perfectly, as I mentioned above the top of the Enigma is one giant cutout, same with the bottom of the Enigma. The speakers and lighting connector port have one cutout for both holes on the bottom of the iPad mini. The volume rockers and mute/lock switch are the same, one cutout for all three buttons. The camera hole on the back of the Enigma is a perfect cutout and leaves enough space around the camera so when you take a picture you do not get any interference with the case itself.

The Enigma does not any bulk or much extra weight to the iPad mini. The Enigma for the most part is a super thin, light weight way to protect your iPad from the rigors of daily usage.

The Enigma retails for $39.99 and can be purchased directly from Cygnett.

Check out my other Cygnett iPad mini reviews:

Workmate by Cygnett
FlexiGel by Cygnett


Problems viewing the video review? Check out the video on my YouTube channel.

Video review of Workmate from Cygnett

This is the video review of the Cygnett Workmate for the iPad mini. I had a problem with my Blip.tv account yesterday and couldn't upload it with the written review. Be sure to check out all my other Cygnett case reviews for not only the iPad mini but also the big iPad.

Cygnett Workmate for iPad mini

The Cygnett Workmate is a dual shock-absorbing case that will give your iPad mini double the protection. The Workmate is constructed of 2 different materials, a harder plastic and a soft rubber that offers the most protection from any accidental drops and dings that your iPad mini might incur. The workmate is impact resistance and also features raised edges so that when you lay your iPad mini face down the screen of your iPad mini is raised off of the surface you have it laying on.

The Workmate only offers rear and side protection but coupled with a nice clear screen protector your iPad mini will be in good hands. Maybe bad hands if you actually drop it! Don't drop it. But if you are unsure if the Workmate is up to the task for any accidental drops then check out this video that Cygnett recorded showing the iPad mini surviving a drop test.



The Workmate easily slides over your iPad mini and "snaps" into place with ease. Putting the Workmate on the mini is very simple and removing it is just as simple! All the ports and buttons will line-up nicely and I had no problem whatsoever accessing any of the buttons such as the volume rocker or any of the ports such as the Lighting connector on the bottom of the iPad mini. The speaker grills have a nice cut-out that line up perfectly with the speakers built-in to the iPad mini.

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The Workmate does add some slight bulk to the mini but that should be expected as this type of case is built for ultimate damage control. It does not really add much extra weight to the iPad mini though, just a tad bit of thickness. Overall I don't think you will notice the thickness that is added to the iPad mini. It will also add some extra grip to the iPad mini, as with most iThings, they are always slippery feeling but with the Workmate on your iPad mini you will have an extra added grip on your device.

PROS:

• Offers double protection


• Adds grip to the iPad mini


• Dual-shock absorbent


• Easy to slide on and remove


• Impact Resistance

CONS:

• Slight thickness added to iPad mini


• No front screen protection

Overall this is another fine product from Cygnett, I highly recommend the Workmate as I feel it will probably do the best job of protecting your iPad mini from most accidental drops. As with all the Cygnett iPad products I have reviewed this comes with a lifetime manufactures guarantee as well as a 2 year warranty.

You can purchase the Workmate from Cygnett for only $39.99

Be sure to check out my review of the Cygnet FlexiGel iPad mini case.

FlexiGel for iPad mini

FlexiGel is a soft, durable, protective flexi-case for the iPad mini made by Cygnett. The FlexiGel will help protect your iPad mini from scratches as well as offering some impact resistance if you were to drop your iPad mini. The FlexiGel only covers the back of the iPad mini so in theory you screen is still left unprotected and you might want to consider purchasing an iPad mini screen protector. The FlexiGel is raised a tad on the front of the case so if you lay the iPad mini face down on a table or desk it will not scratch the screen as the screen is slightly lifted off of the flat surface it is laying on.

The FlexiGel easily slides over the 4 corners of the iPad mini and all the buttons and ports have cut-outs with the exception of the power button and the volume rocker. The power button and volume rocker have soft buttons overlaying the actual button when you have the FlexiGel on your iPad mini. I tested this case with my earbuds and my Lighting cable and had no problem accessing the ports while using the FlexiGel.

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The FlexiGel retails for only $19.99 and it comes highly recommended to help protect your iPad mini from bumps and scratches. The FlexiGel comes in 2 colors: Blue and Black.

Pros:

• Impact Resistant


• Raised Edges


• Easy to slide on/off


• Manufacturers lifetime guarantee


• 2 year warranty

Cons:

• No front screen protection

For more information about the FlexiGel: http://us.cygnett.com/ipad/blue-flexigel.html
Warranty: http://us.cygnett.com/lifetime

Cygnett Alumni for iPad

The Alumni is another terrific iPad case from Cygnett, Total iPad's favorite iPad accessory maker. The Alumni retails for only $29.99 and features 4 beautiful colors: Blue, Green, Black and Pink. The Alumni is made of a canvas fabric and will help protect your iPad from dings and scratches.

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The Alumni has built-in magnets that will allow your iPad to take advantage of the sleep/wake function. The magnets will also double as a way to keep the Alumni front cover securely closed when the iPad is not in use. I did not have to add any additional magnets to the Alumni like I did with the Glam Rock, the Alumni is ready to go out of the box. The sleep/wake function works flawlessly with the Alumni.

The iPad fits nicely into the Alumni and I was able to access the buttons and ports while my iPad was in the Alumni case. The 30-pin connector is easily accessible to plug your USB cable into, I could not use my dock though while my iPad was in the Alumni but that should be expected. The earbud jack was also easily accessible when plugging my headphones into the iPad while in the Alumni case. I also had no problems using the volume buttons and mute/rotate switch on the side of the iPad. The rear of the Alumni has a tiny opening cut out so I could use my rear facing camera on my iPad if I needed too.

Overall the Alumni is a stylish iPad case that seems to be geared at the younger audience. It has an inside pocket that would be a nice place to store notes for class. Factor in the bright colors of the Alumni and this just screams high school. That is not a bad thing and is only my opinion. I would easily recommend the Alumni to anyone looking for a stylish iPad case that not only looks good but also protects your iPad from bumps and bruises. Factor in the price tag of only $29.99, you would have to be insane to not consider the Alumni. Check out my video demo below for a more detailed review of the Alumni by Cygnett.

Pros:
Magnetic closure
Nice canvas fabric outside
Protect iPad screen from scratches

Cons:
No way to stand up the iPad

For more information about the Alumni case from Cygnett, please visit their website.
Check out the other terrific Cygnett iPad accessories.

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Also See my other Cyngett Reviews:
Cygnett Glam Rock Review
Cygnett Aerosphere Review

EarPods by Apple

EarPods by Apple

I have been using the new EarPods for a couple of weeks now since the iPhone 5 launched. I decided to purchase me an additional pair to use with my iPad and figured I should do a quick overview of them. So here is my opinion on the EarPods and what I think about them compared to other earbud style headphones.

The first question most people ask me: “Are they worth the $29 they cost?” This is an easy answer for me, YES! For $29 you get what you paid for, they are not the best earbuds on the market but they don’t cost nearly as much as those high end earbuds cost.
For example, I paid $149 for Beats Tour In-Ear Headphones and if you compare them with the $29 Apple EarPods, the EarPods will be the better buy. They sound almost every bit as good as the high end Beats but at a fraction of the cost. I know most audiophiles do not consider Beats to be high end headphones but they sure are priced like high end components.

The volume rocker on the new EarPods is a nice redesign vs. the old style Apple EarBuds. The older earbuds were a pain in the rear when you wanted to mute your music or lower the volume. They never seemed to work correctly, Apple has changed the design and now you can feel the +/- button raised a tad on the ends and the middle is slightly recessed for easy access to the mute button. This is a very subtle but much needed change to the EarPods.

The bass is deep in the EarPods, much more so than the older earbuds that Apple sold before. I guess it depends on the type of music you listen to, but for me the added bass is a nice touch. I have read several blogs online stating it was too much bass though, again I think this is opinion based on your preferred music genre.

The overall sound of the EarPods is slightly improved over the older Apple earbuds, although they do not seem as loud as the older earbuds. That could be the main reason they sound better, I think before the sound would get drowned out when I would have my iPad on full blast. If you are looking for a decent pair of in-ear headphones with built in microphone and volume switcher built in then I would highly recommend you check out the EarPods.

Highlights:

• Designed by Apple


• Deeper, richer bass tones


• Greater protection from sweat and water


• Control music and video playback


• Answer and end calls

Glam Rock Folio by Cygnett

The Glam Rock folio case is another terrifically designed iPad accessory from Cygnett. The Glam features a beautiful shiny, high gloss patent leather outside with a soft black felt-like inside. The Glam is designed to be used with the iPad 2 and ‘the new’ iPad or iPad ‘3’ as many including myself refer to it.

Slide your iPad into the Glam and secure it in place with the velcro flap that will keep your iPad securely inside the case and keep it from sliding out. The Glam features a magnetic closure so the cover will put your iPad to sleep when you close the front cover or wake your iPad when you lift the front flap. The magnetic closure is iPad 2 ready, for the iPad ‘3’ you will have to install an additional magnet. It does not take much effort, basically you just remove adhesive tape from the back of the magnet and place it in a designated spot on the inside front door of the folio. I assume this was because the case was designed for the iPad 2 and when the iPad ‘3’ was released Apple added additional magnets in the iPad ‘3’. I have tested the case with my iPad 3 and it did not cause me any problems and worked fine for me.

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Need to use your iPad when it is in the folio? No problem, the Glam features 3 different multi-view angles so you can prop up your iPad when you want to watch a movie or lower it when you are reading a book. When I had my iPad propped-up it did not feel flimsy when touching the iPad, it felt very sturdy unlike when I stand-up my iPad using the Smart Cover. You can also lay your iPad flat when you need to type on it which really helps because it raises the iPad about an inch from the surface making it easier to type. This gives the iPad a more natural ‘keyboard like feel’ when typing on the soft keys of the iPad.

The iPad fits nicely in the Glam Rock and does not add much weight to the iPad although it does make the iPad a tad bit thicker to carry. It is not bulky just thicker but that should be expected since it is a folio case. When the iPad is in the folio case you are still able to access all the ports and buttons on the iPad. The 30-pin connector is still easily accessible to plug your USB cable into. I was also able to easily connect my Camera Connection Kit into my iPad while it was in the Glam. I could not use my dock though, but the iPad slides easily enough in and out of the case so if I needed to dock my iPad that I did not consider it a hassle. The earbud jack was also easily accessible when plugging my headphones into the iPad while in the case. I also had no problems using the volume buttons and mute/rotate switch on the side of the iPad.

Pros:

Shiny metallic finish
Multi-View angles
Magnetic closure
Very sturdy

Cons:

Not having the magnet pre-installed for iPad 3

Final Thoughts:

Overall this is a nicely designed iPad folio case and if you are looking for a case to make a fashion statement then you should consider the Cygnett Glam Rock Folio. The metallic patent leather finish looks great and the single stitch seam running along the outside of the case adds to the overall appeal. The case is designed very well so it will keep your iPad safe from scratches and probably most drops as well. My iPad feels very well padded while in the Glam Rock. I consider the multi-view angles to be an extremely huge plus, especially when watching videos on my iPad.

The Glam Rock Folio by Cygnett retails for only $59.99. When you are ready to purchase the Glam Rock you can head over to cygnett.com or follow this link to their website.

Be sure to check out Cygnett’s other terrific accessories.

Cygnett Website.
You can follow Cygnett of Twitter.
Like Cygnett of Facebook.
View their demo videos on YouTube.

Blue Snowball Microphone

Several months back I wanted to try to record a podcast on my iPad, so I plugged in my white earbuds that came with my iPhone 4S and opened Garageband. To my dismay, the quality of the recording was just terrible, you could hear the mic rubbing up against my shirt as well as my breathing into the microphone. I then tried to use the built-in microphone on the iPad and that recording turned out even worse. If I moved my head the slightest, I sounded far away.  It also picked up every background noise imaginable.

I decided to do some research on USB microphones that did not need an additional power supply to work with the iPad. Enter the Blue Snowball microphone. I found a few other microphones when searching for USB microphones, but something about the Snowball attracted me to it. Price and the design were the likely candidates. I wanted something I know was going to be a great microphone, but I didn’t want to pay through the roof.



Trying to podcast on the iPad is tricky though, the quality of the recording is not the same as it would be on the Mac, but that should have been obvious to me. On my Mac, I can open System Preferences, tap on "Sound," and navigate to "Input" to adjust my Input Level. I cannot do that on my iPad. On the iPad I am stuck with only application settings, yet on the Mac can adjust microphone levels in the application. I am currently using Amadeus Pro on the OS X side of things. I can adjust every aspect of my recording with numerous “Effects Settings.” With Garage Band on the iPad, I only have a couple of settings:

• Solo = On/Off


• Track Volume


• Echo Level


• Reverb Level

What happens then is the microphone does 2 things, it will pick up a ton of background noise and it will pick up any heavy breathing. After you record on your iPad in Garageband, you do have the option for a few additional effects such as:

• Small Room


• Large Room


• Dry


• Several other sounds

You can also adjust the Compressor and Original Volume of the recording as well in Garageband, but honestly the quality of the recording is still just “okay." The recording leaves a lot to be desired. You can really get a sense for how bad the recording sounds if you have a decent set of headphones on. If you are listening through your computer speakers the sound is decent, but with headphones on you can really tell a huge difference in quality.

Back to the Blue Snowball, if you are looking for a great microphone at an affordable price, then you can’t go wrong with the Snowball. It is designed beautifully, very sturdy, and offers an overall great sound on your desktop/laptop and your iPad. You will get a much better sound quality with the Blue Snowball than you will with the built-in microphone or earbuds with microphone.

Features:

• Condenser, Pressure Gradient


• Omnidirectional or Cardioid


• Frequency Response: 40–18kHz


• Sample/Word Rate: 44.1 kHz/16 Bit


• Weighs 460 grams


• OS X or Windows XP, Vista, 7

Pros:

• Plug n’ Play


• Great sound quality


• Use from all angles


• Adjustable stand


• Works great with the iPad or Mac

Cons:

• USB cable was cheaply made


• Bulky on the desk

Final Thoughts:

I am very impressed with the overall sound of the Blue Microphone.  The iPad has a few limitations as far as settings go, but that is not the Snowball’s fault. It does perform much better than the built-in microphone.  Since I can also use it on my iMac, it delivers a higher quality sound. If you are wanting to do YouTube review videos or start your own podcast, the microphone should be the first thing you upgrade.  If you do upgrade, I'd highly recommend giving the Blue Snowball a look. I am sure you will be just as impressed as I am.

The sound quality is terrific. The microphone is lightweight and comes apart easily if you need to travel with it. The stand it comes with is built of a high quality plastic and has rubber bumpers on the feet that keep it from sliding on your desktop.  This will reduce any vibration that could cause additional background noise when recording. The design will set it apart from other microphones, but the quality is where the Snowball may out perform the competition.

Where to buy:
Purchase the Blue Snowball on Amazon
Purchase the Camera Connection Kit on Amazon
Purchase the Pop Filter on Amazon

Blue Microphone Website
Blue Snowball Manual

Apple's Smart Case

I recently decided to buy an Apple Smart Case for my 3rd generation iPad. To be honest I have no idea why I bought it, I think it was more of an impulse purchase rather than something I needed. Anyway, here is a short review of the Smart Case with my opinions of it and what you can expect out of the Smart Case.

DESIGN

The Smart Case is made of Polyurethane material outside and a microfiber lining on the inside. The Smart Case comes in 6 different colors: light grey, charcoal, sky blue, lime green, light pink, and red. The Smart Case costs $49 and if you buy the Smart Case from the Online Apple Store you can get it laser-engraved with a personalized message. Apple claims the Smart Case will work with both the iPad 2 and the ‘new’ iPad (3rd Generation). The Smart Case reminds me of a hybrid of the 1st generation iPad cases that Apple sold but with the front of a Smart Case. The front cover is magnetic and your iPad will wake from sleep when lifting the cover, it will also put your iPad to “sleep” when closing the cover on the front.

The case will protect the front and back of your iPad from scratches as well as add a vibrant color to your iPad. The case probably will not protect it from drops nor keep the glass from shattering if you were to drop or if your iPad took a hard knock to the screen. This is more of a wear and tear protection cover rather than a keep my iPad safe from rugged usage.

If you fold the Smart Case back the case will double as a stand so if you have an external keyboard you want to use with your iPad or if you want to prop up your iPad so you can watch a movie it will work for that also. Be warned though, using the Smart Case as a stand feels very flimsy to me and the slightest touch to the iPad and it will start rocking back and forth leaving you with the feeling that it is about to crash land! It will also prop up in 2 other directions: Portrait Mode (be very careful) and Landscape Mode with the iPad laying flat but propped up at an angle.

The Smart Case lines up with all the buttons and ports on your iPad. You can easily access the mute switch or rotation lock button on the side of the iPad. The volume buttons are covered but the Smart Case fits over the top of the button and replaces them with rubber like buttons that allow you to adjust the volume the same way as if you didn’t have your iPad in the Smart Case. I did not have any problem plugging my earphones into the earphone jack. The 30-pin cable will fit into the slot perfectly. I did have a problem using my Apple iPad Dock Connector with my iPad while it was in the Smart Case, my iPad would not fit in the slot of the Dock Connector while it was in the Smart Case.

I have noticed that the outside of the case will dirty up fairly easily, if you have owned an Apple Smart Cover then you know what I am talking about. The Smart Case seems very susceptible to smudges and dirt. You can take a damp cloth and wipe it clean though, just remember it is probably a good idea to remove the iPad first.

COMFORT

The iPad will snap into the Smart Case fairly easily and it just wraps around the sides of the iPad. With the iPad in the Smart Case you will not notice any added bulk or weight when carrying your iPad. I have noticed one thing though when carrying the iPad, the edges seem to be “sharp” and if you hold the iPad with the hinge facing up it feels like the edges are digging into your hands. You will also notice this while holding the iPad in your hands while reading a iBook or playing a game.

(View the full gallery. Click to enlarge.)

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PROS

• Protects the front and back from scratches


• Auto-on


• Auto-off


• Lines up with buttons and ports


• Case is magnetic and will wake on opening

CONS

• Flimsy


• Sharp Edges


• It gets dirty easily

FINAL THOUGHTS

The Smart Case is not the cheapest case on the market nor will it keep your iPad the safest. Apple does not claim either of those statements. What it will do is give you piece of mind from the normal wear and tear your iPad will go through on a day to day basis. Kids playing with your iPad, dropping it in a messenger bag or purses, dirty hands, etc. All those things the Smart Case will protect your iPad from. If you were to ask me if I would recommend this case I would give you a resounding YES. It does what Apple intended this case to do and that is protect the outside of the iPad.

Do you have a question or comment? Try me on Twitter

papernomad (review)

For the past week I have been using an iPad case from a company called papernomad™¹. What first attracted me to the product wasn't the aesthetics of the case itself, but the environmentally sensitive design. Most people do not think of damage to the environment when buying things like a case for an iPad or an iPhone, so it is up to the manufacturer to step up and do this thinking for us. This is exactly what papernomad™ has done. A lot of cases are made out of plastic which causes a lot of damage to our environment, but papernomad™ is crafted from 100% natural resources.

papernomad™ was also a 2012 REDDOT DESIGN AWARD winner.

The Material

The case uses what is called Virgin Kraft Paper for the outside of the case, the inside of the case uses sheep's wool and the strap is made from hemp fibers. I know what you are thinking, how can a paper case protect my $829² iPad? A couple of things about the material of the case; the Kraft paper is tear-resistant, it is even somewhat water proof, if you spill something on the case it will not be damaged. Just let it dry and after a few hours you will never know that anything ever spilled on your papernomad™ case. Unless , of course, it is coffee. You might have some staining issues then, but you get the point.

The strap of the case has a very small magnet inside and when it touches the front of the case which also has a very small magnet it will snap to it to keep your iPad secure in place and keep it from sliding out. The strap also doubles as a way to remove the iPad from the case, when you tug up on the strap it pulls the iPad up out of the case. Similar to those straps on electronic devices that allow you to remove the batteries from the device.

The Design

If you are an artist or love to doodle you can draw or color on the case, after all it is paper. If you check the papernomad™ website you will see some beautiful animations of cases that have been graffitied with some inspiring artful drawings and stickers. When I showed my daughter the case, then the website, after about 30 seconds she asked if she could color my review case. I guess not only will the papernomad™ case protect your iPad but it could also be considered fun for the whole family, as well as a 'green' product.

The Quality

I am very impressed with the quality of the case, the design of it is amazing. When toting my iPad around in the papernomad™ I felt a bit of nostalgia. It reminded me of my high school years, using paper covers on my text books. I guess just the feel of the case brought that out. I did stretch my papernomad™ case by trying to use it on my iPad 1³ then swapping to my iPad 2 and 'new' iPad (3rd Generation). Even after it being stretched out a bit I never felt my 3rd generation iPad was going to slide out when walking with my iPad tucked into the papernomad™ case. The magnets are not that strong but they still do the job. I feel very confident using this case as my everyday case to protect my iPad.

The Comfort

The papernomad™ case does not add any bulk to carrying the iPad at all. It still feels just as thin as carrying just the iPad, of course it is a little thicker but you will not noticed it in your hands when walking around with your iPad in the case. The case does not have any slots for any of the ports on the iPad but if you insert your iPad into the case with the headphone jack facing up you will not have any problems keeping it in the case and using your earbuds or headphones. I have a pair of SMS Audio Hybrid Headphones and I never experienced any issues using the headphones in either mode (wired or wireless with adapter) while it was in the papernomad™ case.

Pros:

• 100% Natural Product


• Environmentally conscience product


• Sleek design


• Different


• Protects the iPad


• Well Designed


• Artistic

Cons:

• Magnet is not that strong


• If you use it with an iPad 1 it will stretch the case and make it loose fitting for the iPad 2 or new iPad

Final Verdict:

If you are wanting something environmentally conscience that will do a terrific job of protecting your investment then grab a papernomad™ case for not only your iPad but also your Macbook Pro, Macbook Air, iPhone and iPod. They make cases for the entire Apple lineup of portable devices. I can't write enough about how impressed I am with this case. I have tried plenty of cases for my iPads over that last 2 1/2 years and this is probably the first case that I will actually stick with. This is nothing more than a case, but a damn fine one at that!

You can find out more about papernomad™ on these terrific websites:
papernomad Website
papernomad Story
Like the papernomad on Facebook
Watch the  papernomad videos on YouTube
Follow papernomad on Twitter

Disclaimer: I contacted the company and asked for a review product, I was not paid for this review. I found it to be something I was interested in and wanted to review it for myself.

¹ That is how the company spells papernomad, with a lowercase 'p' and all one word.
² I have a 64GB, LTE iPad (3). iPads start at $499 for the current model.
³ The case is designed for all 3 generation iPads.

** Quick note, the papernomad case is designed for all 3 generations of iPad. In the video I mentioned it was only iPad 2 and iPad (3rd generation).

Check out my gallery of the papernomad™ case. (Click to Enlarge)

papernomad

Rocketfish iPad 2 Keyboard Capsule

Anyone who has ever used an iPad for an extended period of time will know that although it is a phenomenally useful tool, the onscreen keyboard is pain because (a) it lacks the tactile experience preferred by typists and (b) takes up valuable screen real estate. I am not a natural touch typist either so I often end up with the letter 'n' where there should actually be a 'space'. As a result an external keyboard is a sound investment in this instance.

There are literally hundreds of Bluetooth keyboards available and I picked up the Rocketfish capsule for just £11 (about $17 USD at current rates including postage) second hand from Ebay to prove to myself whether I actually wanted a keyboard or not.

The photos will immediately reveal two things about the Rocketfish unit; (1) it is massive and (2) it's ugly. This is not a sleek unit with a lovely appearance, this is a hardcore keyboard case which sheds aesthetics for functionality. For many Apple fans the Rocketfish capsule will be an abomination, but the unit fulfils its role perfectly. The case is sturdy and will protect your iPad from almost everything bar a direct nuclear strike. The keyboard itself features slightly smaller than normal keys but they are well-spaced making it simple and comfortable to use.

Pros
+ Incredible build quality - definitely protects your iPad
+ Great, responsive keyboard with additional function keys for useful tasks like copy and paste
+ Fully compatible with the new iPad too (I know because I checked)
+ Battery lasts weeks between charges
+ Cutouts with rubber 'plugs' allowing access to all the iPad's ports
+ Metal hing mechanism is much more sturdy than some other keyboard cases

Cons
+ Very heavy - adds considerable weight to your iPad
+ Size - see the photo which shows how much thicker the case is than an iPad!
+ Ugly
+ Screen angle is not ideal for use on your lap

The Rocketfish is a great, but not perfect, iPad accessory. It has certainly helped prove that I really do need an iPad keyboard for my freelance writing business, but this one may not be the one. The quest continues...

 

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Full specs available from Rocketfish are available here: http://www.rocketfishproducts.com/products/mobile-phones-gps/RF-ICAP14.html

Targus - Citygear Mini (Review)

I have been using this Targus bag for about a month now, it is a messenger style iPad bag made of Nylon. This is a great, inexpensive day to day bag. I do recommend it if you want something durable as a second messenger bag. It is probably not ideal as a main messenger bag do to the comfort of it and it is nylon so the design is not the greatest, but this is all opinion, I prefer leather myself.

It has quite a few different storage compartments and plenty of room to store more than just your iPad. A netbook would fit in this case along with your iPad if you needed to carry both.

Dimensions of the bag:

Interior - 10.62" x 1.5" X 7.52"

Exterior - 10.75" x 3.8" x 8.75"



The strap on the bag is decent length, I measured it at about 4ft. long. The shoulder pad is not very padded and it may be uncomfortable after a while, but the bag does have a carrying handle on the top of it so if it starts to get heavy or rub against your neck you can carry the bag as well.



The compartment on the front has a couple of slots for either pens or maybe a stylus. It also features a compartment for your iPhone as well as another slot for cables or maybe your camera connection kit. Be aware though this open slot is not ideal, I noticed that if you tip the bag upside down or sideways you may risk losing any of your items that are in there, it is probably more ideal for a cable or two.



I found the iPhone compartment to be very snug as well, my iPhone only has a bumper cover on it and it barely fit in the slot. If you have a case on your iPhone you may find that it will not fit into the phone storage area. Also, if you have a larger phone such as an Android phone that will most likely not fit either since they tend to have larger screens and are wider phones.



On the front of the bag there is another pouch with a zipper that is more ideal for your camera connection kit or Square adapter. There is not a lot of room in this front pouch but it will fit the camera kit and Square card reader nicely, the Apple headphones will fit in there also.



Will 2 iPads fit? Yes they will, matter of fact I was able to fit 3 iPads in this bag. It was snug but I fit my iPad 1, iPad 2 and new iPad (3) all in this case. There is only one slot that is designed for the iPad, it is a padded compartment and is designed to protect the iPad against scratches and bumps. The divide in the bag allows for storage of other items or a netbook, but if you have more than one iPad it will fit nicely in there. The padded compartment fits the iPad nicely with the Smart Cover on it, I am not sure about a case on the iPad though. It may fit depending on the case and how thick it is, but you might have to work it in there as the iPad is pretty snug with just the Smart Cover.



On the back of the bag there is another pouch that seals with velcro, this is probably an ideal place for more cables or maybe even the 10w iPad charger. You could keep it in the front pouch or the empty slot in the area where I was putting my other iPads. But this feels like an ideal slot for it.



Last but not least, the keyboard. Yes I was able to fit my Apple bluetooth keyboard into the bag although it was not an ideal fit, it does fit in there but barely, it was very snug.



Overall I am happy with this as a second bag, I can see myself using this in many different situations such as going to the beach or if it is raining outside. I would rather bring this bag since it is nylon and it will not get ruined if it gets a few raindrops on it. It is a very inexpensive bag, I paid $30 for it so I can be a little rougher than normal with it and save my main iPad bag for more professional situations or when I go on vacation. This is a great day to day bag that I can put all the wear and tear I want on it.

Size 4/5

Design 3/5

Durability 3/5

Weight 4/5

Storage Space 5/5

Purchase on Amazon ($30.57 USD) Targus Citygear Mini