ZAGGkeys SOLO - Black

ZAGG have released another great new product, the ZAGGkeys Solo Bluetooth iPad Keyboard. ZAGG have built a reputation on building great accessories for the iPad; The ZAGGmate, now known as the Logitech Keyboard Case by ZAGG for iPad 2, was probably the most popular iPad case on the market last year. The sleek design was manufactured to the same look, feel and quality standard as an Apple product. Consequently it sold like hot cakes. They also retailed a ZAGGmate case without a keyboard for those who wanted it.

Now ZAGG are back, and this time they have the keyboard without the case!

I think this is a great product that will suit many users who love the iPad’s intuitive touch screen, but miss being able to type at full speed.

Compatibility

The keyboard also doubles as a stand, and supports a range of other devices reasonably well. ZAGG have provided a table showing compatibility with other devices:

ZAGGkeys Compatibility Chart

Lets not kid ourselves here, the ZAGGkeys SOLO is primarily designed for the iPad. However, if you are an iPhone 4 or iPod touch user the compatibility is excellent, and thankfully other major tablet devices do have excellent support in one of either Landscape, or Portrait orientations. The Galaxy Tab works in landscape, while the Motorola Xoom and HTC Flyer work well when used in portrait mode.

Color Options

The ZAGGkeys SOLO comes in 3 color finish options; Black, White and Silver, so you can match the finish to your device, should you wish to do so.

My favorite was the black, but if you love your aluminum finish iPad 1, or want to match your white iPad 2 to it’s keybaord, then you may want to choose one of the other options.

Battery Life

The ZAGGkeys contains a 510 mAh rechargeable lithium polymer battery, which sounds high tech to me, but all we really need to know is that it will last a couple of weeks before needing to be recharged. This is good news, and what is also good is that ZAGG includes a USB to Micro-USB cable to plug your keyboard into another device and charge it when it needs juice. Whew!

Size and Weight

The dimensions of the ZAGGkeys SOLO matches closely the width of the iPad in Landscape orientation, perfect and just how we would want it.

• Length: 9.5 inches (241 mm)
• Width: 6.7 inches (170 mm)
• Depth: .4 inches (10 mm)
• Weight: 11.5 ounces (326 grams)

Conclusion

This is a great accessory if you like to be able to sit down and hammer out emails at speed and the virtual keyboard in the iPad does not quite cut it.  Some users won’t need this accessory at all, while others will probably find it indispensable. If you want one you can get it from ZAGG.

ZAGGfolio, the iPad 2 Folio, Stand and Keyboard All-In-One

Thin, durable and featuring a stylish design, ZAGGfolio almost seems too good to be true. What specifically makes me say this? Maybe the fact that the removable keyboard has such a comfortable key spacing that it makes typing more comfortable and faster. Maybe the total iPad protection, from its beautifully rounded corners to the smallest port. Or maybe the intuitive built-in stand which can be used inside or outside the folio cover. ZAGG folio promises to really make a difference in the world of iPad 2 accessories.

What makes ZAGGfolio the ideal All-in-One iPad 2 companion

ZAGGfolio for iPad 2 has built-in stand and removable keyboard

ZAGGfolio has everything it needs to turn your iPad 2 into a laptop in terms of functionality and convenience, without transforming it into a less portable, bulky device. The folio is made from carbon fiber with microfiber lining. It is impressively thin, it has a stylish design and it weighs only 7.5 ounces. It’s hard to guess that this iPad folio hides a built-in stand and a removable bluetooth keyboard. Together with the keyboard, ZAGGfolio weighs 19 ounces.

The keyboard can be paired with only one iPad at a time. However, you can switch to another one or to any other Bluetooth capable device very easily. Pairing needs to be done only once, in the beginning. After that, paired devices automatically recognize each other.

The cool part is that you can take either the keyboard or the iPad out of the folio and they still stay connected to each other. Removing them from the carbon fiber outer shell is very easy. If you like the naked look ZAGGmate has, you can enjoy it with the new ZAGGfolio, too. This is possible because the Bluetooth keyboard works as a stand alone iPad dock. Additionally, you’ll benefit from total protection of the iPad 2 and of the keyboard. This was something ZAGGmate didn’t offer: the back of both devices was exposed to wear and scratches.

The carbon fiber case is thin, yet durable

ZAGGfolio was designed with flexibility in mind. The keyboard works with the iPad 2 in either landscape or portrait orientation. The rechargeable battery that powers the keyboard lasts for weeks between two charges. You can lengthen the battery life if you remember to turn off the keyboard when not in use. If you don’t need the keyboard for some specific meeting or trip, you can leave it at home and use the ZAGGfolio as a carrying case for your iPad 2.

The top row of keys on the ZAGGfolio keyboard have special functions that enable quick access to most-used commands:

• Home – displays the home screen
• Search – activates iPad 2 search screen
• Slideshow – activates a slideshow of your saved pictures
• Virtual keyboard – toggles between hiding and showing on-screen keyboard
• Lock – makes the screen go black; pressed again, it reverts to the initial display
• International Keyboard – toggles between international keyboards; the keyboard layout is U.S.
• Other function keys: Cut, Copy, Paste, Undo, Redo
• Music function keys: Previous track, Next track ,Play/Pause, Volume down, Volume up, Mute

ZAGGfolio costs $99,99. It is expected to ship by July 21st. Meanwhile, you can pre-order yours on the ZAGG website. They say quantities are limited. I tend not to believe this, but I like it so much that I secured mine, just in case it’s really a limited release.

Seagate Goflex Satellite

Watching movies is one of my favorite activities on the iPad. I like sharing some of the best movies with my friends during our travels. This is why I like to have lots of storage for my files. My iPad surely does not have enough room for everything I’d like to keep, so I’m thinking to buy an external hard drive. As I need it mostly for travels, it has to be as lightweight and as compact as possible. Wireless would also be nice, but I had no idea such an option was available. Until today.

Seagate GoFlex Satellite connects to the iPad via Wi-Fi Network

The Seagate GoFlex Satellite Mobile Wireless Storage sounds like the coolest option. What makes it so cool, is the fact that it is wireless. It gets connected to the iPad via a Wi-Fi standard 802.11 b/g/n network with WPA security. This network works within a 30 feet range and it can be shared with up to three devices, so you can have two other members of your family use the same GoFlex Satellite at the same time with you. With 500 GB storage space, this external hard drive will be roomy enough for all of you. The file transfer from your computer to the Seagate drive is done via USB 3.0 interface. This makes data transfers faster. USB 2.0 is also supported, in case you don’t have USB 3.0 on your computer. FireWire 800 and powered eSATA are also available, but separately.

Setting up the GoFlex Satellite external drive is very easy

What makes the Seagate GoFlex Satellite Mobile Wireless Storage the perfect pair for iPad

Mobility & Flexibility

The GoFlex Satellite is powered by rechargeable battery which provides up to 5 hours of continuous streaming. This should be good for at least two movies. In standby mode, the battery life is 25 hours, enough for most users. The box contains a compact wall charger with retractable pins and a car charger.

Being wireless, this external hard drive is perfect while traveling, because you can use it without taking it out of your bag. The drive is compact and lightweight, easy to find a place for in your bag or inside a large pocket. It’s less than half the size of my current external drive, so I’m very happy about getting one before my next travel.

Simple setup & easy access to your media

The Seagate GoFlex Satellite is compatible with all iPad versions, iPod Touch, iPhone and many other smartphones and tablets. Establishing a connection between the disk and your device is very easy, all you need to do is to connect to the Wi-Fi network that appears on your networks list. There a little drawback here: the iPad can connect to only one wireless network at a time. This means that you won’t have internet access while using your GoFlex Satellite disk. It’s still awesome for long flights, when you can’t use the internet anyway.

The media files stored on the external drive can be accessed via any web browser. Loading them from the computer is easy, thanks to Media Sync, a free application which quickly syncs your media library. For Apple devices, Media Sync is available on the App Store.

Data protection

The disk comes with the Seagate G-Force Protection Freefall Sensor Technology. In case of an accidental drop, it switches automatically to a non-operating state, thus avoiding data losses that may occur in such situations.

Seagate GoFlex Satellite Specifications:

• Size: 4.72” x 3.46” x 1.26”
• Weight: 0.588 lb
• Storage capacity: 500 GB (more than 8000 hours of music or 160,000 photos or 125 DVD quality movies or 125 hours of HD video)
• Battery: non-replaceable Li-Ion
• Wi-Fi standard: 802.11 b/g/n, with WPA security

System requirements:

• Smartphone, iPad, tablets and computers with web browser and Wi-Fi connectivity standard 802.11 b/g/n
• Computer operating systems: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Mac OS X 10.5.8 minimum
• USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 port

Supported file types:

For iPad:

• Video: H.264 video, MPEG-4, Motion-JPEG
• Audio: AAC, MP3, Audible (formats 2, 3, 4), Apple Lossless, AIFF, WAV
• Documents: Microsoft® Office®, iWork®, Adobe® Acrobat® (PDF)
• Select file types supported by third-party apps

Generally speaking, it will recognize and play any type of file supported by the applications on your device.

What’s in the box:

Seagate GoFlex Satellite is small, compact and lightweight

• GoFlex Satellite mobile wireless storage device
• USB 3.0 USM adapter with detachable USB 3.0 cable (if USB 3.0 is not available on the computer, it will work with USB 2.0)
• USB to DC cable
• Compact wall adapter with retractable pins
• Compact car charger
• Quick start guide

The GoFlex Media application enables searching for files or filtering by keyword. There is no possibility to import your saved playlists from your computer or to create new ones. This issue seems to have bothered several users, who wrote about their experience on Amazon. However, if you can live without playlists, the GoFlex Satellite is still a nice option to have your media with you while traveling.

The disk has 3 year limited warranty. It belongs to the Seagate GoFlex Storage System. This makes it easy to upgrade whenever there’s a new interface or some other improvement launched.

The Seagate GoFlex Satellite Mobile Wireless Storage is new. It’s also a first time for Seagate, therefore many users perceived it as “work-in-progress”. Nonetheless, Seagate is a strong name in the storage industry, so they are probably using the feedback they are getting now to perfect the product. You can read more about the Seagate GoFlex Satellite Mobile Wireless Storage on Amazon. It is eligible for FREE shipping as part of the Super Saver Shipping program.

Do you want to avoid this?

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.

You can order your iPad 2 Invisible Shield from ZAGG right now and have it delivered in as little as 1-2 business days.

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.

You can read a detailed review of ZAGG Invisible Shield for iPad.

Crazy On Digital iPad 2 Accessory Bundle

This 20 items accessory bundle from Crazy On Digital includes all essential iPad 2 accessories such as screen protectors, leather case, earphones with microphone, chargers and various cables and connectors. You can find it on Amazon. If you are new to the iPad and you have no idea about what accessories you need to buy, this is a very good package to start with. It covers both protection and functionality needs. The only item it lacks is a stand, but you can do your research and order that separately later on.

The main point in purchasing such a package for your iPad is convenience: you get everything with just a single order. Besides, the price for the whole bundle is less than the price of many iPad cases out there, so it’s definitely worth considering.

This is what the Crazy On Digital iPad 2 Accessory Bundle contains:

• red leather case
• 4 TPU cases: clear, gray, purple and blue
• 3 screen protector sets
• chargers: a wall charger and a car charger
• 2 earphones with microphone, suitable for Facetime or Skype calls
• 2 headphone splitters
• 2 fish winders
• cables: one regular and one retractable auxiliary cable
• one wristband, which has nothing to do with the iPad 2, but which is quite cool

The Crazy On Digital iPad 2 Accessory Bundle fits the 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 3G and Wifi Apple iPad 2 models. You can order yours from Amazon today at a very special price.

Targus 360 Degrees Rotating Stand / Case for iPad 2

Targus are sending us one of these, unfortunately it has not arrived yet so we can’t give you the full “hands on” review. However, we thought it would be good to do a quick roundup of the features, as so many of you have written in with requests for more iPad 2 case reviews. We’re checking our mail box almost hourly, so don’t worry, as soon as they arrive you will be the first to know. We promise!

Like many other iPad 2 accessories, the Targus 360 Degrees Rotating Stand / Case is specifically designed to match the new shape of the device and to allow full access to all functions. Unlike many others, this stand makes it very easy to switch between landscape and portrait positions, thanks to a mechanism which enables the iPad to rotate 360 degrees while inside the case. This rotating mechanism was thoughtfully designed to frame the Apple logo, creating a cool visual effect.

The Targus 360 Degrees Rotating Stand / Case - effective protection, slim profile

When used as a case, the Targus 360 Degrees Rotating Stand / Case provides excellent protection, thanks to the hard-shell design and to the soft lining material that prevents scratches on sensitive surfaces. Despite the sturdy, highly protective, molded exterior, the case is slim enough to fit inside other iPad 2 cases.
The exterior case dimensions are: 9.84″L x 7.68″W x 0.71″H, just in case you want to check if it fits inside other cases or bags you already have.

The Targus 360 Degrees Rotating Stand / Case is available from Targus.

Hard Candy Cases - Street Skin for iPad 2 - black

Another cool feature of the iPad 2 Street Skin is the protection against overheating. The heat dissipation issue was addressed in a simple but effective way, by providing vents in the case that correspond to the location of the vents on the iPad 2. The iPad 2 Street Skin will be available in three colors: black, clear and pink. You can see it here.

iPad 2 will be available in black and white

UPDATE: You can get the Smart Cover from as low as $26 from Amazon. Thanks to Simon’s helpful comment below.

The long-awaited iPad 2 is now available. Although the screen size is still 9.7”, the new iPad is slimmer and slightly smaller than its predecessor. Those of you who resisted the impulse of buying an iPad as Christmas present can have it now for the same price but with the new operating system from Apple, iOS4 and with lots of additional functions such as dual video cameras, gyroscope, HDMI video out and magnetic screen covers.

iPad2 Smart Cover unfolding

The magnetic screen covers are called “Smart Covers” and they surely live up to their name, thanks to a series of interesting features which we are going to talk about here. This is not a hands-on review of the iPad 2 Smart Cover, since it’s yet to become available for purchase, but a description of its main features and benefits that make it awesome.

First of all, the Smart Cover addresses the issue some iPad users had, that it was a shame to cover such a beautiful design with a case. For the iPad 2, the case was designed right alongside the product, and the result was a cover for the glass screen. The back of the new iPad is made from durable aluminum, therefore it doesn’t need protection.

iPad 2 Smart Cover folded as typing support

The Smart Cover attaches to the iPad 2 via magnets and it bends and folds around, revealing the screen and at the same time offering support for typing or watching movies. There are magnets not only inside the cover but also inside the iPad 2, therefore the cover will snap onto the iPad in the correct position every time. It’s so easy to attach or remove the Smart Cover, that you can have more than one, so you’ll be able to match it with the colors of your outfits.
Apple will provide the Smart Covers in ten colors, five in polyurethane and five in leather.

The Smart Cover will be available in 10 colors

The cover is padded with a microfiber lining which cleans the screen any time you move it.

Another interesting feature is that the cover automatically wakes up the iPad when you open it and puts it to sleep when you close it. This will be a great battery life saver.

The price announced by Apple is $39 for the polyurethane covers and $69 for the leather covers. We are going to update this article with a list of online stores where you can order your Smart Cover as well as other iPad 2 accessories.

ZAGGmate iPad keyboard and adjustable stand

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.

Crumpler The Moderate Embarrassment iPad Bag

We got a message from one of our readers, asking us to review the Crumpler iPad bag. This is how we discovered Crumpler The Moderate Embarrassment, a heavy-duty, water-resistant messenger bag, sized to accommodate the iPad plus a few accessories and personal belongings. The bag is ergonomic and comfortable, it has a nicely padded separate compartment for the iPad and plenty of pockets for other things. The iPad compartment size is 11.02” x 7.87” x 1.18” and can therefore fit the iPad either naked or in a thin hard shell case. There’s another Crumpler bag which also fits the iPad: Skivvy, but that’s really small, it’s more a sleeve rather than a bag, therefore if you want room for more than your iPad, we’d advise you to go for The Moderate Embarrassment.

Crumpler The Moderate Embarrassment looks good. At least in the opinion of our team. All the details of this bag are beautifully made, the quality is amazing, the color combinations are modern without being garish. The materials are smooth, yet weatherproof and durable. This is not an elegant business bag, but it’s perfect for college students, casual day-to-day business, or for travel and weekend trips away.

Crumpler The Moderate Embarrassment - interior compartments

We appreciated the nicely padded shoulder strap. If you ever had to hold a bag on your shoulder for a long time, then you know how important this tiny detail can sometimes be. The outer flap closes securely thanks to a pair of Velcro fasteners. The good news is that thieves will have a hard time opening your bag. The bad news is that you’ll also have a hard time should you attempt to open your bag in silence. Other than this minor issue, Crumpler The Moderate Embarrassment makes a great iPad bag.

2011 UPDATE: The Moderate Embarrassment is no longer available on eBags. You can take a look at Crumpler The Considerable Embarrassment instead. It looks similar but it is a bit bigger.