Vintage Apple

Schreer’s cases span several well-loved product lines, starting with the original Macintosh all-in-one.  The Retro Macintosh features the beloved rainbow Apple logo, beige plastic, and a variety of ports including old-school SCSI and couple DIN connectors.  The Classic iMac hearkens back to the second incarnation of the famous all-in-one that saved Apple back in the late ’90s, with five “lickable” rainbow colors to choose from and even some pinstripe plastic for extra schmaltzy “remember when?” moments.  Other retro designs include an iPod and G4 ‘Graphite” Power Macintosh design.

Other Designs

Should vintage Apple not be the look you desire, Schreer makes a number of other incredible cases. The cases are of the hard-plastic variety, but use a tromp l’oleil printing method to achieve three-dimensional realism – the leather and burled walnut look like real leather and woodgrain. The non-Apple designs span several ancient civilizations themes, including an accurate rendering of the Rosetta Stone, an imprint of the Aztec Calendar, and a Mayan relief carving. Several fantasy themes are available for the non historically-minded, like Chinese Dragons, Elvish Ranger, and Chain Mail; nods to the popular TV show Lost include a Dharma Initiative logo case and a photo-realistic rendering of the Hatch.

All Schreer cases offer full access to all ports and switches, and are compatible with both the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. The designs are printed deep into the plastic shell cases so they resist fading or scratching away, which is a good thing because these cases are sure to draw comment. Most are $45 plus shipping and handling, with payment handled via PayPal (Schreer does accept credit cards through PayPal). Since the nostalgia Apple cases have been getting some coverage in the blogosphere, they have gone temporarily out of stock, but be sure to check back often. Any one of these cases is a guaranteed conversation starter, especially if you manage to find a real vintage Mac user (and not one of the newbies who joined during Apple’s ‘Aqua’ phase)!

Product [Schreer Delights]

So, what do you say? Shall we take a look, then?

All Jack Boutique

One of my favorite items of the entire show, iPhone case or not, was All Jack Boutique’s Formati Collection for iPhone 4S. This line of CNC machine tooled cases contained some of the coolest and most unique options I’ve seen in quite some time, in both design and construction.

But I’ve already covered these in our Surprising Finds article, so head over there for information and images. That’s important, because their website is still under construction so you won’t be seeing anymore there fore now. I was told at the show, though, that the line should be released by the end of February, so watch for it.

Product [All Jack Boutique]

Hub Innovations

People often use the word “bling” to describe their products. This is perhaps the most accurate use yet. Hub’s Couture line of cases for iPhone 4/4S features Swarovski Crystals on the back of the case, pretty much ensuring people are going to notice just what type of phone you have.

Each case is individually hand made in the U.S.A., and the various designs (Classic, Pretty, and Punx Not Dead) are available in pink, black and white. If you’re thinking one of these would make a great Valentine’s gift, I’m afraid you’re too late for that. Because of high demand, each order takes about seven to ten days to ship. My apologies for the late notice.

Product [Hub Innovations]

Lafeada

Lafeada had a few different collections on display, most of which carried softer, more elegant stylings than what we’ll otherwise see here. Their Halo (including a model with more of those Swarovski Crystals), Belle and Arrow designs are shown below, but you’ll want to visit their website to also view the Spectrum and Armor models.

Lafeada prides itself on designing products that are young, lively and eco-friendly, but they’re equally focused on being customer friendly. Many of their collections are available in Family Packs (three colors in one pack), Plus Packs (iPhone case, screen guard and case guard) and/or Combo Packs (include a stylus). And speaking of styli, check out their i-Liner and Lip-Stick models. Not my thing, but they would be for those who love to accessorize.

Product [Lafeada]

Molife

Molife showed off a fairly large collection of cases at the show, but my favorite line was their 100% Aluminum Finish panels which work in conjunction with their MoBezel bumpers. As the company says, “Mopanel Aluminium features a perfect cut at the back to give your smart phone the perfect fit. These wow-worthy statement panels will refresh and reinvent the look of your smart phone.”

Included in this set is their horoscope line, pictured above. I’ve got no interest in horoscopes, but those are some pretty slick designs, and you can mix and match your “bumper” colors for a good variety of customization options.

Product [moLife]

STYL

Play. Live. Forever. That’s STYL’s advice. I say stick with the just first two, but I’m also not trying to inspire you to buy iPhone 4/4S cases like those pictured below.

STYL was actually focusing on their headphones and iPad cases at the show. And although they have a fairly slick Express Wallet Case and a Combat Case designed specifically for gamers on the way, it’s the cases above that mostly attracted my attention. I like the unique choice of colors and the basic designs. They had a nice, soft feel to them, too. These are just prototypes, however, and the colors/designs could change before their release.

Product [STYL]

Tru Protection

Tru Protection had a couple of collections they were showing off, including the Heather Brown Collection (below left).

These cases in their Air Jacket line are just 1mm thick and are printed with durable ink on 100% post-consumer recycled plastic. Truth be told, I dig the cases on the right, more, but they’re not yet (no longer?) available at the Tru Protection website.

Product [Tru Protection]

Visbyh

This line of iPhone 4/4S cases is, obviously, all about color. If you couldn’t tell that from the names of the available models—Santorini Green, Sparkling Blue, Venom Pink, Lightning Orange, etc.—you could surely tell from the photo below.

Beyond the color, the cases are your standard soft-touch hardshell construction, and take the Slender name seriously; they’re quite a bit thinner than they appear inside those bulky plastic containers. If all you need to make a statement with your iPhone case is bold color, this is certainly the way to go.

Product [Visbyh]

White Diamonds

And finally, we end with White Diamonds; “Purity, brilliance and … perfection!” as they’ll tell you. And I’ll be honest…this is one of the few high-fashion case designs I could actually see myself using.

The Swarovski name appears here again, but many of the cases still manage to have a somewhat masculine design to them despite all the sparkles. White Diamonds works with artists Vince Fraser and Franke for some rather stunning designs, but I personally prefer their cases that just use color gradations to achieve their desired effect.

Product [White Diamonds]

Interested in using your iPad 2 as a secondary monitor or touchscreen computer? There are various apps that let you do that, and now there’s some hardware, too. Twelve South has unveiled HoverBar, an adjustable arm that floats an iPad 2 next to an iMac or Apple display. The HoverBar can also be used separately to create a compact iPad workstation or an install-free kitchen mount for iPad.

HoverBar turns iPad into the ultimate sidecar for an iMac or Apple display, presenting more ways to use iPad more often. Connect HoverBar to your Mac, snap iPad 2 into the secure clip and you now have one powerful dual-computer work setup. Having iPad floating next to your Mac allows you to monitor your Twitter stream, stocks and local weather — or run FaceTime on your iPad while you email, edit a file, or cut a video on your Mac. There is no reason to leave iPad in your computer bag when you have a HoverBar. This accessory expands the way you use and interact with iPad 2.

HoverBar features a black, heavy-gauge, adjustable steel arm that lets users position iPad beside or above their Mac. Simply flex the HoverBar arm to find the ideal position for viewing, swiping or tapping iPad. HoverBar has a solid metal, silicone lined clamp that can be attached to any iMac or Apple display with an L-shaped stand. The easy on, easy off clamp leaves no marks and is secured with an included allen wrench. Designed specifically for iPad 2, the secure, ball-mounted iPad display clip can be rotated horizontally or vertically and can also be tilted back and forth. HoverBar does not interfere with the use of a Smart Cover.

With it’s two-way mounting clamp, the HoverBar can be connected to any surface up to one inch thick, regardless of proximity to your computer. Attach it to a kitchen cabinet or counter to follow a recipe or cooking video while preparing dinner.

Create a compact, dorm room workstation. Use it to interact with your favorite DJ or music apps. Create a steering wheel for racing apps. The uses are up to you.

Product [HoverBar]

Sales:

• New - Hub Innovations is offering 15% off on all pink, white and red products from now until February 17th.  From iPad and iPhone cases to new sleek and architectural stands for all smartphones and tablets, Hub would like to show some Valentine’s Day love to iDevice owners.
• New - To celebrate Valentine’s Day, ProCamera is having a sweet sale and dropping the price. ProCamera is a well-balanced 5-in-1 app that has still-photo, video, photo editing tools, social networking support, and camera related utilities. A straightforward and intuitive design makes ProCamera very easy to use. 
• Whether it’s your first Valentine’s Day together or your fifteenth, give a gift they’ll love all year long through Apple’s Online Store. Shop their Gift Guide for a handpicked collection of accessories— including many exclusives—for iPad, iPhone, iPod, and Mac. All with free shipping.
  
• TheInformedChef helps you make this Valentine’s Day special with a 40% discount on cooking for two App for iPad. Serves Two 1.0 is both the perfect Valentine’s day gift for for the love of your life and an invaluable aid for cooking up the perfect Valentine’s day meal for that special person. Featuring 25 brand new recipes from award winning cookbook author Carla Snyder. Inside the App are recipes for complete made-from-scratch-meals, with one pan clean-up and ready to eat in about 30 minutes. Serves Two 1.0 is available for iPad and iPad 2 now on the App Store in the Lifestyle category for just $5.99 (USD) until 14 February 2012.
• CaseMate wants you to give “the perfect gift for the perfect someone,” and they want you to do it for 20% off. Use code VALENTINE12 when checking out to get any iDevice accessory 20% storewide, including custom items.

iOS Games:

• Boy Loves Girl has been beautified and adorns the App Store now! It’s the perfectly pretty, pulse-pumping game this Valentine’s Day, available on the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The new and updated Boy Loves Girl has lots of gorgeous features. It’s now stunningly attractive with Retina graphics and looking even more colourful and crisp. The image quality on all devices has been improved, making the new romantic experience available to all. The newly updated High Definition Boy Loves Girl will mesmerise eyes, win hearts, captivate minds and take players on the ultimate journey of love.
• Atari’s Breakout Boost has received a Valentine’s Day level pack update today with 50 new levels and brick layouts to celebrate the holiday spirit. Hopeless romantics across the globe can compete for leaderboard placement and earn new achievements while showing their love with the new Cupid’s Arrow power up. Players can purchase the new content for $0.99 by updating their App and selecting the Valentine’s Day Pack under “New Game.”
• Bumping Bears is a social virtual pets game for iPhone, iPad, and Android where players adopt bears to play with and raise on their very own donut planet in the wider bear galaxy. Users can find other players in their area using geolocation. The game has a special feature that encourages off-line courtship. When players meet-up, they can bump their phones together causing their bears to date and mate. Virtual love could be just the beginning!
• GemBoulder has created a fun and innovative social dating application that allows users to find and get to know new friends from all over the world for the upcoming Valentine’s day. WeNowBuddy has different features for single or multiplayer options. Users looking for love only need the WeNowBuddy app and their Apple/Android device to play the single player Image Game.
  
• Tweens and Tweens HD, games for iPhones, iPads and iPods, now have a completely new game mode especially designed for the special occasion of Valentine’s Day. As before, in Tweens, you race against the clock to match same colored pigs, but in special designed Valentine´s Edition mode it is not enough – additionally pigs must be different gender.
  

iOS Cards/Gifts/Romance:

• Share the love on your iPhone this Valentine’s Day with an old school, vintage Valentine’s with Retro Valentine’s for iPhone. This app includes 10 uniquely designed “retro” inspired cards, as well as 10 customizable cards that let you add a photo stored in your photo library or a picture that can be taken with the camera and send it to someone you care about. The vintage artwork for the cards were exclusively designed for this app and will not be found elsewhere.
• MobileChamps has introduced Valentine Day Cards 5.5 for iOS, their Social Networking app that offers 35 different Valentine’s Day decorative frames for photos shot on any camera-equipped iDevice. Users can create their own message on the card or use one of the 30 included. Offering four types of frames, Valentine Hearts, Flowers, Candy, and Romantic Fantasy, the app produces memorable Valentine’s Day cards instantly that may be saved or shared via integrated email, Facebook, or Twitter.
  
• Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Code Parable has announced that their first app, Helpful Romantic, is now available exclusively for iPhone and iPod touch. Helpful Romantic offers ideas for gifts, dates and romantic gestures by utilizing a significant other’s unique personality. In addition, users can catalogue all the important aspects of their relationship for easy access. Helpful Romantic was designed to equip anyone with ideas that fit their spouse, girlfriend or boyfriend’s personality.
  
• SinglesAroundMe (SAM) is a fun app that is spreading quickly around the world. It allows users to meet singles around them from 100 feet to 100 miles of their location anywhere on earth. The app is bridging the gap between our digital world and real-life by allowing busy people to meet other singles in real-life rather than hiding behind a computer screen like traditional dating sites.
• Take romantic love photos with fantastic Valentine effects and send them to the one you love. Valentine Cam adds dozens of Valentine effects to your camera or local photos. Share a photo with a great Happy Valentine’s Day banner with your family or friends. Your Valentine fun is not just between you and your lover. Take a photo with you and your lover in a beautiful Valentine frame. Send your beloved one a photo gift with you holding a cute “I Love You” heart. Confess your secret love by giving your lover a red rose with “Be Mine” on it.

iOS Accessories:

• Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Soundfreaq’s Sound Step LOVE is now available. Soundfreaq is warming our hearts and our ears with a solid red edition of its highly-praised Sound Step Recharge. The LOVE edition offers the same Bluetooth capabilities, functionality and impressive sound as the original, but in a sleek red design, to accent any décor with a great pop of color. Sound Step Recharge allows users to charge and stream music wirelessly from multiple devices including the iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Android and Blackberry and allows iPad users to dock and charge their iPad, with or without the case. Sound Step also offers a built-in rechargeable battery—perfect for portability.
• This Valentine’s Day, the JAMBOX by Jawbone wireless speaker is the perfect present. It’ll connect with your iPhone to play those sweet “Valen-tunes” for your honey; it’ll bring your favorite flicks to life when you watch Netflix from your iPad; and you can even use it as a speakerphone if your loved one is in a faraway place. While JAMBOX ($199), designed by Yves Behar, comes in four hip colors and designs, we think the “RED DOT” version is just perfect for Valentine’s Day.  And, to really set the mood, you can download Jawbone’s “Valentones” AudioApps available via MyTalk (these are a must listen, think Bombshell gone sexier!) to ensure your red hot JAMBOX whispers those sweet nothings to your Valentine.

Macintosh Software:

• Graphic Node has introduced yet another update to its Pages Templates collection for Apple’s popular publishing application. In addition to 712 layouts from the previous version, the updated variety contains 71 new slickly designed, elegant templates. These include 50 cute templates for Valentine’s day cards. The upgraded package maintains the diverse selection of template types introduced in the earlier versions, such as Greeting Card, Letter, Poster, and even Playing Cards.

Typing on the iPad has always been a bit of a chore. The on-screen software keyboard is great because it allows the entire device to be devoted to the screen, providing maximum real estate to apps and an acceptable compromise when a keyboard is needed. Still, the lack of physical keys makes it difficult to type purely by touch, and looking down at your fingers slows down typing. Simply put, the iPad is an impractical tool for extended writing or rapid note taking without an external keyboard, but those add weight, another battery to keep charged, and Bluetooth pairing headaches. The iKeyboard aims to add a tactile layer between the iPad’s soft keyboard and your fingers, allowing you to type as much as you would on a laptop without wasting time looking at your fingers.

What Is It?

The iKeyboard is composed of three elements in a super slim and very light package. A thin membrane of keys resembling bubble wrap is slotted into a plastic frame that outlines the iPad keyboard. These plastic bubbles provide approximately the same amount of key tension as Apple’s laptop and Bluetooth keyboards, so typing is natural and easy. On the back of the plastic are four special removable adhesives that hold the iKeyboard snugly on the screen, but release easily with a simple tug on the frame’s corner.

Applying the iKeyboard is simple—just line up the interior edge of the plastic frame (where the keys start) with the edge of the iPad’s screen. It helps to have the on-screen keyboard displayed for alignment purposes. Once in place, locate your home keys and type away. When done typing, the iKeyboard lifts with gentle pressure from any of the four corners, and the adhesive strip along the bottom of the device will hold it firmly in place along the iPad’s bezel away from the screen.  When you pack up, simply place the iKeyboard in the middle of the iPad and close your Smart Cover over it—the slim design means the iPad’s magnets still close securely.

Does It Work?

With a few caveats (see below), the answer is yes. The tactile feedback provided by the iKeyboard lets your brain know your fingers are in the right place, so you do not need to look down and make sure your thumb is actually on the spacebar instead of just the iPad’s bezel. According to the inventor, the premise of the iKeyboard is to utilize your muscle memory and free your attention. Years of repetitive typing have wired our brains to know, without looking down at our keyboards, that when we push our left pointer finger it will type an F, and when we move that finger up we get an R or T.

The tactile feedback introduced by the iKeyboard really does make it easier to focus your attention away from the iPad’s screen and on the task at hand. Students taking lecture notes can look at the board and their professor, business meeting attendees can focus on the speaker, and a reporter interviewing a local celebrity can direct full attention to the subject. Since the iKeyboard fits directly on the iPad’s screen, you can use it anywhere you would use an iPad alone: on a lap, on a table in front of you, airplane tray table, etc.

One area where the iKeyboard excels is in assistive use; the iPad’s on-screen keyboard is of absolutely no use to people with visual disabilities. A real, physical keyboard complete with home row markers (embossed ridges on the ‘F’ and ‘J’ keys) mean that it’s possible to type without ever needing to look at the screen (assuming, of course, the iPad is on and running an app displaying a keyboard, for which VoiceOver is required).

Caveats

One of the biggest benefits of the iPad’s soft keyboard is its ability to change layout depending on the task at hand. When entering a URL in Safari, you will never need a space bar, so the keyboard instead displays a series of URL-acceptable punctuation marks.  When entering addresses in Mail, the keyboard displays an underscore and dash to the right of the keyboard, but those keys switch to a single key that invokes the symbol keyboard when you begin typing the subject. This chameleon quality means the best possible keyboard is always available, but it breaks both the muscle memory and, in some cases, the template used by the iKeyboard, which obviously does not change dependent on the task at hand.

Other caveats include:

• Symbol keyboard is still non-standard, so no muscle memory exists. Mavis Beacon needs to create an iPad alt-keyboard module.
• Only works with the iPad keyboard full screen and docked at the bottom. Otherwise, the black plastic frame covers a large portion of the screen.
• iPad’s keyboard is different from a standard keyboard. Most obvious, the colon and apostrophe keys are hidden in the symbol keyboard rather than between the L and Return keys.  When typing contractions, it takes quite a while to learn not to reach out from your home row with a pinky (which inserts a carriage return on the iPad).

For casual use of the iPad or extreme situations where weight,  bulk, and battery power must be carefully conserved, the iKeyboard provides an excellent enhancement to Apple’s on-screen keyboard. The ability to quickly install the iKeyboard when it is needed and just as quickly remove it when it is not make this a product great for infrequent or casual typing needs.

Long term typers or writers doing extensive work may find a full-sized Bluetooth keyboard both more comfortable and more practical due to the iPad’s unconventional key layout and the iKeyboard’s inability to adapt to the context-specific keyboards the iPad displays.

Appletell Rating:

Buy the iKeyboard

NuView Dock Charger (IPA5000)

The beauty of Cirago’s iDevice accessories lies in their simplicity.  Most of them do one thing and do it very well for situations that Apple’s in-the-box accessories do not cover.  The NuView is a prime example. With the release of the iPad 2, Apple stopped offering an iPad dock (the first generation was still available, but not recommended due to changes in the iPad’s design).  The NuView suffers from no such limitation, as it happily accommodates both iPad and iPad 2 models in portrait orientation for charging.  Should you wish to watch a movie in landscape, simply flip the dock around and lay the iPad into the cushioned track, where it is held at the perfect angle for viewing (or swiping through Flipboard articles, tapping through puzzle games, etc.).  The NuView holds the iPad snugly enough for solid tapping in either portrait or landscape orientation, and the rubber feet on the bottom of the unit hold the dock firmly in place on a desk/table no matter how wildly you stab at the screen to get in one last word in Scramble With Friends.  The included wall charger provides power to charge your iPad when docked vertically; horizontal docking offers no charging capability.

10 ft USB Sync/Charge Cable (IPA1200)

This one wins for sheer simplicity of naming—it is a 10-foot USB cable with an Apple Dock Connector on one end and a USB-A connector (the wide flat one) on the other. What it lacks in other features it more than makes up for in utility, as Apple’s own included Dock Connector cable is a meager three(ish) feet long, and is often too short. Rather than perch an iPhone precariously or leave it on the floor where it might be stepped on because a plug is too far away, Cirago’s 10-foot cable easily reaches. The increasing number of cars with integrated USB ports is also growing, so hiding an iDevice out of sight in a glove box or cubby is much easier when cable length is not a restriction. To support the additional length, the IPA 1200 is thicker than Apple’s standard cable (more than twice as wide), with extra shielding to prevent breakage. The cable uses the USB 2.0 spec, and supports all iPhone, iPad, and iPod models (4th generation and up).

USB Sync/Charge Cable Kit (IMA1000)

The Sync/Charge is a crafty little chameleon—the kit includes a 6-foot USB to Micro-USB cable, and a brilliant Micro-USB to 30-pin Dock adapter. Many consumer electronics have adopted the Micro-USB as a standard connection for charging and syncing, and, in fact, Micro-USB was adopted as a standard for cellphone chargers in Europe (even Apple signed on, though the Dock Connector is still as ubiquitous as ever). Many devices Stateside—such as Bluetooth headsets from Jawbone, Cirago’s own Bluetooth iPad keyboard case, and many digital cameras—use the Micro-USB for charging and computer syncing, so this Sync/Charge system cuts down on the number of cables one must carry. The cable is 6 feet long (again a handy feature for hard-to-reach outlets), and it is also thicker than Apple’s cable for extra durability. The Dock Connector adaptor is well built and feels durable, and the connection of the Micro-USB to Dock adaptor is solid.

If you’re a guitarist with an iOS device, you ought to have an adapter to connect the two. Guitar apps for iOS are simply amazing. They can do things that just a few years ago required at least a multi-effects processor many times the size of an iPhone. Analog solutions are available from many companies, but Line 6 thought they could do better. So, they made the Line 6 Mobile In. It’s a digital guitar adapter that uses the dock connection to interface your iOS device with your guitar. But there’s more; a whole app more. As if a digital input that works with other guitar effects apps wasn’t enough, Line 6 is giving away their Mobile POD app, and it’s awesome.

The first thing you should know is what sets the Mobile In apart from other guitar adapters. You’ve probably seen other solutions that plug into the headphone port on an iOS device. These rely on the device’s own hardware to convert analog signals into something the app can process and make sound better. The problem here is that better audio in almost always corresponds directly to better audio out, and analog isn’t the best for audio quality. Sure, in most cases, it works just fine. But if you really care about how your guitar sounds, you’ll want to go digital.

Here’s where the Mobile In steps up. It plugs into the dock connector on your iOS device, allowing for a digital connection that sounds amazing. It also means there’s no need for a battery (since it gets its power from the device) and there’s no signal loss. There are 110 dB of dynamic range to play around with on this input. Not bad, not bad at all. Plus there’s a stereo output for when your iOS device isn’t the end of the chain (ie. plug it into an amp).

Looking at the dongle adapter, you’d probably guess that you won’t be using a standard guitar cable with the Mobile In. While they include the cables you need to use the Mobile In, this is probably the biggest flaw I could find with the interface. I also dislike this style of dongle adapter as it prohibits the use of most iPhone cases and doesn’t stay attached particularly well. I’d have much preferred an adapter with a 30 pin connector, a short, flexible cable with inputs on the end. Neither of these are issues to get worked up about, though.

On it’s own, the Mobile In is a great product. It’s one of the only solutions available that gives you a digital connection to your iOS device, which translates to better signal processing and better guitar audio. Plus it’s super mobile. But the kicker is that Line 6 throws in amazing app called Mobile POD.

For Line 6, it has almost always been all about the POD, and the Mobile In is really no exception. The Mobile POD is everything the red, kidney bean shaped multi-effects processor ever was and more. It’s a guitar gear modeling app with 32 guitar amps, 16 stompbox and rack effects, and 16 guitar cabinets. Each model has a plethora of settings, making for a mind boggling amount of tonal possibilities. But let’s assume for a second you have absolutely no talent for building your own guitar tones. No worries, there are over 10,000 presets readily available right in the app via their preset sharing methods. And what really seals the deal is that they don’t charge extra for the app.

Let me type that again. They don’t charge you for the adapter and the app separately. The app is totally free. In fact, you could go download Mobile POD right now. The only gotcha is that it only functions with a Mobile In adapter. Seems more than fair to me.

Overall, Line 6 has a real winner on their hands with the Mobile In and Mobile POD app combo. It’s an amazing portable, digital guitar interface for iOS plus an amazing app. You can use it for practicing at home or playing on stage. Now, you can have amazing guitar audio quality without a van full of gear and a mess of cables; all you need is an iOS device and $79.99 for a Line 6 Mobile In.

Appletell Rating:

Buy the Line 6 Mobile In

Confused? Let’s let them explain:

The Karotz “smart” rabbit is the first-ever hardware device tailor-made especially for Facebook. It is the third generation of the multipurpose, internet-connected rabbits which first launched in 2005 as Nabaztag, and has since become an Internet icon. The immensely popular robotic companions transform daily life by providing a link to family, friends and the world. Karotz is now compatible with Facebook—a wonderful addition to its already extensive range of features.

Karotz can record and post status updates as an audio file, text or photo directly to your Facebook wall.  You can speak directly to Karotz and share news and thoughts with friends at any time of day in real time by updating your Facebook status. You can also show friends what Karotz sees by taking a picture of yourself via the built-in webcam and posting it directly on your Facebook wall. In a few days friends will also be able to take control of your new companion Karotz via the Facebook app to communicate with you by sending messages and audio files and even you sending a poke.

A poke? That option’s still there?

You put Karotz into active mode by saying “Facebook,” and can then take pictures to post to your wall, dictate text to update your status and send messages, and even have Karotz read other posts to you. All without your computer or mobile device.

More features will be added to those already in place, and various accessories are already available. And for greater control, the free Karotz Controller application is currently available from the App Store and Android Market!

Karotz is available now for $129.99.

Product [Karotz]

Monster’s Clarity HD Model One had me thinking back to party night at church camp in my younger years, and the sound system that was required to fill an outdoor pavilion with the music of Styx, Duran Duran or Tommy James and the Shondells, depending upon the era. Those speakers were towers, and there were stacks of LPs or CDs in milk crates surrounding them. Not fun to lug around.

The relatively tiny Clarity HD Model One may have been able to out-power those rigs, and all from a tiny little iPod.

The Clarity HD Model One’s strongest feature is the fact its “voiced for high resolution playback of digital audiofiles,” as the website states. Monster says this allows the system to reproduce all genres of music with amazing fidelity. They aren’t lying. No matter what style of music I put through these—whether listening to classical in my office or the Talking Heads while moving into and setting up our new location—the speakers sounded great and filled the room(s) well. Crossover is handled entirely in the digital domain, so there’s no signal degradation as music passes from low to high volume and from deep bass to high trebles.

This is important, because you know the Clarity HD Model One is going to sound good when you want it to fill the room. But when you need it turned down (and you will—way down—because it doesn’t take much for these to get too loud), your audio is as clear as it is when allowed to work towards full power. The twin 6.5″ woofers and 1″ silk dome tweeters have active crossovers and are bi-amplified with digital amps, offering great balance no matter what the volume. But if you’re finding the highs to be too bright, you can adjust that with the high frequency level dial (+2db to natural to -2db).

The Clarity HD has some other great features, too. First, it’s easily transported. Each 16 x 9 x 6.25 inch speaker includes a handle at the top, making it simple to carry the system around. Once you’ve got them where you want them, connect the two speakers with the included 8-pin DIN passover cable, plug them in, turn them on and you’re set.

You can mount an iPod or iPhone at the top of the active (right) speaker, which can be controlled via the iDevice’s controls or with the included remote control (as expected, it charges the device when plugged in). You can also connect other external devices via 1/8″ mini jack input, RCA composite audio input, or left/right TRS 1/4″ balanced input. There’s even a port for an AAC and apt-x compliant Bluetooth adapter for wireless streaming to the monitor, although the adapter is not included, and I don’t even see that it’s available yet.

The last thing to discuss is the finish. The design is a bit sparse, but we’ll call it modern. Available only in glossy red or yellow, the monitors draw attention to themselves; something to consider if you plan to use them in your home or office. They’re also quite tall, but their triangular design really doesn’t have as much of a footprint as you’d think. I’ve seen much smaller speakers take up more shelf space simply because of their design.

And then, there’s the price. At $750, you’re paying a premium for the Monster name. It’s a premium the company has earned, so it’s not unjustified, but if that’s pushing your budget, you can likely find similar performance for $100 to $200 less if you take the time to shop around.

I just wish I could take these back in time to those party night dances at Camp Piedmont. It would’ve been nice to have a system this powerful and clear that didn’t require its own pickup truck to haul around.

Appletell Rating:

Buy the Monster Clarity HD Model One

The Backstory

Appletell had the chance to catch up with the inventor of the FlyGrip, Michael Karmatz, at MacWorld | iWorld 2012, and he gave us an insight into the genesis of this handy little accessory. Born out of frustration at awkward hand contortions and accidental mistaps on touch screens, Karmatz sketched out an idea for a simple two-finger gripper that would free the thumb from holding the phone and allow its use purely for navigation. On the show floor the FlyGrip booth was swamped with buyers and models in very purple outfits, both creating quite a stir.

This one-handed design frees the user’s other hand to allow better multitasking during casual phone use—using your phone for walking directions does not require your full attention, so why should it require both of your hands? Best of all, the company is based in New York, and all manufacturing happens in the USA, which makes for a pretty sweet deal at only $29.95.

Installation

The FlyGrip is compatible with just about any smartphone or tablet, provided it has a flat, smooth back surface. Obviously, the glass and aluminum that make up most of Apple’s products meet those specs, but other devices may need to be in a case that provides an adequate area for the FlyGrip’s 3M adhesive. For iPhone 3GS, 4, and 4S users, the FlyGrip is compatible out of the box; for other phone users, check FlyGrip’s website for a handy phone compatibility chart. At launch, FlyGrip is including a free snap-on case with purchases, so many users will never need to install the FlyGrip directly to their phone.

The FlyGrip comes in three sizes—small, medium and large—so check the FAQ before ordering to make sure your fingers will fit. Included in the box are foam pads for resizing if you find the grip too loose, and an extra adhesive sheet should you decide to remove your FlyGrip and stick it on another device. The bundled instructions suggest the use of a dull, flat object like a butter knife to pry the FlyGrip off when you move it. Though it seems incredible, the process is actually fairly simple and less traumatic than it might seem (check out the video below), but taking a butter knife to a $400 phone is definitely not for the faint of heart.

Boldly Going Where No Phone Has Gone

In the interview with Karmatz, a number of uses for the FlyGrip were discussed, ranging from the ingenious to the ludicrous.  For smaller tablets and e-readers, the FlyGrip is especially useful because many are too small to hold comfortably for very long without touching any keys. Long term use with an iPad is possible, but the iPad’s weight can be uncomfortable. Potential situations where the FlyGrip might be useful include:

• iPhone as a flashlight (either the LED or screen)
• Reading while running on a treadmill
• Pushing a shopping cart perusing an electronic shopping list (either cradling the phone or wearing it like a ring)
• Eating while tweeting (catchy-sounding but dangerous)
• Using HopStop for directions while holding on for dear life in the NYC subway
• Hold a Kindle up while reading in bed
• Use your imagination…

Not just an accessory, but a revelation in iPhone usefulness, the FlyGrip is easily one of the top ten iDevice accessories of all time. Whether in use as a kickstand, gripper cradled inside the hand, or as a ring on top of the hand, the FlyGrip ensures your smartphone adapts to your current activity, rather than you fumbling not to drop your shiny iPhone while shopping for rutabagas.  Recommending the FlyGrip is easy, emphasizing just how useful it will become is the hard part.

Product [FlyGrip]