Are you excited about your new iPad 2? Aren’t you a bit worried that you might scratch it before you get a protective film? Screen protectors made for the first generation of iPads won’t fit the iPad 2, so you’ll need to get one that has been designed specifically for the new iPad.
ZAGG InvisibleSHIELD for iPad 2 comes in four coverage options:
Full Body Maximum Coverage for $39.99. This is the ultimate protection, covering all exposed areas of the iPad 2, the perfect solution for protection nerds. The application is a bit challenging, but the reward is worth the trouble.
Full Body Easy Install for $39.99. This is the most popular option. It offers protection for the screen and for the back of the device and it is very easy to apply.
Front Coverage for $29.99
Back Coverage for $29.99 – This is an excellent choice for using together with Apple’s Smart Covers, as it will cover and protect the back of your iPad without spoiling its looks.
The Invisible Shield for iPad 2 is made from the same military grade patented material that protected more than 17 million other devices since the day it was made available by ZAGG.
Update: ZAGGmate is now available for iPad 2; slimmer, sexier, and still the best case on the market for your iPad. You should get yours from ZAGG while stocks last.
Why would I buy a keyboard for my iPad? This is a question more than a few iPad owners have asked themselves. The answer can be anything from “I wouldn’t!” to “I need it for faster and error-free typing”. While most heavy iPad users acknowledge a physical keyboard is better than the built in virtual one, they also agree that carrying an external keyboard around with them is completely impractical.
Since so many people buy an iPad case anyway to keep their expensive device protected, ZAGG have spotted this opportunity and created the ZAGGmate, an iPad case with built-in keyboard. On the outside, the ZAGGmate looks and feels just like an original Apple gadget, thanks to its aircraft-grade aluminum with a bead-blasted, anodized finish. Slim and sleek, it is the perfect matching case for your iPad, it’s also the thinnest hard cover available. But wait! The ZAGG mate is way more than a case. Open it, set the inner hinge in any one of the preset positions, and you’ve got an iPad stand with variable angles, perfect for both landscape and portrait orientation. If this is all you need from your iPad stand/case, you can buy the ZAGGmate without keyboard. You’ll get a beautiful case and adjustable stand for only $69.
ZAGGgmate with keyboard - iPad landscape orientation
However, for an extra $30 you can have the ZAGGmate with keyboard, which will provide the benefit of faster typing, and the comfort of feeling real keys under your fingers. We give this two thumbs up The ZAGGmate with keyboard only adds about ¼ inch to the iPad thickness, so most people won’t even know there’s a keyboard inside your slim aluminum case.
The keyboard is wirelessly connected to your iPad via Bluetooth. Before you can use your iPad with the ZAGGmate keyboard you need to pair them. This is easy, it’s the standard procedure of pairing two Bluetooth devices. It only has to be done once, and then the iPad and the ZAGGmate will “recognize” each other by default after that.
ZAGGmate features:
ZAGGmate - iPad cover made from aircraft grade aluminum
Slim, lightweight and durable, thanks to the aircraft-grade aluminum
Perfect match for the iPad, thanks to the anodized finish
Excellent drop protection provided by the military grade high-density padding
Ten viewing angles, suitable for both portrait and landscape mode
Flat, large base, excellent for use on uneven or soft surfaces (such as a bed or a couch)
Built-in wireless Bluetooth physical keyboard
Special function keys for music control, volume control, home, search, slideshow, keyboard language and more
Here are the technical specifications and the box content, as published on the ZAGG website:
Size and Weight:
Height: 9.75 inches (248 mm)
Width: 7.625 inches (194 mm)
Depth: .4 inches (10.2 mm)
Depth w/keyboard: .54 inches (13.7 mm)
Weight: 7 ounces (.2 kg)
Weight w/keyboard: 12.8 ounces (.37 kg)
Box content:
ZAGGmate
MicroUSB cable for charging
Quickstart guide
Four rubber feet (optional)
Battery: ZAGGmate with keyboard uses a 510 mAh rechargeable lithium polymer battery that will last for several weeks of normal use without charging. It comes already installed and it probably can’t be replaced by the user (at least we haven’t found a way to access it yet).
ZAGGmate for iPad - keyboard and stand
We believe the ZAGGmate with keyboard is one of those must-have iPad accessories, definitely one of our picks for the best of 2010. It provides three items in one: a beautiful, military-grade protective hard case, an adjustable stand and a Bluetooth keyboard. All this fits into such a thin profile that it leaves the portability of your iPad unspoiled.
The ZAGGmate is available for pre-order on ZAGG’s website. We couldn’t find any information on how many of these ZAGG will be able to ship before Christmas, so if you think this could make the perfect gift for someone you know, it might be a good idea to get your order in early. Get it now from ZAGG.
Did I hear you say Drop-Proof ??? Well it almost is, in the words of the designer, David Adams:
“We modeled the Squish Skin after a Wii remote case. Your iPad still isn’t drop-proof, but it’s close”
And the entire team here couldn’t agree more; after I personally put my Pad into this case it felt almost indestructable. Short of intentionally throwing my iPad on the floor to test if this were true, I am happy to say that with the Squish Skin on the iPad, it certainly feels like it would withstand a drop from table height.
So on to the details of this case. To start with it’s soft, and I mean really soft, at risk of sounding a little kinky I have to say it feels good to hold. Apparently it’s constructed with squishy, air filled chambers in the sides. It feels pleasantly soft, tactile and I can comfortably use my iPad all day in this case.
The Squish Skin also comes in 6 delicious shades of colored rubber (click to enlarge):
6 Delicious Colors
Hard Candy Cases, the creators of the Squish Skin, describe it as follows:
More protective than bubble wrap and way more fun, the Squish Skin delivers noticeably outstanding and unique protection for your iPad. The snug, form-fitting silicone skin resists impacts by utilizing air-filled chambers just below the surface of the case.
iPad Squish Skin - Teal Blue
We think this case is super-cool, super-functional and super-value for money, retailing at around the $40 mark. It’s an awesome, protective, rubberized iPad case with air pockets in 6 delicious colors, The Squish Skin from Hard Candy Cases If you want a great, all-round protective iPad case that has real design flair and doesn’t cost the earth, then this is it. 5 big stars from us.
The best price we found for the Squish Skin was at eBags.
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The iPad is not even 6 months old yet and it has already become the tablet of choice. Once again Apple has revolutionized how we interact with our digital world. In honour of the iPad’s 5 month we have put together a gallery showcasing the very best iPad accessories we’ve reviewed this year. From iPad cases, covers and slips, to bags, stands, chargers and skins. It’s great to see so much innovation in the market and such a fine stable of accessories already available. Click the arrow on an image above to flip it over for more information and a link to the review.
Enjoy!
The ZAGGmate with keyboard only adds about ¼ inch to the iPad thickness, so most people won’t even know there’s a keyboard inside your slim aluminum case.
