May 30th in iPad 2, iPad Accessories by Jonathan Norman .
There are bags, then there are BAGS, Skooba’s NetBook/iPad Messenger Bag ($49.95) is a BAG. It’s the bag of bags, it’s the end all of simple and effective, amazingly thought-out, and perfectly constructed.
For as long as I can remember I’ve been a “bag guy”. I have often wondered how as a man I’m supposed to cart all my “stuff” from place to place. It honestly just doesn’t fit in my pockets. From keys, crazy thick wallet, loose change that falls between the cushions, phone, and now iPad…along with other items I may need for meetings or work. The idea that I am supposed to manage this without a bag of some kind always struck me as odd. Sure, when going to work a “bag” is perfectly acceptable, but out to the coffee shop, or restaurant, nope, weird looks all around. Now that more and more people NEED bags, especially men, the idea isn’t as head-turning, and the Skooba NetBook/iPad Messenger Bag is just the thing I feel great about bringing along. (more…)
May 8th in iPad 2, iPad Accessories, iPad News by Jeff Cormier .
The iPad has many accessories. Cases, keyboards, screen covers, and more. With the release of iPad 2 we’ve also witnessed a company selling an $8 million iPad featuring 70 ounces of 24-carat gold and 12.5 carats of diamonds jammed into the Apple logo and Harrod’s selling iPads covered in Swarovski Crystals. (more…)
April 22nd in iPad 2, iPad Accessories, iPad Cases by Jonathan Norman .
The iPad is one of those devices people fight over when discussing its portability. Well, in a sense, all tablets are. People argue over the size mostly when talking about the ability to take one places. Is a 7 inch best? 10 inch? What’s the right size. Obviously the smaller the device the more easily taken from place to place it will be. Thus why smartphones are so popular. But what is the sacrifice when having a tablet one size over the other? Personally, I like the size of the iPad, and while it won’t fit into my pocket, that’s okay by me…I’d much rather keep my phone in my pocket, and take along a bag of some sort if I want to bring the iPad with me. Because of this, and the number of you (the readers) who have messaged me about great bags for the iPad, I’ve have been seeking out just that….great iPad bags for everyday use.
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April 5th in iPad Accessories, iPad Cases, iPad News by Jeff Cormier .
Did the price of the “iPad 2 Gold History Edition,” featuring 70 ounces of 24-carat gold and 12.5 carats of diamonds crammed into the Apple logo on the rear of iPad 2 turn you off? At $8 million no doubt the vast majority of you, including yours truly, found the price a bit too steep. Thankfully there’s a cheaper, less gaudy, option for an iPad owner craving opulence. (more…)
March 28th in iPad 2, iPad Accessories by Jeff Cormier .
You’re fortunate enough to have iPad 2. Congratulations. But for those that are still waiting to purchase iPad 2 why not grab the best, or at the very least, most expensive, iPad money can buy? (more…)
March 27th in iPad Accessories by Jonathan Norman .
One of the questions I get most often from readers is, “What’s a good bag for the iPad?”. I’m not surprised by this at all. The iPad is a great travel companion, whether you have a 3G version, or tether via your phone, having it with you is something more and more people plan to do while out and about. These same people want to protect their device and make it easy to bring along. So again, “What’s a good bag for the iPad?”. Well, like most things technology related…the answer isn’t simple, and that answer is, “it depends”.
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March 22nd in iPad 2, iPad Accessories by Jonathan Norman .
Upon learning that a hardware add-on for the iPad that would give me a joystick was available I knew right away I wanted to test it. Thanks to the folks at Think Geek I was able to.
Anyone who plays loads of games on the iPad knows that sometimes the touch controls leave a lot to be desired. Now that Joystick-It exists, there is hope for some of these games. Now I say ‘some’ of these games because the only downfall to the hardware is that it doesn’t work with all games. While that’s not the fault of the makers, as not all games can utilize the small device properly, it makes using it a little limited.
But boy is it worthwhile for those that WILL work. (more…)
March 20th in App Reviews, iPad 2, iPad Accessories, iPhone by Jonathan Norman .
IK Multimedia’s slogan is, “Musicians First”. That’s putting it mildly. Since the introduction of the iPad I have found that it is amazingly useful for me as a musician. However to succeed in using it as such one needs hardware add-ons as well as software. Thanks to IK Multimedia there is a company that makes both, and makes both well. From their amazing lineup of AmpliTube effects and stomp box apps, to their hardware pieces such as iRig and iKlip, IK Multimedia has provided simple ways to play instruments and record music through the iPad.
Now they give musicians a simple way to include vocals…the iRig Mic! (more…)
March 4th in iPad Accessories by Jonathan Norman .
I’m no artist. Let’s just get that out of the way right now. However, I do really like to sketch and draw and paint using the iPad. It’s fun, I don’t really need any special tools, don’t have to buy oils, paints, or special paper. That said, my finger isn’t the best painting tool. Nor are the standard stylus options I’ve reviewed such as Pogo Sketch or AluPen. They’re great note-taking options, but for painting, most will find them a little skimpy…or as is the case, fat. (more…)
February 17th in iPad Accessories by Jonathan Norman .
Despite what some people will have you believe (ahem, Mark Zuckerberg), the iPad IS a mobile device for many of its users…the same way the iPod or iPhone are. People take it with them to the coffee shop, to friends houses, to school, in the car, etc. For women, the task of finding a place to store the iPad while on the go is usually not an issue. Grab it, stick it in your purse, and you’re off. Assuming you have a cover or case of some kind sticking it in a purse probably isn’t going to cause any damage. Students too have little issue with transporting their precious go-to accessory as they move about campus. However, for most men, taking the iPad with them isn’t as simple. Sure, one could tuck it under an arm. Simply carry it. Stick it in a large book-bag. Or perhaps find a case that also have a shoulder strap for carrying it. But for me at least, none of these were great options.
First, I don’t use a case all the time. Second, I am not going to carry a large book-bag with me like I’m in college when heading everywhere.
That’s where the Ristretto Bag fits into my life. (more…)
